“Watch where you’re going, rogue,” he spat in a deep, rumbling voice.
My eyebrows raise at his tone. “My apologies,” I muttered, not really meaning it. He should have been able to dodge me. Yes, we were in a rush, but we weren’t running, especially, he had the keen senses of his wolf on his side.
It was almost as if he wanted me to bump right into him.
He tilted his head slightly, looking down at me with danger swimming in his gaze. “I hope you aren’t messing around,” he said. “You haven’t much time left to find a solution to our problem. The clock is ticking.”
“I believe I’ve figured out the problem.” I lifted my chin, hoping to sound much more confident than I felt. “I have reason to believe that there is some kind of blockage along the river. Perhaps it would be best if you sent a team out to investigate. I’d guess by the water level, the blockage is several miles up the river.”
I felt a rush of satisfaction when Jared’s eyebrows rose with surprise. For a short moment, he didn’t speak, but he quickly sneered down at me. “I must warn you to consider whom you’re speaking to before you try playing any tricks.”
What the hell? He wasn’t MY alpha and he damn sure didn’t have the right to speak to me like this for no reason.
My face grew hot with anger, but I kept my tone pleasant and smirked openly, “You’ve given me a task to complete and I’ve come to you with a solution, yet you refuse to accept it. Tell me, Alpha. Why even bother playing the just leader act when you could just kill me since that is your obvious end goal? I doubt your pack would think any less of you, despite your obvious cowardice.”
Avery gasped, the mortification clear in her voice. “Claire!”
I didn't normally lose control of my temper so quickly, but the alpha was doing it yet again. Every time he spoke to me it felt as if he was taking the very tip of a razor blade and slicing it along the thick skin I’d developed. Why was this happening? No one had ever affected me this way.
Jared’s expression darkened considerably, causing me to regret my little outburst. His fists briefly clenched at his sides, but they smoothed out just as quickly and he gave one curt nod.
“Very well, I’ll have a team sent out to investigate,” he practically spat and I let out a sigh of relief.
However, the next moment, he smirked, the dangerous look still clear in his light brown eyes as he bent down toward me, murmuring in my ear. “You’d best watch yourself, rogue.”
I shivered at the obvious threat.
He straightened then and spoke loud enough for Avery to hear. “You’ve somehow managed to buy yourself more time.”
Without looking at me, he walked past us, toward the direction of the community. “Avery.”
Avery jumped slightly. “Alpha?”
Jared paused and inclined his head toward the healer. “Find a room for her to stay.”
“Yes, Alpha!” Avery replied at once. “Do you have a particular room in mind?”
He ignored Avery’s questions. I tilted my head in confusion when I saw a tiny, pleased smirk form on the healer’s face.
Jared continued to stride off. “There’s a pack dinner tonight, so you’d better put on something less embarrassing, rogue.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, keeping myself from yelling “Jerkface!” to his disappearing back.
I was still bristling with annoyance when Avery took my hand and tugged me along behind her. I didn’t miss the mischievous look that had spread out across her round face. “Let’s get back. I’ll show you to your room.”
“Are pack dinners a common occurrence?” I asked as we walked.
Avery shook her head. “No, they’re mainly reserved for when Alpha has some important announcement.”
“Hopefully the announcement isn’t that he’s decided to kill me.”
Avery winced. “I know it’s probably difficult to believe given Alpha’s hard exterior, but he truly is a great leader, who cares deeply for his people.”
I grimaced inwardly. It wasn’t just difficult, it was impossible. I just pressed my lips together, unwilling to argue with the only person who actually cared about me.
We arrived at a large building that spanned the width of several single dwellings. A frail-looking old woman greeted us with a quiet nod, but I didn’t miss the curious look she gave me.
We went down a long, dark hallway and I realized that we were in some kind of living compound, which I assumed was probably temporary accommodation for guests or travelers.
Avery stopped at a dark-wood door at the end of the newly renovated hall. She opened the door and gestured for me to go in first.
I did so and my eyes widened.
The spacious living space featured a white leather sofa stretched across the room and a beautiful fireplace. At the far end of the room was an open white kitchen with dark granite countertops.
To the right of the living room was a bedroom. I could see the blue bed with swirls and star patterns embroidered onto the blanket. There was a thick fur rug on the wooden floor, which led to a brightly lit, beautiful full bathroom with a window.
I whirled around to face Avery. “There must be some kind of mistake.”
Avery just grinned, glee swimming in her bright green eyes. “What do you mean?”
I gestured around the room wildly with my arms. “Look at this. It’s a luxury suite! I’m sure Jared didn’t mean for me to end up in such a nice place.”
Avery crossed her arms over her chest. “Nonsense. You deserve to stay in a nice room. You are our guest.”
I actually laughed out loud. “Guest? Were you not there when he was trying to burn a hole through my head with his eyes? He clearly hates me.”
