My wolf felt oddly detached. I could still feel it in the background, resting but it was no longer on guard. For all my life, it had been growling softly when people had tried to butter me up.

Except for my mate...and look how that turned out.

My wolf cringed at that thought, making me send it an apologetic thought because, who would've anticipated the outcome of my miserable love life?

I didn't blame my wolf in the slightest for what happened, for trusting in the one person it was meant to trust. And now that trust was forever shattered and could not be rebuilt.

Fur bristled against my side, a warm head nudging under my hand with a huff before Shadow nearly flopped in my lap, demanding to be petted and taken care off.

I dutifully allowed my hands to sink in his fur, feeling a smile tug on my lips as Shadow huffed and rolled over, splaying himself in my lap whilst showing his belly.

The soft, creamy white fur was pleasant to touch, easily distracting me from the darkening thoughts that threatened to drag me under.

I sighed, letting go of the breath I unintentionally held and slowly relaxed. What's done is done. I can change the past as much as I can wind back time.

Footsteps scuffed over the floor behind me, slowly approaching as I petted Shadow's fur. The wolf didn't even care about whoever was approaching, save for a flicker of his ear and an annoyed grumble.

"It's really odd seeing him so relaxed and, well, almost pup like." Drake spoke as he crouched a few steps to the side, eying Shadow cautiously.

With the way the massive wolf was splayed out in my lap, pup like and anything but threatening, it was hard to think he could lash out but we all knew better. Shadow could turn from cute little fuzzball to raving killing machine in the blink of an eye.

Drake had learned his lesson the last time, as I had been petting Shadow to the point where the wolf seemed blissfully asleep, hind leg kicking with my scratches.

When Drake had approached and laid a hand on my shoulder, lowering down to speak to me and thus hovering over us both, Shadow had reared up in a split second.

The massive Alpha had been pinned to the floor within a heartbeat of touching me by the snarling wolf that was snapping its foaming muzzle inches from his face.

A clear display as to not touch me. Especially when his highness was getting a good belly scratching.

I chuckled softly, digging my nails gently through the fur and watching with warm contentment when Shadow's tongue flopped out, hind leg kicking against the ground as the wolf squirmed in my lap.

"He's being a Diva." I disagreed, patting his body a few times before pausing, chuckling when Shadow instantly squirmed his head back under my hand, nudging it with more force when I wouldn't pet him again.

Drake chuckled, setting himself down on the floor as Shadow shook out his fur with a yawn and grumble. "I was actually hoping to ask something of you."

"Me?"

He nodded, brushing a hand through his long hair, exhaustion clear in his face. "We got work from a pack a few states away. Apparently they found a female pup in their turf, rogue and unattended. Now they aren't vicious to the pup but-"

"She's not pack." I added in the blanks with a scowl, watching the same expression being resembled on Drake's face. "So, they want you to take care of the pup."

Pushing myself up with some difficulty, I watched Drake get to his feet and pat the dirt off his pants. "Yup. They don't want blood on their hands by killing an innocent pup but then again, they will drive her out if they have to."

Ugh. Pack mentality.

"What about the girl?" I asked, following Drake out of the enclosure and making sure the gates were closed without any of the wolves slipping out behind us.

The Alpha shrugged slightly. "Normally I would go over there to pick new arrivals up, but... Seeing how she's so young, rogue and not trusting of any pack wolves-"

"- You'd need someone who was rogue to know how she's thinking and to gain her trust. Still, why me?"

He shot me a warm smile at that, slowing his gait so we walked side by side. "Most of our Nomadic members have been in the pack for quite a time and have already settled in their roles. You on the other hand are still fitting in."

I nodded, understanding where he was coming from. The others would emit an aura depending on their ranking and that was something that could easily frighten a young rogue surviving on her own.

On the other hand, I was the most fail-save option to send out ; I had no aura besides that of being a wounded, rejected rogue. It was most likely that, rather than distrusting me, we'd develop an instant kinship.

"Fine." I sighed, making Drake grin and give me a hearty slap on the back before he quickly apologized when I stumbled on my feet.

"You're a life saver. Now I'll make sure that all the transportations, permits and whatever you need during your stay are taken care of. If you want, I can send someone with you to help... Or not." He added, as I had sent him a scowl.

He scratched at his nose like a little kid who got excited, a little bounce to his step as we headed towards the major pack house.

My heart drummed in my chest from clear anticipation, knowing that I couldn't decline this job. Not only did Drake come to me for help while he had an entire pack to ask for aid, the little girl's life would depend on who he sent out as well.

The quicker she would develop a bond of respect and trust, the better. Sending me made perfect sense, as she'd be more inclined to trust a fellow Nomad, especially one who's scent was only touch by pack scent on the surface.

There wasn't a bone deep connection with pack that emanated from my pores and proved my fealty to anyone with a nose.

Sending anyone else from the pack would put a lot of strain on the no doubt terrified pup. It was most likely that she'd bolt the second she had an opportunity.

But then again, why hadn't she? She had been spotted in pack territory and had obviously remained there enough to be a hinderance to said pack. Why hadn't she ran away from them?

Something about that seemed a bit fishy to me and when I explained that to Drake, he sighed softly. "I asked the pack the same and have done my own research, along with the information they gave me."

He rolled his massive shoulders and flopped down on the couch before putting his feet on the table, crossed at the ankles. "Her father had been pack and found his mate in her rogue mother. The pack was... more or less accepting of their bond but they wanted the woman to remain at the edge of their territory until she had proven her loyalty."

"So, the girl is pack then?"

Drake shook his head, making me scowl as a bitter taste coated my tongue. "The girl was conceived during the adaptation period. The pack built the mother and father a small house on the edge of the territory and the already lengthy process lasted for two and a half years before the pup's parents got killed during a rogue patrol gone wrong."

I snorted, rolling with my eyes. No doubt the pack hadn't mourned the mother's life for a second and instead had only devoted their attention to the father. Actually...

"That's why the pup is still there. She's waiting for her parents to come get her. And that explains why the pack hasn't done anything yet. They won't kill her because of her connection with a former pack member, but they don't give a shit if the pup starves to death."

Drake's deadly expression just showed how right I was to assume just that. "Who called you actually? There's no way the pack itself would've alerted anyone of the situation and would prefer to let things play out."

"Actually, the girl's grandmother is quite influential and has pulled several strings that would prevent from her grandchild disappearing without a trace but there's only so much one person can do."

My wolf grumbled at the idea of having to go to such a pack, even live in it for a while. Drake shot me a compassionate look before patting my shoulder. "I know it's going to be rough but they already know I'm sending over one of my pack. That means that there will be hell to pay if they disrespect you in any shape or form."

I smirked at that, stretching my fingers and observing the barely there tremble. "Does that mean I can slap some sense into them?"

Drake snorted, throwing his head back on a barking laugh, "Hah! I wish. You're free to do as you wish while you're there, though I have to ask you to try your best not to start a war. If their pack is eager for a fight, give me a call and we'll come over immediately."

I nodded and quickly averted my eyes, feeling my stomach twitch and tremble in an odd way at the proud look in his eyes. Eyes that shone with trust in me, trust that I'd do a good job and protect Drake's pack good name.

Scuffing my shoe over the floor, Drake smiled with understanding and relaxed further into the chair, patting the seat beside him. "Might as well get comfortable and wait for my betas to come over so we can brief you of everything there is to know."

A huff escaped me before I did as told, watching Drake's relaxed form as he crossed his arms behind his neck, head tilting back comfortably and eyes closing.

I swear, this Alpha really is in a league of his own.