A NEW FAMILY

ROWAN

“Well, who is talking?” the man demands.

We are going to die.

I am going to die.

I may not know much about the outside world, but I do know this, the Vale pack are ruthless to outsiders.

“Seize them!” The man orders and the wolves begin advancing on us.

“Wait! Wait!” Lisa says as she gets to her feet. “There has been a misunderstanding and we can explain…”

“When I say run you run,” Rina whispers to me .

“What?”

“Shh. Lisa is stalling for time, enough for us to get a moment. How do you feel about getting into the river again?”

“A preferable choice to dying in the Vale pack,” I respond.

“I knew I liked you.”

We tune back to Lisa’s conversation, and even then I can't make sense of what she is saying.

“...and then there were rabid wolves coming out of everywhere and Now!”

My body reacts before my brain catches up, throwing myself back into the water and I begin swimming for dear life.

I hear two other splashes join me in the water as well as the echoing screams of the wolves on the bank.

I don't turn to check if they are following, the instinct to survive is moving so strong in me.

Eventually, we pull ourselves out of the water and onto dry ground.

“You are fast, wow,” Rina pants as she falls to her back, panting as she gazes up into the sky.

“I didn't want to die,” I reply.

“She is funny,” Lisa adds.

“So, what do we do now?” Rina asks.

“What do you mean? We just escaped.”

“I meant about Rowan here, what is your plan?”

“I… don't really have one,” I say. “I am quite at a loss on what to do.”

“Is this your first time outside your pack?” Lisa questions.

I hesitate before answering, not really sure what to say.

If I say yes, they would ask why I am alone and pregnant, and I can't exactly say no because like she aptly said, I don't smell like a rogue.

“You knew of the Vale pack, and we're rightfully terrified. Why would you know that if you haven't been outside of the pack.”

Oh, that is easy.

“My parents died while fighting their pack,” I answer.

“I see. Your pack survived?”

“Yes.”

“So, you are either from the Wade Pack or the Obsidian Pack.”

“What?” I ask, surprised at how she figured that out. “Why do you say that?”

“They are the only two packs that have managed to survive a fight with the Vale pack, all others who dared have been obliterated.”

“Are they really that good?” I ask with curiosity.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Rina answers. “Under the previous Alpha, they were dangerous, tough, one would think twice about challenging them. But now, under his son, they are on a whole new level. Rather than even thinking of challenging them, packs, rogues and everything in between stay the hell away from them.”

“They are more ruthless, dangerous, lethal,” Lisa adds. “And especially unforgiving to rogues.”

“You have no idea how lucky we are to have escaped, safe and sound,” Lisa finishes.

“Are we? Really safe from them?” I ask. “How do you know they won't come in search of us?”

“Well, the fact that they didn't bother getting into the water with us was one give away. Also, I am pretty sure we left their territory several miles ago. And they don't bother going off their land except when it is completely necessary.”

“Which brings me to my next question,” Rina says. “What do we do now? Do you have any plans?”

“None. My… exit from the pack was not… really thought out.”

“Hmm, how about joining us?”

“Rina!”

“What?! She is alone, pregnant and scared. She has clearly never been out of the pack much less left alone, she has nothing!” she snaps at her sister. “Do you expect us to leave her alone?”

“I…”

“Hush you, I am talking to my sister,” she cuts me off.

Right.

“I don't say any of that,” Lisa responds. “I m just a saying, we have ourselves to worry about-”

“Exactly! We can add her to our group. More company. Which means another pair of eyes and also I won't have to deal with your sunny personality all day long.”

“I can handle myself,” I say, speaking up before Lisa can respond. “You don't have to inconvenience yourself for me. I will manage.”

“Really? You will? How?” she asks. “You didn't even know the land you were on. The only thing in your possession is the clothes on your back and you would have died if we hadn't pulled you out from the river. Forgive me, but I don't have much faith in you being able to handle yourself. Not in the wild like us.”

“She is right,” Lisa admits, though reluctantly. “You have to be quick and fast as a rogue and believe it or not, that is what you are now. And don't for one second think that any other you run across will be as kind or as helpful as we have been. The world is a cruel place on your own least of all when you are helpless and pregnant. And without a wolf.”

“There is no need to remind me of that,” I mutter.

“But it is the truth. So, while against my desire to be on our own, I will admit that we can't leave you alone, so what do you say about joining us?” she asks.

*Say yes,” Rina urges me. “She wouldn't have offered it if she wasn't actually willing.”

“I really don't want to be an inconvenience,” I say once more.

“Too late, you already are.”

“Then… okay, I guess.”

“Yay!” Rina squeals in excitement. “We have a new sister! Which means we are going to have a niece or nephew soon. Can't wait.”

A sister.

Sisters.

Maybe this won't be so bad.