Chapter 21

"Let me help." Jasper begs as we walk to the pack line. It's still insanely early to the point where sun is barely peaking out through the horizon, but it's the safest time to sneak him out of here without getting caught. Quentin offered to come with us, but that would only draw more attention so he stayed back to rest.

"Absolutely not." I send him a look that leaves little room for him to argue, but it's Jasper so he'll fight me on this no matter what. It's hard to forget he's a child based on how mature he is, so I keep reminding myself every time he gives me his stubborn face not to snap at him. What he witnessed yesterday was not meant for a child to see and it pains me to know it was my fault for allowing him to participate in our plot. Now that I've made that mistake once I'm going to make sure it never happens again.

"I can help." He snaps ripping his arm out of my hold. The pain in his eyes is evident as he stares me down. "I'm more than capable. I have the resources, man power, and skill to help. Yesterday I saved peoples lives but I also watched as others lost theirs, and I will be watching whoever is responsible meet their fate." He's angry and hurting right now wanting justice for those who can't get it themselves, but that makes him more dangerous than he knows. To have such power in numbers, information, and discretion he's a ticking time bomb of hormones and impulsiveness.

"We will get justice, but right now your pack needs you, and more importantly you need your pack. I'm so sorry you went through what you did, and I will never forgive myself for leading you right into it. For me can you please go home and don't do anything reckless. I promise to call you if we need help, but right now we have plenty of backup." None of it is a lie. Now that the council has revoked Black Moon's recognition their allies will all be willing to join forces if it comes to that, but I'm praying it won't. "Plus we don't know for sure who to punish yet so until we do I want you to focus on keeping your pack safe." I already worry that the small amount of help they've already provided may have drawn attention.

"I can't just sit around and do nothing." He looks so exhausted with the dark circles under his eyes amplified by his black hair. If it weren't for my brain keeping me up last night overthinking every decision I made while Quentin was in a coma, Jasper's screams when he had nightmares would have. It was easier to comfort him since I know exactly what he's going through. Although my nightmares have subsided slightly they still invade my dreams once every few days.

"You won't be. Use this motivation to take full reign of your pack and lead them to be people you would be proud of." He needs a distraction and thankfully there is a perfect one waiting for him at home. There is no doubt in my mind Jasper is a leader and I would love nothing more than to see him thrive doing it.

After many more minutes of back and forth he finally caves agreeing to stay home unless we need him. Hugging him goodbye I wave until he is out of sight before rushing home already missing Quentin. after the phone call last night any desire still hanging in the air was demolished by the dread and uncertainty that washed over us like a cold bucket of water. Although we didn't still crave each other that way the need to be near the other was still there, and not being able to do much until morning we held each other discussing what our next step will be.

Ultimately we came to the conclusion that whoever is behind the rogue attacks is our first priority, and if that so happens to be Ivan than we will be killing two birds with one stone. Ivan may be the biggest asshole in history but that doesn't make him the more dangerous than a enormous group of rogues going pack to pack killing innocent people. With that in mind my dads, Della, and Aidan are all going to meet us on neutral territory later tonight to debate what our next move will be. It seem fruitless to pursue getting our recognition reinstated because by the time the investigation wraps up we may run out of time to stop the rogues. We know their numbers are larger than anything any of us have seen before and who knows when they plan to strike next.

"There you are." Quentin smiles brightly as I step into the kitchen. Letting out a sigh I walk into his awaiting arms relishing in the fact he is here instead of that hospital bed. "I was starting to get worried." He admits kissing the top of my head before taking a sip of his coffee.

"He was extremely insistent on helping." I explain pulling back only enough to look up at him resting my chin on his chest. His eyes are something I will never get sick of admiring, the way the grey rims add dimension to the blue splotches that create the overall piercing silver that I have fallen hopelessly in love with.

"We'll get this handled don't worry." I want to believe his reassuring smile, but the small flash of uncertainty in his eyes squashes any excess hope I had of an easy fix. "Aidan called while you were gone." He swiftly changes the subject. "Troy is doing better, but is going to stay in the hospital for another day." It's hard not to flinch at the thought of my cousin getting hurt to the point of hospitalization. Apparently him and Victoria wanted to help with the fight so they ran from the bunker in search for Della and Aidan, but got caught by a few rogues. They managed to fight off most of them but were outnumbered so Troy threw Victoria behind him when they pounced. It wasn't more than a minute before Jasper showed up but Troy still got a few ribs broken, a bruised lung, and broken arm. Victoria sprained her wrist when Troy pushed her out of the way but other than that was fine.

