I hate work and college and how I lose track of time...

Emma

Holy crap, I was not expecting Soran to bring so many people. There has to be close to two hundred people surrounding the area, some scouting the perimeter, others running the surrounding area, more went to help patrol our borders, and the remaining few stood about three yards behind Soran. Gaven and I glanced between each other.

"So, um..." Gaven looked back to Soran. "How many did you bring?"

"I brought two-hundred fifty of my warriors." Soran said as he crossed his arms. "When I told them about the safety of their future Luna being in jeopardy, nearly everyone wanted to come."

Gaven whistled low. "And you already told them where they should be stationed?"

"Yes," He nodded.

"And how will they know what the plan is?" I asked.

"We have wireless radios." Soran stated. "They can all hear what is being said."

"Good," Gaven rubbed his hands. "And you have already briefed them with what's going on?"

"Yes, I have." Soran sighed. "Could we please get on with this?"

"Okay," I stepped forward a few steps then unfolded a couple maps on the ground. "As we know, Rogues are attacking our lands. What's going on now is the exact same thing as what happened sixteen years ago. I spoke with former Alpha Nyl and got a few very detailed maps showing where the Rogue camps were stationed, how many at each, the estimated date they arrived, when they were found out, and when we attacked them. We also have the dates and times as to when they attacked us. It also shows how many attacked, the number we captured, injured, or killed, and how they attacked us."

Soran knelt down to study them. "This is insane... Rogues normally don't attack in groups like that. They're scattered and unpredictable."

"Exactly." I glanced up to see him studying the maps intensely. "The reason why they were attacking in pack formation was because their leader, Mario, was once part of a pack. He wanted to take our former Luna, Lana, and make a pack with her out on the east coast. From what I could gather, he once trained the warriors in his pack. He knew how they work and he used that to his advantage."

"And these attacks now mirror those," He didn't ask, but said more to himself.

I nodded. "They do, but with a bit more... structure. Yes, the tactics for the attacks are the same, but they seem more uniform. I have a feeling we are dealing with a leader who is highly placed on the Pack status; or was, I should say."

"What reason do we think is the drive for the attacks?" Soran asked.

"I don't know." I slowly shook my head. "They already got Victoria. They tried getting either Gaven or Emily, but failed. I don't know what's being planned, but I want to know before we lose anymore people."

"How is Victoria's pack doing?" Gaven asked as he joined us.

"Jack says things are running fairly smoothly," I said with a small sigh. "They're used to working without a figure head."

"What do you mean?" Soran questioned as he looked up to me.

"Many years ago, Victoria lost her mate in a brutal attack. She also lost her child. She's the daughter of an Alpha, so that helped her tremendously. She used her presence as Luna and found a way to strengthen herself to have some form of Alpha qualities. She then took over the pack, much like how her mate wanted to."

"So that pack basically doesn't have a true Alpha." Soran muttered to himself. "So they won't crumble if she's gone for too long."

"Very slowly, but they will." I corrected. "She did step in, so her not being there will hinder the pack a bit."

"Right, yeah." He grumbled. "How long do you think we have?"

"Maybe three months before people start to lose their sense of direction." Gaven stated. "As the weeks then pass by, that pack will slowly start going Rogue because they can't handle not having their Alpha and the structure they bring to the pack."

"Three months minimum." Soran sighed heavily. "It will take a lot of effort, but we can try to bring her back, as well as find out who is behind it before that starts to happen. I'll just have to make sure they work overtime, on overdrive, so we don't lose an ounce of daylight."

"Just daylight?" I questioned him.

He nodded. "During the day, we do routine checks. But at night, that's when we take our findings, put them together, then act upon the hot spots."

"Interesting." Gaven sighed softly. "And you use a new team for that?"

"Precisely." Soran grinned. "I can't tire my guys out with double duty. A fresh team equals better advancements and quicker results."

"That's pretty smart." I commented.

Soran went to say something, but suddenly grew silent, his face darkening with concentration. Gaven and I looked to each other as we waited for something to be said. His head tilted down a bit. He was linking one of his warriors. A low growled sounded from him.

"We need to move." He turned back to us. "They found some Rogues near your northern border. From observation, they look hostile, as they are messing with things on the ground. They sound metal; possibly traps."

