His True Luna

Chapter Three: An Unregistered Rogue

It had been at least half of an hour since Delia had asked Marcus if she were a rogue. The astonished look on his face made Delia feel very uncomfortable. She would have already high-tailed it out of there if it wasn't for the kindness and welcoming nature of both Carrie and Marcus. She didn't want to let them down. It was also an unhealthy dose of curiosity that had Delia planted on the chair, feelings as though she were waiting for her own execution. Hadn't she ever been told that curiosity killed the cat?

'Maybe, but I'm a wolf, not a skittish little kitten.' With that inner pep talk, she bucked up, sat a little taller, and put on a brave face. Whatever she was getting herself into couldn't possibly be as bad as half of the things she'd already been through. It was always that knowledge that filled her with courage.

Just then, she began to hear Marcus having a conversation with a female. They were speaking in hushed tones, but their voices were growing louder the closer they got to the meeting room where Marcus had placed Delia a half hour before. Delia was grateful for her sensitive hearing, and that Marcus had left the door open. It allowed her to hear bits and pieces of their conversation, so she could prepare herself for what was to come.

"What do you mean she didn't know if she was rogue or not, Marcus? Oh God! She isn't feral is she," the way the woman's voice screeched the word 'feral' made Delia shudder. She knew that whatever the term meant, it wasn't good, and she sure hoped it didn't describe her.

"Don't be ridiculous Vivian," Marcus admonished. "I told you she's applying for the paralegal position. Does that sound like a feral wolf to you? Besides smell her. I didn't even recognize her rogue scent until I hugged her. Its very faint. She smells like a Beta to me."

'Beta?' Delia didn't appreciate that she was being sniffed, and talked about like she wasn't there. She had waited her entire life for answers about her nature, and her inner wolf was growing impatient. She couldn't stop the low octave rumble that rolled out of her solar plexus. 'Oh God! Did I just growl at them?' Delia mentally face palmed herself. She had no idea how they would take her aggression, but she knew that they had heard it. It was instinctual, a matter of dominance. It was just a wolf-thing to put it in simple terms.

"Oh, you're right Marcus. She even sounds like a higher-rank wolf." The woman sounded genuinely surprised, but not offended, which gave Delia relief. She was a little annoyed with the situation, but she still wanted to be liked by these wolves. She just hated that she was still being left in the dark with all the answers to every question she's ever had about herself within reach.

"She is sitting right here guys, and can hear you clearly. You might as well come sit down, and hopefully explain what's going on?" She didn't intend to sound contrite, but she really couldn't help letting her irritation be known. No one ever claimed Delia was stoic. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, regardless of the consequences. 'There had definitely been consequences.' The thought made Delia grimace.

Breaking her away from her dark thoughts, Marcus and his female companion briskly entered the meeting room. They both had friendly smiles on their faces, which put Delia at great ease.

"Hello, Miss James. My name is Vivian Rowe. I'm a senior partner here at Hart & Rowe. My husband is Connor Rowe, and together we head the legal department of Family Affairs." She stretched her hand out for Delia to shake as she smiled brightly and continued on with her introduction, "but you may call me Vivian if you'd like. Well, unless we're in court or in the presence of a client."

Delia firmly shook the woman's hand, and decided almost immediately that there was something about the woman that she really liked. She wasn't over friendly like Carrie, but Delia could sense her wolf, and that she held a sense of warmth and comfort. Though she had never interacted with other wolves before, she instantly made the comparison between her wolf and theirs. She knew instantly that their wolves were submissive to her own. She knew it just like she knew that Vivian was a female, and Marcus a male. Well, maybe Marcus wasn't all male.He certainly had some female qualities about him, but they didn't make Delia like him any less. Delia had always been an open-minded individual. How could she judge anyone else's differences when she herself could spontaneously combust into a hairy animal?

