Chapter 58

The sky above was clear with hundred's of stars sparkling in the dark. There was no threat of storm or strong winds, which only meant one thing—that the war was over. But how could it be over? I walked across the empty streets, keeping my every step as quiet as possible. The jacket I wore dissolved my own rogue scent, which I wasn't aware of until Malik told me.

I was a rogue.

It was surprising to learn that, especially after I had spent months here, with Nicholas, in his house, in his pack.

Anything but a rogue.

My hands remained in the pockets of the jacket as I tried to find my way around here. I could hear the wolves howling and snarling, but it was faint voices. There was no one near me, or at least I thought.

Just as Malik said, I took the community streets and passed through several houses and parks. I could smell the residents but I couldn't see one. They were all hidden away in their houses, praying for their safety. The fear was thick in the air, and I could sense it with every step I took.

It was an eerie feeling, but I was enthusiastic I could find Nicholas somewhere around.

Where else could he be?

Two men appeared from nowhere. Their sudden appearance startled me and I froze on my tracks while the hair over my skin rose.

"What do we have here?" One of them said.

"A rogue," The other sniffed the air. "It seems like." His eyes narrowed at me, taking in the sight of a woman at this time of the night, at a place where men had been brawling just earlier.

I kept my cool while my hand was wrapped around the gun Malik had given me. There was no reason to fight off these men unless they'd attack me, and I doubt they'd attack me as I was a rogue.

"I'm just passing through. I'm not looking for any trouble." I said, keeping my voice steady as my eyes flickered over one and then the other one.

The men exchanged a glance and one of them stepped forward. "Oh, really? Where are you heading off to?"

I came up with something quick. "To another territory," My chest rose and dropped. "I heard there was an attack here and came to see what was happening. Curious to know what happened?"

When asked with a question, they both hurried to answer.

"Our pack fought against the Silvertails and won. Though, the war is far from being over. Our alpha still has to take control, but he can't, not unless the other alpha is dead."

"It won't be long from now," The other one said. "Some of those injuries he sustained were pretty serious. We heard he's holed up somewhere, barely clinging to life. His death will be coming soon and then, we all can rejoice with victory, taking one of the greatest alpha's down."

They both smiled with glee and cheer while my heart sank at the bare information I got. Nicholas was injured, just as I suspected. I tried to keep my composure, but it was becoming increasingly difficult, especially after hearing about him.

Where was he hidden?

"Well," I cleared my throat. "I should get going. Don't want to get in between of men fighting each other."

I turned to leave, but one of the men reached out and grabbed my arm. "Be careful out there, rogue. It's not a safe world for a woman like you and a title like yours. Get out of here as soon as you can. Another war will be breaking soon and this all, will be ashes."

I nodded and pulled my arm away before quickening my pace. The men went on the other direction and I continued going ahead, making my way through the town. Malik was right, I was in benefit by being a rogue and a woman.

But how could I find Nicholas?

Turning around, I glanced at the woods behind the housing community and it made me wander if Nicholas was there. He wouldn't be in town as he could be suspected by anyone and then forced in front of his father who was now, probably, residing in his residence.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I began making my way toward the woods, knowing well they were as dangerous as they could get. Wolves snarled and growled under the moonlight. They shed more blood on dirt than on roads and streets. It was an open ground for them, to kill anyone they wanted, especially in times like these.

As I began moving through the woods, I took in account of any scents, any of them. Following a trail, I went deeper and deeper until I caught the faintest of Nicholas' scent from a very far distance.

My wolf instincts kicked in and I nearly shifted, but stopped before I could.

I didn't want to shift. Not right now. I had to find Nicholas instead of gaining attention from other wolves in the woods. They could smell a rogue far easier than any other werewolf.

With my sense heightened, I followed the faint scent to wherever it led me. And instead of it leading me to him, it lead him to me.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when his hand came wrapping around mine. "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here."

I blinked in surprise upon finally finding him. My hands reached forward while relief and joy filled me up, but it only lasted a short while.

"I came to find you and I was so worried—" My gaze flickered over his state and it wasn't as good as I believed it was. He was barely able to stand and his clothes were covered in blood, his and others. "You're hurt." I whispered, placing my hand over his chest as my brows furrowed in worry.

"I'm fine," He grabbed my arm while his eyes darkened. There was something within them that I had never seen before—defeat and a burning desire for revenge. It was as if he had reached the tipping point and couldn't take it anymore. "Who did you come here with? Where's Malik?"

"He's—" I barely held with his intense gaze. "Come with me. Let's go from here."

"No."

"You're hurt and you—you're bleeding. We've to leave from here, Nicholas."

He shook his head and tightened his hold on my hands. "No. You've to go from here, you've to go back. You shouldn't be here right now."

"And neither should you,"

Shivers ran down my spine the longer I looked into his eyes. He was in pain but his rage was not letting him feel it. My fingertips turned red with his blood the instant second I touched his chest. It was fairly dark where we stood, I couldn't see where he was hurt, but his state told me everything.

"You're hurt, and you're alone. I'm not going to leave you like this and go anywhere, unless you come with me."

There was a silence that stretched between us. His grip on my hands tightened to the point of pain as he barely was able to stand on his feet. I stepped forward, trying to support him and he fell into my arms. As I held him up, I could feel his weight heavy against my body. His breaths came out in ragged gasps and his body trembled with the effort of staying conscious.

I felt the heat of his blood against my chest, against my fingers and clothes. He was in pain and there was no denying that.

"We need to get you help." I whispered. Panic swirled inside me, but I knew I had to remain calm for his sake.

"No, I can't leave from here. He will win if I leave and I can't let that happen." A frustrated growl fled his throat as he spoke.

"It's sweet, I wish you were as possessive about me as you are about your father." I whispered, a hint of sarcasm in my tone as I held him in my arms.

"Do you think I'm not?"

"I just think that man has more of your attention than I do," It was a fire that had consumed him, and I knew that he wouldn't stop until he had his revenge on his father and it didn't matter at what cost. He was willing to die for this, and I was willing to do everything to keep him alive. "I've just the perfect place for you."

Read ahead on Inkitt or Patreon:

Inkitt: www.inkitt.com/miakerr

Patreon: www.patreon.com/miakerr