Unraveling Rogue

Chapter 10 - Pestering Preparation

It's only one week into my 'house arrest' and I'm already doubting my sanity.

I'm the only person I have left to talk to. Luke is gone taking over border patrol half of the time. When he's not, he's on the phone or in the meeting room, discussing plans of defence against my parent's pack.

Let's just say that I've found out a lot about myself that I hadn't realized before.

For example, I'm hilarious. I make the funniest jokes. When I'm allowed outside again, I'm definitely looking into stand-up comedy.

Another thing I've noticed is that I can marathon entire series on Netflix without losing interest. I'm on my third show, and shredding through it.

I've also discovered that I hate being told what to do, especially when the main rule is to stay inside.

I've ventured outside only once to water some flowers in front of the living room's window, but even that was deemed too far by Luke. He ushered me back inside after just a minute and a half, muttering things such as "it's too risky" and "someone will see".

I've tried telling him to chill out, but he has had some serious trust issues. He has interrogated every pack member in an attempt to find out if anyone has given information to the other packs. From what he has told me, everyone's clean, but Luke's still cautious while discussing battle plans.

As far as I know, everyone except myself, children, the elderly, and a few sick or otherwise physically unfit members are being trained daily for the approaching war. Luke has wasted no time when it comes to training. With the stress of not knowing when my parents plan to attack, Luke has made sure that everyone will be ready at any given notice.

To be entirely truthful, it's scary to think that all of this added stress is because of me. I've tried telling Luke that he and his pack are better off without me, but every time I bring it up, he tells me that I'm being stupid.

I know I'm not. I know I'm right. I'd be better off leaving this pack alone.

I've been ignoring the urge to run away, but the rogue part of me is telling me to drop everything and go.

The sad part is that I want to listen. I want to give in and flee.

What's even sadder is why I push down the urges and ignore the voices in my head telling me to leave.

The only reason why I haven't left is love, and love alone.

I've realized, within the small amount of time I've been here, that I've fallen in love.

I've fallen in love  with the forest and the way it feels like home.

I've fallen in love with the people and the way they welcomed me with open arms.

I've fallen in love with the house and the time I've spent in it.

I've fallen in love with Mittens and the way he enjoys ripping apart every piece of carpet in the house.

But, most of all, I've fallen in love with Luke.

I don't know where, I don't know when, and I sure as hell don't know why, but somewhere along the way, I realized that I had fallen in love with Luke and that there was no going back.

***

"Can you run that past me one more time?" I ask, not able to comprehend what Luke was saying. Luke sighs.

We're in the meeting room, standing over the large table in the center. Stretched across the table is a huge map of the city and surrounding forest.