Dang it! I was getting good with posting! Oh well... At least I did today.

21

Emma

Well, it's official. I'm lost. I have no clue where I'm going. I haven't run into a single person aside from the guy who came at me in my room and then followed me out. Either no one cares that I got out, or they can somehow can see where I'm going and know that I'm going deeper into the building and am not getting out anytime soon.

I sighed and leaned against a wall, grabbing my ankle. It's starting to finally heal. Right now, the wound is closed up, but I can still feel the scab and partially dry blood as it healed. It ached, but it wasn't bringing excruciating pain anymore. I can walk without limping. I just hope it heals completely before I make it out of here so I can run without any pain and no stops to let my ankle rest.

After standing a few more minutes, I stood from the wall and continued on, hoping I actually was going the right way. I really don't want to have to turn around and go back. It would waste time; time I probably don't have.

With a groan, I stopped and leaned against the wall once more. Damn, this ankle is really killing me... I can feel the healing process work its magic. It's as if I'm being poked by pins and needles after my foot starts to wake up from falling asleep. I hate that feeling.

I took a deep breath and grunted through the uncomfortable pain as I made my way down the hall once more. Please let me be going the right way... I thought to myself as I shook my head. I don't want to be wandering anymore than I have to. I just want to get out of here and go home. Back to my pack.

I rounded a corner and ran smack into something hard, falling back on my butt. I gasped in shock and looked up to see someone glaring down at me. Ah, victim number-

"Watch where you're going!" He shouted over me as he went around me. "And you should know better to not where those clothes outside the operating rooms!"

"Erm..." Think of an excuse! "I'm new. I didn't exactly get that memo." I slowly stood. Hopefully he'll buy that.

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Newbies. Down the hall to your left. There's a closet full of fresh clothes, since I'm guessing you lost yours?"

I was about to agree, but quickly changed my story. "There was a bit of an issue and they got blood on them."

"They didn't tell you to not put your clothes in the room?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm gonna have to talk to a few people... Anyway, get yourself cleaned up and changed. There's a meeting outside the base."

"And I get out... how?" I asked sheepishly.

"No map, right?" I nodded. "Fine. I'll come with you. Just come out of the closet when you're ready to go." I nodded and followed him down to where he said the clothes closet is.

Well, I was not expecting this. I was expecting to have to defend myself against him and kill him. He just might be my key out of here.

He gestured to the closet and I stepped in, closing the door behind me. I flicked on the light and stared at the huge room of clothes. This closet could easily fit on the bottom floor of the pack house. I took a deep breath and went to the woman's section to pull out a loose fitting t-shirt and loose sweat pants. I don't recall seeing anyone wearing shoes, and I don't see any in here, so I guess no shoes.

Before I left, I stuck my hair up in a pony tail and smoothed out the wrinkles that weren't there. Is this really how a Rogue looks before they attack?

Duh... What kind of question is that? Even though they may be losing their mind, they're still human and want to look good. I shook my head at myself.

I found the man I ran into outside the closet still, waiting like he said he would. "Took you long enough. Come on. We gotta get up to the surface." So we're under ground? Okay. Good to know.

As we made our way through the halls of the underground passages, I took note of my surroundings. There's no cameras, which is why no one's been coming for me. The walls are too white. The other halls branching off the main one seem to expand on forever.

"What're you doing?" I looked up to see the man looking over his shoulder at me.

"Trying to familiarize myself with the place." I hope that was the right answer...

He rolled his eyes. "Don't even bother. The best way to tell where you're going is look to look for the slightly off color white tile. It's spread out every ten feet." He pointed to the wall to our right and we came to a stop.

"See this?" He asked as I leaned closer. "The tile is just slightly darker that the rest. And it outlines an arrow. This arrow is pointing forward, meaning the main exit is this way. The wall on the opposite wall points the other way, leading deeper into the maze. No one but us trained Rogues know where these tiles are located. Though, I don't know why a newbie would be appointed a highly ranked position here."

I shrugged. "Luck of the draw? Just looking for more distraction groups?" I was honestly just grasping on to straws here.

"You may be right." He faced me and held out a hand. "Caleb."

I grabbed his hand and almost said my name. I quickly blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Laura."

He nodded then turned away. "Come on. We gotta get going. Our leader is probably waiting for us."

I followed behind him, spotting the arrows as we went. You know, I'm surprised he hasn't figured out that I am their prisoner. Unless he only works with attacks and not with what goes on down here.

If that's the case, then why is he down here? What is back there that I don't know about?

We passed my room and I hoped he wouldn't take a peek inside. I'm just glad we hadn't found the man who I had killed. I think he's down another hall...

I looked back to Caleb's back. He seemed real relaxed, like he knew no one could touch him. His stance made him seem like he owned the place, but I knew it belonged to Victoria. The bitch... I want to kill her myself! I want to rip her head off her shoulders and-

"Laura?" I almost didn't respond. "What's got your panties in a bunch?"

I sighed and shook my head. "Just a little upset that no one ever told me what to do or where to go when down here."

He nodded and face forward again. "No kidding. Whoever did that is a bastard. But, that's how we are, I guess. Pick on the weakest and get rid of them as fast as possible."

I glared at him, disgusted by what he said. "Yeah. Looks like I've got a lot to learn."

