LUKA'S POV

The pain was searing throughout my body causing me to cry out in agony. That stupid Ty bit me deeper than I thought. I can feel the blood rushing out of the wound as I try to shift back into my human form. Calling to my wolf I try to alter my large body back to its pale human shape and cry out as my legs snaps out of position. I've never experienced so much agony during a shift before. The fur on my body explodes off my skin causing a fiery burn to engulf me. Each bone within my limbs crack and twist under my skin jutting out with each passing second. The bite to my shoulder throbs and my vision dims before a burst of red stuns me.

"Welcome to the pack kid."

"Ahh!" I jolt forward and gasp for breath while taking in my surroundings. My body is still intact and my shoulder is still healing, it was a deep bite. I hear footsteps rushing to my room and catch the scent of my mother.

"Luka are you ok?" She walks into the room and sits by my side. I turn to her and give a weary smile.

"It was just a bad dream, I'm fine." Rubbing my back, mom kisses the side of my head.

"We were so worried Luka. Your life was in danger and no one was there to help you. I am so proud of you and yet I never want you to leave the house again." My heart races at the memory of the fight with Ty and how close I had come to being killed.

"Mom does anyone know what happened?"

"We only know what Dave informed us about. We wanted you to get some rest before we continued the investigation." I lie back on my bed and cover my eyes.

"What time is it?" She shuffles around before answering.

"It's 3:16 a.m. sweetie. Try to get some more rest and we will talk later in the day." The bed squeaks under her weight as she stands and walks slowly to the door. "I love you son." 

I hear the door close shortly after her endearment. No one knows I almost died. No one knows how weak I was. No one knows except me. I can never let that happen again. I need to train. I need to become stronger. I need to learn to not only depend on my wolf. I need to make a difference. I make an oath to myself as my mind begins to shut down and let sleep consume me.

***

"What do you remember from two nights ago Luka?" Sitting in my father's office with Naal on my right, my father at his desk, Beta Dave standing near a corner and Gamma Jo standing next to him, we have begun to analyze what happened.

"Beta Dave left to see his movie and Aria and I waited in line for popcorn. We were about to give our order when three men, two who of which are dead, cut in front of us. The one that I-my wolf had killed, Ty, he was taunting Aria and I from the moment he came. He was rude, disgusting and a wolf, but I was so sure they were rogues..."

"What do you mean by that?" Jo asks standing up straighter.

"I know what a rogue smells like, I remember because of Henry, so I tried to match their scents but it wasn't the same. His eyes were red like Henry but they seemed like they were in a pack." Father nods and urges me to continue.

"I remember them whispering that they were here to scope out the territory and then leave as quickly as possible. When I heard that I told Beta Dave and he had scouts check the area. After the movie Beta Dave took Aria home and I played in the arcade. I was fine until they showed up. We talked and it ended up in me telling Ty to fight me outside because he was shifting in the arcade. He was mad at his companion and started yelling about caring about civilians and because some guy had taken them in that he recently cared... It all seems like a jumbled up mess now. Is it possible that rogues can re-join a pack?" I ask feeling completely confused. My father stands up and faces the window.

"It is possible, it's just not common. No pack wants to take in a rogue that has lost most of his humanity. It's a dangerous risk. If they were from a pack we will have to find the rogue that went missing and interrogate him as soon as possible."

"Why the rush?" Naal asks. Father turns as a grave expression covers his face.

"If these men were from a pack then the survivor will rush back to the pack to inform them of the deaths. Killing a pack member, no matter the circumstance is a dangerous thing to do. They could counter against us and kill freely because of what we had done." Everyone goes silent at the confession. This worse than I thought.

"But if the rogues are impersonating pack members it can be used to our advantage." Dave says walking towards us. "If we can catch them and learn how they were able to change their scents and blend in we can retell this to other packs in the area. It is hazardous not only for us, but for all packs. They're rogues for a reason." The murmurs that pass around the room signify everyone's agreement. But there is something I am still confused about.

"How does one become a rogue?" All eyes turn to me as my feeble question is asked.

"There are many ways one can become a rogue. A common way is the lack of a mate. When a lycan does not choose a mate it damages their will. The moon goddess has gifted us with the ability to have a mate that is of our choosing, so in turn that means we have to find them. Not finding that mate is like losing your other half. Your mate gives you a strength and peace that being mate less could never do." Dave is the one who answers the questions and we silently mourn the loss of his mate.

