Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 4.5 - rehabilitation camp

Declan Sulivan POV

The moment I heard Joshua's voice in my mind, I knew something was wrong. We had always communicated like this, a silent connection forged over years of friendship, a bond that went deeper than just words. But the urgency in his presence, even through the mind link, sent a chill down my spine.

Declan. His voice was tight, strained.

I paused mid-step, my breath catching. Josh? What's going on?

We found her, Joshua's words landed like a bomb, heavy and unexpected. For a moment, I couldn't process them. My heart stopped. My mind screamed, Who? But I already knew the answer.

Lucille?

A brief silence. Yeah. He hesitated. I don't know how to tell you this, but you need to be prepared. She's... in bad shape.

My chest tightened. What do you mean?

Joshua's mental tone wavered, his thoughts jagged. She's... she's feral. Completely unrecognizable. She's fighting everyone. Biting, scratching... I had to choke her to get her to stop. She refused to shower. We had to use tasers just to get her to comply. And she's been tied to the pole. No food. No water.

My entire body went cold. Lucille. My mate. She's on the pole?

Yeah. His words felt like acid in my mind. Alani tied her there. She's been a problem from the start. She's causing chaos—getting the other rogues riled up. She's like an Alpha to them... they look up to her. She managed to break free for a few minutes, and now, she's creating havoc in the camp.

The familiar, dangerous urge to go to her, to claim her, washed over me like a tidal wave. But I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay focused. Is she hurt?

She's not physically injured, but mentally... she's gone off the deep end. She doesn't comply to any of us. She's like a trapped animal, Declan. She's not the Lucille you remember.

I could feel my wolf scratching at the surface, furious and anxious. But I had to think. Is she... stable enough to handle?

Another pause, before Joshua's reply came through, sharp and bitter. She's dangerous. And she's only going to get worse unless we do something. She's already tied up and causing problems, refusing to follow any orders. She's making all the other rogues feral, too. It's... not looking good.

A low growl rumbled in the back of my throat. I could feel the distance growing between us, the wildness that Lucille had embraced as a rogue. She wasn't my Lucille anymore, was she? The girl I once knew was long gone, replaced by something... different. But that didn't mean she couldn't be saved.

I'm on my way. My voice was firm, commanding, though the storm in my chest churned. I had to get to her, to do something. Keep the others away from her. Don't let anyone get too close.

You sure about this? Joshua's mental voice flickered with hesitation.

Yes. The answer came out sharper than I intended. We treat her like any other rogue. No special treatment. I let the words settle in my mind. I wasn't sure if I could follow through with that, but I had no choice. I couldn't show weakness, not to her, not to anyone.

I could feel Joshua's reluctant acceptance. Understood, Alpha.

And Josh? I added quickly. Punish anyone who tries to help her. We can't show mercy. Not this time.

There was a brief silence before Joshua replied, a bitter edge to his thoughts. Yeah... already on it. She's not going to get away with this. But Declan... you need to brace yourself. When you see her...

I know. I cut him off, the weight of the situation crushing down on me. I'll handle it. Just make sure the camp is secure. I'm on my way.

Understood. I'll keep you posted.

I pulled my car out of the driveway and into the street, the engine roaring beneath me as I pushed the pedal to the floor. Every inch of me was focused on reaching the camp, but as the distance between us closed, so did the knot in my chest.