Rogue: a novella

5

1 Year Later

Within one week of being in the village two things became clear to me.

One -  the pack healer, Iris, had no medical training at all. Iris is an amazing woman, in her fifties, with salt and pepper hair that she keeps in a tight braid down her back. But the years have not been kind, with her weathered skin making her look older than she really is.

She, like Thalia, was born into this lifestyle and has picked up home remedies and old wives tales tricks to treat the common medical emergencies that arise out here.

It was actually Iris' idea that we work together. She's an amazing woman in her fifties, who was adamant that with her knowledge of Nomad lifestyle and my medical training, we could make a difference.

I was hesitant at first, and as ashamed as I am to admit it now, it was mostly because of the stigma around the lifestyle.

Which leads me to the second thing I learned quickly.

The wolves that live here, though classified as rogues by large packs, are nothing like what we are taught to fear. I had expected chaos from the other wolves. Random fights or even aggression towards me as a new male moving into the territory.

Instead of hostility and suspicion, I was met with a warmth that completely blindsided me. Homemade casseroles, cookies, and even a small amount of clothing that some of the men could spare were given to me. They took me in as if I were a long lost son that has finally returned home.

It's an acceptance that I'm not sure I even felt in my birth pack, despite being raised around them.

No one had asked questions on what brought me here to them - but I offered the information anyway. I had nothing to hide. I hadn't killed another wolf nor was I considered a threat to anyone but my former Alpha's pride.

Sadly, I was not the only one who met this outcome when questioning my Alpha. Other's spoke up about their own exile and most were for harmless things like mine. But most of the forty something wolves that lived here were born into the lifestyle.

In the packs, we are taught that living outside as a rogue, was wild and uncivilized. They were selfish and psychotic - they didn't care who they had to hurt to get their way.

But even to lone wolves who find themselves wandering through, they are the most generous people I have ever met. Everyone helps where they can, offering food or water, even shelter for a night or two so that the lone wolves can get a good, safe nights sleep.

The way I can not only thank them for their generosity towards me but also pay it forward to others, is by using my medical training. So that's what I have been doing the last year.

"...he asked why we had to boil the potatoes to mash them," I zone back in to the story that my mate is currently telling to some of the other wolves near the fire.

It's a tradition that is done at least once a month. With most supplies in short order and most food being what we can grow ourselves, when we catch a large enough animal, we celebrate and share the meat with everyone.

Thalia can barely contain her laughter as she tells the story. I mock her laughter and look back at Mac who is trying not to laugh himself.

One of the villages favorite pass times is to play what Luca learned today. Apparently, as I've been reminded by everyone including Finn, I lived a pretty sheltered life in the pack.

"I'm useless in the kitchen!" I defend myself, which just causes more laughter from the group.

"So what's your excuse with the chickens?" Amy, another nomad living here, asks causing Thalia to burst out laughing, throwing her head back with tears streaming down her face.