Three Days Ago

It was Lucas’s birthday and his uncle decided to arrange a house party for him to celebrate it with his friends.

“Happy birthday kid.”

“Thanks uncle Pete.”

“Good thing Margaret and Natalia haven’t come home, yet.”

His mother and sister decided to spend the summer break at Penton City for their vacation. They were supposed to arrive today for his birthday but their flight got delayed and they won’t be back until the next morning so Peter decided to go through with the party. For sure, Margaret wouldn’t have agreed to this.

Lucas looked forward to this day his whole life. Since he was young, he always wanted to take part in leading the pack and now that he came-of-age he can. He’ll be given responsibilities, succeed their family business, undergo training and be a prominent figure of the pack. But what he was excited for the most was that today is the day he can search for his mate.

It’s very rare to have an 18th birthday on the night of a Blue Moon. If it wasn’t his birthday tonight he’d be at the block party in the heart of the town. It’s a tradition in Fortbeck to host them during blue moon nights though it’s more of an excuse to “moonbathe” since there are humans in town. Peter told him about the superstition that occasions like these, the lucky werewolf is guaranteed to find their mates immediately. After all, the blue moon always gave werewolves a strong connection to their senses. Something about its essence giving them a boost of their instincts. And he believes it, he’s hopeful that it’s true. He mentally prepared himself for this night. Lucas believes that whoever his mate would be, he’d love them unconditionally.

—

The night had arrived long ago. Lucas lost track of time with his friends at the party and was beginning to get a little too drunk. Andre, Lucas’s best friend had to sit him down by the couch. He doesn’t get this bad usually but since it’s his long awaited birthday maybe he got a little too excited. There were a few humans from their school invited over so it was important to avoid any accidents. Eventually he calmed down and turned to look at Andre.

“Did you know I’m going to meet my mate today?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Andre knew about the superstition and he’s happy for his friend —if that were true. It’s already 10pm and the day is almost over. Nothing has happened yet. Maybe it’s not true and he just has to be at the right place at the right time just like every other werewolf. He can see that he’s thrilled to meet his mate and he could only hope for the best that it doesn’t crush him tomorrow.

“I’m gonna get you some water.”

When Andre was sure that he settled down, he went to the kitchen. Lucas was feeling odd the whole time, he just stared dazedly into the middle of the room desperately yearning for something. The feeling was there ever since morning came and he had mistaken it for hunger. Slowly the noise dulled down and he could hear his heartbeat. It felt like he was getting nauseous so he decided to step out of the house to take a deep breath. The room was crowded and by the time Andre got back, he wasn’t there anymore.

As soon as Lucas stepped out of his house and looked up at the moon, something inside him rose to the surface. His sense of smell heightened and it catches a familiar scent. He couldn’t recognize it at the moment but it was something that quenched his yearning. Without a second thought he starts sprinting for the block party’s direction, where the scent led.

Is this it? Am I actually meeting them tonight? Who knew that his mate lived in the same town all along. The thought that he could actually meet them so soon, it’s unbelievable. He couldn’t hold himself back and slowly shifted into his wolf form. His instincts clawing to take over.

When he saw their figure from the distance, he picks up speed and charges. Before he could slow down, he ended up tackling the person off their bike. His mate didn’t find it a warm welcome and tries to run away. Not wanting them to escape, Lucas chased after the person. And with no human decency at all, he grabs them by the throat and pins them to a tree. His mate looked even more scared. Everything was almost a blur at that point.

It took awhile until his mate finally reached out and petted him. The sense of fear had disappeared.

“Lucas.”

He knows my name. He was ecstatic to learn that his mate knew him. Finally, I’ve found you. Wondering who the person really is, Lucas looks at him. Trying to focus through all these overwhelming emotions, he realized he looked familiar too. A certain face that seems to bring back another type of feeling.

Noah?

“You’re…my mate.”

Hearing his voice again confirmed everything and it came as a shock to him. Upon the realization, he couldn’t help but push the boy away. The surprise and horror sobering him. Noah was his mate. Of all people, it had to be him. The one who killed his father.

—

As soon as Natalia arrived back home, she storms into her mother’s office where she is accompanied with her uncle. It looked like they were discussing something serious but she didn’t care and disturbed them.

“Mom.”

“Yes?—“

“Noah’s gone.”

“Oh he’s probably at work right now hun.” Margaret tried to dismiss her. “And, as you can see, I am too.”

