The Unloved Rogue

“In one week, WE STRIKE!” The crowd of demons, rogue werewolves and vampires wildly cheer as Vladimir, the banished bastard son of the vampire king announces. “Round up any more rogues and nobodies you can find to join our cause and take our revenge against the many packs and clans around. Train harder than you’ve ever trained and get ready.” He points to the sky, “We attack at sundown in seven days.” I roll my eyes and groan inwardly. *Why are we helping them? Let’s just go home and get out of here* my wolf Rhea whimpers as she isn’t too excited about helping the demons. *Because Rhea, I’m bored. Hunting has become too boring and honestly what do we really have to lose* I shrug to myself, live or die. It doesn’t matter to me either way. *We could die! You may not be too worried about that possibility but I am. I want to find our mate and live our happily ever after D* I feel her whimper and go deeper into my subconscious. She may want to find our mate but I do not. If we ever do I will reject him. I have no time for a mate. “Hey Huntress!” James, an annoying little troll comes running over to me. “What?” I ask in my most no nonsense voice. He flinches at my tone but he should honestly be used to it by now. “ummm.. We have a new group of rogue wolves we gathered up. Thought maybe you could help with training?” I roll my eyes of course they want my help. They know that I am hands down the strongest wolf, no, the strongest period. I could take down any one of these cowards with a hand or paw tied behind my back. Rhea is probably the largest wolf, at least that I’ve ever seen. Being the daughter of two pure blood alphas will do that to you. I glance at my watch pretending I have more important things to do. “I can spare two hours but if anyone wastes my time,” I turn my glare towards the pack of rowdy newcomers. “I will kill them.” James giggles uncomfortably “umm I’ll go let them know you’ll be over in a moment.” He runs towards the crowd. I head into the group of rogues and make my way towards the front when I bump into a wall of a man I haven’t seen in nearly ten years. Caleb Lockwood. My best friend in high school, I left without telling him goodbye. I really thought he would have found a mate and be living the dream by now. But no, here he is in all his godly glory. He towers over my small 5’2” build. He is easily close to 7 foot tall, blue eyes you could get lost in and flowy blonde hair. He is the definition of a pretty boy. “Whoa I’m so sorry” his arms come out to steady me and his eyes light up when he realizes who I am. “s**t! Daliah! Holy crap!” “SHHH!” I grab his arm and pull him off to the side quickly. I turn and give him a pointed glare “don’t use my real name!” I glance around to make sure no one can hear me. “Everyone here knows me as The Huntress” Caleb looks at me like I have a second head. His look quickly changes as he wraps me in a huge bear hug. I have to admit I really have missed him over the years. I push back when I realize someone could see me. Caleb chuckles “What happened to you D? You just up and left. I never thought I’d see you again and then when your dad-“ I cut him off. “We both know what my dad did. I can only imagine what he told people but honestly I do not care to know. What happened to me is a long story just know I am not the girl I use to be, Caleb.” I waved my hand towards all the people in the distance “This is a disaster waiting to happen.” I turn back and narrow my gaze at him “why are you here?” He sighs and lowers his head, “when you left and everything happened. It hurt. It really hurt D. I believed for years that you would end up being my mate and when you left I felt completely lost.” He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair “Then I thought found her, D.” his body becomes tense as he continues. “She rejected me. She told me being a Gamma wasn’t a high enough rank for her.” He rubs his face as tears well up in his eyes. “It hurt so bad, almost as bad as losing you. When I knew there was nothing left for me there, I left. I told Alpha Geoff I had to find myself. He didn’t like that so he banished me. And well here I am.” I growl at the thought of that pompous high and mighty Alpha banishing such a strong worrier “Of course he would. Does he not realize how stupid that was. You were his strongest fighter. He’s just asking for an attack by banishing you.” Caleb laughs a deep throaty laugh “Awe D, you really do have a heart in there.” I turn and glare at him with a faint smirk. “Tell anyone and you die.” He laughs harder and I turn and walk back to the group of trainees, I have no time for jokes. We have real work to do if these weak rogue pups don’t want to die. -------- Four hours later, two longer then I said I would stay for, these pups have a good start on their training. They have a ton of work to do but they will get there. I begin to head towards the direction of home when none other than the monster himself appears in front of me. “Huntress, may I have a word?” I groan and roll my eyes before turning to meet his beady black eyes. “Yes Vlad. What do I owe the displeasure?” I cross my arms not ready for his crap tonight. He chuckles and steps closer “Given any second thoughts to my proposition?” his fangs slowly slide down as he leans in towards my neck taking in my scent. “Come any closer to me with those fangs Vlad and you’ll be pulling them out of your ass.” I glare at him causing him to put his arms up in surrender. “Huntress, we would be amazing together. We would bring the strongest most powerful life into the world. We would be an unstoppable team if you would just accept me.” He smiles creepily and his eyes begin to glow red. “Like I said before Vlad. Not a chance in hell.” I turn to walk away and he grabs my hand. He brings my knuckles up to his lips and gently kisses the back of my hand. “Until next time, Huntress.” And then he disappears behind a cloud of white smoke. I turn around to see Caleb smirking at me. I glare back at him. “Don’t start with me, Caleb. I’m tired and need a shower.” “Oh is your boyfriend not going to walk you home?” he begins to laugh I use my speed to get to him and pin him against the tree. “Like I said. Don’t start with me.” I hold my silver dagger up to his throat for a second before taking a step back and putting it away. “Damn D, that was hot!” he gapes at me I roll my eyes and start to walk away “And to think I was about to offer to let you come back to my place for a snack and shower. Oh well. More hot water for me.” “Wait D!” Caleb runs up next to me. “I’m sorry. Really. I would actually really appreciate a hot shower. I’ve been hiding in the woods since my banishment and I really don’t have anywhere to go.” He shrugs and looks down in defeat. “I figured that’s why I offered.” I smile up at him. “Come on puppy I’m parked up ahead.”