Chapter 3 The Encounter

• Dad removes his hand from my neck. His eyes move from mine to Isla.
• Oh well? Can't believe it?
• "Rogues? Veda are you insane? I was in pain. I didn't even leave the hospital wing last night!"
• Isla clung to at mother, holding her tightly. "I don't know what she's talking about, Mom."
• "Why would you accuse your sister of something so sinister? She was the one who couldn't move a muscle last night. How could she have possibly done what you're accusing her of?"
• I sighed out loud, letting a low humourless breath. "I didn't say she did it. I said the rogues are tied to this house. Anyone could have sent them."
• Are they dumb or they're pretending to be?
• "There you go trying to play the victim and tear the family apart."
• I scanned their faces. Their reaction said everything they couldn't say with their mouth.
• They didn't care.
• There was no shock.
• No fear for my safety. But there was clearly an annoyance at my return.
• They hate it.
• A small bitter smile tugged at my lips. The corner of my eyes started getting glossy. "Don't cry," Mani, my wolf scolded.
• "When it comes to Isla, you don't mind setting Luna City ablaze and getting smoked by the other packs, but me......"
• I chuckled, staring at my father in the eyes. "I'm disposable."
• His face hardened, his fingers curled in a fist. "You ungrateful child! How dare you try to embarrass us? If you're here to cause trouble, go back to where you're coming from. We've had enough this month."
• I nodded.
• My heart beat rapidly against my chest as I will myself not to cry or break before them.
• I was expecting something like this so why does it hurt?
• "Good," I says softly. "Let it be known that today, I, Veda Blackthorn, drop the name Blackthorn and this family, and this pack. I don't want anything to do with any of you."
• Mom scoffed, "Don't be dramatic, Veda. You want to become a rogue?"
• "You want Isla?" I asked, again, calmly. "You can have her. The lies and deceits included. I'm going independent. I'm out!"
• I turned towards the door, my foot scraped the step, willing myself to move, something sharp connected against my cheek before I could.
• Axel had thrown a glass cup at me. The glass fell and shattered on the floor.
• Blood trickling down the side of my face.
• Well.....
• "Thank you for the farewell," I mumbled sarcastically.
• Isla quickly stepped forward, her hands grabbing Dad's knees. "Dad, don't be angry. I'm sure Veda doesn't mean what she said..... She can't possibly mean it."
• The words of her mouth were soft as silk but her eyes gleamed triumphantly.
• "You're too kind, Isla," Blaze said and shook his head. "Too bad the person you're defending doesn't care."
• "You ungrateful girl! Don't come running when life as a rogue humbles you!" My screamed, I was sure that her bright blue eyes were digging a whole on my body the whole time.
• I stopped, turning her neck slightly. "Don't worry. I won't come running."
• "Are you letting her leave? You can't!" She splutters angrily.
• "Dad, she owns 30% shares of the pack," Axel said carefully. "We can't let her leave."
• "She will come back." Alpha Said with so much conviction.
• "No one survives out there for long as a lone wolf."
• The city was alive, the neon light and distant thrums of territory patrol.
• I wrapped my coat around my body as the cool air hits with force, the strap of my purse pulled tight on my shoulder.
• My phone buzzed— Octavia.
• I smiled wildly, as I made to swipe the call, from the corner of my eyes I noticed a delivery bike swerving right towards me from the side of the road.
• Oh please!
• I stepped back quickly, not smooth enough as my heel caught a broken curbstone, and my balance slipped.
• My eyes widened in shock. "No.... No no," I panicked.
• A hand caught my wrist before I could hit the floor.
• Firm and cold. Stronger than any human hand could be.
• I blinked up. My eyes searching for the mysterious savior.
• A tall man dressed in a charcoal coat that screams wealth without even trying.
• His hair is damp from the drizzle. And his eyes—moon goddess— his eyes glow faintly silver.
• I knew instantly that this man, is an Alpha.
• Mani whimpered, her head lowered.
• Should I bow?
• "Watch your steps," He said, releasing my wrist.
• The delivery guy stammered apologies and sped off.
• "Thanks," I straightened, covering my chest with my coat.
• A bashful smile on my face.
• Damn. Why'd I embarrass myself like that?
• The man didn't respond right away. No, he was studying me, like a piece of a missing puzzle. Shit, he made me self-conscious for a moment.
