Rouge to Freedom

The Beginning: Part Two

It seemed like any other day, I was helping one of the older Omega’s, Edith sort out a bunch of old files. We were in the store room, just near the foyer that led to the Alpha’s office.

“Run these ones to the car outside, we’ll take them to long term storage later.” Edith said handing me a box. When Edith was younger she had been injured and walking brought her pain. Quite often she could snap at people, but it was mainly because she was in pain.

So without question I made my way out of the room, across the floor of the foyer and into one of the corridors that led outside to the side entrance, where we had a vehicle parked and so I stacked the box securely before heading back into the corridor and into the foyer, when a figure appeared in front of me,

“Excuse me.” Immediately I came to a stop, “We were hoping to speak to your Alpha.” I looked at the figure, then beside him where a female stood.

They were dressed quite smartly, but clearly from out of town. Other than that, there was little I could tell about them.

I looked around almost immediately, but there was no else around, “I’m not really the best person to ask,” I said after a moment, “Let me find someone.”

“Thank you.”

I hurried then, in search of finding someone, but it appeared that few were around, so I poked my head into the room where Edith was, “There are people here wanting to speak to the Alpha, but no one is around.”

“Go across to the dining hall,” Edith said simply and I scooted back out, they were still standing there so I went near them, “I just need to go across there, sorry.” I said quickly before running off, without waiting for a response. Knowing it best not to take the main entrance, I got lucky when outside the kitchen was none other than Luna,

“Luna!” I called as I approached. She turned almost immediately, when I saw she had been speaking to someone.

Asher.

Instantly my stomach curled as his eyes fell on me and a looked crossed his face. At nearing eighteen years old now, he pretty much towered over me.

“What do you want?” He snapped as his eyes locked onto me.

“Asher,” Cate said firmly, she looked to me and didn’t say anything further, she was waiting for me to speak,

“My apologies Luna, but there are two people in the foyer, wishing to speak to the Alpha. No one else is around except for Edith and myself.” I answered bowing my head. It didn’t help though, I could still feel Asher’s glare.

“What sort of people?”

I paused, I hadn’t really noticed, but then what would I know, so instead I simply said as I looked up, “Outsiders.”

“They were allowed in?” Asher questioned. I returned his question with a blank stare, I didn’t run the security.

“Asher your father is overseeing the training today of the upcoming warriors, go and fetch him.” Cate said calmly,

“I should go and meet them,” Asher retorted.

“No. I can handle it.” Cate responded, “To be allowed in they would have pre-arranged a time.” She reminded him. Asher glanced at me once more, then left. Cate walked towards me, giving me a small smile, “Let us go and greet them.”

I followed her back, although trying to keep a distance, she kept adjusting her pace, so she was pretty much level with me. As we entered Cate immediately addressed the pair, “Apologies on keeping you waiting. I am Luna Cate Worthington. How may I help you?”

I didn’t wait for the response, I simply returned to the space where Edith was waiting, “There’s another three ready there. Those two need to be shredded,” She said simply. Without a response I proceeded to collect the boxes and ferried them to the places they need to be. On each pass, I couldn’t help but glance at the couple who stood with Cate. They seemed to be having a relaxed discussion, but I didn’t allow myself to linger in order to hear the conversation.

I moved to take the first box to be shredded upstairs, it happened to be closer to where the Alpha’s office was located. Cassie, assistant to the Alpha and Luna worked silently, barely glancing at me as I moved past her.

As I worked away and came to the final lump of documents to shred, I heard footsteps and then realized the Alpha had arrived and was moving with the guests and Luna.

I heard the words then being spoken, “As we said in our officially notification, we are not here on official business; we are here for personal reasons.”

“Absolutely and we hope we can accommodate your request, please come on in.”

I stepped into the doorway but was intending on waiting until they were inside before stepping out and returning to Edith to collect the last box. When, as the female was about to step into the office she looked my way and we locked eyes. To my surprise, I saw a look cross her face before she disappeared into the Alpha’s office.

