The Rogue's Fate
Page 3
"Start from the beginning. Where are you from and how do you know Dylan?" he asks in a steady, calming tone.
Licking my lips, I take a deep breath through my nose and my chest rises until it is full of fresh air. Holding it for a count of three, I release it through my mouth in a controlled fashion.
"Dylan and I are from the Dark Raven Pack. He's three years older, but that never mattered. We were best friends growing up, our parents said we were inseparable." I smile as fond memories flash through my mind.
I've never allowed myself to think of the past, to open Pandora's box. I am not sure why I do now, except Caiden's Alpha is a big security blanket wrapped around me.
Taking a deep breath I continue, "When Dylan turned seventeen the bond struck us—"
Caiden cocks an eyebrow. "He's older, but the bond struck you too?" he asks.
"I was fourteen. The bond struck us at the same time." His eyebrows rise, creasing his forehead into small rolls.
"The bond must be strong. Fourteen is a young age for the bond to spark,” he whispers, casting wide eyes to the ground.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I say, "Yeah, well, you can imagine what it was like to watch him date every female his age." Caiden shakes his head.
"When you find your mate, the urge to consummate the bond is strong and powerful. But you only get satisfaction from your mate. Why did he fight it?" Caiden asks.
"He said I was too young; I was only fourteen, so I agreed to stay away. Two years later I approached him again, he said I was still just a kid. I thought he was looking out for my best interest. I was so young and naive."
Laying my head on the soft couch, I stare at nothing in particular. "On my eighteenth birthday I went to him, and he rejected me in front of the Alpha and Beta." Caiden brushes a single tear from my cheek. "The Beta told Dylan that he would accept me or be cast out of the pack. Dylan said he'd leave that night."
Twitching my nose to stop the tears, my shoulders slump. "And the Alpha told him that he would accept me, or I'd be cast out too."
A sharp pain stabs my heart and a relentless ache spreads through my chest. I remember that day as if it were yesterday.
I close my eyes to stop the welling tears that threaten to fall. Taking a short breath, I continue, "Dylan said, 'not my problem'."
Against my best efforts, tears escape and stream down my face. I have never said those words out loud. Even though I have thought of that day almost every day since it happened. I’ve accepted my fate and moved past it, but nothing prepared me for the onslaught of emotions now coursing through my body from voicing those words.
Caiden’s strong arms wrap around me, and pulling me into his chest he rubs my back.
"Why would the Alpha and Beta do that?" he asks, his words trailing off to a whisper.
"We were the future Alpha and Luna of the pack. When he rejected me, he rejected the pack," I say between sniffles.
Rubbing the nape of his neck with his right hand, he tilts his head to the left and looks to me. "Dylan's never mentioned any of this," he mumbles. "Why did you leave your pack?"
Sighing, I say, "The Alpha gave Dylan too much credit. He thought Dylan's affection for me would outweigh his fear of commitment. He hoped that by putting my future, my life in danger, Dylan's wolf would kick in and take control. He was wrong.”
"And the Alpha stood by his word? Even after it backfired?" I nod and turn into his chest. "What did your parents do?"
"The Alpha was my Dad," I mutter.
“And your mom?”
“She died giving birth to me.”
“And Dylan’s parents? They stood by and did nothing?”
“Dylan’s father was the Beta." Caiden's arms tighten, and my body melts into his embrace.
"Is that the last time you saw Dylan?" he asks after several minutes of silence. Biting my lip, I nod. "What aren't you telling me, Lucinda?"
"We both left that night. I was only eighteen and scared, so I followed him. He didn't want my company, so the first group of rogues we came across, he traded me to them for safe travel through their camp." Caiden's grip tightens on my arm.
"Caiden, stop." I take his face between my hands and force him to look at me. His eyes turn solid black, and his upper fangs protrude over his lower lip.
"Please calm down. You're hurting me," I say, and jerk my arm in an attempt to free myself.
Shaking his head, he blinks several times and lets go of my arm.
