Unhappily Ever After

Chapter 32 - The Other Sort of Danger

Have you guys worked it out yet? I mean, unless you haven't read Luna of Rogues, there's no excuse, since the name is mentioned and all...

"I'd call it freelancing," I mused. Loosely translated, that could never mean pack fighter, and Jessie didn't fail to notice.

"Are you from a pack, Doug?" she asked, oh-so-innocently. It was bait. If I said yes, she would know me for a liar, because there was only one pack scent in the air, and it was Silver Lake. If I said no, I was probably a rogue.

"I'm a lone," I said. It was the only hoop left to jump through. But still, there was a flicker of some unidentifiable emotion across her face, and I wondered if she believed me.

"A lone," she repeated. There was a definite hint of amusement - dammit. She turned to Alex next. "So, did the rogues have a reason, or was it just shit on pack wolves day?"

The change of subject did not feel like a coincidence. Well, she had spirit, I'd give her that. And she'd just given me an excellent idea for a rogue celebration.

"The second one, I think," Alex drawled, throwing me a smirk over the girl's head. I called him an unrepeatable name through the link. He knew damn well what had happened at Llechi, although we'd had to tell him the story. Apparently, flockie brutality wasn't freely advertised.

"Figures," she laughed. "And the other guys?"

The other three flockies from Wyst were currently being scattered around the wilderness. They would all find their way home by tomorrow. The final guy was still waiting for his execution at Lle o Dristwch.

"Fine. Well, except Terry. But they say he did some messed up shit to some rogue pups seven years back, so I'm not too fussed."

"Terry?" She made a face. "I can believe that."

Alex grimaced. "Yeah. I don't know who's going to explain it to his mate and daughters, though..."

They exchanged a grimace, but that was for Alpha to worry about. Probably, he'd spew some nonsense about Terry dying a hero. I didn't care; the truth would come out soon enough.

We reached the pack house doors, and I noticed Jessie slowing down, dragging her feet, and I realised this was where our paths split for the time being. Thank the Goddess. My grip on my wolf was beginning to slip.

"I'm glad you're alive, Alex," she said happily.

She stepped forwards and hugged him, quick and rough. It was like being hit by a damned tidal wave - my wolf, fuming red hot. Never in my entire life had he come close to that kind of rage; normally, his emotions were mild and laid back. But my eyes swirled black, my chest rumbled with a silent growl, and I saw poor Alex flinch as the full force of primal domination came down on him, again.

He fixed his eyes on the floor, which should have placated my wolf. It didn't. I only managed to regain control when they separated.

"I'll be up in five minutes," Jessie promised. If she'd noticed anything wrong, she didn't show it.

"Okay. And thanks, by the way - I know you're supposed to be working," Alex said.

She shrugged. "Mam will understand."

And with a final curious glance at me and a half smile, she disappeared down a main corridor which smelled a lot like food. I released a breath I hadn't realised I was holding, slumped against the nearest wall and rubbed my face. My wolf knew I was pissed at him, so he was suddenly very, very quiet.

"What the hell is going on?" Alex demanded as soon as Jessie was out of earshot. We were climbing the stairs. "I've hardly even felt your wolf before, and now he's demanding a full roll over?"