Rogues

The next morning, everything was ready. Lucas and the others piled into the big SUV, while I took my own car — the one Alpha Jacob had given me on my eighteenth birthday.

Alpha Jacob stood outside, watching us leave. “Everyone, be safe. If there are any problems, call me immediately. Update me on the training once you get there.”

“Yes, Alpha!” everyone shouted, starting their vehicles and waving goodbye.

He mindlinked me softly, “Be careful out there. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need me.”

“Of course, Daddy,” I replied through the mindlink, laughing.

“You’re a naughty kid, Zoe. I love you,” he said, chuckling.

“I love you too, Jacob,” I replied. “Take care while I’m away.”

As I drove out of Red Water territory toward Blue Mountain Pack, my mind wandered. How would James react when he saw me? And Zack… would he even recognise me? I wasn’t the scared, shy girl they remembered.

I glanced at Celeste. “Do you… like Zeus?” I asked, almost hesitating.

“How about you?” she asked. “Do you still have feelings for Zack?”

I didn’t know how to answer. Has he changed? Could I even forgive him? But deep down, I hoped he had changed… though the thought of betrayal still stung.

“Moon Goddess,” I whispered silently, “why must I suffer?”

By evening, we stopped at a small human diner next to a gas station. Heads turned as the pack entered.

“Check out those girls!” one human male whispered to his friend.

“Man… not just beautiful — HOT!” another said.

“I wouldn’t mind sleeping with him,” a girl murmured.

Celeste and I exchanged a look and smiled. Humans, we thought, mindlinking quietly.

We took a large booth. A young waitress approached, flirting excessively with Riley, ignoring the rest of us. Audrey bristled, ready to intervene, but I grabbed her arm in time.

Audrey and Riley were mates — nothing would come between them.

The waitress finally noticed the rest of us, and we placed our orders.

“Did she really not notice the rest of us?” Aria muttered.

“Calm down,” I said. “This is the human world. Look at us — we probably look like celebrities to them.”

All our packs boasted strong, beautiful warriors. We had nothing to prove here.

“So, Zoe… your old pack. Why did you leave?” Aria asked.

“I wasn’t happy there,” I said quietly, staring out the window.

“Why?” Ethan pressed.

“They didn’t treat me well,” I admitted.

Lucas smiled at me and winked. “Good thing you left. If you hadn’t… you wouldn’t have found me.”

The food arrived, and we ate, chatting and laughing.

“Do you know where we’ll be staying?” I asked Lucas. “We should call Alpha Jacob and update him — we can’t rely on mindlink so far from the pack.”

Our laughter died down abruptly as five men entered the diner. I instantly smelled them — rouges.

I mindlinked Lucas. “What do we do? There are humans here… we can’t start a fight.”

“They’re in human territory,” he replied. “Let’s observe and see what they’re planning.”

Three of the rouges approached our table.

“Look what we have here. Lost, are we?” one sneered.

“Just stopping to eat and fuel up,” Ethan said calmly.

“Ah, but we don’t want you here,” snarled another.

I rose to my feet, fury and authority radiating from me. “Rouges don’t get to speak to us like that. We’re in human territory, yes — but don’t think we won’t act.”

The oldest rogue laughed. “What a brave little pup. We own this diner.”

“You little…!” Aria growled as the rogue reached for her throat.

Lucas was faster. He grabbed the man, breaking his arm in a single motion. The rogue cried out in pain.

Everyone in the diner froze and stared.

“If you hurt her, your life ends. I am being considerate because we’re among humans,” Lucas growled, throwing the rogue toward his companions.

The rouges snarled, then quickly retreated. I squeezed Lucas’s hand, hoping he would calm down.

“If this were our packlands,” he said, “they wouldn’t be walking away.”

“Calm down. Let’s finish our meal, then head to the nearest motel and inform Alpha Jacob,” I said, settling back into my seat.

The motel had only four rooms left. Audrey and Riley took one. Lucas, Ethan, Aria, and I shared another. Fortunately, I had my own room — I needed time alone to calm my nerves before tomorrow.

I showered and lay on the bed, thinking about facing Blue Mountain Pack. The knock on my door startled me.

“Can I come in?” Lucas asked, holding snacks and a beer.

“Sure,” I said, smiling. “The snacks and beer are good.”

He stepped in, handing me a beer. “Thought you might need this.”

As I reached for it, my hand pressed against my chest.

“Zoe, what’s wrong?” Lucas asked, concern in his voice.

“OMG… It’s happening again!” I shouted. “I can feel him… Zack… with someone!” Pain radiated through me.

Lucas didn’t hesitate. He lifted me gently onto the bed, holding me close, and kissed me. Celeste stirred inside me, and the ache began to fade.

“Sorry… we should stop,” Lucas said softly. “I don’t want you regretting this.”

I shook my head. “No… stay. I just want to rest my head on your chest tonight.”

“Sure,” he said, stroking my back as we settled in. Together, we drifted off to sleep — Lucas, me, and Celeste, finally letting go of the pain for just a while.