~Rafe’s Point of View~
“What the fuck do you mean he’s gone,” my father shouts, practically rattling the dungeon walls.
“I don’t know how it’s possible Alpha, I came in to give him breakfast and he was gone,” the keeper says, his voice quivering. He should be scared. He and his entire crew will be interrogated and tortured for this!
I kick the shirt left on the ground, then scoop it up and begin to rip it to shreds.
“Give this to all our best trackers at once! Find this bastard,” I shout, handing the cloth to the keeper.
“Parker has just returned this morning, he’ll want to be in on the search,” Billy, the guard replies. I growl at the idea of my brother being the hero in this. But we need all paws pounding the dirt here and I’m not going out. I’ve just been gone for a week to do the raid.
“I want some damn answers,” my father continues to roar.
I rub my face and turn away since I’m too pissed off and need air. I head out of the dungeon and step outside where people are doing chores and starting their day. While I know Hannah is safe with my sister, my wolf won’t rest until we see her. I barely slept last night and Cassandra nearly drove me to the brink of murder since she wouldn’t leave me be. I used to make up any excuse to get her in my bed … now I’m fighting to get her out of it.
*We’ll have to break up with her,* Cruz says, leaving no room for negotiation. I instantly scold him.
Yeah Cruz, let’s toss aside years … YEARS of kisses and promises we’ve made to her. Nevermind the fact that her father is the current Beta. She’s basically been groomed to be my Luna her entire life.
All for what, for a damn rogue??
A female who will run away the very moment she’s capable. I’m no fool, I see the hurt and longing in her eyes. Like anyone should expect her to stay with the very people who took away everything and everyone she knew. All she had. No wonder she stole from me! She’s never had a sense of loyalty, never had a moral compass.
Nevermind that Harrison and his family made all their money off the murders of innocents. That they constantly raided villages and stole. Just like my little thief.
*Hmmhmm, ours. Glad you’re seeing it my way though don’t compare her to Harrison,* Cruz says. I shake him off. The pack would turn against me in a heartbeat if I took a rogue thief for my Luna. They’d probably come for me in my sleep.
I still can’t fucking believe I didn’t snatch my wallet back from her last night. The family ring is gone, how am I going to face my mother?
I make my way around the building just to see my sister walking Hannah around. Seeing her up and around pleases me greatly, but when Parker approaches them both, my hands can only ball into fists. If he thinks he’s getting near her, I’ll kill him!
Something makes me stop for a second and watch the trio. It’s clear Scarlett is already quite attached to her, but she is a nurturer in that way. Hell she’s already knitting her a heavy blanket for the winter that’s months away. My eyes fall over the navy blue dress she’s wearing and how it hugs her body perfectly. Her legs have clearly never met a razor though, I could change that. She’s got an extremely feminine body but it’s clear she doesn’t see herself that way. Not like I see her.
But Parker… He’ll probably be in her pants by the end of the week and then onto the next. Then I’ll absolutely have to kill him. He’s always been the whore of the family.
“Ohh stop,” Scarlett teases, as she hits Parker’s arm. I absolutely freeze when I hear Hannah also laugh. Parker … made her laugh? After meeting her 10 seconds ago?
I fucking SAVED HER LIFE and I don’t even get a SMILE?!
Pure rage soars through my veins as Cruz rumbles in my chest.
*Get the fuck away from her,* I snap to my twin, over mind-link.
His eyes jerk up to meet mine as I approach. He immediately gets a smug grin I’d love to punch off his face. When Hannah sees me, she takes a step back and I nearly grab her.
*I hardly think this frail, injured little female is a threat,* Parker taunts, as I ball my fist, ready to knock his lights out.
*I’m the threat,* I reply, stepping into his space.
He cocks his head to the side in confusion as I close my eyes and tense, but not because of my annoying twin. It’s because Cruz literally always knows when Cassandra is near, it's like second nature.
“There you are! I’ve been looking all over. Everyone’s all in a huff about the rogue that disappeared, who cares? Let him go … jeez! I’m sure he’s long gone, it's not like he’d stick around the pack,” she says, as she wraps her long and skinny arm around my waist.
“He… He escaped,” Hannah asks, making us all turn to look at her.
Yeah sweetheart, he’s gone. With my family ring and probably a grand in cash. Thanks a fucking lot!
*We’re not telling dad that, don’t you dare,* Cruz warns.
