The Luna

Chapter 2: Rogue Life

Alex

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It'd been two days since I became a rogue with my three brothers, Jason, Chris, and Aidan. It's not as bad as people make it out to be. I've always felt at home in the woods, so it's not like I'm uncomfortable. Jason was the unofficial leader of our group, and he was leading us in the direction of Night Shade. By now our fur was matted with dirt and mud and tangled with branches and leaves. "Are you sure we're going the right way, Jason?"

"Yes. We're heading toward the Night Shade pack, we're only a few days away." I felt uneasy, like we were going the wrong way. But Jason had an impeccable sense of direction, so I was sure it was nothing.

"Okay.."

"Alex, I promise. You know full well I would never put you or Chris or Aidan in any kind of danger." I nodded my wolfy head.

I noticed Aidan had begun to fall behind. I was about to say something, but Chris nudged him and seemed to wake him up. He trotted to keep up with us, Chris by his side. Occasionally he would nudge him again to help him keep up.

****

Hours and hours passed before something actually exciting happened. Well, not exactly exciting, but rather action filled. We'd been crossing a river, and on the other side was a clearing. Aidan was almost across when Jason stiffened beside me. I inhaled, trying to smell what he did, and smelled a scent like stinky garbage and dead carcass rolled into one. It was the scent of a wolf that'd been a rogue for years. He was on the other side of the river, too close to Aidan for my liking. My hackles rose as I got ready to defend my youngest brother.

The wolf emerged from the trees, and we saw his size. He was relatively big, but we could take him in a fight if it came to that. His coat was a muddy brown color, with a suspicious red streaking through it. It stamped its foot, glaring at us with red eyes. He didn't speak, but the message was clear: You're on my land.

Aidan had frozen midway through the river, the water threatening to sweep him off his feet and carry him downstream. He didn't look back to the rogue, but rather straight at us. Jason was rooted to the ground beside me, and so was Chris. The rogue took a step forward, toward Aidan. I let out a low growl. The rogue continued forward. Suddenly, Chris unfroze and flew himself forward, sailing over the river. The rogue's head flew up just as Chris's body collided with his. Aidan took advantage of the distraction and ran the rest of the way across the river.

Chris and the rogue rolled around on the grass, kicking and scratching and biting. I saw Chris's leg kick out, catching the rogue in the stomach. Said rogue growled loudly and sunk his teeth into Chris's front left shoulder. A loud yelp sounded through the forest. Jason started forward. "Hold on, Jason. I think he's got this one."

The bite only made Chris mad. A savage growl tore through the air. I was surprised to find that it came from my brother. His claws raked across the rogue's side, and blood poured through the semi deep wound. His head reared back before coming down with enough force to slice through the skin of the rogue's neck with ease. His teeth sank into the rogue's jugular. He held on, not letting go until its body went limp. Then he let it fall from his mouth and stood tall and proud. His left shoulder was smeared with fresh blood, and he walked with a limp. Still, he made it across the river using the rocks, somehow managing to keep his balance. There was quite a large gap from the last rock to the shore of the river, and he jumped, landing with a small yelp.

"Let me see that wound." He shook his furry head, refusing to show me the extent of said wound.

"Christopher James Arrowood. Let me see that wound." I gave him no room for argument. He hung his head and limped over to me. Jason was looking over Aidan for any injuries, just in case.