Rogue

Chapter 3

As I neared her home, I forced myself to shift back. This was always the hardest part. It was like my bones had become brittle as they broke down for reconstruction to support my human figure. It always drained me. My formed felt as if it changed a little each time, leaving me feeling as though someone else possessed me; as if I was a fraud in my own form and I absolutely hated it.

"You look like shit."
My eyes dart up from where I was breathing heavily against a tree, only to be followed by me releasing a forced chuckle when they landed on Aunt Katty.

"Thank you." I reply with a smile as she approaches me. She forced a cup in my hand, causing me to frown as I look at the disturbingly orange liquid before downing it. Almost instantly, my strength and energy were restored and I could finally straighten up. I released a strained breath as I prepared to vocalize the gratitude that my entire body was feeling. "T-"

"Shut up." She cuts me off before pulling me into her arms. I chuckle slightly as she holds me tightly. "I know this hurts but bare with it a little, juvenile."

"I love your caring nature." I say sarcastically as she squeezes me before letting me go.

Aunt Katty was one of the few people in the pack who related to the mental isolation I felt sometimes. As a witch living amongst wolves, this was inevitable. Though she was no longer a member of the pack, she was still highly valued and respected by mostly everyone. I loved her immensely because she did what I didn't dare to do- she didn't care. She didn't care if people cursed her when she couldn't hear or glared when she couldn't see. She didn't care one bit because she was happy. After everything she went through, she managed to come out on top with a mate she loved and a hybrid child everyone adored. So she didn't have to care.

I envied her.

The only other person I felt connected to like this was Uncle Beckett, or at least, I did when I was a kid.

"Still being a shit excuse for a werewolf I see." She muses making me frown.

"Where's Caspar?" I question wanting nothing more than to get my friend and leave.

"Inside throwing a bitch fit." She says making my frown deepen. "Anyway, why didn't you come yesterday?" She questions folding her arms.

"I was busy." I retort and she shoves me making me fall to the floor with a hiss.

"You were being a turd." She answers and I pout slightly. I realized a long time ago, Aunt Katy used me as a visual replacement for my dad when he wasn't around. As the only kid with black hair and red eyes despite not being blood relatives, many thought my dad and I shared a resemblance in features. It was a nice sentiment I held onto when I was sad, but not one I let myself believe otherwise.

"Sorry?" I reply as more of a question than a statement.

"Yeah whatever." She grunts, rolling her eyes before settling them on me once more. "You okay though?"

"I'm okay." I reply with a weak smile, making her return a small one. "Seriously."

"Say the word and I'll make you your own mate." She says with a smirk and I shake my head with a chuckle, knowing she'd actually try something that crazy if I asked.

"No thanks." I say as my smile settles. It wavers however when I hear screeching nails from inside her house. I turn back to her with a small growl. "What'd you do to Caspar?"

"I locked him inside." She snickers making me sigh.

I push myself off the ground and walk past her and towards the house. The moment I push the front door open, whatever block seemed to be present dropped and Caspar immediately came lunging out.