Rejected Rogue Met Her Second Mate

Five Years Later

A year after I left my pack, I found a small town just two hundred miles away that didn’t have a single wolf within miles of it. Two years after settling in Rollins, Montana I shifted. My wolf was pure black with ice blue eyes. I wasn’t a special wolf or anything, but to me my wolf was special. She was the spitting imagine of my father’s wolf except for the eyes. He had deep green eyes.

My mother’s wolf was a gray and white with silver eyes. Every day that passed, I missed them more and more. Aria was slowly starting to speak to me more and more. She was still mad at the fact that I ran from our mate, but she knew that I only did that because he hurt us.

The fifth year that I was in Rollins, something happened. A small pack moved into town, and I knew it was just a matter of time before they found me. It wouldn’t matter that I was here first, the pack now owned the land I was on, and by council law, it was theirs and I was just a rouge living on it.

But thanks to Aria, my wolf, I knew how to mask my scent. So to other wolves, I smelled like a human. If the pack found me, it would be the alpha’s place to decide what would happen to me. He could send me back to my pack, send me to the council, or kill me himself.

I would rather he send me to council or kill me. It’s not that I hated my pack, but everything and everyone there reminded me of the family I lost. The day after the pack moved in, I quit my job at the diner in town. I had the money I saved from the job, plus the thirty thousand that I brought with me. Slipping my apartment key into the drop box, I take my bag and make my way out of town.

I knew that I shouldn’t run again, but I didn’t want to want to be sent back to Evan at least not yet. The mate bond between wolves allowed the other to feel when their mate was in trouble, worried, in pain or when they were cheating. The pain started out as a dull ache in your heart, and most would think it was just heartburn. But as your mate and the other get more intimate, the pain would like a hot iron being shoved into your chest.

Over the past five years, that searing pain would increase to where I felt it almost every night. But not once did I cheat on Evan. I wasn’t that kind of woman. My mother had taught me that cheating on your mate was never acceptable, no matter what he or she had done. No matter what Evan did to me, I would not dishonor my mother’s memory by sleeping with another.

My father used to tell me a myth about the first werewolves. It was said that they had the ability to shift into any living thing they desired to. But as the years passed, they slowly lost that ability. But that’s not true. Since we were taught to think that we lost that part of us, no one tried to see if it couldn’t be done. With the help of Aria, I was able to shift into a four other animals: a dog, a cheetah, a tiger and a jaguar. I could make myself appear as a just a pup or as a full grown animal of each of them as well as my wolf.

Walking through the forest outside of town, I was met with several voices heading my way. Slipping into a small hidden cave, I made sure that my scent was hidden. As they came closer, I made sure that my heartbeat couldn’t be heard. “Alpha, the scouts were sure that only humans lived in this town. We didn’t catch any scent beside humans.”

“That’s good. We still need to stay hidden from sight until we manage to make this town one hundred percent ours. It would be a disaster for them if they were to find out the truth about us.” They come to a stop just right outside of where I was hiding. “There’s something else you should know sir.”

“And what’s that?”

“In town yesterday, several of the scouts noticed a woman about 22-23 that didn’t seem to belong. They asked around about her and they found out that she showed up five years ago. She was found just outside of town during a bad snow storm. A normal human would have froze to death…”

“And you believe that she’s a were?”

“Yes sir I do. I went to the apartment she was living in, but when I got there, she had already left. It could be that she’s a late shifter or she has an animal but can’t shift. Those are the only reasons I can think of as why she smells human.” The alpha laughs softly and I could hear Aria laughing as well. “You’ve over looked another reason.”

“And what would that be Alpha?” The man asked. I pegged him as either a guard or shield. “This young lady could be a shifter who is hiding from her mate or her pack. Our animals can teach us many things, including how to mask your scent. Tell the guards to keep an eye out for her and when they find her bring her to me. I’d like to see this woman.”

They move away and I let out a sigh of relief. As I moved to step out of my hiding place, Aria stopped me. Tina, they’ll be looking for you. We need to shift if we’re to get out of here without them finding us.