“It’s all anyone is talking about. You’re not going are you Rafey? Oh please tell me you’re not going out to look for him! What a waste of energy,” Cassandra whines as she reaches up to run her fingers through my hair. I groan and step back from Parker but it only pushes me into her further.
“No, I’m staying. But Parker is going, the search crew is about to leave,” I say, as my eyes stay glued on Hannah.
Scarlett hugs her carefully and I can’t tell if Hannah is happy or upset. Her face is unreadable but I’m desperate to console her either way.
And yet, I can’t. Cruz tells me we’re drawing a crowd, people are gawking, he senses it.
“Yeah, I’ll get my paws dirty so our future precious Alpha doesn’t break a claw,” Parker taunts, making me turn back to face him. Scarlett snickers.
“Anything useful you might be able to provide on where your father would go? What’s his name Hannah,” I say, point blank back to the female.
Goddess she’s beautiful, even with a face that looks like it got mauled by a dog. Her hair is in braided pigtails and she’s barefoot, she’s clearly at home in nature. She’s so simple and yet so--
*Look what you did,* Cruz scolds, as her eyes fill with tears.
“You’ll never find him. Isaac more than knows how to hide. He can live feral too. But if he gets my brothers again… Without me there to protect them… He once threatened to sell them, I wouldn’t put it past him,” she sobs, as Parker steps to her.
Feelings of guilt and embarrassment wash over me and I don’t know what to make of it.
Though my body goes to move instinctively, Parker is already putting his arms around her and pulling her into his chest. Cassandra’s grip on me tightens and when Scarlett steps back to watch them I can’t help but do it too. My uncle Jake said Hannah was incredibly skittish, and barely let him touch her. How the fuck is she letting Parker rub all over her?!
When I see her arms go around him I nearly snap completely. I nearly shout, “I saved your life,” but thankfully don’t. It’s on the tip of my tongue.
Cruz growls and demands I tear them apart but I don’t move. There are far too many sets of eyes on us and I have to remember my place at all times. I’m not allowed to be spontaneous and careless like my siblings.
*Alpha, your father wants a meeting of the lead warriors, now,* my Beta Seth says, over mind-link. I sigh out loud.
I’ve told him for years he doesn’t need to call me Alpha yet, but he’s respectful and I can’t be mad about that. I suppose I do introduce him as my Beta all the time.
*Remind me we need to talk after, just you and me,* I reply to Seth.
I jerk myself out of Cassandra’s ninja grip and step forward.
“The Alpha is summoning us, NOW Parker,” I snap, then spin and walk away.
*What the hell is up your ass today,* Parker asks over mind-link, just as I reach the main door to the packhouse. I hear him on my heels and stop mid step.
“You will not ever fucking touch her again! You stay the hell away from Hannah,” I seethe, pointing into his chest for good measure. Cruz gets annoyed that I’m not doing more and I grab his shoulders and shove him against the wall so loud the thud echoes. The waft of her wildflower scent mixed with his mossy dirt odor and it only serves to piss me off further.
When he laughs out loud, I pull my fist back, ready to bust his nose and relocate it on his face.
“Stop it this instant! What the heck has gotten into you Rafe,” I hear, and instantly freeze.
I pinch my eyes shut and Cruz hangs his head in shame, at the only voice that could probably keep me from pummeling my twin right now.
When my mother’s warm hand runs down my arm and her fingers lace with mine, I calm right away. I draw a deep breath as Parker straightens himself and tries to look offended.
*Stealing one female from me isn’t enough? Go back to the one you wanted so damn bad. Buy her another purse or some shit,* he taunts over mind-link.
As if she knows what he said, my mom pulls me back and squeezes my hand.
Goddess it was six years ago that Cassandra went to the lake with Parker for a “date.” We were fourteen, same age as Scarlett is now. It seems like another lifetime ago yet Parker always brings it up when it's convenient for him.
Cassandra said there was nothing between them and she wasn’t at all interested. Yet he thought the opposite. Completely dense.
I can’t help that he's only a whore with no real potential to keep a female long term. He’ll never settle down and mate which is all the more reason he can’t be trusted around Hannah. She will have her heart broken and he’ll move on without a care in the world.
“Not quite the welcome home I wanted you to have Parker. Head inside now, I’ll need to speak to Rafe privately,” she says, nodding at him.
