Emma didn’t see Lucius again during the day. After he was whisked away by his mate, she took a walk into the woods. She wanted to run away but remembered Katya. She resolved to get her back outside before leaving. Emma had decided to make it her mission to bring that girl back to some kind of normal functioning before she left so she returned to Katya’s room.
When it became dark, she convinced Katya to go out to the backyard with her. Katya refused at first but Emma convinced her there was no one there. Luckily, they didn’t find anyone and Katya enjoyed being outdoors for an hour before they returned to her room. As Emma walked away from the girl’s room, she smiled. That had been the first step. Soon, she would ensure that Katya started talking to her friends again.
When she reached her assigned room, she nearly screamed when she found Lucius sitting on the chair.
“I don’t want trouble with your sweetheart,” Emma began.
Emma was saddened when he didn’t even smile. Clearly, Lucius and his mate were not on good terms.
“I’m sorry for what I caused,” Emma said.
“None of that was your fault so there’s no need to apologize,” he said. “I didn’t come to talk about that, though.”
“Are you happy, alpha Lucius?” Emma asked, staring into his beautiful blue eyes.
“Does it matter?” he asked, running a hand through his messy hair.
She nodded. “It matters a lot. We have one life to live, we’ve got to make it as good as possible.”
“What about just living the lives that have been handed to us? Isn’t life easier that way? Just go along with what fate brings.”
Emma shook her head. “I don’t think so. I believe we have some power over our lives and we can choose to live it the way we want. We don’t have to live according to what has been handed to us. We can create our destinies.”
Lucius was quiet for a while, as if weighing her words. “That’s why you’re a rogue.” He said. “Our lives are very different, miss Greenfield. Some of us can’t just do whatever we want. Now onto the real reason I came here. How much information do you have on Axel White?”
Emma sat on the bed. “Not much really. I know that he dislikes rogues and has no problem killing anyone who annoys him, whether they are right or wrong. He is a dangerous man. Also, the boundary around his pack is let down on the night of the full moon so that the pack can roam in the woods.
Since I escaped on such a night, they might have taken precautions. Maybe they all have to use the main exit now. I don’t know. The slaves work in the farms and they do not reside in the main pack house but a dungeon in the next building. Anyway, why do you want to know all this stuff anyway?”
“Because I want to go against him,” Lucius stated confidently.
“No, I will not let you risk other people’s lives for me again. You can’t do that.”
“I’m not doing it for you only, but for all those who just want to be left alone. Axel disobeys the council and is committing gross rights violations not only against the rogues but also witches and members of nearby packs. There have been many complaints but nothing has been done about them because Axel’s grandfather is one of the members of the national werewolf council. All the packs near his are tired and they just needed someone to organize them so they can bring him down.”
“I don’t think it’s worth it. Most rogues avoid that part anyway, but we didn’t know any better. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have passed there.”
“I won’t be doing it alone,” Lucius said. “I will be allying with other packs. We shall get your friends back. Or are you willing to sit back and do nothing while Axel finishes them off?”
“I wish we could help them but it’s just too risky.”
“I know, that’s why I’m getting more people involved. I learned the hard way when I went against him the first time. Now we are going to be more prepared.”
Emma sighed. “I don’t know what to say, for sure. This is a lot and I really appreciate your efforts. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you.”
Lucius stood up and smiled. “My mother told me that you’re helping Katya recover. Just keep doing that. She really needs someone like you by her side right now.” He started walking and stopped right in front of her. He stared into her eyes. “You’re a very good person, Emma greenfield.”
“Thank you,” she said, not tearing her eyes from his.
He sighed and turned to leave. “Have a good night.”
Emma lay back on the bed after the door had closed. She took a deep breath. What was that?
A week later, Lucius and the three packs bordering Venom pack invaded it. Axel, who did whatever he felt like because his grandfather always protected him in high places had never expected any pack to get bold enough to attack him. Because of that, he was unprepared and therefore easily defeated. He was jailed in the strongest of the invading packs for a few days before being transferred to the national werewolf jail.
Emma jumped for joy when she received the news that the man who destroyed her life had been brought down. She was with Katya who hugged her. The sad thing was that once freed, her former companions said they didn’t want to see her and set off immediately. A small part of her felt bad that they hated her even though she deserved it. That part of her had thought they might be more appreciative. She consoled herself by thinking of the fact that they were now free and the man who had ruined their lives had finally been brought down.