Strange.

I hurried forward then and returned to Edith, who was joined by another of the older wolves, Argus, “Eat your lunch before the last one.” She said simply glancing at me and I knew that was a cue to leave them alone.

I hurried outside and found a secluded spot where I could eat what lunch was shoved into my pockets. Thankfully, I was able to eat in peace and didn’t see anyone else before I returned to Edith after fifteen minutes. Argus was still there, so I took the box and then left them again without so much as a word or a glance. However, as I reached the top of the stairs Cassie was waiting for me. I came to an abrupt stop then, almost dropping the box,

“Give me the box and go into the office.” She said. I processed her words,

“Pardon?”

She rolled her eyes and yanked the box from my hands, “Alpha’s office, now.”

I hurried over to the door and gave a knock, at which point I realized my hand was shaking. I clenched it into a fist at my side as I heard Dante’s voice,

“Come in,”

I opened the door slowly, stepped inside and then closed it, “How can I help Alpha?” I asked calmly, or at least I hoped it was.

He summoned me closer, Dante stood behind the desk, Cate to his left and Asher to his right. The two strangers stood on the opposite site, watching me.

“This Jared and Greta Andrews, of the Lignorum Campi pack.” Dante said before he looked to them, “And she is the one you spoke of?”

“Yes.” Jared, the male answered.

If I wasn’t nervous then, I was now.

“We will discuss this matter, if you wouldn’t mind giving us a few moments.”

I was moving, as were Jared and Greta when I heard Asher’s voice, “Father what is there to discuss? What loss would it be to us if she went with them?”

Went with them?

My heart suddenly began to pound, and I felt somewhat dizzy, but I kept myself upright and forced myself to keep walking. Last out of the office I closed the door behind us and I heard Dante’s voice, but it was muffled and I could not make out the words.

I stood at a distance from Jared and Greta, a feeling of dread in my stomach. In fact I was sure I was even sweating. Disgusting.

But as I glanced to Greta, she sent me a look that provided a sense of reassurance.

Then I was just confused.

Especially for the fact that Asher had spoken up.

Why would he?

The door opened and we were summoned back inside. Alpha Dante’s face was expressionless, he gave nothing away. Glancing at Cate and Ash, neither did they. In fact Ash wouldn’t even look at me.

We resumed the positions we had stood in before and it was then Dante spoke,

“We will grant your request. There was never an oath, so it will be no issue there.” Dante looked to me then and I tried to judge the expression in his eye, for there was something there, but I couldn’t read it, “Collect your things.”

“Thank you Alpha.”

It was all I could think to say. Dante said nothing further to me, instead he looked to Jared and Greta, “I am sorry we could not help you.”

“We will keep looking, one day we may get answers.”

As we walked out, the Luna seemingly followed, “Cate,” Dante called and his wife paused in her stride. I glanced to her, she hesitated but I gave a nod, ‘Thank you’, I mouthed quickly before following Jared and Greta out.

As the door closed behind me, there was an overwhelming sense of relief.

But there was another feeling, sadness?

Surely not!

We continued to walk and soon exited the main building that housed the Alpha’s office.

“I will come with you collect your things,” Greta said calmly.

“Be quick, I do not wish to linger.” Jared remarked, his eyes went from looking around to me, “Where are your things?”

I pointed in the general direction, “Over there, behind the barn.”

“I will meet you there with the car.”

Greta looked to me, “Shall we?” She said, her tone was gentle and I couldn’t help but nod, leading the way. As we neared the Orphans Quarter, I spotted a figure waiting outside, Evan, the Beta. He said nothing as we approached, until we reached the door, “Her only.” He said to Greta.

“I’m sure you will be going with her, so I will be as well.” Greta responded. She was not backing down either.

I glanced between the two of them, wondering if there was going to be a stare off. But, Evan just moved inside and I looked to Greta who gave a wink. I followed and moved to my room, where I moved quickly to gather my things. Evan stood there, without saying a thing.

