Once In A Blue Moon

Chapter Three

I just got my first vote and I was so excited that I decided to post this chapter early! Thank you for voting for me!

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I shakily returned back to pack territory. Ever step away from my mate was hell. A headache was starting to form from my wolf whining and pacing.

Alpha? I asked hesitantly through the mind link.

I waited for a reply and I grew worried when I didn't receive one.

"Mason!" I screamed, just as I shifted into a wolf.

I raced towards the Alpha house, my pack mates watched me run but continued on with their day.

Leah? What's going on? Mason answered through the mind link.

The Alpha. Something is wrong. I answered quickly.

My wolf was awake and ready to fight for our Alpha. The house loomed up in front of me and I glanced at the solid wood door. It was shut and I couldn't waste any time shifting and trying to unlock the thing.

Window, my wolf said.

I crouched and leaped at the window. The glass exploded as I slammed into the living room. I scrabbled along the hardwood floor and the broken glass. I briefly felt the sting as glass cut into my paws.

I smelt my Alpha everywhere but there was another scent that raised all the fur on my body. I followed the unfamiliar scent upstairs and into the Alpha's office. I slammed my shoulder into the door but it didn't budge. I whined in frustration.

I heard claws scrape against the floor as another wolf rushed around the corner. Mason took one look at me and then the door. He dug his claws in and slammed all his weight at the door. It burst open and Mason went skidding across the room.

My Alpha was facing off another wolf. The intruder looked at me with his black eyes before bolting through the window and shattering the glass. Mason and I searched the room but our Alpha was pacing back and forth angrily.

Seeing no threat, I shifted into my human form and dropped into the nearest chair. I was breathing hard from shifting too many times today, it was beginning to take its toll on my body. Mason remained in his wolf form but sat on the floor next to me.

"Alpha. Who... was that?" I panted.

Our Alpha's sharp grey eyes flashed towards us as he continued to pace angrily.

A Rogue, he answered sharply.

I gasped and Mason growled loudly. I ran my fingers through the fur on his head, it seemed to calm him down and it comforted me. Our Alpha watched my hand touch his son's head. I quickly removed my hand and placed them in my lap.

"What does he want?" I asked.

It wasn't my place to ask but I was curious.

Safe passage through pack territory, he answered surprising us both.

Mason and I growled in unison. Rogues were dangerous and to bring them close to the pack was suicide. Rogues were lone wolves who did not belong to a pack and had usually gone mad from loneliness. Some rogues would join together in an attempt to stay sane, but they were just as unpredictable.

If I don't allow them through, we will be at war, he sighed.

We were definitely between a rock and a hard place. We were a strong pack and would win, but there would still be heavy loses on our side. We couldn't afford that and I hoped my Alpha would see that too.

My Alpha shifted and sat down heavily behind his oak desk. Paperwork littered the top of it.

"Mason, I want you to prepare the pack. I want the children moved closer to my house and everyone to go out in groups or pairs. No night runs." He ordered.

Mason nudged my hand with his wet nose before racing out of the room to follow his father's orders.

"I heard your call. Was there something you wanted to ask?" He asked.

I was shocked at how quickly my Alpha could change the subject and remain so calm. I guess that's what separated an Alpha from any other wolf.

I had wanted to talk about finding my mate but now wasn't the time. With the imminent threat of rogues, my Alpha was stressed as it was. I would wait till a better time.

"It can wait," I answered.

Just as I was about to leave, a question popped into my head.

"How did you make it work?" I asked. "Between Sydney and yourself?"

A dreamy look appeared on my Alpha's face as he thought of his mate.

Sydney had been a rogue once. As soon as my Alpha had seen her, he had known she was his mate. Sydney had been consumed with madness but my Alpha had returned her sanity. The pack had been less than pleased to find that their Drappa had been a rogue, but Sydney had proved herself to be a fine leader and had gained the trust of everyone.

"Your wolf makes it work." He answered. "To your wolf, it's simple, it's when your human side gets involved that things become complicated. Trust your wolf."

I nodded and left the house. Derek appeared at the entrance of the house. He eyed the broken window and raised an eyebrow at me. I smiled but winced when pain shot up my hands and feet. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, I could feel the damage.

Derek flipped my palms up to see glass embedded in my palms and blood dripping down my fingers. He growled and quickly picked me up bridal style with his arms under my knees and back. Pack mates stared curiously at us but growled when they saw my feet and hands.

Protective pack, my wolf purred in approval.

Derek carried me to the pack healer. Marie took one look at me and made sounds of disappointment.

"Lay her down," she sighed.

I was gently laid down on a table and Marie pulled up a chair as she began to remove glass from my hands with tweezers. I winced from the pain.

"Do I want to know?" She asked.

"I jumped through a window..." I muttered.

Marie paused and looked up from her work, humour flashed in her hazel eyes.

"Was the door too simple? Or were you planning on a glamorous entrance?" She laughed.

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In case you were wondering:

Drappa - the female alpha wolf