“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think? Doing that to him… weren’t you guys in some sort of partnership?” Dax asked, maintaining a stoic look.
He was a little stunned that Klaus chose to take down his ally first, instead of combining forces to take him down first. Even though he was as strong as an Alpha, Dax wasn’t so conceited as to think he could win a fight where both Klaus and Benson ganged up against him.
“Oh? Isn’t it better this way, though? You’re relieved by this aren’t you? This way we both get to fight uninterrupted!” Klaus responded, once again donning a wicked grin.
Dax was a little flustered. He knew Klaus was on another level when compared to the other Alphas. However, since Asher had entrusted him with the position of Alpha and had made him the exception for igniting the tournament, he had a chance.
“Benson and I aren’t really allies. He’s just a weak man with a large ambition. He sucks up to me in hopes that I’ll give him what he wants.” Klaus stated.
Dax was beginning to understand their relationship. Benson was a leech, dreaming of having ties with the Wolf King by any means necessary. The scandal of Asher with Camilla was most likely a plot to achieve that. However, since Asher was leaving, Benson had already decided to jump boats and sided with Klaus instead..
“He’s a rat-faced bastard that can’t be trusted. Someone like him would abandon me if things turned sour. I don’t need him by my side.” Klaus added, moving closer to the new Alpha.
Dax narrowed his eyes, raising his guard as he expected an assault.
“But you, you’re different. I can see that Asher trusts you very much to have entrusted this position to you. Not only that, but nearly everyone down there also seems to approve of your ascension as Alpha. You’re also strong without a Werewolf Art, and your calm personality isn’t a bad match either.” Klaus added.
“What’s your point?” Dax snapped, already suspicious of Klaus’ words.
He had an inkling of what the previous Wolf King was after.
“I’m saying, instead of Benson, you would make for a better subordinate! What do you think, Dax? Want to join the winning side?”
Dax fell silent after hearing Klaus’ words. His calm eyes pierced the burning ones of the grinning older man.
“What makes you think I’ll even consider your proposal?” Dax asked.
“It’s simple when you think about it, isn’t it?” Klaus responded.
His lips curled into a wider grin while narrowing his brows to intensify the expression he gave off already.
“You can’t win against me!”
The air suddenly grew heavy as a strong pressure surrounded the atmosphere. Dax winced, feeling the effects of Klaus’ domination.
“You should take my offer while I’m being generous with you, Dax. You’re a good kid. You’re also sensible. I’m confident you’ll make the right choice… at least for the sake of your mate.” Klaus stated.
The moment he heard this, Dax’s eyes widened in rage.
“What did you… just say?!” His voice was now husky and deep.
The murderous glare in Dax’s eyes displayed that he didn’t take too kindly to his wife being impliedly threatened.
“Would you chill for a bit? I’m just saying. What’s so wrong in being my subordinate? You’re now Alpha, so you owe no direct loyalty to Asher. Plus, he’s also retiring as Wolf King. You’re not betraying anyone.”
No matter what words Klaus was uttering, it all meant the same to Dax
“You seem to have gotten the right idea about my relationship with Asher…” Dax said, clenching his fists in resolve.
From his distanced where he stood, Asher smiled satisfactorily. He was already very confident in Dax’s unwavering loyalty. After all, even before they gained their title as Alpha and Beta, both of them were already best friends!”
“Asher means more than an Alpha to me. He’s my brother-in-law, my comrade, my rival… he’s my closest friend! I won’t turn away from that bond all because of anything you say!” Dax declared loudly.
His statement slightly stunned Klaus, but the latter quickly recovered from it. He sighed, shaking his head in disappointment as he watched the determination Dax displayed.
“I see. What a foolish choice… what a shame.” He sighed.
“I thought you were smarter than that, hoping to give you a chance to jump the sinking ship you’re on, but I suppose a Beta will always be a Beta. Your blind loyalty to Asher still binds you. Don’t worry, though. I’ll makes dire to take care of it for you …”.
Seeing as there was no other choice but to resolve the match with violence, the conflicting parties were back to square one. Klaus, on one hand, hoped to entirely crush Dax and show him despair. Doing so would make him forcefully respect him and Revere him even more than Asher.
“As is everything in this world, If I want it… I only need to take it!”
As for Dax, he was going to go all out and win against Klaus, not betraying the expectations of everyone around him, including Asher. But more than that, he needed to win! If he didn’t, his wife would be prey to Klaus, and he was also sure that the Rockwood Pack would suffer if his opponent was made Wolf King.
