Not Your Average Alpha's Mate

Chapter 1: The Start

"Did you bring it?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, don't get your panties in a twist," I respond sarcastically with a roll of my eyes. 

I toss the satchel to the tall man, who catches it easily. I can't see him very well, but it doesn't matter. I already know his face. My hood is pulled down over my face, hiding it from the man's view. The sky is dark now and the forest is quiet, aside from our hushed voices piercing the silence. 

He opens the satchel and quickly skims through the documents inside. Apparently satisfied, he grunts and closes it again, reaching into his pocket and tossing me a small bag of what I can only assume to be some type of precious metal coins based on the clinking noise it makes as I catch it.

"What, you guys don't use PayPal?" I quip, not bothering to look into the small bag to see what's inside. I'm sure that his boss wouldn't pay me less than promised, and even if he did I wouldn't care. I don't do this for the money.

He grunts again in response. I've noticed he does that a lot. "Just keep delivering and you'll keep getting paid. Boss is impressed with your results."

"Right. 'Cause I live to impress him." I shoot back. Every time I have exchanges with this idiot, I find myself eye rolling nonstop. Micah's not the sharpest tool in the shed. But he's the boss's right-hand man, and he's who you have to deal with if you want to make a trade. The boss doesn't meet face-to-face with just anyone.

"You know he values your work. If you joined us, he'd grant you high rank and protection."

"In his dreams. I don't need to be another one of his goons and I definitely don't need his protection. I work alone." That's all there is to it.

"Suit yourself. Meet here next full moon to deliver, Nik." Micah steps backwards and begins to disappear into the shadows. It's so dark that with just several yards distance he is already out of sight.

"Can't wait," I mutter. I tie my coin sack around my neck and shift into my wolf. I peer up at the night sky and search out the stars that will lead me home.

___

It is several hours later when I get home. I use the term home loosely; it is more of a natural cave in the side of the cliff, far away from any nearby packs. A lone wolf, or rogue, such as myself, must live far away from packs unless they want to be captured and slaughtered. My parents learned this the hard way years ago. Now, I'm alone.

I stay in wolf form. It is cold, even in my cave, and my fur helps keep me warm. This is the form I usually prefer anyway. It's easier. In wolf form, survive, is always at the forefront of my thoughts. In human form, feelings get in the way. My wolf form is ideal for the life I live.

I gather the supplies that I need. I am not finished tonight. I put them in a bag to carry in my mouth. As I step outside again, I feel the cold air biting at my skin. The wind howls, telling me to turn back, but I ignore it. Looking up at the moon, I wonder if she cares about what I'm about to do. I doubt it. The endless slaughter of her children leads me to believe she stopped caring about us long ago.

I am weary as I reach my destination. I have been here before, several days ago, in fact.

The Viribus Pack.

I have watched enough to know when the guards change shifts, where they are weakest, where they keep their important supplies. I see my target, and shift back to human form. I need my hands for what I'm about to do.

The food storage building. I pour the lighter fluid all over the side of the building closest to me, and step back. I toss a lit match at the base. There is a brilliant flash of light as the fluid ignites and the flames race up the side to the roof. The whole building is ablaze within seconds. Nobody could save it now.

I hear screams and yells in the distance. The guards have obviously noticed by now, it's time to go.

But first.

I toss the last thing I brought onto the ground in front of the burning structure.

A piece of paper. A calling card.

For the rogues.

-Nik

___

Several days later, there's a note at the entrance of my cave.

Boss wants to meet. Tomorrow at dusk, don't be late.

-Micah