I will never reject you

The claim.

I woke up, and it was still dark. I peeled my body off of Philips chest slowly and carefully, making sure he doesnt wake up. I decided to walk around a bit and stretch my legs. I looked around all those warriors ready to do their duty and give their lives. I wanted to find a way to fight the rogues without the loss of life. I could sense my cousin's intentions, and he was determined and ruthless. I returned to where Philip was and sat across from him, gazing into his face as he was sleeping. I love him so much.

He opened his eyes and gave me a worried smile. He linked me.

"I know what you want to do and I don't like it."

"This is something I have to do. You can't stop me."

"I know how stubborn you are."

We kept our eyes locked in this quiet exchange.

"Do you believe in me?"

I asked.

"I do my love!"

He extended his hands, grabbed me and pulled me in his strong embrace. I wrapped my arms around him, we both took deep breaths, taking comfort in each other's scent.

***

A couple of hours later we were marching towards the rogue pack, and we would be arriving around noon. I was marching confidently surrounded by my mate, my brother, Rob and the wonderful warriors.

I felt my parents' spirits on my side giving me strength. Today is the day that finally I will have closure.

We saw the rogues up ahead in a clearing, they are already waiting for us. Elias informed us that Dave was already in place out of view in the forest. The rest of the communicators also confirmed the rest of the teams being in place.

The rogues are in formation of two columns, one led by my cousin and a couple of middle aged but strong wolves one step behind him clearly of rank and the other the Whitepine warriors led by their beta. We were approaching with a steady pace in the front line. Philip and I in the middle, Rob on Philips side and Elias on mine we had menacing looks on our faces. I sensed the fear of some of my pack members, I was now close enough to link them and hear them. Keeping my gaze forward and my face expressionless, I said.

They have been expecting us and they have gathered all the innocents and are keeping them hostages in a small clearing half a mile from here to the north, about 30 in wolf form are keeping watch.

"Dammit."

Said Philip, then quickly ordered Elias.

"Elias, link Dave and send them to save the hostages."

I linked him.

"Thank you babe."

We were about 50 meters away now, so we stopped and waited. Finally my cousin Peter is in view. A faded memory from my childhood. The little brat that I never really liked, had pushed me into a lake when I was five and he was seven. Now a man, his face hard and full of hate. He was raised to hate me and blame me for the misfortunes his father has bestowed upon him.

I turned my head slightly looking at Philip. He looked at me, I nodded and he nodded back. I started walking forward, Elias started protesting

"Sofia what are you doing?"

I looked back and ordered him.

"Stay back brother."

He ignored me and tried to follow me only to be stopped by Philip who raised his arm blocking his path and giving him a commanding look.

I looked forward again and started walking, I heard Elias say.

"You can't let her do that."

"It's her choice…"

Replied Philip.

"…And I believe in her!"

"Damn you."

Grunted Elias, Rob sounding surprised said.

"Bold move man."

"She can handle herself."

I reached the middle and I stopped.

"Cousin, it's been a long time…"

He was looking at me full of hate.

"You know why I am here so let's make it easy … submit to your Alpha."

He started laughing mockingly, and then the rest of his warriors started laughing. Their reaction didn't phase me and for the first time I linked with the whole pack revealing my presence to them.

"Submit to the rightful Alpha and I will give you a fair trial for your crimes."

He stopped laughing and his expression changed to surprise and then anger.

"And to all the rest of you, as your rightful Alpha I promise you you will not have to run again. I promise to give you stable homes, jobs and education. You can choose to follow me or be free to start over."

Instantly I knew all the hostages and some of the young warriors wanted to follow me. He knew it too and was furious. I linked Philip.

"All the innocents and some warriors."

"Good!"

He replied, I linked the pack again and addressed my cousin allowing everyone to hear.

"Submit to me, cousin."

"Never bitch."

He yelled at me.

"So be it, let's get this over just you and me."

He laughed smugly and looked me up and down sizing me up, I was in my full gear ready to fight.

"b***h just give up right now and I will make it quick and clean."

"You are underestimating me cousin…submit to me! this is the last time I will ask nicely."

"I am the Alpha b***h, not you."

"You and your father are the usurpers that destroyed our pack, losing our territories living like criminals stealing and killing… I cast you out."

I said and pulled him out of the connection of the pack.

"Now you are a lone rogue."

"I'll Kill you bitch."

He yelled.

Then I turned and addressed the beta of Whitepine.

"Oh I should let you know that they were never gonna give me to Eric as promised, I was to be handed to the highest bidder they used you."

The beta looked angry and then he retrieved, Philip let them go and linked me

"We will deal with them another day."

"Come and face me.. Just you and me... Coward."

The word coward did the trick, he growled, grabbed his blades and started approaching me with a quick but steady pace. Philip had his warriors form a semicircle around us.

I took my blades and assumed a defensive stance

"You'll pay for this bitch."

