Banished by Alpha, Now Rogue King Treasure

Burned Rabbit Skin

Madison’s POV

I woke up with a heavy heart, wanting to cry, but I sucked it up. After everything my old pack did to me—the lies, the way they turned on me, how they banished Runa and me without even listening. I refused to let them have my tears. They were never worth it.

I washed my face in the small bathroom. Then I walked outside. No one was staring at me, and I was lost. I didn’t know where to go or what to do, so I decided to find Adele.

The pack house was beautiful in its simplicity, compared to my pack that spends so many coins decorating it with all kinds of expensive things.

Adele smiled when she saw me, and I smiled back. Alpha Hunter was talking to her. She gestured for me to come over.

"Good morning, Adele," I said, bowing.

"Madison, I am not royalty. Please stop bowing to me. Now, let’s go for breakfast and figure out what we can have you do around here."

I looked behind us to see Alpha Hunter's stern face. This man doesn’t know how to smile.

We walked past the wooden tables, and everyone stood up. I knew the rules of a pack; I didn’t think the rogues had rules too. I always imagined them wild and unruly.

Beta Vance kissed Adele’s forehead with such tenderness that his eyes softened for a moment. I wanted someone to look at me like this, to love me and Runa the way we were.

Runa is my wolf, the other half of my soul. When my old pack banished us, they turned on Runa and me. No one ever cared enough to wonder what that meant for both of us.

The breakfast was eggs and toast, simple, but I ate everything.

Alpha Hunter was sitting across from me. He pushed his plate toward me.

"Eat. You need it." Still no smile, no emotion in his tone.

"Thank you, sir," I said, feeling my face hot.

"Madison, please call me Hunter," he said. "Don’t make me feel ancient."

"I didn’t mean to…" Adele touched my hand, and I startled.

"Our clinic is small, but if it's okay with you, I would like the doctor to see your wound." Her eyes went to Hunter.

"Yes, thank you. This is very kind of you, Adele."

After breakfast, she took me there. Dr. Cass examined the wound, cleaned it, applied antibiotics, and bandaged it.

"Keep it clean," he told me, "and I need you to come every day to take your medicine." His eyes went to Alpha Hunter, and he nodded. "It will make you stronger."

The doctor checked me over as he watched him, his brows furrowed, making Dr. Cass very nervous.

He was done, and I jumped off the table. I walked outside without a word and waited for Adele and Alpha Hunter to come out.

It took too long, and I wondered where the noise came from. It sounded like an atelier.

I stood in the corner of the mechanic shop, watching a man slam the wrench on a metal object.

"May I try?" I asked.

The man looked at me and laughed. "Kid, go to the kitchen and work. What would you know about cars?"

I just stared at him, and he gave in.

"Fine," he said, gesturing. "By the way, I’m MJ, the mechanic for this pack—the only mechanic."

I picked up the necessary tools, looked inside, and did a few things. Then I turned and asked him to start it.

The motor came alive, and MJ's mouth dropped open. "Kid, where did you learn to do this?"

"My name is Madison; you can call me Madd. I learned by practicing, and I know every piece inside a motor. I could take it apart and put it back together."

"Fine. Here." He pulled the heavy canvas sheet off the huge truck. It looked like a monster, a rusted but heavy engine. "This is your new project; fix this, and I will bow to you."

"How much time have I got to finish?" I asked innocently.

"Take all the time you like, Madd," he said sarcastically.

I got a stool and climbed to open the hood. Stared for a good minute. Then I went under it, took out some pieces, and had half her body inside that engine when I finally straightened my gloved hand and pulled out a dry, burned rabbit skin. Placed the pieces back, walked to the door, opened it, and turned the engine on.

MJ's jaw dropped. "What the actual f**k…"

"Well, do I qualify to help the mechanic?"

"Kid, you are good, and yes, you can start right away." He threw a blue overall at me and pointed to the bathroom.

I walked there smiling, because this was what I loved to do, and I was good at it.

When I came out, Alpha Hunter was talking to MJ.

He turned and looked at me. "MJ is telling me you fixed my truck. How can I thank you?"

"Sir, it was nothing. Besides, you allowed me in this pack, and now I have a job."

"You’re sure this is what you want to do?"

MJ looked like he was holding his breath, and I almost laughed at his expression.

"Yes, I love working on cars, and besides, MJ needed an apprentice."

He got closer to hug me, and Alpha cut his path.

"Keep your distance and be respectful towards her. Remember, I will be watching you."

No one ever stood up for me, and that warmed my heart.

"Yes, sir Alpha, not to worry."

"Do not let her work more than the hours we discussed. She needs to recover." Then he turned to me. He stared for a moment. "Madison, if you need anything or change your mind about working here, just come to my office."

Alpha Hunter was so kind, despite his terrifying look, and honestly, I was afraid I would be scrubbing floors, which I didn’t mind. But this rogue pack was way more than I imagined. And my first day turned out to be good.