The deep darkness still didn’t cover entirely the scout moving silently among the buildings, in search of the one to be rescued from the grip of rogues. The snow replaced the grass during those cold winter days, yet, not an obstacle after years of training in how to move in the shadows without being noticed.

  After tense minutes in slow but sure progress, the scout found the shed meant to contain the “package”, with a few guards surrounding the place, still unaware of her presence. Werewolves could see in deep darkness, so the lack of light didn’t concern the guards that someone would be stupid enough to attack.

  From behind a tree, the scout reached the first guard, breaking his neck in a quick twist. She held his heavy body and slowly laid him on the ground, without a sound. In the same creepy silence, the scout moved towards the shed, circulating it, evaluating the best option to get inside without being noticed.

  Voices came from inside, freezing the scout in place, followed by the sound of punches and kicks and a loud groan. Acknowledgement that he was still alive made her smile for a moment under the balaclava. A strong man left the shed, locking it with a big heavy locker, shouted orders to the guards accompanying him and left. He seemed to be the leader of the ones who kidnapped the Alpha’s son.

  One guard got closer, suspecting someone was trying to take advantage of the darkness to infiltrate, but as quick as his thoughts crossed his mind, he lay on the floor, dead. And seconds later, the next guard, coming from the other corner joined him in the afterlife’s dream. Both shot with a silenced gun.

  Without hesitation, she moved to unlock the door and took the bodies inside, with her. As suspected, he was awake but kept silent, wondering who was crazy enough to attempt to save him from that heavy-armed rogue pack.

  The scout removed her hood, revealing a familiar face, making Stefan relax. His expression moved from fear to joy in a fraction of a second.

  “I-”, she put two fingers on his lips to keep him from speaking and felt sparks even through her gloves when touching him. She moved to release him from the heavy shackles restraining his body.

  As silent as she could, one by one, the shackles opened and Stefan was finally free to leave that nasty place. “Exchange your clothes with one of the guards.”, she whispered in his ear, as low as she could. “We will move slowly towards the forest. When we reach the first tree, you run. Another scout will be waiting for you there.” She got into her feet and turned her back to him, while he changed clothes in silence.

  His wounds were superficial, luckily, and didn’t trouble him in moving. Meanwhile, the scout texted someone and put her hood back on.

  “But what about you?”, he reflected while putting the new trousers on, then turned his gaze to her face, hoping for a comforting answer. “I’ll distract them if needed.”. Her gaze was cold as metal and her voice heavy with confidence. “You should worry about yourself. Are you ready?”. He sighed and nodded.

  She opened the door slowly, analysing if there were guards in sight. One rogue scout walked towards them, and without hesitation, she shot. The lifeless body fell into the snow and blood began to spread, marking the ground with violence. She got outside, still alert of anything moving in the area.

  The referred forest was about three hundred meters from the shed, with nowhere to hide. One mistake and both would be dead in minutes. She locked eyes with him, and he nodded once again. She resumed to the right side of the shed, where one of the guards was before. Stefan got only a step behind her, trying to mimic the soundless movements of his saviour.

  They managed to reach the back side of the shed, with the gun in hand and ears sensitive to the least of noise, then began to take steps towards the forest.

  Halfway to their destination, both heard shouting and turned to find the source. The scout pushed Stefan to move further. He obeyed and got into a sprint, soon noticing she began to run in the opposite direction and four guards ran behind her.

  He ran frantically among the trees until someone reached him. Another scout, which he could sense belonged to his pack. A few guards reached them and escorted him to safety further away from the shed and rogue camp. “What about Sarah? Will someone help her?”, his desperation loud in his voice made the guards and scouts exchange glances. The one answering him had confidence in his voice, the Delta Leader, “She will have to make it on her own, as this was her plan. Now, let’s take you out of here.”.

  Shortly, Stefan was in an SUV being driven back home, with a warm blanket around his shoulders and his mother checking how hurt he was, but his mind didn’t stop thinking about the one they left behind.

