It had been a few days since I come to the Rouge's shack and met James, Nat, and Luke. I came to realize Luke wasn't able to speak or if he could, he choose not to talk. He didn't seem mean though, all he ever did was go out and patrol during the day, come back and eat, sleep, then repeat. James insisted he do this to keep out intruders, but I think really he doesn't want to let another male be around "his" females. The thought made me sick.
Nat and I became closer every day. I started looking forward to talking to her once the guys were gone. She was so genuine and sweet, in a way she became like family to me. I wanted to protect her and get her away from James, but I couldn't bring myself to deal with him. I feared it would break her heart even if she knew he was a monster.
Still, she was always happy to see me. I helped her clean the shack up and cook. I enjoyed the work, it distracted me from the pain that came from the memories that still flooded my mind like a hurricane.
I rolled off of my cot and I heard Nat shift beside me. She moved her cot next to mine because she felt safer. I felt the same.
"Good morning, Nat." I speak up.
Nat rolled over to look at me and her eyes lit up, "Good morning! Did you sleep well?"
I nodded, "After those herbs you gave me last night, I didn't have as many nightmares."
"I'm glad! I felt bad hearing you whine in your sleep, but I didn't know what to do." The little old she wolf scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"You're a blessing." I smiled warmly at her.
Nat's hands trembled as she smiled back at me, "You're too kind. Come, let's make breakfast."
Nat stiffly stood up from her cot and shook the sleep off her. It didn't take her long to run over to the kitchen area and start pulling out pots and pans. I admired her energetic nature.
I climbed out of bed and followed her into the kitchen. Just as I reached for the refrigerator door, my stomach cramped up.
I groaned and fell down to my knees, holding my stomach, "Damn!"
Nat turned around and rubbed my shoulder, "Are you okay?!"
I panted as the pain climbed up my spine, "I don't... know."
"Did you eat something bad? I should've checked those mushrooms last night. I'm so sorry!" Nat cried out, frantically waving her hands.
"No..." I sigh. I figured it was time to tell her the truth, "I'm pregnant. I guess I've stressed my body too much."
"Pregnant...?" Nat repeated that word to herself as if she didn't hear me. Then she gasped and covered her mouth, "You're pregnant!?"
I nodded to her and rubbed my belly, "Right before I lost my pack, I found out I was pregnant. This is my only family I have left."
Nat's eyes darkened with fear, "You can't stay here! James will... he will... he's dangerous. I don't want you to loose your baby!"
I stood up and hugged her, "It's okay. I know what he is and he will never hurt this pup. I won't let him."
She stiffened up when I hugged her, but rested her forehead on my shoulders and hugged me back. I felt her tremble and I wanted to reassure her that we were safe, but I knew better. I was just bidding my time until I could get away. Except now, I wanted Nat to come with me. I had to get her away from that male. He had hurt her so bad despite all she did for him.
"Nat," I spoke softly.
"Yes?" She spoke through her trembling.
"I'm going to need a nanny for my pup when it arrives. I think you'd make a great grandma." I teased her.
Nat leaned back to look at me and spoke in barely a whisper, "I could... I could be your pup's grandma?"
I nodded to her, "Well, I don't have a mother, but I do want to give this pup the world. Besides, you deserve a family too. You're too kind to be stuck out here with James. We can escape to another packs territory and take refugee. Once I have my pup, we can leave the forest and try human society."
I seen tears creep into her eyes then they flooded as she muttered, "I never had any pups of my own, but if I had. I would've wanted a daughter like you. I'd be honored to be your pup's adoptive grandmother."
She hugged me again and I felt my heart race with her words. Nat was such a gentle soul and I could feel her relax as she started talking about how amazing her grand baby was going to be. I couldn't help but giggle at her antics. It truly amazed me how such a simple gesture made her whole day. At least my pup would have it's mother and now Nat to love it. Nat was so excited she wouldn't even let me help with the chores today.
I reached to grab the broom and she took it from me, "No, you're pregnant. You need to rest!"
"I'm only 5 weeks along, Nat." I chuckled.
"I don't care, my grand baby needs you to rest so he or she can be strong and healthy." She teased me as she pushed back down on my cot.
I rolled my eyes and laughed, "Fine you win. I'll rest today."
Nat seeming pleased with herself for making me take a break, happily went off to finish cleaning up. She reorganized the dishes as she cleaned them. Then she swept the floor with a little happy skip. I smiled and rolled back over into the cot. I hated to admit it, but I was tired after that cramp.
I closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep. When I awoke, I was in a dream.
There was a creek out in a pine forest. The water was clear and shined like gems in the sunlight. I noticed a little pup chasing a larger pup along the bank. The two pups collided and started wrestling. Little happy barks filled the clearing.
Then a large male wold with silver and white fur stalked out of the tree line. His yellow eyed watched the pups affectionately.
Greg... I recognized that coat anywhere.
Greg walked up to the two pups and licked their fur down. The large pup resembled Greg and I realized those pups must have been Erin and Max's wolves. We never seen them because they'd never reached their first shirt. Part of me was amused that Erin even looked like his father in his wolf form. He really was a mini version of her Alpha. Max on the other hand had a wolf resembled Lady more.
