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*MacKenzie*

The last two days were hectic. We successfully escaped the hunt and stumbled upon some rogues that added problems to our already messed up situation, but we continued.

We defeated them thanks to Robbie's fighting skills and ran to safety. Unfortunately, my health condition worsened, and we had no idea why. Sudden and long-lasting chest pains that appeared randomly got Robert concerned.

I had suspicions of the reason, but I didn't want to worry Robbie about another problem, especially when the situation was unbelievable at its best. Robbie had already dealt with much more than he was supposed to.

"Kenzie. I have some great news."

Robert entered our motel room with a chirpy attitude and amazingly smelling croissants in a paper bag.

"Hopefully, it's something fitting these deliciously smelling goodies in your hands." I pointed at the bag, already salivating at the smell.

"It's way much better than that." Robbie smiled and handed me the bag. "Here, eat it and listen." He sat on his bed.

Without hesitation, I reached for the crispy chocolate croissants and moaned as the sweet flavors melted on my tongue.

"I have spoken with someone who can help us enter the Rogue King's territory." When he mentioned that, I stopped chewing and looked at him with eyes wide in shock.

"Rogue King?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Isn't it perfect? Your father would never look for you there." Robbie talked, mesmerized about the prospect of meeting the King. If his reputation weren't scary, I would be thrilled, too.

Rogue King is known for his ruthless and cold attitude towards his enemy, relentless attacks, and cruel punishments for disobedience. However, he cares deeply for his people, yet there is no living soul to tell us otherwise.

If my father was a brute, the Rogue King was a monster. No one wanted to offend him, but many wanted to join his pack. But the problem with that is that no one except his most trusted people knows how he looks and what's his name. Some say that those who get to find out are already mute, blind, or dead. Well, I'm not in a hurry to join them.

"Is this a perfect idea to go there?" I opposed, "What if he'll kill us on the spot?" I choked on my croissant.

"The lady said he's not what the rumors say, and she seems trustworthy. Besides, do we have a better plan to hide you?"

I could not argue with that. I knew Rob was right, but it had been two days since we escaped our pack, and I planned to run as far as possible from my father's clutches. I imagined myself somewhere north, far away from civilization, benefiting from nature during the day and admiring the vastness of beautiful stars at night.

"Come on, let's pack our bags. She'll meet us in the bakery two streets down the motel in thirty minutes. Hurry up, Kenzie," Robbie ushered.

I sat like a statue, watching him packing his duffel bag, whistling his happy tones as if his life wasn't in danger. He looked so excited to meet with that lady, but I felt uneasiness at the thought of entering the rogue's pack for a change.

Rushed by Robbie, I quickly ate the croissants and threw all my necessities from the bathroom into my bag. Dressed in yet another camouflaging dark hoodie, I trotted after Rob with the uneasiness growing inside me.

We reached the bakery, led not just by Robert but by that heavenly smell of baked bread and croissants. My heart was hammering in my chest as we approached the front doors, and my feet felt heavy, stomping forward. Surprisingly, I calmed down when I stomped inside the bakery, and the mixture of every amazingly smelling goodie wafted over me.

"Hello, Robert. I didn't expect you to come back, to be honest."

A sweet, smiling, motherly voice startled me from behind. I jumped and hid behind Robert, peeking under my hoodie at the woman.

"Hello, my dear. You must be MacKenzie." She gently spoke using my real name. I peeked at Robbie, wondering why he uncovered my disguise, "My name is Claire, and I am one of the elders in my pack." She smiled sweetly, "Something tells me we were bound to meet, my dear."

She walked away, heading to the table at the far end. Robbie took my hand and nodded encouragingly. Exhaling deeply, I agreed and let him take me to that lady. She sat lonely with no customers around, as if her chosen place was contagious and everyone avoided it for a purpose.

"Don't worry about it. It makes our conversation safe and secure. No one will eavesdrop on us. And if someone does, Miles will deal with them." Claire explained, sipping a tea.

"Miles?" I asked over Robert's shoulder.

"Personal bodyguard of elder Claire." Came a low and hoarse response from behind me.

