I am not Rogue

Chapter 8

The next day, I sit on the floor where the light comes in through the window. With my eyes closed, I focus on trying to adapting to the small, enclosed cell.

The sound of a door opening and closing resonates through the prison. I rise from my position, curiously walking to the bars and peering through them.

The Beta stops in front of me. "Hi." He speaks awkwardly, clearing his throat. Confused, but I smile nonetheless. "Hey," I say cheerily.

"How're your wounds?" His grey eyes glint sincerely. My hand instinctively touches me bandaged shoulder before moving to rub my neck. "Getting better."

He smiles, "I'm Blake by the way." I shake his extended hand with my own, returning his smile, "Aleshia."

He hesitates, scratching his cheek. "I never got to thank you for saving my life," He pauses, "you've changed my perspective."

I frown confused, "On what?" He looks at me, rubbing his neck. "Our pack hates rogues, and for a good reason. Most of us were brought up from a young age to believe all rogues were evil, blood lusted maniacs due to the incident."

"I've always questioned our beliefs towards rogues, surely they can't all be bad?" He looks off to the side. "But every rogue encounter I've had only proved me wrong. Until you." I smile softly as his intense grey eyes cut to mine. "Why are you different?"

I cross my arms and state simply, "There are many Lone Wolves like me."

Blake's eyebrows furrow. "Lone Wolves?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, Lone Wolves. Wolves who leave their pack one the own terms for a good reason. The ones who live simple, without a pack or authority. The reason you've never come in contact with them is because we tend to stay far away from packs."

"Then how come you were near our pack?" He smirks. I chuckle, "It's almost winter, it's too cold to stay up in Washington, so I travel down to California for the warmer weather and stay at Grace's house. I normally past by your territory via no man's land in between your pack and Yellowstone's, but you," I jokingly poke Blake's chest, "just had to take over all of America."

He laughs, rolling his eyes. "Definitely."

We stand in comfortable silence. "So..." Blake starts, "why are you a Lone Wolf?"

"I- I," I shake my head, clearing the memories. "Let's just say that my pack and I had a different perspective on family."

Blake looks away from me as silence settles. A slightly awkward atmosphere hangs around us until he breaks it. "You know, Caden is actually a really great guy despite the past few days. He's raised this pack from the ground. We'd be nothing without him. He's a great leader and a great friend."

Caden, that's my mate's name. It clicks, all the lessons I had at my old pack about the Alphas of America. Caden Lykos.

I tilt my head curiously. Blake sighs, "He's had a rough, very rough past with rogues which is why," he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a key, "I don't think he'll change his mind about you. He might one day, but you don't deserve to be locked in here until that day."

He inserts the key, twisting and unlocked the door. It creaks as it swings back on its hinges. I stare at Blake wide-eyed, nervously twisting my hands. I look around waiting for something to happen.

Blake smiles softly. Hesitate, I step out of the prison, my heart beating erratically. With a wide smile, I jump ecstatic, free.

I run up to the door, taking three stairs at a time. Happiness puts me on a high. I reach for the door handle, only pausing to look back at Blake for confirmation.