You’re right Aria. I’ll shift into a dog before leaving the cave. You’ll have to help block my mind if we run into any of the pack. Five years away from any of our kind is a long time. I picture myself shifting into a Shiloh Shepherd. Seconds later, I grabbed my bag between my teeth. Before stepping out of my hiding place, I made sure that my scent was that of a Shiloh Shepherd and that Aria was blocking my mind. I made it to the border without running into any guards, but before I could cross it, a deep threatening growl sounded behind me. Turning around, I watched as the alpha and several warriors and guards slipped out for the woods. This would be a tough one to get out off.

The alpha shifted and walked towards me, along with three of the warriors. “Shift!” He demands, but I just tilt my head and whine at him. “Alpha,” one of the warriors speaks, “Maybe it’s just a normal dog. We’ve never heard of a were-dog before.” The alpha looks at me again, and I whine softly. One of the warriors steps towards me.

“Sit.” He commands, his voice a tad bit softer than the alpha’s. Before any of them could blink, I sat down and barked at them. “Well, I’ll be…” The alpha says softly. I could tell he got an idea because his eyes light up. “Come here.” His voice softened as he squatted down. I walk towards him slowly, eyeing the others beside them.

“He sure is a beaut isn’t he alpha?” I growl softly at him as the alpha slowly petted me on the head. The alpha chuckled and stood up. “I think he is actually a she.” I bark once and they laugh. The warrior closet to us stepped forward like he was going to pet me. I step back and growl softly at him. My growl didn’t faze him however, so when he kept reaching towards me, I snapped at his hand. He drew it back quickly as the alpha laughed.

They turned and started walking back into the woods. The alpha looked at me and started walking with them. I whined softly and he faces me. “Heel.” He says and I race towards him. As his laughter filled the air, his men turned to see what he was laughing about. “I tell you now Alpha, that dog is a one man dog that’s for sure.” I bark softly at the man and move closer to the alpha. He reached for my bag, but I jerked my head away.

He reached for it again, but I kept my head out of his reach. As we slowly made our way back to their pack house, the alpha was trying to figure out a name for me. At each of his suggestions, I would snort or shake my head no. When he was just about out of names, I spotted a Aria growing in front of us. I trot over to it and bark. He came over and kneeled beside me. “Your name’s Aria?” He asked quietly and I bark several times.

The next several months passed by so quickly that I almost lost track of time. At night, when everyone in the pack house was asleep, I would shift back to my human form, take a bath and eat. Then I would shift into my wolf and go for a run, while making sure I kept my scent hidden. I almost got caught once, but with Aria’s help, I managed to stay undetected. The pack children fell in love with the dog form, so I allowed them to touch and pet me. But if any of the grownups tried to touch me, I’d growl softly at them. Only the alpha, Allen, and the children were allowed to touch me.

Allen would spend his mornings in his office, and then he would travel around the pack checking on the members and making sure they were doing fine. He would allow me to go with him for the most part, but there were days when he made me stay behind. On those days, I would play with the pups. My bag was well hidden in his room.

More months passed by in what seemed a blink of an eye. My sixth year in Rollins found me living with the Lost River pack as their pack pet. I knew that I needed to start training again, but I wasn’t willing to take the risk of being found. That was until I found a hidden cave behind the waterfall. It took me several weeks to some of the equipment from the gym to the cave without being caught. Once I had enough equipment in my hidden spot, I would go there at night and start to train again.

In my head I could hear my dad coaching me again. It made me smile and slowly the ache I felt with them not being here with me start to fade. The warriors complained about the missing equipment, but Allen just bought them replacements. Each night that I trained, I felt myself getting stronger. I needed to work on my wolf as well, but at the moment I couldn’t risk it. Two weeks after I started training again I was lying in Allen’s office listening to him talk on the phone.

I wasn’t paying any attention to his conversation until I heard a familiar name. “That’ll be fine Evan. My pack and I will be expecting you and your men next month then.” I growled softly and Allen turned his head to look at me confused. After he hung up, he walked over to me and kneeled beside me. “What’s wrong Aria?” He asks softly running his hand behind my ears.