  A few hours later, everyone was back at the pack’s territory, waiting for further information about the rescue operation at the Alpha’s meeting room. Delta Leader Klaus got in the room, followed by his coordinators. In the room, Beta Magnus, Gamma Kristofer, the Elder Council members and the Alpha’s family, including Stefan.

  “The rogue pack had about fifty men stationed in the area where Stefan was held captive. Our plan was risky but proved successful as we can see Alpha Stefan back with us, safe and sound. I also would like to-”, a guard opened the door of the room to let another person in. A slim figure, dirt and with visible scratches covering her arms, legs and back, found a spot close to Delta Klaus to stand. As all eyes turned to her, she lifted her gaze to look around the room. “I apologise for being late”.

  Smiles and nods were the answers she got from the audience. “Sarah, welcome back.”, Klaus patted her on the shoulder, “I hope you didn’t have to kill them all to get away.”, some laughed at the joke, including her. “I got out of ammo before that.”.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Alpha Demetrius took the chance to address the ones in the room, finally. “I appreciate all the effort you’ve put into bringing my dear son back home. I hope you can get a good night's sleep so we can celebrate the success of the operation tomorrow with a great party.” The mood in the room turned lighter and a few began shaking hands of the Delta and Gamma leaders, who provided guards and scouts for the operation.

  “Well done and thank you, Delta Sarah. And I am glad that you didn’t get severely hurt, even though the risks were great.”. Sarah turned on her heels as Alpha Demetrius addressed her from behind, with a gentle smile on his face and followed by none other than Stefan. “It’s my honour to serve the pack with the best of my abilities, Alpha.”, she bowed lightly, “If you excuse me.” She left the room without looking at Stefan even once. He, on the other hand, couldn’t stop staring at her until out of sight. His father, catching him in the act, giggled a little. “Is she the one, Stefan?”. Back from daydream land, he sadly stared at his father, he sighed. “Must be.”. Demetrius paused for a moment, thinking. Then patted Stefan on the shoulder, smiling, “Great choice”.

  The next day was full of gossip around the pack territory, from how Sarah was merciless in killing all the rogues with bare hands to Stefan eating alive his raptors using his wolf form.

  At the training barracks, everyone couldn’t stop talking about the operation from the previous night and an ovation as loud as thunder began when Sarah came into sight for her daily workout. “You should take it easy today, sweetie. Besides yesterday’s job, we have a party waiting for us tonight.”, Julienne approached her from behind as both walked towards the gym. “That was my plan, Juls. Not because of the party though.” As the other narrowed her eyes, wondering what could detain Sarah from training hard, as she used to do every day, she went on. “I had quite a trouble getting away from those rogues. They were well trained and organised.” They reached the gym room and each one took a spot on the treadmills and began jogging. “And I was here wondering if you had finally fallen for our gorgeous young Alpha”, Julienne giggled. Sarah frowned and increased the speed of the machine, not bothering to reply.

  At sunset, most youngsters were gathered at the main garden drinking and chit-chatting, as they waited for Alpha Demetrius to do a speech and officially start the party, welcoming the main guests to the pack house and the big dance saloon. The next generation of leaders was gathered there too: Alpha Stefan, his sister Sabrina and cousins Arthur and Florence, Beta Lucius and his brother Liarco, Gamma Josef and his sister Bianca, Delta Alexander followed by his older sister Julienne and youngest brother Benedict. As it had to be, they got along well and shared laughs and drinks until Stefan’s eyes paused on a beautiful young woman with a royal blue dress, loose long brown hair and a penetrating pair of gray eyes, slowly approaching the group.

  Sarah stopped at Julienne’s side, ignoring whoever noticed her presence. “I was looking for you, Juls. Shall we grab something to eat?”. Without directing her attention away from Stefan, Juls answered. “And here you are ruining my chance to flirt with the most gorgeous male in this pack. I thought you were my friend, you know.”. Angry, Sarah sighed. “Whatever.” The same way she came, she left without another word.