“Yes ma’am,” he replies, then flips me off when she turns away. He knows I’m her favorite and he can claim it doesn’t bother him, but ohh it does.
*Go cry to mama you big baby,* he says, over mind-link.
Cruz rumbles in my chest but when mom puts her hand on our cheek it all fades away. She always calms me so easily. I prepare myself for the lecture about how I should be the bigger male, I should lead by example.
“Why in the world did you save that rogue’s life when Seth was ready to kill her,” she asks, completely catching me by surprise. Though I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked, her bestie is Seth’s mom. Still, I’d expect her to have more regard for a life, especially a female pup.
“What? You wanted him to shred an innocent female to pieces,” I say, not hiding my surprise.
*An innocent female who has already stolen from us and potentially helped her father escape,* Cruz whispers, nearly terrified of our mother. Disappointing her is the absolute worst.
“She was marrying Harrison! Ready to make more thief mutts! Now you’ve brought her into our sacred space, into our home? A female who would pledge to a murderer and the worst kind of male? No, I don’t have much of a heart for her and I’ve already got a spy following Scarlett around. I don’t trust the rogue for a second with my baby,” she practically spits.
I step back, a bit taken aback but understanding. Scarlett is literally everyone’s pride and joy, we’re all wrapped around her little fingers. If anything happened to her…
*Hannah would never,* Cruz says, though I don’t feel 100% confident on that statement.
“I’m not leaving with the warriors on the search. I’ll keep my eye on them,” I tell her, kissing her forehead as I go to move inside.
“I mean it Rafe. Don’t you dare be fooled by her. A rogue with nothing to lose is the worst kind of person. A pretty and innocent young face like that no less? She’ll stab you in the heart if it means money in her pocket,” she says, before turning and walking away.
What about mom's warning? Kids don't listen anyhow! Next update will be on Sunday and hopefully I'll have a couple chapters.
~Hannah’s Point of View~ “Let’s hurry up and get dinner! The males here are all pigs and if you don’t get there early you’re stuck with whatever is left. The full moon is the only good time to eat, they’re all out hunting and eating on four legs, hoping to woo a female or some nonsense,” Scarlett giggles, pulling my hand. I groan at the thought of eating in a large mess hall in front of so many. When I visited Harrison’s pack years ago it was how they ate and I can’t imagine Nightwind is any different. I’ve been able to get away with eating supper in my room the last few nights. But I’m starting to heal and be more mobile so today Scarlett has been dragging me all over the place. My lungs have appreciated the fresh air though, I can’t deny that. She also dresses me up in ridiculous clothes that make me feel silly. It’s impossible to be in her bedroom and see all her nice things. Everything just screams money to me. Her jewelry, her clothes, her shoes. I’d be able to make so much fr
~Parker’s Point of View~ *What exactly is happening right now, are we high or something,* my wolf Crush asks. As I walk with Hannah curled into me, the bare skin of her arm against mine, I’m not sure what the hell is happening. But I know that her scent is beyond intoxicating and being away from her for two days was torture. How the hell I could feel so strongly about someone I don’t even know, I can’t understand … but I’m not going to question it. Not after the year I’ve had. As I move with this mysterious female, I feel an odd sense of calm fall over me. It’s crazy weird because I’m not normally affectionate with females, especially in public. But nearly a year celebate… Goddess help me as I walk with this perfectly curved beauty … my body demands her proximity. I must have passed a dozen single females on my way into the dining hall, yet my wolf didn’t even spare them a glance. “How do I know your claws aren’t the sharpest,” she asks, once we’re outside. I pause for a second
~Hannah’s Point of View~ I’m nearly in a daze as I walk with Parker, unsure where we’re going or what I’m even doing. Scarlett left me, though I could probably find my way back to my room. Hmm, no. Suddenly the idea of being stuck in those four walls seems suffocating. Sleeping outside you can see what’s coming, you hear it and smell it. Being stuck in a tiny room makes me feel like a sitting duck. It’s likely twenty minutes from sunset and there’s a delicate calm once we’re in the trees. Parker holds his big warm hand in mine and for the first time since I can remember I feel … wanted? But not in the way Harrison wanted me. It’s not even close to the same thing. Rogues absolutely don’t trust strangers, we don’t just blindly follow. But right now, my body just wants to go where he goes. What would it be like to turn off my brain that’s always running on full blast and just … be in the moment? My mind wanders for a brief second before it takes a nose dive into reality. I have to a