I tilt my head sideways and whine softly. “Don’t worry girl. I’ll let them know that they can’t bother you. If they do, you have my permission to bite them.” When I barked, he chuckled and walked out of the room. Sighing, I stand up and follow him. I found him in the kitchen taking a steak out of the fridge. “Would you like one Aria?” He asked looking at me. I whine and bark at him. Laughing, he pulled a second one out. After my lunch, I made my way to the door and whine. Allen lets me out but tells me not to stay gone for long.

I left the house in a run. I was planning on going to the cave and workout a little bit, but my plans changed. Halfway to the cave, a deep hot pain flashed through my body. I collapsed on the ground, yelping and howling loudly. Aria, what’s happening?

Our mate’s marked another. She said sadly before going to the back of my mind. As the pain got hotter, I let out a blood curling howl before letting the oncoming darkness take me under. The last thing that registered in my thoughts was Allen’s face as he ran towards me. Two hours later I awoke on a bed in the pack’s hospital. Looking around quickly, I realized I was no longer a Shiloh Shepherd. I was lying there as a human. The oncoming voices caught my attention. Closing my eyes, I act like I was still asleep.

Allen and the pack doctor walked in my room and kept their voices normal. “Will she be alright Doc?”

“I’m sure she will be Alpha. Though I can’t fathom out how she can shift into a dog. That’s impossible.”

“Well, since I saw her shift from a dog to a human, I’d say it’s not impossible. Did you find out what was wrong with her?”

“Physically there’s nothing wrong with her; she’s in perfect shape. But I think I know what was wrong with her.”

“Well spit it out Doc.” I almost laughed at the sound of impatience in his voice. Allen was never one for beating around the bush. “It’s my belief that her mate marked another. That’s the only thing that can explain everything you described when you found her sir.”

“That means she has met him and he or she rejected the other.”

“Correct Alpha, though I can’t see why anyone would reject her.” The doctor adds softly and I could feel his eyes on my face. I move slightly and moan. Both of them rush to my side and I felt Allen take my hand. “Aria, are you alright? Aria?” Opening my eyes slowly, I blink and look around.

When my eyes land on them, I sit up and back away from them. Allen slowly removes his hand from mine. “Aria, it’s me Allen. We’re not going to hurt you. We’re worried about you girl.” A shy smile makes it way on my lips. “I know.” I say softly looking at them. The doctor was almost bursting with excitement and questions. But Allen made him leave the room. Before he made it to the door I spoke again. “Doc, I’ll answer any questions you have later alright?”

The way his face lit up made me smile. The smile stayed on my face until he slipped out of the door. Now that I was alone with Allen, I felt nervous. Keeping my eyes glued on my hands, I stayed quiet deciding to let him start the conversation first. “Is Aria even your name?”

“Aria is the name of my wolf. My name is Tina.” I wasn’t about to tell him my full name. He only knew me as Aria, the dog. I trusted him, but that was when I was a dog. But now as a human, I wasn’t so sure. “If you’re a wolf, how can you shift into a dog?” I glance up at him before looking back down. “Every wolf has the ability to shift into anything they wish too. At the moment, I can shift into several animals. It just takes practice and lots of time. We’ve been taught that wolves lost that ability a long time ago, but it isn’t true.” Allen took a seat beside my bed and leaned back.

“Why are you living as a rouge? Doesn’t your family and pack miss you? Your mate?”

“I’m living as a rouge because my mate rejected me. My father was Beta of our pack, but I lost both him and my mother during a pack war when I was fifteen. The Alpha and his family took me in, but he didn’t treat me the same. Neither did his children. Only the Luna treated me as family. I was the best unshifted fighter in the entire pack, but I was never allowed to fight.” I sigh softly and look at the wall.

“I was only eighteen when I found my mate. But by then, my parents had been dead for three years, and I wasn’t the same person I used to be. I still trained and I was still our best fighter, but I was withdrawn and quiet. I only spoke to others when they spoke first. And because of that my mate, the future alpha of my pack, rejected me. In his eyes I was weak and unfit to be Luna.

“Over the six years I’ve been gone from my pack, I’ve felt it every time he slept with another femme. Over time, I was able to hide the pain it caused. But I wasn’t expecting him to mark another. That pain was ten times worse than anything I ever felt in my life.” I stop talking and pick up the cup of water sitting beside my bed. Allen was quiet, but I could tell that he listened to every word I said.