Marcus and Vivian quickly sat down after they all made their introductions to one another, which was quickly followed by Vivian. "I'm not one to beat around the bush Delia. I hope you don't find my questions too intrusive, but I find that you are quite a mystery, Ms. James."

"My lovely wife does love a good mystery," the three were startled by an older attractive man, Mr. Rowe, Vivian's husband, Delia determined.

Delia noticed Vivian instantly perked up by her husband's presence. She reached her hand out towards him, and he quickly grasped it, and let her pull him into her personal space. Mr. Rowe had hungry eyes when he looked at his wife, and Vivian blushed adorably when he nuzzled her neck,and breathed in her scent. They were so clearly still very in love. Delia wondered if they had recently been married, but thought it would be rude to ask. She didn't want to sound presumptuous. Delia couldn't help but feel a bit envious. She in no way wanted the other woman's husband. She wasn't that way. She believed marriage was a sacred bond, but she had been alone so long that she couldn't help but wonder if it was something she would ever get to experience for herself. She wanted to love and be loved so fiercely. She recognized the passion in front of her, and it was their fire that she felt envious of, but she wanted a fire that belonged to her.

"Delia," Marcus questioned. Delia's cheeks flushed. She had no idea what was asked of her. She had been totally wrapped up in the longing of her hopelessly romantic heart. The married couple exchanged a brief look of knowing, and chuckled. Vivian reached across the table, and warmly patted the younger woman's clasped hands. "Don't worry sweetheart, you will find yours in good time." Delia sensed that there was more to the comment. Vivian sounded confident, and sure of what she had said. Delia made a mental note to question the woman later, once they were alone. Her romantic life, or rather the lack of, was a topic of total embarrassment. One she'd rather avoid in the presence of the opposite s*x. However, she glanced at Marcus, and decided that she wouldn't mind talking about it with him. In fact, she guessed that he would probably have great insight.

"Delia, do you mind answering a few questions for Mr. and Mrs. Rowe," Marcus gently asked. She could sense that they were treating her with kid gloves, something that she would normally find irritating. For once, she was glad about it. She couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed at the moment.

"No need for formality, Marcus. Delia, please just call us by our names. This is my husband, Connor." Vivian and Connor both smiled at Delia, who she found comforting.

"It's nice to meet you both, and, of course, I don't mind answering whatever questions you have for me. This is an interview after all, so I expected it. Though, I'm sure some of your questions might differ from a typical interview. I don't mind going a bit off script, anyway. I find that asking generic questions will only result in generic answers, which rarely tell anything of importance about a person. Ask away, and I'll be as open as I feel comfortable."

Connor was impressed with Deila's honesty and insightful response. He nodded towards his wife, for her to lead the interview. "Very well," Vivian began. "I'll cut to the chase. Marcus here told me that you asked if you were a 'rogue.' Is that true? Do you really not know that you are a rogue? " She kindly asked.

"Well, I know the definition of the term, of course, but I've never heard it used the way Marcus had. He mentioned 'Rogue Rights,' and 'Shifter Council.' I've never heard of either before, so I have no idea how either applies to myself or my situation." Delia responded with embarrassment. She had always prided herself on her expansive knowledge of the law, and she had not expected to find herself feeling so clueless when she imagined how the day's interview would go.

Marcus, Connor, and Vivian were stunned into silence. They all exchanged a look of total disbelief. It made Delia squirm in her seat. She felt the need to further explain herself, to give relief to the awkward atmosphere.

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"I grew up in foster care, so I can't remember my parents at all." She paused and took a deep breath. "You three are the first of my kind that I can ever remember meeting," she spoke just above a whisper. "So you see, I have no idea what you mean by rogue. I don't know if I am one or not." For a moment the room stood quiet as Marcus, Connor, and Vivian wrapped their minds around what they had just heard.

"Woah," Marcus finally said, but was cut off by Vivian, who had become quite emotional over Delia's confession.

