My Rogue Mate (AI GENERATED)

Chapter 7: A New Pack, A New Life

The morning light filtered through the trees as I opened my eyes, blinking against the unfamiliar surroundings. I wasn’t in the packhouse or on Silvercrest land. The memories of last night came flooding back—Lian’s face, Elias’s cold words, the finality of turning my back on everything I’d ever known.

Beside me, Rhys stirred, his hand tightening around mine as he woke. Seeing his face, feeling the warmth of his touch, grounded me, kept the doubts from swallowing me whole. I’d chosen him. We were bound by the Moon Goddess, fated mates, and nothing could change that. But the ache of what I’d left behind settled heavily in my chest.

“Morning,” he murmured, voice soft. His gaze searched mine, concern in his eyes. “How are you feeling?”

I wanted to say I felt fine, that I was at peace with my decision. But even as I opened my mouth to speak, the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I shook my head, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m… relieved to be with you, but… everything feels so strange.”

Rhys nodded, understanding. He brushed a thumb across my cheek, a gesture that felt comforting and familiar, grounding me in the present. “I know it’s a lot to take in. I wish you didn’t have to leave everything behind.”

“It was the only way,” I replied, my voice catching. “They’d never accept us, Rhys. I’d be a traitor to them now.”

Rhys’s eyes darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. “You’re not a traitor. You’re following the path the Moon Goddess set for you. They’re the ones who can’t see it.” His voice softened as he drew me closer. “But you’ll always be safe with me, Kael. I promise.”

The sincerity in his voice, the strength in his gaze, made my heart clench. Despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, I knew I could trust him. Rhys had given up his own safety, his own position, to protect me. He’d chosen me as fiercely as I’d chosen him.

We spent the day exploring the rogue camp. It was nothing like Silvercrest; the structures were rougher, scattered among the trees with no central meeting place like the packhouse. Wolves moved freely, some in groups, others alone. They watched me with curiosity, some nodding in greeting, others keeping a wary distance.

Rhys guided me through, his hand on my back, his presence a quiet reassurance. I knew they’d accept me in time—they had to, for Rhys’s sake. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place, of being caught between two worlds.

“Everyone here has their own past,” Rhys explained as we walked, his tone casual but warm. “Some come from packs, others were born outside them. But we live by our own code. No one here judges you for who you are.”

A flicker of hope sparked in my chest. “So… they won’t care that I’m from Silvercrest?”

Rhys shook his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “They’ll care more about how you live here, with us. They know you’re my mate, and that’s enough for them.”

His words settled over me like a balm, easing the tension I’d carried since last night. It wasn’t easy letting go of my past, of the traditions and beliefs that had shaped me. But here, surrounded by Rhys and his pack, I felt a freedom I’d never known before.

But as the day wore on, I couldn’t ignore the nagging worry in the back of my mind—the question I’d been afraid to ask.

“What if Silvercrest comes after us?” I murmured, glancing at Rhys.

His expression darkened, but he didn’t hesitate. “If they do, we’ll be ready. We’re not helpless, Kael. My pack can defend itself, and I’ll protect you with everything I have.”

His words were fierce, but the thought still chilled me. I knew what Silvercrest could do, what Elias and the others were capable of when they felt threatened. And now, as far as they were concerned, I’d joined the enemy.

Rhys must have sensed my fear because he took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Listen to me, Kael. I don’t want you to worry about them. You’re with me now, and this is our home. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

I nodded, forcing myself to take a deep breath, to let his words sink in. I was with him now. This was my home. The realization brought both relief and sadness, a bittersweet acceptance that settled in my heart.

As night fell, we sat around a fire with a few other rogues. The warmth of the flames flickered across Rhys’s face, highlighting the strength in his features, the quiet resolve in his eyes. He sat close beside me, his hand resting on my leg, a steady presence in the unfamiliar darkness.

One of the rogues, a young woman named Mira, glanced at me, her gaze curious but kind. “You’re adjusting well,” she said, her tone friendly. “It can be hard at first, leaving a pack. But we’re all family here, even if we come from different places.”

Her words eased some of my lingering worries, and I managed a small smile. “Thank you, Mira. I… I didn’t expect everyone to be so welcoming.”

She nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. “We’ve all had to start over at some point. You’ll find your place here. Just give it time.”

The words were simple, but they held a comfort I hadn’t realized I needed. I was beginning to understand that I wasn’t alone—that everyone here had left something behind to be part of this new family. And maybe, in time, I’d find my place too.

Rhys glanced at me, his hand warm against mine. “You see? We belong here, Kael. The Moon Goddess may have given us a difficult path, but she also brought us to each other.”

I looked at him, feeling a surge of gratitude and love that pushed away the last remnants of fear. I’d made my choice. It hadn’t been easy, and I knew it wouldn’t be simple from here on out. But I was with Rhys, bound to him by fate, by love. And that was something I could hold on to.

As the fire crackled and the night deepened, I felt a sense of peace settling over me—a quiet assurance that, no matter what lay ahead, I was finally where I was meant to be.

The next morning, as dawn broke over the camp, I woke to find Rhys already awake, watching me with a gentle smile.

“Today,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face, “we start our life together, for real. Just us.”

A new strength bloomed within me as I looked up at him, nodding. The Moon Goddess had led us here, through trials and loss, but she’d given us this chance—a new life, a new beginning. And for the first time, I felt ready to embrace it.