HEAT

Part three

“Grrrrrrrrrrr,” the oh-so unfriendly sound the wolf made was terrifying, his eyes were so black, his teeth were needle-like that even the woods’ solidity would be nothing once punctured by them.

"Stop growling, I am not doing anything. I just want my mom and dad.” I cautiously said, softly, hoping that this wolf would not hurt me, and although I was trembling inside, I still managed to utter those words.

My parents' and thumper’s safety was all that mattered to me.

The wolf’s ears stood and made a sound that resembled scoffing if that was even possible. I looked around to see the other two wolves. Surely, wolves create sounds but not scoff, or I wasn't just around wolves' growing up. People my age didn't even want to play with me. I shook off the sad truth.

I noticed these wolves were very focused and I knew that they were mind-linking as the flickering of emotions and colors in their eyes had been riveting.

My mother had explained that to me— what it was all about— and told me I could do it when I came of age. I had once tried it with my parents because they were the first people with whom I shared bonds, but it was faint. I was thrilled by that fact and, at the same time, I felt sorry for humans, because such an ability could be very serviceable, especially when you want to say something unpleasant. You could just scream it in your head for all your packs to hear.

That was mean of me, though.

Thundering sounds of stomping permeated through the forest, ripping me from my comforting thoughts, and I knew many more were heading my way. Dread ran down my body, suffocating me. There was no way out of this.

I felt like bursting. My eyes stung as the lump in my throat built up painfully. I could feel my nerves shaking, making me weak. My knees wobbled as I held Thumper tightly close to my chest. The sounds were nearing.

My mind was going wild about what they could do to me.

The wolf in front of me took a step closer, causing my heartbeat to rise to the max level and I lost it. The world around me went black as I’d given up the fears and exhaustion taking over my body.

"Thumper,” I managed to say. The last thing I could remember was the appearance of a wolf twice bigger than the one in front of me.

He was even more fraught with danger...

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"Look, she is harmless. She looks like an angel. How could you scare that poor girl, Vardano!” she sounded angry.

I stirred and opened my eyes only to snap them shut again as the bright light attacked my vision.

Their voices hushed down. They might have noticed me moving.

Very slowly, I opened my eyes again.

amber eyes greeted me. They were owned by the woman whom I guessed was the one who had admonished the man a while ago. I turned to look at him; he looked a bit intimidating, considering his tall body build, broad shoulders, and a grim face that seemed to be scowling all the time. His icy stare could give you chills. Nevertheless, the man was good-looking.

My eyes turned to the woman again who was hovering over me. I liked that she made me feel welcome based on her remarks earlier. Her amber eyes were soft; her thick lashes made her more attractive as she blinked her eyes away. She was indeed pretty and beyond that.

“Where am I?" My voice was hoarse, I could badly use some water. I felt like I had just run a whole dessert.

The woman must have sensed it because she handed me a bottle of water right away. I gave thanks and I gulped the water in one go. I had never thought water could be that very delectable until now, as it had its own sweetness in it, my whole being screamed in relief.

I sighed in contentment, smiling with gratefulness.

When I looked at them, they were staring at me, scrutinizing every reaction I made through their hooded eyes. It was daunting.

"Why are you staring at me like that?” I said. "It’s very uncomfortable,” I gave them a disappointed face.

The man spoke.

"We have to interrogate you about many things. Our Alpha can be very compelling and aggressive, so we don’t want him tearing you apart when he comes home. When your conscious state comes to his knowledge, you’re doomed. When he left, he wanted to make sure he was informed when you awoke, Rogue.” He was even waving his hand to emphasize his words, but what clearly registered in my head was the word, ROGUE.

I shivered coldly.

"You sound very mean. How can you say such a thing about your Alpha, you’re judging him,” I recoiled.

He snorted. "As if you knew,” he dragged the chair closer to the bed, which made a grating sound, vexing my ears. His eyes zeroed on me.

"I will only ask once and never ever think of lying, Rogue. I will know if you lie...so, what were you doing in the woods?” he was really a scary man. The way his eyes squinted felt like he was dissecting the memories in my brain and I couldn’t look away. It was hypnotizing... it was as if something was pulling me deeper and deeper as he held my gaze.

A loud smack resonated in the room and the man suddenly yelped in pain as he clutched the back of his head. The amber-eyed woman smacked him on the back of his head!

"What was that for?!" He stood up briskly as he snarled and growled at the woman. She was so small compared to the beast, but she looked even more upset. Unterrified.

"You’re scaring the poor girl, Vardano!” she equaled his displeasure.

"It is my call and this is my investigation. I found her, Collete, are you forgetting that itemized fact?!”

