Chapter 31: Giving Him Strength

-Rhys-

It was dark as we moved in on the territory. We had gotten an urgent message someone needed help, and we had all quickly driven out there, hoping we could get there in time to help before the rogues destroyed everything. They seemed a little more aggressive tonight, but they had also gotten awfully bold lately. They usually like to go after the packs closest to their own territory, slowly gaining more ground themselves. We weren’t exactly sure though where they hid on their territory and we couldn’t go explore it unless we wanted a bloody battle. No, we needed to win over them on our terms, and this was a chance for that.

It was rather quiet as we arrived though. There was something strange about it. Like something dark lingered. As we came inside the house, we split up. Rogan nodded to me, and I walked to the right, searching that part of the big pack house. No one was here … there was nothing but blood and a big mess everywhere, but no bodies. I didn’t like it, and I held my gun tightly in my hands, as I moved down the quiet hallways. Had they already left? Were they coming back?

*I don’t like this …*

My wolf was on edge too. He didn’t like it when it felt like something was breathing down our necks. I couldn’t really say I liked it either.

*Something is wrong …*

I wanted to ask what, but then out of the shadows, he came. A rogue, who tackled me to the ground. He was strong, and was able to get the gun out of my hands. I saw him trying to reach for it, but I quickly went for him, and we rolled over the ground. He got a knife from his belt though, and cut the air, hitting me on my arm. I hissed and moved back, which made him get the upper hand. He turned us, and I ended up on the ground, and the knife was on its way down towards me, but I moved out of the way just in time. I heard some gunshots though, and realized this had been a trap for us. The rogues had turned the tables and were now coming for us. What had made them choose to suddenly go after us? Making a trap like this was dangerous, but they seemed desperate, which surprised me because our last trap hadn’t gone so well. It was like we really threatened them.

The knife came towards me again, but I grabbed the rogue’s wrists, holding him back. We fought each other. He had some help though, as gravity was on his side, and I saw the happiness in his eyes, as he saw the knife move closer to my face. Rogues were sick … everyone except my little mate.

A picture of Nova appeared in my mind, and it fueled my body, as I thought of her. The rogue seemed surprised, as I was able to suddenly push him back. I had to admit. He was very strong, and it made me wonder if he had been who we were looking for. Their leader. He certainly had the strength for it, but when I finally got us turned, I surprised him enough to get the knife from him. I threw it away, and then started to punch him, putting so much power behind that I made his face bleed, and finally got him knocked out.

I sat back, breathing heavily, feeling like my whole body was vibrating. I couldn’t hear any more gunshots, but it wasn’t long after, that I heard someone come running. I went for my gun and pointed it towards where the sound came from.

It was Rogan …

“Shit, Rhys!” he said and held up his hands as he saw me with the gun. “It’s me!”

I breathed out relieved, and lowered the gun. I took a look at my friend though, and saw his arm was bleeding.

“You’re hurt!”

“So, are you,” he said and pointed to the wound on my arm.

It was healing though, and I believed Rogan’s was too.

“What happened?” I asked.

“A trap.”

I had figured that out.

“Did you catch any?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“But you did.”

I looked over my shoulder and nodded, as I looked at the unconscious rogue. It had been close though. I had almost gotten a knife run through my face.

“The others?” I asked.

“They are safe,” he said. “The rogues attacked us, but when we got the upper hand they took off.”

I nodded, satisfied with that answer.

“What do we do with him?” I asked.

“Take him with us,” Rogan said. “We need some answers.”

I could only agree.

“I am getting the others.”

Rogan went to find the others, and then came back. It took almost three of us to carry this rogue. He was damn heavy, and it only told me that he was definitely who we have been looking for. At least one of them. We had heard there might be more than one leader, but we weren’t sure. Maybe this one could provide us with some answers.

We tied him up and got him into one of our cars. He still hadn’t woken up, but he would soon, and we knew he would definitely not try to behave.

“Well done, Rhys,” Marcus said and slapped my shoulder before he walked over to his car.

I just smiled a little.

“Does this mean we are going home?” I asked Rogan.

He nodded.

“I don’t want to do the interrogation somewhere else. We need to be able to keep our backs protected while talking to this one,” he said.

My smile grew and Rogan saw it.

“Yes, I know you’re excited to go home,” he said. “But we have only been gone for three days.”

“And aren’t you dying to go back too?” I asked.

He smiled and nodded.

“You know I am.”

“It never stops, does it?” I asked.

“What?”

“This feeling. The need to be close to them,” I said.

Rogan shook his head.

“No, it doesn’t stop. It gets a little easier to handle, but it never stops. If we could we would only be around our mates, never letting them out of our sights,” he told me.

I nodded and I could only agree. It was exactly how I felt. I just wanted to be around Nova all the damn time, and I would kill anyone who stood in my way. I had never thought I would ever feel like this, but I was damn happy I had found her, and I couldn’t wait to make her mine. Completely.

“I think I am fucking falling for her,” I said.

“It happens fast,” Rogan said as we walked over to our car.

We would not be transporting the rogue, but a few of the other warriors would, and we trusted they would bring him to the house in one piece, not that we would be sad if he was suddenly missing a few.

“Really?” I asked. “I am not crazy?”

He shook his head.

“Then I guess it isn’t so weird what happened,” I said.

“What?”

“The rogue almost got me,” I said.

“He did?!” Rogan asked concerned and walked over to me grabbing my arm like he was going to check me for wounds.

“I am fine, but it was a close call, and I thought about Nova. It was like I suddenly turned stronger,” I said.

Rogan smiled.

“They can do that to you,” he said. “Make you stronger.”

“I have never tried anything like it.”

“They are our biggest strength and weakness,” he said. “Because if something happened to them …”

He didn’t have to finish that sentence. I understood what he meant, and just nodded.

“I know …”

“Take care of her,” he said.

“I will try my best, but does this mean you won’t stand in our way?” I asked as we got into the car.

Rogan chuckled.

“I never tried standing in your way,” he said. “I am just looking out for you.”

“I know, but I have decided. She is going to be mine.”

“Then I trust your decision.”