"They are still coming after sundown?" None of us should move forward with any plans until we meet, so it needs to be sooner rather than later. Oliver already agreed to stay behind and watch the pack. Same goes for Emeric at Black Moon, and Brandon at Dark Mountains. Having a meeting with three Alphas on no mans land is risky in and of its self, but leaving all three pack unintended would be down right ignorant.

"Yes. You should eat something before we head to the pack house." He brushes a stray hair out of my faces. I would protest but my stomach growls loud enough that we both hear it, and he stares down at me his smile shifting into a cocky smirk. Huffing I pull away with red cheeks heading to the fridge to grab some blueberries.

* * *

The air is cold enough that I can see my breath, and the slight breeze nips at any exposed skin freezing me to my bones. Thankfully Quentin stands behind me enclosing me in his arms to provide a bit of his body heat, but my nose and ears are still numb.

"Tessa!" I break out of Quentin's hold racing into my dad's arms. Ryder lifts me up clutching me to his chest as Fletcher walks up beside him, and he reluctantly sets me back down allowing me to fling myself into Fletcher's awaiting arms.

"I missed you." I croak feeling tears trickle down my cheeks. It feels like forever since the last time I saw them, but to them I'm sure it feels longer considering all that's happened since.

"We missed you more." Ryder wipes the tears from my cheeks once Fletcher let's go of me. Under different circumstances I would be elated to have my dads with me knowing Della and Aidan are also on their way too, but this isn't a family get together it's a meeting to discuss how we stop the loss of more innocent lives. A familiar head of blonde hair catches my attention from over Fletcher's shoulder.

"Asher?" I didn't know that he would be tagging along since Brandon is staying back to guard the pack. It's good to see him none the less, and our phone call a week ago makes this a lot less awkward.

"Hey Tessa." He pulls me into an unexpected hug, and I awkwardly pat his back in return hoping Quentin doesn't take this the wrong way. I can't even begin to compare how minuscule the feelings I had for Asher were compared to the love I have for Quentin.

"Hi." I step back and an arm immediately wraps around my waist while another is held out in front of me. Turning my head slightly I look up at Quentin only to be relieved when his eyes don't hold any anger or irritation. "This is my mate Quentin." I introduce them since they haven't formally met before.

"Hi, I'm Asher, her best friend." It takes a lot of my control not to cringe at his words. At another time I wouldn't have batted an eye but now our relationship has been through the ringer and I don't think it'll ever be what it was. I still want to remain close with Asher, but calling each other best friends is a stretch.

"It's nice to finally meet you, and see the guy who lucked out." Quentin chuckles at his own remark, and to be honest I have to bite my lip in order to hold back my own laughter. There's no possessiveness in his tone just humor, and it makes my heart warm hearing Quentin's loving words towards me.

Thankfully there is no time to go back and forth over the comment because Aidan and Della come through the brush hand and hand. My heart breaks for them understanding now what it feels like to have your pack under attack especially remembering all they went through fourteen almost fifteen years ago.

"How's Troy?" I ask Della as she pulls me into a tight hug.

"He's strong just like his dad." Her half smile is enduring as she looks over her shoulder where Aidan is Talking to Quentin in hushed whispers. The way Della and Aidan constantly love each other just as much if not more after so long is admirable. "How is Jasper doing? I felt bad sending him away right away but the council was on their way."

"He's resilient." I smile thinking back to earlier when I saw the determination build within his eyes. "But at the end of the day he's a child whom saw horrific violence, and had to make the gut renching choice of his life over someone else's. It my fault he lost his innocence yesterday, and the reason he will have nightmares the rest of his life." Della shakes her head with a deep frown.

"You could say the same for me." She points out. "I'm the reason you have your nightmares." Now it's my turn to frown.

"No it's not." I assert with anger lingering in my voice. "Rogues killed my mother and hurt our pack. They are the reason I have nightmares." Her eyes soften as she brushes my cheek with the backs of her fingers.

"You could say the same thing for Jasper then. Don't beat yourself up, and watch out for Jasper. I sensed a great deal of power radiating off of him yesterday, which can easily be manipulated if given the opportunity." Her natural motherly behavior makes an appearance. "His parents will help him I'm sure." Guilt overwhelms me remembering that Jasper is going home to an empty house but a full pack.

