Chapter 5: Entering the Den of Wolves

Autumn POV

Dax had an iron grasp on my arm. I thrashed and kicked, but to no avail. My feet fumbled for grip as he hauled me across the pack hall's shiny floor.

"Please!" I opened my mouth to scream, but only a pitiful squeak came out. Oh, how I hate having to pretend to be silent.

Go to hell, damn it all.

I made a desperate attempt to grasp anything or anyone who could assist. I ran my fingertips along Zane's sleeve. Hope blazed in my chest for a minute. My foster father would never allow this to occur, I'm sure. However, he withdrew his arm, his expression displaying icy indifference.

"Zane!" With tears flowing down my face, I silently mouthed. He moved on.

Bessie was standing close by, her mouth hanging open in a victorious grin. I went flying at her, snatching a handful of her blouse in my fist. She flinched back as though I were sick, pushing me off so hard that I staggered.

She growled, "Get your dirty hands off me." "You ought to give me thanks. At least you'll be useful now."

As Dax yanked me by, the elders looked on impassively. I made frantic gestures, attempting to convey that Bessie had cheated and that the situation wasn't equitable. But my protests meant little without a voice. They were staring at me with disgust in their eyes. Just an omega who is silent. Worthless. Expendable.

I saw Alpha Rafe for the last time as we got closer to the doors. With Catalina tucked protectively under his arm, he stood erect and proud on his dais. Their faces of icy contempt were the same for both of them. My pack was this one. my household. And they were discarding me as trash.

There was a loud boom as the doors slammed behind us. The sound was as definite as a coffin lid closing, and it rang through my bones.

The air outside was chilly and fresh. In other conditions, it could have been energizing. It feels like a slap in the face right now. Real life is beginning to emerge.

I staggered on the uneven surface, my injured leg aching. Dax stopped, and for a split second, pity appeared in his dark eyes. But as fast as it materialized, iron resolution took its place.

"Stop fighting," he snarled. "You're only making this harder on yourself."

I gave a fierce shake of my head, still fighting against his iron grip.

He let out a sigh that was half irritation and half admiration. "You seem to have a strong spirit. It won't help you here, though. Girl, accept your fate. It will be less difficult for us both.

As we ventured into the forest, the thick canopy above us enveloped us in almost complete darkness. The smell of rotting leaves and soil filled the air. Motionless shadows surrounded us. The remainder of Dax's group emerged from the shadows, resembling specters.

Suddenly, Dax let go of me. I staggered and almost fell. My breath stuck in my throat as I gazed up.

A huge black wolf suddenly towered over me where Dax had stood only moments before. With the exception of a jagged scar across his left eye, his fur was pitch-black. With that vicious look on my face, a low growl erupted from deep within his chest.

The other rogues changed, one by one. Before long, a sea of shining teeth and bristling fur encircled me. Clearly, Dax was saying change or risk falling behind.

I willed my wolf forward and closed my eyes. But the reassuring warmth was absent. The stinging reminder of why I couldn't shift was my leg's throbbing. The agony was too intense, and the injuries were too serious.

When I opened my eyes, Dax was staring at me. I shook my head and made a hopeless gesture toward my leg. His ears prickled, and I thought for a split second he was going to attack. But suddenly, he let out a puff of breath and dropped to the floor.

It took a moment for me to comprehend. My eyes widened in shock when I did. Did he want me to mount him?

Dax gave a frustrated snarl. Get moving or get left behind was the unambiguous message.

I gently got on his broad back, swallowing my pride. As soon as I composed myself, he took off quickly. Dax dashed into the trees, the rest of his pack following behind with ease, and the forest began to blur around us.

I buried my face in his neck to shield it from the slashing branches as I clung to his fur. It was almost hypnotic to see his strong muscles contract in a constant beat beneath me. I found myself gradually relaxing in spite of my fear.

For what seemed like hours, we ran. Dax slowed just when I thought I couldn't take it any longer. I looked up, squinting in the bright light.

We had appeared in a tiny, undiscovered valley. Stretched out in front of us was what appeared to be a town, but was eventually taken back by nature. Buildings in disrepair drooped drunkenly, ivy climbing up their walls. Old, rusted cars dotted the perimeter, acting as temporary security posts. I caught a few glimpses of other wolves sitting atop the cars or scavenging among the wreckage here and there.

Thus, this was the notorious region of rogues. It was not what I had anticipated. Yes, there was a strange sensation of home there, but there was also an air of neglect.

Dax stopped in front of a pack of wolves who were waiting as he padded into the heart of the dilapidated village. We stopped, and I removed myself tactfully from his back. My legs grew weak from the extended journey.

