Forged in Fire (Forgotten Series, #2)

Chapter Eight

I looked down at my hands. My day couldn't possibly have gotten anymore stressful but Sean had let me know that he had found a rogue hanging around the temple and was now bringing it back. I was tired and just wanted to sleep and the thought I would have to deal with a rogue then go complete the burial rights for the Lewis' and then Dylan had my head reeling.

"You forgot these." Benji leaned against the door jamb and looked me over carefully before moving into the study and setting my glasses on the desk.

I nodded at him. "Thank you, Benji." I had honestly forgotten them in the chaos. Glasses didn't really matter with killing pack members.

"You got everything bandaged alright?" He was looking at my shoulder and I nodded once more. The wound was about three quarters healed and the only reason I wasn't going out of my mind as the nerves healed was the pain reliever paste Maricella had placed into the ragged wound. I had to make a note to order more of the paste, it was fucking handy. "Sean says they found a rogue." His tone was all business and I sighed.

"He says it was only one so I'm not too concerned." I picked up the glasses and put them on. I looked at the paperwork on my desk and sighed a touch heavier. "Hunters will be here. I can tell." They had a habit of turning up when they were unwanted and the Enforcer, who I learned was Julia Savage, wouldn't let me go without a check up to make sure I followed the rules.

"Yah, I'm thinking bright and early in the morning. They were informed of the deaths a few hours ago." Benji sounded just as irritated as I felt and I motioned to the chair. We had covered our bases, we were safe from any repercussions but it would still be irritating to deal with them.

"We can get rid of them together, Benji." I sighed once more and pinched my nose. There was too much stress and it was starting to rile up my wolf. It was nice for him to stay quiet in his cage where I had placed him so I didn't wish for anything to change that.

"So about the rogue, what are you wanting to do?" Benji sounded slightly apprehensive but also curious. Some Alphas killed rogues that travelled through without permission. Others placed them into indentured servitude. Some simply listened and then banished.

I shrugged, my shoulders feeling far to heavy. "I'll know when they get here." It was the truth. I couldn't figure out what to do with the rogue until I met them. How I dealt with them depended on what their intentions were and why they trespassed. Sometimes it was an honest mistake, others it was deliberate to try and rile up the patrols and then some deranged rouges did it to harm pack members. How the rogue answered determined their fate.

Alpha, we request to speak with you. It was a masculine voice and I tried to place it. Slater, most likely Brandy's brother. I felt a sudden unease roll through me. Without Kiel or Michael I felt exposed but my pack wished to speak to me and I wasn't about to push them away.

You may come to the study, if you wish. I looked at Benji and grimaced. He looked curious at the expression on my face.

"Ian, Brandy's brother, has requested to see me." I shifted in my chair, resisting the urge to stand up and pace. My nerves were going haywire and I didn't like it.

He frowned, the lines on his face deepening. "I don't like it, Luka." He said it slowly and I agreed with him. I wasn't sure how the wolf or human would react so soon after his sister's death.

"Neither do I but he requested to speak with me." I couldn't find it in me to reject his request. I had killed his sister and the guilt made it difficult to deny any request he would make. "He should be coming in shortly." I clenched my hands tightly together as Benji came to stand by my desk. It felt strange not having Ezekiel or Michael near me. I felt almost vulnerable and exposed without them. I could feel some pack members entering the house and I lifted my head, waiting patiently despite the nervousness of having more than one person come into my domain.