5

SHADOW

“No!” I woke up, jolting with my body soaked with sweat, my chest heaving as I caught my breath. I never had a dream in a long time, and I didn’t wish to be that taunting and vicious as I watched everyone die, get murdered, and pile like dead animals ready to get burned.

I was wrong when I thought I would get a good sleep. With my impending challenge approaching, I needed a clear head, or I would lose control and hurt my opponent. I couldn’t and wouldn’t be that person anymore.

With everyone having eyes on me with my every move, I had to prove to them that I was not that kind of rogue in their heads, but I had a feeling that this wouldn’t be easy for me.

It was still three in the morning. Everyone was probably still in bed. I checked the door before I slept last night, and it wasn’t locked like I initially thought. I changed into a hoodie and sweatpants before I headed down. It had been almost a week, and I hadn’t run. The night I wanted to go out, it didn’t go well.

I walked to the north. My nose in human form wasn’t like in my wolf form. I couldn’t smell threats, but I always trusted my instinct. As I reached through the tall trees, I stripped off my clothes.

I remembered my first turn. It was brutally and excruciatingly painful. I had no one to guide me than Kent, but he was there for me, patiently waiting for my complete transformation. It was worth the pain, and my wolf came to life.

I shifted to my four-legged white wolf and stomped her paws in glee. I felt more free in a wolf form. I jumped over the log, and the sound of my paws patting against the earth gave me the freedom to do a good run. The familiar whistling of wind rushed through my fur.

For the first time I was out of Kent’s property, I didn’t have to worry about being caught by my kind. As I ran deep into the woods, I found a cliff. My paws dragged against the rocky end.

That was close.

I smelled different werewolf scents, but those were Night Stalker pack members and one distinct, familiar scent. I sat on four, watching the silver glow of the moon washing against the river that separated from the tall trees.

I stayed there for a couple more minutes, thanking the moon goddess before I ran back.

I caught a scent behind the big tree where I hid my clothes. I quickly shifted back and put my clothes on.

“You can’t run alone like that. You’re not yet properly introduced to the pack. They could have ripped you off and thought you were an intruder.”

“Let them try.” I gulped when my skin tingled as his scent became more prominent, and I heard his footsteps getting closer.

“That’s an order, Shadow.”

“How did you find me?” Quickly, I shut my mouth to question the Alpha.

Not liking my answer, a growl rumbled from his chest.

“Sorry.”

“Let’s head back.”

Taking a step forward, I finally showed my face. He was still wearing a deep scowl on his face.

It was a good run, though, worth a try without getting back on that hellhole. Califf was only wearing sweatpants and a shirt, but it had my wolf going crazy inside.

“I was about to go back, anyway.” I slipped and formed my hands into fists in the hoodie’s pockets. His presence and our proximity had my body going bold, losing control of my wolf’s desire. I had to draw a deep breath before I could jump on him.

“Why are you up so early?”

“I could ask the same thing.” I quickly shut my mouth.

Another groan came out from him but without a word.

“Look, Alpha. I’m still adjusting to the whole thing. I’m used to being alone, but I’ll try to be a good rogue around here. I don’t want trouble.”

“You’re still talking and not answering my question.”

I released a tired sigh. “I had a bad dream and haven’t had it in a long time.”

“What was it all about?” For real? He wanted to know my dream. What if it was wild and something naughty?

“I can’t tell you.” I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“Was that something naughty?” I could feel a smirk in his voice.

“I wish it were, but no. In fact, it was bloody and terrifying. I can still feel the dread crawling in my skin.”

“It was just a bad dream. Maybe you overthink before you slept last night.”

We reached the compound gate. The pack house was like a fortress in the middle of the forest. The entire place was still silent, just our footsteps echoing at the entrance.

I followed where he went and remembered it was led to the vast kitchen.

“Cook something.” He sat on the chair in front of the kitchen island.

“Um. What do you like?”

“Just breakfast, and I want coffee.”

Well, this would be the first payment to my debt. I drew a deep breath before scanning the cupboards, drawers, and fridge to familiarize myself with what was in it.

