Page 2 of Fated to the Rogue

As the heir to the Wind Howlers Pack, I was supposed to stay in the back and watch how the hunters worked together so I could learn how to lead them. After a lifetime of training, I was done observing. In the next 24 hours, I would turn 18 and officially step in as Alpha; it was about time I became more proactive.

Even though I hadn’t gotten my wolf yet, I could hear better, see further, and run faster than a human. I’d had my heightened senses for a couple of months, but they were even sharper now since they enhanced as shifters neared the moment their counterparts would awaken.

My plan was a bit reckless, but I knew what I was doing. We had located a herd of deer, and judging by how strong their scent was, they couldn’t be more than 200 meters away. The Beta wanted us to carefully work our way around them until they were surrounded on all sides, but the longer we waited, the higher the chances of our prey noticing our presence.

I had a better idea.

Using my enhanced speed, I easily dodged the trees in the shortcut I had taken. The wolves were too big to navigate through the obstacles in the path, but in human form, I had no trouble with it. The only problem was that deer were highly sensitive creatures. With how fast I was moving, my feet barely touched the ground. I doubt they would hear me, but they should be able to smell me, just like I did them.

Thankfully, the wolves of Wind Howlers were known for our signature strategy - using the breeze to mask our scent.

It was almost natural for us. Of course, we trained and perfected our unique skills as we aged, but even pups felt a strong connection with the wind and the sky, which is why outsiders often referred to us as “soaring wolves.” Without thinking, I quickly identified which way the wind was blowing. Running directly against it allowed me to not give away my scent. Not before my mission was accomplished, anyway.

I couldn’t tell if I had been running faster than the hunters, or if they had simply stopped a few feet away from the herd to avoid scaring them. Either way, I had successfully gotten around our prey and ended up exactly where I wanted - right behind them. One of the deer lifted its head, probably sensing the danger, but it was too late.

“Owoooooooo!” I mimicked a wolf’s howl, placing both hands around my mouth as I lifted my head to the sky to amplify the sound.

Fearful cries erupted through the herd as I scared the poor creatures. They immediately turned around and stampeded towards the opposite direction I had jumped from. When their instinct to flee kicked in, they failed to realize they were heading straight for my pack. The next second, wolves of different sizes and colors jumped from behind the trees, taking down the deers one by one until not a single one of them was left standing.

I couldn’t help the proud smile that lit up my face as the wolves howled in joy, celebrating the success of our hunt. However, that pride soon dimmed when something big stood behind me, blocking the light generated by the last golden sun rays as it set behind the cliff. Then came a muffled growl, followed by a low, intimidating voice I was very familiar with.

“Do you realize what you’ve done?”

Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I turned around to face Beta Warrick with a cocky grin. The brown-haired man was a good six inches taller than me. Thankfully, he had already gotten dressed in one of the random pairs of shorts we always leave scattered around the forest, so only his brawny upper half was exposed. Although it was common for wolf shifters to see each other naked, I appreciated not having to look at his dingle-dangle right now.

“I just secured our dinner,” I responded playfully.

His usually cool hazel eyes started turning red from his rage. “For the Light of the Crescent, Zephyr! You are the future leader of this pack! How can you be so reckless?” I opened my mouth to argue, but he went on. “Do you ever listen to a word I say?”

“Of course I do, Beta Warrick.”

“Then you should know you just got lucky today!” he roared so loudly my hair flew back. “You could have compromised the success of our hunt - or worse, gotten hurt! Without your wolf to heal you, a single kick from one of the deer would be enough to leave you crippled! How would you rule over the wolves in a wheelchair? Did you even think about that?”

I had to internally roll my eyes at how dramatic he was being. “I guess I just trusted the Goddess would protect me and my title.” My sarcastic smile only further annoyed him, causing him to frown harder. In the end, he sighed, massaging his temples as he backed away.

“Malin!”

“Yes, Beta Warrick.” In the blink of an eye, a boy my age rushed to us. That was Malin, also known as my best friend.

“You wish to be Beta after me, don’t you, son?” The older man stared intimidatingly into his eyes, almost making him freeze.

“More than anything in the world.”

“Good.” Warrick raised his head, lowering his tone just to raise it again immediately. “Then keep your Alpha in line!”

“Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir!” Malin yelped, scowling at me the second the Beta walked past us.

I shook my head at my best friend’s helpless reaction. There was nothing in the world he took more seriously than duty, but I couldn’t blame him.

Malin was the youngest out of four siblings, and the only son of two Omegas. It was almost unheard of for wolves of his rank to grow to occupy the second highest position in our hierarchy, but he was the most determined guy I knew. Because of his naturally weaker bloodline, my best friend had to work three times harder than most to stand out among our warriors.

In addition to his tireless dedication, he was also extremely loyal, a quality indispensable to any Beta. Luckily, we had been in the same class growing up, otherwise I might have never recognized his potential.

Before becoming my right-hand man, he had always been a good friend first. Funny and humble, he was someone nice to be around, and he kept my feet on the ground. Not only did he have a great personality, he had also been blessed with his looks. He somehow turned out to be as tall as Warrick, and despite not having a naturally athletic build, his intensive training made him even more muscular than the man as well. His incredibly light blond hair, almost platinum, combined with his deep forest green eyes, were a chick magnet.

She-wolves would fall for him left and right, but he always turned them down, as he was saving himself for his mate. Ever since he got his wolf six months ago, he had been searching endlessly for his one and only.

“Alright, hunters! Let’s head back to the territory.” Warrick’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

---