Chapter Five

Warm sunlight played on Danica's skin as wind blew her wild curls around.  She and Mason were currently on their way back to town after finishing their discussion about her first change.  

Having ultimately decided it was best to not overwhelm her with too much information in one day Mason insisted they focus solely on her first change for the time being.

Even if Danica had been disappointed in a way she was also thankful.  Her mind was still on overload with processing everything and she wasn't too sure if she had room left to deal with much more.

"Are you comfortable?"  Mason asked from beside her.  He had been silent since they left the wild flower field, allowing Danica to be alone in her head.  "I can put the windows up and turn on the air if it's too hot."

"Mmmmmm"  Danica murmured in the way of response.  "This weather is perfect, leave the windows down."

Smiling she closed her eyes and further relaxed into her seat.  

She could feel herself starting to drift as they continued on.  The quiet in the car and the whoosh of the wind was a perfect lullaby for her anxious heart.

Thump!

The sound of something hitting the side of the car and the jerk that followed caused Danica's eyes to fly open.  

Looking over she found Mason's eyes darkening as he slammed on gas causing them to propel forward.  Danica could feel her body being pushed against her seat from the momentum.

"What's going on?"  She demanded craning her neck to look outside at the world around them.

"Rogue." Mason's voice dripped with fury as a low rumble began to grow in his chest.  

Danica could feel her heart stop at the one word that came out of Mason's mouth.

A rogue?  Mason had vaguely explained to her what rogues were earlier that day.

Rogues were wolves that decided to go against morals.  Instead they chose to go around killing for pleasure, they craved the kill.  Most in the end wound up insane and became nothing more than vicious wild creatures in the end.

Heart pounding she tried to find the rogue that was roaming around outside of the car.

"Where is it?"  Danica asked when she couldn't locate the large red eyed wolf that she was expecting to be in plain sight.

Beside her Mason's knuckles had begun to turn white from how hard he was clutching the steering wheel.  Jutting from the tips of his fingers where nails should be were claws.  

"Um...."  Danica began slowly reaching out a hand to touch Mason.  "I think you should calm down a bit.  If you change right now we will most likely die in a wreck."

Another rumble sounded from him as he yanked the steering wheel to the right and slamed on breaks.  Jerking forward Danica let a scream escape her.  

Mason had managed to find a spot to pull the car over off the main highway they were following.  They were still clearly on the outskirts of downtown so the area was completely devoid of all life.  The perfect place to take care of a single rogue.

Letting out a furious growl Mason ripped off his seat belt and bounded out of the car leaving Danica alone.

With huge eyes Danica watched as Mason began to shift from human to his wolf form before disappearing into the forest just to the right of them.

Feeling like a sitting target Danica frantically began to look around for something to use as a weapon only to be stopped by a light tapping on her window.

Slowly turning her head she found herself staring into glowing red eyes.  Again she felt that all too familiar pull to them as they mesmerized her.

Around the eyes a handsome face smiled.  His black hair was slicked back atop his head not a single strand of hair out of place.  His tan face was perfectly chiseled and smooth.  His pink lips were turned up in a vicious smile allowing his white teeth to show.  His long sharp canines glinted in the sunlight. 

In her mind Danica had pictured rogues as disgusting wolves that lived on the land and barely had time to bath, but this man standing before her was gorgeous.

"Why are you alone little girl?"  He cooed captivating her further with his soothing voice.  "Doesn't your boyfriend know it isn't safe to leave a woman alone on the side of the road."  He laughed mockingly at his own words.

Danica was unable to find her voice as the rogue tapped on the window once more with a long claw that had extended from his finger.  His smile broadened as he took in the look on Danica's face.

"Not scared of me little girl?"  He asked cocking his head to the side. "If not why not unlock this door?  We can get to know each other better."

Despite a small voice in her mind screaming at her not to do it, Danica found her hand reaching for the lock on her door.  As the voice yelled further she was unlocking it.

Beaming the rogue ripped her door open.  In a flash he was grabbing her by the arm and yanking her out of the safety of the car.

"Such an obedient little thing."  He cackled.

"You talk a lot."  Danica found herself saying as the rogue continued to laugh.

Stunned he stopped and narrowed his eyes, a frown beginning to form on his large lips.

"What did you just say?"  He growled, all pretense of charming gone.

It was Danica's turn to laugh.  "I said you talk too much."

Anger flaring the rogue removed his hold on Danica's arm before he wrapped his hand around her throat allowing her to feel his claws digging into her flesh.

"Are you trying to quicken your death?"  The rogue asked leaning in close so his nose was almost touching Danica's.

Was she?  She herself wasn't too sure about what exactly was going on.  She just knew that all of this was completely out of her control.  After her captivation with the rogue she had somehow gone on autopilot.  Now some unknown force was driving her words and actions as she remained frozen in some void having to watch the whole ordeal.

Beaming Danica lifted a hand and placed it on the rogues wrist.  Applying pressure she could feel the bones underneath her hand begin to crunch.

The rogues eyes widened as pain flashed across his face. 

"What the hell?"  His words dripped with disbelief as he began to loosen his hold on Danica's neck.

"Remove your hand."  Danica growled beginning to twist his wrist as he continued to clutch her throat.

Astonished the rogue let go stepping back.  He clutched his wrist that had been in Danica's grip as he glared at her.

"What the fuck are you?"  He asked as he examined her once more.  "What pup has that much strength?"

Confusion raced through Danica as she began to come to once more.  Whatever had been driving her only moments ago disappeared completely.

Shaking her head she stumbled slightly.  Righting herself she assessed the situation before her.  The rogue still remained in front of her the look of rage on his face evident.

Sniffing he let out a howl of frustration before turning and running.

Not quite sure what had just happened Danica looked around.   She wanted to find the source of the rogues anger and retreat. 

She stopped her search as an all too familiar golden wolf appeared from the woods.  Spotting Danica he quickened his pace.

Flooded with relief Danica's knees gave out.  As she slammed onto the ground entire body shaking the golden wolf arrived at her side.  It let out an odd sound like it was trying to speak as it ran its nose about Danica's body searching for any signs of injury.

A low growl erupted from its muzzle as it spotted what Danica assumed were claw marks on the back of her neck.

Forest green eyes full of rage, the wolf looked to Danica as if waiting for an explanation.

"Nothing to be worried over."  Danica assured placing a hand on the wolf's back.  "He didn't do anything to me, I promise."

She felt the wolf's body tense and then relax under her touch.

Interest began to run through her as she realized that while Mason was in his wolf form the sensations she felt when they touched didn't present themselves.  She quickly took a mental note to ask him about it later.

A howl escaped the wolf's lips as it backed away from Danica and made its way to the back of the now parked jeep.

Hearing the familiar popping sounds and whimpers Danica realized that Mason was changing back to his human form and braced herself.  She knew once he was able to speak he would be drilling her with questions about what happened while he was away.

Mentally preparing she waited for human Mason to reappear where the wolf Mason had disappeared.

"Now,"  flinching Danica could sense the anger in Mason's voice as he finally emerged from behind the jeep and made his way towards her.  "What happened?"

"It was no big deal."  Danica repeated again.  "A rogue made an appearance and attempted to choke me.

Mason's still forest green eyes locked in on Danica's golden ones.

"Why did you get out of the car?"  He asked trying to contain his boiling emotions.

Taking a deep breath Danica prepared to tell Mason everything.