POV: JACKSON
"Be careful, Jackson. I really don't understand why you didn't let me handle this instead," Chris communicated through the mindlink.
"What? Do you really think the rogues are going to kill me?"
"I'm just saying you shouldn't wipe out all the rogues. We need to ask them some questions so don't kill them all." He said then I cut off the link. He had wanted to be the one tracking down the rogues while I stayed back at the pack but I didn't agree to that.
I was positioned near a known rogue hideout. They say that most of them hardly come around anymore, but some were spotted here earlier. I figured Chris wasn't comfortable with me coming alone because of how ruthless I was to them, which is why he sent Eli along.
Eli stood next to me, his eyes locked on the hideout. "Do you really think Chris and I are lying?" I asked him. I just wanted to hear what my head warrior thought about everything. The rumors had gotten worse. What was meant for only the pack leader's ears had spread among everyone. Now everyone knew Blake was the small whisperer, though most people doubted Sam was behind it; they blamed Evelyn instead.
"I'm not sure," he replied after a pause. "But I do know that no wolf would choose a bunch of teenagers over trained warriors to look for his mate and pup."
"So, in other words, you sensed something was off from the beginning?"
He looked at me and said, "Definitely. This also reminded me of that situation with Ava. She couldn't come and go from the pack without someone in charge giving orders. I discovered that he told the guards at the gate she was his friend, knowing they wouldn't think to inform me about it since Sam was the Delta."
Our discussion was interrupted by the sound of wolves running as we turned to see where the noise originated. It was the hideout. About five wolves were racing towards it, and their scents clearly indicated they were rogues. One wolf led while four others chased behind, seemingly trying to catch up with the one in front. The leading wolf darted into the hideout, while the rest halted outside. One of them shifted into human form.
"Do you really think your little hideout will protect you this time? You punk," yelled a man, banging on the wooden door which rattled upon impact—clearly not very sturdy. The others also transformed into humans.
"This is our chance to strike. We only need two of them, and they look pretty clueless, so it should be simple," I told Eli as I began walking toward the hideout, with him following closely behind.
"Tony, I can smell another wolf," one of them remarked while scanning the area and reaching for the shirt of the man who had been yelling moments earlier. The man, Tony, brushed his hands away angrily. "Shut up! There are rogue wolves around; obviously you'd—" he paused to sniff the air and glance around cautiously.
I approached them and said, "Two of you need to come with me. Who wants to volunteer?" I didn't want to waste any more time out here.
"The alpha of the New Moon Pack needs a rogue? Aren't you known for killing rogues on sight?" Tony remarked as he stepped closer, arms crossed. He had the scent of an alpha. Was he trying to challenge me? JJ growled at the thought.
"Good that you know my reputation. Let's skip the formalities; so who's coming with me?" I asked, glancing around. It seemed like they all took orders from this Tony guy, who might know where Sam and Saint were. "Forget it, I'll just choose." I nodded towards him.
Tony sneered. "This isn't your pack, Mr. Alpha. Your mate said something similar—" he paused, his eyes widening in realization. Saint?
I shifted into my wolf form as JJ took control. I charged at him, sinking my sharp teeth into his chin and making him scream in pain as we both tumbled to the ground. I quickly changed back into my human form because I knew JJ would kill him if I stayed as a wolf. I rained down punches on his injured chin until he lost consciousness.
With Tony out cold, I looked behind me and saw that two others had fled. Only one remained, caught in a headlock by Eli and slowly losing consciousness. Eli let him go and complained, "They're going to be a problem to take back to the pack."
"The pack isn't far from here. I can contact Chris and have him bring more guys." And that's exactly what I did.
"That wolf is still in there. Should we just leave it?" Eli asked. I had almost forgotten there was a wolf inside. I approached the door and knocked on it. A gasp followed, along with a scent that made me think it was a frightened omega.
"Come out," I called into the stillness and darkness of the night.
"I-I'm not with t-them. P-please don't hurt me," the omega stammered, their voice trembling.
"Come out!" I shouted.
The door clicked open, and the omega cautiously peeked out before fully opening it. "I swear by the moon goddess, I'm not one of them."
"Where were you all coming from?"
"They were chasing me. I was alone, but then..." He pointed at Tony. "He tried to force himself on me."
"Are you his mate?"
He shook his head. "That's how things are around here. With so few finding their true mates, they sleep with every omega to keep the cycle going."
"You're all disgusting," I said with disdain. The omega lowered his gaze. "Some of us didn't have a choice."
"What?"
"Alpha," someone called out behind me. I turned to see five warriors approaching. "Take these two to the pack and put them in a cell," I instructed them.
I then faced the Omega. "You're coming with us."
"But—" he hesitated when he noticed I was walking away. I heard him sigh before Eli spoke to him, probably encouraging him to follow. "After you."
Once we reached the pack, the two rogues were already locked up in their cell. Eli asked, "Where should he stay?" referring to the Omega. "Should we keep him in the cell too?" I shook my head.
Chris, Mateo, and Marcus joined us. "I thought you said it was just two rogues? Who is this?" Chris questioned, looking over the Omega.
"He was with them—"
"Mate." We all turned towards the Omega as his eyes lit up. Following his gaze, we saw he was looking at Marcus. "Mate," Marcus replied.