“When I ran, I didn’t stop until I found a town that didn’t have a single wolf in it; Rollins. Life for me was going fine those first years here. Then your pack moved in and I knew that it wouldn’t be long until I slipped up and y’all found me. I didn’t want to be shipped back to my pack because I didn’t want to face him. But now it doesn’t matter.”

“And why’s that Tami?” Allen asked softly, his voice still kind and caring. Turning to face him, I give him a weak smile. “It doesn’t matter anymore because in a month’s time, he’ll be here to see you.”

“Evan Woods?” Surprised filled his eyes as he looked at me. I laughed but it sounded bitter to me. “That’s the one. I doubt that I would have your permission to be gone by the time he gets here huh?”

“I won’t let you leave Tami. I’ve grown accustomed to having you around.” He smiles at me and sits up. “But, I will grant you permission to find a place to stay for the week that he’ll be here if you’d rather not see him.” I bow my head in respect. “Thank you Alpha. I have the perfect place in mind.”

“Just call me Allen, Tami. We’re friends aren’t we?” Nodding slowly, his smile grows. “Now, I have a question for you Tami. And you don’t have to answer right away. Would you like to become a member of the Lost River pack?” Looking him, I notice that he wanted me to join. Aria, do you think we should?

I don’t see why not Tina. Evan made it clear that he doesn’t want us anymore. As long as we stay clear of Evan and anyone from that pack, we should be good.

I’m sorry he rejected you because of me Aria.

It’s not your fault girl. He couldn’t see that you were still mourning the loss of your parents. I smile mentally at her and look back at Allen. “We’d like that Allen.” I say softly. “What’s your full name Tina?”

“Tina Bell Watson.”

“Do you, Tina Bell Watson, pledge your allegiance and loyalty to the Lost River pack until death? Do you pledge to defend the pack against any threat made against us?”

“I do pledge.” Instantly, I felt the bond snap into place. The wolves that were using the bond to speak to others sounded like whispers, but I could easily block them out. “Thanks for taking me in Allen.” I say as sleep started to claim me. Allen stands up and places a soft kiss on my head. As he left, he said, “I’d do it all over in a heartbeat Tina.” And for the first time in six years, I felt at peace with myself as I drifted off to sleep.

The pack spent the next month getting ready for Evan’s arrival. Everyone that is except for me, I spent my time training both my human and wolf form. Allen helped me move the gym equipment back into the gym, and he had his two best warriors help me train. It was grueling and hard work, but I honestly loved it. Once the pack heard my story, though Allen edited most of it, they accepted me as well with open arms. Allen didn’t tell them that my ex-mate was Evan Woods.

The day before he was to arrive, I packed a couple of bags with everything I would need to last me a week. I made sure that Allen would make sure my scent was nowhere in the house once I left. Walking out of the door, I turned and faced Allen. “If you need me for anything, just holler. I’ll be here in seconds.” I jogged to my secret spot and started to unpack most of my things.

I had brought a huge sleeping blanket and a few blankets to place under it, along with my pillow. In my bag where clothes, shoes, my iPod, a sketch pad and several books as well as my hair brush, tooth brush and tooth paste. In the other bag was enough food to last a month, but considering how much we werewolves eat, by the time Evan and his men left, I’d be just about out of food.

That night, I didn’t sleep well. I was Allen’s best warrior, but the pack also saw me as his personal shield. The cover story he told the pack was that he sent me on a secret mission for him and that I would be back in a week or two. It was late that night when I went to sleep so I slept in. By the time I awoke, Evan and his warriors were just pulling into the pack yard. Listening to some of the conversations my pack was having, I could tell that he didn’t change.

A sudden idea climbs into my brain. An idea that Allen would call reckless started to flash before my eyes. Picturing a small bird in my mind, I felt my body shift smaller and smaller until I was a sparrow. It took me two hours to get used to the new form, and another two hours to get the hang of flying. Making sure my scent was hidden; I flew out of the cave and started towards the pack house. I wanted to see him just once; mainly for Aria than myself. It was just a five minute flight instead of the thirty minute jog back to the house and I loved it. Aria wasn’t too keen about the distance from us to the ground however.

