1-LET THEM COME

Twenty three years later.

Rose pulled her bike into the deserted carpark and killed the engine. The docks were never truly empty, not even at this hour. There were always eyes somewhere, watching, waiting. 

She checked the time on her phone. Quarter to twelve. 

Don’t be late. Luke’s voice echoed in her head. He doesn’t like it when you’re late. And as a rule, he detests wolves. 

“Good for him,” she muttered under her breath. 

She grabbed the sack and slung it over her shoulder. The weight barely registered. Her gaze moved constantly as she headed toward the meeting point, scanning shadows, corners, and rooftops. Rogues had been pushing further into the city lately, growing bold in ways that made her itch for a fight. 

Her phone rang. 

“Fuck,” she breathed, already pulling it out. 

Arthur. 

She answered immediately. 

“Dad.” 

There was a smile in her voice despite everything. 

“Hey, my girl,” he said. “How’s the bike going?” 

“Just gave her an oil change. She’s running like new.” 

“That’s my girl.” 

The warmth in his voice settled something in her chest, something she kept locked down most of the time. 

There was a pause. 

“I miss you.” 

Her grip on the phone tightened slightly. 

“I know, Dad. But you know how it is. I haven’t been welcome there in a long time.” 

Another pause. He didn’t argue; they both knew what had happened. 

“How’s Jenny?” she asked, more for him than for herself. 

“You know your mother, her heart’s playing up, but she never complains,” he said. “She misses you, too.” 

Rose let out a quiet breath. 

“Yeah.” 

She knew better. If Jenny truly missed her, she would have called. 

“Still working at that bar?” Arthur asked. 

“Gotta pay the bills.” 

“You need money? I can send you some.” 

Rose huffed softly. 

“I’ve got enough, Dad,” she paused, “but thanks. I appreciate it.” 

“Alright,” he said, then lowered his voice slightly. “Brittany’s gone.” 

Her stomach tightened. 

“Gone how?” 

“I don’t know what she did, but she’s not here anymore. Left the pack. No one's talking; it sounds bad.” 

Rose adjusted the sack on her shoulder, eyes still moving as she approached the alley. 

“I told you she was no good, Dad.” 

“I always believed you, hon.” 

That hit harder than she expected. 

“Has she gone rogue? Or was she just asked to leave?” 

She wanted to add, like me, but she knew it would hurt Arthur. 

“I think she ran before she could be rejected from the pack. Gone lone wolf. Alpha Callan has been furious for days now. No one's been able to find her.” 

A wave of bitterness passed through Rose. She wished Brittany had been turned rogue; then she could find the bitch and make her pay. 

The alley stretched ahead, narrow enough to trap, quiet enough to kill in. Shadows pooled along the walls; this was no place for distractions. 

“Hey, I’ve gotta go,” she said. “I’m working.” 

“Alright,” he replied. “I was thinking of taking the bike out. Stretch my legs. Maybe come see my girl.” 

A real smile pulled at her mouth. 

“Yeah. Do that.” 

“I’ll let you know when I’m coming.” 

“Good.” 

She ended the call and slid the phone into her pocket. 

The alley waited. If they wanted her, this was where they would try. She moved through without slowing. Her senses stretched outward, catching every shift in the air, every scrape of loose gravel. The hairs along her arms lifted. Watched. She slowed, listening harder. Nothing. Still, the feeling stayed with her. 

She stepped out onto the dockside and checked the time again. 11:59. She frowned slightly. 

Mr. Midnight was never late. Luke called him that as a joke, but there was truth in it. The man worked like clockwork. Showed up exactly when he said he would. No sooner, no later.

"Dont be late," Luke had warned. "He's a predator. Dangerous. And he detests tardiness." 

Rose scanned the docks again. Empty.

 The ocean rolled dark and heavy beyond the pier. Wind tugged at her hair. Somewhere in the distance, metal creaked. She shifted her weight, irritation creeping in. 

Where the hell is he? 

Movement. Her head snapped toward it. Three figures. They were coming out of the dark, slow and deliberate, spreading slightly as they approached. 

Rose adjusted her stance without thinking, the sack still hanging from her shoulder, her body already preparing for impact. Her pulse didn’t spike. It sharpened.

 “What the fuck is this?” she muttered under her breath, dropping the sack.

 She didn’t move. Let them come.