Rogue

004 

"This isn't the first time you've bled like this." Herzl said quietly, his voice a laced with concern. "You have always taken longer to heal than others, even before you were bitten. Remember that time you scraped your knee as a child and it took weeks to heal?"

Rebecca frowned, her eyes flickering towards him. "I...I remember." She said, her voice small. "But I thought that was just because I was human."

Rebecca’s response was barely out before a sudden sensation, like a mental “ping”, vibrated across Kenziel’s mind, interrupting his attention. For a split second, his focus wavered, but he quickly refocused on the scene before him.

Herzl’s eyes darted between Kenziel and Rebecca, sensing the shift in Kenziel’s concentration. "Alpha...?" Herzl asked, concerned.

"Something’s wrong." Kenziel growled, his wolf instincts heightening his senses. "Alexander's calling, but I can't leave Rebecca like this."

Herzl’s eyes widened, understanding the urgency of the situation. "Alpha, I can take it from here." He said, his hands still tending to Rebecca’s wound. "She’s in good hands. You should go and find out what’s happening."

Kenziel’s gaze remained fixed on Rebecca for a moment longer, the struggle between duty and mate playing out on his face. Finally, he nodded, his decision made. "Watch over her..." He said to Herzl, his voice low and commanding.

Herzl nodded curtly and mouthed his reply. "Of course..."

Kenziel stared decisively at Rebecca for a few seconds before exiting Herzl's office, but the next moment, he walked in again hastily.

"What is it?" Herzl asked, while Rebecca's brows was raised slightly in questioning. "Did you forget something?"

"Yes..." Kenziel replied hastily, though plain and simple. "I forget Rebecca, I shouldn't leave her behind — I don't know how long it'll take with Alexander."

"I'm done with her, she can go with you if you want." Herzl told him, helping Rebecca up even when it's obvious that she can help herself. "She'll need to..."

Kenziel cut him off abruptly. "You should drop by tonight if there's more to say." He countered, and without waiting for his reply, he turned to Rebecca. "Let's go..."

"What's happened, Xands...?" Kenziel asked, wearing a bored expression as he scratched his nose bridge lightly. "What's the emergency?"

Alexander’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing slightly at Kenziel’s dismissive attitude. "We have a rogue werewolf on our territory." He said, his voice grave. "My patrols found a trail of bodies near the south border — two dead deer and a human. They’re both fresh kills."

Kenziel’s bored expression vanished, replaced by a predatory glint. "You’re certain it’s a rogue?" he asked, his posture stiffening.

Alexander nodded. "Yes, but the patrols lost trail of him." He countered, his voice hesitant. "I heard the Crescent Moon Pack banished a wolf a few days ago, it's him. I'm certain he's around the border — hiding, it's only a matter of the time till he's fished out."

Kenziel’s expression remained stony as he considered the situation. "We need to find that rogue before he causes any more damage, especially to any of my subjects." He said, his tone clipped and decisive. "Set up a perimeter around the border, with extra patrols. I want that rogue found within few hours."

Alexander nodded, but Kenziel could sense the unspoken concern in his Beta’s eyes. "And what about the human?" He asked cautiously. "We can’t risk a human discovering our existence."

Kenziel turned his gaze towards the floor, the weight of his responsibility as Alpha heavy upon his shoulders. He knew they had to act quickly, but any wrong move could put his pack at risk.

"We dispose of the body..." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We’ll take the human deep into the forest and cover our tracks. The less evidence left behind, the better."

Alexander’s expression was grim, but he nodded in agreement. "I’ll make the arrangements." Alexander responded, his voice resolute. "I’ll have the patrol unit meet us there, and we’ll handle the situation."

Kenziel’s jaw tightened. "Good..." He turned to leave, but hesitated, his eyes drifting to the floor again. "— and Alexander..." He began.

Alexander’s head snapped up, sensing the gravity in Kenziel’s voice. Kenziel gaze shifting towards Rebecca. "Rebecca is here. She needs to remain safe, especially with that rogue lurking about."

Alexander’s eyes widened slightly as he finally registered Rebecca’s presence. "Rebecca, I'm sorry, my mind is occupied, I didn't realized your presence."

Rebecca reciprocated his smile. "You've always put everything else first before me, I guess I should have gotten use to it by now." She said.

"No, Becca. This is crucial than you think, it's about the pack's affairs. There's a rogue on berserk." Alexander said, a hint of worry seeping into his voice. "Kenziel’s right. You need to be protected."

Rebecca smiled bravely, though her voice quivered slightly. "Don’t worry, big brother." Rebecca said with a forced lightness in her tone. "I can take care of myself. I’m a werewolf now, remember?" She flexed her uninjured arm, attempting to lighten the tension in the room.

Alexander’s lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but his expression quickly hardened again. "I know you’re strong, Rebecca." He said, his voice unwavering. "But this rogue is dangerous, and he’s yet to be tracked."

Kenziel stepped forward, a silent warning in his gaze. "And that’s why she’ll be staying with me." He said, his voice tolerating no argument. "We’ll find this rogue, but until then, Rebecca stays by my side."

Alexander nodded, but his expression remained serious. "I understand, Alpha..."

Kenziel inclined his head. "Then go. And remember, be careful. We don’t know what this rogue is capable of."

With a final nod, Alexander departed to make arrangements with the patrol unit, leaving Kenziel and Rebecca alone in the office. The tension that had filled the space just moments before had dissipated, but a new, quieter tension seemed to take its place.

Kenziel turned to face Rebecca, his expression softening slightly. "Are you sure you’re all right?' he asked, his voice gentle. "You still look pale."

"I'm fine, just that my shoulder feels sore and heavy." She uttered, her voice small. "I think I need to rest for a while, if you'll excuse me."

Kenziel look at her for a while, contemplating, but shrugged his shoulders lightly. "Fine..." He said simply and watched her leave his presence — even though he couldn't shake off the feeling that something feels off about her...