"His parents are gone." I mummer looking down at my cold fingers. Della doesn't reply knowing everyone's situation is different and can get complicated. Plus Aidan motions for us to come over.

"Are you okay?" Quentin sits is down on a fallen log pulling me into his side. He must have felt my pain of sadness for Jasper.

"Yeah don't worry." I lean up pressing a kiss to his cheek before resting my head on his shoulder. Della and Aidan sit down on a log to our left and my dads to our right.

"Could you both keep watch? It would make me feel a lot better." Della sends both Carl and Asher a pleading look that neither wouldn't dare argue with, so they both head off together to keep a look out. Fletcher sends Della a quizzical look that causes Della to sit up straighter.

"I've made the mistake of trusting those close to me during a time like this and it ripped my family apart. I'm not making the same mistake twice." Her comment offends me slightly for Carl and Ashers sake, but I keep my mouth shut because Alex's betray still haunts them all.

"We need a plan and we need it tonight. Time is not on our side and neither is the council, so we have to act fast. Our enemy or enemies are unknown, but are allies are clear. This fight will cause a ripple in the system built up for generations and test the council's loyalty to the packs it vows it protects." Aidan's words cut right through me. This won't be quick and easy, but will test all of our oaths we've taken to our packs, family, and ourselves.

"We have no solid proof that Ivan is working with or for the, so I feel we should put that issue on the back burner while still keeping a watchful eye on him. He has been a problem for years, but that doesn't make him guilty. Others will be watching our next moves very carefully anticipating that they will need to make a decision in the end." Della takes the lead which I'm grateful for because I don't quite know what to say yet.

"No matter what happens the council was bound to get to this point. For years packs have  questioned their motives on certain decisions, and it was only a matter of time before there was a uproar. Unfortunately that responsiblety falls on our shoulders, but we won't be alone I've already talked to a few other Alphas and Lunas to gauge their stance on the situation and it looks to be in our favor." Fletcher reveals passing us all a piece of paper with names of packs and their Alphas written in them. I know his pep talk was more for my sake.

"I don't want to drag anymore innocent people into my mess. They shouldn't have to make a decision to risk themselves and their packs." Guilt consumes me as I read through the list of people who are willing to give everything up to help.

"That's exactly the point. They shouldn't have to make a decision but the council is making them. Their pack could be in just as much as danger as ours, and are going to want to defend themselves. Our priority is the rogues but at the same time the council will have to answer to their incompetence, and at the end of this changes are going to be made regardless of the outcome." Della reassures me but it still doesn't sit well with me. Quentin takes my hand giving it a light squeeze.

"Our first step needs to be finding out who the rogues are and where they came from." Ryder speaks up laying the foundation our our plan. I remember Quentin said there were some similarities between the Black Moon pack and the attack on his parents attack. I know that the Black Moon attack was Blake's doing but maybe they know where Blake found his rogues. Poking Quentin in the side I whisper into his ear to say something since he has remained quiet the whole time taking in all the information.

"I was reviewing some documents before our attack and I noticed similarities between your first attack fourteen years ago and the attack that killed my parents. Tessa already iterated that Blake couldn't have been behind my attack because he was dead, but were his rogues dead?" It wouldn't be a stretch to say the rogues continued after Blake's dearth although I don't know if Black Moon killed them all. Della and Aidan look at each other silently communicating, but they don't let their facial expressions give anything away.

"We dealt with the majorly of the rogues Blake has accumulated for his cause, but there is no way of knowing whether some slipped through. It would be difficult to regain the number they lost that day within a years time to be able to attack your parents pack successfully, but it's not impossible." Della gives us a hopeful look that has Quentin relaxing a bit beside me.

"Even if it was Blake's remaining rogues that attacked his pack, why come back now?" I ask out loud catching Fletcher's attention.

"The pack has regrown almost bigger than what it was before. Maybe they don't want that to happen?" Fletcher shakes his head at his own words not believing them himself. If that were the case wouldn't they strike before we were recognized?

"Then why would they attack you guys next? It's not like you help me rebuild." Quentin makes a good point. I'm still stuck thinking about the possibility of the rogues being the same ones, or at least some of the same ones that worked alongside Blake. The same men who killed my mother, and almost killed my dads.

