Kiss of Thorns

Chapter Two (Picture of Adam)

Adam-

I've always hated my father. Ever since I realized he wasn't who everyone in the pack thought he was. Ever since he forbid me from making friends with anyone, except my future beta, Noah. And especially when he took away my sister from me, making up a lie I didn't believe-- that she was killed in a forest fire. I've always hated him, with every inch of my being, but now he's gone too far. And it's because he wants me to kill my mate.

At first, I was just a tad bit mad. I mean, I knew I hadn't even met my mate yet. I didn't know who she was, or what she looked like. I didn't think I could miss someone I hadn't met. But I knew that when I met her, I wouldn't be able to do it. They say that as soon as you gaze upon your mate, you want them more than anything. More than power, more than friends, or family. More than life even. That part, I hate to admit, has always scared me. 

"Alpha Adam?" 

I turn around, locking eyes with my future beta's mate, Brooke. "Man, I'm never goin to get used to that. And you know I'm not alpha yet."

She nudges me. "You'll have to. Not too much time before you really are." 

"So what did you need?" I ask. 

She nods at the picture on my desk, the one of my parents, me and my sister, Hayley, who had run away when I was sixteen. A few days before I turned. I sigh, wondering what Brook could mean by reminding me of that terrible night. "Her tracker's been activated." 

My eyes go wide. "What?! My dad said she was dead! When? Where is she? Is she hurt?" 

"Just this morning." She says, laying a hand on me. "Adam, I don't think it makes any difference, but she's in a crowd." 

"A crowd?" I frown, knowing her tracker only activated when she came in the pack boundries, and there were no crowds unless we had a meeting, which we only had once every month. 

Nonetheless, she nods. "The very same crowd gathering around our borders, rogues."

 I groan, running a hand through my shaggy black hair. "Rogues? You're telling me my sister is with a pack of rogues?" I began to cletch my fists, feeling the urge to shift into my dark brown wolf, kill every single one of the traitors, and take her into my arms. 

As if sensing my distress, Brooke steps away. "Look, I don't know very much, but I do know those rogues are about to attack, they want some sort of revenge. So if you want to prove to the pack that you'll be a good alpha, I suggest you help." 

With that, she turns, and walks away. Noah glances at me from across the hall, nodding. My father never let me fight. He liked to keep me locked away. Says that I'll waste too much alpha strength too soon, that it'll turn out like it did for him. I always thought he was a strong alpha, but maybe he just wanted me to be stronger. I sigh, running out the door, ready to fight. I turn back to see Noah follow close behind. 

"Rogues?" I hear my father saying, "On my land? You sure are brave." 

A girl who seems to be a leader of some sort steps forth. She pushes back her long black hair, her blue eyes like ice as she glares at him. I watch her, entranced. No one had ever looked at my father like that. With so much anger, so much hatred. I began to wonder if all rogues were like this, because they hated packs in general. I'm about to attack her, in respect for my father, but then she opens her mouth, and I swear, an angel couldn't have sounded better. I barely catch her words. "We meet again alpha Flynn." I feel shivers run down my spine, since she'd called him by last name, instead of first, it felt as if she were talking to me. 

"Oh goody, you know my name, you must be so proud." Father cackles, making me want to growl. 

What's wrong with me? I wonder. 

"Who could forget?" She says coldly, more shivers tracing over my skin. 

"Get them." Father comands, baring his teeth at her. 

"Well then." The girl says, barely flinching as much of our pack races towards her. "I guess that means we do it now." She glances at her small pack, nodding. All at once, the females take knives and drag them across the skin above their elbows. Blood drips from their arms, and then the girl smiles. "Now!" She shouts in the most comanding way possible.  

All the rogues spread out at once, and Brooke rushes over to me, Noah close behind her. "The tracker. They all cut their arms so we wouldn't be able to figure out which one of them had it." 

I grit my teeth. "Well that's just great." 

Noah gives me a sad smile. "Look man, forget about finding your sister. We've gotta protect our land." 

I nod. "You're right. I'll get the leader." 

They exchange a glance, but then race off. My eyes search the crowd, seeing her fight. A growl escapes my throat, and suddenly I'm in front of her, tackling her to the ground. 

"Get off of me you-" She begins, before her breath hitches, and the two of us look at each other. 

I swallow thickly, gazing into her blue eyes, one single word echoing in my head over and over again-- mate. 

Her eyes search mine, and I find myself doing the one thing anyone in my position would've done. I crush my lips to hers. 

Pretty please with a cherry on top tell me what you thought!

-I put the A in Adela