"I don't mean to be rude or blunt but... why haven't you turned rogue?" He turns to me with the saddest and most haunted looking eyes I have ever seen.

"I... She would have wanted me to live and in the end I did too. Maria, oh she was my heart and soul and she meant the world to me, but I couldn't let go of who I was and who I had become even though the pain was almost unbearable. I guess deep down I was hoping that one day I could find another and until then it was you and your sister that I lived for. Your laughter and joy it gave me a warmth and comfort that helped me push forward." A tear slips from his eye but he wipes it and smiles.

"Besides your dad would have been hopeless without me." Both men start laughing and the mood lightens.

"Of course there are other factors that can contribute to a wolf becoming a rogue. If you are banished from a pack." Father says walking around his desk and leaning against it.

"Why is that?" Naal asks sitting on the edge of the couch.

"We lycans need each other. We thrive together, meaning being cast away can take a toll on our psyche. Without a pack it causes our wolf to become feral and wild. Lycans, just like humans, enjoy interactions and company."

Gamma Jo smiles lightly and turns to us.

"There another way a wolf can become a rogue and that is when their wolf becomes completely feral. And in my opinion that is the most dangerous of all. Sometimes when a lycan shifts they aren't able to control their wolf. It begins shortly after the first shift, small interactions with people can set the wolf on edge causing it to growl out loud or constant mood swings. During shifts the wolf will escape to its own sanctuaries and remain in their forms rarely ever giving back control. A bloodlust begins to take control that killing isn't seen in a negative light. Hunting in wolf form is the only real way of nourishment and mating is of no consequence. There are many things that can contribute to a lycan becoming feral. Majority of the time the person has no idea that it's happening." I choke on a cough as I listen to Jo's description.

Is that what is happening to me? I've lost control to my wolf and he has growled at people many times for no reason. Will I become feral?

"Luka what's bothering you? I can smell your fear." I look at my father and then at the people in the room.

"I- I want to train." Father looks at me strangely.

"You don't have training today son. I wanted you to have some time to-"

"I almost died! I almost died dad and if it wasn't for my wolf taking control Ty would have killed me on the spot. I was weak and unprepared and I am an embarrassment of an Alpha." No one speaks and my frustration rises with each passing second.

"Do you not understand? I NEED TO TRAIN!" Jo steps forward.

"I can continue training with you young Alph-"

"No. I mean no offense to you Gamma Jo but I want to train with my father. I want to be pushed and tested until I can't move. I need to train my human body." Father nods slowly and walks towards me.

"If this is what you want there will be no playing with friends or going on dates. If what you said is true, not only will you be punished but so will David. I will push you past your breaking point Luka and I will not hold back." A part of me is scared of what I am getting myself into but after what happened to me... this training will be nothing in comparison.

"I want you to treat me like a partner and not your son. I want to be stronger and better skilled. I never want to be stuck in that situation again. I've been close enough to death to know that there is much I am missing out on and for me to be an Alpha, protector of a pack of 600 hundred lycans, let alone protector of my family and future mate, I have to be the best I can be and then better."

"Alright. We will begin training within the hour. For now we must find the rogue and interrogate him." Father turns to Beta Dave and sighs heavily. "David... I don't want to-"

"If it were my child I would do no less. I am honoured to take on this punishment Alpha." He bows his head in respect and father leads the way out of his office. Following behind Naal and I share a look confusion.

"Do you have any idea as to what's going on?" Naal asks as we reach outside.

"I don't know. I didn't even know he was going to get punished. It's not really his fault that this happened."

"In a sense it kind of is. You are the future Alpha of our pack and if anything happened to you it would be devastating, you are the first born. Beta Dave was charged to take care of you and by him leaving you alone when there were three rogues within proximity to you, he almost allowed you to get hurt."

"But I was the one that had to bother him. I was the one that said I wanted to fight him. If I had just stayed quiet-"

"They would have gotten away and we would have had no clue as to why they were here in the first place. Sure it is horrible what happened to you and as your Beta I want vengeance, but it was all necessary to happen so we could learn of something new."

