Absconditum

Chapter 3

    "We'll text you two every day to check in," Finn told us as he gave our mom and I a kiss on the cheek.

Lauren quickly swooped me into a sisterly hug and whispering ways of getting boys. Finn gave her a pointed look as she returned it with a sheepish grin. Shaking his head, he warned me he'll terrify any guy that tries to break my heart. Rolling my eyes, I lightly punched him in the shoulder as they gathered their belongings and headed out. My heart ached while watching the car disappear through the gates, knowing that it'll be quieter in the house from now on. 

"I should probably go over the new plans with Frederick," my mother suddenly spoke, dragging me from my silent mourning. 

I glanced at her, "Think we can stop the rogues from harming any pack members?"

"To be honest, I'm not even sure. They were able to get past Alistair and they most likely know your father has passed...he was the only one who put fear into them. We have many of them kept as prisoners, I wouldn't doubt it if they try and free them."

"But they won't....we can handle them."

I tried sounding confident, but we both knew the future wasn't certain anymore. My father was able to easily take down any rogue, they would cower before him and beg for mercy. The memory of watching him whip one sent a cold feeling through me. I know I'll be expected to do the same one day, but part of me hopes I'll be able to change their minds. I'd rather try to reach a deal than torture someone because of my own fear. I knew that was why most of my pack loved torturing them, we weren't all twisted in the head but we were afraid. It helped calm the others when we saw the rogue being the one who was terrified. 

There were so many awful and disgusting things my father had done to former rogues, ranging from beating them to chaining them outside and allowing the pack to throw stones at them or whip them. They would be starved for days, with very little water to at least sustain them. He couldn't have them too weak to speak or else he wouldn't get the answers he was searching for. I loved my father, but even I was disgusted with his ways of interrogation. 

I released a breath and went inside, preparing to begin training classes. With Finn now gone, it was up to me to train the beginners while our most elite warrior trained the others. That was perfectly fine with me, I abhorred dealing with most of the adults. The men were complete idiots half the time, making jokes about a female training them and how they could easily take me down. Despite me proving to them, over and over again that I was the better fighter. The females just as easily got on my nerves, all they could focus on were the shirtless men working out just across the field. I can't keep count of how many times I've rolled my eyes at them before snapping my fingers in their face and forcing them to focus. It's wonder how many of our females are able to survive in any type of battle. They act like brainless pigeons when the men are around. 

"Hey, Eden!"

I turned just as Holden came to a stop beside me, that same goofy smile plastered on his face. Raising an eyebrow, I silently questioned him. He grinned even wider, "Guess who's helping you train the beginners today."

I groaned, "No."

"Yepp, you're stuck with me all morning!"

"Yay for me."

~~~~~~~

"Sandra, that isn't a full push up," I sighed, walking over to the young female.

She frowned, "But my arms get tired quicker with the full ones."

"No whining, if you want to be a warrior some day, then you'll need to learn to suck it up. No pain, no gain. Now come on, if you don't start doing them fully, I'll continue doubling the amount of sets until you do."

She gulped, "Yes, Eden."

"Damn, a little harsh," Holden commented as I stood beside him again.

I frowned, "With this new threat getting closer, we don't have time for any laziness. Finn isn't here, my father is dead...we need to be as prepared as possible."

He agreed as he watched over the other half, concern evident in his eyes. We both knew none of these young wolves would be ready for when the rogues attack. All we can do is hope that they'll be able to defend themselves, at the least. If they can defend themselves until someone can help or they can escape, it would be a major help. We can't afford to lose anymore people, our pack was already considered the smallest. It was pure luck that my father was able to put that fear into not only the rogues, but other packs as well. Rogues aren't the only problem we need to deal with, it's larger packs wanting to take over ours. 

They'll see our pack as weak now, werewolves are quite sexist as times and believe a female alpha makes a weak alpha. The satisfaction I would feel if I could prove them all wrong would be amazing I bet, probably more so than my first time shifting. I resented the sexist comments I would hear from other male alphas when I attended the meetings with my father. They would talk as if the females were below them, claiming no female could possibly challenge them and win. It's as if werewolves stayed stuck in the olden days while the mortals moved ahead, fighting for female rights and getting them. It's a wonder that they'll let females actually become warriors, I'm surprised it hasn't shattered their fragile masculinity. 

I frowned when the wind suddenly blew a scent towards me, it instantly made my wolf stir and my body react in ways I'd rather it not. Holden gave me a weary look as I growled softly, trying my hardest to keep my wolf at bay. But it seemed as if this scent was causing her to lose all her common sense as the pain ripped through me. Letting out a small gasp, I quickly ended the training session and sprinted inside. As soon as the door shut and that scent could no longer harass my nostrils, my wolf seemed to calm down. Releasing the breath I was holding, I dragged myself to the kitchen for some water. 

"Eden? You alright?"

I turned as Holden walked in, his eyebrows knitted in confusion and shock. I quietly nodded my head, unable to speak as I downed the bottle of water. He didn't seem to believe me, but he knew better. He knew how much I hated being pressed and forced to give answers that I didn't want to give. Even if he tried, I didn't have any answer for what had just happened. 

"Mate."

That thought suddenly came to light, causing me to choke on the cool liquid. Wiping my mouth, I sat down. "I think....I think my mate is somewhere close by," I mumbled.

Holden blinked, "Really? Like...they're part of this pack or visiting?"

"I'm not sure, though, if they were part of the pack I would of met them a while ago. I've been at that age for quite some time now."

"Do we have any scheduled visits today?"

"Not that I know of."

He skin suddenly paled, "You don't think...."

"What?"

"I heard a few warriors out there say they noticed a rogue or lone wolf near the borders. The wind could of carried their scent to you."

I ran a hand through my hair, "Gods, I hope not. That would make this far more difficult. You know how much this pack and my mother hate rogues."

"Maybe it's a lone wolf?"

"I doubt it, lone wolves know to stay away from pack borders."

I groaned, great, this is all I needed. A rogue mate.