I jumped before Robert, clutching his arm like my life depended on it. The man came out of nowhere and scared me. If his voice was scary, his posture sent chills down my spine, not pleasurable ones.

He looked like someone who could end you with just a snap of his fingers. With his colossal frame full of muscles and cold expression on his face, he would make anyone piss their pants.

"Oh, come on, Miles. Stop scaring my new friends." Claire joked, but I sensed a bit of command in her request.

"With all due respect, elder Claire. I'm doing my job. He would skin me alive if something happened to you. And I have a mate to come back to." Miles replied, not taking his eyes off Robert and me.

"We're not a threat to anyone. We're simply trying to find a place to rest for a few days before proceeding with our journey." I said bluntly.

"Journey?" Miles raised his eyebrow, unconvinced. "What I see is two youngers in love running from home. What did you do?" He demanded, stepping closer to us.

"Oh, stop it, Miles. Leave the love birds alone." Claire chuckled, "And bring those kids tea and donuts and a blueberry muffin for me." She scolded him and ordered at the same time.

I expected the scary Miles to argue with Claire, but he only shook his head and walked to the counter to order our food.

"Don't mind him. He said it's his job, but he's a sweet and caring man. And an anxious soon-to-be father, so he wants to come home soon." Claire defended her bodyguard and gestured for us to join her.

Reluctantly, I sat in front of her with Robert at my left, leaving one empty chair to Miles, who joined us a few moments later. I tried my best to relax in his presence, but his figure was so intimidating as a familiar sensation washed over me, remembering another bulk of a man from before.

"He's not so keen on giving refuge without a proper interrogation," Miles said while munching a big sandwich. "You are freaking lucky to have Elder Claire on your side. He might consider you harmless." He gave Robert a warning look.

"We better hurry up and go." He turned his cold and scary gaze at me. "Someone must carry her, and it won't be me." He noticed my evident shifting disability.

"I'll carry her. She's my mate, after all." Robbie put his arm around me and kissed my head convincingly. "We are ready whenever you are, Mr. Miles." He smiled at him slightly.

"OK, let me say goodbye to the owner, and we can head back." Claire excused herself and gracefully approached the middle-aged lady at the counter.

"I don't know what you did or who you are, but let me tell you one thing." Miles leaned over the table. "I don't like liars." He turned his gaze at Robbie, "You're not mates, so you better prepare a better story for our Alpha once we arrive." He smiled slyly, "And he doesn't give second chances to anyone."

Miles stood up and went to help Claire with a package she had received from the owner. I felt the blood drain from my face at the mere thought of meeting the Rogue King. We had to tell him the truth. Yet I knew that mentioning my father's pack would not grant us a refuge but instant death.

"Robbie, we should go north. If we follow them, we'll get killed." I begged, dragging him towards the exit. "It's better if we stick to ourselves and trust no one," I added as we stepped outside.

"Kenzie, baby girl." Robbie stopped me and cupped my cheeks, "Do you trust me?" He asked, staring at me with eyes full of joy and confidence.

How could I not trust him? Thanks to him, I was away from Esther and on my way to finding peace and harmony. I nodded, trying to calm down my nerves. Robbie smiled at me and kissed my forehead reassuringly.

"Follow us to the trees," Miles instructed as he approached us with Claire behind him.

Claire smiled at me and laced her arm with mine. I relaxed instantly as if her touch was magical, like a mother who gives peace to her children. I followed her and Miles with Robbie right next to me.

Once we crossed the tree line, five massive wolves approached us, and one of them took the package from Miles and bowed to Claire. Once Claire left my arm to shift, the uneasiness from before came back, and I looked at the wolves with fear.

"Once I shift, climb on me," Robbie whispered.

Seconds later, Seth, Robert's big chocolate wolf, stood before me, offering his back. Slightly shaking, I climbed at Seth, securing my hands around his neck. And with a slight kick, I let him know I was ready for the run.

Seth stood up, grabbed our bags in his muzzle, and took off after the seven wolves into the unknown. I prayed to all the gods that we would get through the meeting with the famous Rogue King.