FENRIS

It has been a week since I started living in this house. Oddly, this small one-story house has started feeling more like home than Mystic Shadow ever was. Maybe because I feel the traces of my parent's imprints here. The traditional wood-burning fireplace in the living room helps in creating a soothing ambience. There is a couch and two arm chairs at equal distances facing the TV. Everything else is quite undisturbed here except for the TV and the kitchen. The changes were all done by Nora and Alcina. I was told to just walk in and settle in my new house.

"Come on. Dinner is ready," says Nora distracting me. No, they don't live here but we have decided to have dinner once a week so that we can get to know each other more and therefore, build better familial relationship. I readily agreed. If they are ready to know me better and make me feel welcome in their lives then who am I to say no?

"Yeah. Where are your kids?" I ask.

"They went for a perimeter check you know to secure the place magically. Your house and at least a few miles around the house are secured with magic. Slight movement in this area and we can identify the change in the weave of our protection spell. We are just making sure that you will be safe." The way she speaks makes me suspicious as if she knows something is going to happen.

"Do you have any suspicion or are you being paranoid about my safety?" I ask trying to keep the accusation out of my voice. She lets out a resigned sigh and shakes her head a bit before looking at me with an unguarded expression, one I fail to name.

"You know Fenris, I am proud of you that you took it on your shoulders to defeat the rogues. I know that all you wanted to know about was your parents but instead all you got is the enemy. You could've just stayed in hiding without bothering yourself about this rogue and his army, leaving it to the Alphas and elders to handle but you didn't do that. That's what makes me think that you will definitely defeat the rogue when they make their move," she speaks.

"Of course, it is my responsibility. That rogue killed my entire family. Because of him, I don't know my parents. He is still kidnapping she-wolves in search of my mate so that he can get to me, it automatically endangers my mate's life and it is my damn responsibility and honour to keep my mate safe at all costs even if it means that I will have to take on an entire army of rogues," I reply with ill-concealed anger coating my voice. The thought of that rogue getting his hands on my Sierra sends me into a fit of raw fury.

She just nods looking at me weird and then seems to be staring into space with a far way look on her face as if she's in some other time and place.

"Your blood is like a five-star meal for the black witch and her rogues," she begins and I quickly grasp that she's answering my question, warning me. "They practically are under her influence. You staying all alone here might attract a lot of attention from the rogues. When we were coming here today, I felt a certain change in the air, a dark edge to the wind. I know I am not explaining it properly but you need to understand that it wouldn't be long before you are attacked. So, you need to be careful, prepared and protected. At least in your home," she finishes and I nod.

I am more than ready to get this over with. They have only been threatening and sending rogues to hurt me, not that they are succeeding but it is getting old now. It is time the rogue should come to fight me, himself instead of sending his minions.

"That day in the infirmary, you said that I am becoming weak. What do you mean by that?" I ask cautiously.

"I meant that the bond between you and your mate is incomplete, fragile. This might lead to a lot of repercussions in your wolf mind. The animal inside is very dependent on a mate and when the wolf finds his mate but if the human side denies it for a long time, then it might lead to psychological weakening."

I nod unable to form any coherent reply. I don't know how to tell her that I cannot claim Sierra now. She is far safer without a mate claim. I don't know if I will survive the rogue attacks or not and I don't want to jeopardise her safety and life by binding her to me. If I claim her then her chances of survival after my death are almost nil since the bond would be very new but without the claim, she has the chance of moving on and settling with another mate.

"You weren't healing as fast as you earlier did," she states grimly. I nod, agreeing. I thought it was because of the drugs, turns out it was because of my incomplete mate bond.

"You should bring her here, mark her and claim her. You will be stronger than ever before with your mate by your side. Remember that," she speaks again and I nod again, too many thoughts are running through my mind to come up with a reply.

The sound of the sibling rivalry echoes from the distance, thankfully distracting Nora and saving me from answering to her. She would've definitely pressured to bring Sierra here. I haven't told them about Sierra's rejection, just the same story that she is young and needs time to complete her training. Alcina has seen her, that night when she killed the rogue but other than that she doesn't know anything about my mate and I intend to keep it that way. At least till I finish this rogue problem.