"I am not forgetting it, but you’re petrifying her, and spare me the lie, but you’re using your Beta command on her--”

"Shut up and watch your mouth, I’ll deal with you later. I guess you need to be punished, mate.”

She gasped and squirmed at where she stood, but fear wasn’t the cause of that, I suppose. The man’s eyes were shifting colors from brown to almost black. And if I were in her position it would send me into a cold sweat, but she wasn’t backing down.

The word he used pinged in my head. MATE. They’re mates!

"Oh, you two are mates!” I got up on my knees on the bed and sat upright. She wouldn’t be punished then. "You won’t punish her, will you? She’s your mate, you won’t hurt her.”

"I will,” he smiled smugly. "but not in the way you picture it out, rogue.”

"What does that even mean?” I asked. Was there any way a punishment wouldn’t hurt?

"Snap out of it, will you? Don’t mind him, he’s an asshole. By the way, I’m Collete,” she excitedly pulled me to a hug, to which I returned happily.

"I...I’m Tasha, you can call me Tash or Tasha, whatever you wanna call me,” I flashed her my biggest smile. "You’re very friendly unlike him, he is so creepy,” the man rolled his eyes, looking pissed off.

"His name is Vardano and sadly he is my mate.” The man growled behind her, causing me to flinch. "But he is the best sexy handsome mate I could ever dream of,” she giggled and strolled her way to the man, threw her arms around his neck, and placed a kiss on his cheek.

His face immediately softened, but there was still a sinister glint in his eyes. The man was then pushed back to the sofa. He did not protest any more.

Collete walked to me and sat on the bed, taking my hands into her lap, and squeezed me comfortingly.

"We just wanna know what happened, Tasha. The alpha of this pack doesn’t sit well with rogues stepping onto his territory. We knew him and we knew what he did to those vagrants without a solid reason for entry. He can be ruthless, but I find you harmless. I just knew you’re not one of them, I felt it...” She said softly. I could see the sincerity in her eyes.

"One of them... what do you mean?”

"Them, the others. They are dangerous and they never value lives. They decimate people without remorse. There isn’t humanity left in them. The thrills of killing, the chase, they’re thirsty people.” Her voice was full of rage.

Dread shook me to the core. My parents!

Tears flooded my eyes as I leaped off the bed and ran for the window. My heart lurched down to my stomach.

"My parents...my parents, they are in the woods, I have to find them. They might have found them, Collete. Did they find them? No, no, no...” I couldn’t hold back the sobs that ripped off my body. I covered my mouth to stifle the noise, but the lump in my throat was unbearable.

"Hey, hey. Ssshhh... calm down, Tasha.” Her embrace was comforting.

She gestured for her mate to leave the room. He looked skeptical but nonetheless left. I buried my face in her chest.

"Hush now, it will not change the fact that your parents are still out there and probably looking for you as well. You have to be strong for them, Tasha. We’ll figure it out.”

"But I don’t belong here. Your alpha will kill me. I have to leave at once. I still need to find my parents and...and, Thumper!” I jumped away from her.

I searched for the bed but Thumper wasn’t there.

"Where’s Thumper? What did you do with him?” New tears threatened to leak out of my tear ducts. She smiled.

"Don’t fret, I had it cleaned off. Poor Thumper, that was his name?” I nodded. “He got so muddy and needed some bathing. He will see you soon.”

"Thank you,” relief flooded me. I sniffled.

"Or let’s go see him.”

"Yay,” and just like that, I smiled and brushed off the tears.

At least, Thumper was safe.

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Collete led me to a section of the building where she said the laundry was stationed. One of her arms was hooked with mine. As we walked down the hallway, I noticed how quiet the place was.

"Here, it is so quiet. Where are your people?”

"Oh, they’re actually on the field. You better enjoy the quietness because, soon, I’m pretty sure your eardrums will be blasted.” She laughed.

"Is it far from here? I mean the field.” Curiosity consumed me.

"Well, not that far. I will take you there soon. Oh, we're here,” she slid the glass door to the side and beckoned me to follow and I did.

And I saw Thumper. I beamed. Both of his ears were clipped onto the clothesline. He was tidy and there were no signs of dirt on him.

Collete proceeded to unclip Thumper and handed him to me. I felt happy. My friend. I brought him to my chest and smelt him. He smelled of lavender soap and fruity fabric. I hugged Collete and thanked her. She smiled fondly at me. She was really an angel.

"Let’s go,” we wended our way out, but before she could open the door, she halted. In 10 seconds or so, she turned to me.

"Vardano mind-linked me, the Alpha has arrived...”

"Oh...”