“Mrs Ferguson said he and Ryan ran away.”

Margaret finally turned to her, surprised. After thinking it over, Margaret dismisses the situation.

“Amanda probably has notified the authorities already. They’ll be back soon I’m sure.”

Seeing how little her mother cared about the situation hurt her. It’s almost like she’s no different from Amanda. But times like these made her stubborn persistence give her strength and Natalia has no choice but to take action herself.

“I’m going to look for them.”

“What? No you’re not. There were Rogues in our town and more have been spotted outside the border. It’s dangerous.”

“But—”

“You’re not going anywhere, alright?”

Her mother said it firmly, she knew how stubborn Natalia can get. Natalia has a special attachment for Noah so she isn’t going to let it go so easily. The look on her daughter’s face clearly showed she was going to go behind her back regardless but Margaret can’t let her do that.

“I know how worried you get for the boy so I’ll get someone to find him.”

“You will?”

“Yes, Natalia.” It takes a lot to ease Natalia’s doubt so she had to confirm. She knows what might happen if the girl finds a need to.

“…fine.” As much as Natalia wanted to do it herself, the fact that her mother offered to help was satisfying enough.

When she finally left the room, Margaret sighed. The whole time Peter just stood from the side quietly. He knows how much these two power struggle. Admittedly he finds these situations enjoyable to watch ever since Natalia went through a rebellious phase. Every time they fought, it always left his older sister tired from trying to control the argument. This time Noah is involved and they both know her daughter really cares about him.

“Who’s going to do it?”

“I’ll get Cassian to just gather reports from the foster care.”

Cassian is someone who has been working for the Raedwulfs for a long time now. He used to be the right hand man of the previous alpha, Thomas Raedwulf, Margaret’s late husband. They were close friends and after he died, he stayed to help with the matters of the head family. He’s a trusted member of the pack and the only one she can count on that Natalia also trusts.

Meanwhile Natalia enters their living room and lays down on the couch groaning into the pillows. On the other end is Lucas with his laptop on the table, he looks at her curiously. Sensing that she’s sulking.

“What’s up with you this time?”

“It’s Noah and Ryan.” She rolls back and looks up at him, “They ran away. They didn’t even tell me.”

“Huh. Good riddance.” He smirked.

This ticks off Natalia. He has always unreasonably held a grudge on Noah for something he didn’t do but she has remained hopeful that they can be friends again. Lucas just has to stop being stubborn. But more than ten years have passed.

“He was your friend you know. At least be a little worried.” She mumbled.

“Why should I? If he gets into trouble that’s his problem. Even if he dies, I don’t think I’ll even care.” He said it so sure of himself.

—

Ryan expected to meet Rogues when they agreed to get out of town. Not this soon though. And now Noah, the one who was afraid of them most, was in danger. Only the worst case scenario came to his mind and that was being too late that the job had already been done. The very idea of a wolf eating its own kind disturbed him and he feared for his best friend.

There wasn’t any sight of him but Ryan could still smell where they went. Alex wasn’t too far behind him. The people who took Noah couldn’t have gone far, they were only inside the store for a few minutes. Not unless they shifted. It’s a possibility and if that’s how it’s going to be, he should get ready before they caught up to them.

Alex was surprised that Ryan suddenly stopped and started doing the last thing she expected. He took off his shirt and started taking his pants off.

“What the hell are you doing?!” She screamed, bewildered.

Ryan only looked at her with confusion as he frantically slid down his pants, leaving him with only his black boxers. She just stared at him with wide eyes, like it wasn’t the time for him to get naked.

“What are you doing?!” He screamed back.

When Ryan reached for the hem of his boxers, Alex looked away and towards the path ahead. She ignored him and resumed to running.

Ryan still remained confused why she kept running before shifting to his wolf form. It doesn’t hurt but it still felt uncomfortable to have your whole body change into a different one since he doesn’t get to do it many times. In this form, his senses were much stronger and the scent of Noah and the Rogues were clearer. After ten seconds he sprinted for its direction. Alex continued to follow the direction of the path when suddenly a giant gray wolf, the size of a bear leapt from behind and ran in front of her. She realized then that it was Ryan and followed his lead. He was too fast and got farther with each step she took.

The scent went off the path and he leapt through bushes before encountering another wolf. Both of them growled as soon as they faced each other. It was as if it was waiting for him which was suspicious.

