The rogue assassin

Patrol time

Jesse's POV

Days turned into nights and time flew by. The rogues never returned, even though I still hoped she would. But I guess that’s just a stupid thought. I stood in front of the packhouse, ready for a run in wolf form when Sam came into view. He waved at me before walking in my direction. s**t, I guess I have to reschedule that run. “Hey man! Uhm I mean alpha!" He bowed respectfully before showing his signature smile. "Sorry I still need to get used to that. I was looking for you. I know you doubled the border patrol and I know it is for a very good reason but… I was wondering if I could have a couple of hours off?” He looked at me with a hopeful smile plastered on his face, making me sigh. This was typically Sam. Always trying to find a way to sneak out of boring duties. “Sam, I know your sister is coming back to town but your patrol is only for two more hours. I can’t just excuse you while the others need to stay posted? It wouldn’t be fair to them and besides, you still owe me one for the prank you pulled on our teacher last week”. He scratched his head in acknowledgment when he remembered how I took the blame instead of him. “Yeah that prank was cool though but maybe a little too much”. I shook my head. “cool?  A little? You covered his whole desk with blue paint! That’s not cool you moron but plainly stupid!” He lowered his gaze to the ground. “You are right but about the patrol… Would it be so bad to take the rest of my shift? I mean, this could result in some more respect from the warriors? Show them that you are willing to protect the pack with your own life?” I was ready to refuse but after thinking about it… It could actually work! “You are right. Even though I hate you for it.” This cheered him up in an instant. “Thanks, buddy, see ya later”. With these words, he ran away and into the packhouse. I growled to him calling me buddy. I was the alpha now, not just his best buddy. I turned around and created a mind link with the patrolling warriors. “Hey guys, I will be joining you at patrol for the next two hours. Tell me when you see something weird or suspicious”. I felt a pressure build inside of my head as I immediately got some reactions back. “you are joining yourself? Why? Is there something wrong with Sam? Is he in danger? Do you expect danger?” I sighed while walking to the treeline. Okay, maybe I should’ve joined them more often in patrols. I straightened my back, even though nobody would see that during a mind link. “No, Sam is fine. I wanted to join myself. As a leader, I need to protect the pack. And what better way is there to join the patrol every once in a while?” The following silence was kind of awkward. I did not know what to say next but their reply made me relax again. “yes alpha, thank you for this honor”. I pulled off some clothes before changing into my brown-furred wolf. It really did feel good to be in wolf form again. I grabbed my clothes in my mouth before placing them underneath a tree, close to the packhouse. You see, shifting changes our body structure. Wearing clothes would only result in a wolf half-covered with shredded clothes over it. I shook my fur before sprinting off into the forest. I made sure to run a lap around the perimeter first. The warriors I passed bowed before me as I ran by. I stopped when I found the spot with Sam’s scent all over it knowing it was mine for the night. I sat there, on my butt while just staring at the trees. I was unsure about what to do next. Nobody ever taught me how to do a patrol so… Uhm what’s next? My wolf suggested a game to kill some time which I refused. I needed to stay sharp. The breaking of a twig in the distance, made me turn my head. I stood up from my spot before sitting back down. Classifying the sound as a small animal or something. Then, I heard the sound again but this time, the smell of iron and lavender intruded my nose. I heard a soft crash and then the crushing of leaves as if someone tried to run away. I stood up again to call out the intruder. “Hey, come back here! Show yourself moron!” The footsteps increased in speed and I decided to follow it. I called for back-up using the mind link while increasing my speed. I lost the sound of the footsteps, making me search for the smell instead. It smelled familiar. Sweet but also tainted. It smelled like… “MATE”. There she was, lying in a pool of blood. Her own blood. Her eyes were open wide but it was like nobody's home. I checked her pulse but found it was weak. Very weak. I took in her injuries and knew the situation looked bad. Her arm was in an unnatural position and bleeding like hell. It was like they cut off some piece of her shoulder. No, not her shoulder, her mark. I dropped myself to the forest floor when I reached out to the pack doctor. I told her about our location before trying to stop the bleeding. They were everywhere. Her breathing became more shallow as if she was struggling to stay alive. She should’ve been dead by now. How was she even still alive? Instead, she blinked her eyes. She took in a deep breath before saying the word ‘sorry’ with a squeaking voice. It confused me. What was she sorry for? The warriors arrived but kept their distance. I told them to do a quick sweep through the area and off they went. No questions were asked. I changed back into my human form. I lifted her into my arms and ran back to the packhouse where the doctor was waiting for us. I didn't care I was still naked at that time. I just needed her to be okay. Sam disturbed my thoughts by pushing some shorts in my hand which I gratefully accepted. Only one question kept crossing my mind. What the hell happened to her?