The Rogue

XXIII

*Faye*

In one second, I was trying to keep Rian from going after Maxen. In the next, I found myself running towards my dad who was riding in on another wolf like some hero. He wasn't a hero for doing this—actually, my subconscious was already angry that he'd come here and endangered himself—but I was glad to see him. It had been months since his deployment. Six months, to be exact.

He slipped off the wolf's back and met me halfway, scooping me up into his arms. Although I hadn't even realized I was crying, my tears stained his cotton shirt.

"Faye!" he kept saying, overwhelmed with joy.

I was probably doing the same but couldn't hear myself. We were still embracing when my happiness was replaced by confusion. Pulling away, I looked up into his eyes. He was crying, too.

"Dad," I whispered, "what're you doing here?"

"To let the dogs out." He rolled his eyes. "To rescue you, of course, honey."

"Dad, you shouldn't have come."

"Of course I should have. You're being held here against your will—"

"But I'm not. I came here with Rian on my own accord." Well, kind of. He didn't need to know the gritty details.

A pitying look flashed across his face. "Faye, you can't honestly believe I would let you stay here with these...these animals." His eyes glanced behind me where I knew Rian would be.

"Actually," spoke the said boyfriend, "she is staying. It's not up for debate."

I directed a cold look his way. He had come closer to me and my dad and now stood in that protective stance with his shoulders puffed out and legs spread apart. These ridiculous boys were worse than gossiping old ladies. They kept making every fight worse than it needed to be.

"Rian—" I started before my dad cut me off.

"Who do you think you are, kid?" he snapped, pushing me behind him.

"There is no one she could possibly be safer with than me." Rian took another step closer. "If you take her, hell breaks loose for everyone. Including you."

My dad's fists clenched. "Is that a threat?"

"It will be if you make it."

I tore away from my dad and darted between them before he could catch me. "Enough of this! Dad, I turned eighteen years old yesterday. You have to let me do this. It's my choice."

"Just because you are legally an adult does not make you an adult."

"Yes, it does!"

"I am going to drag you back to that car and drive you to the airport. You are coming home with me, young lady, whether you like it or not."

A frustrated groan escaped me. "You are so demanding! I'm not a child!"

An arm wrapped around my waist from behind. Rian nuzzled his face against my ear. "You turned eighteen yesterday?"

"Wha—" I sighed. "That is what you got out of all of this?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, we've both been a little busy in the last few hours, don't you think?"

His chuckle warmed my body. "I guess so."

"What're you doing?" my dad demanded, marching towards us.

The wolf, who I'd completely forgotten about, ripped out a fierce growl. My dad jumped back, stunned. I wondered who it was. Probably Titus.

"She's not going with you," Rian told him in his firm Alpha voice.

"She is—"

"No," another deep timbre pitched. "Faye is not going anywhere."

We all turned to look at Maxen. Every time I saw him, he seemed to get bigger. His eyes flickered between the three of us until they secured themselves onto my dad. He appeared impressively powerful with his glowing eyes and hulking figure.

"We made a deal. Faye is not leaving this premises."

Rian stiffened but didn't protest. I didn't have anything to add, so I looked back at my dad. He seemed torn. Like he knew he needed to get me out here, yet also that it would be impossible.

"Dad, please," I said. "I know you have good intentions, but this is for the better. I'm safe, really. I promise."

"How can I go home without you? Your mother is worried sick. She said you haven't answered a single call or text from her since you left."

"Well, I left it at Rian's house and I've been a little busy. Sorry." Shaking my head, I added, "I know this is a mess. I know. Just go home. I'll come when I can, okay? Once the dust has settled, I'll call you guys. Okay?"

There was clear discontent in his eyes, but my dad finally nodded. I knew this wasn't over. What was next, though, I couldn't guess.

"Titus," Rian ordered, "take Brian back to his vehicle. You and I will talk about this later."

The wolf, whom I now understood was Titus, whined. My dad stared at us with a hurt look. I stepped forward to embrace him, but Rian held me back.

"Let me say goodbye," I said, wiggling in his iron grip.

"Faye..."

"Rian, please. I don't know when I'll see him again."

Jaw clenched, he reluctantly released me. I rushed forward into my dad's arms.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

"Be safe."

"I will."

I withdrew from his hold, knowing each passing second would only make it harder. As we parted and the warm desert night erected a gulf of more than just physical distance between us, I glimpsed a glint in his eyes. He turned away to head towards Titus.

My companions heard it first. The pounding of paws. The snapping of jaws. Then I heard and saw it. Or them, rather. The Rogues my dad had enlisted for his aid came sweeping over the desert mounds, their eyes wide in bloodthirst. They looked crazed. My dad seized his opportunity to double back to me, but he wasn't fast enough.

Maxen had already scooped me up in his bare arms and was running back towards the apartment complex. Everything was happening so quickly that my mind struggled to process it. When I twisted around in his arms and glanced over his shoulder, I saw my dad go down. The wolf at his throat barked out a howl, sorrowful almost.

Rian.