Prologue

Why?

That question plagued my mind as I watched from my hiding place as rogues forcibly shoved my parents to their knees.

The last words my parents said to me engrained themselves into my head. The ones uttered, urging me to run and survive no matter what. Then, the rogues ripped their throats out, and I gagged. I shifted immediately, trying to remain out of sight as my pack fell to rogues. The rogue that killed my parents was too busy relishing in the successful murder of the Alpha and Luna to notice my fleeing form.

The incomplete transfer of power gave me the misfortune of sensing as every one of my pack members died. Feeling one remaining link as I was reaching the border of our territory gave me hope that I wouldn't be the sole survivor of this massacre. A hope that disappeared as the link was severed.

Resisting the urge to howl at the loss of my family, I ran as fast as my four legs could carry me through the forest. Victory howls rang distantly, and I continued to run until I could no longer hear the monsters who hooted in triumph at the slaughter of my entire pack. I had no clue where I was going or what to do now that I had no pack.

Today was my fifteenth birthday and the day I was to become Alpha. The ceremony was the most vulnerable point of a pack since it required every member to submit to their new Alpha. There were always precautions taken to avoid unwanted visitors, though. That's what threw my pack off guard.

The only thing I couldn't wrap around my head was the rogues attacking. Yes, they were savages, but even rogues had a code they followed. A temporary 'truce.' One put in place on the day of an Alpha's ceremony. Nobody knew the reason, but many speculated it had to do with the wolf's instincts to honor the transfer of power.

Until now, my wolf supplied. My breath rushed out of my lungs quickly, my heart pounding in my chest, and I ignored my body's cry for rest. There was no resting. Not until I got as far away as possible.

'Slow down, Simon. We're as far as we can get. If you continue to burn too much energy so quickly, we won't be able to travel tomorrow.'

'Yeah, I know you're right, Sim, but-'

'No, Simon. Slow down. Or I'll force you to, and you know I enjoy doing so.'

'Fine.'

I sighed as Sim retreated, slowing my gallop to a trot before coming to a complete stop. I surveyed the area, taking in all the trees and sniffing the air to see if I could catch any rogue scent but every scent I caught belonged in nature. There didn't seem to be any rogue scent, but there was a scent that caught my attention. It wasn't a scent I was familiar with, but I knew it wasn't something to worry about right now.

The fatigue hit me at once, and it took everything in me to remain standing on shaky legs as the previous adrenaline was fading. I finally realized the state of my body as I felt my thundering heart slow and burning lungs start to take deeper breaths. My jaw opened wide on its own to release a jaw-breaking yawn that ended in a tried whine.

'Simon, let me take over. I'll bring us to safety, but you need to rest yourself.'

'Okay, Sim.'

I felt him take the mental reins as I withdrew to the back of our shared mind. I looked on tiredly, my mental eyelids sliding shut as I fell into a fitful sleep.

~

'Simon.'

I grumbled, shifting to find a better spot, but the surface underneath me was cold. The usual warmth wasn't there. Shivers traveled up my spine, and I whined in discomfort, searching for my blanket that seemed to have disappeared. I opened my eyes, trying to understand where I was before my memories came crashing back.

Attempting to stand, my progress became hindered as something tightened against my neck. Choking, I sat down, gasping for air. I looked down, metal clanged loudly at the movement, and took in the chains locked onto my wrists, ankles, and neck.

'Sim, what happened?'

'I'm sorry, Simon. I promised to bring us to safety, but someone ambushed us.'

'Who-?'

"Well, look who's awake," my head swiveled toward the one who spoke, my nose picking up rogue. To be caught by rogues after barely managing to escape some. Great.

A man stood behind the bars of the cell, trying to look big and imposing. A dark grin spread across his face sending shivers of dread down my spine. He chuckled, sensing my unease and enjoying it.

Annoyed, I growled and yanked on my chains with enough force that the anchors holding them to the ground creaked. The man looked nervous for a second before he smirked and snapped his fingers together. I heard footsteps drawing closer.

A stocky man with bulging muscles appeared and stopped before the bars next to the man. He didn't say anything, just looked on at me with cold eyes, a sneer on his lips, and an uneasy feeling grew within me. I gulped, slightly wincing at the dryness in my throat but going back to glare at the two men.

"Maurice was the one who found you," the man pointed to the shorter man next to him. "Nothing could of prepared me for what you are, though." The man paused, looking at me expectantly. I remained silent but confused. My confusion must have shown on my face because the man's eyes widened in wonder. "The boy doesn't even know what he is," he turned in disbelief to his silent companion. "Parents must have hid it from him. After all, he's considered rare even among our kind. I hardly know anything either. However, it was enough to identify you."

"There's nothing rare about an Alpha," I spat out, snarling. The pulse of weak Alpha power sent ripples through the air, and the man looked uncomfortable for a moment.

"Oh, I know that, pup," I growled in a warning, and he raised his hands in mock surrender. "But you're something more than that."

Huffing, I curled into myself, trying to hide as much of my bare body from these savages as I could. I watched as the man pulled out a key and opened the cell only to step in with Maurice.

"I may not know much on the subject myself, but I have heard that they're very rare. Usually born in a time of great need in a pack that's struggling," the man explained more to himself than to me. "Have you ever heard of an Alpha-Omega?"

I held back my words and refrained from making a smart comment. Rogues were typically vicious and bloodthirsty, but he wasn't. He was either new or somehow retained his sanity. Either way, he was dangerous.

"Well, that is what you are," the man said, expecting me to accept his answer, but I snorted. As if I would believe anything he said. Besides, I think I'd know if I was an Omega. He glared down at me, dark eyes flashing wildly before he took a deep breath. "Good thing you're going to be useful, otherwise I would've ripped your throat out already for your disrespect."

"You're not a true Alpha, you disgusting rogue," I spat, the man growled low before shaking his head.

He nodded to Maurice who began to shed his clothing. I looked on in silence, confused before it turned to horror as the man continued to talk. He walked toward the open doorway, only to shut and lock it once again.

"You see, Alpha-Omega's are special. They can conceive like a regular Omega, but I've heard that the pups birthed by one are all alphas," he turned away, Maurice inched closer as I growled and struggled to get away. "Let's see if that's true. Have fun you two."

My heart dropped in my chest and Maurice pounced.