The Rogue Pack
1064 Words
Mae – POV
Back in St. Croix State Forest.
Daylight paints the woods differently—less haunting than the night, but just as heavy.
I stood on the edge of the rogue pack’s camp. The guards glared at me, unwelcoming.
“What do you want?” one of them snapped.
“I’m here to see Reed,” I said calmly. “My name is Mae.”
One of the guards shut his eyes, clearly using the mind link to ask for permission. After a few moments, he opened them.
“Follow me,” he muttered.
I did. As I walked through the camp, people stared. Some looked curious, others indifferent—but none were friendly.
We reached a large tent. Inside, Reed was studying something on a tablet. He looked up.
“You came back,” he said, signaling his guard to leave us alone.
“I had to,” I replied, narrowing my eyes.
“I figured you would,” he said with a smirk.
“Did you send the threat to warn me?” I asked.
He blinked. “What threat?”
I wasn’t buying the innocent act. I could feel it—he was behind the shadow.
“You sent that shadow, didn’t you?” I growled, grabbing him by the collar. “Tell me the truth.”
He shoved my hand off and pushed me hard. I landed on my ass.
“So what if I did?” His voice dropped to something darker. “It’s not like you can do anything about it.”
My blood boiled.
“I could erase your memory,” I hissed. “Make you forget who the hell you even are.”
He moved fast—his hand gripped my throat. His eyes flickered red and black. His lips parted, but it was his presence that choked me. The same dark energy I felt last night poured off him.
“I know what you can do, little hex,” he murmured, his voice like silk twisted with venom. He leaned closer, lips inches from mine. I could feel his power—sinister, pulsing.
“You don’t know what I can do,” he warned.
“Why do you need me?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“Because I can’t trust you not to expose my plans.”
“You’re trying to avenge Hector Muller, aren’t you?” I said.
He let out a cruel laugh and released me. I coughed hard, gasping for air.
“I already killed him,” he said with a dark smile. “After all… I’m his son.”
I froze. He killed Hector—the man who tormented me for years. Anger surged through me, tangled with something else.
Disappointment. I’d wanted to end him myself. Now that chance was gone.
Should I kill Reed instead? Would it make me feel better?
The voice inside me rose—Valkra. My wolf.
And then it happened.
The air around us twisted into sharp, glowing arrows. I launched them without even moving.
“Die, you bastard,” Valkra roared in my head.
The arrows froze midair. A dark mist poured from his back, but it halted too.
“Your wolf hates me, huh?” he said, turning slowly. His eyes glowed with menace.
“She does,” I said coldly, rage radiating off me.
“Killing me won’t solve your problems,” he said, casually sipping his coffee.
“I think it’ll solve a few,” I replied, ice in my voice. “If Hector Muller is dead, then so should you be.”
“There are still enemies out there,” he said, his tone dropping. “Ones who want to hurt your mate.”
My eyes narrowed. “Don’t bring him into this.”
“You think I’m hiding something,” he said. “You’re right. But I never claimed to be a saint.”
“No need to confirm that,” I said flatly.
He smirked again. “I need you in this rogue pack.”
“I’m not going to be a pawn again,” I snapped. “I’m done being someone’s puppet.”
“You know your ‘parents’ had a spell for that,” he said. His words hit like a slap.
A chill ran through me.
The ring. The one Hector gave my adoptive parents. The spell they used to control me.
My mother used to sing the chant when I resisted. My father? He’d knock me unconscious with a slap—or drugs—so they could force control over me.
I saw the same ring on Reed’s hand.
My wolf twisted inside—fear, pain, rage.
“What do you want from me?” I asked.
“Stay here. Train. When the time comes, I’ll tell you everything,” he said. Then he added, with a glint of threat in his eyes, “And if
you don’t, I’ll use this ring. Judging by your reaction, it brings back bad memories.”
“I’ll do what you say,” I whispered. My chest felt hollow. Controlled. Again.
He smiled, pleased.
“Good. I’m glad to have you here.”
“I’ll go get my things,” I said. “I’ll be back by evening.”
He nodded.
I stepped out of the tent, feeling more broken than the day I was exiled.
As I made my way back to the motel, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Standing outside my door was the one person I didn’t expect to see.
Alpha Oscar.
He looked as stunning as ever—black T-shirt hugging his half-ripped body, dark jeans, his brown curls tousled perfectly.
“What brings Alpha Oscar here?” I asked.
“To talk to you,” he muttered.
The coldness in his eyes made my chest tighten. I deserved it. Still, it hurt.
I unlocked the door, and he followed me in.
His eyes scanned me closely.
“What?” I asked, unnerved.
“Who touched you?” he asked sharply, pointing at my neck. He stepped closer, his wolf barely restrained. His fingers brushed gently over the skin.
“Who did this, Mae?” His voice was rough, but his touch was careful—soothing.
The sting from Reed’s grip hadn’t faded. But Oscar’s concern? It hit harder.
Why is he reacting this way?
Alpha Oscar is always in control.
- Writer
