482

Dave was enjoying his breakfast when Alpha Kilian came downstairs the next morning. “Up early today, huh?” he teased, savoring a bite.
Alpha Kilian took a seat across from him. “Just couldn’t sleep.”
Dave raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing him. “You look off. Everything okay?” Alpha Kilian coughed lightly. “Just a minor cold, I think.”
“A cold?” Dave frowned. “But the weather’s been perfect. How did that happen?”
Alpha Kilian took a sip of water. “Probably from the cold shower I had last night.”
Dave’s expression changed to shock. “You took a cold shower?!” Alpha Kilian stayed silent, his eyes avoiding Dave’s.
Then it hit Dave. “Wait, did you take just one cold shower, or was it a few?”
Knowing Alpha Kilian’s resilience, he found it hard to believe one cold shower could do it. Alpha Kilian finally looked up. “It was a few,” he admitted.
Dave chuckled, shaking his head. “Got it!” Alpha Kilian resumed his meal, seemingly unfazed by the banter. Dave’s playful grin faded as Alpha Kilian spoke again. “The boss called me yesterday.”
Dave’s demeanor shifted. “He still dares to reach out? What did he want?”
Alpha Kilian hesitated, recalling the video he had received. “He’s not giving up.”
“Not surprising. People like him don’t back down easily,” Dave replied.
“Exactly. If he can’t track me down, he’ll definitely stir up trouble for DX. We need to stay alert,” Alpha Kilian cautioned.
Dave smiled confidently. “The Midnight Fang Pack may be different, but we’ve got the upper hand in resources and firepower. You really think he’d go after DX that easily?”
Alpha Kilian nodded. “You might be right, but let’s not take any chances.”
“Relax. We’ve been prepared for ages,” Dave assured him, noting his own capability in keeping DX safe.
After a brief pause, Alpha Kilian added, “I’ll need you to spread some news in a few days.”
“Not a problem, but do you think she’ll buy it?” Dave asked.
“She will, as long as it seems credible,” Alpha Kilian responded, leaving no room for doubt. Dave agreed, “Okay.”
As their conversation wound down, Alpha Kilian finished his food and moved the plates toward him.
“What are you doing?” Dave asked, puzzled.
“Nelly’s still asleep, so I’m taking this upstairs for her.”
“And what about me?”
“You should cut back; otherwise, you’ll be overweight by fifty.”
Me? Overweight? Dave was speechless, though a smile crept onto his face.
Just then, his phone rang. He answered after glancing at the screen.
“Hello?”
“Dave! We’ve got a problem,” Miguel’s frantic voice echoed through the phone. Dave frowned at the urgency.
Meanwhile, Tony’s phone buzzed incessantly on the table. He picked it up. “Miguel, if you keep calling like this, I’ll- What?” His sleepiness vanished. “Okay, I’m on my way!”
He quickly dressed and rushed out.
When Tony arrived at the hidden room, a tense Miguel sat at a computer.
“What’s going on?” Tony asked, approaching him.
Just then, a video appeared on Miguel’s screen. He scrambled to close it, but Tony stopped him. “Wait!”
The video was dim but clear enough to see.
Tony’s fingers flew over the keyboard. The screen shifted as he worked, but every time he made a move, the hacker on the other side countered.
Miguel watched anxiously, his brows furrowed. “I can’t believe they’re still here. They really think they can just stick around? Teach them a lesson, Master!” he urged Tony.
Despite his youthful appearance, Tony’s demeanor exuded a surprising maturity. He kept his movements steady, neither rushing nor hesitating.
Suddenly, the hacker seemed to fall for one of Tony’s traps, and Miguel couldn’t contain his excitement. “Awesome! They took the bait! Master, you’re incredible!”
From the back, Dave frowned. “Keep it down, Miguel. Don’t disrupt his focus.”
Miguel quickly quieted, eyes glued to the screen.
Tony continued to engage with the hacker, who was clearly struggling against his tactics. “Interesting…” Tony remarked, narrowing his eyes.
Aside from Nelly, he hadn’t met anyone who could match his skills. The competition only fueled his determination as he ramped up his speed.
The hacker finally sent a message: “Who are you? You’re not the same person as before.”
Tony calmly replied, “I’m your master, of course.”
Miguel snickered at the exchange, but Dave shot him a warning glance, prompting him to stifle his laughter.
Hacker: “You’re impressive. More so than your predecessor.”
Tony: “You’re still hanging on after five minutes.”
The hacker fell silent, and Miguel burst out laughing again.
Hacker: “I wasn’t prepared today, but I’ll be back. Next time, I hope to see your true self!”
Tony: “You won’t have a chance.”
Hacker: “You’re arrogant.”