Avery frowned. “I don’t believe he truly hates you,” she said stubbornly, “And don’t worry about the room. Alpha gave me full discretion to pick any room that I deemed appropriate.”
My eyebrows rose. “When did he do that?”
Avery just winked, tilting her head slightly. “I asked him if he had a particular room in mind, remember? He didn’t answer, so I took that as him giving me full discretion to make the decision myself.”
I laughed out loud at that, shocked by Avery’s boldness toward her alpha. She had seemed so meek back in the throne room that I was beginning to wonder if she had the capacity to even question his intentions.
I gave Avery a warm smile. “Thank you so much, Avery. For everything.”
I looked at the young healer in front of me, in awe at just how much kindness she had shown me in such a short time. She really was the perfect person to be a healer. Her presence alone could make people calm and peaceful.
Avery returned the smile with even more warmth, her eyes lighting up. She gestured to the shower. “Why don’t you take a nice, warm shower and I’ll bring you some clothes?” She gave me a brief look up and down. “We’re about the same height, so my clothes should fit you just fine.”
I thanked her profusely once again before she left me alone.
I wandered around the room like a child, opening drawers and exploring each nook and cranny. I could count on one hand the number of times I stayed in a room with actual walls, and that was when Uncle Ben was still with me.
I sat on the floor of the room, running my fingers over the black fur rug. It had been so long since I was in a pack that I wasn’t sure I knew how to act or feel anymore. I wondered if the members of this pack could sense that about me. How strange it felt now to be among others, even if they didn’t accept me as one of their own.
I shook myself out of those thoughts and made my way into the bathroom. It was tempting to just flop onto the soft-looking bed with the pretty blanket, but a nice, warm shower did sound appealing. When was the last time I was able to wash myself with water that wasn’t ice cold?
I shut my eyes, allowing the warm water to roll off my body. I scrubbed at my dark hair, rubbing the tips of my fingers against my scalp. Everything that happened in the past few hours replayed in my mind.
As I cleaned myself off, Jared’s light brown eyes emerged in my head. I gritted my teeth as I remembered the way he looked at me. His gaze had been intense, but was it only because he hated me as a rogue?
He clearly didn’t like me. He seemed to think that I was a burden to him and everyone else in the pack, but then why did he allow me to stay? If he really hated all rogues, he could have had me killed with no questions asked.
Unless he had a reason for keeping me alive, an ulterior motive. My stomach twisted as an unsettling thought surfaced.
What if he knew my secret?
If that was the case and he was just playing me, it was possible he wouldn’t hold up his end of the deal, even if I managed to help the pack with the water shortage.
No, there was no way he would know for sure. I must be overreacting.
Taking a deep breath, I made my decision. I would do whatever it took to stay. Staying with the Moonstone pack gave me the best chance of survival. I would find a way to prove myself worthy in their eyes until I got my wolf back.
For Uncle Ben, for my parents, and for my entire pack.
I bowed my head, feeling as if every second beneath the spray was rejuvenating my strength, as well as my resolve.
I had just wrapped a towel around myself and stepped out of the shower when I heard the door to my room open. I smiled and poked my head around the corner, ready to greet Avery warmly.
Only to find that it wasn’t her.
I stepped back, my heart pounding when the man who just entered my room shut the door behind him, locking it firmly.I didn’t recognize him. His eyes were so dark, they looked black in the dim lighting of my room. His sandy brown hair was choppy and messy around his angular face. He grinned when he saw me and it wasn’t a kind smile.“Get out,” I snapped, having a bad feeling that he wasn’t going to obey.I was right. His dark eyes just danced with amusement as he sauntered toward me. “My apologies,” he said, though he didn’t sound sorry in the slightest. “I just figured I would offer you a greeting of sorts. That was quite the show you put on in the throne room earlier.”I hugged the towel tighter around my body and raised my voice, making it firmer and hopefully more threatening. “Get the hell out, now!”He just chuckled, rolling his eyes as if I was a silly child. “Don’t think so. I was sent over with strict orders from the alpha to make sure that the filthy little rogue stays out
He paused and I stiffened, sitting up a bit straighter. His light brown eyes were calculating as he gave me a once-over. My heart stuttered nervously. Avery glanced at me in concern as well when she caught Jared’s look.He gave me a long look before facing the rest of the pack. “Needless to say, rogues are extremely dangerous and must be treated as such.”Again, his hard gaze fell on me and my eyes widened. “And tonight, we have one among us.”It was clear that word of my arrival had not reached many people, which wasn’t extremely surprising. Gasps and shocked exclamations echoed throughout the room. I ducked my head slightly, cursing Jerkface Jared to the pits of hell when a few members at our table sent looks of fear and disgust my way.All Jared had to do was narrow his eyes slightly over the crowd and they quieted immediately. “That being said, interacting with the rogue girl without my permissio
