The Exiled Rogue is my Mate

Chapter 3

~GWEN~

"Ah, bliss."

I let out a satisfied hum as I stretched my legs on the cool grass. This was one of the moments I lived for. A moment of solitude with the cool evening breeze. A breeze that served as a comfort against my skin. Werewolves had naturally high body temperature and we needed regulation. The cold never bothered me. The heat in my body was enough to deal with it.

I looked at the setting sun. It's orange glow was a perfect decoration to the sky alongside the gray clouds. The glows reminded me of one of the popular music tracks I had listened to during my late teenage years, 'Stare into the sun.'

A group of little and adorable children ran past me. Two girls and a boy not older than the age of two. I was worried until I saw their parents run behind. I placed my hand over my heart in relief. The children had gone to the midst of the field.

Their parents stopped to catch their breath.

"It's ironic about children," One of the mother's said. "How they have so much energy."

"And to think I rarely give mine sugar," the other woman said. She looked at the fields at the boy who was wandering away. "Liam! Do not stray too far."

The boy tilted his head sideways at her. He giggled and ran off. The little girls following behind.

"Oh by the goddess," the woman sighed and followed behind. The other women after her.

I chuckled softly and lay on the grass, shutting my eyes.

I had no idea how much time had past until I felt something drop onto my nose. My eyes flew open and I scowled a bit. I placed my finger to my nose and then examined it. It was a speck of ash.

Before I could think further, another landed on my forehead. And then another on my cheek. And then many more specks began to to follow.

"What the..."

I heard a scream. I sat up immediately and glanced at the direction. My eyes widened in terror.

Beyond me, I could see it. Smoke rising to the heavens. The sky was dark and I could barely see the clouds now. I took off from my spot and out of the fields. Tracing the direction of the smoke, I arrived at the city it emanated from and my heartbeat ceased for a minute.

My eyes witnessed pure c*****e. The city was in flames. I could hear screams of people running around. I even saw some of them burning alive. And then I saw them. Some dark blurry creatures with glowing red eyes chasing some of the people. I couldn't make out their form. The only thing I could hear was their sick, malicious laughter.

"Liam!" I heard that name. I spun around and saw the woman from earlier. The mother of the little boy.

She ran past me like I wasn't even there. She saw the boy by the doorway of one of the burning houses. He looked very frightened.

"Mummy!" he yelled as soon as he saw her.

"Liam!" she rushed towards him. "I'm coming, sweetheart."

She embraced him and his sobs could be heard on her shoulders. The two other parents could be seen with their daughters making haste away from the dark creatures.

She took Liam by the hand and they made their way to the doorway. I saw a part of the building give way. The hands of fear gripped my heart. The building was going to collapse and they couldn't see it on time. I tried to scream. I tried to warn them. I couldn't find my voice. I couldn't even find the urge to move. It was like something held my legs to the ground.

The house collapsed on top of them.

........

"Gwen!"

I felt myself been shaken violently. I rose from and opened my eyes wide. I looked at the hands on my shoulder. They belonged to Liv. Her innocent eyes gazed intently at me in worry

"Gwen, what's wrong?"

I didn't answer. I looked around to realize where I was. I was back on my room in my parents house. There was no field, no burning building. No woman. No Liam. Just me and my worried little sibling. I placed a hand over my chest and exhaled a bit. It was just a nightmare.

"I'm okay, Liv." I ruffled the fur on my sister's hair.

"Are you?" She raised a thin eyebrow. "You were crying."

"What?" I gasped. I then reached up to trace the liquid running down my cheeks. Tears? That was absurd. I turned toy expectant sister and forced a smile.

"It's okay," I said. "Maybe it's stress. You know with everything that has been going on. I've just been occupied."

She tilted her head to the side, a regular habit of hers when she was trying to ascertain if someone was telling the truth.

"Really Liv, I'm fine." I forced a smile. "Don't beat yourself up over it."

She regarded me silently and then finally shrugged.

"Okay," she said. "Goodnight."

She turned around and walked out of the room.

As the door shut, I relaxed back in my bed. It was a nightmare but it was so real. This was even worse than the previous ones I had been having. It was like I was there in reality. The heat that emanated from the flames that ravaged the city. It also felt real. I felt like I was in an oven. And the people. The woman, her mate and her child. The scene had cut to my heart like a knife. It hurt so bad I realized I was crying in my sleep.

I shook my head and lay down, covering myself with the sheets. This had to end. I didn't know how much more mental torture I could take.

****************

I couldn't remember the last time I went for a pack meeting, but one thing was for sure. The atmosphere compared to now was less gloomy. Everyone looked focused as our Alpha entered the hall and began the briefing.

I glanced towards Alpha Xavier. The resemblance between him and Zack was so striking that it was nearly creepy. Maybe I could chalk it to one of the reasons I could not see myself with a future woyht the latter.

"I would have ignored the happenings of the activities growing on at the border between our pack and the city," Alpha Xavier spoke. "But I would say it would be a needless matter.

Because if care is not taking. Those activities would cause otur pack problems."

There was a bit of mumbling. My dad raised his hand for calm. Our Alpha looked at him in gratitude and turned to us.

"I've discussed with the Beta and the elder and I've come to a conclusion that those soldiers have to be investigated."

I raised a brow.

"The Beta will select some wolves and lead the patrol while I handle an incoming business with the werepanthers."

My dad looked at me as the Alpha spoke those words. I sighed. Great, without speaking I already know I was one of the selected.

"That would be all." The alpha dismissed.

I waited till everyone had cleared to be sure I was the last person to leave. Outside the hall, I stretched, hearing the cracking of my ribs. As much as I hated standing for a while, sitting for a while didn't do any favours. It rather did a number on my ass.

I glanced at the moon and my mind drifted. Throughout the day I was absentinded. The events of last night didn't leave my head. That poor woman and her child still brought tears in my eyes. They were so young.

"Gwendolyn." I jolted as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I quickly spun around to meet the eyes of elder Marcus.

"Are you alright, my child?" he said.

"Y..Yes." I forced a laugh. "Just a bit startled."

"Old habits never change." A smile warmed his old face. I smiled understanding his kab at my skill. I was one of the werewolves who wasn't know for their stealth or sharpness.

"But you seem a bit tense. More than normal." His grey eyes reflected a fatherly worry. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I hesitated. I see why Christine spoke highly of her grandfather. This man was one of the most respected wolves of the pack. His skills in medicine and magic was an added bonus. But his concern was a golden trait.

I didn't think to bother him with a nightmare.

"It's nothing serious, Elder," I said. "Maybe I'm just exhausted."

He regarded me for a while be fore he smiled pleasantly.

"Okay." He nodded. "I will send my granddaughter over to you place with some herbs and fruits. That should soothe you."

"I will appreciate it." I nodded.

He gave me a pat before turning around and leaving. As I watched his slowly retreating figure, I couldn't help but wonder if I made an error.