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Running in my wolf form is always a pleasure. It feels as if I am high on narcotics with the addition of actually feeling it and living it instead of being numb. So far, I haven't actually come across any rogue. It is quite a boring life, living alone and away from your pack. I am still a part of Mystic Shadow for your information but to sever the pack bond, I will have to again make a blood oath with the Alpha to show that my loyalty still lays with him or any other Alpha otherwise it would be a one-side act of severing which usually leads to the pack wolf to become a rogue. A pack-wolf cannot sever the pack bond by himself, it is either done mutually or by the Alpha.

I run, climb up the hill and reach its peak in no time, howling at the rush of wind. The snow crunches under my paws adding in to the wildness. I look up at the moon. Tomorrow is the day of full moon and after that the mating season will begin. Thank the goddess that Sierra isn't going into her heat. Keeping my hands off her when she's hurting in arousal and also keeping the other males away from her would've been a huge task when she is unwilling to mate with me. This separation is a good thing, I guess. She can't look at me without the guilt in her eyes and when I see her like that, I automatically resent the situation. It is better that I am not in the school. Yes, it is good. I try to convince myself as I run back and then saunter around in the woods near my new home. The house really feels like home. It has a comforting feel to it which I have never felt before. Sure, my home in Mystic Shadow was welcoming but after Randale's rather hostile confessions, I didn't feel like I was at home, there. It felt more like a vacation home where I can chill on temporary basis but not permanent ones. If I still live after dealing with this rogue, I will definitely think of making this small house, my permanent residence. Wouldn't mind to live the life of a lonely wolf but yes, it would feel like heaven if Sierra was here to share it with me.

As I run closer to the cabin, I catch the scent of Calum and then I spot him, pacing in front of my home. I haven't yet stuffed the trees with spare clothes so I have no option than to go inside and wear clothes. Calum, probably reading my mind, follows me inside. I quickly trot up to my room and shift back. Returning downstairs, I am about to ask him about his sudden visit when he signals me to follow him. I silently walk behind him towards the woods at the back of my house.

Near the clearing a little bit farther from the cabin, I spot something near a huge pine tree. Taking a deep sniff, I smell something rotten and immediately my wolf stands up in alert. Looking at Calum, he nods, confirming my suspicions.

Sure enough, there is a dead body of female wolf. Her scalp has a note stuck on it. I walk forward and pick up the note, successfully avoiding to touch the body.

Greetings to the Prince of wolves

Yes, I know who you are and I also know that you know about me. I, the future King (after I sever your head from your body as a trophy to show off to all your followers), challenge you in a duel till death near river Lena tomorrow at midnight. If you wish to avoid the slaughter of all the she-wolves we have captured, you will come alone near the river at midnight.

-Xanthos, son of The Great Xavier.

I read the letter twice before looking at the dead body on which the letter was attached. The body is of a female wolf, with shaved head and face hauntingly similar to that of Sierra. This can only mean one thing. They know about my mate. Fuck! I crush the letter in my hand and pace. Calum looks at the body with a grimace clearly understanding how humiliating it would have been for the female before being punished like this. Another innocent one murdered. The burden of these females' death has started taking its toll on me. The females and their taunting, haunting cackles fill my nightmares making me restless and edgy.

"Do you know who this Xanthos is?" I ask.

"Yeah, Xavier impregnated a female wolf after your mother gave birth to you. It is believed that Xavier was imitating your parents' lives. After Prince Lucian found his mate, Xavier started looking for his own mate but she rejected him, I don't know why. This rejection triggered some evil button in Xavier's mind after which he kidnapped a she-wolf. She was some Alpha's sister but the only female Alpha during that time. She bore him a pup but cursed him when she was breathing her last, that is just after delivering the pup," replies Calum. Interesting it is but now I understand the depravity of Xavier's soul rather of the soul which is left.

"What's the curse?"

