Chapter 1416: Highway Reckoning Highway Reckoning Thankfully, not all of the motorbikes had been destroyed in the chaos. Some had been intentionally kept in reserve, a small group of them tucked away in a separate area just in case members of the Howlers needed a quick escape. They were also there just in case there was a need for more ammunition for Austin and the others to use. And now, thanks to the efforts of everyone, especially Austin, the situation here had been resolved, at least for now. Austin jumped onto one of the remaining scooters. It wasn’t nearly as fast or powerful as the bike he’d used before, but it was still better than sprinting the entire way on foot. In his condensed human form, Austin could move fast, very fast, but it took him time to pick up speed and reach full momentum. That was why he relied on his portals, opening one in front of him so he could rush through and exit at another location further along. But there was a catch, he couldn’t turn. Not in this state. He could only run in straight lines, and to get from here to where he needed to be, he’d have to blaze through a significant portion of Slough. Which meant destroying parts of the city in the process. On top of that, using both the portals and his speed drained his strength quickly. And where he was heading, he’d likely need every ounce of strength he had. “A second wave? You mean a second wave of Werewolves?” Vere asked, eyes wide with concern. “Yeah,” Austin nodded grimly. “And it looks like it’s some kind of elite force, something they’ve been keeping hidden. I have to reach them quickly.” He turned to the remaining Howler members around him. Some were lying on the ground, barely able to move, their bodies trembling from adrenaline and disbelief that they were still alive. “Everyone!” Austin shouted over the hum of the scooter. “Head to the restaurant at the top of the hill! Regroup there. Help out however you can. You’ve all done amazing, but the fight’s not over yet. Every breath you take, every muscle you move, that’s a step toward saving the others!” He twisted the handle, the scooter engine revving slightly beneath him. “I’m coming with you!” Vere suddenly declared. “No,” Austin said quickly, not even looking back. “I… I won’t be able to focus. That’s the end of that discussion.” And with that, he sped off, riding down the road and toward the highway he had entered from not too long ago. “‘Won’t be able to focus,’” Vere muttered, scoffing under her breath. “Does he even know how many times we’ve helped him already? Does he really think he’ll do better on his own?” She glanced around. The Howlers were already beginning to move, heading toward the restaurant as ordered. But she hesitated. Her heart told her to follow Austin. “I get what he means,” Vlad said quietly, standing beside her. “If you’re with him, he’ll worry. He’ll constantly be thinking about your safety. That kind of distraction… could get him killed.” “Right,” Vere nodded. “But then who’s there to watch his back? It goes both ways.” She turned to Vlad, locking eyes with determination. “You can fly, right? Take me to the highway, where Austin is. We’re going to help him.” Vlad hesitated. He didn’t like the idea. But when Vere gave him that look, the one that always made it impossible for him to say no, he gave in. His body transformed, and the strange tentacles that protruded from his back stretched out and wrapped around Vere, lifting her gently into the air. “I’m staying above, flying high,” Vlad warned. “If there’s any danger, we’re heading straight back. I’m not like the bird-type Altereds, I can’t fly for long periods. So we have to be careful.” The good news was, the park they had just fought in wasn’t far from the highway where the battle had started. That had been part of the strategy, to keep the fight contained and minimize the destruction to Slough. Austin made it to the highway in moments. He rode until he reached a familiar split in the road, an overpass, a bridge. This was where he and Innu had gotten separated earlier. One path led back to central Slough, the other into the unknown. He stepped off the scooter and stared ahead. Still and silent. Then, with his Altered-enhanced hearing, he caught the faint but unmistakable sound of engines rumbling in the distance. So it’s true… there really is a second wave coming. From the darkness of night, he saw them, several large black cars, just like the ones that had chased him before. The time was 2 a.m. He doubted that any of the other groups had cleared their areas yet, not like he had. And the biggest question still lingered on everyone’s minds: Where was Lupus? Who had he gone to face? Had they been dealt with? Were they strong enough to stop him? Or was Lupus already tearing his way through the other groups, headed for a last stand against Gary? Austin didn’t have those answers. Not yet. But he did know one thing. He stared at the approaching fleet and began transforming once again, into his condensed human form. The same form that gave him the strength and speed he needed. “No one else knows about this… and this could be a major turning point in the fight ahead,” Austin muttered. “So right now, I have to do whatever I can… to take out as many of them as possible.” He planted one foot forward, leaned in, and with a powerful push, he charged. Straight toward the elite team sent by the Lupus group. ***** For updates on My Werewolf System and future works, follow me on my social media below: *Instagram: @jksmanga *Patreon: jksmanga Be the first to hear news about MVS, MWS, or any upcoming series. Feel free to message me, if I’m not too busy, I usually reply.