I started by scooping the ground coffee and filling the coffee maker. I poured water and turned it on. Then I went to the fridge and grabbed a few eggs, butter, fresh fruits, and milk. Then, I grabbed a bag of flour for the pancake.

“Any allergies that I should know about?” I took out a bulb of scallions.

“I’m sure you won’t find any in the kitchen.”

“I was not trying to poison you.”

“I know,” he said with disinterest. And he looked like he wanted to be elsewhere than here, yet he was still sitting.

“Tell me about the challenge. I want to prepare myself. How difficult is it?” I began by making my batter in a large mixing bowl. I knew the werewolf appetite, and we were also lucky to have a fast metabolism that wouldn’t make us the size of an elephant.

“You will have a combat fight with the chosen member. Preferably the opposite sex.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “What? That’s unfair. I don’t have the training your men have. And they are stronger than me because I am a rogue, obviously.” While waiting for the pancake maker to heat, I cracked some eggs into the bowl.

“You want to prove you have a place in my pack? Then fight for that place. Prove it to me and them that you deserve to be here, rogue.”

He didn’t have any idea what damage I could do to my opponent if I lost control, and that was what I was afraid of.

I poured a batter into the pancake maker, ignoring the apprehension in my head. I grabbed a pack of bacon from the fridge and placed it on a separate pan.

“Looks like Kent didn’t spoil you at all.” So he’d been watching me scramble in his impressive kitchen, but he never offered to help. What was I expecting? He was the Alpha, and I was rogue, ending up his omega if I failed the challenge.

“No. He didn’t. After his divorce, he wanted me back in his home. So I cooked breakfast and dinner for us.” I whisked the egg and sprinkled some salt and pepper. I poured a little amount of milk into it. “Did you know about Kent harboring a rogue before we met?”

“Yeah. That was the meeting all about,” he answered without hesitation.

“Did he know?” I looked at him.

“Not until I asked.”

“So that meeting was a setup?”

“I don’t know who you were. I just saw your picture sent to me.”

“What were you gonna do if we met that day?”

“The same thing I did.” His direct answer made my nose flare, and he saw that.

I was done with half of the pancake. I stacked it on the plate before I made a mean omelet. I chopped some scallions for the garnishing because I had to impress my Alpha that I was not a burden rogue, but I could do some help in his pack.

Once, I plated the Alpha’s breakfast and poured him a coffee in a big mug. I grabbed a cutlery and set the table before placing breakfast before him.

I prepared for myself since I was also starving after the run. Once I cleaned up my mess, I began digging my breakfast. I was halfway to my meal, but I hadn’t heard any comments about my inexpert cooking experience. But he was eating silently, and he hadn’t collapsed from his seat if I happened to poison the Alpha.

Once he was done, he stood up, and I watched him leave without a word, but his plate was empty. After I cleaned up the kitchen spotless, I went to my room and took a shower. I missed my old clothes, though. There was nothing much choices to pick on. At the same time, I was glad he didn’t leave me naked or put me in a cage somewhere in his territory to be mauled by his enemy.

I looked outside through the window and found teens and pups probably going to school. I went downstairs and found a few pairs of eyes pinned down at me. I didn’t know what to do or say, so I chose to ignore their scrutinizing eyes.

“Hey, rogue. Learn to show some respect to the ranking members if you wanna stay,” said the blond guy around my age.

“Too bad. You just said I’m a rogue, and I don’t know any of you except for Alpha Califf and Beta Duke.”

Before I could turn my back, I was already pressed against the wall, knocking out the air in my lungs, almost crashing my windpipe. I didn’t flinch. Instead, I met his blazing dark eyes. He was an enforcer, and I could smell his rage seeping through him.

Growling, I snarled, “Is this supposed to impress me, scare the shit out of me because you are fast?” He was already distracted. I did a head butt that caught him off guard. It wasn’t even strong. His head snapped back, giving me a chance to knee him in the forbidden area.

I left, heading to the Alpha’s office, and didn’t look back.

Before I could take another step, I froze in my place as I met the angrier Alpha, glaring his frosty gray eyes at me. If an icy stare could kill, I was dead cold.