Page 37 of Fated to the Rogue

My caramel blonde she-wolf started fiercely kicking her opponent with her hind legs, opening large, deep cuts with her sharp claws. The pain seemed to distract Breno’s wolf, causing him to release Dawn’s neck. She immediately pivoted and kicked, sending him away from her. Even angrier than before, the male wolf lunged at her again. Swiftly, she dove underneath him, successfully dodging his attack and sinking her teeth into his underbelly.

The male wolf let out a painful howl as blood poured from his open bites, but Dawn didn’t stop there. With impressive strength, she knocked her opponent down. Before he even had a chance to react, she went straight for his jugular. My she-wolf only allowed him a second to look into his eyes, and judging by the fear I saw in them, I noticed he had realized his mistake.

Without hesitation, she snapped her jaws shut, offering him a quick death.

The loud crack of the creature’s neck being broken was the last sound I heard before the world went completely silent. I could see a pool of blood forming around Dawn’s paws, drops of crimson splashing onto her fur as she let the corpse fall to the floor. It was tough to watch Breno’s body transform back into his human form one last time, knowing I had taken his life.

“It’s part of our harsh reality. In doing so, you spared everyone else.” Dawn’s words offered me a little bit of comfort. “I’ll leave the rest to you.”

My she-wolf gave me back control, and I held onto it. Just then, my Beta stepped closer to offer me a robe. I put it on and took a few more breaths to straighten out my own thoughts before continuing what I had come here to do.

“I am a merciful Alpha, as I have proven both by allowing Ryder to live, and by granting Beta Breno a painless departure…” I addressed the crowd again. This time, when I looked into their eyes, I couldn’t find distrust in them anymore. “But I do not take disrespect lightly. Submit to me now, and I promise to take care of every single one of you. You will live an honorable life at Wind Howlers; you will lack nothing.”

At first, the wolves remained silent. It didn’t take long before, one by one, they all dropped to one knee in front of me. Lastly, the Gamma did the same. If I had been shaken a minute ago, I was now filled with pride again. It was a powerful sight to see.

The Elder nodded his head as he approached me, and together, we performed the ritual to unite the two packs. It was very similar to a joining ceremony, only it took more of my energy. Once it was done, I could feel the magical bond forming between me and the new wolves.

“Silent Rivers no longer exists,” I announced calmly, acknowledging the fact myself. As I raised my head, I raised my voice too. “You are now members of Wind Howlers. Together, we will thrive!”

“Yes, Alpha!” they all replied in unison, lowering their heads to bare their necks in submission.

“Good job, man.” My best friend smiled proudly at me.

And with that, we were ready to return home.

???

“It’s almost time… Happy birthday, kid!” Malin cooed, smacking Zach’s head.

After the stressful event at the former Silent Rivers territory, we rode back to Wind Howlers, where I was congratulated by my parents and scolded by the pack doctor. As he had warned me, the wound in my chest had opened during the fight, and he had to stitch it back up again, as well as tend to my new injuries. He reinforced how important it was for me to rest so Dawn could heal our body, and this time, I had every intention of listening to him.

With the recent union between the two packs, there was a lot I needed to take care of, but everyone encouraged me to put it off at least until the next morning. I didn’t have the physical or mental strength to fight them. So, I hopped into my gold Ferrari with my boys, and we headed to the waterfall to wait for Zach’s first shift.

“Ouch!” my Gamma complained. “And what do you mean ‘kid’? I’m only a few months younger than you! Shit, I’m less than two weeks younger than Zephyr.” He frowned.

“No wolf, still a kid,” my Beta joked, leaving our friend even more furious. I could see his face turning red with rage, so I stepped in to prevent bloodshed.

“Let’s calm down, alright? There’s been enough murder today.”

“There can never be enough murder. Especially not as long as this public nuisance is around!” Zach argued, making Malin laugh.

“Why are you so mad, Lame Eagle?”

“Okay, look here!” I caught their attention by holding up a glistening bottle in my hands.

“Is that Hennessy?!” My best friend’s eyes widened with amusement when he saw the whiskey in my hands.

“Yeah. It was my birthday gift, and it’s time for me to pass it on to the next shifter.” I kneeled dramatically, handing the bottle to Zach.

“You two are the dumbest people I know.” My Gamma rolled his eyes, but I could see the hint of a smile crossing his face. “Come on, let’s get this over with.” To my surprise, he grabbed the liquor from my hands. “I only have a few more minutes ‘til I’m cursed with an annoying drooling dog. Might as well drink my sorrows away while I have time.”

Following his lead, we started drinking and talking away. When there were only 15 seconds left before Zach’s official birth time, he dove among the crashing waves in only his shorts while Malin and I started a countdown. Werewolves were magic beings, and getting our counterparts was just like a spell - that’s why we all shifted at the same exact time we turned 18. And, as soon as my Gamma’s time was up, his beast jumped out of the sea.

My youngest friend’s wolf was quite intimidating, with spiky fur that was mainly dark gray, and his piercing gaze. Despite his human’s heterochromia, both his eyes were a light shade of gold that glowed as intensely as the moonlight. His tail was definitely shorter than most wolves’, and also spikier. His black muzzle had an arrow marking between his eyes pointing towards his forehead that looked similar to a crow’s beak.

“Dude, your wolf looks sick!” Malin’s mouth was wide open.

“Not bad at all,” I agreed, laughing. “Ask him what’s his wolf name!” I punched my best friend, already used to the fact that I couldn’t mindlink anyone.

---