Rebel Moon

Chapter Two - Rogue on the Border

Chapter Two – Rogue on the Border 

William 

I was walking the perimeter with my old friend Gabriel.  Gabe was a human I had gone to college with.  He insisted on helping with the patrols, even though he was probably the most vulnerable member of our little pack.  Shane usually assigned him to my shift, with the silent understanding that I would keep an eye on him, and keep him safe if there were any trouble. 

Something was on his mind tonight, I could tell.  He had his hands in his pockets, and kept his eyes on the ground as he walked, picking his way over roots and around the brambles as we skirted the boundary.  Although he was a human, Gabe was one of our original members.  He stopped abruptly and looked up at me with his dark Latino eyes.  “I want to be turned,” he said unexpectedly. 

What do you say to such a sudden proclamation?  I felt I must tread very carefully.  “Have you, um... talked to your wife about it?” 

Gabe kicked at the pine needles with his sneaker.  “Daisy says she can’t do it, because she’s an omega.” 

I cleared my throat uncomfortably.  “I don’t really know, but she may be right.”  Turning someone meant biting them, with the purpose of infecting them with Were-venom.  It was hardly ever done any more, as it was incredibly risky.  In fact, I’d never actually known anyone who had done it, or had it done to them. I’d only heard stories... and in the stories it was usually a strong, high ranking wolf that did the dirty deed.  “She may not be strong enough to turn you.” 

“I’m tired of being like this,” he gestured to himself.  I didn’t see anything wrong with him.  He was a strong, healthy young man. 

“There’s nothing wrong with being human, man.” I said, trying to comfort him.  “I know Daisy loves you just the way you are.” 

“It's not about that!” he growled, and I could hear the frustration in his voice.  “I’m tired of being the weakest link, you know?  I’m tired of being the one that everyone has to be “easy” on at training.  ‘Don’t hurt the human, he doesn’t heal up.’  I can’t shift.  I’m only half a fighter, no matter how good I am.  If anything ever happens... not only am I not able to protect Daisy... I’m a liability.” 

“You aren’t a liability Gabe, you are a valued member of our pack, our family.” 

“Oh come on William, you of all people?”  Gabe turned, and started walking again, this time at a faster, angry pace.  I got that he needed to let of some steam, so I let him go, and followed him at a little distance.  I did understand where he was coming from, I just wasn’t entirely sure what I could say to him to make it better.   

Gabe had circled back around, “If Daisy can’t do it, what about someone else?  Someone stronger?  What about you, William?  You are the son of an Alpha.  Surely you are genetically superior enough to do the work?” 

“Hold on,” I held out my hands to calm him.  “I don’t think you understand exactly what you are asking.  Turning someone... well it’s a really intimate thing, Gabe.  It's like being mated.  It binds you together with your maker for the rest of your life.  And him to you.  So, if anyone is going to attempt to turn you, it should be your mate.”" 

“Damn it!” I watched Gabe’s shoulders slump. 

I rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.  “Hey, don’t let this eat you up, Gabe.  Fate brought you and Daisy together, so the goddess must have a plan.”  I don’t know if I actually believe that fairytale stuff, but I’d heard my mother spout it often enough that it was easy to repeat.  I was about to open my mouth to say more, when I heard a rustle in the woods.  I tensed. 

I held my finger up to my mouth, and then pointed in the direction of the sound.  I lifted my nose, but the creature was down wind, and I didn’t catch a scent.  I signaled to Gabe to follow me, and he quietly fell in behind me. 

As we drew closer, I caught a faint, unfamiliar scent.  I circled the half-fallen cedar, and stopped before the drooping branches.  “Hold there.  Identify yourself.” 

I heard a whimper from under the limbs of the tree, but the owner was still hidden in the shadows. 

“You are on Rebel Moon lands.  Identify yourself!" I said with as much authority as I could muster.   There was a sniffle, but the person in hiding did not come out.  I nodded to Gabe to cover me, and carefully stepped closer to draw back the branches, and duck down to see who was hiding in the tree.

A girl stared back at me, her eyes as big as saucers.  One half of her face had been burned, and was now deformed by ugly, wrinkled looking scar tissue.  She was dressed in little more than rags, and her feet were bare.  “Its alright girl, you don’t have to be scared.” I said, trying to speak softly, as though to a frightened animal.  The girl seemed to be rather feral as her eyes darted wildly between Gabe and I.  I held out my hand to her.  “Don’t be afraid, you can come out.  We won’t hurt you.” 

Her tiny dirty hand slipped into mine.  In the moonlight I could see the dirt under her long, broken fingernails, and the dirt and leaves matted in her hair.  “I’m William,” I said gently, “I’m the beta of this pack.  What is your name?” 

Before she could answer me, I heard a wolf call in the distance.  It was at least a half a mile away, and out beyond our borders.  The girl yanked her hand out of mine, and took off running.  When she was a little distance from us, she shifted.  She was a magnificent shifter, pulling off the change in mid-air.  Her wolf was small and pale.  She did not look back as she ran away, her ears laced back against her head, her tail tucked between her back legs 

“Should we follow her?” Gabe asked, scratching his head. 

I shook my head, and bent to retrieve the torn rags she had left behind when she had shifted.  “Let her go,” I said, feeling a little sad.  “I think she’s probably a rogue, but she’s harmless enough.”