Her Mate is a Rogue

At the stroke of midnight, the room was filled with an eerie silence in New York City. Alden sat alone, engrossed in his popcorn and the flickering images on the television screen. Glancing up at the wall clock, he grew increasingly anxious. His mother should have been back by now. "Why is Mom not back yet?" Alden muttered to himself, the taste of concern mingling with the popcorn in his mouth. He remained seated, eyes fixed on the TV, hoping for some distraction from his growing unease. Suddenly, a relentless beeping sound resonated through the air, echoing from the front door. Alden's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, she's here," he thought, his worry momentarily alleviated. Hastily abandoning his half-eaten popcorn on the sofa, he hurried to answer the door and welcome his mother home. However, the sight that met his eyes was far from what he had expected. His mother stood before him, bloodstained clothes clinging to her trembling form. Alden's concern surged back tenfold. "Alden," she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. "What's wrong, Mom?" Alden asked, his voice trembling with worry and confusion. "They are coming," she whispered, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. "Who's coming?" Alden pressed, his heart pounding in his chest. "The Moonbane brotherhood," she replied, her words weighted with a gravity he couldn't fully comprehend. "You won't truly understand, but we're in danger." Alden watched as she stumbled toward the center of the room, her hands reaching out to push the table aside, revealing a small mat on the floor. With a determined effort, she lifted the mat, revealing a hidden tile beneath. Unveiling a secret passcode, she accessed a concealed compartment and retrieved a map. Confusion swirled in Alden's mind as he questioned the existence of this hidden passage. "When did this appear?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity. "It's been here all along," she explained, unlocking the map's secrets. Her finger pointed to a marked location called SilverMoon. "You must go there," she emphasized, her eyes fixed on him. "Visit this address," she continued, indicating a specific location. "But Mom," Alden interjected, his voice tinged with concern, "that area is off-limits for us. We are rogues." "Yes, I know," she replied, her gaze filled with a mixture of determination and sorrow. "That's why there is a secret passageway to the city—" Her words were abruptly cut off by a thunderous bang on the door, the sound reverberating through the room. The imminent danger loomed closer. "They're here," she whispered, fear lacing her voice. With relentless pounding on the door, she clutched Alden's arms tightly, her grip desperate. "Stay alive and tell them 'code red.' They will understand." Alden's mind raced, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and possibilities. "We can both run away," he suggested, desperately clinging to a sliver of hope. "They will hunt us down, exposing the existence of other packs," she explained, her tone resolute. "Your father has already caused enough harm by betraying a few packs. We can't risk it again." As the pounding on the door grew louder, she made her decision clear. "Use your speed, run. Don't worry about me. It will take them 21 days to kill me." A bittersweet smile adorned her face as she pushed Alden forward, urging him to flee. Tears streamed down Alden's cheeks as he looked back one last time, his mother's wolf form emerging, ready to fight for him. Though he couldn't hear her voice, the unspoken words were etched in his heart: "I love you. Stay safe." With a heavy heart, Alden turned away, sprinting into the night, knowing that he had to honor his mother's sacrifice and find a way to save her. SilverMoon Pack "No! Mom!" Lily, a fiery teenager, erupted in frustration, her voice echoing through the room. She stood defiantly, glaring at her mother, Sarah Greenwood. The room crackled with tension as the conversation grew heated. "We are not in the stone age, Mom," Lily continued, her voice laced with a mix of anger and defiance. "You can't just force me into an arranged marriage like that!" Sarah remained calm, sitting composedly despite her daughter's outburst. "You're yelling at me, Lily," she responded in a measured tone, trying to maintain a semblance of control. "No, I'm not," Lily retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. "I just don't want to end up with some man I barely know. I'm still young. I should be given more time to explore my options." Sarah's gaze remained steady as she replied, "Then find your mate soon." "I'm trying!" Lily shot back, exasperated. "You're trying by staying cooped up indoors all the time?" Sarah challenged. "What about the social events that took place yesterday? Did you even bother to go? How do you expect to find a mate if you don't put yourself out there? You might make a fine housewife for the alpha-to-be in the Shadowclaw Pack." Lily frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Mom, don't threaten me," she warned. Sarah sighed, her tone softening. "I'm not threatening you, Lily. I'm just stating the reality. Time is ticking away. The Alpha of the Shadowclaw clan will return soon from their expedition, and he's determined to find a mate for his son, who, let's be honest, has a rather... unique personality." Lily cringed at the thought. "Ugh, that guy," she muttered under her breath. "You won't actually give me up, will you?" Sarah's eyes softened with maternal love. "No, Lily, I won't. But your father might. He needs the support of the Shadowclaw clan during these turbulent times. The Moonbane Brothers are causing havoc, and we need all the alliances we can get." Lily's frustration began to wane, replaced by a sense of resignation. She sighed and nodded her head, acknowledging her mother's words. "I understand, Mom. I'm nineteen, one of the strongest teenagers in our pack. Finding a mate shouldn't be hard." Sarah offered a small smile, hoping to provide some comfort. "That's the spirit, Lily. We'll find a way to work things out. But remember, time is of the essence. In just 21 days, your fate will be sealed." "Cringe," Lily muttered, rolling her eyes at the thought of being forced into a loveless union. "Well, we'll figure something out, Mom. I won't let it come to that." Sarah nodded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "I believe in you, Lily. We'll find another way to join hands with the Shadowclaw clan, one that doesn't involve marriage. Together, we'll navigate this intricate web of pack politics and secure our future." Lily took a deep breath, determination burning in her eyes. "You're right, Mom. I won't let anyone dictate my fate. I'll start going out, meeting people, and finding my own path." Sarah's smile widened, pride and love evident in her expression. "That's my girl. You have the strength and the spirit within you. I know you'll find your own way." "I hope so," Lily muttered under her breath. "I'm going out for a walk in the garden." "Alright, don't take too long,"