My day didn't start with chirping birds or blueberry pancakes. No, it started with a searing pain in my chest-one that signified the death of a pack member.

My eyes snapped open and watered. One of my pack members was dead, and judging by the bonds feeling, it was Mike- an unmated teenager with an obsession with energy drinks. Just last night, I remember dancing with him to California Girls.

Slipping off the couch, I carefully tucked Cara against the cushions, so that she was mostly hidden from view. The empty couch nearby showed that Dan and Stan probably went to Stan's bedroom sometime during the night.

Good. Two less lives to worry about. Pushing back my grief, I steeled myself. I could feel my eyes glowing; a sure sign that I was about to shift into my wolf. I let my canines grown out, as well as my claws. I let my wolf instincts take over and sniffed the air. There was an unfamiliar male on the ground floor. He had already shifted into his wolf. My eyes narrowed as I caught another scent...and another one, and another one and one more. There were five wolves downstairs and they were all in their wolf shape.

It was a common misconception when people though that werewolves were two different beings. The human and the wolf. Many supernatural creatures were under the impression that we could communicate to each other. The truth was that there was no human and wolf; there was only a werewolf. I was initially the same person, but my wolf side brought out different qualities in me than my human one. I couldn't talk to my wolf in my head, it would just be like talking to myself.

When I shifted, it wasn't only my body changing: it was also my mind. The human parts became less dominant while the wolf qualities pushed forward. When I was in the form of a wolf, I became more primal. I relied heavily on my gut instinct and senses rather than my brain, as I do in human form.

It was because of this that I decided to shift into my wolf. Not yet though. This was no game the intruders were playing, they only wanted to kill. I could sense their bloodlust from here. Letting a small hiss rip from my throat, I eased forward, leaving a trail of clothes on the way. I could sense one getting closer. Sooner or later, he was going to smell me. I could only smell him because I was an Alpha and we had stronger senses than normal wolves.

In my mind, I was judging my situation. Imagining my uncles voice in my head, I took a deep breath and slowed my racing heartbeat. I would not let any other wolf get hurt. The agony in my chest was pain enough.

Take a step back, Annalise. Look at it from a different perspective.

I nod at my uncles voice in my mind. He continues.

Who has the advantage?

Them.

Correct. Why do they have the upper paw?

Because they out number me.

Yes. They outnumber you. However, do you know if they're adequate fighters?

No.

No you don't. So before you get backup, you've got to decide if you can take them on your own.

Ok. I'll engage the closest one in a fight. If he is a good fighter, I'll get Andy and Jason. If not, I'll take them on their own.

And what if the one you take is especially bad at fighting but all his friends are excellent?

Risk and reward. I have to take a risk if I want the reward. I have to fight him if I want them to leave and not kill anyone on the way.

Good.

Opening my eyes, I know what I have to do. I slip out of the room silently, like a shadow. I can feel him coming up the stairs. Easing down the hallway, I stop at a corner so I can easily peek around.

I still haven't shifted yet because werewolf forms are easier to scent than human ones. By now, he would already have gotten a scent of me. Sure enough, I hear a deep growl and the squeak of the top step on the stairwell. I feel the wolf pad forward slightly and I take a breath then launch myself at him, transforming while midair.

My auburn coloured wolf lands on him. I quickly roll so that the sound is muffled. He snarls at me then swipes, but I deftly duck under his outstretched claws and instead sink my teeth into his muzzle. I can feel the breath leave him and he struggles to free himself from my grip. He is surprisingly stronger than I expected, but so am I. Slipping back into my human form, I slip an arm around his matted, grey fur and squeeze. He buckles and tries to free himself, but soon enough, he can tell that his efforts are becoming futile. Small wheezes and gasps escape his lips and he slowly transforms into his human form. He is a middle aged man with an emaciated body and filthy appearance. He grabs at my arm and squeezes his eyes shut. I also gasp when they open and glare at me. They're completely red; the sign of a rogue.

Rogues have, apparently, been extinct for 50 years.

Shuddering in disgust, I decide on quicker methods. Father than he can comprehend, I grab his shoulder and press my hand into his cheek. His neck snaps with an ungodly click.

By now, I know that I've made my presence known to the other four rogues. I change back into my wolf and lead down the stairs with a snarl. I'd rather meet them down here than on the second floor where they could possibly sense Cara.

I meet the first wolf head on. Literally. I ram my head into her side. It barely leaves an impression on me, but the brown rogue goes flying across the room and lands on a table, breaking it and effectively knocking her out. Turing to a grey and tawny wolf, I let loose a wolffish grin. I can feel that rush of adrenaline through my body at the thought of a fight. Try as I might, I can't get violence out of my nature. It's simply what makes a wolf, a wolf.

The tawny wolf suddenly rushes at me. We meet mid air. Our strong bodies clash together in a cacophony of feral snarks and swiping fangs. The wolf manages to get a good bite into my leg and I let out a furious roar. I can hear my uncle berating me in my head.

By now, I've passed furious. I'm absolutely livid. The come into my pack house, kill my pack member, a teenager no less with a whole future ahead of him, and threaten me and my family.

I stare into the red eyes of the rogue, and, without a second thought, bring my claws swiping across the collar of it with unbelievable strength. A moment later and the head of the creature drops to the tiles with a wet thud.

I look up at the grey rogue and see that it has already fled from the premises with his other pack mate. Growling, I take a deep breath in then let out a howl. A warning howl. A howl that tells of revenge.

After disposing of the dead bodies, I meet with Andy and Jason. They both woke up when I went to the ground floor. With a sigh, Andy places his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. "You know what you have to do."

