Chapter 5

Cooper’s POV      

I have been listening to noises for hours, but I can’t see anything. I hate places like that. Either way, in my wolf form, someone or something would think twice before attacking me.    

As soon as I heard a scream, I acted without hesitation. This land, maybe in an Alpha’s territory. But it is still classed as part of the Wolf Kingdom. As a prince, I can’t ignore someone’s cry for help.    

Another scream guides me to where I need to go. I slow down when I catch a scent I know. A dirty smell, like burned oil combined with the rank smell of bad breath. “Rogues,” I tell Asher before I block him out. It’s common for wolves to share their thoughts with their humans, live, and see through each other’s eyes. But not me and Asher. He blocks me out most of the time, so I return the favor. We have never gotten along.    

Besides, there is nothing I love more than killing a rogue wolf. I don’t want him to ruin my fun. Rogues have a little more fight in them compared to those stupid trainers Asher makes me fight at Alpha Academy. Who are constantly worried about getting hurt? It’s pathetic. 

But this time. There is no one to stop me. I can get my paws dirty.      

The screaming continues. It sounds like it is coming from a child. Just as I jump through a bush, I see the wolf stalking a young girl on the other side of a valley.    

I recall how speedy the stream at the house was, yet it appears gentler here. I am assessing the dimensions of the valley.

I can do it if I run and jump. I know I can. Then I can kill the rogue. These are the thoughts that run through my mind as I stare at my prey. 

But a yellow streak to my left caught my attention. I turned to see what it was. When I see a young woman running across a fallen tree. What is she going to do against a rogue wolf? I ask myself.

I watch as she sprints up onto a ledge on the cliff. Now I am curious about where she is going. Before she launches herself off it. Landing on the rogue’s back. Ramming something into the rogue’s neck. I hadn’t even noticed her carrying anything. They must be knives of some kind.     

WOW, that was impressive. Her speed, her strength, her bravery. I am impressed.    

The rogue is thrashing about with her on his back. He is going crazy. If the girl has got the daggers in the right place, he will die soon enough. I watched in amusement and horror as she was thrown to the ground. Backing up, I prepared to jump across the valley. I wouldn’t mind being a hero. I rarely get to do anything fun at the academy.

But I am too late. I watch as the rogue picks up speed towards her. I’ll never make it in time. She’s as good as dead right at this point.

Then the rogue collapses on top of her. I guess she didn’t need me after all then. Or does she? Because she doesn’t get up.

I cautiously made my way across the fallen tree, knowing it could collapse at any moment.    

“ARRGGHH!” she screams, trying to push the rogue wolf off her. She is struggling to get out from under the weight of his dead body.    

She notices me and yanks a dagger from the rogue’s eye. Brandishing it at me. Does she think I am a threat to her? She obviously must do as she waves the dagger in front of her. Trying to scare me away.     

I bit into the rogue’s stomach, which was out of reach of her reach, and dragged its corpse off her. The taste of his fur and flesh in my mouth makes me feel disgusted. I hope Asher has packed plenty of toothpaste.   

When the blonde heroine gets up, she looks at me and simply says “Thanks,” then walks up to me and rubs my head. “I appreciate the help.”    

Normally, it is Asher who gets all the credit for our efforts. It felt great to be rewarded. I watch as she retrieves her blades from the ground. They are dripping in blood. Her facial expression tells me she’s as disgusted as I am.      

“Best get these cleaned. You never know when I will need them again.” She smirks. Before she looks at herself, “Best get myself cleaned up at the same time.” Her clothes are soaked in the rogue’s blood. “I hope it is all his, anyway. Thanks again,” she says before walking towards the fallen tree.    

As she walks across the tree, I can hear it creaking. The tree quickly gives way under her weight. She screams as she falls into the stream. She lands with an enormous splash. “Seriously, today is not my day.” She cries out, hitting the water.   

I leaped down beside her to help her up. As she stands, I look at her. Her clothes are not only stained with blood but also completely soaked and are now clinging to her skin. I can’t help but snicker.      

She sees me. “Who are you laughing at?” she says, splashing water at me. Oh, she never did. She did. I tried to splash her by jumping in the water, but it was all in vain, as she only laughed at me.

But I get my own back when she tries to climb the muddy bank of the stream. I bit the back of her trousers and pulled her back into the water. This time, I properly snickered at her. I can’t remember when I last had this much fun. Or if I have ever had this much fun?   

She shivers, “It’s getting dark.” She says. Now I feel bad. If I could mind link her, I would tell her I was sorry, but I gave a low whine instead. She simply smiles at me and tells me she understands.    

This time, I helped her out by pushing her up the muddy bank. I walked by her side through the forest. I wanted to guarantee her a safe journey home. It is my fault she has been there for so long.

I am shocked when she stops by a tree in the middle of the forest. “This is me. Thanks for the help. I would probably still have been stuck under that rogue.” She smirks before climbing up some wooden rungs.    

She cannot seriously live in this tree, in the dark forest. “Asher.” I boom to my human. “Cooper?” he asks in a shocked tone.     

“Make sure the girl is safe,” I told him.     

“Cooper? You’re speaking to me with words.” Why is he so shocked? I can speak. I just chose not to speak to him, seeing he is a control freak. “Yes, make sure the girl is safe.”