Tony: “To you, it may seem like arrogance, but it’s confidence.”
Hacker: “Do you really think I’ll be back?”
Tony: “No need. I’ll find you first.”
The hacker was skeptical and replied, “You think you can?”
Tony challenged, “Let’s see if you’re right.”
Hacker: “You have two days. If you don’t show up, I’ll come looking for you.”
Tony: “Get lost!”
The hacker retaliated with a middle finger before disappearing. The computers returned to normal.
Miguel looked puzzled. “That’s it? He just ran away?”
“What else were you expecting?” Dave replied.
“I…” Miguel hesitated, his thoughts lingering unspoken.
Meanwhile, Tony remained at the computer, fingers still flying over the keys. After a while, he stood up and addressed the others, “I’ve reinforced the firewall. If he tries to hack again, you’ll be ready. Just call if anything happens.”
Miguel admired Tony’s leadership. “Got it!”
“If there’s nothing else, I’m off now.”
“Ma-” Miguel began, but Dave cut him off. “Let him have his space.”
“Is there something odd about the video, Dave?” Miguel asked.
Dave locked eyes with him, assessing. “What do you think?”
Miguel frowned, contemplating his words.
With a sigh, Dave shook his head. “How did you become a hacker with those observation skills?”
He left, leaving Miguel in confusion.
Miguel returned to his seat, curiosity piqued. “Does anyone have a copy of that video?”
“I do. I saved it,” someone replied.
“Impressive! How do you manage that?” Miguel marveled.
“It’s just a habit,” came the reply.
“Show me!”
Tony approached Dave, sitting across from him. “So, you were waiting for me, Alpha Dave?” he joked.
“Think it sounds enticing?” Dave teased back. “Would you really consider joining DX?”
“Why not? I know I’d excel!”
“But you know I can’t see you joining DX,” Dave said.
He pressed on, “You might surprise yourself. What if you actually did well?”
Tony laughed. “Besides, I don’t have time to be a kid.”
Dave narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
Tony stated with determination, “I want to take down the Midnight Fang Pack, and I want to do it now!”
“Now?”
“Yes!”
Dave scrutinized the boy, contemplating. “Tony, you’re brilliant, but even with all of DX’s resources, taking down the Midnight Fang Pack won’t be easy.”
Tony met his gaze. “Just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean I can’t.”
His words were bold and audacious.
Dave noted the striking similarities between Alpha Kilian and Tony. Both had the confidence to back their words, which he respected.
Thinking back to his own beginnings, Dave had been just a teenager when he joined the organization, while Tony was still under ten and already proving to be a valuable asset.
“Tony, I understand your determination, but even Darknetz might struggle. Remember, even a mighty dragon finds it hard to control a snake in its lair.”
Tony considered this, then proposed, “What if DX and Darknetz teamed up?”
Dave paused, considering. “That’s tougher than taking down the Midnight Fang Pack.”
“Anything’s possible, Alpha Dave!”
Dave raised an eyebrow. “You have one problem to solve now, but if you go down that path, you’ll have two. Do you know what two challenges mean?”
Tony thought for a moment, then quipped, “Maybe two negatives make a positive.”
Amused, Dave chuckled. “You’re more optimistic than your father.”
“I know you don’t believe me, and I can’t convince you, but this is my goal. I’ll destroy the Midnight Fang Pack, no matter the cost!” Tony declared.
Just then, Alpha Kilian approached. “You really know how to make a bold statement!”
Tony turned, meeting his father’s gaze with a mix of determination and complexity. “He’s even more overconfident than you were!” Dave added teasingly.
Alpha Kilian shot Dave a glance. “Confidence must be backed by capability. Tony has that in spades.”
Surprised at his father’s support, Tony felt a swell of pride.
Dave smiled at the duo. “You two should talk. I’ll leave you to it.” He stood and patted Alpha Kilian’s shoulder. “He’s a promising talent. Train him well.”
Once Dave left, Alpha Kilian focused on Tony.
Determination was etched on Tony’s face as he met his father’s gaze. “So, you’re aware?”
Taken aback, Tony replied, “What do you mean?”
“Are you pretending not to know?” Alpha Kilian pressed.
“Does that mean you know too?”
“Yes,” Alpha Kilian confirmed, no secrets between them.
Tony frowned. “If you knew, why not tell me?”
“I didn’t find out until recently,” Alpha Kilian explained. “Are you saying you learned last night?”
Alpha Kilian nodded, affirming Tony’s suspicion.
Realization dawned on Tony. “That’s why you seemed off after your call.”
“I know how you feel; I was consumed by rage last night,” Alpha Kilian admitted.
Tony remained silent, absorbing his father’s words. “But this isn’t your fight, Tony.”