Dark Before Dawn

“Chapter 6: Rogue,”

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This was the second small town I had stumbled into since I began my life as a runaway. My body felt heavy with exhaustion, my stomach growled with hunger, and my mood was darker than a stormy night. I knew the last part was because of my wolf, the animal spirit living inside me. She was furious at me for not waiting around for Beau to come and pick me up. No matter how many times I tried to explain that he had turned his back on us and chosen someone else as his mate, she wouldn't let it go. I guess that's how a mate bond works its magic. Even when someone says no, the connection can't be fully broken unless one of us dies or we both find new people to love completely. But Beau would never allow that to happen if I stayed under his control, like a bird trapped in a cage.

I let out a long, tired breath as I jumped down from my cousin's old, beat-up truck. The door slammed shut behind me with a loud bang. I needed to make a clean break from Beau and the pack, like tearing off a bandage. It was the only way I could have a chance at finding happiness. Maybe I could find another group of werewolves to take me in, or perhaps I could travel the world and see all its wonders. Whatever path I chose would be fine, as long as it kept me far away from Beau's reaching hands.

I walked towards a small diner that looked like it had been there forever. The thought of sinking my teeth into some delicious, hot food pulled me forward like an invisible rope. It helped push the unwanted thoughts of Beau to the back of my mind, like shoving old clothes into a closet. I pushed open the door and stepped into the cool air inside. The familiar smell of greasy food and the cheerful sound of a tiny bell announcing my arrival washed over me. It brought back memories of home and made me feel a little sad and lonely.

The girl standing behind the counter looked up and greeted me with a smile as bright as the morning sun. "Just take a seat wherever you like, and I'll be right with you," she said in a friendly voice. I gave her a small smile in return, my lips barely curving upwards. Then I walked over and slid into an empty booth. My eyes scanned the room quickly, a habit I couldn't shake. I noted where all the doors were and where people were sitting, just in case I needed to make a quick escape.

The diner was almost empty, like a classroom during summer break. There was an old man sitting at the counter, his nose buried in a newspaper as he sipped his coffee. A tired-looking mother sat at a table, trying to keep her two kids from bouncing around like they were on trampolines. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and her lips were pressed together in a tight line. I didn't envy her situation, but my wolf let out a small, sad whine. She wanted to have pups of her own. She dreamed of carrying our mate's future inside of her, but that was never going to happen. Not after everything we had been through.

I let my head fall back against the soft seat and let out a heavy sigh when I realized that, for now at least, I was safe. I closed my eyes, allowing myself a moment to relax for the first time in three long days. I had pushed myself to the limit, running as fast and as far as I could to put as much distance between me and my old life as possible. I had been careful to cover my tracks, doing my best to avoid any territories belonging to other werewolf packs.

Most packs didn't like unexpected visitors showing up on their land. It was like someone walking into your house without knocking. The constant threat of dangerous, lone wolves called rogues had been growing over the years, making everyone more cautious. Now, most Alpha leaders required visitors to carry official papers with them. These papers had to say which pack they belonged to, why they were visiting, and how long they planned to stay. I remembered having to fill out all that boring paperwork when I left for college in the big city. I wasn't even going to be on their lands, but because there was a chance I might accidentally cross a boundary line, I had to follow the rules to avoid starting any pack wars.

"What can I get for you?" a sweet voice floated over me, like music in the air. I opened my eyes slowly and turned my head towards the sound. The waitress had bright blue eyes that sparkled like the ocean, and her hair was the color of ripe wheat fields. It was pulled back into a neat bun at the back of her neck. She reminded me of a small-town girl you might see in one of those feel-good movies on TV.

"Could I just get a cup of earl gray tea to start," I asked with a small smile as my eyes glanced at her name tag, "Ruth?"

Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Coming right up," she chirped. She turned and walked away with a spring in her step, as if serving tea was the most exciting thing in the world. I frowned as I watched her go, thinking she seemed way too happy to be working in this little diner.

