Loving a Rogue

Chapter 2

The camp seemed to miraculously straighten up when Jalayna walked in. She had noticed that it appeared to be out of sorts from a distance, and there was a lot of fighting and arguments that stopped when she came up.

"Jalayna," A young man walked up, seemingly surprised that she had showed up. "I..." He paused, and she raised her eyebrow.

"Yes?" She asked, smirking at how obviously uncomfortable he was.

"We weren't expecting you for some time." He said. She smiled wider.

"Well I'm here aren't I?" She asked. He nodded and backed away slightly, looking a little nervous. She guessed that his behavior had been less than commendable.

"Jay!" A familiar voice called from the crowd and she turned back towards her original destination and saw Ray coming towards her with a smile on his face. He captured her in a hug as she laughed. "I'm so glad you're ok!" He exclaimed.

"I'm glad to. Could you put me down?"

"Sure! What about your travels? Did you find any news on..." He trailed off, not wanting to say what he was thinking. Jalayna's features softened, knowing what Ray was asking.

"Why don't we talk about everything inside? I know that my mate is curious about what has been going on with us since we have left."

"Mate?" One of the other creatures asked, having gathered in a group around her.

"Of course? Why do you think I sent you here? We may not have completed the mate bond, but that doesn't mean that we don't still feel a pull."

"So you've forgiven him?" Ray asked, looking at her. She nodded.

"I have. I needed time away to think, but Kenelm and Blaz were right in what they did. I may not like it, but it was my brother's decision to make, not mine." Ray nodded his consent.

"And Astrid?" Jalayna frowned.

"She still hasn't forgiven him. She harbors anger for what she is missing out on. She's jealous of her brother and hates him for getting the chance that she never got."

"Even though it would've meant your death?"

"She's certainly conflicted." Jalayna waved her hand towards the pack house and began heading that direction. Blaz stood on the porch, looking like he wasn't sure what to do. Jalayna noticed Astrid standing off to the side with a smirk planted on her face. She assumed that she had already had words with her brother.

"Blaz, it's good to see you again." Jalayna called, stepping up on the steps of the porch. She was nervous for this meeting, but she didn't allow her trepidation to stop her. Smiling, she reached the top step and waited to see what his next move would be.

"Jay." Blaz stepped forward and encased her in a hug. She could sense him taking in her scent and wrapped her arms around his back, doing the same. She had missed him; there was no doubt about that. Blaz pulled away, but kept contact with her by keeping his hands on her shoulders. "It's great to see you again." She could see he was genuine and appreciated it. She smiled once again before turning to the crowd.

"I know you all have questions. They will all be answered in due time. In the meantime, I need to confer with my mate and the rest of the alpha family and council in order to figure out the next step in the process. Your patience will be greatly appreciated as we work though the next step in the process." She turned back to her mate, discreetly motioning Ray towards the house, knowing he would follow. What she had to say would be for his ears as well.

"Where did you go?" Ray asked, knowing Blaz would be too worried to try.

"Here and there," Was the flippant response that came from Astrid, neither of the men missed the glare that Jalayna shot towards her.

"We traveled most of the world searching for creatures that would be able to help us." Jalayna glared at Astrid. "The only creatures we haven't yet contacted were the angels and the humans. It was decided that it would be best to leave them for last, since they would most likely be the most reluctant to join."

"The humans? Reluctant to join? Do you really think that that though process was valid?" Jalayna recognized one of the elders approach from the living room.

"It would seem not, but many humans are viciously religious. They turn away anything that does not fit in with their philosophies. We would be rejected until such a time that a threat is imminent, and then we would be considered a part of the threat."

"So how are you planning on gaining their trust?"

"We will have to wait until such a time that they will be in more dire danger. We will explain that we have known about it, but fear of their response prevented us from contacting before. We have already placed anonymous tips to different governments that there is an extreme threat to their countries and they need to start prepping for war immediately. They are all blaming each other at this point, but it's at least started preparations."

"And what if they begin war on each other before the incoming war?" A different elder questions, concerned for the welfare of the creatures that were gathered.

"I have managed to get in touch with key people in government that are whispering things in the ears of high government officials. Some are escorts, others are wives and some are apart of the government themselves. They leave enough suspicion that it will be questions, but they also dispel suspicion when necessary, so that this will not be a danger."

"Very smart young lady. Very resourceful as well. How did you manage to do all of that in such a short period of time?"

"One contact led to more. I have a resource of underground contacts that I've amassed throughout the years. It was just a matter of having them get us in touch with the right people and then building relationships."

"That's why having two people came in handy. One of us could build relationships, the other could cultivate them and cash in on them." Astrid crossed her arms, stared at the crowd of people she used to call family and friends.

"We are truly impressed with everything you two have been done."

"I wouldn't say everything. I certainly had help. I'm sorry if the creatures have been a ruckus. I told them to behave themselves, but there is only so much words can do."

"It's been an adventure to say the least. Any other information?" Jalayna turned to Ray. He nodded his confirmation and she took a deep breath.

"I have news on Rays mate, known as my cousin, Tiffany."

"Ray has a mate?" The astonishment came from the small group gathered.

"I do. I decided against announcing it, because she is apart of the other side." Ray sat down, staring intensely at Jalayna.

"The other side, wait, Jay, you said your cousin?" Jalayna leaned back onto the counter, quietly crossing arms. She looked like she was concentrating on something not in the room.

"I'm afraid so. And it's not a pretty family story either." Her lips straightened into a grim line as Astrid stepped forward.

"Are you sure this is necessary for all of them to hear?" Her eyes furrowed desperately, looking between the council members and Jalayna.

"I'm afraid it is. It could be the difference between life and death, and having a mate."