An English Rogue

Home again.

POV: Lena

It was so good to be home. I let myself in and as always took my shoes off at the door. I loved being in bare feet more than anything. I headed down the inner staircase from my top flat to the middle level that was occupied by Anna and most of the pups we had decided to have a shift around and move Oliver up to me but hadn’t managed it with everything going on. I inhaled deeply as the familiar scents of my family and our lives did more to sooth my soul than I thought possible. I let Tala step forward and we shared control allowing our senses to change as the colourful scents swooped and swirled around us in the air. Like stalking my prey I could I could clearly see the evidence of the interloper and where he’d been in our home. The new photo frames caught my attention, two of them had photos I recognised, they were taken last year when we went away as a family. The other three were still empty, but they still made me bristle. We purposely didn’t have photos around the flat. It was one of the safety protocols Kerri had put in place. It sounded sad but if we’re were to have intruders or had to leave in a hurry we didn’t want to leave evidence of what our pups looked like. Their safety and longevity was the most important factor. I pushed Tala back to the recesses of my mind, resisting her urge to smash them with our fists. That wouldn’t solve anything as they were clearly a gift from Geraint, it wouldn’t win anyone over if we broke them.

I had a few hours before I picked up Oliver, Jack and Jody so I set out to make the most of my time. I made myself a strong coffee in an insulated travel mug and headed down the second staircase to the lower level of our flats where Mia and Kerri had their rooms. We didn’t really use this floor much Kerri had a large office and I headed straight there ignoring trying my best to ignore the feeling in the back of my mind that I was trespassing. Even though Mia still had her room down here, it somehow felt unloved and abandoned.

Kerri had left some paperwork out on the desk and I had a quick look though, not surprised when I didn’t find anything to indicate where she was, or what she was up too. My main aim was to work out with burner phone she was using and send her a message. I checked through the scraps of paper on the pin board, and noticed a post- it with a large number 3 on it circled. I located the house burner phone. And quickly put in the SIM card and turned it on. It was an old phone without smart tech and it always took me a minute to orientate myself. I checked through the list I’d brought down from my safe and typed in the phone number connected to number 3. I had to flick through to to find the right code. It had been so long since I’d used them! Finally I found the ones I wanted and combined, not an emergency with come home or call soon. The result was…

‘Time to grab yourself some pepperoni pizza? Use this code to get 20% off your order 202020’

As soon as the message sent I quickly turned the phone off and took out the SIM card. Putting them back into the locked metal box they came from. I wouldn’t need it again now, this phone was only for outgoing messages and it wasn’t the one Kerri would contact us on. I sighed thinking how long we’d have to wait to get hold of her. Now I’d sent the message there was nothing to say how long it would take for her to get back to us, I just hoped it would be quick. I needed her support, as did Anna, but more than anything I simply just missed her.

I took all of our espionage gear and lists straight back upstairs to my flat and locked it back in the safe. It seemed like over kill we hadn’t had any trouble in years but Kerri was convinced this was the best way to protect us and the pups, and I had no evidence to disagree.

I sat on my bed for a bit thinking about logistics of our new family member. There was a lot to sort, but none of it could really be brought up until Kerri was back. We all made financial contributions toward the family, but also received the benefits from our join investments not to mention the club and fitness studio. Is this something we’d have to now share with Geraint too? Then there was the living arrangements, I had the top floor to myself and Kerri shared the lower floor with Mia that left Anna, Juno, Jody, Jack and Oliver all on the same floor, even if we moved Oliver upstairs with me as planned it would still be cramped. Maybe the new couple should have more space?

I headed back down stairs and grabbed some of the pups paper and pens, I drew a quick sketch of the floor layouts. Maybe we needed a complete swap around? I loved my quiet room upstairs but maybe it was time for Anna to have that room?

Anyway time to pick up the pups! I left my sketches in the kitchen to bring up with the new couple later, and headed out of the door grabbing the keys on the way past. We shared a vehicle which was mainly used to ferry the pups. I headed to school and collected Jody and Jack first. Then headed around to get Oliver. The pups all attended a human school it wasn’t ideal but we didn’t have the luxury of home schooling, and anyway the whole point of letting them attend is to have a ‘normal’ childhood, allowing them the choices and freedoms that humans so easily enjoy.

I joined the queue of parents collecting their little ones and was greeted by the class teacher “Oliver your collection is here” she called over her shoulder. “We’ve had a bit of an incident today” she said in a voice loud enough for a few of the other parents to hear. “Unfortunately Oliver hit one of his class mates.” Could you please ask his mother to call the school to schedule an appointment?”

My temper bristled as I caught sight of my little pup, his eyes red from crying “Mummy!” He said sadly as he saw me waiting fresh tears streaking down his cheeks.

I could see the confused look on the teachers face as I scooped up the pup. To her I wasn’t his mummy I thought suddenly, my cheeks flushing as we were caught out.

“In the future I would appreciate it if you would telephone us immediately.” I said sharply walking briskly away before my temper got the better of me.

“My little love, what happened?” I asked him softly as I wiped his cheeks and kissed him.

“Da boy in my class said I didn’t have a Mummy! But I do have a Mummy! I hit him” He confessed starting to cry again. Teacher said I was bad I said ‘My mummy a wolf and she eat teachers!”

“Our beautiful pup” Tala said as we stroked his head and dried his new tears.

Jody and Jack giggled behind us and I gave them a slight frown. I packed the pups up into the car and we headed home.

“Is anyone hungry?” I asked not being able to help myself. I know you shouldn’t reward violence but I was proud of him for sticking up for himself none the less.

We went through the drive-through and grabbed burgers and drinks for everyone as headed home.

Even though it had been a bit of a stressful pick-up I felt totally zen listening to the chatter of my little family. How times have changed from Lena the part girl, crime fighter. It had been weeks since I’d used my gift and it felt great.

We get home and sorted out all the usual family things, uniforms, homework, spelling practice, P.E kits. Any outsider looking in wouldn’t see a secret group of supernatural creatures they would see a family just doing boring-everyday family things. I was surprised to find the thought made me feel content.

When Anna and Geraint came home I retreated busy upstairs and gave them some space. I hadn’t planned to go out but decided last minute to change and head to our club Nox. I didn’t always make an appearance on regular nights but felt I needed to get out of the way.

POV: unknown

I took my friends home one last time. They deserved a warriors goodbye. I build the pyres myself as was ode to them as my friends and my warriors. As the light fell and the moon shone through the night whole pack came out to say farewell. We suffered as one, their loss was all of our losses. But I felt it to my core. I had let them down. As the smoke rose into the sky I called on Moon Goddess and swore an oath of vengeance to my friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rogues I bring thee death.

Death to Rogues.

Death to Rogues.