Werewolf Romance: The Alpha’s Bride

The Rogue’s Shadow

It was ominous outside when Chloe heard knocks on the door: the kind of night heavy with snow. For answering the knock, she called: "Who's there?" tightening her grip on the shotgun.

"Mara and Sara," came a tiny voice. "Jackson sent us here."

Chloe unlocked the door to find two girls. They looked like they could not be older than ten, their rags clothes and terrified, wide-awake eyes. She said to them: "Come in," her heart aching at what state they were, "go to wash up, and I will show you where you can sleep.

As she tucked them into the guest room, the howling wind suggested the sound of a peppery smell outside, which made her wolf bristle. The shotgun was heavy in her hands as she stepped on the porch, scanning the darkness. Then she saw her-the one by Nicholas slipping through trees with glinting eyes in the moonlight.

"What are you doing here?" Chloe called, her voice harsh.

"I went for a run," groaned Vic-no, defiantly. "It's not safe for omegas like you."

"I'm not an omega wolf, Vicki," she said, stepping closer.

"Prove your blood."

"That's an arcane practice."

"It is my right to invoke that," snap Vicky.

"Get into the house and lock the doors," warned Chloe, her voice low as the peppery scent grew stronger. "The rogue alpha's out there."

Vicki froze, then laughed. "I hope you don't mind; I helped myself to a few things. I always loved this shirt. It smells like him." She held up one of Jackson's shirts, her smile venomous.

"Keep the shirt," Chloe said. "Jackson doesn't need it anymore."

"That's not the only thing he should get rid of," Vicki said, eyes focused on Chloe.

The first snowflakes began to dance, and Chloe's phone buzzed shortly. It was Chief Mueller. "How long ago did she leave your house?"

"About thirty minutes ago," said Chloe.

"I'll tell the patrol to check for her. We'll pick her up for questioning."

"Call me when you find her."

"You'll know the second I do."

Another call came through, this time from Kelsey. "Chloe? It's me. I think I smelled the rogue outside my hotel room. Jackson's not answering, and I didn't know who else to call."

"He's not there anymore," Chloe said. "He was just here. I ran him off."

"Oh, wow!" Would it be too much to ask if I could come to your place? I don't like being alone like this among humans."

"Normally, I would say yes," Chloe said, but the rogue's still out there, and I'm babysitting some kids."

"Sounds like they're pack kids," Kelsey said.

"Of a sort. Their parents went feral, and grand isn't up to raising them.

"You take care of that kid, Chloe," Kelsey said. "Maybe you and I can get together for a do-over. I would like to be your friend."

"No hard feelings," Chloe said, even though all her instincts screamed caution. "Sounds good."

As she hung up, big snowflakes began falling, and Chloe knew that the night was far from over. The rogue was still out there, and Vicki's presence in the woods felt like a betrayal waiting to happen.