An English Rogue

Stealing our hearts.

Lena was up late the next morning, she had distantly heard some of the family getting up and milling around in their usual morning routines, obscured by the different floors and doors of the flat everything sounded as if it were happening far away. The flat was a wonder all on its own and Lena wished she could take credit for it. From the street it looked like a typical-if not a bit dowdy- block of flats. Even if an unsuspecting person managed to get into the stairway all you’d see was the normal clutter of a unloved shared living space. As you went up the stairs the doors were all numbered and looked like individual flats. But behind the closed doors as you past through the normal flats you would find a clever network of doors and passages not only connecting all of the flats together to make a large house of sorts, but providing the perfect escape routes for anyone needing to get out in a hurry and the perfect barriers to those trying to get in. The rule were clear on how the different members of the family entered and exited the flats and pretences were very important. Part of their safety was in their visibility and acting as human as possible.

Closing her eyes again it was easy to fall back into a deep sleep. The sound of padding feet got her attention though and she heard her bedroom door open quietly, a small pressure on the bed as someone joined her slipping under the covers like they had done so many times before. Lena stayed still keeping her breathing steady she pretended to be in a deep sleep. Just as the intruder was an arms length away she reached out quickly and scooped them towards her “come here you” she teased tickling her prey.

“Aww no fair no fair” giggled the little boy, still triumphant that he’d made it so far before he was caught. Oliver, like Lena was not a morning person and would do anything he could to get two more minutes in bed. Lena scooped the little boy into her arms and snuggled down with him, he made the perfect little spoon. She breathed deeply inhaling the warm scent of his hair, the softener used on his pyjamas and everything that made her think of home. How lucky was she to have a home, to have this.

“We work hard for it, we deserve it just like any other wolf” Tala reminded her quietly, she enjoying basking in the calm with her favourite pup just as much as Lena did.

Tala was right Lena thought to herself, they did deserve this, every wolf does. It’s all Lena had every wanted since she was a child herself: a family, a home, people to call her own and a place to be safe. Finding out about her surprising genealogy shouldn’t change that, she wanted it when she thought she was human and now she knew she was a wolf she has the power to fight for it. Lena’s eyes shined instinctively, she held the little boy tighter as she thought about protecting her family.

“You squeezing me, you squeezing me” Oliver giggled and wriggled, he loved to play just as much as he liked to nap.

“Right Mr it’s time to get up” Lena said reluctantly but refusing to let the little boy go at the same time.

“Nah just a bit longer, I sleepin” he protested closing his eyes and pretending to snore. Sitting up Lena gently tickled he little toes until he giggled again.

“I love you little puppy” she said. Oliver jumped up and flung his arms around her neck, looking deep into her eyes.

“I lub you too Mummy” he said seriously. While Lena’s heart exploded with every emotion possible, so much love, fear, sadness, happiness and absolute joy, all with an edge of worry. Worry for the future, joy for the feeling of being loved, sadness for the mother that should have been loving her own little boy, and happiness that Lena had the honour instead.

Oliver had been so curious when baby Juno had arrived that the conversation had started naturally, that sometimes parents weren’t able to look after their little ones so they came to live in the flats instead. Oliver had taken it all in his stride in his usual quiet thoughtful way. But it was a process they went through with all of the little ones, and it was never right to deny them their past, even if it was easier for the adults. The trouble was the modern world was becoming less and less able to sustain large packs and large territories. The times were moving and Werewolves being traditional creatures were holding on to the old ways like a safety blanket unable to change. As packs disbanded there are more and more wolves pushed to the edges unable to cope with an Alpha-less world of choice and freedom.

“Right Mr, now it’s really time to get up” Lena said more firmly as she wiped her eyes. Let’s go and have a wash and clean your teeth. Then we’ll have a race to see who can get dressed the quickest” Lena promised, appeasing Oliver’s sense of fun. Oliver was off like a shot, choosing his own clothes and putting them on his bed before he carefully worked out the order they all went on.

“I win! I win!” He called happily running back into Lena’s room, she had turned on the shower and was looking through her own clothes with the slow ease of someone purposely trying to not win a race.

“Ooh you clever little puppy” she said kissing his face. “I’ve got to jump in the shower, shall we go and help Anna with baby Juno, she’ll be so pleased with you” Lena encouraged, sending the little ball of energy off in the other direction and hoping Anna was ready for the day to begin full throttle.

Lena stepped into the hot shower and let the water and steam engulf her, she had a busy day ahead of her and should have been at it hours ago. She took slow deep breaths using to burning hot water to wash away the little boy, her family and family worries. Stepping into her work persona took time and the water helped her focus on the day ahead.

Lena dressed carefully in her trademark black today was going to be busy so she chose black slacks and a sheer black blouse with satin buttons, and a pair of her favourite heals. She smoothed her glossy hair into a high pony, and added a light dust of powder to her flawless skin, just a touch of mascara and lip gloss finished her preferred natural look. Before she left the room she carefully shut her door and locked it, then went back to the built in wardrobe and pushed all her clothes to one side revealing a wall safe, she quickly entered the combination and selected the papers she needed from the stack of files in the safe. She carefully slotted them to her bag and closed the safe.

As she stepped out of the front door on to the street she steeled her mind and her heart for to day ahead. Closing herself off from the love and the worry that was waiting for her at home.