• "You are bleeding," He announced.
• Huh?
• I touched the side of my head and sighed. The glass did hit me well.
• Before I could respond, he reached into his coat and brought out a handkerchief then placed it on my hand. I stared at the soft handkerchief in my hand, the embroidered with a symbol catched my attention instantly.
• A crescent wolf and a crown.
• My breath hitched. My eyes flew up to his silver one's.
• "You're from the King's district," I whispered, holding my breath.
• Several werewolf packs occupied Luna City, but Crescent Moon pack also called the King's district is the largest and richest in Luna City anf the world.
• The pack members don't go around casually; that, I definitely know of.
• "Rowan Blackwell," He said, stretching his hand to take mine.
• My heart stumbled, my eyes studying him as swallowed the hard lump in my throat.
• Alpha Rowan Blackwell, head of the King's district wolves.
• An Alpha that never appears at events.
• The Alpha who was rumored to be cursed.
• Whose court could destroy a whole pack in one night?
• The Alpha Rowan Blackwell?!
• My heart was hammering against my chest as I thought of what would happen if anyone from my pack house saw us.
• "What's a King district wolf doing around here?" I asked cautiously.
• "The question should be, what are you doing so far away from your district?"
• What is he saying? I'm at Silverbane's terri......
• I glanced around.
• The place was no longer familiar.
• Oh shit.
• I didn't realize how far I had wandered away from Silverbane pack. I must have been lost in thought.
• How long did I trekked for? 40 minutes? 50 minutes?
• I knew I was losing my mind.
• Someone so polished and frightening shouldn't be leaning so casually against the light pole, but he did.
• Maybe I should just slip out and leave.
• I made to go around him and his nose twitched subtly.
• "You're carrying stress hormone spikes" He said, "high ones, and your wolf is agitated."
• My shoulders tensed. "You smell that?"
• "I'm an Alpha, I smell everything." He replied and paused. "You're hurt more than the side of your head."
• He wasn't wrong.
• While fighting the rogues, she suffered from a few scratches on her chest and upper arms.
• "You should get checked."
• I barked out a humorless laugh. "And you should mind your business."
• Who said that?
• Veda Blackthorn you're begging to get torn apart!
• "I would," His eyes darkened. "If your scent wasn't laced with wolfsbane residue."
• I went still. My lips tremble.
• Wolfsbane was illegal and rare in Luna City. It was meant for one purpose: assassination.
• Rowan's voice dropped. Cold and low.
• "Whoever targeted you didn't want to scare you."
• He pulled away from the pole and stepped closer to me, his height lowered.
• "They want to finish you."
• Something in his tone pierced through my chest like a katana.
• Not fear.
• Not abandonment, recognition.
• For the first time in years, I.... I felt seen.
• "Why do you care?" I whispered, my eyes staring deep into his.
• "I don't," He said simply. "But someone who's been hunted tends to bring danger to the territory."
• Disappointed, I bit my lower lip.
• He wasn't saving me. He was protecting his territory.
• "I can leave, I don't want to bring trouble to your territory."
• Rowan's jaw flexed.
• "You misunderstand," His voice dropped deeper, colder.
• "I'm not letting you go."
• I blinked. My eyes were searching his again.
• Now, what does he want?
• "What?"
• "You're poisoned. You're very injured. And your scent makes you a target." He explained.
• "You need protection."
• Guardian angel.
• "From you?" I scoffed.
• Alpha Rowan straightened, dipping his hands inside his coat.
• "Not from me," He muttered, a smirk playing at the side of his lips. "From your enemies."
• A sleek black car glided to the curb.
• Alpha Rowan walked towards it and opened the back door.
• "Come with me and I'll keep you alive." He offered.
• I was not a child. I knew he wasn't helping me from the good of his heart.
• "What's in it for you?" I questioned.
• Veda Blackthorn! You should be running away from him not entertain his craziness! Mani screamed.
• Life is a give and take. No one helps the other for free anymore.
• This, I knows so well.
• "In exchange......." He started, his eyes hardened. "You'll owe me a favor later."
• I knew there is something in it.
• I needed a backer. And he needed something I didn't know yet.
• At that point, I would take whatever I could get.
• I walked past him and slid into the car.
• "Deal."