Rival Alphas

Chapter Five

I learned left and right the hard way. Whether it is; in direction or terms of morality. Yeap, the night dad died and asked me to move to the right and I had moved to the left.

In the pack, I did the right things, always. Not that it mattered anyway. Alpha Debra constantly tormented me and so did the pack.

Now, I have to do right by my wolf, Juniper. I need to keep running, no matter what.

Yes, I have turned myself into a rogue. What else would I do? Return and let mom take my life?

No.

If I hate living, I would have given up the will to fight. I would have talked back to her, riled her up, and allowed her to kill me, after all, she was the one who brought me into this sad place I call my world.

I must live. No way in hell I die after enduring five years of torture. Not now and not ever.

In the werewolf world, being a rogue means death.

A wolf turns into a rogue if he or she has broken an important rule in their pack, or disobeyed their leaders (alpha or luna.) If their pack has been attacked and everyone is dead and has to save their lives. May the moon goddess forbid, but I wish that had been my situation.

Some others, which is the same as my situation, is when a wolf has planned a coup d’etat, Alpha Debra’s words, “me trying to take her crown.”

The latter is the worst. You are considered a traitor to both the pack and to the Moon Goddess, after all, it is the Moon Goddess who creates leaders.

Well, I was also born as a leader and it changed after dad died. Right now, I am sure the pack is lamenting over and over. I am not only a murderer but also a traitor. And to my parents?

Mom’s voice is powerful and loud. And I am sure everyone heard her screaming bloody murder.

Since mom already concluded I wanted to turn everyone against her, I am sure she hasn’t given anyone the chance to ask what went down and immediately explained, “she rebelled against me, she must go.”

Oh, the pack is having a feast on my name.

I wish someone at the pack could raise their hands and ask, “do you have the evidence?”

Alas! That is just wishes. I only had Beta Sawyer and I am scared about whether he survived the fight. Mom is a coldhearted manipulative alpha who knows how to fight.

My legs are killing me, my throat is burning and Juniper is being Juniper. I wish her words to work magic on me. I do. But they aren’t. If only, they tire and bore me out. I know we are one but sometimes, I want her gone.

“Oh. Come on. Dad died while trying to get me and you want to separate yourself from me? I am letting this slide. Okay?” Juniper says angrily. I step on a stone and screech. I lament Juniper for not telling me there is a stone ahead. She scoffs. “I have tried, Mira. I have.”

Well, you and I dear, you and I.

Her energy depletes and she stops talking. Either because she is scared we have become rogues and we won’t survive or because she is tired. Either way, I am glad.

My happiness dies a few minutes later when I realize I was wrong. Juniper’s energy was the one that kept me going. Now, I am heaving like an old woman trying to cross the road.

“Mira. Mira. Just a few minutes and you are ready to die. What can you do without me?”

Welcome back, Juniper.

The sun rises, marking the beginning of a new day. It is beautiful. I look down and notice my big toes have started swelling. I stop myself from asking Juniper if she only knows how to run her mouth.

With no watch, I figure it is around 6 AM. I look back for the first time and the whole place is deserted. I am surprised mom hasn’t sent a group of warriors to follow me and return me home.

Wait, hold on. What if this was her plan from the very beginning?

I shake my head.

No.

No.

I start jogging. And as much as I try to push back the weird thoughts creeping in like a serial killer, I can’t. Mom and everybody else knows what it means to live with no pack. Even though I never spoke to anyone through the pack’s mindlink, it connected me to everyone.

The pack provides the link. The link is the sanity of every wolf. With no pack, the link breaks.

That is why a few months after a wolf has turned into a rogue, they get more aggressive, and since the moon goddess has a way of slapping us, the rogue meets other rogues, and together, their minds run, and it is the genesis of attacking other packs.

You know. Going crazy and s**t.

I stop and start laughing maniacally. I laugh and laugh until tears start falling down my cheek.

This is my fault.

Mirabel Redford, if you don’t get yourself back, or get a pack to take you, you are a lost cost. Tarnishing your father’s name and dying in the process.

I inhale rapidly, shaking the thoughts off. I look insane. Is this the beginning?

From a distance, I see a house, I saunter to it while pulling my frenzy curly hair. I need to come up with a solution and fast. The house is abandoned, just like me. I sit inside, not caring that it might be a haven for a detrimental human or animal.

“Miraaa. Miraa.” Juniper calls in a singy songy tone.

Why do I feel like you are enjoying this?

“We have to move.”

I look around while rubbing my eyes. f*****g thwart! I fell asleep. Insomnia is a b***h. When you want to sleep, insomnia looms around like your shadow, and when you don’t wish to, it leaves you.

I can’t believe I let myself slumber.

A yawn escapes my lips. I look around and see a bottle of water at the other end of the room. I grab it and walk around the house searching for water. I find none and go outside. I find a tap, I feel it with brown water, and drank it all. I don’t have the time and pleasure of being choosy.

“Incoming. Something is coming.” Juniper alerts me.

Thanks, Juni.

“Oh. Nicknames. Uh?” Juniper teases.

Hush. Fight or flight?

“Silly. You haven’t eaten. I am a weak ass. Your words. You just escaped death. No. No fighting. Run!”

Once again. I start running.

No one is on the road.

Dad used to tell me our ancestors made sure we stayed far away from humans for a reason. I smile when I remember his stories. This gives me a push.

I am far away from the pack now. Intending to remain sane ringing in my head, I have decided to get a pack’s help. I don’t care if they will turn me into a servant, how hard would it be anyways? My people used me. Is it wrong for strangers to misuse and abuse me?

*

I was born as a leader. Although mom never showed me the way, dad used to from an earlier age. I knew the terms like territories, alphas, betas, and treaties and I am hoping with those little lessons, I will get the help I want.

Dad, I hate to tell you while I was growing up, I didn’t use any of it and I am going to do it now to bargain for my dear life. I just hope I recall how to address everyone properly. The last thing I need is to confuse a leader as a servant and a servant as a leader.

Juniper scolds me, she says I am putting both of us down. I should know better. A servant is below and a leader is above.

I have arrived at a village market. I can detect supernatural beings. It is a surprise and a blessing to me. I am dirty and I smell. I am keen about my surroundings and I notice no one cares about me being dirty or clean. Everyone is minding their business.

Good for them and good for me.

I listen to everyone speaking to one another. They are all happy about their lives. “He is a new alpha.” Someone says. Finally. The words I have been waiting to hear.

My eyes follow the person I heard speak. They stop abruptly and look at me. Chills run down my spinal cord. I clear my throat and rise. I approach them, “Hi.”

“Who are you?” She asks coldly.

“I heard you speaking of an alpha.”

“Who are you?”

She sniffs me and asks the same question. I don’t answer her. She rolls her eyes and leaves. I return to where I was sitting and wait for them to pass. Hopefully, they will. After what feels like an eternity, they come back.

“Miss, are you lost?” One of them asks.

“I need help from your alpha.”

They eye me from head to toe. They shrug and start walking. Foolishly, I follow them. It is risky but I am desperate.

I am delighted they don’t ask me any questions. I hate to introduce myself as Mirabel Reford. One thing is for sure, they know I am a wolf. We walk for about an hour then come to a wall. “This is our packhouse missy.” She tells me.

As they open the gate for me, Juniper screams at me, “here goes nothing.”