The Rogue & The Alpha

Chapter 20 - Terrible Liar

Natsu's POV

Finally, day one meeting is over! Some parts were extremely boring that I almost wanted to fall asleep. I was excited for Lucy's company that I was jogging all the way down the mountain to our clearing. Hopefully, she and Wendy hunted down some dinner for us because I'm starving!

As soon as I spotted a certain female blonde wolf, I picked up my speed. "Lucy!" I called out before I tackled her to the ground. "Ah! Natsu!" she exclaimed in surprise from underneath me. "How was your day?" I asked, casually. "It was quiet but ah...could you please get off of me? Other wolves are staring" she replied and then I realised what our position would look like to everyone else. "Oops sorry" I lightly chuckled as I climbed off of her. "So, how was the meeting?" she asked. "It was so boring! We just sat around talking about what our packs have done since the last Solstice" I complained.

"Oi Alpha Pinky! You better hurry up before I eat the rest of the food" Gray called out near the deer carcass. "What did you call me Beta Frostbite?!" I shouted while running over to him. We clashed foreheads and pushed against each other. "Enough!" Erza growled and both of us stiffened before turning to look at the scary crimson wolf. "You're embarrassing the pack. Now go eat your share of the food and be quiet!" she ordered with a scary glare. "Yes ma'am" we whimpered and then quickly walked over to the deer carcass.

Wendy was already eating when we walked over. "Hey Wendy" I greeted happily as I stood next to her. She flinched and squeaked. 'That was weird' I thought, curious about Wendy's sudden behaviour. "Is something wrong?" I asked and noticed she was looking everywhere but my eyes. "Hm? Something wrong? Why would there be something wrong?" she replied, suspiciously. I think she's hiding something...

"Wendy! Can you help me over here?" Lucy called out and Wendy looked relieved. "Coming!" she replied and gave me a quick apologetic glance before running off towards Lucy. 'What could she be hiding?' I wondered as I watched Lucy and Wendy walk into the forest together.

The next morning, I was woken up by Gray headbutting me in the stomach. "Ow! What was that for?!" I exclaimed from my rude awakening. "Get up. It's the second day of the Solstice" he said before walking away. I groaned in disgust. "Another boring meeting" I muttered to myself.

A giggle caught my attention and I turned towards the noise to find Lucy giggling while talking to Gray. A threatening feeling immerged in my chest and I knew I had to intervene. I jumped to my paws and ran over to them before shoving myself between them. Gray glared at me while Lucy looked surprised. "What were you two talking about?" I asked innocently. "Oh hey Natsu, Gray was just telling me how it's hard to wake you up in the mornings" Lucy told me. "Maybe if SOMEONE stops snoring then I would get my beauty sleep" I said while pointing my gaze towards Gray. "Your snores are way louder than mine and what beauty sleep? You always look ugly" he retorted, and I growled. "You wanna go?" I asked threatening and he growled back. "Bring it on" he retorted and then I pounced on him.

We rumbled and tumbled around until we bumped into something...or should I say, someone. "Boys..." the demon wolf warned, and we instantly stood together shoulder to shoulder. "We weren't fighting Erza. We were just playing. Isn't that right Natsu?" Gray said nervously while I replied "Aye." "Good, anyway it's time for breakfast" she said, believing our 'bestest of friends' act. As soon as Erza walked away, we shoved each other away with a glare before walking over to the rabbits she hunted. "Good morning Wendy" I greeted before the rabbit near hers. As expected, she flinched and awkwardly smiled back. "G-Good morning Natsu" she replied nervously. She's definitely hiding something and I'm going to find out what it is.

"Hey Wendy, come have a walk with me" I ordered nicely after chowing down the rabbit. "But don't you have to leave soon?" she came up with an excuse. "We won't be long" I insisted, and she nodded nervously. I walked over to Gray and whispered into his ear. "Keep Lucy distracted while I'm gone" I ordered in my alpha tone and he nodded back firmly knowing I was serious. "Don't be too long we have the meeting today" he reminded me. "I'll be back in time" I replied before walking towards the forest with Wendy quietly following behind me.

When we were far enough away from the clearing where the packs were gathered, I stopped and turned to Wendy. "What are you hiding? I know you're hiding something" I asked, and she looked more nervous. "I don't know what you're talking about" she denied while not giving me eye contact. She couldn't be any more obvious.

Based on her reactions, I'm guessing it has something to do with Lucy. She would've hidden her nervousness better if it was related to herself. Plus, Lucy was the only one she was with while I was at the meeting yesterday. If it's this big of a secret that I can't know, then that means I need to know more. Especially if it involves the safety of my friends.

I sighed, I hated using my alpha tone on a pup like Wendy but it had to be done. "Wendy, tell me what you're hiding" I ordered lightly with my alpha tone. Her ears pinned back, and she reluctantly told me about Lucy's brief meeting with Yukino. I growled at the mention of Jiemma's plan of breeding Lucy just to build himself an army of powerful wolves. I vowed right then and there that I would never let that happen to Lucy. Over my dead body.

By the end of the story, Wendy relaxed like the pressure was taken off her shoulders. "Thank you for telling me Wendy. I'm sorry I had to use my alpha tone on you" I apologised. "It's ok Natsu. I know you had too" she replied with a relaxed smile. "I won't let Jiemma anywhere near her" I reassured and then took a few steps back the way we came. "Let's go back before I become late and Erza tries to hunt me down" I said jogging with Wendy behind me, shivering at the thought of Erza hunting me down. "Oh, and don't mention to Lucy that I know ok?" I added and she nodded. Now all I have to do is to try not to kill Jiemma during the meeting...