“For my family .. for the Pack, for Rita… I can’t afford to lose!”
>SWOOOOOOOSSSHHHH<
Both men instantly dashed from their positions and lunged at each other at inconceivable speeds. For Dax, he went all out from the get-go, realizing that he couldn't win without resorting to his complete strength.
'There's no reason to hold back!' Dax' mind rang.
In a flash, no, even before that, they had closed their distance and clashed with their fists. With each one colliding with the other, their tightly clenched fists hammered on one another. Klaus was grinning, clearly enjoying himself, while Dax clenched his teeth, enduring the stings caused by their clash.
"Grrrr!!!" Dax transformed partly into his part wolf form, displaying his dark brown fur and increased in mass. His punch packed more power, smashing Klaus' in an instant.
This sent the previous Wolf King into recoil. He staggered behind a little, looking a little stunned by Dax' sudden move. Still, it wasn't that bug a deal.
"Oh? You want us to use our transformation now?' Klaus smiled.
His body grew instantly as his fur showed. Dark, just like Sher, with tints of grey displayed around some parts His sharp teeth were clearly displayed as his jaws curled in a menacing grin while growling.
"Show me what you've got!" Klaus' deepened voice called out
Dax didn't need to be told this before leaping toward Klaus. On all fours, he transversed the hard ground beneath him and reached Klaus. Klaus recklessly flung his fist toward the fast approaching figure of Dax.
Dax saw the blow launch toward him at a frighteningly fast pace. If not for the absolute concentration he maintained, Dax doubted he would have been able to keep up with such speed. As it neared him, Dax instantly swerved his body to avoid the hit, knowing that if the attack connected, he would be sent flying away.
>VWOOOOM<
Klaus' arm was flung, barely touching Dax as the latter advanced closer to launch his assualt.
Preparing his claws, while adding all of his strength into it, Dax slashed at Klaus, causing blood to gush out of his body. Klaus was surprised, but at the same time, amused by a Dax' combat prowess. Who would have thought a mere Beta would draw blood from him?
Still…
"Hoho, you're not bad. Now I understand why Asher keeps you in high esteem, enough to think you can challenge me and have an inkling of a chance of victory." Klaus stated, immediately leaping our of Dax's range before any more slashes were launched.
Dax couldn't give chase as well, since he exerted himself quite well in his last assault and needed time to gather his strength.
"Impressive, impressive. But you know, for me… this isn't even considered flesh wound."
Immediately Klaus made this statement, the slash mark on his body vanished as the wounds closed. Dax was entirely amazed by the fast regeneration speed he displayed. Within seconds, it was as though no injury had been given in the first place.
"Oh? There's no need to look so surprised, kid. We're just getting started, you know?" Klaus grinned.
There was a reason he was attacking Dax so recklessly. It was also the reason he considered their match to be a fun brawl, and not an actual conflict. No matter how much damage Dax rendered, Klaus could easily regenerate and come out victorious. Dax was simply not strong enough to give the previous Wolf King an attack intense enough to leave a lasting effect.
"I was holding back to see what you had, and you have impressed me so far. However… this is where the fun ends."
Klaus had not forgotten his goal of crushing Dax absolutely. He was just waiting for the new Alpha to try all he could to struggle. Now that he had seen that whatever he did was pointless, Klaus decided it was time Dax experienced the superiority in their combat abilities.
"[Domination]. [Aura]…" Klaus whispered.
Suddenly, the atmosphere felt heavier, as Dax felt an insurmountable amount of pressure crush him. His body felt like lead and he was so stiff he had lost most of his mobility. Klaus stated at him with amusement written on his face.
Purple sparks of energy flashed as Klaus shrouded his Werewolf form with the energy bursting forth. His grin didn't disappear, but kept growing wider.
"I can use two werewolf Arts, both of which are useful for combat. While you… can use none!" Klaus stated.
In such a disadvantageous situation, it was obvious who would end up being the victor.
"So, tell me… Dax. Can you keep going?!"
Listening to Klaus' taunts, Dax knew the former Wolf King wasn't messing around. The feeling he had made him feel like he had lost already and his instincts screamed at him to run. However, he wasn't going to choose that. Not with what was at stake.
"I can… keep going…" Dax gritted his teeth as he spoke, raising his fists to keep fighting.
Klaus was amused by Dax's futile struggle, but a tinge of respect was still evident in his eyes.
"Very well then. Let's end this, kid!"