  Alpha Demetrius gave a short speech, thanking everyone involved in rescuing his son and opened up the doors to the saloon within the pack house for anyone who wished to enjoy the night. Sarah remained leaning against a pillar, close to the bar counter, drinking and with attention lost among the crowd. Her thoughts navigated so freely that she didn’t notice someone getting closer until a familiar face got centimetres away from her and sparks began to burn her left cheek with the touch.

  Her eyes widened with the sudden approach and her body got hot, for no apparent reason. Hardly, she fought the will to surrender to the pair of golden eyes locked on hers, as if ready to take her in without permission. “Did you get lost, Alpha Stefan?”, she dared say with the remains of her self-control. Those sparks were driving her crazy. “I realised I forgot to thank you for rescuing me and putting yourself at such risk for my sake.”, he leaned over her in hopes of stealing a kiss, however, she managed to escape from his touch and walked away, to a deserted balcony nearby. He followed, determined to not let her go this time.

  She noticed his presence by her side, closing the gap between them. The warmth from his body, his delicious fragrance filling her nostrils and her wolf howling in her head, gradually made her blush. “I was well informed that you and your family are grateful for my efforts. There is no further need for acknowledgement.” Her fingers got white as she held the bannister tightly. “Yet, I felt the need to come and thank you myself.”. His voice was low, close enough for her to listen.

  A hand touched her waist, turning her to face him and again, causing more sparks. His right hand reached her cheeks, his thumb caressing it gently. “I never dreamed someone would dare to rescue me in such circumstances. I thought it was my end.”, he paused, his gaze memorising each part of her delicate face, “Why did you do it?”. The question took her off-guard, and she took a step back, as a reflection. Still holding his gaze, she thought it was reasonable to let him know her motivations. “I swore to do whatever it takes for the sake of the pack. You will probably be our next Alpha, so... this alone was reason enough for anyone here to attempt a rescue. It’s just that... I was the best option to succeed.”. Surprise shone in his golden eyes, not letting go of her yet.

  “Not quite the answer I was hoping for, but it will do.”, he smiled, getting closer again. Sarah immediately pushed him away, without understanding what was going on. “You know I am saving myself for my mate. How hard is it to respect my decision?”. Stefan sighed and let his frustration take the best of him. Still looking at her, he kept his distance. “Don’t you feel the sparks?”. The situation began to slip out of control, from Sarah’s perspective, so she decided to appeal. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” And walked away.

  Sarah dibbled the crowd as quickly as she could towards the exit. But on the way, something caught her wolf’s attention and she paused, turning to look around. She saw Benedict with a gamma girl, having a date or something like that. “Mate…”, her wolf whispered sadly in her mind and the bond weakly waved within her chest. Without a second thought, Sarah made it out of the building and took herself to the ancient building area, used for rituals still applied by her people to this day. She let her eyes stare at the trees and the river passing by, digesting what just happened.

  “I am happy to know that at least one woman in this pack doesn’t surrender to His Highness.”, Alexander took a seat beside her, waiting for her cold and blunt reply, but it never came. “Are you alright?”. Sarah took a deep breath and raised her gaze to the moon, pale and hidden among clouds. “When is Ben turning eighteen?”, surprised by the question, Alex scratched his head and looked at her. “Ben? Well… it should be in a few weeks. Why do you...? Oh…”. The realisation of what Sarah potentially saw and the fact that she was also waiting for her mate clicked in his mind. “What will you do?”.

  Silence reigned for a few minutes until she found her voice again. “I will wait. It’s not that I can just ignore my wolf and say that I am free to be claimed.” Alex put his hand over hers, tenderness shown in his eyes as they faced each other. “You know you should not worry about being alone, don’t you?” They smiled and she put her other hand above his. “I appreciate your support, Alex. And have you found your mate yet?”, holding his gaze, Alex’s smile grew. “Not yet, but I at least know who I want to be with.” Sarah looked again to the sky as if praying to the Moon Goddess on behalf of her friend. “I hope it’s someone with an empty heart, ready to love you back.”