After the night of dealing with rogues and the confrontation with Alaia I barely slept. I kept thinking she had something to do with it. That rogue used magic to get away. Unless he was a hybrid he had to have help from a witch, but Alaia has no powers. All of this couldn’t have been just a coincidence. It seemed like the moment I closed my eyes light came through the window, disturbing my nonexistent sleep.
I sat up in the bed clearly frustrated from the lack of sleep. I looked at the time and it was only seven. Though I didn’t get much sleep this was usually late for me. I’m up at five thirty everyday and training. How could I have overslept? I would never know.
I took a showered and decided to go for a run. With the details of last night running through my head, I let my wolf, Alexi, take over and guide us through the trees. I wasn't paying attention to where he was going until I caught a familiar smell.
I crouched behind some brushes, observing her scanning the area. I was surprised she would be this far out after what happened last night. I saw her move from bush to bush, searching for something. I wondered if it was a clue from the rogues. Maybe she knew why they attacked? Or maybe they left something else?
“Are you going to stand there watching me all day,” Zira asked with her back towards me, breaking me from my thoughts.
She’s good I thought as I shifted and put on my shorts before walking into the clearing.
“Morning, Alpha Zack. It's funny we’re meeting like this again. Though I think I look less hectic now then before,” she said smiling and turning to look at me.
The way the sunlight was peeking through the trees hitting her caramel skin was perfect, and her hazel eyes complimented her in such a way I couldn’t explain. Like pure innocence. I could understand why the young Alpha was so protective of her. She was a beauty. Even the light indication of the claw marks as they disappeared underneath her training clothes didn’t alter her image. She must be a fast healer.
“You’re healing fast. That’s good,” I said, leaning against a tree as Zira continued her search.
“Yeah. I’m usually a slow healer but I haven’t been feeling like myself today. I woke up feeling tired and energized all at once,” she said with a little laugh. “What are you doing out here? I thought you were leaving today.”
“You’re not the only one eager for me to leave,” I said, pretending to feel hurt.
“Oh I didn’t mean it like that. I like you. You’re pervy with your stares but you seem cool,” she laughed.
I couldn’t help but laugh with her. “I get that a lot. Why are you here? I don’t know about you but this is the last place I would want to be after last night.”
Zira sighed and turned around. “I dropped my necklace but it’s not in the place I left it. I figured it might have attached itself to my wolf and this is the last place to check. No luck though.”
“Must be very important.”
She nodded. “More like if Isa finds out I lost it, she might rip my head off. I don’t know if you know this but she is a force to be reckoned with and I rather not.”
I chuckled thinking of my little brunette bombshell. “Why are you here,” Zira asked me with an arch eyebrow.
I pulled the switchblade out of my pocket and showed her. “This dropped from our little friend last night. I was coming back to see if there was anything else left behind.”
Zira examined the switchblade standing a few feet away as if she was scared to touch it. “I thought it was a comb. Either way it gives me the creeps.”
I flicked the comb out before flipping it around and showing the blade. “With a hidden blade here. This insignia might belong to a gang. Most rogues form one when they leave their pack and meet up with others.”
“A gang came all the way here,” Zira questioned as I put away the switchblade.
“Maybe they followed me here," I thought out loud. It was true my pack was dealing with more rogue attacks than normal, which was why I was looking for help with the Black Moon Pack. "I just don’t get why. To come this far just to attack me.”
Zira looked at me confused. “Rest assured, Alpha. They weren’t here for you.” I returned her confused look.
“What do you mean?” I knew from research the Black Moon pack had no beef with any of the neighboring packs nor had they had many rogue attacks. So why now?
Zira looked away and rubbed her arms. The first time I saw a sliver of fear. “He told me. Someone-someone ordered him to attack me. He said I pissed someone off. For the life of me, I can’t figure out who. I’m a nobody from a pack that was destroyed years ago. I just don’t understand,” she said, covering her face.
I could sense her anger and watched her shake her head as she dropped her hands. She looked at me with eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Who would want me dead,” she directed towards me before breaking out in sobs.
I closed the distance between us and hugged her. It might have been presumptuous but I couldn’t help it. There is something about a woman in distress that makes me want to hold them. As if a hug could solve all their problems.
“Hey, hey, hey. It’s gonna be fine. We’re going to figure this out, ok,” I said, rubbing circles on her back.
I remembered my step-mother would do this to me when I was upset and it always made me feel better. I held her til her sobs subsided. Then we heard a growl behind the trees. There’s no way rogues would be around, especially not now. I was immediately on alert, holding Zira tighter against me. This girl can’t seem to take a break.
Zira suddenly pushed herself out of my embrace. “Sorry about that. My emotions have been all over the place. Stupid hormones, right!”
There was an awkward silence between us. “Well I should get back. Don’t stay out here too late. I won’t be here to save you again,” I laughed, earning a smile and a nod from her.
I turned around and made my way back to the pack house. When I got to my room there was an older gentleman and three other men standing by my door. The older man stepped forward and bowed his head.
“Morning Alpha Zack, I am George. Alpha Isaiah has asked me to provide assistance to help with your packing.” He gestured to the yonder men behind him.
“Of course he did. Thank you, George.” I made my way into my room and got dressed before letting the other men inside. One by one they picked up my bags and took them to my car. I followed them out and bumped right into my sister wearing a shirt as if it was a dress.