Between the two of them, Ryan was much smaller in size being the youngest. A Rogue in its wolf form was distinguishable from the rest of the others. Their fur would lose its pattern and it was just a mix of brown and black. They could be mistaken for a coyote if it weren’t for their size and sharper teeth. And the apparent scent of flesh and blood that is stuck to their fur.

It snarled at Ryan, ready to pounce at him with no holds barred. He looked at its fangs and it scared him to imagine that it could snap his neck so easily since there’s a possibility the Rogue has done this many times before. He hesitated but he realized that Noah wasn’t too far away and was just a couple of steps form where they were, behind the Rogue. The need to get to his friend motivated him to face off the one in his way. Since he didn’t make the move first, the Rogue charges at him first.

Alex finally got through the bushes and hid at the side as the two wolves battled each other. Thinking it was a good distraction, she continued to go around them trying to look for Noah. When she got through, she spots him laying beside a tree, unconscious.

“Noah. Hey! Wake up.” She hisses and lightly slaps his cheeks, trying to wake him up.

The snapping of twigs and the pounding of paws against the ground didn’t register to her sooner and she was tackled roughly from her side. She dropped onto her left shoulder, the Rogue successfully capturing her attention now. It’s not going to play around and she knew intends to kill her fast. Its jaws aimed for her throat and quickly she raises her right arm to jar its mouth from shutting. However, its teeth still manages to dig into her skin causing her to scream as she takes out something from her pocket.

Alex shoves her left hand into its mouth. Screaming.

“Illuminate!”

In a split second, a small light sparks from the mouth and the wolf was blown away off of her. It yelps after hitting a tree and falling to the ground. In her hand was a silver dagger with a small red gem stone in its handle.

Quickly, the two of them stagger standing up and without missing a beat, Alex runs towards her opponent with a battle cry. The Rogue also charges for her, snarling. She jumps from a tree root and the wolf opens its mouth to catch her in one snap. But with the dagger in her hands she stabs it in the eye making it cry out. She struggled to keep her hold as the wolf tried to get her away. With a deep breathe, she sinks it deeper and at last it was motionless.

When she knew for sure that it was dead, Alex returns to Noah’s side. But before she could start carrying him, a loud distressed yelp came from Ryan’s direction. He was pushed to the ground and behind him the Rogue was holding his neck in a tight jaw lock. He frantically struggled trying to get away, yelping and growling. Other parts of his body were already bleeding heavily with bite marks.

Alex realized that he was in a critical situation and points her dagger at the wolf on top of him. Screaming the same word from earlier.

A swift spark-light hits the Rogue, forcing its jaw to rip away from Ryan, and sent it flying into a tree trunk. She starts sprinting for it while it’s still defenseless. Before the wolf could recover, she whips her dagger again using the same spell causing it to drop back to the ground. She didn’t waste time before stabbing the Rogue on its neck and tearing it down to bleed.

The wolf spasmed, whimpering. It took a few seconds before it was finally over. And with that, Alex sighed a sigh of relief. After taking a break to calm herself down, she stood up and turned to them.

Ryan limped towards Noah, who was fortunately unharmed upon inspection. Then he noticed the dead wolf a few paces from them with its eye bleeding gorily. Based on what happened earlier, Alex did this and has done it before. No wonder why she didn’t shift, she was something else. She lied about being a werewolf.

Instantly turning to the culprit, putting himself between her and Noah. He bared his fangs in a threatening snarl. It surprised her at first but she understood why he’d get defensive especially after seeing what she was capable of. However there isn’t enough time.

“I’ll explain later but we have to go right now before more will come and find us.” She pleaded to him.

Her words only proved that she knew what was going on. Ryan didn’t budge and remained in his stance. He needed to know the answers now or it’s impossible to trust her anymore. It’s undeniable that he was right all along that she isn’t as nice as she seems. The bloody dagger on her hand proved to be a dangerous tool and she can use it against them. He growls low with his eyes trained to it.

She raises her hand in surrender.

“I’m not going to hurt you. Okay?”

It didn’t sound even a little bit appeasing.

“Ryan.” She sighs, tired of this.

For all he knows, she’s probably taking them somewhere and she just made it seem like it was their choice to run away. If she isn’t sided with the Rogues then it’s by someone else. It’s difficult to think about what her intentions are when everything she showed could’ve been lies. She’s not a werewolf then what is she?

“I’m a witch.”