I woke up inhaling her scent, she did not move away. Her face on my chest. My beautiful mate. What have you been through? It is said that mates can resonate each other's emotions but that's only a sense of what the other feels. The uneasiness, the sudden missing for someone, those were hers and if it reached our pack, that could only mean that she is deeply heartbroken. I'm sorry my dear mate. If only I am not weak. It's my fault.

"Winter." I whispered.

Red glistening eyes opened. Looking straight at me but it doesn't seem so.

"Rogues." She whispered running goosebumps all through my skin. And not in a blink she disappeared from my sight. It was too abrupt, too sudden. The sound of the door slamming came late, even the footsteps were too quick to be barely audible.

She said rogues... Rogues?

"Dammit!" I quickly jumped out of bed, running straight downstairs. Following my mates scent. The door was opened, and from a distance the peace of the forest was disturbed. The birds flew. I stood by the door, losing sight of her.

'Move!' Rion yelled. 'Move! Must not lose mate!' Rion chanted as my feet started running. Her scent became the only path I see. I don't want to lose her either. Whether she's the Alpha Rogue or not, it doesn't matter anymore. My heart beat drums in my ears as my feet barely touched the ground. The wind was sharp and I couldn't even remember breathing. The trees faded in my view, the only thing registering are the movements ahead.

Someone lunges towards her. No! I growled charging, immediately tasting the blood as my canines buried on its flesh. The taste of iron fueled my rage, pushing its body away as I tore its neck. I sank my claws on its skin, snarling to the next one who was about to run. No, you won't. I tackled it on the ground biting its hind leg. It barked at me trying to push me off but I withdrew with its broken bones. The injured wolf howled in pain but I couldn't care less. You dare attack my mate! I lunge at it pinning on the ground. The foolish wolf tried to bite my head off. But I'm mad; biting its neck as it tried to shake me away. No. You won't live. And snap.

My senses already searching for another target, turning back and forth, only to register blood and flesh and... breathing. She stared at me as I to her. Both motionless.

My mate.

My mate.

My head is full of her, only her.

I want to protect her.

"Breathe." A voice echoed.

"Breathe." I watched as her mouth moves.

"It's okay now." She... whispered.

"It's okay." Her red eyes turned to dark brown.

"They're gone." Something warm touched my fur and electricity coursed through me.

It's okay now. I repeated also assuring Rion. Slowly, I felt my feet... paws on the ground. I shifted to my wolf form without knowing. With Rion's and my will aligned, I did not notice relinquishing control. I nudge my nose on her, moving closer to tell her I'm alright. She's out of harm's way, so I can breathe for now.

"Look who we have here." That familiar voice. I walked forward, shielding my mate from the Beta and his company. His eyes roam around the mess I or we created. "You found the rogues and... they're dead. Hmm." He turned to us. "You have uhm... your mate, I suppose. It's a pleasure to meet you, if not for this..." He stopped as I narrowed my eyes. He's smart enough not to taunt an Alpha in his wolf form.

"Anyway, our Alpha would like to invite you in our pack. I believe there are matters for discussion." This is unavoidable so I agreed. They gave me a change of clothes as I rip mine when I unconsciously shifted. Jack and his mate met us in the pack house. I honestly completely forgot about them. I should rethink my actions; I've been running on blind instinct. But for the reason that it's for my mate, should I question it in the first place?