Through the Emerald Forest

Chapter 2 Rogue Attack

        **the day of the full moon**

    The dining room is full of activity. The kitchen omegas are bringing different things for lunch while Max and Jaq are discussing the rogue issues in the area and eating. Their conversation got cut short as there was a clamoring in the mind link. Warriors on both the Northern and Western boarders are reporting large numbers of rogues headed their way. Max and Jaq look at each other and, without saying a word, stand and walk out of the pack-house. Jaq was out the door first and shifted quickly into his smaller then average grey wolf, Jacob, he has magic so his wolf doesn't need the usual Beta size. He quickly takes off for the Northern boarder. Max shifts quickly as well. His wolf, Marc, is huge and a deep brown color.

     With his Alpha speed he takes off to the slightly farther Western boarder, he had already been in contact with warriors and they were already on the way. When he arrived at he boarder he saw that there was already fighting. Marc, taking control in the situation, sprang on the closest Rogue, tearing its head from its body. He made quick work of about a dozen more in the same way. After what seemed like forever, evening was starting to fall, the rogues were either all dead or fleeing. With a satisfied snort, Marc throws his shaggy head back and howls loud and triumphant. His mind-link started to itch with importance, what he heard next put a cold fear in his heart he couldn't explain.

    -Alpha! Jaq's been hurt!- The voice of the warrior was scared and trembling, -He's being rushed to Medical right now-

    Marc snarls and sprints off towards the Medical building, he arrives faster then he ever thought he could, just before leaving the treeline he shifts and slips on shorts, letting Max take control. Max sprints into the building only to be met by his Delta who looks panicked.

    "A-a-alpha" His Delta, Steven, started shakily, Max puts a hand on his shoulder to try and steady Steven's nerves. Steven takes a deep breath before continuing. "I-it was a trap. As soon as Jaq got there..it was like they were targeting him. They ignored the rest of us and just kept going after him. He fought them off and was winning..." Steven's voice cracks with emotion. "He was winning, the warriors were trying to get through the mass of rogues, there must have been hundreds. We had nearly reached him when from overhead was a rain of arrows. They hit everyone in that area. We had tryed to get to Jacob but the rogues had been too deep. The arrows struck Jacob and rogues...the rogues fell instantly, but Jacob was still standing. We heard your howl, Jacob shuddered then started to fall. We reached him as he shifted and we saw the arrow in his shoulder. We rushed him here, b-but the doctors..." Steven's voice falters as Max pulls him in for a hug. Max's hear breaking for his Delta. The love the pack always had for their Beta.

    "Its alright Steven. I need to talk to the doctor now. Please head home, get some rest." Max pulls away from Steven and wipes a stray tear from his face. Max pushes him gently toward the door and looks at a nearby guard. "Make sure he gets home safely." The guard nodded and placed his hand on Stevens shoulder and started guiding him out. Max turns and heads deeper into the Hospital. Max see the doctor coming out of a room. The doctor approached Max with a concerned look on his face.

    "Alpha, I'm sorry. We haven't been able to trace what the arrows were coated in. The only thing we've been able to do is make him comfortable" The doctor looked at Max, his eyes full of tears. The pack really loves their Beta and to see him in this state is breaking some of them. Max patted the doctor on the shoulder and nodded slowly.

    "Can i see him?" Max asked, slightly worried about the answer. The doctor nodded and turned headed into the room just behind him. He stepped in far enough to check on Jaq's vitals then left Max and Jaq to their privacy. Max quickly walked across the room. He scooted the stool next to the bed as Jaq reached out and grabbed Max's arm.

    "M-max, I'm so sorry" Jaq's voice was faint and pained. Max shook his head.

    "There's no way you could have known." Max said, causing Jaq to chuckle slightly. Jaq looks over at Max and smiles wryly.

    "You should know better then that by know, my friend. I went into the fight with so much confidence that it wouldn't be this day. I wanted to believe so much that i had more time." Jaq closes his eyes and his breath hitches slightly. Max looks worriedly up at the monitors, yet nothing seemed to change. Jaq smiled sadly. "Max. I need you to read that letter, the one we put in the safe. It's for you, it always was." Jaqs voice was so soft at the end even Max's alpha hearing had trouble picking it up.

    "I will. I'll read it." Max's voice falters slightly. Jaq nods and closes his eyes. Max places his hand on his friends shoulder, trying to keep his composer. Max waits till Jaq is asleep then steps out of the room and finds the doctor. The doctor was staring at a screen, and jumped slightly when he realized Max was standing there.

    "I'm sorry alpha I was trying to read through the reports on the rogues that were brought in for autopsy. I was hoping to find answers." The doctor sounded exhausted. Max placed his hand on the doctors shoulder.

    "Don't stretch yourself to thin, Doc. We all want answers. I wanted to find you to let you know, he has fallen asleep at the moment. I need to go back to the house. Luna should be home soon and I should be there." Max told the doctor. "Please let me know if you find anything, anything at all." The doctor nodded. Max walked out of the Medical facility and headed back to the pack-house.