The sound of a powerful engine roaring to life caught my attention. I turned to look out the large window beside me. I watched a sleek black car, shiny as polished obsidian, pull into the parking lot. Immediately, a feeling of worry settled in my stomach, like a heavy stone. Compared to the other cars in the lot, this fancy vehicle stood out like a diamond in a coal mine.

I watched as a group of big, muscular guys climbed out of the car. It seemed much too small to hold all of them, like a clown car at the circus. The way they moved and looked around made me feel uneasy. Their eyes scanned the parking lot like predators searching for prey as they made their way toward the front door of the diner.

One of the men near the front of the group had dark hair cut very short, like a soldier's. A long scar curved from his right ear to his temple, standing out against his skin. He was shorter but more muscular than the man walking on his left side. The taller one had a face that looked young and boyish, with the corners of his lips turned up slightly, as if he was about to smile. Out of the whole group, he seemed the friendliest, but the way he moved told me he could probably hold his own in a fight if he needed to.

I studied the two men at the back of the group. They were twins, looking so alike they could have been mirror images. They were talking excitedly to each other, their words too quiet for me to hear. The taller man in front of them turned his head slightly and said something that made one of the twins grimace. That twin then shoved the taller man hard from behind, while his brother laughed at the whole thing. I must have been staring at them for too long, because suddenly, the man with the scar turned and looked right at me, his face twisted into a deep frown.

I quickly looked away from the window and sank lower in my seat, trying to make myself as small and unnoticeable as possible. When I heard the bell on the door chime, announcing their arrival, I felt my whole body stiffen like a board. The scent of werewolf shifters filled the air, swirling around the room. This was definitely not what I needed right now. I didn't know much about the packs this far from my own, but I could tell by this group that there must be one very close by. Or worse, I might already be on their lands without permission, which could spell big trouble for me.

My wolf stirred inside me in the presence of the other shifters. A small rumble echoed through my mind, like distant thunder. She was very territorial, like a dog guarding its favorite toy. It didn't matter if the space actually belonged to her or not. If she was in it, she saw it as hers. It was a quirk that often made things quite difficult for me. Maybe not having to answer to an alpha or follow a pecking order had gone to her head, making her think she was the boss of everything.

The friendly Ruth greeted the newcomers as sweetly as she had greeted me, inviting them to find their own seats. I knew right away they were going to choose the large corner booth, which just happened to be right behind mine. I immediately cursed my bad luck for picking this seat. Okay, Dawn, I thought to myself, you know how to hide your scent for a little while. It will be fine. I forced my wolf deeper inside me, like pushing a cat into a carrier. It wasn't easy, and she fought against me the whole time. It took most of my concentration and willpower to make her obey me.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to look as relaxed as I had been earlier. I could sense the group of men as they walked past my booth. It was hard to keep my wolf locked away inside me. I took shallow, quick breaths to keep their scents from overwhelming her and making her want to come out. When I was sure all of them were seated behind me, I opened my eyes. I knew I needed to get out of here, and fast.

I started to stand up just as Ruth decided to come back with my tea. She flashed me another one of her bright smiles. "Here you are," she said cheerfully.

I bit my lip as I stared down at the steaming mug in her hand. I didn't want to be rude, but I couldn't risk staying any longer. "You know what," I said hesitantly, "I actually just realized that I'm late for an appointment."

Ruth's smile never faded, like it was painted on her face. "Oh, don't be silly," she said. "If it's about money, don't worry about it. It's in the house." She gave me a friendly wink as she set the cup down in front of me. Great! Now she thought I was some kind of poor person who couldn't afford a cup of tea. I tried not to roll my eyes as I sat back down in my booth. I knew I couldn't leave now without looking suspicious.

"Thanks," I said glumly.

"No problem!" She smiled brightly before turning and walking toward the shifters behind me.

