The Red Eyed Rogue

Chapter 5

"So, in short," I began, summarizing my sister's hour-and-a-half-long explanation, "a year after I left, the pack was attacked by rogues and lost. You all had to flee, and your mate's pack took you in. Now Mom and Dad are the Betas there, and you're mated to the Alpha's son. They've sent you to Atrephia to train, study, and eventually help other packs."

We were seated in a loose circle on the bleachers at varying levels. Alex was on my lap, his head nestled in the crook of my neck, my arms wrapped protectively around him. Everlyn—who, I'd learned, would kill me if I ever called her by her full name—was perched on Zack's lap, chewing gum lazily. Lysandra and her mate, Aiden, sat on my left, while Laura, the girl with Harry Potter glasses, was to my right. Laura and Zack, it turned out, were siblings.

Lysandra turned to me, her face serious. "Well, that's enough about us. We told you everything that's happened to us. Now it's your turn. How did you end up all the way across the country? Why did you leave? Dad and Mom refuse to talk about what happened the day you left. It's been six years, Ro. I think it's time I know the reason I had to live without my brother for so long."

Her voice trembled as she finished, and Aiden rubbed soothing circles on her back to calm her down. I nodded at him in gratitude before lowering my head, taking a deep breath, and letting out a long sigh.

Alex, sensing the tension that gripped my body, gently cupped my face in his hands and tilted my head up so I was looking directly into his eyes.

He was beautiful. His emerald-green eyes sparkled, shifting hues under the sunlight, giving them an ethereal glow. I didn't think I'd ever grow tired of staring into them.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice like a balm to my frayed nerves. "It's okay if you're not ready to tell us. We can wait."

His words and the gentle look on his face washed away the unpleasant memories threatening to resurface. My wolf, usually on edge, relaxed in the presence of our mate. For the first time in years, I felt at peace.

I smiled, a small one, but enough to make the tips of Alex's ears turn red. Pressing a quick kiss to his forehead, I said, "No, it's time."

"Ever since I was young, Dad pushed me to my limits to mold me into the 'perfect Alpha.' He wanted to make the pack the strongest, and because he couldn't push past his own limits, he made sure I did.

"When I turned three, bruises became a permanent part of my body. On my fourth birthday, instead of a gift, he took me to the interrogation room. He made me watch as he tortured and eventually killed a rogue woman for crossing into our territory. That was my first lesson in 'leadership.' He made sure neither you nor Mom found out.

"If I didn't meet his expectations, he whipped me before making me redo the drills. If he was particularly upset, he'd double them. By the time I was ten, I could fight him head-on and torture someone without hesitation."

I paused, clenching my fists to suppress the anger welling up inside me.

"But I didn't care. I couldn't care. He threatened to make you go through it all—to have you watch me get whipped or force you to torture someone. If enduring his madness meant keeping you safe, then so be it.

"So, when he found out I was bi, he snapped. He couldn't accept the idea of handing the pack to what he called an 'abnormality.' He—"

"Wait," Aiden interrupted, looking stunned. "Beta Jordan? Seriously? The same man who openly supported Alex when he came out as gay?"

I glanced at Alex, whose wide-eyed expression matched Aiden's. My features softened as I smiled at my mate.

"Well," I said, "I'm glad he did something right in his pathetic excuse of a life. Otherwise, the next time I see him, I'd kill him."

Alex reached up, cupping my face as he pressed his forehead to mine.

I leaned back, resting my chin on his shoulder. "Continuing," I said, "he kicked me out when I was thirteen. I wandered for a while, met some interesting people. One day, in the northern forests, I saved the Alpha and Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. They gave me a home. Now, I work as a trainer and mercenary for them. But I'm not part of their pack. That's it."

Lysandra had tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why would you listen to him? Why would you leave us?" she cried. Her voice rose, trembling with anger. "Mom was broken after you left. She barely ate. She hasn't smiled since. So tell me—was it worth it? Was leaving us and running away worth it? Do you think I'm weak? Were you afraid I couldn't handle it? You're nothing but a coward—just like Dad!"

Her words cut deep, but what stung most was her comparison of me to him. My wolf, who adored Lysandra, struggled to hold back his fury. He couldn't stand being insulted—especially being likened to that man.

The air grew thick with tension as I released my pheromones. Alex whimpered, and the others immediately submitted, baring their necks.

"I understand how you feel," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "Actually, I don't. But if you think for even a second that I don't regret leaving you with that psycho, you're dead wrong. Do you really believe Mom wouldn't break if she found out about the abuse? If both of us had suffered, what would've happened? My childhood was stolen from me, but keeping you safe was worth it. I'd do it again, no matter what.

"If you think my sacrifice was bullshit—if you think I ran away to save my own ass—then break our bond. Forget I'm your brother. But if you ever call me a coward or compare me to that man again, I won't tolerate it."

My wolf was on the verge of taking over when Laura's voice broke through the tension.

"Okay, okay, let's all calm down! There are too many pheromones flying around, and Alex can't handle it."

Snapping out of my rage, I turned to Alex, who had his head buried in his hands, struggling to breathe. I immediately stopped releasing pheromones and knelt beside him.

"Hey, baby, look at me," I coaxed gently, lifting his face to meet mine. "That's it. Breathe. Three in, three out. Slowly. Good job, mi amor."

Alex calmed, leaning into my chest, nuzzling against me.

"How did you do that?" Zack asked, astonished. "It usually takes Aiden, the Alpha, and the Luna ten minutes to calm him down. But you..."

"I'm his mate," I said simply, cutting him off.

Then I turned to the group, my voice dropping to a whisper. "And that brings me to my next point: why the hell is my mate wearing suppressants?"

Everyone tensed at my words.