After leaving the Schooly Mountian pack I was exhausted. My once beautiful complexion was replaced with thick black soot that streaked across my face, and large under-eye circles displaying the most awful color of purple.
My aching body was beginning to turn on me, giving a glimpse of arthritic pain I would eventually succumb to in old age. Attempting to rub some of the kinks out of my shoulders, Sebastian leaned his body against the door and used his massive hands to rub.
"You were amazing out there today. Thank you for finding Noah and Rose." He whispered over my shoulder.
"You're welcome." I said quietly as a yawn escaped my lips. I did not want to think about what I did, or who I helped, I wanted to just close my eyes and relax.
"Tomorrow we have to release the rogues."
"I know. Is everyone ready and know their parts?" I questioned, unsure if everyone was on board with our plan.
"Yes, so get as much sleep as possible. It will be a long day." He mumbled, trying his best to keep himself awake.
***
"The protectors from surrounding packs are on their way to line the outskirts of Black Lace, ready to alarm us if anyone attempts to cross the threshold. When finally in position, they will remain in their human form until the command is given to shift into their beast." Sebastian announced to the eagerly waiting men.
"Surrounding the pack house will be our Protectors, already in their wolf form and ready to fight.Tessa removed all of the women and children and settled them into the underground panic room in a nearby town. Mitchell gathered the halflings, placing four around the women, half around the center of the town, and the remaining here with us." I concluded, looking around making sure everyone was on the same page.
"If there are no questions, you are dismissed." Sebastian's voice boomed.
As the men scattered about, Noah retrieved the rogues from the basement and placed a chain in the palm of my hands. "We will follow you." He smiled.
Building up the courage to step foot outside, I placed one foot in front of the other, standing as tall as my body allowed.
Walking out to the front of the house with Cade and the others in tow, I pulled the chain that was wrapped around his waist to speed up his walking. For a rogue werewolf he walked extremely slow, almost as if he was counting each step he took, delaying the process.
"Don't return me to Mo- Miranda, Veronica. You know we were meant to be together." He whined with a sad smile, hoping I would soften up on him.
"Did you not get the memo that Sebastian marked her already?" Erik laughed, exposing his perfect, pearly white teeth. "You have the wolfsbane right, don't be afraid to use it on this one." He joked to the protector on his right, tapping his temple with his index finger. "He's a smart one."
Ignoring Erik's childishness, Sebastian walked up along side of me and placed a hand on my lower back. Turning and looking up at him, I could see his face was stern, as he continued to face forward and walked at a steady pace.
"What's wrong?" I mind linked, knowing he wasn't stupid enough to speak out loud with Cade so close.
"She's already here, and she has company."
By those words I knew exactly who he meant.
Allen.
Pictures flashed before my eyes, mimicking an old film roll being rewound at the highest speed. My attack, the salon, the forest, and lastly the burned faces of every single soul that was taken by his doing.
Just the thought of being within close proximity to him made my blood boil. I wanted to hurt him, make him feel all the pain he caused to everyone around me. If I could eradicate the existence of rogues, I would do so gladly, with a huge smile on my face.
Almost to the clearing in the woods near the pack house, I noticed Cade getting antsy. His eyes continuously bouncing back and forth as they jumped from tree to tree. I could almost hear his heart pounding as I watched the small palpitations thumping in his chest. He knew they were close, he could feel them, smell them.
Stopping in a secluded clearing, I surveyed the area making sure we were alone. The massive oak trees were full and bright green. The branches hanging low creating a canopy effect high above us.
Turning to face Cade my own heart began to thump wildly in my chest. My nerves were starting to get the best of me, creating the famous butterfly effect in my stomach.
"I will give you two options. The choice is yours to make. Number one, I give you back to Miranda where you run the risk of being killed if she or Allen pursues us. If you somehow survive, you then get to live your life controlled by her, your true mate." I promised. "Or, you can choose option number two. Now listen very carefully. If you truly do not want to be returned to her, you can accept the fact that I am not your mate, and pledge your allegiance to us, gaining protection. However, if you recant on any of the terms of becoming a pack member your life will not be spared, you will be killed immediately."