~Hannah’s Point of View~ Before I know it, we’re sitting down and he’s cradling me in his lap. It’s just simply too much for me right now. Too much to process and even understand. I thought Seth and Rafe ruined my life that day but … did they save me from it? Save me from the fate I would have had under Harrison? “I brought you here because, well, everyone needs a place. Somewhere they can find their peace. I thought either we could share this or, it’s yours if you want it,” he whispers, making me look up at him. All the light from the sun is nearly gone, but I can very much see his handsome face. I turn slightly and take in the dark sky, the twinkling little balls of light already visible. Being under the open sky is where I belong, where I feel free. “I don’t think the moon and stars are yours to offer. I didn’t expect that kind of ego from you. How does your wolf feel about me being here, taking what is probably his favorite place too,” I state, with a playful smile. Really,
~Parker's Point of View~ *Let her lead, don’t seem overly anxious,* Crush warns. My, my how the mighty have fallen. Hours ago you were practically telling me to leave her alone. I literally have no idea if she’s a virgin, if she’s even experienced. But I very seriously doubt Harrison didn’t take her to bed. She’s far too great a temptation. I can’t think about it though. Crush assures me she’s not pregnant and that’s all I need. She’s obviously nervous though, and timid. Still learning to trust me and there’s no way in hell I can ruin that. And I better not blow right away, Goddess I should have jerked off today. It’s been so damn long since I felt a female. I drop the condoms on the nightstand and carefully move over her. She lays completely still, her succulent breasts heaving with her heavy breaths. Crush demands I relax her and I’m not sure how to do that. Any sex I’ve ever had was straight to the point after a little foreplay. This is different, SHE is different in every way
~Hannah’s Point of View~ I stand still in my spot, not quite knowing what to do. I have no idea what time it is though the sun was certainly up and bright. My stomach grumbles and I decide going after Parker isn’t the best plan. So instead, I make my way into Scarlett’s room, but I find it empty. It hits me that today is her birthday party. I should see if she needs any help. As I shower and find some clothes to borrow, I see her white party dress laid out. A small tray of jewelry and cute shoes with a big bow rest on her dresser. I run my fingers over a gold necklace with huge garnet stones and for a brief moment daydream about trying it on. But I scold myself and pull away, forced to remember my place. I’m certain I ruined things with Parker, I don’t know what I was thinking. Last night was just so… Magical? Unlike anything I’d ever had. For a while, I was happy. Deliriously happy. Gone were my struggles, my brain trying to tell me not to enjoy it. Not to trust him. I completely
~Rafe’s Point of View~ *Let’s hit it,* Cruz says, telling me we need to get outside. We need the sun on our skin and sweat on our back. We need to hit someone, draw blood. A solid workout will help get that damn rogue off my mind. Maybe. Not likely. At least the birthday party will keep Cassandra off my back for the day, maybe even the night if I’m lucky. I’ll take what I can get. I didn’t sleep a single fucking wink last night knowing that Parker was off with Hannah. Though if he has a strong attraction to her, I’m terrified my theory might actually be true. Without her wolf, there’s no way of knowing for sure. And being that I have a damn girlfriend, I can’t exactly fight him for her. Not openly anyhow. If my theory is true, there are far bigger implications than I care to think about right now. When I walk back to my room to change I pass her new one, wondering if she’ll ever even sleep in it. Parker is masterful with the ladies, but she’s hardly any normal female. Those
~Hannah’s Point of View~ “Stupid, idiotic males! Goddess what a waste of oxygen,” I mumble, too pissed off to even think. I’m honestly shocked when I’m able to make my way back to the packhouse with no one bothering me. Maybe Rafe told everyone to steer clear of me or I might start shooting fire from my eyes. I swear if my brothers are even the smallest bit stupid enough to-- I stop abruptly as I’m about to get in the shower, there’s a weird lull in my mind. My body freezes, trying to chase the feeling but it’s gone just as quickly. I slam my hand against the wall. “Come on wolf. Come on girl, I need you. More than ever. If you’re there, please come out, come out,” I whisper. But as usual, there’s nothing. I get into the shower and lean against the cool tile. Everything that’s happened since I came to the pack is everything I’ve always worked so hard to avoid. People and their drama. Romantic entanglements. Stupid wanna be Alphas trying to get themselves killed for no good r