His eyes widen at the red mark left on my forearm, and then he looks down at his open palms. After a few minutes his eyes drift to mine. We're only inches apart; his sweet breath warms my face and my heart flutters.
"Lucinda, I'm sorry. I'd never hurt you," he whispers in my ear.
Goosebumps ripple up my spine. I know.
Caiden leans back. Pressing his lips together, he asks, "What happened with the group of rogues?"
"I don't want to talk about it," I say. His arms tense and a vein in his forehead threatens to explode. Turning my back to him, I curl into a tight ball and watch the flames dance in the fire.
It's not that anything bad happened. I just don't want to think about those dark times. But at least one good thing happened that night: I met Cody. My throat's dry when I try to swallow and my nose twitches while I fight back the tears. I miss Cody.
***
When I open my eyes, my heart pounds in my chest and I scan the dark room for any sign of danger. Lying in bed next to me is Caiden. I must have fallen asleep on the couch.
Pressing my lips together, I swallow several times and try to calm the churning sensation in my stomach. But, she, my inner wolf, does not let me panic. She continues her steady hum, vibrating deep in my chest. It keeps the dark narrow tunnel that dances at the edge of my vision at bay. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, and then another. Her constant hum calms my heightened nerves and my body relaxes. Caiden would never hurt me. He is different from the other Alpha's I have met. But do I trust him?
"Are you okay?" Caiden asks, his breath tickling my ear.
"Yes." It is true, at the moment I am okay. I snuggle closer to him, and he responds by tightening his grip around my waist. My eyelids droop and I drift off to sleep again.
A bright light fills the room and I squint as a ray of sunshine hits my face. Sitting up, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stretch my arms above my head just as Caiden walks in.
"Good morning," he says with a smile.
"Good morning." I grin, diverting my gaze from his haunting stare. "What time is it?"
"Midmorning. As soon as you're ready we'll hit the road. I need to get back; they're complaining again."
"Are you sure I can't just stay here?" I ask, fiddling with my fingers.
"It'll be fine. Come on." Closing the distance between us, he lifts my chin forcing me to look at him. A small smile crosses his face and my heart warms. Why does he have this effect on me? I nod and stand to ready myself.
There isn’t much to pack, so we clean up from dinner the night before and make sure the coals of the fire are extinguished. And then hanging my head low, I walk toward the car that will take me back to my nightmare of a fated mate.
Standing with one foot inside the car and one out, I study the exterior of the small cabin one last time. It has become my symbol of security and protection. It is the Alpha in Caiden that calms my nerves and keeps the relentless craving for my mate at bay, and for that I am grateful. Collapsing into the front seat of the car, I close my eyes and bow my head.
"Let's get this over with." The sound of the car engine purrs in my ears.
Chapter 5
Lucinda
I gaze out the window and watch the tall evergreen trees pass by in a blur as we drive. “How long is the ride?"
"Five hours, give or take," he answers. My eyes squint and forehead tightens.
“That long?”
Caiden laughs. “I don’t like the
interstate. It takes longer on backroads.”
“So, what’s the plan when we get back? Where will I stay? Is there an apartment I can rent or something?"
"No." He glances at me. "You'll stay at the pack house." Squirming in my seat, I bite my lower lip and frown. "You're an unmarked and unclaimed rogue. I can't have you wandering around my territory unescorted." My head bobs back and forth to let him know I heard him. But I don’t agree, I can take care of myself. Most importantly, how am I supposed to find Mia if I need a babysitter?
"And until the pack votes, and formally accepts you, you need to stay close," he adds.
"Vote?" I ask. He nods.
Tapping my fingertips on my thighs, I glance out the window and scan the forest. Looking over my shoulder has become second nature.
Caiden grips the wheel and his brows crease. I study him in silence. I know that look all too well; my father had the same face whenever he received bad news. Caiden must have opened his mindlink to the pack again.
"Is everything okay?" I ask.
"Why did you come here? You told the patrol member it was a matter of life and death." He cocks an eyebrow, ignoring my question.
"I'm looking for someone." I nervously fiddle with the hem of my shirt.