Dave had reached the clearing where the hostages were held and I saw the ferocious battle through the eyes of the hostages. Daves team more in number took only a few minutes to overtake the 30 rogues and free the hostages. 22 rogues died a few injured and a few gave up themselves. Fortunately only a few of Daves warriors were lightly injured.

Now I had to concentrate.

He was right in front of me ready to pounce at me. He started throwing punches with his blades at hand trying to cut me. I kept evading. I was too quick for him.

He roared in anger. I jumped up high doing a backflip in the air and on my way down I cut his back, he grunted in pain and swallowed a scream. He transformed into his wolf pouncing at me. I slided under him and cut on his belly this time and when I came out from under him I gave him a kick on the backside sending him a few meters away.

I changed into my wolf for the first time after she came into her Alpha. She is slightly bigger and more ferocious, if I let this beast go feral there's gonna be a lot of damage.

We started attacking each other biting and kicking. He managed a bite on my back but I quickly twisted with force and kicked him off me. I caught a glimpse of Rob holding Philip's arm. He looked ready to jump in. I didn't waste any time nor did I allow what I saw to distract me. I caught him by the neck and started shaking him violently, I threw his lifeless body on the ground and it changed to his human form.

"I promised your father your corpse."

I mumbled to myself.

The other two leaders and the warriors that were still loyal tried to retaliate. Our united armies quickly attacked and a ferocious fight broke but came into a quick end with all the allies surrounding the rogue army.

When it was all done Philip approached me and inspected the bite on my back, he linked me.

"Are you ok?."

"Yes."

"Follow me."

Our warriors were putting the collars to the rogues and I disconnected them from the pack. Philip led me to the back where some female warriors formed a wall so I could take cover and transform. I was handed another uniform and as soon as i was half dressed Philip inspected my back again.

"Babe, it's ok."

I said feeling uncomfortable, wanting to cover my back as quickly as possible. Then one of the medics came through.

"Alpha, let me take care of this for you."

I turned and saw his shocked expression at the sight of my scars, he quickly composed himself and in a professional tone he said.

"It's already healing nicely, and should be completely healed in a couple of hours."

He dressed the wound.

"Thank you."

I said and turned to look at Philip who could feel my discomfort from our mate bond and held my hand firmly. I quickly put the top on.

"You did it Sofia!"

He said proudly.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

I replied falling into his arms, he pulled me close, enclosing me in his chest, I turned my head to look at him, and he smiled.

"You owe me."

"I dont have money can I pay you in kind?"

I said winking.

"Oh I'll definitely be collecting."

Giving me his smug smile, the one I've come to love. Elias approached us stomping his feet, he was dirty and bloody from the battle.

"You are crazy and reckless."

He yelled, then he grabbed me and hugged me.

I hissed as he squeezed on the bite on my back.

"Take it easy."

Said Philip.

"Not so tight."

I hissed and he loosened the grip not letting go.

"I am sorry, I knew you would object but I promise I'll share everything from now on."

I said still in his embrace, he let go of me as Andrew and Dave approached.

"Well done Sofia, I am so proud of you!"

Said Dave, I smiled.

"You did it little sis your father would have been so proud, a fierce warrior and a natural leader."

Said Andrew.

"I don't know about the leader part."

"Sweetheart, with your actions today you saved a lot of lives, as a leader you made the best choice you could think of."

Added Dave, I smiled a bit uncertain.

"Now you can start fresh, your life sweetheart you have your pack and your mate. Let go of the past and look to the future."

"I gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek."

"Thank you for saving us and raising us, without you this day would have never been possible."

We stayed chatting a few minutes longer then said our goodbyes.

"Come on, you need to address the pack, the hostages have arrived."

Said Elias, by now all the hostile rogues were on collars and chains 46 of them.

"What are we gonna do with all of them?"

I asked Philip who joined me and Elias.

"I will share them between the 4 packs as all of our pack houses have a few cells to accommodate a few prisoners."

I nodded, then I looked at the remaining pack, they looked tired, skinny and dirty. The state of the few pups broke my heart.

"As I promised you are free, you can decide your own fates now. If you choose to follow me I promise you stability, education protection. We will unite with my mates pack Alpha Phillip from Slowwater. Those who want to go are free to go now. I promise you nobody will harm you."

To my surprise they all stayed. I walked among them hugging them and getting to know them. I met a young warrior my age.

"My name is Ted. We used to train together as children."

"I do remember you."

Elias came closer; he too remembered him. Ted went on to tell us how his parents took him on the run with the rogue pack, the hardships and difficulties they faced as rogues and how they both died while he was still very young. How he grew to hate my uncle as more and more of our people were dying on the run and how my uncle, his two head warriors and son mistreated and bullied those who dared oppose them.

Philip was observing me from afar giving me space to be Alpha to my little pack.

I am so lucky, my mate is my perfect much.