I can't forget that day in the field seeing Blake with my own eyes as a child, and the way he dismissed the lives of innocent people, and worse his own kids. He was a horrendous leader but a leader none the less, and rogues don't last too long together without one.

"They needed a new leader." I interrupt whoever was talking, looking up at my family. My dads look confused at my words, but the way Della places a hand to her forehead has me thinking she knows where I'm going. "The rogues followed Blake's orders, and after Blake died they needed to find a new leader because there is no way a rogue pack of that size survived this long without leadership." I elaborate.

"She's right." Fletcher looks to Della who is already looking at him with a worried expression. We have someone powerful enough to lead an army of rogues into numerous battles without needing months or even years to recover. The big question is why are they coming after us?

"If we went through every person we've ever pissed off as a possibility we'd be grey before we left here." Ryder tries to lighten the mood.

"They aren't after us they are after them." Della nods towards me and Quentin. "Why would they be after you two?" Her tone isn't accusatory but simply curious as if she is talking to her self.

"Either way it doesn't matter who they are after because by attacking them they've attacked all of us." Fletcher affirms his eyes darkening. Aidan nods in agreement grabbing the small stack of papers from beside him looking for something.

An icy breeze blows through the clearing distracting me for a split second, but it's enough time for me to feel it. The feeling of eyes piercing the back of my head, and the dreadful feeling that consumes mind affirms it's not just Carl or Asher. I can't let whoever it is know I am aware of their presence but I need to get everyone's attention. Clearing my throat I squeeze Quentin's hand so tight he hisses in pain, which successfully gain both his and Fletcher's attention.

"At least we know we aren't alone in this fight." With wide eyes I motion over my right shoulder praying he understands what I mean without alerting the lurking rogue. Fletcher sends me a tight smile before grabbing a folder and walking over to the both of us.

"Carl can help you sort these out later." He says raising his eyebrow knowing we are the only two who can mind link without the rogue seeing. Della and Aidan continue their conversation, but I know they feel the stare too from their rigid stance as they look over my right shoulder.

"Someone is watching us from the north." I make it short and sweet hoping he can make it there in time to capture them because if one of us goes after them they would have enough of a head start to get away. Seconds feel like hours waiting for a response, and my stomach drops when the link is silent. I know Carl and he would have responded by now. Something is terribly wrong.

"Carl!" I scream turning and jumping over the log sprinting in the direction of whoever was watching us. The moon is hidden behind the dark storm clouds leaving the forest in almost total darkness. I can barely see two feet in front of me as I run through the trees following the faint scent of the rogue who was lurking.

"Tessa!" I hear Quentin bellow behind me followed by thudding of multiple sets of feet following as well. I can't stop until I find him or the rogue, but my ambition is short lived as my foot catches onto something making me fall face first into the cold hard ground.

"Tessa are you okay?" Fletcher looks me over before looking down to see what I tripped over, and even without the moon light I can still the horrified expression taking over his face. Everyone else goes silent as my eyes follow his to see Carl and Ashers unconscious bodies laying limply at my feet.

"Carl!" I wail crawling toward him but Quentin stops me wrapping his arms securely around my waist pulling me away. The only thing keeping me from completing losing it and breaking down is the fact I can see both of their chests rising and falling with each breath they take. They are still alive.

Whoever was watching us left them alive to send us a message. They could have killed them both and called it a day since leaving them alive serves them no purpose, but they wanted to show us what they are capable of. The message is loud and clear whoever is coming for us is more intelligent, methodical, and determined than we first thought.

************

Song: Nothing Is As It Seems by Hidden Citizens and Ruelle

Let the theories begin! Every chapter I write is a challenge to not give too much away, and it's hard because certain information needs to be given at specific times for everything to line up correctly. Also I want to thank everyone because Rogue To Luna hit 9,000 reads today! It's still hasn't sunk in because that number seems unfathomable to me, but you guys constantly blow me away with your support so thank you from the bottom of my heart! Lastly I saw that the 2020 Fiction Awards are open for nominations, so I thought I would let you guys know in case you want to go nominate Rogue To Luna in any categories you feel it fits in. I don't want you to feel pressured by any means I just thought I would let you guys know just in case, and you can find it on my must reads reading list on my profile. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and if you did don't forget to vote and comment! Stay safe and stay home! Until next time.

~Stella Gordon