The loud grunts and growls had been going on for quite a while now, making me roll my eyes as I pushed off of the bed and shifted slowly. I hadn't wanted to leave the room in a few days except to use the bathroom but with those two fighting all day long, it was time to get the hell out and start exploring.

Digging through the closet, I was pleased to find soft and loose clothes. This pack must have a steady influx of rogues to realize we didn't want to shift all that much. Even if we did, clothes that most considered normal would be too constricting for us.

There were only a handful turtleneck shirts in here and mainly because they were long sleeved and had a stretchy collar. I ignored the jeans and button up shirts, deciding to pick a simple sleeveless shirt and a soft set of sweatpants.

The metallic know was cool to the touch as I twisted it, rolling my eyes as I spotted the two wolves with ease. Jake and Alric paused when the door clicked shut behind me and shot me an uninterested glance before doing a double take.

I kept my face neutral as I walked past them, their eyes flitting over the numerous scars that crisscrossed my throat until it was hidden under the fabric of my shirt. They cringed and ducked out of the way as I approached, showing me clearly I no longer had anything to fear from them.

I had the scars to prove I survived worse than what two teen wolves could ever dish out.

A soft smell caught my interest, leading me to another door that was slightly ajar. Erina was bathed in a hue of golden light as the sun beamed warmly through the ceiling to floor windows. She tilted her head and smiled gently before returning her attention to the food she was cooking.

"Bacon and eggs? I can easily whip up some pancakes if you prefer that and I'm quite certain there's sausage links somewhere in the freezer." I blinked before realizing she was actually offering to take her time and cook food for me as well.

I nodded slowly, clearing my throat. "Bacon and eggs sounds lovely." Erina nodded, her fingers reaching over to grab more eggs before easily cracking them over the bowl. She whisked them quickly, adding spices before reaching back to the fridge.

"Toast?" I shook my head, nose curling slightly. "Bread it is then." She laughed with a slight shrug, "Personally I like the difference in texture but I understand some people prefer bread with their eggs."

She flowed around the kitchen with ease, filling the air with the scent of the crispy bacon before she doused it with the creamy eggs. Not too long after, I had a heaping plate in front of me while she rinsed out the pan and prepared her own breakfast.

"I love cooking, anything that has to do with cooking. I just hate the dishes." She added with a thin smile before taking her seat across the counter. "Cedric always laughs about it, especially after we watched an anime where I have a namesake in." She giggled to herself while I simply stuffed my face with the food, forcing myself to slow down enough so I could actually chew.

Two sets of feet padded closer and a grumble sounded. "Why does the new guy get free breakfast and we have to make our own?" Alric grumbled as he stalked towards the fridge and grabbed a carton of milk.

"Perhaps because he is the only one here that doesn't break the rules every time he steps out in the hallway?" She asked mockingly before adding, "If you guys hadn't been bumping egos earlier, you would've had breakfast already."

Jake rubbed over his slightly bleeding arm, crunching his nose up as he grabbed some napkins to press against the claw marks on his skin. "Well, can you make us some now?"

Erina raised one perfectly manicured eyebrow and snorted. "You'll be lucky I'll pour milk on your cereal with the lip you two keep giving me." They grumbled to themselves before begrudgingly starting with breakfast while Erina took out a tablet and started flicking over the screen.

I preferred it that way: I already despised the way the two teenagers were looking at me, casting curious glances over their shoulders, eyes darting from scar to scar before catching my gaze and flitting away.

Their wolves were practically squirming underneath their skins, unstoppable until their curiosity was sated. They were salivating to start asking me questions about my past and my scars but the cool glare that Erina sent their way was enough to keep them quiet.

At least for now.

When I was done with my meal, I stood, taking my plate and Erina's with me, who gave me a confused smile. Her smile widened as I brought them to the sink and did the dishes she used to make our food. I was just finished with rinsing the last cup when the doors slid open.

Glancing up, Erina let out a small sound of joy as she stood up, accepting a kiss from the male before hugging him tight. "Cedric, darling! I didn't know you didn't need to patrol today, I would've made you breakfast as well!"

He smiled warmly at her and it was simply too much. When Erina looked back, I excused myself, not even stopping to wipe the suds from my shaking hands before I made my way out the front door, clothes already tearing as I went.

My wolf kicked the last fragments of the sweatpants off and then I was running through the woods, fleeing from the cozy image the mated pair brought and the memories of a lost past it brought along.