When we arrived, a cacophony of yips and whines greeted us. A few of the eager wolves came trotting forward and gave Dax a tender nuzzle. He took a moment to get used to their attention before growling softly and shaking them off.

A thin female wolf with tawny fur came over to face me warily. With a little flick of her tail, she sniffed at me. She then moved, exposing a woman who might be a few years my senior.

She murmured, "Welcome home, Alpha," to Dax, who had also changed. "I see you brought us a guest."

Dax moaned. "Go to the infirmary with her. Tidy her up and tend to her injuries. Ensure that she is at ease."

The woman gave me a warm, surprisingly genuine smile after nodding. "Please, honey, come on. Together, let's get you well.

Gently taking my arm, she guided me toward one of the better-preserved structures. I turned to look at Dax again, but he had already started to walk off, giving commands to his group.

The infirmary, as it was called, was actually an auto repair garage that had been transformed. A few rickety cots had been pulled to the corners, along with old tires and pieces of machinery. The harsh fragrance of antiseptic barely covered up the lingering grease stench.

The woman introduced herself as Amber and led me to a cot. "What's your name, sweetie?"

I let out a frustrated groan and shut my mouth. How would one explain?

Amber scrunched her brow. "Can't you speak?"

I gave her a headshake.

She said, "Oh, you poor thing," with sincere sorrow in her voice. Don't worry, though. Here, we'll look after you well."

She brought in two more women, and between them, they started taking off my frayed clothes. I initially recoiled, unaccustomed to this kind of treatment. But they had a cold, impersonal touch.

"It's okay," Amber reassured. "We just need to check you over; make sure you're not hurt anywhere else."

They did a good job of cleaning my wounds and applying new bandages to my wounded leg. Their caresses surprised me by being kinder than any I'd experienced in the Crescent Night group.

Amber chattered nonstop while they worked. "Actually, things aren't that bad here. Although the rogues have a bad image, we're all essentially part of the same family. Consider Sarah as an example." She gave one of the other women a nod. "She worked as a municipal nurse in the past. arrived at our place after being expelled by her pack for falling in love with a rebel. She is now our mental healer."

Sarah gave a timid smile. "That is accurate. I never imagined coming here, but now I find it impossible to picture being anywhere else."

I stood there silently, half-afraid, half-trusting. This was not what I had anticipated from a rogue pack at all. Then again, what was it I knew? Up until now, the Crescent Night bundle had been my entire universe.

Amber clasped my hand as if she could read my mind. "I realize it's a lot to process. Give us a chance, though. It's possible that you're intended to be here exactly."

There was a lump in my throat. I considered the Lycan King Kavan and his invitation to become a pack member. Why had I not accompanied him? But no, it was useless to think about what may have been. This was an improvement over the Crescent Pack, at least. Here, at least, I was met with friendly looks rather than disdainful ones.

After providing me with care, Amber assisted me in changing into a fresh pair of slightly used but clean clothes. "There," she remarked, taking a step back to examine her work. "Feel better?"

I managed to manage a tiny smile of appreciation as I nodded.

"Good. How about some meals now? You have to be very hungry."

Right on cue, my stomach gave a loud growl. Amber chuckled. "That seems like a yes to me. I'll be right back; please wait here."

After a few minutes, she came back with a hot platter. My mouth started to moisten at the smell.

"It's not much," Amber apologized while placing the platter in front of me. A small amount of pork with roasted potatoes. Since we raise much of our own food here, there's not always an abundance of meat. However, we wanted to extend a formal greeting to you."

I couldn't help but seem puzzled as I gazed at the plate and then back at Amber. What made them so generous? What was it they desired from me?

Amber appeared to detect my discomfort. "Suck in," she said softly. "You're safe here, I promise."

I hesitantly started to eat. The meal was flavorful and straightforward, with seasonings I was unfamiliar with. I could feel some of the strain leaving my body as I was eating. This might not be as horrible as it seems.

The door suddenly sprang open as I was finishing the final bite. A boy, maybe twelve or thirteen years old, staggered in. As if he had run the entire distance, he was panting profusely.

"Amber!" he exclaimed. "I was dispatched by Alpha Dax. He's eager to meet the new female immediately."

Amber's expression darkened. "Already? She hasn't even had time to relax, though."

The young man shrugged. Alpha's directives. declared that it was critical."

Amber turned to face me, her countenance a mixture of resignation and worry. "I apologize, sweetie. We should not keep him waiting too long."

My heart raced again—the one that had just started to quiet down. What was it that Dax wanted from me? Why is it so urgent?

A knot of chilly dread grew in my stomach as Amber escorted me out of the infirmary and into the fading twilight light. I'd let myself go easy and dream. But now that I knew the rogue alpha had ulterior motives, all of my worries returned.

Now, what waited for me?