Chapter 1 Chapter One

ANNA'S POV

I run through the dense forest. The sound of the wind calling out to me. I loved running. I could spend days doing it. The only downside was the damn territorial alphas who hated to see a wolf trespassing onto their territory. Even when it was a rogue like myself. For years, this had been my life. Tall trees and narrow caves. Wild fruits and small animals I could manage to hurt on my own.

It wasn't the best life but at least I was alive. I jump over a fallen log and ran through the tall grasses. Just after it was another cave. My new settlement for the moment until some bastard comes out and claims I was encroaching his territory.

'Damn bastards' I thought to myself.

At the entrance, I sniffed around with my snout until I was convinced that nobody had come into my space while I was away. Letting the change wash over me, I shifted into my human form. Grabbing the clean clothes neatly folded beside the wall, I put it on to cover my nakedness.

Going deeper into the cave, I grabbed the bottle holding my water and drank greedily from it. I rummaged through the basket and grabbed an apple. Munching on it, I stared at the outside. The clouds were darkening. A sign it was going to rain or maybe it wouldn't. The weather was too unpredictable nowadays. It was better I stay inside the cave. I

didn't want to deal with the cave.

Thankfully, this new cave was deeper than all the others I stayed in. Droplets of the rain won't get to me here and the makeshift blanket I had will give me some warmth. Sitting against the wall of the cave with my knees pressed together, I threw the blanket over my body. Closing my eyes, I waited for sleep to come. That's all I could do while I waited for the rain. When the droplets started, I smiled softly as I drifted off.

"Don't run" a voice yelled at me.

"Wait here and he'll get you" there was urgency in his voice. I couldn't make out the blurry face though.

"Just wait here please" and then the owner of the voice was retreating.

I tried to remain at a place but my legs had other thoughts and soon I was moving. In no distant time, someone dragged me and I was thrown down a steep hill and everything went blank.

I jerked up, heart pounding in my chest. I was often plagued with these nightmares. I had no idea if there was a trigger. Sometimes I'll go months without one and then I'll have it consecutively in the next nights to come. The harder I tried to make sense of these dreams,the worse it became.

All I know, it had something to do with my past. A past that I couldn't remember but definitely the reason I ended up in this forest a rogue. I'll say I've made progress since the first time I had the night mare. I couldn't make out the words being said but with time it became clearer and soon....i believe the faces will too and I'll finally find out what really happened to me.

The rain was beating down heavily and I noticed my boots at the entrance were soaked. Throwing off the blanket, I crawled to the entrance to pick it when I heard a scream. Drowned out by the sound of the rain, I thought I may have misheard until I heard it again, louder this time.

With no thoughts, I jumped into the rain, it was hard to pick up a scent with the rain but not impossible. Once I caught a whiff of one, I chased after it. Running through the slippery mud on barefoot, I ran towards the sound unable to explain why I was doing such a thing. I ran harder and soon the wounds were closer until they disappeared again.

I stood in the middle of nowhere, drenched to the bone, all traces of a scent gone. Regretting my impulsive decision, I turned back. I had better get back to the cave or I'd have a lot more to worry about. I had taken the first step back when I heard another scream. From the sound, it was close by and it sounded like a child. I followed the sound again and then I heard a laughter. Creeping towards the sound, I remained silent.

I crouched down behind a tree once I got a glimpse of them. Two men and a child. From this close, I could pick up their scent. Rogues. But something told me the child wasn't a rogue. But what could be interesting about him that had two rogues chasing him down. I didn't have time to question their motive. They were going in for the kill and I had to stop them.

Emerging from the bushes, I changed into my wolf halfway. The men were surprised and it gave me an advantage. I tore through the throat of the closest man, pining him into the murky floor. The second man was on me in an instant. I pushed him off and finished off the next man. When I turned to the next male, he was brandishing a silver dagger. Lips curled and he lunged at me.

The dagger nicked through my fur and I howled, sinking my teeth into his legs. Still holding between my jaw, I flung him against the tree. He collapsed with a loud thud and lay unmoving. I moved to the little child who was shivering under the rain and sniffed him. His large blue eyes gazed up at me with curiosity. I nudged him with my snout and he broke into a smile. One which disappeared and I noticed almost a moment too late.

The lack of attention to my surrounding caused me pain as sharp claws tore through my flesh. The wolf snarled at me and I took a defensive stance in front of the child despite the pain and blood loss. The wolf lunged again but he didn't get to me. An arrow went through his head and the lifeless body collapsed. The wolf changed back to a dead human and I looked up at the new intruders. I growled back at them and blocked the boy from their view.

"We mean no harm. We only wish to protect the boy. He is on of our own" the man said with his hands up in surrender. I sniffed the air and picked up the pack scent that clung to the boy.

Slowly, I moved away but my wolf hated it and was back in front of him again.

"You can come back with us. For your injuries....and to deliver him safely" my wolf seemed to like that even though she was usually against going to pack grounds.

Changing back, the man threw a large shirt at me. I pulled the little boy into my arms and he clung to me, nuzzling his face in my neck. I was a bit surprised by the action even though it made my heart warm. He pulled away when he was done sniffing and smiled at me.

"Mama"