I stared down into my tea, wishing that the ground would open up and swallow me whole. It would solve all of my problems in one go. My wolf began to stir inside me again, like a restless animal pacing in a cage. I knew that I couldn't hold her back for much longer.

The door chimed again, and I looked up to see another man coming through... one more shifter that I hadn't seen arrive with the others. His eyes roamed the room like a searchlight, and our gazes met. I saw his eyes widen in surprise, and I felt my stomach drop like a stone. The secret was out; he knew what I was.

A charming smile spread over his lips, like butter on warm toast. He strolled toward my table casually, completely ignoring his friends, who I was sure were the ones sitting behind me. I tried to keep my face blank, like a mask, as he slid himself down into the seat across from me. My wolf growled deeply in my head, angry at another shifter entering her space without an invitation. I clenched my hands into tight fists under the table as his friends started making noises and comments about his behavior. They obviously didn't realize what he had figured out about me and thought he was just trying to flirt with a random out-of-towner.

He wasn't a bad-looking guy, I had to admit. His brown hair was a little messy, like he'd just rolled out of bed, and his eyes were the color of dark chocolate, rich and deep. "I didn't know we had anyone coming through the territory today," he said casually. "Dark never mentioned anything to me. I'm River." He introduced himself like I should be thrilled to meet him, his voice dripping with confidence.

I kept my face as blank as an empty canvas as I pushed myself up from the table. "Well, I'd like to say it was a pleasure, River," I said coolly, getting ready to make my great escape like a magician disappearing in a puff of smoke.

He reached out faster than I expected, grabbing my wrist in his strong grip. His hand felt like a warm shackle around my arm. "Where are you running off to so quickly?" he asked, his voice playful. "Afraid I might bite?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me like we were sharing some private joke.

I tried my hardest not to growl at him as I pulled my arm free from his hold. It was like trying to escape from a steel trap. "No," I said dryly, "but perhaps you should be afraid that I might."

Amusement danced in his eyes like flickering flames as he pushed himself up to stand in front of me. I swallowed hard when I realized exactly how much bigger he was than me. He towered over me like a bear standing up on its hind legs. I immediately regretted sassing him, feeling like a mouse that had just challenged a cat.

"Draco!" he called out, never taking his eyes off me. They were locked onto mine like a predator watching its prey. "Did Dark say anything to you about a visitor coming through today? 'Cause he seems to have failed to mention it to me."

I peered over my shoulder toward the booth, my eyes meeting the hardened face of the scarred shifter. His eyes narrowed as he looked me over, like he was trying to see right through me. "Dark isn't expecting anyone," he replied, his voice as rough as gravel. I felt my heart rate skyrocket, pounding in my chest like a drum. The diner seemed to grow very still and silent, like the calm before a storm. The amusement on River's face began to fade like mist in the morning sun as they all began to realize that I didn't have permission to be on their territory. Draco pushed up from his spot, followed by one of the twins, their movements smooth and threatening.

I shifted on my feet anxiously, feeling like a cornered animal. "Well, like I said... it was such a pleasure, River," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I turned and made a quick break for the door, not even trying to hide the fact that I was running. They already knew that I didn't belong, so what more could I do at that point other than run away as fast as I could?

My heart was thundering in my chest like a herd of wild horses as my feet hit the pavement outside. The cheerful chime of the door echoed behind me, sounding more like an alarm now. If I could just get to my truck and hit the gas until I was off their territory, then I would be safe. It was a slim chance, but it was all I had.

"Rogue!" a deep voice shouted behind me, the word cutting through the air like a knife. I pumped my legs harder, pushing myself to run faster than I ever had before. I wasn't a rogue, but it wasn't like I was going to sit down and try to explain that to them. I was an outsider with no identification other than a human ID in my wallet. It was necessary to blend in with the human world, but it was useless here.

