I have always been left alone...

Like a bare tree when the snow fell. The leaves are long gone as the cold winter blows. Winter, that is my real name. The name the moon gave me, as if it was meant to tell me of my fate. The white blanket, thick and cold, the canvas for the bright red blood.

They left...

Aiyu.

My pack.

Thalia.

Everyone's gone.

The air is heavy as their footsteps are buried away on the snow. Their silhouettes disappeared and I... why am I hiding in this human form? I don't have to. The promise to live a normal life was already broken. Why do I have to stay like this?

A mirror appeared in front of me, the face and body of my human, yet the monster resides within. I tried to touch her reflection but was met with the ice cracking. Slowly, it broke and dissipated in the wind.

I was left alone again. In this darkness...

I couldn't love him, even if I already did. He is my fated one, yet I couldn't let myself to ruin his life. I don't deserve him or anyone.

I want to return from the start, if only I did not reach for my human, if only I stayed in the dark, this would've never happen. If only.

The darkness encircles me, as I was being pushed back... away from this world. But then, snarling, running, growling... number of eyes glowing, staring at me.

Rogues.

My eyes shot open. The unfamiliar ceiling welcomed me. Where am I?

"Luna?" I found Alice beside me. "Are you alright?" Her concern does not ask for me. I sat up from lying on a strange bed. Right, I fell asleep. I took a few deep breaths so I won't start chasing the shadows in my dream. I had the same dream again, I was being swallowed by the darkness but the rogues interfered. They are here again.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Uh... our pack is currently under attack BUT it's safe here. The pack house was built with anticipation of an attack. The doors are already locked and only authorized people can enter. So, don't worry." I know that, I don't know if it's normal or not but the presence of the rogues is waking me up. My awareness of them are not helping for my want to take a long slumber. I squinted my eyes, the questions in my head are still echoing that I have to clench my fists to tell myself I am awake. His effect on me seems greater this time.

"Are you alright? You were unconscious." I sighed. If only I have a choice.

"Are they both out?" Chase, as he said, does not want to leave me while Alice's worried look tells that it's about her mate, Jack.

"Uh... Yes." She bowed her head. This is how mates should be – concerned for each other's safety, not resting until knowing the other is out of harm's way.

"Don't worry. I heard they're safe." But for how long? There's something more to the rogues' action. The Alphas probably know of this strangeness.

"Say, the windows and doors are reinforced but what if a fire broke out?" No, I won't cause a fire.

"If the house is not safe anymore, we have an emergency exit downstairs. If I'm right, it leads to a nearby river."

"And where is this emergency exit?"

"There's a hallway next to the kitchen. Hmmm. Why did you ask? Do you think they will attack the pack house?"

"Is your Luna downstairs?"

"Yes, she's tending to the children." I stood up.

"Where are you going?"

I don't really like answering, so I opened the door and motioned her to follow me.

"The bad wolves will be gone." a child's voice said.

"weally? (really?) will Alpha make them go away?" Another child.

"Yes, aight (right)? aight Luna?"

"Of course, so we have to behave okay?"

"Uhm (Yes)."

The children are surrounding the Luna sitting like good kids, the others are strangely calm. Maybe because they have a thorough plan. I eyed the guards by the door, they seem relaxed despite the number of rogues outside. But i cannot sit still here. My eyes immediately caught sight of the hallway Alice talked about. That's my exit.

"Alice right?"

"Yes Luna." I almost clicked my tongue at her words. I'm not a Luna, I don't deserve that title.

"Why don't you check if they need your help? I'm sure your Luna will be tired of taking care of everyone." Isn't that what Lunas do?

"But... I can't... leave you alone."

"I'm fine now, your pack is who you need to think about now."

"But... You're Jack's Luna. What if you need something?" Did Jack told her about my tendencies to roam around fights?

"I'm fine." I insisted. "Look, it's your pack, okay? If you want to help me, start with them, kay?"

"Hmmm.." Is my acting skills not working? She heaved a sigh. "Okay." She finally agreed. "But, please tell me if you need anything."

"Of course." She reluctantly left to tend to whoever.