"Oh Delia, you've been alone this entire time? H-How.. W-Why.. Oh God! What about your first shift? The transition into your heightened emotions and strong instincts." Her voice broke, and she let out a little sob as she quickly rounded the meeting from the table and swooped Delia into a bone-crushing hug.

Delia had only been hugged a handful of times during her entire life, and two of them took place just today. The loneliness she had felt for so long had suddenly lifted, so instead of feeling the urge to share in a good cry with Vivian, she chuckled. She found Vivian's caring nature to be so sweet and adorable. She locked eyes with Connor, who also found his wife to be adorable. He looked amused, and smiled back at Delia. When she looked at Marcus, she couldn't help but laugh.

Marcus' mouth hung open, and he looked totally bewildered. When he heard Delia laugh at him, he closed his mouth and announced aloud that she was a total badass. Even though she agreed, she was a total badass, she wondered what made him think that. Connor's smile dropped, and his eyebrows pinched together with worry. Vivian, who still had Delia clutched in a tight hug, let out an alarmed screech and sobbed harder. Their sudden change made Delia worry. "What? Why are you all so worried all of a sudden?"

"It's a miracle you've made it this long on your own Delia. You've lived as an unregistered rogue you're entire life, meaning you have lacked the protection of the Shifter Council." Connor began to pace, and Delia refrained from interrupting him. This was the first bit of valuable information she had been given.

Vivian finally pulled back, but kept her hands on Delia's shoulders, more for her own comfort than for Delia's. "How were you able to hide what you are? Has anyone ever found out, suspected, or God.. has anyone seen you?" Vivian gave her husband an alarmed look, which he gave her right back. Delia noticed, and to her it seemed like a wealth of information was shared between the two within that one glance.

"No! Of course not! I doubt I'd be here with you today if anyone ever found out. I switched skins right after my 12th birthday. At the time, I lived with a foster family, and the husband often drank too much, and would get.. mean, aggressive. Sometimes he would get violent. Anyway, I had been feeling strange for a few weeks, but that night it felt like I was going to burst. I was lucky, because that family lived near a wooded area. I took off through the woods, and shifted alone on the forest floor. When I finally came back the next day, my case worker was there waiting for me. I was labeled a run away, a flight risk, so I was placed with stricter families, which made shifting harder to do. Sometimes I would have to bury my other side deep within to prevent it from spontaneously shifting. The longer I held back, the harder it would be. The longest I could ever go was almost four weeks.."

"A MONTH?!" Vivian screeched. Delia's eyes were blown wide. She was surprised by the woman's outburst, and just nodded her head.

"You probably realized from experience how dangerous not shifting is to our kind. You must shift regularly, Delia. You should never go more than a few days without letting your wolf out. How long since your last shift?" Connor asked in concern.

"Well," Delia felt shy and paused before she answered. "I moved to the city a little over two weeks ago, and have had trouble finding somewhere safe to run." She looked up into their horrified faces.

"I'm gong to call the Alpha," Connor announced. "Marcus, please help Delia fill out all the employment paperwork. Vivian, please draw up an employment contract for Miss James, and have her sign it. That is, if you still want to work here, Delia?" He asked her.

Delia smiled. It felt like all her worries had left her. "Of course! I really appreciate the opportunity. I won't let you guys down!"

"We won't let you down either, Delia. It is in our nature as wolves to stick together. You weren't meant to be alone. I will speak to our Alpha, and get his permission for you to come check out the pack. If it pleases you, then you will be offered a place among us. The choice will be yours, but I must insist that you accept. There are untold dangers that prey upon lone wolves like yourself. I hope you give pack life an honest chance, Delia." They all looked so sincere. Her instincts told her that there were no ulterior motives, or malice. They were genuinely worried about her wellbeing, and wanted her to join them. Delia couldn't hold back her excitement. For the first time in the young woman's entire life she wouldn't be alone. Soon she would no longer be an unregistered rogue.