Her pointed nose was tilted up as she walked, but she somehow kept her icy blue eyes on me the entire time she crossed the space between us. While the other men and women at the dinner were dressed in semi-formal attire, Amanda took it upon herself to wear a shimmering blood-red gown that looked like it belonged on a runway.She was undoubtedly angry about something. Her black heels clicked against the smooth floor. Her fiery hair fell in luscious waves down her back, with shimmering pins holding a few strands away from her heart-shaped face.I hated to admit it, but she had a pretty face.I felt Avery straighten in her seat as Amanda approached. She tried to keep her tone pleasant as she smiled at the girl. “Hello, Amanda. Is there something you need from me?”Amanda flipped some of her wavy red locks off her shoulder before poking her lower lip out. “I just wanted to offer my condolences to you, Avery. It sounds awfully t
I shivered delicately, Jared’s voice seemed to echo through the small space of my bedroom. His eyes burned in the dim lighting.For some strange reason, I wasn’t afraid. A part of me felt resigned. From the moment I stepped foot on Moonstone territory, I knew that death was a possibility for me. Perhaps I had been lucky to make it this long.However, I also felt a spark of rage rise up within me. I tried to jerk my chin out of Jared’s grip, but he held me tightly. “If you’re here to kill me, then what are you waiting for?” I spat coldly. “Get on with it!”I swallowed as my own arrogant voice reached my ears. I regretted the way I spoke as soon as the corner of Jared’s lips tightened before tilting upward slightly.If I didn’t know him better, I might mistake the bastard’s sneer for amusement.Either way, I refused to break eye contact with him. If he killed me, I wanted to look him defiantly in the eye as he did.My coherent thoughts scattered for a moment as I attempted to glare at h
I should have known better than to trust a rogue, I thought to myself as I paced along the edge of the lake. She would apparently rather die by drowning than by my hands, which I respected in a way. I cursed again, even louder.I could have easily grabbed her before she dove in. She was quick, but I knew that I was faster. Why was I hesitating so much?I was just about to jump into the lake to look for her when a small dark head emerged from the depths.Rogue Girl shook her long dark hair away from her eyes and peered up at me. She waved her arm, gesturing behind her. “This way!”I blew out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Looking in the direction she was gesturing, my eyebrows rose at the island toward the middle of the lake. Before I could say anything, she turned and started to swim toward the island.I hesitated briefly before jumping in after her.She didn’t look like it considering how small and frail she appeared, but Rogue Girl was a decent swimmer. She seemed to e
*Jared*Part of me was relieved when Rogue Girl announced that she needed to rest. I didn’t want to suggest it myself, but she was starting to look run down. The usual healthy pink hue on her cheeks had faded, leaving behind a pasty white. Her bright blue eyes seemed to lose their shine as well as she started to slow down.She probably needed more than just rest. She probably needed to lie down. I turned to order her to do just that, but just in time to watch her shut her eyes and fall into the raging river.I thanked the Goddess for my quick reaction when my body propelled itself forward. I cursed immediately after when the girl’s body disappeared beneath the surface. I had to sprint alongside the river to keep up with the monstrous current. I could barely make out her silhouette beneath the waves, and it was even more difficult to keep my eyes trained on it as I ran.I gritted my teeth before breaking into the fastest run I could muster, pushing my body as much as I could, allowing
Jared and I were silent for several moments as we stared at the wall of water. It was obvious that we were thinking the same thing.The entrance was flooded. We wouldn’t make it if we tried to swim through as we had coming into the cave. The distance had likely more than doubled due to the rain, and it would be entirely underwater this time. Trying would just result in us drowning about halfway.We seemed to realize this at the same time. My shoulders slumped in defeat while Jared’s clenched fists started to shake in anger.I was worried that he might actually shift from the rage he seemed to be experiencing.Despite the fact that Jared didn’t even seem to see me anymore due to his blinding fury, I walked up to him, which wasn’t smart. I should be worried that he could accidentally hurt me in this state, but somehow I was certain he wouldn’t.I put my hands up in a pacifying way.“Calm down,” I said in a gentle tone, but loudly.Jared finally focused on me and I was forced to really d
Jared lowered himself into a defensive crouch that still managed to look menacing as the band of wolves surrounded us. He stepped in front of me, shielding me from their view as best as he could. No matter what else he was, he was a good alpha.I peeked around Jared to get a better look at the wolves. It was obvious due to how scraggly their fur looked that they weren’t part of a true pack. Their fur color ranged from sandy brown to a dark brown that was almost black. The largest wolf, likely their alpha of sorts, stepped out of the circle.Jared’s deep voice came out as a snarl. “Who are you?”The large, dark-colored wolf smirked, showing off two rows of sharp, yellow teeth. He shifted back to his human form to speak. “Why bother learning my name when you’re going to die so soon?”“Because you’re intruding on my land without my permission!” he snapped, his voice a vicious growl.The leader barked out a laugh and looked around at the rest of his group, who started to laugh along with