Blade quickly packed his things that night. His Uncle’s beta Tom had called reporting that a rogue had been scented on the back border just after the council had broken up for the, twenty minutes prior.
He handed his gear to Damien and quickly bolted up the stairs to the Alphas private family quarters. He hugged the boys and his brother and gave his mother and Bree a quick peck on the cheek, before bolting down to the car where Damien was now waiting for him. They chatted about the alpha council and Blade invited Damien and his mate to visit before jumping aboard his Uncle’s helicopter.
During the flight home he ran through various scenarios in his head. Best case, it was a lone wolf acquainting himselfs with the packs borders. Worst case, the pack could be in danger. For both, and a few other in between, he had a course of action laid out in his head. This was a chance to prove himself and show his Uncle that he was worthy of the second chance he had been given. Content that he was prepared Blade slept the rest of the flight.
When he arrived a few hours later, despite the circumstances he sighed a long breath of relief. This was home. He felt the mental connections of his pack like a soothing hum in his mind. It helped settle the anxiety that his wolf had been projecting since the council meeting.
“Blade! Glad to have you back.” Tom called as he approached. They were close in age and had become close friends since Tom’s father had stepped down as Beta.
“I had no idea what to do. I don’t think there's been a rogue sighting in since before I was born. I called Dad and he advised me to double the guards on each border and we’ve called everyone into the pack house.”
“Excellent” he complimented his friend. “Did you do a roll call to make sure everyone is present and accounted for?”
“Yes, everyone was accounted for except for those who were with you and the retirees who went on the cruise”.
“Good to hear” Blade commented and then sent out a request for Aidyn and Joe the packs best trackers to meet them where the rogue was scented.
The four of them quickly found two trails. The split up eventually both ending up at a nearby camping ground in the national park.
Walking further into the campsite they found a single tent. It was currently empty and they debated whether the wolf had abandoned it or just gone into town. Nearby tyre tracks indicated he had been back and forth to the highway exit more than once.
They were awaiting an enforcer to arrive to guard the tent, when the sound of car slowing on the highway to take the camping ground exit caught Blade’s attention. “I want you all to conceal yourselves. Make sure you can see what's happening.”
They all quickly concealed themselves amongst the nearby bushland. And Blade sat himself down on the camping chair in front of the tent. A couple of minutes later he spotted headlights shining through the trees before eventually reaching the clearing. When the car door opened and the interior light flashed on Blade was shocked to see Justin Elliot who had been the gamma of the Armstrong pack when he was there. “Justin? What are you doing here?” he called out shocking his former packmate.
“Well, well, well. If it isn't the devil himself. I wasn't expecting you for a couple of days. Thought you would’ve been at the Alpha council as all good little Alphas-to-be are.”
“I would’ve still been, but your scent on my borders didn't sit well with my pack. Want to tell me why you smell like a rogue?” Blade demanded his voice deepening with an Alpha command. After a minute of tense standoff, Justin cocked his head to the side, baring his neck in a sign of submission.
“It was the only way I could fulfill a promise to my sister. You know the one you were fucking before you left” Justin replied turning back and reaching into the car. He fumbled around for a minute.
“You left her a gift, then she met her mate who rejected her. She couldn't cope and killed herself. In her note she asked me to give it back to you.”
Blade stood silent, both grief and confusion were consuming him. He didn’t register Justin walking back towards him until he shoved a warm bundle against his chest. His arm automatically wrapped around it. He looked down to see a pair of eyes identical to his own staring up at him.