"Let's move." We shifted and our warriors joined us. Soran lead the way to where his warriors were stationed, watching the Rogues with traps. We took a route that would bring us on the opposite side of the Rogues so we would be downwind of them.

The three of us crouched down in the bushes, watching the Rogues set bear traps three at a time, just a few yards into our borders. I held back a growl as the Rogues laughed among themselves, saying things like how we'd never see this coming. They'd have the element of surprise.

No they won't.

Just as they were laying down the next set of traps, Gaven gave a soft bark and we all launched from our cover, our group from the left of the Rogues, Soran's from the right as well as directly in front.

The Rogues stumbled in shock, unable to react as we all pounced at once, taking them down as if they were nothing. The Rogues farther back, however, were able to shift and defend themselves and their comrades. They charged for us, but didn't get far in their advance.

A bark sounded from far back in the trees on neutral land. The Rouges that could get away raced off to follow the Rouge back there. Thinking they were safe, one of the Rogues stuck its tongue out at us.

Soran snarled and charged for him, his group following him. The Rogue yelped, crying for the others retreating faster. I guess they now realize that these Wolves could cross the border and chase after them.

I stared where Soran and part of his warriors left, listening as the sounds of snarls and growls slowly faded away. Something flashed in my face. I took the clothes, shifted, then quickly put them on.

"Everyone grab a stick." Gaven stated as he picked up a branch. "Sweep for traps. All around the border from this point going east. Let me know when they stop." A few warriors grabbed branches and began sweeping the forest floor for the traps.

I sighed and scratched at my head. We really need to know why they're doing it this time. We need to know who the leader is. We need to take them down as fast as possible. We can't afford another eight month war.

My ears picked up a sound. I spun, gasped, then ducked just as a Rogue flew over my head. I shifted and growled at him as he glared at me. Where the hell did he come from?!

He charged again just as I leaped for him. We collided, him grunting in pain. He hit the ground first as I clawed at his sides. He squirmed away, panting hard. Soon, warriors surrounded us. The Rouge glanced at the audience he attracted.

I squinted my eyes as he smirked. What is he planning...?

Holy shit!! More Rogues broke out from no where. I quickly called for all of the warriors as blood started spilling and fur went flying.

The warriors were fighting to get to me, the Rogues holding them back. Yet there was a small opening around the Rogue that attacked me and myself. He chuckled at me, as if saying that no one would be bothering us. I growled at him.

He leaped for me. I quickly met him mid air and bit down hard on his neck, making sure he hit his head on the ground. He groaned. Well, he isn't very experienced with fighting. Time to get out of this mosh pit...

I jumped backward and shifted back. I landed on my feet outside the wall of fighting Wolves, then shifted once more to hep the warriors.

But that damn Rogue blocked my path! I didn't see him coming and we collided, rolling down a small hill just outside the border. I scrambled away from him and took a defensive stance. I can't fight him outside the pack boundaries, and he knows this.

I feigned going to the left, then switched directions a second later to the right. Once more, he blocked my path. I growled at him and charged for him. I leaped over him at the last minute and landed behind him, just a few meters from the border.

But something made me stop. I cried out in pain, instantly shifting back. Razor sharp spines dug into my leg just above my ankle. I panted hard from the pain, unable to move. Holy hell, I wasn't expecting a trap to be here!

The sound of chains rattling made me look over my shoulder. The Rogue who I had been fighting with unhooked the trap from its post. He wiped blood from his eyebrow and smirked. "Finally got you."

I snarled at him and tried to get away, but pain shot up my leg, making me gasp and collapse back on the ground. The stupid thing is also made of silver... Of course it is...

I cried out in pain once more as he began dragging me by the trap. I screamed and tried hard not to thrash around to get away. I glanced up and saw Kester and Gaven struggling to get to me. I reached for them.

"I got her," I heard the Rogue say. I glanced up and saw him on a phone. "Yes, she's in the trap. I know we weren't sure if she would end up stepping in it, but-" And there went his arm. He screamed and dropped the chain to clutch at his elbow. He only got half of his scream out before a Wolf leaped at him once more and bit down on his throat.

I shook my head and began to try and crawl away, trying hard not to use my injured leg.