I rounded the back end of a black SUV parked next to my truck, pulling the keys from my pocket with shaking hands. But I came to a sudden halt, nearly stumbling over my own feet.

There, leaning against my car as if he didn't have a care in the world, was a man I hadn't seen before.

His scent hit me like a wave, pulling at my senses and making me back up quickly. My wolf stirred inside me, suddenly alert and interested. I knew instantly what he was — an alpha male, and the one person I should want to avoid at all costs.

"Headed somewhere?" The voice that came out of this man made me want to shout 'there is a god, and he's spoken to me.' It was deep and rich, like velvet sliding over my skin. It had my knees on the edge of turning to putty, threatening to give out beneath me.

He turned his gaze in my direction, nailing me in place with a pair of bright blue eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light. My wolf pulled towards the surface, straining against my control like a dog pulling on its leash. His pupils dilated, growing large and dark, and his brows furrowed in slight confusion, as if he had been expecting something or someone else. I felt my body begin to tremble, my chest tightening as if I couldn't catch my breath. It was like all the air had been sucked out of the world.

He pushed himself away from the car and started walking towards me slowly, his movements graceful and powerful like a big cat. I was unable to run, move, think, or breathe. It was as if he was my whole world at that moment, the sun around which I orbited. He was the only thing I could see, and the only thing keeping me planted to the ground. I've felt this feeling before, I thought to myself as I continued to stand in shock. The feeling was so familiar yet unnamable, like a word on the tip of my tongue that I couldn't quite remember.

"Alpha," a deep voice rumbled from behind me, breaking the spell. That single word had me shifting slightly, regaining control of myself as the fog of shock evaporated like morning dew. I threw a look back over my shoulder to find that I was surrounded. River and the man I had heard them call Draco were at my back, their faces set in grim determination. The other shifters slowly crept in around the edges, blocking all possible routes of escape. I was trapped, like a fly in a spider's web.

"What should we do about this rogue?" Draco questioned, a dark look in his eyes that sent a shiver of fear through me, like ice water running down my spine.

I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling up inside me like a boiling pot. "I'm… not a rogue," I insisted, my voice tight with tension.

The alpha was staring me down, his blue eyes seeming to look right into my soul. It was like he was weighing the truth of my words on some invisible scale. After what felt like an eternity, he looked to the males behind me. "Take her, quietly," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You've already drawn enough attention to us chasing her in human territory." His words had me tensing up like a coiled spring, and my wolf growled loud in my head, a sound of both fear and defiance.

"But I'm not a rogue," I hissed in frustration, my voice rising with desperation. "Listen, I'm not trying to cause any trouble. If you just let me go, I'll be on my way, and I promise I won't come back." I was practically ready to beg them to let me go quietly, my pride crumbling in the face of my fear.

He held my gaze, his blue eyes intense and unreadable. "I know you're not a rogue," he said simply, his voice calm and steady. "If you were, you would have been the stupidest one to date to come willingly into my territory."

I felt my mouth fall open at his simple response, surprise washing over me like a bucket of cold water. If he knew I wasn't a rogue, why didn't he simply have his men escort me to the boundary line of his territory and be done with it? There was no reason for anyone to be harmed. While I was distracted by his overwhelming presence, like a deer caught in headlights, one of his men snuck up behind me.

I heard the sound of loose pavement shifting to my left, the tiny noise suddenly seeming as loud as a gunshot in the tense silence. It had me turning quickly around, my heart leaping into my throat. But I was too slow. I found myself staring into a familiar pair of dark-chocolate eyes as fingers pressed in on the pressure point on my neck.

The world began to spin and darken around the edges, like a vignette effect in an old photograph. My body went limp, all strength leaving me in an instant.

As my world faded to black, my last thought was of how I had run so far, only to end up in an even more dangerous situation. Hell yeah, my fate really know how to f**k me up worse than ever.

Then, everything went dark, and I knew no more.

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TO BE CONTINUED.