"For Dylan?" he asks.
"No."
"Who?"
"A friend." Why is it so difficult for me to talk? It is true, I am looking for my friends. But that is not the life-and-death situation. I release a loud sigh and slouch in my seat.
"And does this friend have a name?"
"It's warm in here." I fan myself and crack my window, lifting my face to catch the cool breeze.
"What's the life-and-death part? If you don't find your friend, you'll die?" Caiden asks after an uncomfortable silence.
"Maybe?" I shrug my shoulders.
"These types of answers will not win over the pack," he says with a strained voice. Caiden's knuckles whiten from his stern grip on the steering wheel.
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and place my hands on the dashboard for comfort.
"I'm hoping my friend can help me with something." I look to Caiden under a veil of dark lashes. "I need to hide from someone." He nods and does not press any further on the topic.
"It's easy to get lost in the Blood Moone pack. Our territory is one of the largest; you'll be safe with me until we find your friend," he says.
The rest of the trip is peaceful. I drift in and out of sleep for a few hours. While I am awake, we engage in small talk. He tells me about the Blood Moone pack and his territory.
“Our territory includes several small humans towns and also many of their major cities. A lot of pack members live among them, hiding their wolf from the humans and mingling in as best they can. Others members prefer to live in wolf-only towns, usually in the rural areas.”
I have never been one to shy away from humans. Hell, I even found comfort in one for a while. That was after I left Felix, the first time. A shiver runs through my body just thinking about him.
When I first met Felix, my blood boiled with raw passion. He was like a drug and I needed him in every way. He filled the void, as best he could, that was left when Dylan rejected me. But then I saw him for who he really was, a psychopath.
I left him and his hodgepodge band of rogue wolves. That's when I spent a year among humans in Chicago. And then I met Mia as I was traveling west. After a few months she found her fated mate, Gavin, and they were headed back here, to her pack—the Blood Moone's. I was to follow after a while, as she thought the Alpha may let me stay. But Felix found me first.
I shake the eerie feeling that creeps over me just thinking of Felix and my heart hangs low with grief. No. I will not think of those things, not now. Closing my eyes, I try to sleep the rest of the ride.
Once we park, I get out of the car and stretch. My muscles are tight from being cramped in one position for so long. It’s eerie, but I sense his presence before smelling his signature scent of cumin and freshly cut grass. The pit of my stomach flutters, telling me my mate is near. Turning around, I stiffen and a little bit of vomit comes up my throat.
"Glad you could catch up to her. She can be quite elusive when she wants to be," Dylan says as he walks down the porch steps.
Stiffening my posture, I cross my arms in front of my chest and glare at him. "I didn't run."
Caiden steps between us. "Any news?"
"Another border attack," Dylan says in a business-like manner.
"Rogues?" Caiden asks. Dylan nods.
"Injuries?"
"Five, but nothing fatal this time," Dylan says. "They said they were looking for someone." Caiden nods, shifting his weight and rolling his shoulders, signaling the end of their conversation. Caiden glances in my direction and our eyes meet. I wipe my clammy palms on my pants as my heart races. Did Felix find me so soon?
I follow as Caiden turns and walks toward the Pack House.
Dylan holds out his arm, stopping me with a sly grin smeared on his face. "I'm glad you returned in one piece," Dylan calls to Caiden. "She's known to be difficult. Did she attack you? She doesn’t respond well to authority."
"What?" My voice rings in my ears.
“It wouldn’t be the first time you attacked an Alpha.” Dylan glares at me with dark eyes.
I roll my eyes and try to maneuver around him. Ignoring his taunts.
Dylan winks at me, his smirk deepening.
I turn quick on my heels and face him, shooting him a glare that says more than any words could.
"So feisty." His lips curl into a wicked grin as he touches my cheek. "And yet, you're still just a rogue. Shall I have you whipped for disobedience?" I slap him hard across the face, leaving a dark red welt on his skin. Catching my hand, he holds it firm. His grin widens, and the tingling sensation spreads through my body from the touch of our bare skin.