"Wait, stop moving." A voice said softly. "This is going to hurt, so bite into this." I grabbed the fabric he handed me and shoved a portion of it in my mouth. I hissed as hands gripped the trap and started to try and pry it off. I whimpered and bit down hard on the shirt as the teeth slowly began to release my leg.

"Almost... gah!" I gripped the shirt and screamed into it as the teeth snapped back down on my leg. I peeked an eye open and saw through tears that the one helping me had been tackled by another Rogue. Where the hell are they all coming from?! Why are they so desperate to get me?!

Another hand grabbed the chain and began dragging me once more, this time a bit faster. We went over a bump and my mouth flew open in a silent scream, the shirt falling out. My nails latched onto whatever I could to make us stop. Trees, the dirt, bushes, anything I could grab a hold of. Anything to make us stop and give the warriors more time to catch up with us.

I screamed into the mind link for everyone and anyone to help me. I even screamed for someone to get Soran.

As I called for people, I could hear growls and the sound of Wolves getting closer to us. I smirked through the pain, knowing the Rogue wouldn't get far. I yelped as I was suddenly swept off the ground and into his arms.

"Let me go!" I shouted as I hit his chest and clawed at his face. He grunted but held on tightly to me, determination on his face. "Let me go! I'll kill you! I'm not afraid to! Let go!" Just as my hands went to grab for his throat, I was dropped. My head hit something hard.

I blacked out.

---------------

Gaven

"What do you mean you lost her?!" Soran shouted as he slammed his hands on the table, nearly breaking it. "Tell me exactly what happened!"

I spoke up. "Soon after you chased the Rogues to follow them, more Rogues came from no where and attacked once more. The first batch was merely a distraction. A huge fight broke out. Next thing I know, Emma cried out in pain. She had stepped in a trap. The Rogue dragged her off by the trap. I don't know much after that. All I know is that after a few minutes, she started calling out to us through the link, even calling for you."

"Me?" He almost instantly calmed down when he heard that.

"Yes," I sighed. "On our way for her, we spotted a dead Rogue. We think it was one of yours that got him, because none of ours was able to get to her. Anyway, we tracked them as far as we could before we lost the trail. We don't know where they went or how they got away, but we know they did."

"What do we have that can help track her again?" Soran asked as he clutched at his hair.

"We found this shirt." I held it up to him in a ziplock bag. "It has another scent on it, but it also has hers on it."

"Let me see." He took the bag and opened it, taking a huge whiff of it. "Yes, that's one of mine. It's my Beta's. And that other scent is definitely Emma's. I can give it to a tracker and we can go from there."

"I can also give it to another tracker from another pack," I said as I took the shirt back. "They could help us; all of them are experienced with tracking."

"Anything to get her back sooner." Soran said with determination. "I shouldn't have left... I should have stayed... She wouldn't have gotten kidnapped if I was here! I should have known it was a trap!"

"Soran, enough!" I snapped at him, making him glare at me. "It's all of our faults she got kidnapped! We shouldn't have dropped our guards. We should have made sure the traps were swept in all directions and off the pack land. We should have paid more attention and checked for more Rogues in the area. We are all to blame here."

He stared at me a few seconds longer before dropping his gaze with a heavy sigh. "You're right... You're right. We should have been more vigilant. We should have kept a closer eye on everything."

I nodded, glad he didn't fly into a fit of rage. He would have done that a few weeks ago. He really has changed. "So, now we need a plan to get her and Victoria back. I'll take the shirt to our friends in the other pack and let them get the scent. You can take another shirt of hers that has a stronger scent. It'll help keep you calm, plus it will help you lock onto the scent."

"Will do." He gave a hard nod.

"I will have someone send over a shirt." I told him as I scanned the room. "The rest of you, stay alert. Don't let anything get past you. The second something happens, let me know then call for the warriors. The sooner we know, the faster we can respond and prevent another day like today from happening."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Dismissed." Soran and I said at the same time. Both sets of warriors left the room. I sent a warrior to Emma's house to ask for a shirt and to give it to Soran.

Soon, I was alone in the room. I stared at the map Emma had when we first started talking about everything that had happened sixteen years ago.

There has to be a connection with these attacks...

I just have to find them.

And fast.