Chapter 2

FIONA HUGGED the picture frame tightly as she started putting her things inside her bag. It was her and Franco's wedding picture.

She already missed him so much and until now, she's still blaming herself for his death. Everyone blames her, and so is she. If only she isn't wolfless she could've saved Franco from those Rogue. She was their target in the first place.

They were on their way back to the town after a meeting with the other Alpha's. Franco was the Beta, representing Joaquin who was then busy after a group of Rogues attacked their town. 

She really wanted to stay at the woods for a little too long. She rarely get out of the pack house and she always felt suffocated because of his parents and the whole pack. All her movements should be counted, all the words she say should be perfect. All eyes were always on her, ready to judge at the single mistake she'll make.

Staying at the forest was the biggest mistake she ever did, Franco was willing to do everything for her and she took it too far. As they stayed at the outskirts of town, group of Rogues attacked her and Franco was the only one to save her.

She was wolfless, she cries and yelp for help like a human. She couldn't do anything but to watch Franco being attacked. He died while saving her, and she also could've died if it Joaquin didn't appear to save them... To save her.

A lone tear unknowingly escaped her eyes, she only figure it out when someone cleared their throat in front of her. She immediately wiped the tears away from her face, lifting her face to have a clear view of that someone, only to catch his deep and drowning blue eyes. 

Her stares became grim and stern, she can't let Joaquin see her weakness. She has to be tough for herself, it is what keeps her alive towards her marriage with Franco. No matter how many hates she received she stays strong and kept a strong facade. 

She can't let them win her. She can't let them destroy her.

"When are you leaving?" 

His cold voice woke her up from her deep thought, but his question feels like a downgrade to her. She face him with full confidence but not showing any emotions on her face.

"Are you that excited that I'm finally leaving?" 

She saw his jaw clenched as his eyes grew grimmer and darker. His electric blue eyes continue to stare at her like a prey, it was full of emotions that she couldn't understand if it's hate or disgust.

He took a step closer, inching the distance between them but she didn't back down. She showed him that she couldn't be affected by his presence but in the insides, she knew exactly it was the opposite.

He leaned down until their faces are inches away from each other. She can clearly see his long lashes, his plump lips and his perfect nose. "You don't know how long I've been wanting you out of this house." He whispered before walking past through her.

Her hands instantly went to her chest, it was throbbing so fast as if it wanted to get out of her ribcage. They were so close he could even smell the scent of his mouth, it was cold and minty. His natural smell mixed with his sweats and perfume.

Fiona immediately shook her head, trying to stir herself properly from the silly thoughts that's entering her mind. 

'Stop it, Fiona. That man is dangerous and he's your number one enemy.'

She reminded herself. 

JOAQUIN LICKED his lower lip as he stares at her downstairs. She was taking her pictures with my Franco in it. What happened down there made him feel like a pussy.

He couldn't stay long with her glare so he decided to come up and watch her secretly. He didn't intend to show himself as he leaves and he definitely didn't plan to feel anything while he talks to her.

But his body is not listening. The beast between his thigh always feel something when he talks to her, or when he simply sees her. 

It felt ridiculous for a powerful Alpha like him but it is what he felt. 

His phone on his pocket vibrated so he took it without taking his eyes off her. "Talk," he ordered at the man behind the line.

"Six Rogues were caught lingering around the cabin, Alpha. We have all of them in captive. We check the altitudes and the nearest forest, the town of Silvermist pack is the closest." The Gamma answered.

"How close?" He needs to know so he can talk to the Alpha about Fiona's safety.

A whole period was heard from the other line, it was as if the Gamma was checking every sides of the forest and that's why Joaquin trusted him for the job. 

"One forest away, Alpha. It's much closer than ours. We need to journey two forest to get here." 

His teeth gritted and his hand clenched in fist. It is too far than he expected, it would be impossible for the Silvermist's night howlers to guard Fiona if she's that far.

"But if you wish for us to stay until she find a suitable home for her, then we can stay for some days, Alpha." 

He shook his head, totally disagreeing. "No need, leave everything to me." He put the phone down and went out of the pack house.

As soon as he step out, he transformed himself into a wolf. A big black wolf, with teeth and claws that's as sharp as a sword. His blue dark eyes just got darker as he hover over his pack. Everyone looked at him with fear and respect, he didn't bother giving them a single attention and run towards the forest.

He runs swiftly with the air, his legs strides invisibly over the ground as he pace like a wold wolf. 

It didn't last long when he felt a presence following him. And then he saw a brown wolf as big as him, he was also running with fast pace as he try to catch up to him.

It was Aiden. The Alpha of Silvermist pack, his best friend who doesn't seem to know the word busy because he always have time to annoy him. 

No conversation needed between them. Aiden followed him towards the cabin where Fiona will be thrown to. They found the Gamma, also transformed into a wolf and ready to attack if he didn't recognize Joaquin's eyes.

All of them shifted back into huma form, their clothes were torn that left them naked. The reason why he didn't want the Gamma or other he-wolves to look after Fiona. 

He doesn't want her to see any man naked.

Or he'll be rigid.

On the cage held by the other wolves, six Rogues with red eyes and drooling mouth were chained up. Their wild stares and bloody fangs shows no mercy to their victim.

"This dudes are fucked up." Aiden tapped the cage and shake his head like it was a funny moment. He just knew Joaquin would turn them into steak and feed them to wild pigs once the day is over.

He is that merciless to these kinds of wolves who killed his little brother and put trauma to Fiona. 

"The cabin isn't that clean too, Alpha. If you'll like one of our men can call for some she-wolves for the cabin to be cleaned." The commander, next to the Gamma suggested. 

Joaquin didn't give them an answer and entered the cabin. It was dark, dusty, full of thick blood, and almost flooded with the open tap water. There's so much to do and Fiona would be coming over the next day.

He went back outside to face his pack. "You go ahead. Gamma..." He called to the wolf next in his line. They decided they don't want to replace Franco as a beta so the Gamma was the next in line with the Alpha. "I want you to take care of the pack for some time. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone so make sure to keep the pack at peace." It wasn't a request but a command. "And I don't want anyone to know about this. Especially my parents, understand?" 

The wolves nod with respect. They wouldn't bother breaking the Alpha's law. They are always on his side and Joaquin was sure of that. 

They transformed into wolves once again, the commander, the Gamma and the other wolves running back to their town while pulling the cage with the Rogues in it. 

Aiden on the other hand was ready to leave too when Joaquin suddenly shifted into a wolf and forcefully attacked him, causing him to be thrown into a large tree. 

They both shifted back into humans, Aiden was grunting while holding his shoulder while Joaquin walk closely to him.

"What the fuck is your problem, bro!? Are you trying to kill me!?" He cussed off and tried to stand on his feet. He even moved his whole arm just to feel it because it's starting to feel numb.

Joaquin doesn't seem to care about what happened, he continue to check at the whole cabin, already planning how they'll be cleaning it for the night before Fiona could even arrive.

"You are not going anywhere. You'll help me clean the cabin." His cold and monotone voice made Aiden's eyes widen.

"What the fuck!? Let me remind you that I'm an Alpha! Not a fucking maid!"