He chuckled then remained silent afterward. Okay, maybe I will kill him. I know where I'm going now. Just follow the arrows and I'll get out of here. Easy peasy.

I waited a few more minutes before I readied myself to tackle him. Once I was certain his guard was down, I leaped for him.

I didn't even have time to blink. Before I knew it, I was laying flat on my back, gasping for air as he pressed his hand into my neck.

"Don't even try it." He growled at me. "You'll never overpower me."

I held back my shiver of disgust as he leaned in to whisper into my ear. "I'm trying to get you out of here. Stop trying to draw attention to us." Wait what?

He suddenly stood and my hands went right for my neck as I took in a deep breath. "Maybe in a few months, if you survive, you might be able to catch me off guard. You coming?" He was already walking again.

I stared after him, shocked as to what had happened. That... that couldn't have happened. There's no way it could have!

Reluctantly, I followed after Caleb, if that's even his real name.

I've only known one group to be able to perform that move.

Either he's gone Rogue, or someone from the Woods Pack found me.

But how?!

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

Soran

I sat in a conference room with my Beta, Lexton, fidgeting in front of me. He refused to meet my gaze; he couldn't. I just sat there staring at him, my hands folded in front of me. The tension rose greatly in the air. He thinks he's in trouble.

"Lex," He flinched. "Talk to me."

He swallowed hard. "W-well..."

"Out with it." I was not in the mood for him to avoid the subject.

"I have reason to believe that Alazara is my mate!" He said in a rush, then cowered away slightly, waiting for me to growl and yell at him.

I remained cool. "What reasons?"

He seemed taken aback. "W-we, uh... During the fight, her and I had bumped into each other and we jumped back from the sparks. We stared at each other for a few seconds before we suddenly got pulled away by other fights. I wanted to go back and find her to make sure she was okay, but by that time, they had already started to retreat and you went after them."

I nodded slowly. "I see... Do you want to be with her?"

He gulped. "I... would like to, but..."

"She's a Rogue." I finished for him. "Whom is our greatest enemy at this very moment. You do realize that she could be of some great help, right?"

"Alpha?" He looked into my eyes for once, confused.

"I'm willing to make a deal under these circumstances." I leaned forward. "Yes, it goes against everything we were ever told, but I can let this slide. It's is very important for not only the Alpha to have his mate, but also the Beta and third in command."

A bright smile lit up his face. "What do you suggest we do?"

"We talk to Alazara." I started. "We get the vital information out of her that she knows. Where they took Emma, how far it is from here, and how to get in undetected. She's ranked fairly high with the Rogues, so she's bound to know something. In exchange, we let her join the pack and be your mate."

Lex beamed. "Thank you, Alpha. This means so much to me. When do we get to question her?"

"Now."

~~~~

I raked my hands through my hair as Lex and I sat before Alazara. I was having a difficult time wrapping my head around what she had just said. "So, what you're saying is, no matter what happens, Emma will die, and so will everyone? We'll have a Werewolf Hitler in the US?"

Alazara nodded. "Precisely. I'm sorry it's not what you wanted to hear."

I shook my head. "At least we know where we're going now. And you're certain she's there?"

"Yes," She confirmed. "I've seen her a few times on the monitoring camera."

I swallowed hard, my stomach dropping and my palms growing sweaty. "How... how is she?"

We locked gazes and she looked away. "It... it's not pleasant what I'm about to tell you. When I saw her, she had been gagged and bound to the wall with chains. She had been giving the ones taking care of her some trouble, so they figured that was the best way to take care of her." I growled low in my throat and she shied away from me.

"I told you it wasn't pleasant..." She barely whispered.

"No, I'm glad you told me." I ran a hand over my face and took a calming breath. "I need to know how badly she's been treated and injured so I know what to do when the time comes when I see her again. I need to prepare myself so I know what to do and how to comfort her."

"You'd make a great mate to her." Alazara smiled softly.

Lex and I glanced to each other. "She... doesn't really like me..." I hung my head. "And I don't blame her. Before I met her, I was a complete dick. Hell, I'm still a dick, even after I tried to change for her. But no matter what I do, I can't seem to get her to understand that I need her and that I'm willing to do anything to be with her."

"I see..." Alazara sighed. "I'm sure she'll come around."

I scoffed. "Yeah, probably in our next lives."

"You never know."

"Anyway," Lex pulled us back to the original topic. "Emma is located outside of Palm Springs California, correct?"

"Right, yes." Alazara nodded. "The place is kind of hard to find, but I'm certain an exceptional tracker could pick up my group's scent with no issue. Of course, you couldn't exactly go alone now. We've devised a "buddy system," just in case something happens when we're out patrolling the areas."

Lex and I knew the perfect Wolf for this mission. "Rudy. He's the greatest tracker in the pack."

"But who else...?" Lex and I thought this over.

Then it clicked. "Get someone from the Woods Pack! They have nothing but trackers! It's settled. Lex, you get Rudy and I'll talk to the Woods Pack. I know they'll be willing to work with us. We have a huge lead. Thank you, Alazara. You may say good bye, Lex, then you must get to work." I stood and left the two to say a few parting words.

This is it. We're getting so close to find Emma. We're just that much closer to bringing her back safe. Or, as safe as we can manage. I know she's going to be a bit bruised and a bit battered.

But once everything is put into action, Emma will be safe, and those Rogues will cease to exist.

Hopefully once and for all.