Just as I thought about her, I felt her press her muzzle to the side of my leg.
I looked down at her and rubbed her head. It had been years since I met her in the dream realm. This was the only way we could exist together outside my mind.
Lady whimpered, "At least they're at peace now. No more territorial fighting. Just a wolf and his pups."
"Our pups." I corrected her. My heart hurt, but in a way I was relieved to see them enjoying being a little family.
"Where is Jasmine?" I noticed my little girl was missing.
Lady shifted, "I don't know... I haven't been able to find her soul in the plains."
"Do you think she's lost in the plains?" I asked her.
"No, moon mother would've made sure of that. Maybe she's hiding." Lady sighed. It was obvious she was concerned as well.
I frowned and questioned her, "Are you able to tell if the life inside us is still doing well?"
She nodded, "The pup is still growing at a normal rate. Though, I did notice you have been under too much stress. We can't stay in a shack for much longer. It's not good for us or the pup."
Before I could even respond, a loud crashing noise woke me up.
"Why are you letting her sleep?!" I recognized James's enraged voice.
I turned to see him reaching hand up to strike Nat across the face. The little old woman cowered back and shielded her face best she could as he slapped her upside the head.
"Stop that!" I growled loudly.
James turned around to face me, his eyes glowing gold. His wolf. I thought to myself.
James approached me with a low growl, "Stay out of this you b*tch."
I challenged him by standing my ground. "Don't you touch her again. Or I'll-"
"You'll what?" He mocked. "Go throw a fit? You're my subject."
"I'm not a subject to a curr like you." I spit on the ground I front of him.
James's eyebrows twitched in fury. He growled and reached his arm up to strike me.
Nat cried out, "No you can't, she's pregnant!"
James froze. He looked back at Nat who covered her mouth in horror. I could see the anger in his eyes. He wanted to hurt someone.
"You think you can have a pup under my roof?" He swung his elbow at me and tackled me to the ground.
I growled, "Get off!"
He pressed his knee into my stomach, shoving my shoulders down with his hands. I yelp out and I start to hear Lady furiously snapping.
I'll kill that little bastard! She howled out.
I couldn't move though, he had his knee right on my stomach and I couldn't shake him off. He put his hands around my throat while I desperately scratched at his arms.
I started fearing the worst. He had me pinned. If I was shifted, he would be no match for my Alpha level wolf. Since he was clearly an omega rank.
Just as I started to feel myself black out, I heard a loud clang.
"You b*tch!" James growled.
He let's me go and charges at Nat. Nat had thrown a pan at him and it struck him in the head. Now he had his back turned to me. James was getting ready to attack Nat again.
Without even thinking, I shifted and let Lady have control. Lady wasted no time growling and challenging him.
When he turned around, she pouched and knocked him over. She easily ripped his chest open with her fangs as he screamed.
Now you know fear like you caused Nat! It will be the last thing you ever feel. Lady mind linked him before landing a finishing blow.
We step back, blood clinging to our lips and paws. James was dead.
I shifted back into human form and flung the blood off my hands. I seen Nat standing in the corner, with her eyes stretched wide in horror.
"I'm so sorry, Nat..." I sigh.
Nat ran up to me and flung her arms me, "I was so scared for you!"
I was shocked. Here James, her pseudo son, laid on the floor with my fang marks buried deep in his chest. Yet she was worried about my safety.
Luke walked in through the front door and we both tensed up. I pushed Nat behind me and growled threatening him to come closer.
Luke just looked at the body on the ground and mumbled with a studder, "G-gone..."
I jumped a little at hearing his fragile and small voice, "Luke... you can talk?"
"Yes... J-james wouldn't let m-me." He frowned. Seeming unphased by the murder.
"Did he... hurt you too?" Nat asked, peering around my side.
Luke nodded, pulling his shirt up to reveal deep scars and wounds. Beaten into submission by a hateful fake Alpha.
"We have to get out of here. The smell of blood will draw out predators. Luke do you know where a pack territory is?" I asked him.
Luke nodded again, "J-just south of the s-shack. Come."
Luke walked out the door. Nat and I exchanged a lot and hesitantly followed after him. We stopped at the pond and washed off the blood. Nat made sure none of it was in my hair still. Then our little trio walked out towards the location of the next pack territory.
I had planned to see if we could run into the guards and then I'd ask to meet their Alpha. Then we could request to stay in his pack as omegas. Just long enough for me to have my pup. Then Nat and I would leave the forest and try to start live over in the human society.
"Why are you a rouge?" I asked Luke.
"B-born one..." he frowned and walked ahead of me.
Guess I made him uncomfortable by having him talk so much so soon. Nat didn't even know he could speak, so she stared in amazement.
Hopefully our next stop would be in the territory of the Snow Wolf Pack. I didn't know the Alpha as we never dealt with this side of the forest unless it was to discuss winter rations. Even so, I didn't remember the snow wolves ever showing up to the pack meetings.
After a few hours of walking. I could smell the scent of another group of wolves. We crossed the border.
We kept walking until we heard and alarmed howl, "Stop right there!"