Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 24 - pain and loss

Declan's pov

Sex with Lucille was nothing short of mind-blowing. Each touch and each moment felt electric, like her body was made for mine. Over time, my wolf had finally learned to control himself around her, so I could fully surrender to the bliss of being with her instead of fighting to keep control. Even the overwhelming urge to breed had lessened, though the thought still lingered somewhere in my mind. I couldn't imagine a day without the feel of her, her warmth in my arms. My wolf grew restless about the idea of children, wondering when Lucille might finally be ready to take that step with me.

Every day, like clockwork, she stopped by my office, always carrying something delicious she'd baked. She never missed a day, bringing a little piece of sunshine with her. Just her presence could soothe the tension in me over the rogue attacks, which had been strangely unpredictable lately. Leonardo, their leader, was a brutal foe, and it was taking a lot of strategy and allies to track down his history and intentions. When we finally unearthed his origin, we were stunned: he came from the far north, known for a crime so horrendous that no sane person could commit it. That this monster had once laid hands on my mate filled me with rage.

I'd briefly considered moving Lucille to a safer place, but she was still adjusting; removing her cuffs could allow her to go rogue again. While she'd made great strides, the potential for instability remained, and I'd do anything to avoid losing her to that again. Some pack members had been hesitant about her becoming Luna, but they were beginning to see her as I did, even if Alani hadn't quite come around. I was confident she'd see Lucille's strength and heart with time.

Then, there was Lucille's family—an entire challenge of its own. They'd been demanding to see her, with her father especially determined, convinced he could somehow bring her back to her "old self." But rogue transformation doesn't reverse so easily; the scars run deep, changing them forever. As an Alpha, her father didn't like to be told no, which made negotiations rough. Lucille stayed calm, though, even overhearing one of my heated conversations with him. She took it well, her maturity on full display.

And her brownies—the rich, gooey bites she baked—were winning over my pack and, to be honest, fattening me up a little too. Today, she'd come by for a visit after a long shower, which dampened most of my scent on her. I wasn't fond of that. I liked her smelling like me, marked by me in every way. I made a mental note to have her back tonight so I could mark her again.

Then, around midday, I sensed something strange—an urgent mind-link from the gate. Suspicious activity had been spotted. I immediately connected with Abel to find Lucille and bring her to me. Then, I rushed out to the front, seeing the chaos firsthand: rogues were already on our grounds. Joshua was fighting when I arrived, and we joined forces quickly. "How did they get in so quickly?" I demanded.

Joshua shrugged, still fighting. "They somehow started an attack inside, distracted us, and the gates just opened. They must have had help. Alani found opened cuffs and... Harry's body nearby. They must have known he had keys." My stomach dropped.

Simultaneously, we received another link—those in the cells had been freed too. The plan was meticulous and coordinated, right under our noses. I called out to my entire pack, "Kill them all!" There'd be no second chances this time; they were far too dangerous.

But through it all, I couldn't shake the unease I felt for Lucille. Abel hadn't found her, and her usual spots were empty. I kept sending out links, holding onto the hope she was hiding somewhere safe. Joshua, sensing my panic, assured me she hadn't crossed through the gates.

The fight ended quickly, and although some rogues managed to escape, most were neutralized. Those without cuffs were captured or killed on the spot. But my gut told me something was very wrong—especially with Lucille still missing.

Suddenly, one of my guards linked me with urgent news. "Alpha, there's a breach in the southern fence near the shower blocks. There's blood too..." My blood ran cold. Joshua and Abel turned pale, and we all broke into a sprint toward the breach.

When we arrived, my worst fears were confirmed. There, on the ground, was her blood. Rage boiled inside me, and my wolf surged forward, fully taking control. I shifted, following her fading scent past the fence, through thick woods, moving faster than ever before. Joshua and Abel tried to hold me back, but I was beyond reasoning. I'd find her, or I'd run until I couldn't anymore.

The trail wasn't easy to follow; twigs snapped, branches scattered, and signs of struggle all around. They'd planned this to perfection, waiting for the heavy rain that started pouring, masking her scent. With every minute, every soaked paw print, her scent faded more, washing away with the rain. Desperation clawed at me, and I howled with grief, frustration, and fury, echoing through the forest. I pushed on through the rain, searching tirelessly until my paws bled, refusing to accept she was gone.

All night, I scoured the woods, never stopping, even as exhaustion threatened to pull me down. But by sunrise, her scent had vanished entirely. I had failed to find her. My powerful strides had turned into weary, slow steps back toward the camp, each one weighed down by hopelessness and grief.

When I finally returned, soaked, covered in mud, and broken, I found my sister waiting at the gate. She ran to me, her voice a mix of anger and concern. "Brother, don't do this alone. We need to work together." Her arms wrapped around my neck as I sank to the ground, trembling from the night's torment. She stroked my soaked fur, and for a moment, I allowed myself to lean into her comfort.

But no comfort could erase my pain, my anguish. She'd been taken, and I'd failed her.