"Jeez do you have to be so smart all the time?" We both laugh under our breath and stop mid-stride as Dave takes off his shirt and drops to his knees on the ground. Father watches him with guarded eyes as a pack member drags a bag towards the two of them. He is wearing heavy duty gloves and kept the bag as far away from his as possible. I wonder what's in the bag. The pack member look towards my father and waits for his approval before he takes out the object from the bag. Two sets of dangling silver chains are taken out and they have a weird glint to them giving off an odd smell.

"Father what are those?" He turns to me frowning.

"Luka you need to learn what happens to lycans who go against their Alpha. I am being lenient with him right now. He will be chained down and left here throughout the night. The chains are made of pure silver and are laced with wolf's bane. It won't kill him but it will weaken his wolf and damage his body. He needs to be made an example of." He nods at the pack member and he begins to chain Dave. He hisses as the chain hits his skin but he closes his eyes and bows his head in submission. I can smell the slight burning of his flesh and it makes me want to gag. I feel so sorry for Dave and I wish I could do something to stop it.

"The best way for you to stop this is for you to grow stronger." Father says, most likely hearing my thoughts through the mindlink. I nod and continue to watch the pack member restrain Beta Dave.

"Once this is over we will continue to train. No holding back." Gripping my shoulder he watches pensively. The punishment ends a few minutes later and I can see the pain the chains are causing him and it makes me wince.

"Let's get to work Luka." Father leaves Beta Dave struggling and heads straight for the training area. By now training is over for the rest of the pack and they are back at their homes or jobs. The entire area is cleared, leaving the two of us to stand off.

"Don't go easy on me dad." He smiles at me before his face turns serious and he removes his shirt.

"We will start with speed." I nod and get ready to fight but he's gone before I can blink. Just like Ty was. I gulp and use my senses to hone in on him.

"Luka you reaction time is too slow." I hear him behind me but I am, as he said, too late to react. He punches my healing shoulder making me gasp out in pain. I turn to the side he hit but he's gone again. I can feel the fear rising up again but I fight against it to remain calm.

"To your left son." I turn to my left and only catch a blur of his figure as he speeds past me. A hit to my lower back has me stumbling forward.

"Use your senses! Stop relying on merely your eyes. If you continue the way you are, you won't be walking out of here unscathed." The pain to both my shoulder and my back has me wincing with every breath but I won't back down. I asked for this.

Listening to what he instructed I use my senses to help me focus. My sense of smell heightens faster than my others and I sharpen this to my father's particular smell. His scent is strong, sweat, pine and a hint of gardenias and I know exactly where he was and is moving to. My hearing is distracted with the sounds of mother cooking in the kitchen, the rush of water from the nearby stream and my own racing heart. I try to focus on his movements but I can't hear past those annoying sounds. Counting my blessings that he hasn't hit again I prepare myself one more-

"Too slow." A blinding pain shoots across my face and I refrain from sobbing because this hit... he isn't holding back anymore. Touching my cheek lightly I cringe internally. I can feel it swell against my eye and it begins to hurt to blink. Darn it. His scent is light but I can smell it in front of me and it grows stronger to the right of me. Instead of turning towards the scent I turn in the opposite direction hoping to throw him off. I catch the faint sound of his footsteps and realize he is getting closer. His scent becomes stronger and his footsteps become louder... he's falling for my trick. He's almost behind me when I turn around and get ready to strike. A breeze is the only sign I receive that I have been fooled. Three quick punches to my gut have my keeling over. The breath is completely knocked out of me as I collapse to the ground.

"That's enough for today." His feet appear in front of me and I growl in protest.

"No keep going." I try to grab his ankle to trip him, but he steps back and sighs.

"I'm not going to cripple you son I just needed to learn what you struggled with and we will work on it in time." His hand stretches out to help me up and I take it. He hauls me up faster than my body can take and I fall against him crying out in pain.

"Take it easy pup. Take your time." He eases me up so he takes the majority of my weight and helps me to the pack house. It feels like the longest journey I have ever had to endure and once we reach home I want to weep in joy at the soft feel of carpet under my toes. Falling to my knees I rest my face on the carpet.

"Luka? LUKA!" Mom comes rushing to my side and touches my bruising face softly.

"I'm ok mom, just a few," I gasp and the pain intensifies in my chest. "Just a few scratches."

"What did you do to him Gannon? Look at our son!" Father walks into the living room with a drink in his hand.

"I did what he asked me to do, my love. Please do not fret." He leans down and offers me the drink.

