The Pains of Guilt

Chapter 13

Twilight POV

"Twilight, do you think I'll ever find my mate?" Mitsu asked.

"Yeah. This type of thing is just a matter of time."

"But I'm about to turn 25 and I still haven't found him. I'm starting to wonder if he even exists."

"Just give it time. And if you still haven't found him by the end of the year, there are plenty of unmated males in our pack to choose from. You're always trying to set me up with one of them so I think it's time you use your matchmaking skills on yourself."

"I guess I'll think about it. Anyway, I'll get going."

"Before you go, can you take Natsumi to her room for me? I'd prefer it if she naps in her crib instead of on the couch at least once in a while."

"Sure."

I burped her before giving her to Mitsu, along with Frank of course. Can't forget that these two are a package deal.

"Bye, Mama." She waved in a sleepy manner and her eyes were already half closed. It was so cute that it melted my heart. It's not wrong for me to wish that she never grows up, right? I mean, she's the only pup I'll ever have so it really isn't.

That wholesome moment was cut short when I felt someone crossing our boarder without permission.

“Alpha, we have a situation at the eastern border.” One of the guards mind linked. It sounded like Sosuke. What can I say, I kind of take pride in knowing the names of those who work for me. Besides paying them, it’s the least I could do.

“Alright, I’ll be there in a moment.”

When I got there, there were already wolves patrolling the area.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“We found traces of a Rogue’s scent around here. Some of the scouts are tracking him or her down, a few went into the surrounding forest just to be sure, but we haven’t caught sight yet.”

“How long have you been searching for?”

“About 20 minutes.”

“Alright, you guys can take a break. I’ll take it from here.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Just then Mitsu appeared.

"Mitsu, what are you doing here?"

"I don't know. Kiko told me come here after I put Natsumi to bed."

That’s odd, why would her wolf just randomly tell her to come here. Before I could ask, someone came towards us. More specifically, Mitsu. No doubt, he was a Rogue judging by his scent and he was the one who crossed the border. But before he could do anything, I had him pinned to the ground.

I had my hand around his throat and my claws were already sinking into it. He tried to pry them off but it was pointless, my grip was too strong and I wasn't going to budge. If anything, I tightened my grip. It was hard to tell if he choking from lack of oxygen or on his own blood. Either way, it didn't matter. I was contemplating whether I should just go for an important artery or continue choking him. But I honestly don't think he deserves a quick death.

"Twilight, stop."

"Why should I? He was going to attack you."

"No he wasn't."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because he's my mate."

"What?" You’ve gotta be kidding me.

"Let him go."

I thought about what I should do. I mean, he's a Rogue and they're not exactly on my list of favourite people. I would've already ripped him apart if it wasn't for what Mitsu said. The concept of having a mate makes me sick to my stomach but that doesn't mean I want to deprive anyone of that. Especially not my own best friend. But letting him walk away scot free would mean going against the promise I made to myself to protect the pack and betraying the pack's trust too.

"You know exactly how I feel about Rogues and he's no exception."

"Please." She begged while on the verge of tears.

She's not making this easy for me. But I guess I could come up with a compromise that might benefit everyone.

"Fine."

I let go of his throat but only enough to let him breathe. I sure as hell wasn't going to let escaping become easy for him.

 "But go home because I need to have a word with him in private."

"Promise you won't kill him?"

"Sigh. Only if he doesn't try anything."

When she left, I got off of him. I got Shiro to bring shackles for his wrists.

"Come with me." I told him as he got up.

If he wanted to run, then so be it because I’d get to hunt him down. Plus, I don't trust him with Mitsu anyway. It probably would be better for her if he did. Surprisingly, he didn't and followed me. We did get a few stares but I guess it was weird. I mean, it wasn't every day that you see your Alpha, who hates Rogues with a passion, escorting one through the pack as if there's nothing wrong with it. I mind linked them that there wasn't anything to worry about and that I'd handle it. Of course I have to act normal and keep them at ease otherwise if I have a break down then they’ll end up panicking and it’ll cause trouble. When I got to my office at the palace, there was no way I’d take him to the pack house, he didn't say a word. I sat down and looked him up and down.

