Taming the Wicked Rogue

A Threat

Sandalwood and evergreen hung thickly in the air. Oddly, I could scent the air that reminded me of Matt’s words the first time he checked my condition. The pregnancy heightened my senses, especially hearing and smell.

It was mid-noon when I woke up. After a very late lunch, Rhys had made me rest for a bit before bringing Jamie and me down the slope and deeper into the woods until a dense cluster of trees surrounded us. Jamie wore a baggy shirt and jogging pants and gave a small wave but didn’t approach me. I had seen him cast a cautious glance at Rhys.

“I got a C in PE if you must know,” I whispered to him. He raised a brow but did not comment, which forced me to give a curt explanation. “I was sickly when I was young.”

We stopped as we reached a narrow winding trail that disappeared deeper into the woods.

Rhys jerked his head and motioned for Jamie. “Run until you reach the end of the trail. No rest.” He instructed in a cold voice. Jamie glanced in my direction.

“She’s not running but will be walking there instead,” Rhys added.

I grimaced. For all we know, this trail could go on forever. We watched as Jamie had a headstart and broke off into a light jog.

“Are we doing this every day?” I walked slowly behind Jamie. Rhys matched my pace with a calm stride. “Every morning, you must walk this trail. You can take a rest any time you want to.”

My eyes narrowed, already thinking of bargaining for a few hours of sleep or even a day off. “Weekends off?” I asked hopefully and was rewarded by a grunt from him. “Then Sundays off?” One day was better than nothing.

“You do realize this isn’t hard and could be taken as a stroll. It will build up your endurance.”

I gawked at his rigid stance. “I don’t think so. This might have me in early labor. I think you should consult Matt first.”

“I already did. He even suggested a swim, but the creek’s water is too cold for you. I’ll have the pool ready in a month or so. But until then, you’ll have to walk.”

I raised both my hands in the air in surrender. I can already see a strict dad in him. Baby, we need to loosen up your father before you come out.

Rhys was right. The walk wasn’t as taxing as I thought it would be. Squirrels were running around the forest floor caked with dried leaves. The sound of nature brought a unique calmness to my mind. The scent of the forest was heavy with pine, dirt, and damp moss. There was a faint sweet scent in the air. A bad feeling rose from the pit of my stomach, and I halted. Noticing the same, Rhys sharply looked around. But there was no one.

I scrunched my nose. The odd scent carried by the wind had become stronger. And just as soon as it had appeared, it was gone.

“What is that?” I asked in confusion. The scent held a familiarity I couldn’t put my finger on.

“Witches,” Rhys growled out the words.

My heart plummeted as the memory of an old woman with her sinister grin flashed in my mind. I placed a hand on my belly as the panic rose.

“We should go back. There’s only one, but it had come close.” His expression was dark. Storm clouds brewed in his silver eyes.

“Jamie is still out there.”

“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine.” I saw a tawny-colored wolf emerge from the trees and run off towards the trail where Jamie had disappeared.

I was being too naïve and had assumed Verde Creek would keep the pursuers out. This brings back a vital question why they are coming for me, and what did the force inside me have to do with them.

Rhys took off his shirt. The sight of his bare chest made my thoughts stagger. “What are you doing?” I asked confusedly.

A giant black wolf with golden eyes had replaced his human form. A cold snout nudged at my hand before the beast crouched down.

“You want me to climb on your back?” I asked in surprise.

The wolf gave a short howl. Even though it was crouching low, it was still a challenge to get on its back. I think I had pulled a lot of wolf fur in the process, but he made no sound of discomfort or pain. I mimic the position I took with Hammer’s wolf. Although this time, I was practically lying on the wolf’s back, both my arms around its neck.

Rhys’ wolf stood up slowly. He trotted for a few minutes before breaking into a full sprint. His fur was softer than Hammer’s, and his scent in wolf form was more intense. Not long after, I heard another set of sounds behind us. Hammer in wolf form had a frightened Jamie at his back.

At that moment, the sweet scent hit me full force. Rhys skidded to a stop, and when I looked up, a cloaked figure was a few feet away in the middle of the trail.

“The human belongs to us” A woman’s voice sounded loud and clear.

Rhys growled and snapped his jaw, which I translate as ‘f**k off.

“You really think a rag-tag group of rogues can keep us away? Give her back to us, and we will spare this place.” The woman spoke harshly.

Rhys growled louder. Hammer, who had let Jamie down when I wasn’t looking, had sprung towards the figure in a blur. But before he could reach the witch, a swarm of insects emerged from the robe and scattered in different directions, disappearing on sight. The cloak fell to the ground.

Rhy’s fur bristled. He howled loudly, and howls resounded from far away. I could feel his anger as he continued the sprint back to the house. Jiro, Olah, and two wolves waited outside, their expression tight with tension.

Rhys wolf head nudged me towards Olah as soon as I was on the ground.

“I understand. I’ll have everyone on alert,” Olah said, looking at Rhys’s wolf form. She led Jamie and me to the truck.

“Where are we going?”

“The village center is the safest place right now.” The roar of the truck engine almost drowned Olah’s answer. I frowned, glancing back at Rhys.

“He’s not coming?”

“They will scope the area first to ensure the wards are in place. We could be in trouble since there’s a witch powerful enough to cancel out one of the wards surrounding Verde Creek.”

A knot formed in my throat as Rhys disappeared with Hammer back into the woods.

The truck started, and two wolves ran on both sides at a matching speed.

The once serene woods had somehow given off a gloomy vibe. And the shadows of the trees spoke of the darkness hidden deep. Worst, inside me, I could feel ‘it’ stirring to life as if reveling in danger. I took a deep breath and strengthened my resolve. This time for sure, I will not let the force overwhelm me.