Chapter 1 - The Rogue's Shadow

Three Years Later

"I heard it was a fierce wolf. He took down the alpha singlehandedly."

"Wasn't it a woman? I heard she used her bare hands."

"It was a small wolf, they said. Took over a territory without difficulty."

"They've built a sanctuary, I heard. Strong ones they have. They have numbers, too! They're unbeatable."

***

The heavy oak table stretched across the dimly lit hall, its scarred surface etched with claw marks and burns from years of tense meetings. Varek's head rested heavily in his hand as Ravyn's voice cut through the silence.

"Your people don't think you're capable anymore, Varek."

Her sharp glare fell on the man at the head of the table. The room smelled faintly of damp wood and ale, a reminder of the storm that had passed the previous night. Varek sat slouched, his broad shoulders hunched with the weight of his pack's future. His brown eyes were sunken, his braided hair frizzed, and his beard looked as though it hadn't seen a comb or razor in weeks. Ravyn's frown deepened as she turned to the other alphas seated in the room. They exchanged grim nods.

"Is that why you've called us here?" she asked.

Kaelan, her mate, leaned forward, his fingers splayed across the table. "You want us to stop your pack from challenging you?" He sounded rather confused.

Varek leaned back in his chair, letting out a deep sigh. "No. I'm more than capable of handling that." He brushed his calloused fingers through his tangled beard, frustration evident in every movement. "My pack... it's falling apart."

Lyanna scoffed, the sound echoing in the quiet hall.

Varek's glower snapped to her before he continued, his voice rough with barely contained anger. "We have a shortage of soldiers. Without a strong army, we're an open target for territorial disputes. We've been attacked by others wanting our lands. My remaining men think I'm not doing enough to strengthen us. Some leave, and others challenge me." His fists clenched on the table, the tension in his arms visible beneath his tunic. "That is why I need your help. I only trust you four. I need soldiers. Just for a short time."

The group shared uneasy glances, the firelight dancing on their wary expressions.

Draven, the northern alpha, broke the silence. "I wish I could be of help, Varek. But it's time for my pack to migrate in search of seasonal resources. If I don't lead this migration, we might splinter. We need resources to survive come winter."

Varek nodded, though his jaw tightened. Draven's situation was familiar—every year, his pack journeyed south, enduring harsh weather and dangerous terrain to secure enough food for the frozen months. It was not an easy task and taking his soldiers would only put his pack at a risk. He understood.

Lyanna, the southern alpha, was next. "I can't spare any soldiers either. My borders are restless. If I send men away, it'll be seen as weakness, and I'll suffer the same fate as you, if not worse." She crossed her arms, her tone softening slightly. "The rabid rogues don't sit idle, Varek. They'll pounce the moment they see an opening. I won't give them one." Her tone held finality. There was no room for argument. He understood all too well and couldn't pin her in his place as well. It was frustrating enough for one pack.

Her words hung heavy in the air as Varek turned to the last pair. He expected another rejection.

Kaelan and Ravyn exchanged a look before Kaelan spoke, his voice measured. "We might be able to help."

***

"You want me to seek assistance from The Lunaris? The rogue pack?" Varek spat. He paced the length of the room, the wooden floor creaking under his heavy boots. The fire crackled weakly in the hearth, casting long shadows against the stone walls. His two most trusted friends watched him in silence. "I refuse!"

Kaelan cleared his throat and collected a jug of ale from the table beside him. They had moved to Varek's home after they'd agreed to help. Lyanna and Draven had taken their leave to see to their packs while the alpha pair helped themselves to refresments served in Varek's guest palour.

"They are a sanctuary. We cannot give you more men than we have offered. We'd only stretch ourselves thin if we do." Being an alpha pair, they had combined their packs when they had found their bond. They were fairly larger in number than their three friends and offered help where they could. Giving too many men to Varek's pack would risk many others.

His wife nodded. She took the cup he offered her and sat beside him. Throwing her braided her over her shoulder, Ravyn spoke. "They can help you more than we can and even have their men stay longer until your numbers increase. Theirs increases abundantly." She sipped her ale.

"We'll send our best to support your beta and other trusted enforcers to hold your borders until we return," Kaelan spoke after he helped himself to Varek's grapes. Ravyn began plaiting his hair while they took turns speaking.

"We have resources and connections you'll need to approach the sanctuary. We've been for diplomatic reasons."

"They are a fine people, Varek. They will help you. They trust us... or rather we'd like to think so. We can bring you to them," Kaelan said calmly.