I sighed. Now back to business. I checked if anyone's looking, I casually walk towards the kitchen and acted like I'm getting a drink. They are staying in one place in almost silence, as if praying to the moon. What a quiet pack.

I caught the eyes of the Luna, for a brief second I thought she knows what I was going to do, but she turned away. When no one is looking, I walked near the cupboard, in a corner is a hallway where a door lies at the end. I checked one more time because I cannot risk someone following me. Not that I care at a Luna level but it would be a nuisance.

There were no guards on their emergency exit but I sensed the silver coming from the hidden door, probably if they were breached. I better run before Alice catches that I'm gone.

It was not a long tunnel, there are motion sensor lights and the door is not locked from within. The gush of water welcomes me when I opened the door, hidden under the vines and a large tree. I rechecked if someone followed me before shutting the door.

My eyes lay astray to the river, that I was well too familiar. This leads to a lake where my old pack used to be. As I remember, there used to be four neighboring packs around here, this, Chase's, Dmitri's and mine. I know father was one of the most influential Alphas, our pack was a refuge to several different species, and at that time there were no peace treaties. For our pack to be wiped out, wasn't it suspicious? I asked Aiyu but he only told me not to concern myself of the past. But who is he kidding? I was the only survivor of that past.

I started running before my mind takes me to somewhere else. If I circle around, I'll probably find them. But I haven't gone too far until I sensed someone stalking me. It's lunging for me. I put force on my right foot to stop, instantly shifting my weight to turn around and dodge the leaping wolf. It's claws almost gouging my eyes out.

Leaves rustle as it landed and faced me the next second. It's not alone. Another wolf run from behind me that I have to slid next to a tree. They're attacking me? This is on purpose. Both of them started to come after me as I try to dodge. They're not giving me a chance to recover.

They know.

I receded to a corner in disbelief. They know about me. They know about the emergency exit; they were just waiting for me. I gritted my teeth at the sudden irritation. If they know me, then was it all on purpose?

"My. My." An ominous figure surfaced from above the large rocks. "The infamous Alpha Rogue being cornered by the runts. What a sight to behold?" Her hair shadows her face but her Amber eyes are crazed. So, she's the one claiming the title.

"But there can only be one in the throne." She laughed hysterically. She's mad.

The two wolves are closing in. No, I can't charge yet, she's talking; let's keep it that way. Though reason will not change anything, it's better than being oblivious.

"Did you lose your tongue? Hmm.. I would've been a fan of your work but," A murderous aura burst from her, "you killed him." Her voice changed. "You killed mine, and I will kill all of those around you. You can no longer hide from that weak vampire." Weak? "He was fun at first but he's only a fragile vampire." Fragile? Aiyu is... "I remember how her skin cracked on my hands. Oh, pitiful." She scoffed.

Aiyu is neither weak nor fragile. He's Aiyu! My only Aiyu! How could you kill him. I felt my barrier starting to rift, as her voice and laughter repeatedly stabs my ears. How could you?!

"An eye for an eye. A heart for a heart. A mate for a mate." She chanted. "I will kill yours!"

*Boom*

My claws extended as my barrier broke.

"I will kill you." I gritted my teeth as my fangs attempts to grow.

"I will kill you." Those words hammered in my head as my body heats up.

"kill you." Everything is turning red and all I want is to tear her flesh by flesh.

*Growl* Something lunge at me and red splashes in my face as I caught its skin tearing thru its neck. I threw it to the other but it dodged, why did it dodge? My blood boils at its ability to evade. I will kill you, too. I ran towards it driving my claws in an unending attack, I don't care which blood is which. My heartbeat paced and my muscles twitched. It finally lays motionless. I turned to the rock where the damned wolf was but she's gone. Why did you flee? I tried to caught it scent but there's nothing. Why did I let it escape? She should pay. She killed Aiyu. How could she threaten me? How could she dare say that she'll kill him? How could she?! I will kill her. I will!

"Thalia." I will kill you!

I slashed on my right and...

Why?

Blood dripped from my hand, my claws withdrew.

Blood dripped on his chest and arm. He was as shocked as I am. I thought I stopped breathing. Why is he here?

Chase.

--------------------