Alice and The Rogue Wolf

Chapter 10

Instead of getting in the passenger seat, she slid beside me in the back.

"Why the change of attitude?" I whispered inquisitively.

She was just about to reply when Jonathan's phone's ringing interrupted her.

"Hello!" He said, one hand keeping the wheel steady. "What! I'm on my way now."

After he hung up, turned abruptly to meet our puzzled faces.

"What's wrong?" My mother and I chorused at once.

"The Rogues just launched an attack on us."

It was my mother's turn to scream. "What are you talking about? I thought you said they had moved away?"

"Yes!" Jonathan retorted, hammering more on the clutch. "We all thought so, but it seems they still lingered around unnoticed. Now, we need to get to the pack as soon as possible."

I had been silent the whole time when mother and Jonathan were bickering. There was nothing to talk about or perhaps I was too hung up on the impending danger that I had lost my sense of speech.

"Wouldn't it be more dangerous if we went back?" I blurted out, turning all eyes on me.

"Dangerous? Well, how about those in the settlement? Don't you think being there puts them in great danger?" When he received no response, he continued. "See? That's why we have to go back there as soon as possible and mobilize our forces."

With that statement came finality. The rest of the car ride was silent except for Jonathan's fingers as they drummed unceasingly on the steering wheel.

"Oh, will you stop that already?" Mother protested, her eyes staring out the window. "I have to finish my shift so drop me off at the store."

As the car rolled to a stop along the busy road, I realized that the township sun was a little too dull and pale in conflict with the tropical bright yellow and scorching sun. Nevertheless, the heat cut through the sulk shirt and loose denim skirt Jonathan had bought for me, filling my armpits with perspiration and damping my forehead.

"I know we're in a hurry but could you ease off this throttle a bit," I exclaimed as we got back on the road. "It's making me a little nauseous over here. "

Too busy on the wheel, he paid no attention to me until we arrived. The pack which had been reported to be in a violent conflict now looked silent and inactive except for the bustling of the trees as they swayed their branches to the whistling tube of the mild afternoon breeze. Despite the calm atmosphere, Jonathan was still wary and insisted we abandon his vehicle in case we were tailed.

We finally made it inside unharmed and just as I rushed for a bottle of water, Jonathan headed into the bedroom conversing in hush tones over the phone. Minutes later, a small group of people began filing into the parlor, some with blood smeared on their armor, others nursing gunshot wounds or mounting guard out front. Their faces held despair, and in groups, they conversed in low tones, amongst themselves while waiting for Jonathan to join them.

"Hey, Alice!" Jonathan called from behind me. "Would you mind heading upstairs, and waiting for me? I need to discuss some issues with my guests, I won't be long."

"Of course, I mind Jonathan!" I snapped at him. "I'm done being treated like this. It's time I return to my rightful place in the pack."

A frown appeared on his face, a sign he wasn't having my rebellion.

"I thought we were over this, Alice."

"No, we are not. I'm sitting in this meeting and I don't care if you dare try to kick me out. Look at these people, don't you think it's time I help?" He tried to reply but I wouldn't let him speak. "Well, I hope you do because I'm sitting in this meeting and in the next ones to come."

I could tell he didn't want me there, but he was gonna have to get used to my presence. The bickering had stopped and I could sight some of the guests' heads flipping in our direction. Nevertheless, l left Jonathan standing and sat with poise on a cushion.

"Listen up everyone,". Jonathan cleared his throat. "Alright, fill us in, Evans."

His Beta stood up.

"A few hours ago the Rogues attempted to destroy the northern wing of our settlement where the weaponry is located. A part of the shed was razed to the ground but our men were able to push them back and move all our ammunition to another safer warehouse."

"Any casualties?"

"Two men were killed," Evans replied in a sour voice.

"Okay, I'm not sure if this is right but I'll say it anyway," I butted in. "I've been studying these attacks for some days now. The first series began as mere unplanned raids, just the Rogues trying to introduce themselves and stir up trouble."

I could see the look of surprise on their faces, even Jonathan had stared at me bemused, but I pressed on.

"But recently these attacks grew more directed, technical, well-timed and what have you. My best guess? The Rogues are after something."

"What do you think that is?" Evans asked.

"I don't know. I'm yet to figure it…"

"Okay guys, what do you got? Any chance she's right?" Jonathan stood up, saving me from the awkward situation.

Everyone conversed weighing out my suggestion. A lot of idle time has had me thinking a lot these past few days, and I was convinced if they took a good look at what happened, they would see things with me.

"Some of our warriors said they met him," One of the muscled warriors said, making Jonathan jump on his feet with strange curiosity.

"Who?"

"Their leader, Brayden."

A loud bang went off in my head. My eyes widened in shock and sweat began streaming down my trembling palms. Could it be true? I knew Brayden was a Rogue. But he was their leader?

I could hear murmurings among the group at the mention of the name of my newfound companion. What I eavesdropped on from those conversations disturbed Ms but I decided to grant Brayden the benefit of the doubt.

"Whose Brayden?" I asked no one in particular. It was taking everything in me to keep my voice from betraying what I was feeling.

"Someone you don't want near your pack," Evans replied, sighing wishfully. "You see, for years, the Rogues have been co-inhabitants of this great forest and even though we weren't exactly what you would call the "best of neighbors" we respected each other. But when Brayden took over the pack, things began getting out of hand. He got greedy and began seeking the entire land to himself. When he saw that your father, the then Alpha male wouldn't do as he pleased, he made sure he had him killed."

"We had struck back and pushed him away then, but now he has come back seeking to overthrow me as well," Jonathan said, scoffing. "He better be ready cause I have a lot in store for him."

By the time Jonathan was done speaking, any iota of trust I may have harbored for Brayden vanished into thin air and any remaining feelings were defiled with disdain. The conversation continued but I was deeply buried in my thoughts to even hear what was going on. The fact that I had been at arm's length with not only an enemy, but the murderer of my father made my heart churn with uncouched hatred.

The shock of this news caused a twist in my stomach, a literal knot. With so many thoughts being processed in a matter of seconds my head grew heavy and I was beginning to have a migraine.

"Alice? Are you okay?" I heard Jonathan call.

"Yeah!" I responded, struggling to keep my weary eyes awake. Even though I tried to show tough skin, Jonathan saw right through it. To disable my defenses, even more, were the concerned stares that dug at me from all directions.

Jonathan wasn't convinced, The pores were dispelling large amounts of sweat and my shivering frame was visible enough. Why my body was reacting this absurdly to a man I met a few days ago, I had no idea. But this fever was gaining ground and I had to get out of there.

"Uhm, I'm sorry guys," I announced. "I need to turn in a bit."

"Can I come with you?" Jonathan said, cluttering over to help me up.

"I'll be fine. I'm just tired and I need a little shut-eye."

I managed over to the stairs, staggering occasionally, but I finally made it through. Without minding my clothes I slid under the blue sheets, with thoughts about Brayden clouding my mind.

Even though I so desperately wanted to slit him round the throat for what he did, there was still that part of me that felt hurt that the man turned out to be bad. Why him?

He looked so calm, honest, and affectionate. But he was a traitor and needed to be seen as such, I reminded myself. He is an evil wolf who caused me and the pack at large, so much pain and needed to pay for what he did.

"All that glitters is not gold," I chided myself, as I slammed my eyelids shut, hoping to wake up to a clear mind.