"But this is not a free favour, Varek--you will owe us," Ravyn hissed.

Kaelan placed a hand atop hers and gave her a gentle look of reprimand. His calm, diplomatic aproach to things complimented his mate's no-nonsense attitude. Varek looked between the two. Their bond sparked something within him. Something he wished he hadn't thrown on a whim. His fear of poor leadership with a weak mate was proven wrong the moment he sent her away. He was weaker even without her.

He shook his head. He was not convinced. "That sanctuary is a symbol of defiance! They challenge traditional pack structures!" he argued.

"By taking in members of other packs who have been cast out and giving them a home?" Kaelan arched a brow at his friend. He was disappointed. "They are flourishing under their new leadership."

Varek turned and faced them, he laughed without humour. "So the rumours are true then? This leader intruded and killed their alpha for power."

Ravyn scoffed, tugging Kaelan's hair a bit too roughly. She kissed his head in apology before turning her sights on Varek. "Not like any alpha I know. He was a beast! He starved his people, tortured them! And when they attempted escape, he slaughtered them. He'd abandoned his own mate and children. They hadn't suited what he wanted. Thank the fates he hadn't taken their heads too."

They watched Varek's hesitation. "And this alpha? What is he like?"

The pair exchanged a look that confused Varek. Kaelan cleared his throat again. "She's no man and... we... have not met her personally." Varek blanched. "Our visits have been limited to its governing body. We've only met the beta and elders. A few guardians too."

"Guardians?" Varek questioned.

"It's what they call their soldiers." Ravyn began another section of her husband's hair.

"So if you've not met this alpha, how do I know I can trust her?"

Kaelan put the grape stems down and picked another. "You can. It's a bit complicated though. They do not allow her see just anyone."

Varek sat heavily. He didn't think they were getting anywhere. "And why is that?" He sounded uninterested.

Ravyn drank more ale. "What it is, is that they limit access to their alpha. She is of utmost importance to them. She rescued them from a savage and gave more of them a home. No harm must come to her."

"That or she's a coward hiding behind her people-"

"That's enough, Varek!" Kaelan startled his mate and friend. He rarely ever raised his voice. "We've provided you a solution to your problem. You do not have the luxury of pride right now, but if you stake value of your pride higher than that of your people, consider our help revoked." He stood and pulled his wife to her feet.

"Wait!" Varek said quickly and stood. "I apologise...I will not disrespect this sanctuary...The Lunaris...any longer. You have my word."

***

It came the time to visit The Lunaris. Kaelan and Ravyn, as promised, brought some of their best men to see to his borders along with his trusted men and beta. Ravyn had helped Varek comb the knots from his hair while Kaelan saw to trimming his beard. He looked much younger by the time they set their equipment down.

"You should know," Ravyn began. "The Lunaris operates under strict laws. It is not a place you go to for favours. You must earn it. It took us weeks before we earned their trust...or some of it. They do not hold a place in their hearts for pack. They all had been cast out by them. You have to earn your way in and they usually ask for something in return."

"Yes. Our visits have been cordial, but transactional. They're fair, but they do not bend easily. We'll need a solid reason if we are to ask for anything. But your reasons should be solid enough, I suppose." Kaelan wiped his hands on a rag. "Their leader's reputation is strong. She's known not only for surviving but thriving outside the pack structure."

"Many speak highly of her. We aren't the only ones who have been to the sanctuary. I've heard Malik has seen her. But he won't say a word." Ravyn crossed her arms. She looked annoyed, but she knew she should not be. The Sanctuary were people hurt by pack. It was understandable that they were wary of the people they let into their lives.

"Anyway, we know how to get you through the first steps, but after that, it is up to you to convince them." Kaelan held Varek's gaze. He needed Varek to know how serious this was with the way his friend thought of the sanctuary. A small mishap would have them all thrown out.

"I understand," Varek said, drawing his cloak around him.

His friends nodded. "Let us begin our journey then."

***

The wind howled through the forest as Varek adjusted his cloak, the fabric heavy with the dampness of the misty morning. Kaelan and Ravyn walked beside him, their presence a steadying force as they led him deeper into rogue territory.

Varek's expression darkened, his mind racing. He'd always believed strength came from unity, from tradition. But this... this was something else entirely.

As they approached the sanctuary's borders, the distant sound of wolves howling filled the air. Varek's stomach churned with unease. He didn't know what awaited him beyond the trees, but one thing was certain: The Lunaris was unlike anything he'd ever faced before.