Chapter 9 - Grudges

Beta Kade’s POV

I’ve seen fully grown shifters break down but none of them ever made me feel much pity like what I see before me. This was no grown shifter, this was a little girl who’s gone through a lot, taken so many responsibilities and took lives just to survive and protect. She cries her heart to Patricia, I don’t think she realises what she’s doing because she called her mommy, I can’t believe she knows I’m a half-blood, her wolf gave off so much power I was in complete awe but what hit me the most was her confession, she just admitted to being Alpha Van Ell’s daughter.

The girl’s a little shaky from all the crying but still stands tall when Reese assures her and I make a silent promise that I will as well as my wolf feel more inclined to protect, so this is why all our wolves have been making us feel odd ever since she arrived. She looks to Reese, “ I’m tired of running. I have to get stronger but I still don’t know if I should trust you… I’ll try, for Cal.” She turned to Andrea,“ My father can’t find out about this.” Andrea replies, “ He won’t. You have my word.”

Rye’s POV

As the weeks passed Cal and Anna have shown to be inseparable, I however, have been trying to avoid everyone. I still make sure Cal does his training every morning and every evening, some pack members find me weird because I made my 5 year old brother meditate. One reason why I avoid them is because I snap too easily. The alpha and gamma have tried to get their sons to befriend me, the gamma’s son, I don’t mind since he talks less but the alpha’s son is an entirely different story since every conversation we’ve had ended up with me trying to kill him and then having Al calm me down.

They think it’s the wildling in me but this is something that has grown to be second nature to me, something they’ll never understand. I hear their gossips, I feel their insecurities, and most of them want me gone while others are trying to be understanding. Andrea came by, knowing who I am, she felt it more her duty than anything to assist the blood wolf more than the child that harbours it. Alpha Reese has agreed for her to mentor me since school wasn’t an option right now. Alpha Reese refrains from informing the pack of my true identity until they are able to accept me.

Four months after my introduction, the pack kids are still afraid of me and the only people who tolerate me are those in the alpha’s circle. Turns out we’re not the only rogues that were accepted into the pack. Until the third full moon, which was last month, we were to endure scrutiny from the pack and also help around to prove our worth. Only those well rehabilitated, passed. This however has enabled few rogues to stick together, naturally we’re all still on edge, most rogues are stubborn being out in the wild for too long while others yearn to be within the safety of a pack. Strict supervision and harsher punishments for anyone who stepped out of line, this was our rehabilitation process.

Seeing Cal with Patricia gave little to no concern and though I was allowed to stay on pack property, everyday I had to go to the rehabilitation camp, it’s an hours walk for humans and 10 minutes tops for me if I was actually in a hurry. Every decision I’ve made evolved around Cal and if he needed me. This pack is making me realise a few new things but I refuse to admit it. Ill treatment from the pack was expected and seeing as I still lived within pack grounds left the rogues equally if not more hateful towards me for receiving ‘special treatment’ and felt the brunt of the force that very morning.

I wasn’t expecting an attack within pack property especially on my way to the camp where patrol was stationed. Turning a corner both my hands were held tightly on each ends and before I realised what went on someone slammed me into a tree. It knocked the air right out of my lungs followed by consecutive punches and jabs then slammed once again to the ground. As soon as I took in that much needed air, muttering and laughter reached my ears, “… Axel, think we took it too far?” A heavy presence washed over and growled, opening my eyes, fangs were all I could see before passing out.

I was only out for a little while at least I think I was and once I came to I found myself in a tent with multiple beds, some occupied others not. Leaning against the bed opposite mine was Beta Kade, stoic and still, “ I’ve had a strict word with the guards to never let this happen again. You have my deepest apologies. The alpha will personally deal with them before the day ends.” Despite the pain in my back I managed to sit up. “ The nurse said you’ve mostly healed but we wouldn’t be sure the extent until you’d woken up. In fact the bruises vanished before you even made it here. How do you feel?”

“ Where are they?” Beta Kade replies, “ They were isolated as soon as they were reported. They’ll be under close supervision even after…” Rye responds indifferently, “ No.” Beta Kade couldn’t restrain the growl, “ What’s that suppose to mean?” Rye replied, “ I can handle those three…” Beta Kade retorts, “ Six… There were six involved, although three did the beating, the others are equally responsible.” Rye curiously enquires, “ How did I get here?” Beta Kade replies, “ Someone else was there, since he couldn’t take them on he ran to get help but when they got to you they were gone. He reported them and wishes to remain anonymous. Now, one more time. How do you feel?”

“ I’ll live.” Beta Kade informs her, “ The alpha has ordered me to take you back and rest up for a few days.” Rye assures him, “ No need, I’ll finish the training. Just give me a few minutes to heal and I’ll be out.” The beta moved to object but I was faster, “ Rogues are relentless… I won’t let this slide. When will they be released?” Beta Kade responds, “One week, longer if this happens again. Worst case scenario, death.” Soon enough he had a word with the nurse before leaving. My body healed up well, the only discomfort was my back and ribs. I tried sitting up straight cross-legged in a meditative form, curious eyes looked at me but it was nothing new.

Against the nurse’s advice and under her watchful gaze, it took a few seconds to get my breathing under control. The tingling feeling started in my chest before I felt it in my fingers, the point of focus was my back and ribs. A groan escaped me as a joint popped back in place. Healing is a gift but it comes with side effects on both parties and only those well skilled are able to heal without any consequences at all. I felt tired after that but well enough to walk, “Nurse, thank you, I’ll be fine.” Outside the tent Beta Kade stood in waiting, he’s not taking no for an answer. “Let’s go.” Rye inquires, “Can we at least walk back?” Beta Kade responds, “No.”

I followed without arguing finally noticing multiple eyes starring at me, they all know what happened. I had hoped to catch the scent of my attackers but if this lot is as brazen as they were, finding them won’t be difficult at all. The ride back was short and since no words were spoken, I assumed the alpha has no plans of speaking to me. Cal gave me a bone-crushing hug as soon as I entered and seemed too happy to notice anything off. “ Your home, Towi! Play with me.” Rye apologetically responds, “I’d love to but I’m tired right now, maybe later?” He happily rushed back to play with Anna, after the incident at the office, no one bothers him anymore not even the alpha’s son, and of course I’ll have something to say about it. The walk to my room was short since I requested to have one on ground floor, the last thing I need is a quick trip down the stairs. The thought brought a smile to my face as I recalled an old memory.

New POV

The training routine is focused on skills, agility, endurance and abilities. There’s even an interrogatory phase to test the limit of our mental capacity but truthfully it’s to see how many of us have already lost our minds, those ones are exiled or put down. Axel and his bunch were rumoured to have been punished by the alpha himself. Who would that girl have to be to receive the alpha’s favour, a helpless little rogue. No one knows exactly who reported it but knowing Axel his guess won’t be too far off.