Blocking out the multiple voices around me, I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms, glaring at the forest ahead. The pack was mulling around, people leaving for their job or just coming back while my fate was being decided just behind me.

Tristan and Drake were having a fierce argument, their barked words interwoven with snarls and snaps while Tristan's Betas seemed to creep towards the edges of the room. Sparing the two alphas a fleeting glance, I huffed and looked back outside.

Their argument was pointless anyway. Both had agreed that I needed time to heal and that I apparently needed a pack to do so, but now they were butting heads as to which pack I should stay at.

Whoever spoke of staying in a pack? As soon as I was healed enough, I'd set out again. My past has proven to me that I wasn't fit for pack life. I wouldn't be a mindless mutt that would jump at the slightest bark of my Alpha.

I would make my own rules, follow my own needs and fuck everyone else who thought they were better than me. It was always easier to judge and mock something you haven't lived through.

My wrist ached with both real and phantom pains, the disfiguration mild yet clear for the eye to spot. It was clear from the bulging skin where the wrist should've been attached but I had managed through the years. After all, pain and discomfort were daily routine by now.

Reaching up, I pulled at the shirt collar once more. After spending so much time in wolf form where clothes were absurd, the sensation of the collar was giving me a choked feeling that I couldn't quite shake. Hell, even the pants were annoying around my hips, but the doctor had ordered that I stayed human for a few hours to give my wolf some rest.

A scoff escaped me before I could stop it, drawing some attention to myself before Drake and Tristan continued their argument. I grumbled and shifted my weight, wanting to shift back instantly. My movement caught Drake's attention, who shot me an understanding look while Tristan sighed deeply.

"Please Kyle, you need to stay human for more than just ten minutes." He sighed when I was already busy unbuttoning my pants and removing my shirt. I just growled in frustration before tearing the shirt off and ripping the pants down my legs.

"Don't bother arguing Tristan." Drake murmured before motioning to my wolf as I shifted and stretched. Stretching always bothered me, as old fractures protested in their unnatural position but I've grown used to it.

Kind of sad really... Being in so much pain all the time that eventually you just...accept it. I shook my head and padded past the Alpha pair, not even giving them a sideways glance. I wasn't part of their pack, hence I didn't need their permission to roam around.

Several pack wolves were roaming around as well, either coming back from border patrol or going out on a hunt. The snow creaked with each step I took on it and I stilled, cocking my head to observe the few pups playing in the snow.

One of the babysitters remained in human form, walking around and kicking up snow as she went. The pups eagerly chased after the clumps of snow that flew up, biting them in half before looking around for them on the floor with confused curiosity.

A sharp yip rang out when one of the pups tackled the other, flailing around in the snow with growls and barks that were anything but ferocious. Some were skirting around the nanny's legs, ears pricked forwards as the bolder pups ran around chasing one another, exploring before running back to the safety of the nannies whenever they were spooked.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice one of the pups creeping up to me before it bumped into my leg. I paused, looking down as the little grey pup sniffed at my fur before nudging my paw. A soft grumble slid past my teeth, warning the pup not to press too harshly against the twisted joint.

He backed up, arching his back and yipping in excitement. I sniffed at him, snorting when he quickly rolled over in submission and just as easily rolled back on his paws to invite me again to play.

Sorry pup, not today.

I stepped over him, slowly making my way through the snow so I could lay down away from the house and the bothersome Alphas, digging a small pit in the snow so I could curl up comfortably. Yet, the second I laid down and closed my eyes, I could hear the tiny pitter patter of inquisitive pups.

Huffing, I buried my nose under my tail and kept my eyes closed, not wanting to interact with the little pups. They reminded me all too much of the pups in my former mates pack and how I had enjoyed playing with them.

Even now, I was still trying to figure out what led to my banishment. I had been so busy fending off the rogues, hearing the pups whine and whimper in the shelter while the Luna hushed them... Hell, I even aided Gavin, even though I knew he always disliked me.

I wasn't stupid though; The second they saw me on top of Gavin and attacked me, I knew they had wrongfully assumed that I had been behind the attack. Even worse, when I tried to nudge Gavin, attempting to wake him so he could tell them the truth, my own mate snapped.