Thankfully, he didn’t follow me into the bathroom and I was able to shove my box into bag without questions. It was the last of the things, so I walked back out, “Done.” I said simply.

“That’s all your things?” Greta questioned and I nodded, I saw her look to Evan but said nothing. Neither did he. She then led out of the room and I followed, where the car was now waiting outside. I climbed in and shortly after so did Greta. I watched as we began to drive away, but no one followed, no one stopped us.

On the edge, just before passing the main gates I thought I caught something out of the corner of my eye. A figure amongst the trees.

But as quickly as I saw it, it was gone.

As we joined the main road and I realized, leaving the pack territory, another two cars pulled up behind us, driving in close proximity to us. I glanced over my shoulder nervously, then looked forward to the front row of the car.

“That is just more members of our pack.” Jared explained and I looked to him in the rear-view mirror, “They stayed at a distance, but were around just in case.” He gave a smile but somehow, I was still uncomfortable.

Because I had no idea what I was getting into. What this new pack wanted from me.

“I’m sure there must be a lot on your mind Kaylee, we will drive a bit longer and stop somewhere for the night. We can discuss everything then.” It was as if Greta had read her mind. I looked to her and said quietly, “Okay.”

Because I was unsure what else to say.

Or what to do.

Part of me wondered whether I should jump from the car.

And for the entire trip, one of my hands remained near the door handle as I debated whether or not the place I was going next would be better or worse.

All up, the car journey was probably about four hours. We pulled into a hotel and I quietly followed the pair as they walked up and checked us in. I had my own room.

Glancing around the lobby, I had never seen anything like it. Never.

“We will have someone put your things in your room, why don’t you come with us, to get something to eat? You must be hungry?” Greta remarked.

As if on cue my stomach grumbled, which made Greta smile and oddly, so did I.

“Please,” I added.

I followed Jared and Greta inside a restaurant, where we were seated and menus provided. I looked over at all the items, never before having had so much choice. I didn’t even know where to begin.

“Save room for dessert,” Jared said simply and I looked at him, dessert, that was even more of a rare thing. He said nothing more, obviously understanding the look on my face and I went back to the menu. Eventually I settled on a choice and we ordered. The menu’s were taken away and then I somewhat felt nervous again.

“You must have a lot of questions,” Jared said once the waiter was out of ear shot. I simply nodded, figuring it to the be the safest way to respond.

“Well, quite simply, we want to help you.” Jared stated and I looked to him, “It was very clear what was happening there and quite frankly, our pack is against it. Yes, every person is ranked, but no one gets treated like that.”

There was a huge wave of surprise washing over me at this moment.

Shock perhaps was even a better word.

“Our foundations were one pack, which then encompassed some smaller packs along the way. Within the last fifty years we have only gathered pack members through voluntary means, rogues included.”

“How big is the pack?”

“Over six hundred.”

I processed it for a moment. That was close to double the last pack. I couldn’t even call them mine. They weren’t.

“It does mean our pack is occasionally vulnerable and others do try to take advantage of that. Six years ago, there was such an attack, where in the aftermath our son disappeared.” I looked to Greta then, it was clearly painful for her, painful for them both, “We’ve never stopped searching for him, hence why we ventured to your pack.” Jared’s voice was emotional as he spoke about it, catching slightly.

“I am sorry. What will happen to me?” I asked, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Well, if you’d allow it, we would like to take you in ourselves.” It was Greta that spoke and I looked to her, I had no doubt shock was crossing my face, “In all our years of searching we have seen those who are not tied to a pack. You stood out above all the others. There is something about you.”

“I think it is although it is suppressed there are qualities that remind us of Conrad.”

“We will ensure you are trained, educated as much as you would like and when you are ready will take a position in the pack.”

For a long time, I couldn’t find words, but when I did, I looked up, tears in my eyes and said, “Thank you.”

“What is your name?”

“Kaylee. My name is Kaylee.”