1: Prologue

 *Jonas*

 I slow from a run to a walk in a part of the woods, which is eerily silent, even for my wolf Cana’s ears. 

 Fear knots up my stomach as I shift into my human form at the edge of the forest, breathing in the scent of pine, earth, the nearby river, and something else, something feral and dangerous. 

 I open the backpack, which my wolf Cana has carried in his mouth, and pull out the simple clothes inside … sweatpants and a t-shirt. I really have no desire to do this naked, but I am not exactly going to a party here either.

 ‘No, we are going to certain death.’ Cana whimpers inside my head.

 “No, we are going to save Kara and the other girls''. I mumble.

 My wolf huffs so loud I almost feel the spray from his nose on the inside of my skull. ‘Sure … Typhon Bloodclaw, the king of rogues, is just gonna hand over his war prisoners … Young women they have probably already …’.

 “Shut it, Cana,” I mumble. “I have to try; it’s my responsibility.”

 ‘As I said … certain death … but first pain, so much pain … I have heard he …’.

 I feel like hitting my head to shut him up. “Hush, let me focus.”

 Walking up the rocky slope, I stop at the entrance where two prominent men that look scarily alike are eyeing me. “What do you want ?”

 “I am here to see the … King”. I say with every ounce of dignity I can manage, straightening my back to stand taller.

 “And who says the King wants to see you, pretty boy ?” One of them grins.

 I breathe in and look him in the eyes. “I am Jonas Whitepaw, alpha of the coral lake pack … I think he will want to see me”.

 The men let their eyes run over me in a way I have to admit I don’t like. It makes me squirm inwardly, but I refuse to let them see what I feel.

 “What do you say, Donahue? Have you ever seen an alpha this tiny and pretty”? One man says to the other.

 “I sure haven’t, Donovan.” The other one grins. “Bloodclaw will like him.”

 I swallow my pride, knowing that with my 5’6, I am indeed not very tall for an alpha; it’s not like it’s the first time I hear it. “So we agree that I am going inside ?”

 One of them, Donahue, I think, bows to me mockingly. “You can go in.”

 “But watch out for the big bad wolves''. Donovan says with a dirty grin. “Some of them eat pretty boys like you for breakfast.”

 ‘Did you hear them?’ Cana mumbles in my head. ‘They will eat us for breakfast.

 I ignore him as I walk through the entrance, letting my senses guide me. If I were a king … I huff and roll my eyes, ‘King !’ Seriously? But if I was a disillusioned rogue thinking myself a king, where would I be?

 I meet a few other rogues walking through the caves, but they merely eye me suspiciously, and I ignore them too. It is safe to say they are a colorful bunch.

 Then a scent hits me. It is hard to describe- wild, warm, fresh, and somewhat woodsy like apples roasted over an open fire built with logs off applewood. But there is a spicy undertone I can’t place.

 Instinctively I follow the scent; it entices me, making Cana whimper softly and thankfully shut up with his predictions.

 As I turn a corner, I walk into an open room and stop in my tracks. On what looks like a throne is a tall, muscular man. At his feet is one of the young women I have come to save. She looks unharmed, almost happy. I suddenly get why they call him king.

 “Don’t be shy little Alpha; come on in.” He laughs. His voice is deep and warm, like an exquisite cognac. “You are brave to come here alone.”

 “I am here to negotiate.” I walk forward slowly, holding my head high and looking straight into his gaze. His eyes are hazel, and seem amused. 

 He reaches to pet the girl gently on the hair. “Negotiate … please go on … about and what do you offer in return ?”

 Taking a deep breath, I explain. I keep my words respectful; after all, I am on his grounds here. But I let my alpha voice shine through to let him know I stand firm and I am a true alpha.

 He scratches his chin and looks at the girl like he considers what she is worth. Then a sly smile spreads on his full lips. “I will give you the women.”

 “You will ?” I might be surprised. 

 “On one condition, of course.” 

 ‘Be careful.’ Cana warms.

 I breathe in. “Of course, If it is in my power, I will give you whatever you want.”

 “You !”

 “What ?” I swallow.

 The smirk now spreading holds a lot of promises. “I will let them go if you take their place.”

 .