Living With Rogues

19: Anna

The constant noise of heavy raindrops on the tent pulled me from the sweet dream I was having. I rubbed my eyes with bitterness. It's June, why is it raining? If I only had one more minute of sleep, Alpha Caden's head would be on a stick decorating the stairs behind the waterfall, right next to Alpha Leon's legs. My dreams are the only place where I can see such a delightful view.

The cold breeze made my body shiver as I threw the blanket off. I don't remember covering myself. I peered Zan's empty bed. It was cold which says he wasn't here for an hour at least. Did he get any sleep at all?

I picked one of his hoodies from the pale on the floor. Old, gray, and oversized. Perfect for the climate. Standing by the entrance of the tent. I hesitated to step into the mud and rain. Although the sun was up behind the thick gloomy clouds, I wasn't expecting anyone out. Other than a couple of rogues running to their tents back from the night patrol. The camp looked abandoned.

I aimed around, pulling the tin cups from the silt and placing them back in the food tent. I expected to find Angel there, with her usual bright smile, cooking rise for the rogues, but I guess even Angel won't have that energy on such a pessimistic morning.

The low howls of rogues greeted me as I passed by the patrol up the mountain, they were crouching under the thick trees taking cover from the rain. If it kept raining this much we will have to set parasols for them around the mountain and maybe even move the camp up the mountain before the valley fills with water.

I tracked Zan's scent. Once the wind blows, the trail is quickly washed by the rain. It was fun for my wolf, a little challenging game. I eventually saw his wolf on the high rocks.

"What's up" I greeted, scratching his sucked light brown fur. He lifted his head shortly and went back to lay it on his paws.

"Cool weather huh? It's exacly what we needed to lift the spirit of the camp." I tried, he didn't link me nor push me away. He looked dejected. "I honestly thought you would be halfway to your mate by now."

His sad moan cut through the falling rain. I stooped at his wet shoulders, wrapping my arms around his neck. He tried to shove me off in an inattentive move. Wolves were sensitive about their necks. I didn't move, instead, I hugged him closer "You will be with her soon, it will all go right.", I muttered.

'I stabbed her alpha then I abandoned her, she hates me, thinking I'm an unworthy rogue. I hate myself for it! I acted like a weak dog, running away without even telling her. I'm a terrible mate. She will reject me first thing when she sees me again if she ever sees me again. How am I going to meet her? I can't go close to her pack until this ends. And it will probably end with me dead' He let me into his thoughts, sorrow, and guilt drilling from each word.

'If you stayed there you would have been dead. You are no good to her dead. She will understand, soon you will meet her. Don't be miserable for doing the smart thing.' I linked back, not sure if my words made any sense. It was all strange, being the one calming someone, especially Zander. He was the joyful one, it didn't fit him to be unhappy. Or heartbroken.

He didn't say anything more, I hugged him silently longer until the rain stopped. The fogs moved away clearing the sky.

"Wanna grab breakfast?" I asked, Zan never says no to food.

'My shift is until midday' he linked in a brief tone, making sure his link didn't hold any emotion. Somehow that made me even more anxious than I would have been if I shared what he felt.

'Okay.. Link me if you need anything.' I walked down the rocks, jumping into the mud and making my way through the trees down to the hole.

It was now starting to fill with rogue life. The pups, half-dressed, were throwing gunk at each other and rolling on the wet ground in childish giggles. The older rogues were coming out of their tents stretching and yawning like lazy cats.