Landing on a tree pretty close to the house, I scan the crowd for Evan. The leaves on the branch hid me well, but I had a good line of sight. When we finally spotted him, Aria yipped with happiness, but she stopped the second we saw the femme on his arm. It was the she-wolf that bore his mark, the mark that should have been mine. She was beautiful, there was no denying that. Deciding that we’d seen enough, I take off heading back to my cave. He had chosen who he wanted by his side as his mate and Luna, and I wasn’t going to try and change that. It was his choice after all, and he didn’t choose me.

As I flew back towards the cave, three figures caught my eyes. Rouges! And they were trying to sneak onto our land. Glancing around, I couldn’t see any guards around. Sighing softly, I fly into the forest and shift into my wolf. Racing towards them, I wait until the first one crossed the border before attacking them. They weren’t much of fighters, but they didn’t give up easily. But still, within minutes the first two were dead. The third rouge was tougher. We fought hard, dealing blow after blow, bite after bite. He finally made a mistake and I lunged, snapping his neck in two. Throwing their bodies back across the border, I start to walk back to the cave.

I didn’t realize I had lost a good amount of blood by the time I slipped into my temporary home. Once I found my first aid kit, I cleaned my wounds the best I could and then climbed into my sleeping bag. The last thought I had before I lost all thought was that I should have showed Allen where I planned on staying just in case something happened to me.

In the back of my mind, I could hear Allen’s voice yelling. He sounded so scared and worried, but for some reason, I didn’t have enough strength to answer him. Once in a while I could make out my name in the pack chatter, but again I was too weak to answer them. I could feel both Aria and myself fighting whatever was wrong with us, but we seemed to be losing the battle.

The darker it became around me, the weaker I seemed to be able to fight. The voices of my pack became farther and farther from me until I almost couldn’t hear them. There were times that I wanted to stop fighting and give up to the darkness completely, but Aria wouldn’t let me. As I walked through the darkness, I spotted an open field before me. Stumbling into it, I froze when I saw both Allen and Evan facing each other. I watched as they both shifted to their wolves and started to circle each other.

As they lunged at each other, they disappear. Confused, I look around until I see a woman standing in the distance. Running towards her, I gasped as I got closer. “Mom?” She turns around and smiles at me. “Ah, my dear Tina. I’ve missed you so much.” She wraps her arms around me and I hear myself crying. “Alpha should have let me fight with you and dad. If I was there, then I would have been able to protect both of y’all. I wouldn’t be left alone.”

“Shh, baby girl. It’s not your fault. It was just our time to go. If Woods would have allowed you to fight that day, you would have been killed as well. Then you wouldn’t have met your mate.”

“Mom, I think I’d rather be with you and dad. My mate rejected me because I didn’t shift when everyone else did. He cheated almost every night and he finally marked someone else. What do I have to live for now? Allen and his pack took me in and their almost like family. I want what you and dad had, but there’s no chance now.” Mom sighs softly and looks down at me.

“Tina, I want you to listen to me and listen well. You were meant to be a warrior. I know you had your heart set on taking your father’s place as Beta when he stepped down, but deep down inside of you, you knew that you place was with the fighters. That’s why you excelled in the training. And your mate shouldn’t have rejected you. Everyone has their off moments, and losing us was yours. Who is he, your mate?”

“Evan.” I answer softly, turning my eyes to the ground. My mom lets out a happy squeal, but it stops after a few seconds. “You’re the future Luna of the Newmoon Pack. I’m so happy for you.” Stepping backwards I look at my mom. “I was the future Luna Mom. But not anymore, not since he rejected me, marked and mated another.”

“You accepted his rejection?” I could hear the disbelief in her voice. Mom and Dad raised me to think that rejecting your mate was the worst thing to do. She was wrong. Rejecting them and then cheating continuously was the worst thing you could do to your mate. “Yes I did. If I hadn’t accepted his rejection, I would have died the moment he chose another as his mate.”

“I’m sorry Tina, I really am. Your father and I always thought that would never happen to our little girl.” Seeing the sadden look in my mother’s eyes almost broke my heart again. “Don’t worry about it Mom. I’m fine now. Aria and I saw him with his new mate and he looked happy. That’s all that matters to us…So, where are we?”