They didn't mean anything by it, they weren't even rubbing it in. Just a simple greeting, the spark in the air and the love in their eyes was enough to set me off. Especially because Erina was still rogue and her mate Cedric was obviously a pack wolf.

Why them? Why not me? What have I done wrong?

I knew theoretically that I had done nothing wrong but even my wolf whined and whimpered. There must be some reason why... I pushed away the envy and pain and simply ran, letting my instinct guide me.

A few wolves on patrol yipped, nudging me back when I strayed too close to the border. I was rather surprised they didn't attack me on sight but their scents soon explained why. Pack. Rogue. Loner. Rejected.

It was a soothing blend of compassion, familiar pain and recognition of that pain. They didn't attempt to stop me from running, they simply stopped me from running away.

Another gentle nudge in my side was enough to give berth to the borders. My wolf took heed to their gentle reprimand and instead darted through the trees, limping slightly as old injuries flared.

When I found a small shelter of fallen trees and rocks jutting out of the ground, I curled up for a bit, shivering and panting. A few members of the patrol stayed near but kept their distance, their eyes filled with understanding.

I sniffed the air, sensing rogues and pack alike before I snorted.

This is one pack of misfits...

It made sense though, why I felt more at ease here. Unlike other packs, I wasn't pressured into telling my story nor joining the pack. These people understood exactly what I've been through to some extent, especially their Alpha.

The wolves looked over when I stood up, tails wagging slightly as they lowered their heads to not seem like a threat. One of them approached gently, tail wagging lowly as it hopped along.

I frowned before looking at her paw, blinking as I realized that the she-wolf missed several digits of her front paw. Her shoulder was scarred as well and she huffed, stretching forwards cautiously to sniff at my fur. She flinched back when I turned my head before snorting, nudging my scarred neck gently.

"Monica, you're smothering him." A voice chided gently, causing the she-wolf to back up, yawning in stress before she licked her malformed paw. The man that stepped forwards was familiar, one of Drake's Beta's.

"Kyle, was it? I'm Mark, Drake's second Beta." He smiled warmly before motioning towards the She-wolf that huffed and lifted her tail at him before tilting her nose in the air. "Monica here was simply curious, trying to sniff out if she knew anyone who'd given you those scars."

I blinked before looking at the she-wolf, unwilling to open my mind to anyone else. Drake had already been too much for my mind to handle. Instead Monica stared at Mark pointedly before the Beta sighed.

"As you've probably noticed, Monica had an unfortunate encounter with her birth pack. They were the ones who bit her in her shoulder, but when they accidentally chased her into a hunter's trap, they left her there to die."

I glanced at the she-wolf, noticing how she indeed favored her right shoulder along with her paw, as if the pressure on using the limb was rather painful. As a rogue, I've encountered my fair share of hunter traps and tricks.

Just the thought of having such a trap pierce through tissue and bone alike and then be stuck there until you either chewed your limb off or waited for the hunter to return... I shivered and she caught it before snorting, her tongue flopping out comically.

Mark smiled and shook his head. "Ironically, the human hunter who caught her was also her mate... talk about being swept of your feet." The beta chuckled before yelping when Monica used her sharp canines to pinch the skin on his thigh and darted off into the woods.

"Guess I deserved that..." He muttered to himself as he rubbed the sore skin before motioning me forwards. "I'll guide you back towards the house or, if you prefer, I can give you a tour of the territory. Either way, Drake will want to talk to you later this evening, if you're willing."

I twitched my ears before nodding slightly. There was no reason for me to deny Drake his simple request and I was quite curious what he wanted from me. "A tour it is then." Mark smiled in understanding when I walked away from the house, unwilling to shift back just yet.

He stayed human, respecting my boundaries and allowing me the privacy of my own mind. He didn't seem to mind that I stayed wolf and simply pointed out buildings and waypoints, explaining the ranking of the pack and some of the jobs that were available, if I was interested.

A job... perhaps... yes, perhaps I could see if one of those jobs interested me. If I got a way to earn myself some money, perhaps I could also be able to afford myself a small house in the future.

That way I could take care of myself and didn't need to stay cooped up inside, afraid of bumping into anything or anyone that could trigger these painful memories. For now, all I could do was follow Mark around and wonder what the future held for me.

And more importantly, what Drake wanted with me...