"Here drink this quickly, it will help to heal your wounds. We will continue training every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, on top of your regular training and lessons. This is a burden you have taken upon yourself and I expect you to fulfill every aspect of it." I gulp down the drink and try to sit up. Mom helps me leans against the couch and I begin to feel the pain lessen.

"What is in this?" Father smiles and sits beside me.

"It's a remedy your grandfather always made me whenever I was beaten badly, which was often. There are a lot of herbs in it to heal quickly and rejuvenate the system. I suggest you eat some food and get some rest so your body can properly heal." I nod and stand up slowly. A headache stabs at the back of my head but I ignore it and head to the bathroom to shower. Hopefully the hot water will help to soothe my muscles.

***

"Luka we haven't talked much." I sigh audibly because I knew this was coming. It was bad enough getting an earful from Willow about me not only getting hurt and almost killed, but also missing our movie day. Now I have to deal with... her.

"Yeah I know I'm sorry. Things have come up and-"

"If you don't want to date I get it. I just thought we had a great time." Yeah we had a wonderful time, it was just after the date that really screwed me over.

"I'm sorry for not calling you Aria and I'm sorry I can't really see you now but I have things to do. Fami"

"Yeah family things... I remember. Listen I have to go... so I guess I'll see you back at school then."

"No wait Aria-" The line goes dead and I sigh even louder. Could this day get any worse?

"Hey what happened to your face?" Naal walks into the game room with a smug look on his face.

"Oh just shut up will you?" He laughs to himself and turns on the television.

"Aww why the sad face?" The sound of the Xbox starting up momentarily distracts me, but his laughter brings on an annoyance that I can't deal with right now.

"Find someone else to bother I don't have time for you." The home page lights up the television as Naal starts to play a game.

"What's bothering you? It can't be the training that started like two weeks ago. Is it Beta Dave? Because he has completely healed and is back to work. If anything I think he has gotten stronger... pretty cool if you ask me-"

"It has nothing to do with the training. I'm slowly getting used to it. And I have gotten over the punishment. I apologized, he laughed and then we ate pizza... it was fun. It's just... I think I just got dumped." I can hear him trying to hold in his laughter and I groan and throw a pillow at him.

"Seriously? What happened?"

"I guess when you don't call a girl after your first date she gets bored of you and leaves." His laughter is practically bursting at the seams at my confession. What a jerk.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh at your situation I just find it funny that humans can be so self-centred sometimes. They have the tendency to only think about themselves and in turn they become selfish. It's why I don't like to gain too much interest in them. Dating a lycan means they understand who you are and what you are going through." My ears perk up at his last sentence.

"Dating a lycan? Are you dating a lycan Naal?" When he laughs this time it is forced. Got him. "Who is she? Do I know her? Of course I know her. Come on tell me!"

"Well... I... we're not dating, we've just shifted a few times together." My eyes almost fall out of their sockets.

"WHAT? YOU'VE SEEN HER NAKED?" He can't hide the blush as his face goes beet red.

"NO! No way! We change behind separate trees and then run together. We chase each other around a bit, sometimes just lie in the sun, or go to the stream. It's not really a date in human terms." I walk over to him and plop down beside him completely forgetting my own problems.

"So who is she? Or is this one a secret too?" Giving me a look Naal leans back on his hands and smiles a little.

"Mara." Eyes widening I lean back as well.

"Why don't you ever tell me about these things? I always find out later on and even then it's a big deal trying to get it out of you. I thought we were closer than that." I don't know where this honesty is coming from but now that it's out there, I want the truth.

"Oh come on, you didn't tell me about your first kiss." He says nudging my side.

"That's because I almost died 40 minutes afterwards, but if you want to know it was warm, sweet and long and I really liked it.... and I really liked her." We're both silent for a second before he speaks up.

"You're right Luka I have been a little secretive lately and to be honest I can't exactly tell you why." I want to protest but I stay quiet. "You are my best friend and I do want to tell you everything but some things that happen to me are shocking and hard to handle at first and it takes me some time to come to terms with it before I can say it to anyone else. Like the kiss with Lucy. I didn't want it to happen but it did and she liked it and I didn't and I had to break it off with her as nicely as I could but I felt terrible. It was a horrible thing to experience and I didn't think it was something of interest to tell you, but I get what you're saying. I will be more open with you now I promise." I bump his shoulder and he laughs a little.