“This,” my mom says gesturing around us,” Is Limbo. You’re halfway between death and life. You must fight Tina, you must live. It isn’t your time to die just yet. Your pack’s on the way to get you right now. Just keep fighting until they get to you.” With that my mother disappeared and I was left in the darkness. But I noticed that the voices of my pack were once again sounding louder. They were coming for me, but would they reach me in time to save me?

My eyes flutter open and I see that I’m back in the hospital room. Hearing a soft snore, I turn to my left and I smile when I see Allen sleeping in the chair beside me. As I take in his appearance, I felt ashamed. It was my fault my alpha and my friend looked like he hadn’t slept in a month. “Allen.” I call softly and he stirs a little. “Allen, wake up please.” I raise my voice just a bit and that was enough to wake him.

He looks around the room confused for a minute until his eyes land on me. Jumping to his feet, he rushes over to the bed. “Tami, you’re awake. Oh, thank the goddess.”

“It’s good to see you to Allen. But, I have a quick question. How in the world did I get here? The last thing I remember was slipping into my sleeping bag.” Allen looks away and rubs his neck. He stands up and starts pacing in front of me. “Doc said that you received the wounds the day Evan came. We didn’t find the bodies of the rouges until the day he left, and it took us almost two weeks to find you.

“You were in that cave for three weeks. By the time we found you, you were almost dead. And for a while, it was touch and go. There were many times I feared we would lose you. When you didn’t come home after I sent a link to you telling you that they were gone, I just thought that you were off having fun or something. It took me three days before I knew something was wrong.” He stopped speaking and looked at me.

“I’m sorry we didn’t find you sooner Tami.” I shake my head at him slowly. “Don’t. Don’t blame yourself Allen. I should have showed you or one of the pack members where I planned on staying until they were gone. What happened to me was my fault.”

“It’s Doc belief that one of the rouges you fought managed to poison you somehow with wolfsbane. One of the elders remembered the cave that had the hidden room and I sent four of the warriors to check it out while the rest of us double checked everywhere else. When they told me that they had found you, but you were almost dead, I felt like I could have lost it.” I give him a soft smile. “It wasn’t my time to go just yet. How much longer do I have to stay in the hospital?”

Allen shrugs slowly. “You’ll stay as long as Doc says you have too. Not only are you my best fighter, you’re my best friend and I don’t want to see you die.” Laughing softly, I lay my head back on the pillow. “I’ll stay in this bed however long Doc says I have to if you go eat something and go to sleep. I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but Allen you look like crap.” He laughs and sticks his tongue at me. “It’s a deal.”

“Good. Now go.” I say pointing to the door. He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “I’m going, I’m going.” I keep a smile on my face until he leaves the room. Turning to face the wall, I feel a tear slip down my cheek as the all too familiar burn in my chest raged on. And at that moment, I hated Evan. But that hate, I knew, would go away the instant I saw him again.

The doctor made me stay in that bed for two weeks. Allen would come and see me when his duties weren’t to pressing, but that wasn’t often. By the time I was given a clean bill of health, I felt like I was going to go stir crazy if I had to stay one more day. Making my way to my room, I tried to ignore the faded, yet tantalizing scent that still lingered in the house. As I walked into my room, I realized that his scent was everywhere in my room. Sitting on my bed, I link with Allen.

So, where you going to tell me that you gave him my room?

I was, I promise Tami. But it just slipped my mind. I’m sorry.

Don’t worry Allen. Just send someone to me with some of that scent eliminating spray. Even though it’s faint, it’s hurting both Aria and me.

They’re on their way. How about the two of us go for some ice cream while they descent your room?

That sounds like a plan to me Allen. I’ll meet you at the car. We cut the link and I race down the stairs. I hear him running behind me but I just laugh. We spent the entire afternoon in town. I knew he was trying to get my mind off of Evan, and it worked until we got back to the pack house and I was alone.