"You've always liked it rough, haven't you?" His eyes taunt me and my body warms, remembering the nights we spent together. Leaning closer, he whispers, "Maybe I'll tie you up before the whipping, and then we'll see what else you like." A flush spreads from my chest up to my neck and my cheeks. His words excite parts of my body, but I will never let him know that. I concentrate to keep my heart rate in check. The sly grin suddenly falls from his face as he tilts his head and squints his eyes. Shit. Can he smell my arousal?
Out of the corner of my eye, a movement on the porch steps catches my attention. I see Caiden's body tensing.
The dark-haired girl from before walks past Caiden and heads straight for Dylan. Draping her arms over his shoulders, she stares at me with big, pale-blue eyes. "Who's this?" She whines.
"No one of consequence," Dylan says, keeping eye contact with me.
"You're that girl, the rogue, right?" she asks. "I'm Sabrina, Dylan's girlfriend."
Clenching my jaw, I say, "Lucinda."
"And she was just leaving," Dylan says as he turns his back on me and smashes his lips into Sabrina's. He picks her up and feverishly kisses her with no shame. A heat rises in me and burns my cheeks. My fists clench and unclench several times before Caiden's hand rests on my arm. His dominant Alpha calms my wolf as he leads me toward the front door of the house.
Walking into the Pack House for the second time sends my emotions into high alert. Fear of rejection and humiliation almost paralyzes me. I need to get a grip on these emotions—wolves smell fear and prey on those weaker. Fear makes us weak. Wiping my sweaty palms on my pants, I stand taller, roll my shoulders back, and hold my chin high. I am an Alpha's daughter and I was to be the future Luna of my pack. Time to act dignified. Caiden squeezes my hand, and I raise my eyes to him under the cover of my lashes and smile.
“Here’s the little vixen that kept our Alpha away for two days." A sandy-blond-haired guy with bright emerald-green eyes walks toward us with a big grin smeared on his face. My escort.
"Where is she?" a high-pitched female voice calls out from the
back. Making way for the speaker, the crowd in the living room parts. Who is it, his Luna? I'd be pissed too, if my mate took off for two days with another woman. Oh wait, my mate does that daily. My stomach twists in knots.
"Cinda!" The female exclaims as she reaches into my view. A huge smile on her face. My heart expands and I can't help but rejoice in excitement.
"Hey, Mia." A mischievous grin curls my lips. I inhale her wonderful scent of cinnamon and honey. I've missed her dearly.
"I knew it was you! As soon as—"
"Who knew it?" a male says walking up behind her.
"Gavin," I whisper, and my lips pucker before melting into a grin.
"Hey darlin'." He pulls me into a big hug. I relax in the familiar scent of leather and tobacco. "I knew it was you as soon as we heard our Alpha was chasing a female rogue." He snickers.
"Yeah, whatever. I smelled you as soon as we got back to the Pack House—your scent was everywhere!" Mia says with a giggle. Pushing Gavin aside, she pulls me in for a hug.
Just then, I take a moment to look around the room, a dozen sets of eyes watch me from the living room. It’s a good size room with three couches positioned in a U-shape and two recliner chairs at each corner. Off to the side, there’s a chaise. I’ve always loved those. That will be my spot. A one-sided smile tugs at the corner of my lip. Maybe this will turn out okay.
"I've missed you," I say, tightening my grip around Mia's shoulders.
"I've missed you too." She pulls away. "I'm so glad you're here! Have you found your mate?" I glance to Caiden and hope he won’t say anything as I shake my head.
Wiggling her eyebrows, she smiles. "No worries. We have many unmated males. Maybe he'll be here. And if he isn't—"
"Yeah, where else could he be?" Dylan interrupts as he and his female leech, Sabrina, walk through the front door. His tone challenges my wolf and the hair on the back of my neck spikes. I rub my sweaty palms on my pants and narrow my eyes at him.
"He could be dead," I say under my breath. This earns a playful smile from Dylan and woes from the crowd.
Dylan leans over and whispers into my ear, "Oh, how I've missed your smart-ass mouth."