"Well alright, although, a part of me still wants to know who this mystery girl is that I know you're in love with, but all in due time I guess."

"All in due time." We pick up the Xbox controllers and begin to play the video game like best friends should.

***

"Son today we are going to learn and discuss pack relations."

"What exactly is that?" Father smiles at me as he motions me to come to his desk. On it a map of our territory is spread and there are marks and keys indicating the important areas, the human areas, the buildings and what occupation it holds, the pack house and the pack member's houses as well.

"This is pack relations. This map right here is what I use and your grandfather used to learn about our pack and the importance of it. But first let's start off with the main pack house. Do you know why we live in the main pack house? Do you know its purpose?" I sigh because I have no idea.

"No, I don't really know. I just figured it was our house." He pats my back lightly and pulls over a chair for me to sit on.

"And there's nothing wrong with thinking that because it is what you know. Now we live in the main pack house. It houses 12 rooms, 7 bathrooms and a lot of living space. If an important guest were to visit the pack they would stay in this house. We hold meetings in the main pack house, we hold parties and events here and we, obviously, live here. Whoever I or you eventually choose can live in this house, that includes the Beta, Gamma, enforcers, anyone really."

"Even my future girlfriend?"

"If that girlfriend is your future mate then by all means. Now continuing, the main pack house is central to the surrounding house of our pack members, this allows them easy access to us and vice versa. We are at a far enough distance to have our own privacy but close enough if there is an emergency."

"Why doesn't the pack live together? Or is that a stupid question?"

"It's not a stupid question. Our pack may seem small but 600 people under one roof can be a little..."

"Chaotic. Yeah I get you."

"The pack house also serves as an emergency bunker. Any questions?" I shake my head.

"No I get it." He moves his finger to the surrounding houses to the pack house and points out key areas.

"This is where David lives. This does not have to be the same home for Naal but it is ideal for when he chooses to have pups." He moves his finger to another house that is adjacent to the Beta's.

"This is where Josephine lives. She and her new mate occupy the old Gamma's home." Father spends another few minutes pointing out houses and their owners before he moves on to the human areas.

"Here is the human civilization area. We keep them close enough to watch but-"

"Far enough that they don't get nosy." He looks up to me and grins.

"Exactly. In the beginning my grandfather didn't want humans living anywhere near us and he was able to prevent that with wildlife reservations and laws of sorts but my father was the one that introduced human informants. He figured they were around this area just as much as we are, why not make them of use to us. By building a town that they could dwell in it kept them at peace and away. Although they are getting a little annoying with all of their wants, it's nothing that I and the council can't handle. We have built them schools, a hospital, a library, a movie theatre, a mall, a dentistry, banks and other human stores that are also useful for us. All we ask is that they stay away from our 'Restricted Wildlife Only' areas and it works. They are too bothered with material things to even think of coming to the forest anymore anyway."

"Ok but what about campers?" He points to an area at the edge of our forest.

"We have a designated campsite for them and we have people patrolling the area to make sure they do not stray too close to us."

"And if they spot one of us?"

"They would go to the police, who we have pack members working as, and basically complain about nothing."

"But people have better technology today, what if they take pictures?" Father pauses and turns to me.

"Hmm that is a new matter that we have been discussing. We aren't sure what to do with that yet. Maybe you can think up some ideas and run them by the council."

"Sure thing." My mind is already coming up with a variety of ideas as we speak.

"Now that is our expans-"

"Have you ever thought about expanding? We have the space to do so."

"And what would we do with that space? Everyone is already comfortably housed and allowing more humans near can cause a problem."

"Good point... it was just a thought."

"And thoughts are what we need to grow. Keep it in the back of your mind."

"Ok. So now what?"

"Now we break for lunch pup." He rises from his chair and rolls up the map. I wait for him by the door and flick my hair out of my eyes.

"You know eventually you will have to stop calling me pup." He smiles at me causing me to smile back.

"No matter how old you are or how powerful you become, you will always be my pup and because of that I may never stop calling you that." He pulls me into a side hug and ruffles my hair. "But if it makes you feel better I won't call you pup around the ladies." We both laugh as we leave his office.

Alpha or not he will always be the best dad ever.

PICTURE OF THE PACK HOUSE>>>>>