"You may sit."

He did so and spoke for the first time.

"You have some serious balls to take someone who's thrice your size head on. You're one gutsy Luna."

It came out husky and scratchy, probably from the choking and he still had the claw marks on his neck.

"Just because I’m 5’0 doesn’t mean I’m easily intimidated. And that's Alpha to you."

"Really? That does make much more sense and I had a feeling but I doubted it because I've never met one who lets a Rogue off scot free."

"I never said that you're getting off scot free. You should count yourself lucky that I didn't finish you off because you're my pack member's mate."

"Then, if I may ask, what am I doing here?"

"I have a few questions. If you answer them truthfully, I'll try to lessen the harshness of your punishment. Believe it or not, my Alpha command can work on Rogues so I can easily find out if you’re lying or not. If you don't keep your end of the deal, I won't. Sound fair?"

"Ok, I guess."

"What were you doing trespassing on my territory?"

"I caught an interesting scent and my wolf told me that it was our mate. Naturally, I decided to follow it. I didn't realise that I was trespassing."

I should make a note to tighten security. I mean, if he was able to cross my borders on accident then who knows what others might try their luck. Maybe I should ask Jerome if he can set up a barrier of some kind.

"What are your intentions with her?"

"She's my mate, what do you think? If you meant to ask if I'm going to hurt her or anything like that, then no. I know that I'm a Rogue but I’m not a monster. I'd never hurt my own mate, it's actually the opposite."

"Interesting fact: Rogues are third on the list of things I hate the most. Not to mention, your mate is one of the pack's Betas. Though she’s supposed to look out for me, I do the same. Next question: why are you a Rogue?"

"Long story short, my pack was attacked and destroyed by a group of Rogues and I'm one of the few survivors."

"I see. What about the other survivors?”

“They… didn’t make it past the first few days. Their injuries were too severe and we didn’t have the necessary equipment. We tried asking for help from nearby packs but we were Rogues so that didn’t go well.”

That’s odd. How come I’m only hearing about this now?

“What was your pack called?”

“White Lotus.”

“Now all my questions are answered. I’ll say this as bluntly as I can, your Alpha was too much of a stubborn and prideful buffoon. Which is why he didn’t ask for help when you guys were attacked. He actually removed himself from my ruling body and declared his pack as independent. That’s how your pack became an easy target and it’s also why I’m only hearing about all this now. If he wasn’t so difficult, all of this could’ve been prevented.” Which is part of why I have embassies.

“Oh.” He went quiet for a while. That might’ve been a lot to take in and I almost felt sorry for him.

“Look, I don't fully trust you. Trespassing is already bad enough but a trespassing Rogue is something worse which makes it two counts of felony. You already have everyone on edge but I will give you an ultimatum for the sake of everyone, including your mate. You have two choices. The first is you leave and never come back, which in my honest opinion would be better for her. Or you stay and take every single punishment I dish out. The catch is that you do so without complaint and if you can't take it anymore then you tell me to stop but you’ll have to leave and never come back."

It sounds harsh, I know but it's also fair since I'm not going to kill him like I should have. And I can't just let him walk free without sentencing him with something. I'm pretty much killing two birds with one stone.

"I choose the second one." He said without hesitation.

"Is that so?"

"I kept my end of the deal so you also have to. Everything I said is true and that means you'll lessen the harshness. I'm sure that you're someone who always keeps their word."

"I said that I'll try, keyword being try. But you're right, I’ll lessen it. I also won't go for your face or leave any scars. I don't want her pestering me about it. I won't kill you but I'll make sure to make it feel as if I'm going to. Are you sure you want to go through with it?"

"Yes."

"Wait here. I need to inform a few people first about this and then the pack because what I'm doing isn't something I'm supposed to. In this pack, decisions that involve the whole pack are done by voting. No offense, but a Rogue in the pack is a problem and I don't want them to feel unsafe in their own homes. So you could say that your fate is in their hands. I'll try to convince them but I can’t promise anything since. I'll be back later and don't leave this room."

I mind linked the council (which is pretty much my Betas, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon and the pack elders) and Mitsu's parents for an emergency meeting.