Chapter 35

Rex called the patrol members to the training ground the next day with a solemn air.

"Good to see most of you up and running again. Good hustle last night," Rex said. "Just in case the rogues manage to slip through some time in the future, I'm having the patrol make a trip to the nearby river to start building an emergency water supply."

Blade nodded, "The injured will stay behind."

Mile huffed, "No way am I getting left behind!"

Blade eyed him carefully before shaking his head. If the man hadn't learned about underestimating the rogues yet then there was only one way to teach him.

"Fine. We leave in an hour."

The patrol got ready and led the small group out of the village in their usual formation with the Milky River Pack trailing behind them or slotting in where they felt made sense.

It was a bit awkward, but they were less vocal about their complaints. The doctor was at the center of the formation as they got to the river.

Arthur took point nearby as the doctor tested the water for contamination and some of the less agile werewolves, including Mike, began to fill barrels and load onto the cart.

Arthur sniffed catching the scent of the rogue before the sentries had managed to alert the group. They turned to face the rogues, but they did not seem to intend to fight them. The rogues froze and began to escape.

"Kill them," Arthur yelled, charging forward. "Don't let any of them escape!"

The wolves from the other packs were surprised, but the patrol members leaped into action. Blood splattered across the trees and fur ripped as they killed all but one.

The one that escaped slipped free of them and ran towards Mike.

"I got it!" He lunged forward, but his injured leg faltered on his landing, sending him crashing to the ground. The rogue struck him hard, tearing a gash across his back.

The Milky River Pack werewolves leaped to his defense, but rather than attacking the rogue, they got between the rogue and Mike.

Outnumbered, the rogue turned and escaped into the forest.

"After it!" Arthur growled, but the rogue had already vanished into the dense forest.

Trying to follow it might have led them into another ambush.

Arthur growled at Mike, "You useless bastard! What the hell was the point of coming you were just going to get in the way?"

Mike grimaced with guilt but his pride wouldn't allow him to back down.

"Those rogues didn't want to fight us, but you still killed them! Aren’t you a bit cruel?"

"Say that to the wolves who have been killed by rogues, you loser!" Arthur growled. "These rogues have a commander. They're not attacking us like they usually do because they must have some purpose! That's why they can't know we're here now!"

Mike scoffed, "You're just guessing!"

Arthur wanted very much to break the bastard's neck, but he refrained. He wasn't just guessing. He had a bad feeling. He needed to know that Daphne was safe. Something wasn’t right, like an instinct he couldn’t explain.

"We need to head back," Arthur said, turning back toward Sharp Armor.

"What's wrong?" Blade asked. "Arthur?"

Arthur reached across his bond to Daphne, but she did not answer.

Daphne? Are you awake?

He waited. Anxiety roiled in his heart before a wave of panic washed through him. His heart clenched.

"Daphne!"

The bond vibrated and screeched with her voice, piercing and afraid.

Arthur!

"Daphne?" Arthur screamed. "Daphne!"

"What going on?" Blade yelled. "What's wrong with Daphne?"

Arthur couldn't breathe, but he called her reaching across the bond, screaming and howling, but no matter how he called out, Daphne did not respond.

Daphne left Mamie’s house in a good mood. She had never played with a baby before Joseph was born, but she found she was enjoying it. It was a great way to start the day before making accommodations for the new werewolves staying with the pack.

Daphne didn't like that Mike, but she made sure his sleeping arrangements were set up the way everyone else's was. She even got him sheets without holes though she didn't want to give him the courtesy for his rudeness.

"You look bitter," Mamie laughed. "Is it about Mike?"

Daphne pouted, "I'm trying to be a good pack member."

Mamie laughed again, "I told Blade I’d rather have him sleep outside the gates."

Daphne snickered, trying to hold back the laughter. While it would have been funny, it wouldn't have helped the packs' relationships.

Honestly, it seemed ridiculous to her. Rogues were a threat. Rogues under Owen were an even bigger threat and they should all chip in to help deal with it.

How long would it take the new werewolves to stop bickering and unite to fight the rogues?

After finishing her work, she walked toward the training ground, cutting across the field to get to the hill that led to her house.

It was about lunchtime and the patrol had just left to get water, so she would be eating alone. As she was wondering what she should eat for lunch, a wolf howled from nearby.

She turned and looked into the forest to see four sets of glowing red eyes.

Her heart lurched in terror at the sight of them.

Rogues were attacking the village from the training ground!

How had they gotten that close? The training ground was where werewolf warriors trained. It didn't make sense for them to come there, but they had chosen the exact time when most werewolves were out on patrol!

The other attack had been a trick to get them to leave so the village was left practically unguarded.

Several soldiers fought the rogues. They seemed to be doing well enough against them until Daphne noticed the large grey wolf watching her from behind the four rogues.

Terror gripped her. It was Owen.

Daphne shivered. The soldiers that were rushing to stop the attack would all die. He was too powerful.

"What are you doing?" A man yelled. She turned towards him as he bounded forward and sifted into his wolf form to join the fight. "This is no place for a human! Run!"

Daphne's legs trembled, but she turned and ran towards her house. She was halfway up the hill when she heard the man cry out in agony. She turned back and Owen growled and tore the wolf's chest open. Blood and entrails sailed through the air and he left the man twitching on the ground, bleeding out.

The rogue behind Owen pounced on the body tearing into it and she gagged.

Her eyes burned with tears as she struggled to get up the hill ad out of sight.

Owen narrowed his eyes. Their gazes met for a moment and she let out a little cry of fear, turning forward and running as the tears started streaming down her face.

She dared not look back again, not even as she threw open the door to her house. She heard the running footsteps behind her as she ran inside, closed, and locked the door behind her.

She screamed as the door bowed him with a loud thump and threw her forward with the force of a body slamming against the door. She turned back to see it cracked enough that one of his leering red eyes peered through to look at her. She swallowed the scream of panic that welled up in her chest as she heard him chuckling.

She scrambled back as he moved away from the door and threw his body into the door, breaking it open with a bang and a shower of splinters. Daphne trembled as Owen came in, leaving bloody prints in the doorway. Blood stained his grey fur and white teeth making his large figure seem ghastly.

His eyes burned red as he looked at her and chuckled.

"Why did you run? I'm here for you, sweetheart."

Daphne's knees buckled and she fell to the ground.

She could barely breathe around her panic and fear. Owen's gray fur gave way to light then blood-stained skin. He was tall and handsome. He looked a little like Arthur with black hair and an expression so cruel she didn't think Arthur could ever make it.

He walked toward Daphne, leering at her.

"W-Why?" Daphne gasped. "Why me?"

She heard Arthur's voice in her mind, his desperation shaking their bond.

Daphne!

Owen threw back his head and laughed coldly, "Why you? Well, my dear, because I never let go of my prey and you…? You're special…"

He grabbed Daphne's shoulder and jerked her forward, his grip felt like a vice tightening just before breaking the bone.

Daphne screamed in terror, "Arthur!"

She felt his fear as she let her panic gush through the bond.

"You are my brother's mate," Owen smirked. "Think what would become of him if you died?

Daphne shook her head, trying to pull away from him. Her eyes were burning with tears as she screamed and struggled.

"No!" She wailed as he laughed. "No! No! No--"

A sharp pain struck her then all was darkness.