My paws trot across the leaf litter, the wind caressing my fur as I move through the woods and away from my responsibilities. I'd been helping Dad with the pack's paperwork all day and by sundown I was just about ready to rip my hair out. No one talks about all the damn paperwork Alphas need to do. Of course I'm still grateful and excited to lead my pack to prosperity but damn, who knew there was so much behind the scene shit to deal with.

We started with simpler things then before I knew it we were discussing finances, pack population, jobs, housing and the rogue issue. Rogues are werewolves who are usually banished from their packs for some crime and without a pack around wolves start to lose their sanity and turn into ferals. Recently there has been a small pack of them sticking their noses around our territory border and testing our patience.

Unfortunately we didn't discover them until after they killed a packmate. The guilt and grief floods through me even though I know it wasn't my fault nor was I close to her. Just the fact that the pack let down its guard enough that one of our own was killed on her own territory. Somewhere everyone is supposed to be safe.

A whine escapes me as I get closer to the territory edge, the thoughts of my dead packmate worsening my mood. I reach the large river that symbolises the north edge of our territory and decide I might as well strengthen the scent markers while I'm out here. We have a pretty large territory for our estimated 80 pack members although we have been having issues with population growth for the last few years. 

We lack a lot of younger wolves who want to start a family, the pack being more plentiful in middle aged wolves who are past their prime. The wolves who are in their twenties haven't found their mates and we rarely reproduce unless it's with our soulmate. It's been at least fifteen years since a baby has been born and my Dad doesn't know how to fix the issue. My mum would've had loads of suggestions being the more empathetic one who was closer to the pack. Dad is always focused on strength, training and patrols. Guess that's gonna be my problem to solve soon.

Growls across the river gain my attention. My muscles tense up and I squint through the trees to find the source of the growls. I catch a glimpse of six rogue wolves eagerly chasing after something. I can't see what but it doesn't smell like prey. Anger builds within me, these must be the wolves who killed Hannah and now they're after something else to kill.

Without even thinking I jump across the river, landing short my legs get soaked but I shake it off as I sprint after the savage rogues. The smells of unfamiliar woods and blood overwhelm my senses as I get further from the safety of my territory. I've rarely ever left the borders of my home and definitely never alone.

When I get closer to the stench of rotten flesh and blood I slow down, and begin stalking through the bushes. I freeze at the sight of a human man covered in blood and dirt, clothes torn up and the rogue wolves biting into his arms holding him down, whilst the largest wolf approaches the human. Rage fuels me at the sight and I make a very dumb decision. I attack.

I go flying over the human and smaller rogues, latching onto the throat of the black wolf. We go tumbling over the ground, tearing into each other's flesh and ripping fur with our claws. Ignoring the pain all over my body I manage to get him pinned, my claws digging into his chest, and my teeth in his shoulder.

Before I can make the killing bite, earth shattering pain racks my body when another rogue rips its claws down my back and drags me off its leader. A loud yelp escapes me as two rogues hold me down and start tearing into me. Using my strength advantage I manage to push them and escape, following the human's blood trail.

I quickly lose the rogues and take my chance at shifting back to my human form. I bite back a scream as my transformation takes place around all my wounds. But if I'm going to help this human, I need to look less threatening. I follow the rest of his trail and spot him pressed against a tree, wielding a dagger. I waste no time in grabbing his bicep, talking will bring the rogues right to us. 

I barely blink before his dagger is inches from my face and my quick reflexes stop him just in time. His mouth is wide open in shock, his piercing green eyes staring into my hazel ones. Something about him causes my stomach and chest to tighten with an indescribable feeling. He wears a hood so I can't see his hair but his face is sharp and handsome with full lips and long eyelashes. His bicep feels like it's burning against my hand but it feels like something off. He smells like nothing except blood.

Maybe his human scent is just weak and the blood is overwhelming it. I ignore the feeling within me and lean close to his ear to whisper, "I'm going to help you."

He tenses against me and seems like he's about to attack but freezes at the approaching growls. I send him a serious expression before I take off, still holding his bicep and forcing him to run with me. We come across a massive rock formation with what seems to be a cave entrance and I quickly pull him in. I push him against the rock wall inside the cave and press myself tightly against him, making us look as small as possible. Praying the rogues pass the entrance.

My sharp gaze stays focused on the entrance not noticing how fast the human is breathing nor how close I really am. At least until the roles are suddenly reversed and I'm shoved against the wall, a gasp torn from me at the unexpected force of the human. I freeze at the feeling of his dagger against my neck, the silver blade burning my skin. The realisation comes to me that if he has a silver dagger maybe he isn't a lost clueless human. Suppose I could just ask why the heck he has silver. 

"Silver?" I cautiously question.

Although, my question seems to shock him and fear and rage fill his narrowed eyes as he presses the dagger closer with clear intent. "How the fuck do you know my name?" He hisses quietly.

"Wait, your name?" I echo back cluelessly.

Then it clicks. His name is Silver and now he thinks I'm a creep. He clearly doesn't appreciate my slow brain and the dagger digs deeper into my skin, sending a sharp sting through me.

"Okay okay, chill with the dagger. It really freaking burns. I had no idea your name was Silver, I swear. I was referring to the dagger. If it helps my name is Kenin, it means little wolf funny right?" I ramble like a dork until he cuts me off with a shove and takes a large step backwards.

He looks at me with disgust and hatred and spits out, "You're a stinking werewolf?"

My jaw drops in shock at his insult. "Me? Stinky? I'll have you know I smell amazing, how dare you," 

"I'm going to kill you," He snarls as he brings his dagger up in an offensive position, fear jolts through my body. Is he a hunter?

A low rumbling, predatory growl echoes through the cave stopping him from his murderous attempt on my life. We both turn towards the sound in defensive positions. However we quickly realise we are outnumbered as the five rogues slink through the cave entrance.

"Shit I thought the cave would hide our scents," I whisper fearfully.

The human or hunter, Silver looks around doubtfully, anger filling his eyes again as he looks back at me. "This is their freaking den you stupid wolf!"

I look around and realise he is right. Claw marks cover the walls and bones are scattered around the cave and now that I'm focused, it reeks of rogue wolves in here. I'm an imbecile.

"Haha... anyways no time to chat, it's time to run," I blurted out as the rogues charged towards us.

We both turn and sprint deeper into the cave, which is surprisingly never ending. Eventually we reach a dead end in the form of a large opening area with only one way out. Backwards.

"We're screwed!" I exclaim stomping to the middle of the large open area.

"Can't you go all wolf mode and kill them?" Silver asks is frustration and fear.

 I scoff, "Five vs one that sounds fair. On a good day I could do three but I'm already battered from saving your ass."

His eyes widen and he spins towards me, "You were the black and white wolf?"

I nod but before I can respond the sound of the aggressive rogues approaches, the loose rocks on the ground shaking from their heavy footfalls. Silver and I back up further into the cave, readying ourselves to go out fighting. The rogues appear from the narrow passageway but before the snarling beasts take another step, the ground disappears beneath us.

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