I continued to watch him closely, every twitch of his brow and narrowing of his eyes.
"You do not have to answer now, but you will have to make a decision when the time comes to hand you over." I concluded, pulling on his chain to signal it was time to start walking again.
From the little I knew about rogue werewolves I remembered that they don't like to run in packs. They hate the idea of an Alpha telling them what to do, so it was the perfect option to give him. It was an option I knew he would refuse.
Finally, through the thick brush of trees I could faintly see the large clearing. The sun shining down created a golden hue, making the grass irresistible. The thought of running through it barefoot brought back fond memories of when I was a kid. The feeling of the full, luscious grass on my feet felt like I was running on pillows.
Walking through the trail I had to dodge and move branches and leaves that blocked the way. The thorns of a bush brushed against my leg, slicing through my skin like a knife. I hated the wilderness, and that was a fine example on why.
As expected, Miranda and Allen stood attentively waiting our arrival. Allen hadn't changed much, his eyes were still as blue as the ocean, and his hair, darker than the night. The only change was a jagged scar that started at his temple and ended at his chin. Even parts of his lips were scared, distorting his once beautiful smile.
Miranda was dressed much more casual than our last encounter. Her long copper hair was spun into a perfect bun on top of her head, surrounded by small, white and black flowers. Once again, the white and black color scheme makes its appearance. Only this time it was used to mock the Black Lace pack, much like santanists mock the holy trinity.
"Ah, right on time you are." She pointed out, diverting her eyes to an imaginary watch on her wrist. "But you failed to follow my directions."
Looking between the two of them I waited patiently for her to continue. Every second that passed, feeling more enraged by their very presence.
"It was quite simple. You bring Cade and the rest of the rogues to me. You, alone." She smiled smugly.
I had to resist the urge to smack the smugness off of her face. Instead, I cocked my head to the side and smiled. "No Miranda, your demands were very clear. Become Luna, break Cade's heart, and talk my mate into releasing your prized men. Which as you can see, I've done all of the above."
"You always were very smart, Veronica." Allen interrupted as he walked closer to me.
Sebastian let out with a low growl, sending a clear warning he was stepping too close. Placing my arm straight out, I covered his chest, preventing him from closing the gap between himself and Allen.
"I can't say the same for you." I blurted back. "I gotta hand it to you though, it was a smart move teaming up with Miss. Priss here."
As confident as I sounded, I was beyond scared. To keep myself calm I crunched my fingers together creating a fist, digging my nails into my palm.
Miranda's eyes dropped to my hands, watching the slow flexing movements my arms and hands made. "Be careful with those hands little one, you don't want to break them. They're precious." She snickered.
I brushed off her comment, deciding to divert full attention to Cade. "Would you like your pet back now, or later?" I said, while dangling his chain in the air.
His poor sad eyes were begging me not to give him back to her when something caught my eye. Every rogue I've seen thus far has had a disfigurement of some sort. Cade only had a scar over the bridge of his nose, and it wasn't as unsightly as the others.
Then everything clicked, the pieces all fit together. Cade wasn't just any rogue wolf, and he surely was not Mirandas mate. He was her son.
A mother would never jeopardize her child, or put them in harms way. That is why she never attacked the pack. That's why she is making him be hand delivered, so he is returned to her in one piece, safe and sound.
Side glancing at Sebastian, he scrunched his eye brows, confused by my look. "Cade is her son, not her mate. Distract them."
Nodding his head he stepped in front of me, pulling their attention strictly to him. Now was my chance to see if my assumptions were correct.
"She's not your mate is she? She's your Mother." I said sternly, expecting him to deny my accusations.
Instead his eyes dropped to the ground. "Yes, she's my Mother." He said, finally raising his head. "I never chose this life. She chose it for me. I ran away to you because I knew you were the only one who could save me."
Me? Save him? Why would he think I could save him. I was but a mere defenseless human who could barely save herself.
With his right hand over his heart and his left hand raised, he was ready to pledge his allegiance to the pack, just as the city limits were Infiltrated, and the war of a lifetime was about to begin.
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