I nod and smile weakly at him. "Yea, I do," Jason looks me in the eyes and says, "but you know that Andy and I are here for you though, right?"

Nodding, I smile a little more genuinely now.

I had to inform the surrounding packs of the rogue attack. There were about four ones. The Blue Moon pack, the Moon Leaf pack, the Wolf Star pack and the Silver Claws pack. The task itself isn't that daunting. The thing that frightens me is the fact that it's going to be the first time I've really interacted with the other packs as an Alpha.

Of course, I've known most of the other packs since I was a child. But then, I was only Annalise, the Alpha of the Black Sun pack's niece. Now, I was Annalise, the orphaned Alpha of the Black Suns.

The last five years, when I was Alpha, was pretty low key. The most important issue I could remember from the time was probably just border line problems. Never something as serious as rogues. At least Andy and Jason are here to support me.

Andy was both my father and uncle's beta, so he had quite a while to perfect his role. I decided, when I got the Alpha position, to keep him as my beta as opposed to swapping him out with someone younger. In a way, he made me feel closer to my dad and uncle. He had been living on the third floor of the pack house for ages. He and his wife, Emma and their children were like family to me.

Jason, my third in command, was significantly younger than Andy. He was a few years younger than me, as he hadn't found his mate yet. Jason, to me, was like another brother. We had been best friends growing up, and he kept me grounded during all the drills and training my uncle put me through. He remained with me throughout the toddler years, preteen stage, bratty teenager period and still, now, into my early 20's.

Smiling at me, he casually draped an arm around me. "Cheer up, Annalise. It's only a meeting. And either me or Andy will be with you the whole time."

Andy nodded and stroked his white beard. "When do you think you want to leave?"

I wrinkled my nose and considered. "I think I should leave as soon as possible. Rogues are a serious issue, and the other packs need to be warned of the threat immediately. Andy, I think you should stay here, and Jason can come with me. I need a man of logic here and a fantastic fighter with me." I grinned at Jason before my face dimmed. "Goddess knows I might need the extra help."

Nodding, Andy turned and began to ascend the stairs. He called over his shoulder, "Good choice, Alpha. I'll go and wake Amy and the kids and get them to alert the pack of a meeting. Will you have enough time to talk to them?"

I nod curtly. "Of course. Tell them to get here in half an hour."

One hour later, and I was exiting the pack meeting with a small swarm of concerned werewolves hovering around me.

"Alpha Annalise! Why do you have to go? Why can't Andy or Jason go instead of you?"

"Alpha! Alpha! What if they attack again?"

"Alpha Annalise! How long will you be gone?"

"Alpha Annalise! How about a funeral for Mike?"

Sighing, I turned towards the persistent wolves and said, "I have to go because I am the Alpha and it is my duty to protect. Not just my pack, but all of Were kind as well. Andy and Jason can't go because it is not their responsibility. You should all feel safe in Andy's paws. He has been the Beta of the Black Sun pack for three different Starman Alphas' to pass through. He knows what he is doing. If the rogues attack again, he will keep you safe and immediately summon me. I won't hesitate to return if such a situation arises. I'll be gone roughly a week or more. Each visit will take about 2 days. I will frequently check in with Andy though, so don't worry. And yes, we will most definitely have a funeral for Mike. We will have it as soon as I return. Please don't worry. I will do everything in my power to keep the Black Sun pack safe."

With that, I tuned on my heel and made my way to the door of the pack house. There, Andy, Jason, Cara, Stanley and Dan waited. As soon as I got close enough, Cara launched herself at me. Catching her, I stroked the caramel ringlets on her head. Tearfully, she asked, "Why can't I go with you?"

Sighing internally, I kissed her cheek and coaxed her head out from beneath my chin. "Sweetie, you can't come because you need to keep an eye on Andy. Who knows what he'll do if you leave him alone! You need to make sure I still have a pack to return to when I get back. Do you think you can do that for me, Cara?"

Glancing at Andy, who nodded, then Jason, who looked like he was trying to reign in laughter, then to me again, she nodded. "Ok. I can stay here. But only if you bring me back something."

I let out a loud laugh. "I wouldn't dream of doing otherwise."

Cara grinned, satisfied. Putting her down, I walked over to Stan and gave him a hug. "Sorry I couldn't stay longer."

Stan shrugged and have me a small grin. "It's okay, we'll catch up when you come back."

Beaming at him, I place a kiss on his forehead and say, "thanks, Stan my man. Take care of Cara for me. Love you, bro."

Stan gives me a nod. I quickly say goodbye to Dan and Andy, then walk to the nearby forest. I strip then transform. My auburn wolf greets Jason, a large blonde one. We look at each other and let out a feral grin.

"Let's werewolf the shit outta this."

--------------
Heeeeeey everybody!
We don't have to live this way!
We can all get some!
We can all get paid!
...I have no idea if those are the actual lyrics...

Ive been listening to 5SOS. Don't judge. We all need a little 5SOS in our lives.

So how is everybody? I feel terrible. I came back to my room after a weekend at my friends place in the next town over and my room was dusty af. And, of course, since I have to be retarded and be allergic to dust, I was sneezing up a storm for the next few days. Eventually, I got so fed up of it, I moved into my mums room. I'm still there now.

Anyway, question of the chapter *drumroll please*...

What is your favourite type of pizza topping?

This one is pretty important. I literally don't care what mine is unless there is meat on it. Though, I don't really like meat lovers which I know is incredibly strange. But this is a no judging zone so...yeah.

Please tell me how you liked the chapter. Vote, comment and follow if you wanna make my day! Like literally one vote makes me so happy!

Ally xoxo