"She hated Xavier and the pup. She said that the pup was actually the punishment for her sins. She cursed him that the pup wouldn't be capable enough to help him achieve his agenda against the royals." I look at him, shocked at the hatred that the mother felt for her pup.

"Why did she hate the pup?"

"Come on Fenris. Xavier kidnapped her from her own mate. Killed her mate in front of her and then raped her. He then asked the witch to make sure that the she-wolf conceives and that it is a male child. I sure as hell hate his guts," Calum speaks with such hatred that even a human could detect it.

"Why is this information hidden? No classes or books have this event recorded in it," I ask. Coming to think of it, nothing about Xavier's history is given in the school library.

"It was wiped out on the orders of King Adrian. The sick game that Xavier was playing would have been successful if the entire werewolf community lived in fear for him. He was a sadist. When he kidnapped that she-wolf, he induced such raw fear in that pack, it fuelled his lust for seeing that fear in others. He then started hurting other packs too. That is the main reason why all the packs collectively participated in the war against Xavier. King Adrian has recorded the event details in writing but the book is in the castle. He didn't let the elders make a copy of it to store in the school library," says Calum looking at the body with a look of pity.

Goddess! I truly understand the cruelty of Xavier's behavior and now realize why Nora appreciated my gesture of going against this rogue. All this information at the same time is not a good idea. My head throbs and the smell of the dead body invades my nostrils, making it harder to breathe. I quickly think of doing the next best thing.

"Let's cremate the body. Wouldn't want someone to accidentally find her body," I say. Calum nods and with his witch speed goes to the house and brings back a spare blanket. I appreciate his gesture. It was the least we could do to give this female a dignified farewell. I wrap up the body in the blanket and head towards the clearing where we gathered some dried wood for the fire.

"Aren't we closer to the school territory from here?" asks Calum as we walk towards our destination.

"Yeah. We just need to cross the river which might probably be a few minutes' run from here. After we cross the territory it might again take 20-30 minutes with wolf speed to reach the school," I inform while recalling the horrible day when I rescued Sierra from the rogue's paws. My spine chills imagining what would have happened if I were late that day. Beyond the river, one would have to run approximately 5 miles before reaching the school border.

Calum nods at my words or my thoughts, I am not sure but if he heard me, he thankfully keeps his mouth shut. Discussing about that day is not what I want to do, ever.

"What's up with the sudden visit?" I ask remembering that our weekly dinner is tomorrow, not tonight.

"I was feeling edgy and anxious. You know that we live in human settlements?" he asks and I nod my confirmation encouraging him to continue.

"I was in a bar, doing my routine check, where I overheard someone talking about some mysterious person going door to door, inquiring about a 20-21-year-old girl. That part is quite normal but what didn't sit well with me was the description of the person who made the inquiry. They described him as huge, tall, hairy, scary teeth, long haired and beefy type of a guy," he says and I whip my head to look at him in shock. The description is that of an evil rogue. I have heard about them. They are the ones who have completely accepted the evil side of our nature. Such types of rogues are half man half wolf, who are literally trapped in their intermediate form. I know that Calum is hearing my thoughts so just move on with my next question.

"Didn't the people get scared looking at him? If an evil rogue is going round the town searching for a young girl then there must be a reason behind it. Did you find out?" I ask.

"Yes, I did. I practically dived into their minds to have a proper description of that person. He did not look like an evil rogue. Only his eyes had that feral look the ones we see in a serial killer. I think he must be Xavier. The witch must have helped him disguise his appearance but unfortunately, could not help in changing his eyes. Whom do you think are they looking for?" he asks. My mind keeps running in possible directions but all thoughts stop when I think of Sierra.

"No, your mate is fine. I just checked with elder Raoul before coming here. I just came to warn you, take care of your mate. Bring her here. That's the only possible way of looking after her." He suggests but I don't pay attention to his advice. He probably knows why I refrain from bringing her here let alone talking about her and hence, decide to not reply to his advice.

"Let's just get this bodycremated, shall we? We can talk about these things later but I need you to findmore information about this mysterious girl they are searching for." We thenwalk silently towards the clearing to complete the task at hand.

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Bedankt voor het lezen!

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