Chapter 1 Prologue

• Author's Note: This is my first time participating in one of HopWriter's contests. I promise it will not be my last. I hope you enjoy my story and please feel free to leave reviews and feedback. They are always appreciated.
• *Trigger Warnings: This story contains domestic abuse, attempted sexual assault, dub-con, and sexual harassment. You have been warned.*
• February 19, 2004, Late at night
• Lyn Baldwin ran through the woods, clutching her daughter, Jadiel, tightly to her body. In the distance, she could hear the howls of the pursuing rogues. She still couldn’t figure out how they had made it this far into the Purple Sage Pack’s lands. It was suspicious how none of the normal guards who guarded the borders were out. That meant a traitor was in their midst. She didn’t know who, but if she survived, she would find out.
• Jadiel whimpered in her arms, and she made soothing noises. They couldn’t afford to get caught before she made it to the shelter.
• ::Cassius!:: She yelled across the bond she shared with her husband.
• ::Lyn! Where are you and Jadiel?::
• ::I’m about two miles from the shelter. What about the pack?::
• ::We evacuated all the women and children. You are the only one not there. I am on my way to you.::
• ::How many rogues?::
• She felt her husband hesitate. She growled. ::Cassius, how many?::
• ::Enough that we had to fight harder than usual. Just get to the shelter. I’m headed your way.::
• His voice faded from the link and Lyn focused on making it to safety. She was half a mile away from the shelter when her wolf, Myrah, yelled a warning.
• She didn’t have time to react as something crashed into her from behind sending her tumbling forward. She hunched protectively over Jadiel, taking the brunt of the fall. The wind was knocked out of her, and she fought to breathe as she scrambled to her feet. Her quick glance counted fifteen rouges surrounding her.
• The largest dark brown wolf shifted to a man who had to be at least 6’5, towering over her smaller 5’2 frame.
• “Well, lookey here,” chortled the rogue leader as he pushed aside the milling wolves who were inching closer to Lyn. “If it isn’t Cassius’s bitch.”
• Lyn snarled at him, her wolf infuriated at his condescending tone. She wanted to make him submit but fought her wolf and her nerves. She had to save Jadiel. She would not let her child die at the hands of rogues.
• She didn’t recognize him and that was bad. She and her husband had heard rumors from other packs about a Rogue King. If she had to guess, this man must be him.
• “And a good evening to you, too,” she snapped.
• The man’s eyes narrowed, and he growled menacingly. “You have a mouth on you. I can’t wait to shut it up.”
• He took a step forward and froze when the sound of a howl reached them. Lyn almost collapsed in relief. Cassius was close. She and Jadiel were saved.
• The intruder whipped his head around and transformed his hands into claws. “You will die here, bitch!”
• He lunged at her, and Lyn ducked, making sure to protect Jadiel who had gone silent in her arms. She couldn’t tell if her daughter had fallen asleep or was too afraid to make a sound. It didn’t matter. As long as Jadiel was still breathing, Lyn was fine.
• Lyn was busy keeping the rogue leader in sight and missed the two rogues who rushed her from the left. She wasn’t fast enough to dodge the attack and was sent tumbling to the ground covering Jadiel protectively.
• She screamed when she felt the rogues’ teeth tearing into her unprotected back. She had to get them off her! Pulling together her strength she bucked hard sending them flying. She snarled ferociously when more rogues inched closer.
• ::My love, I’m almost there!::
• She didn’t respond. She couldn’t afford to. Moon Goddess protect my pup, she prayed. She sat Jadiel down by her feet and shifted so quickly the rogues didn’t have a chance to attack.
• She saw the lust in the Rogue Leader’s eyes. She would kill him first.
• ::I agree,:: purred Myrah.
• Lyn sat back and let Myrah have control. They would kill their enemies and save their pup. Howling their intent, they charged into battle. One way or another, this would end tonight.
• ~***~
• Cassius was frantic. When the rogues had first infiltrated their territory, he had been confident his pack could take them. Everything was going well until suddenly it wasn't. He realized then that they had a traitor in the pack. The rogues' attack was too coordinated. Several warriors lost their lives.
• He vowed to kill whoever had betrayed the pack but that would have to wait. He was rushing toward his mate and daughter. He had to save them. His wolf, Lionel, agreed.
• ::Save mate!:: he growled.
• ::We will. Go faster,:: Cassius urged his wolf.
• They were quickest in wolf form and soon they were nearing the area where Lyn and Myrah were fighting. Suddenly pain blossomed in the link, infuriating Lionel.
• ::Mate hurt!:: he howled.
• Cassius sent Lyn a message, ::My love, I'm almost there!::
• She didn't answer but he could feel her concentration through the bond they shared. He also could feel Jadiel's fear.
• ::Daddy is coming!:: he reassured her.
• He felt some of Jadiel's fear lessen. That was good. If she was calm, it would be easier to rescue her and Lyn.
• ::Cassius, I love you, save our child!:: Lyn's words howled in his head and then an excruciating pain ripped through the bond traveling directly to his heart.
• ::Mate!:: Lionel howled mournfully at the loss of Myrah and Lyn.
• They burst through the trees and tore into the nearest rogues, bloodlust and sadness adding fuel to their rage. On the ground lay Myrah's bloody and lifeless body.
• Cassius and Lionel decimated the rogues until only the rogue leader was left.
• The rogue leader sneered at them. "I won't forget this. I will return and finish taking everything from you." He turned and disappeared into the forest.
• Cassius shifted back and rushed to Myrah's body. He gently rolled her to the side and cowering underneath her was Jadiel covered in blood. He threw back his head and howled his anguish at the loss of his mate.