Voice of Vengeance

Juniper, 12 years old: Run. That was all I could focus on, running, getting to the safehouse where my siblings would be along with the other non-shifted children of the pack would be. Just keep going. A growl. That’s what pulls me out of my thoughts and causes me to stop in my tracks, my chest heaving from how long and fast I had been running. A twig snaps to my right and I slowly back away. Daddy, I don’t think I’m going to make it to the safehouse. I mind link my dad; I may not have shifted into my wolf, but all children have the ability mind link their immediate family. Where are you, Junie? My dad asks. I’m near the edge of the forest, not sure how far the safehouse is— My mind link is interrupted by another growl and that’s when the scent of decay and death hits my nostrils…a rogue. I whimper, frightened of what was going to happen. “Oh, tiny pup. Are you the one we are looking for? Hmm, you smell like a hybrid to me.” A man says.

(Euan’s P.O.V) “Hit!” My dad says. I strike the punching bag in front of me, my chest heaving and sweat dripping down my body. This workout is more intense than the others he has put me through, and I know the reason is that I’m turning 18 in a few days. He and my mother want to retire from the royal life, and once I find my mate, they are going to hand the kingdom over to me. I graduated from high school early, even though I didn’t want to. Graduating early meant that Junie was left open to bullies. They never messed with her while I was around school because I’m the future Alpha King. My twin brothers, Flynn and Rory, are her age but they don’t protect her as I do. “Euan! Mind out of the clouds!” I hear my father yell. “Sorry dad, was just thinking about my birthday is all,” I mumble, lowering myself to the floor. “It’s not your birthday that has you all in your head. I know you better than that.” “It’s just…I’m worried about Junie.” I murmur. Ever sinc

(Euan’s P.O.V) Fucking rogues had to ruin everything, again. I can feel Junie shaking in my arms, my t-shirt was wet from where she had her face buried into my chest. “Calm down baby, we are almost there,” I say, seeing the safe house in front of me. Euan, where are you!? My mother shouts in the mind link. I’m with Juniper, we are right in front of the safe house. I reply as I get to the door. Oh, thank the Goddesses above. She responds. I cut the mind link as I put my thumb on the scanner and the door clicks open, I slip inside before I close the door and bolt it. Juniper’s breathing is coming in short, shallow pants and I know she’s on the verge of having a panic attack. I make my way through the living area and down to the underground bunker where the rest of the pack who aren’t warriors and who can’t shift are. I find a quiet corner and sit on the ground, holding her in my lap. “Breathe Junie, follow my breathing. In. One. Two. Out. One. Two.” I say.

(Euan’s P.O.V) Waking up this morning, I couldn’t help the slightly giddy feeling of interrogating my first rogue. That makes me sound like a psycho, but I don’t really care, we needed to get to the bottom of why the rogues are once again coming into the kingdom and targeting our pack. My father had called the packs, werebear sleuths, werecat prides, and dragon dens within the kingdoms, asking if there had been any rogue attacks on them. Only the Alpha’s that border the Rogue Lands stated that they saw rogues crossing into the kingdom, they didn’t want to engage them if there was no threat. These packs and sleuths that border the Rogue Lands were smaller and had fierce warriors, but a battle with rogues would pretty much decimate their people. They had tried calling my father, but he had been in and out of meetings, and the attack happened so quickly that he hadn’t had the chance to check his messages. So, other than those packs and sleuths, no one saw the rogues, which me

(Juniper’s P.O.V) “That’s where you’re wrong, Junie. You’re everything.” Euan says, before kissing the top of my head. I can’t help the way that his statement makes me feel like my high school crush finally sees me. In all honesty, I’ve had a crush on Euan since I was little and the way that he’s looking after me right now, makes the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. I’m cuddling with my crush! I know that we spent the afternoon the other day together but there’s something significant about this moment. Euan and I stay on the platform for a few more minutes before we both climb down and walk back to my house. When we turn the corner to the backyard of my house, I see my parents both pacing back and forth. They hear us coming and both their heads snap up in our direction. “Junie!” My mother cries, running toward me and hugging me tight to her. “We were so worried about you, sweetheart.” I hear my dad say, as he engulfs both me and my mother in a hug. “I’m sorry, I di