Roman and I drove up to the border in the northeast part of the territory, where the trees were denser. More trees meant more places to hide and more resources available. If they wanted, the rogues could stake us out, food would be in abundance for them. For us too if we could get rid of them, we all needed to be at our full strength should the witches decide to attack.

I mind-linked Osckar on the way. I'm out with Roman, we're going to sort out the rogue's problem and have a little word with Alpha William.

I didn't know why I did it. Why I gave him the courtesy of letting him know my whereabouts. I was sure Roman would've done it anyway, he probably already had.

Through the connection, I could feel Osckars annoyance like a tidal wave crashing over me. You're putting yourself in danger, I left the rogues to Roman. He deals with it. You stay away from William, he can throw all the rogues he likes at us, it won't make a dent.

I suppressed a sigh as I rolled my eyes then rested my head against the window before I spoke again.

But it already is, Roman is exhausted, how many of your fighters are in the same condition? We need to end this now before it's a full-scale war.

I'll deal with it. That was all he said.

No, I will, you're too far out to do this now and I don't need to feel another threat breathing down my neck. This can be dealt with quickly, the witches can wait. You know I'm right.

He growled through the link just like I suspected he would, things weren't going his way and I wasn't about to blindly follow his lead. Not anymore. He wasn't doing a good job as it was and I wanted this over today.

"What's got you frowning?" Roman asked from the driver's side, he glanced at me quickly again before looking ahead.

"I was just talking to Osckar."

"Ahh yes, the wonders of having an Alpha for a mate."

"Watch it," I snapped then I grinned, gaining control over my emotions, "that's your brother you're talking to."

Roman grinned.

He was so oblivious to my inner turmoil. I didn't know whether to be mad that no one here could see it from my point of view, or see the damage that Osckar had caused between us. Was I that good of an actor?

The car slowed then came to a stop near the edge of the woods, right when the density of the trees made it impossible for a car to pass through. Roman and I walked side by side as he led me to the border, the sounds of snarling and barking reached my ears well before I could see any wolves. As we got close I could see at least twelve members of our pack lined up about a meter apart forming the line of attack.

I scanned ahead, squinting my eyes trying to make out any wolf or human figures but the trees were too tightly packed. If it weren't for the taunting laughs and snarls over my pack I would think their intelligence had been reduced to the simple minds of house pets.

"Have you spoken to them?" I asked Roman just barely above a whisper.

"No, they keep dancing around us." His voice was filled with the same frustration I felt, "We're not savages so according to the law we're not allowed to kill rogues unless they breach our borders. As you can see this is all they've been doing and it would be a crime to just outwardly kill them despite what my brother thinks."

I snorted remembering the day I had been chased and battered, "There is no such law about rogues."

"Maybe not universally but Osckar set the law for us." I rolled my eyes, "In the past, it caused more trouble than it was worth. We killed a rogue once but because he was the son of an alpha they declared war on us."

"We all know rogues don't have any protection from former packs, once you're a rogue let's just say you're free game for anyone who wishes to hurt you."

"I'm not here to question Osckar, just to do as he says to protect the pack."

Right.

Feeling somewhat reckless and tired of these games I strode past our first-line defense and over the invisible borderline. Roman was quick to be at my side and gently pulled my shoulder back. I shrugged it off and marched forward, the snarls and laughter ahead of me stopped and the air shifted to a dangerous hum. I felt the hair on my arms raise as I took one step after the other. The rogues hadn't moved, they didn't anticipate that I'd come straight out without knowing their numbers.

No one attacked and I had a feeling that they weren't going to, at least not yet. As I passed through the density of the woods the animal sounds that had previously lit up the world went quiet. Like it knew a storm was coming and I was heading straight for it. Through the dense trees, I could see a break in them, I could see that there was a small clearing where a horde of rogues stood in the area, some in wolf form and others human.

I pushed those branches aside and rolled my shoulders back as I stepped through. Roman still silently treading beside me.

I wasn't surprised to see a freshly dressed male standing in the center of the clearing with his hands in his pockets. His hair had been slicked back like he was out for a special occasion.

"So you finally came," he said with a fake smile, his arms stretched out, " I was wondering which one of you it would be, you or Osckar and it seems to be your lucky day, Calla. I'm surprised Darius let you live."

I took another step towards this new man. This person seemed to know who I was, where I was from.

"Who are you?" I asked my instincts telling me there was more to what he was saying.

"Me? My dear you don't have to concern yourself with me." He held a hand to his heart as if he was being genuine, "What you do have to worry about, unfortunately, is alpha, William."

I let out an involuntary snort, "What, so you're his messenger boy now? He wasn't man enough to come here himself. Why would you stand in his place?"

He lifted his hands as if he didn't know the answer, "You should be worried, Calla, there are things coming for you that not even your precious alpha could help you with. This force is dark and powerful. You disrespected alpha William and now you will pay. They will come riding in the night, darker and faster than your pack, wicked and full of the promise of your demise. You, Calla, are the last one and they will finally be rid of the abomination."

Fear seized my body in a vice grip, the last few days I had hoped that they would not know of my existence but it seems to me that Alpha William was in league with them. The Witches of Old had a bigger influence on the packs than I had thought and Alpha William sold what he knew about me to the highest bidder. I couldn't help but wonder what his prize would be at the end of this.

The man laughed, "Yes that's right Calla, they're coming, this time they'll do it with their own hands." he laughed louder now, even going as far as tilting his head back. "Alas, we are here as a," He paused searching for the right words "a taste of what's to come."

I was confused for a moment but then the rogues attacked, launching their bodies towards me. I dropped to the ground and rolled under the airborne bodies. In a burst of energy and the thirst for blood, I exploded into a wolf, my clothes tearing off me like paper.

Calla, we need to get you to safety, Roman said, he was in wolf form too now, rushing to my side.

I understood he was out to protect me but I had a feeling the rogues weren't just here to kill me but to kill as many pack members as possible. I watched and they launched themselves past me, heading straight to our border.

No, we must fight. They're headed for the pack, we must protect them. Go!

Roman sighed and took off back to the border, taking down any rogue in his path.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a wolf aim for me, it was too late to do anything but to brace for impact as it collided into me. The force of the impact had me flipping on my back in one quick spin before I landed sprawled on the ground. I didn't stay down long, I dodged and snapped my teeth with no mercy, my speed and training unmatched with these rogues. I tried my best to push as many back away from the border as I could.

It became a dance of stamina as I found myself surrounded by five rogues. When one attacked so would another. I looked for a way out, if I stayed in their circle death trap then I would certainly find myself six feet under. Fuck it. I thought and went all-in on the closest rogue. I'd bulldoze my way out of here if I had to. My teeth shredded through fur and skin, my eyes only seeing red. I didn't have to think, my body went on autopilot as I attacked. All the anger and frustration I'd felt the last month was finally coming out in a violent attack.

When one tried to run I wouldn't let it.

Lost in the attack I didn't notice the arrival of Osckar, he'd blocked the attack on my left flank that was exposed. He looked just as vicious as I'd imagined him when he fought. His hackles were raised and head low as he let out a deep growl to the nearest wolves.

Together we worked as a team, protecting each other's backs until the clearing was quiet. And only our snarls and heavy breathing could be heard.

I thought I told you to leave this to Roman.

If I had we wouldn't have got Williams' message.

What message?

So I told him what the strange man had said, my eyes darting around searching for him. He wasn't here. Coward.

I think I know what we have to do now. I said staring at the massacre around me.

I was finally going to give in and take a leap of faith.