Sitting on my bed, I let my thoughts wonder back to my old pack. Luna Woods was like a second mother to me, but she was the only one I missed from there. I longed to see her again, but that would involve seeing Alpha Woods as well. After all these years, I no longer held a grudge against him, but I wasn’t ready to face him just yet.

Sighing softly, I grab a pair of pjs and made my way to my bathroom. I strip and look at my body. My wounds had healed, but I could tell I would have scars for the rest of my life. Stepping into the shower, I let out a sigh as the hot water started to relax me. Drying off, I slip into a pair of shorts and a tank top. Stepping out of my room, I hurry to the game room. Locking the door behind me, I turn on the Xbox and the screen. Flipping through the games, I pull out COD and put it in. For the next few hours, I buried myself in the game.

Three Months Later

As I hurried out of the house, I wondered what was eating at Allen. I noticed that the two past weeks, something had been bothering him something bad. But he wouldn’t talk about it with me, so I stopped asking. Shifting into my wolf, I take off for a run around the border. My seventh year here in Rollins was almost here and for some reason, both Aria and I were growing restless. She wanted to move on, but I wasn’t sure.

As I reached my full stride, my mind began to drift. Allen had been avoiding me and it hurt me, though I didn’t let on. Racing past a few guards, I barked softly when they nodded at me. I spent two hours walking the borders, but they were uneventful. Stopping by the lake near my cave, I take several deep swallows of the clear, cold water.

Feeling bored, I decide to see if Allen could hang out with me today. Allen, do you want to go see a movie in town today?

No. He snaps at me. I huff and drop the link. Walking into the cave, I shift and slip into a change of clothes. Lying on the ground staring at the sky, I start talking to my wolf. If we left, where would we go Aria? I don’t think I could stand to go back and watch our mate with someone else.

We could go to the council and ask to be put in the assassin training or we could ask to become one of the Alpha King’s warriors. Either one would be better than the other choices we have. Sitting up, I chuckle softly. I think we’d do better as a warrior for the King than as a Council Assassin.

So do I Tina. I think it’s best if we leave today. Jumping to my feet, I quickly make my way to the pack house making sure to avoid everyone. As I made my way past Allen’s office, I freeze when I hear Evan’s voice. Looking around the door, I see Allen staring out the window and his phone lay on the desk. He must have it on speaker.

“She’ll be here when you come tomorrow, I promise Woods. It’ll be up to her if she’d want to train your warriors or not.”

“She’s my mate Allen; of course she’d want to help her old friends become better fighters.”

“She’s your ex-mate Woods. And she’s not the same girl you once knew when she was part of your pack.” I couldn’t listen anymore. Running up the stairs I rush into my room and pull my bag from under the bed. It only took me exactly twenty minutes to wipe my room clean of any sign that I had been there. Locking my door, I open my window and climb out onto the ledge before pulling it back shut.

The last stop I made before heading to the border was to the cave. I had to make sure it was wiped clean as well. Whispering a goodbye towards the pack house, I jog across the pack’s territory line and felt our connection break. Shifting into a black jaguar, I race through the forest. And my destination was the council pack; just over two hundred miles away in Helena.

It took me almost a week, stopping here and there when I was tired or hungry, to get there. Most of the Alpha King’s warriors and guards were selected by the council members from every state. But there were some who the King himself chose, though it wasn’t often for him to do so. By the time I reached the city limits of Helena, I was back in my wolf form.

As I stepped out of the woods, I was met by four of the toughest guards I’d ever seen in my life. Shifting back behind a tree, I quickly pull on some clothes. “State your business rouge.” Keeping my head bowed as a sign of respect, I answer softly. “I’m here to apply for a position as one of the King’s warriors.” One of them started laughing loudly, and I had to fight my wolf to keep my head bowed.

“You? A weak femme wolf wants to be a warrior for the King? Don’t you know girl that it takes strong fighters to be accepted into his pack?” I knew that he was taunting me, trying to get a rise out of me. Keeping my tone respectful, I speak. “I can hold my own in a fight sir.” After several tense minutes, they tell me to follow them. Picking up my bag, I follow them to a car. Slipping into the backseat, I stay quiet during the drive. I could feel their eyes on me, but I kept my either looking out the window or glued onto my hands.