I'll never forget that moment, where the pain in my broken paw was nowhere near the pain of betrayal of my mate harming me in such a way. It only reaffirmed my former believes and I was a fool to think otherwise.

Never trust Pack wolves.

A soft huff escaped me as paws pressed against my fur, cold noses nudging against my body with innocent curiosity. I heard the nannies coo at the pups, trying to lure them away and telling them to let me be.

Some listened, yet most of them ignored her words and to their astonishment and my utter annoyance, decided to climb onto my body to curl up themselves. A sigh escaped me as I uncurled slightly, allowing the pups to seek warmth and shelter from the cold, the daily activities and playtime had obviously exhausted them.

My heart pinched together with the sweetest pain when I heard their breathing even out, could hear the nannies murmur softly against one another as one by one, the pups passed out. The slight weight and warmth they produced was soothing yet painful, as it reminded me of the days where I had been in the nannies place, taking care of the pups.

Pups that would be taught to hate and despise me.

The crunch of boots in the snow made me open my eyes, settling on Drake's form as he walked through the snow, a pensive expression pulling at his features.

His cool silver eyes slid towards me, as if sensing my gaze on him before he did a double take... and smiled. I scoffed and pinned my ears back, daring him to mock me for my predicament but he never said a word.

He simply smiled, nodded with respect and continued his walk.

I took the moment to observe him as he walked by. His hands shoved casually in his pockets, muscles nearly bulging through the stitches of the fabric with each step he took. His long legs took powerful strides, crushing snow underneath his boots without a care in the world.

And his aura was pulsing through the cold weather. He made me think of the few times I had bumped into an adult Grizzly bear and the lethal power they exuded.

I was more than happy when the nannies brought over a basket, slowly gathering all the pups and allowing them to sleep all snug and warm before they carried them back to the house. I stood and shook my fur, wanting nothing more than to run off into the woods.

So I did. Ignoring the eyes on me, I set off in a trot, letting my wolf in charge and decide where to go. My leg was still sore and I knew better than to strain it too much so after a few minutes of enjoying the breeze in my fur, I slowed to a walk.

My wolf paused at the edge of the lake, crouching down to lap at the frigid water. All the while, a simple question played in my head, so simple yet I didn't know the answer to it.

Why?

Why was I shunned and cast out?

What did I do wrong?

What did I do to deserve this rejection?

A whine slipped past my lips before I forced myself to push away from the water and slowly head back. My muscles started to protest, signaling that I had indeed pushed myself too quickly and too far.

Several wolves watched my limping gait, muttering against one another and giving me sideways glances when I passed. My ears easily picked up on their hushed whispers and I sighed.

"How long is the rogue going to stay?"

Keeping my eyes towards the door, I ignored the whispered question of a teenager. He might not have meant anything with it, but it showed that even with a friendly pack such as this one, I was unwelcome.

What a surprise.

The sarcasm of my own wolf was thick as it too agreed. We were overstaying our welcome here. The teens were already antsy with my presence even though I had the Alpha's permission. Hell, last time I had the Alpha's permission to stay on pack territory, I was nearly murdered by said pack.

I guess it was time for me to be on my way. But I guess now I had a choice to make. Risk staying out in the winter while I was still recovering from my wounds.

Or place my shattered trust in Drake's pack and allow them to take me in until I was fully healed. In all honestly, dying somewhere in a snowed in den was starting to sound more favorable.

But, he is just like me. A reject, yet, he managed to cling onto life and become an Alpha. A very powerful Alpha.

I glanced at the man when I pushed the door open and stumbled into the pack house. Out of everyone looking my way, he was the only one who didn't look at me with either contempt or pity.

He looked at me as if I was the strongest wolf he'd ever seen. And I scoffed at the idea because if I was strong, I wouldn't have been in this predicament.

I was weak, needing the help of a pack that wasn't my own to survive winter. Taking a deep breath, I promised myself I was going to change that. I would become a wolf that was independent and needed nobody to rely on.

And I guess to do so, I needed Drake's help.

At least for now.