Time To Move

I jumped when a sudden knock echoed through the room. My mom was still sleeping so I decided to go open the door. 

I peeked through the crack before fully opening the door. I was relieved to see the luna waiting in front. 

"Have you eaten breakfast?" She asked with a bright smile as she got into the room. 

I nodded my head before looking at the plates. The food was delicious. My mom liked it too. 

I wanted to tell her all this but no words came out. I think she didn't mind my silence because she walked over to sit down on a chair and motioned me to sit with her. 

"Do you mind if I ask you some more questions, Ivy?" 

"I don't mind… " I replied softly.

"Good, thank you. Now, sit down so we can talk comfortably, " She said. 

I did as she told me. I liked her aura. She seemed sweet and innocent but powerful like a goddess. There was power radiating off her but also I could feel the warmth from her too. 

"How old are you, dear?"

"Seventeen… I-I'm going to be eighteen soon, " 

"Really? When is your birthday?"

"Uhh… in the spring... " I scratched the back of my neck. 

That's the thing about living in the forest. You don't know the specific dates. Just seasons. My birthday day is in spring. I just know that and nothing else.

"Oh… " The Luna nodded before smiling. "How long have you been living as a rogue?"

"Since I was born, " 

"Did you guys move from one place to another or just settled in one place?"

"We only moved four times… We last settled on a place a little closer to a human village. My father built a house for us there and we used to get necessities from the village market, " I sighed. "Things were going good until the hunters found us," I clenched my fist. 

"You're an omega, right?" 

I nodded. 

"Your mother?" She looked at my mother. "I can't recognize her pheromones,"

"She's a beta," I answered. 

The luna nodded before she stood up. "You can ask me if you need anything. You look tired so I think you should rest some more, " She said before turning back to leave.

"Wait!" I stopped her before she could step out of the room. "What—What happened to the hunters?"

"Don't worry, we've taken care of them," 

"A-Are they in the dungeon?" 

I saw a smirk form on her lips as she looked at me. Her bright green eyes were now a dark viridian. "No dear, they're in a much worse place than that," She said calmly before walking out. 

I stared at the door wide eyed. Even though she looked calm, her aura felt terrifying. Something in her tone told me that the hunters are no longer alive. 

*

*

*

It's been two weeks since we've been staying here. My mom is getting better. Not much but she talks to me now. 

I'm gaining my strength back slowly. I think good food and clean water are really a blessing. 

I've met the other people who were captured by the hunters. Some of them were rogues like us and some of them were captured from different packs. The ones who were captured from their packs were sent back to their respective packs. 

They still haven't decided what to do with us rogues. I heard someone say that the shadow pack has a history of accepting rogues as their members after they interrogate them. 

I don't know if they'll accept us or not. The luna seems like an amazing woman. I'd love to stay with her and learn from her but I'm keeping back from having expectations. 

My father taught me that expectations will bring disappointment. I don't want to be disappointed again so I just wait and see what they're going to do with us. 

I just hope I can find a place where it's safe for my mother. 

*

*

*

"I'll go straight to the matter, " The alpha spoke as he entered the room. 

There were only seven of us rogues left. Two rogues decided to go back to the forest because they didn't want to join a pack. 

I think the alpha and luna brought us here to tell us the decision they've made. 

"We called you here to tell you something important. We've fostered and accepted many rogues into our pack in the past. We were planning to accept you all too but this time, things are a little complicated," He said as he walked forward. 

"One of our allies is experiencing a problem and they are sending their members to stay here. It has made a shortage in resources. So we have to move you to another pack where you'll all be accepted. I've talked to the alpha and they've already made all the necessary arrangements for your stay. If you are okay with that, then we can proceed, " 

I heard murmurs arise in the room. Then there was silence for a minute before someone spoke up. "W-Which pack is that?"

"Dark wood pack, " The alpha replied. 

I heard people murmur again but this time it was louder. I knew the reason. 

"But isn't that Alpha Cassian's pack?" Someone asked. 

"He hates rogues! "

"Yeah, what if he kills us or treats us badly?"

"Calm down everyone," The luna stepped forward. "That was in the past. He's a changed man now. He stopped hunting rogues two years ago and now he's trying to help others. We've talked to him. He said he and his pack are ready to accept you after an interrogation. Just answer their questions and if they approve of you, you'll be part of their pack," She smiled. 

"Don't worry. We'll come with you and make sure you're comfortable there before returning, " She assured. 

I heard people talk among themselves. They were suspicious and hesitant. 

It's no surprise. No rogue would want to go near Alpha Cassian or his pack. He had a bad reputation among us. He's known to be ruthless when killing rogues. 

I remember my father telling me about him. There was a time when we lived in fear because of him. He used to hunt rogues then. I don't know why he did that. But he used to chase rogues and kill them off mercilessly. It didn't matter if they did something wrong or not. 

And because of his heartless behavior and bloodlust, he is known as the predator. 

The predator of rogues.