The car came to a stop outside of a huge route iron fence. The gate had a wolf howling at the moon. After the driver spoke to the guard, the gate swung open and we drove through. When the council house came into view, I felt my jaw drop. It was huge; it had to be the second largest pack house ever built. When I heard the guards laughing at my expression, I quickly close my mouth and make my face blank.

They stop the car and get out. Getting out of the car, I immediately sense the guards that are hiding around the house. Taking a deep breath, I counted thirty-five different wolves. Wait, make that thirty-seven. There were two snipers on the roof. Falling in step with the four wolves, we make our way to the steps. Speaking softly to where only the four around me could hear, I say, “Could you tell your two snipers on the roof that they don’t have to point their guns at me. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”

You could feel the shock and bewilderment rolling off of them. The two guards in front of me stop and spin around fast, causing me to jump back to stop myself from running into them. “How in the world did you know they were there?”

“There are thirty-five guards on the found and the two snipers on the roof. Their scents are faint but still there.”

“What in the world?” One mutters as we resume our walk to the house. “No one’s ever been able to tell we had snipers on the roof. No one.” I wanted to laugh, but I knew it wouldn’t be right to. We step into the house and three of the head in different directions. I look at the one standing before me and he motions for me to follow him. As we made our way deeper in to the house, I heard my name being called behind me. The guard didn’t stop so neither did I. Before he could open the door in front of us a growl thunders through the hall. We spin around and my eyes widen in surprise.

Striding towards us was the only family I had left in this world; my uncle. The uncle that I hated because he called my parents fools for staying with the Newmoon Pack and for refusing to take me in after they died. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite niece Tina.” He says as he stops before me. My guard bows his head at my uncle but I just glare at him. “Uncle.” I say softly, forcing the word out. He gasps softly and holds a hand where his heart was.

“Why all the angry towards me Tina? We’re family.” My uncle smirks at me and before I could stop it, a deep growl slips from my lips. “We may be family yes Uncle. But as far as I’m concerned, family doesn’t abandon family when they need help. Especially after they experienced a major loss in their life.” I almost laughed at the look that flittered across his face. My guard was looking from me to my uncle in awe. I knew that he wasn’t used to hearing anyone speak back to an ex-council member before.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us sir, I have somewhere I need to be.” I turn around and walk through the door right behind the guard. He takes me to a large room and tells me to sit in a chair facing a small stage. Then he leaves. I wasn’t seated for more than ten minutes before I heard a door opening. Jumping to my feet, I stand at attention, my face void of any emotion and my eyes glued on the picture of the Alpha King hanging on the wall. The five setting councilmen walk in and take their seats. “At ease.” One of them commands and I relax my stance.

“Now, we’ll start by you stating your name, the pack or packs you belonged to and your reason for being here today.”

“My name is Tina Bell Watson. I was born into the Newmoon Pack pack and I was there until my mate rejected me. For the past year and a half, I’ve been part of the Lost River pack that just moved into Rollins. And I am here today to as the council to be granted a place in the King’s warriors.” They stared at me as I finished my speech, but I didn’t move.

I was 5 foot 11 inches and weighted in at 165 pounds. My hair was black, short and curly. I held myself with respect and honor, and anyone could see the strength in my body. But I knew that there were few femme warriors, and I knew that they would judge me a lot tougher than they would if I was a male. “And what of your family? What do they think of your decision?”

“My parents died several years ago in a war between the Newmoon Pack and one of their enemies. The only living family I have left is an uncle. We don’t see eye to eye.”

“If your mate, ex-mate, where to be leading an attack on the King and he had him corned, what would you do? This came from the first councilmen that walked in. Looking him in the eye for a brief second, I let them go back to the painting. “With all due respect sir, I’d protect the King with my life. And if that meant I would have to take the life of my ex-mate in order to make sure the King was safe, then that’s what I would do.” They stood and I moved back to attention. “Ms. Watson, you’ll follow Councilman Chambers here. We have one more test for you to pass in order to be allowed into the King’s warriors.” Bowing my head in respect, I fall in step with the councilman. He leads me outside and into an arena. I watch as he joins the others outside the circle. I had a gut feeling that this little test would be a lot tougher to pass.