Page 17 of Fated to the Rogue

“See? Told you,” Dawn huffed.

“They were just worried about you,” Malin went on. “Hell, I was too.”

“Why? Oh wait, I know - because an Alpha with a female wolf would never be able to protect himself,” I spat, my anger rising again.

“Goddess, Zephyr, stop feeling sorry for yourself!” He pushed me in the chest, bringing me back to my senses. I blinked a few times, surprised by his reaction. Judging by the wayhe immediately stiffened, he was too. Moments later, a heavy breath escaped his mouth as he closed his eyes and massaged his temples. “Look, this must be tough for you. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to be the first werewolf in history with an opposite-gender counterpart…” He finally straightened up to look at me again. “But you might not be looking at this from the right angle. I don’t think you’re giving Dawn enough credit here. You say she’s a curse, but she was chosen by the Moon Goddess to be your partner for some reason. I’m quite sure she’s a blessing, even if we can’t understand how yet.”

It was my turn to look away. “I don’t think anyone else agrees with you.” A frown stained my expression as I raised my voice. “I hear the whispers, man! I’m sure you do too.”

“Yeah, I do. I just don’t understand why you let them talk.” His words sounded so similar to my she-wolf’s, I wondered if they had been speaking lately. “Listen, man. I can’t believe I even have to tell you this, but having a female counterpart doesn’t make you weak. What makes you weak is acting like a scared kitten instead of an Alpha wolf.”

“At least your Beta is smart!” Dawn chanted teasingly. “Good job, Zephyr! It seems you made one right choice in your life.”

Normally, her taunting would have started an endless bickering between us, but I didn’t have it in me to bark back. Not when she was right, as was my best friend.

For the first time since I had shifted, I actually stopped to think instead of jumping to conclusions. I had been so focused on figuring out what was wrong with me, I never tried to find a way around adversity. In the midst of my pity parties, I started to believe what everyone was saying about me, while failing to realize they were only talking because of how I was acting in the first place. An Alpha confronts his problems head on, yet all I had done until now was run from them.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along, stupid! Would’ve saved us both a lot of time if you had just listened to me!”Despite Dawn’s harsh words, I could tell she was in a much lighter mood than usual.

I clenched my fists. Maybe I had forgotten who I was for a moment, but I remembered it now.

“Dawn said the same thing. I guess you’re both right.” I looked at Malin again. “It’s just…this whole thing is so confusing.”

“I’m sure it’s a lot to take in. But hey, you’ll be fine,” he reassured me, stepping forward to tap my shoulder. “You just gotta do what you do best and keep your head up.”

“Thanks for the advice, man.” I smiled sincerely.

“Don’t thank me. I’m your Beta, remember? That’s what I’m here for.”

“You’re right…” I looked away, hiding the playfulness in my expression before I went on, “I should be thanking myself. I was the one who had the brilliant idea of naming you my right hand.”

“I never thought I would say this, but I’m glad smart-ass Zephyr is back.” He punched my arm, not giving me any time to complain as he continued, “Now, let’s go back so we can get dressed. I’m not paid to stare at your naked ass.”

“You should be paying though. This is some high quality ass right here!” I glanced over my shoulder to wink playfully at Malin before allowing Dawn to come out again. It was a good walk back to the dandelion fields, and she could travel the distance much faster than me.

???

“Oh, Zeze! Your father and I were worried sick about you!” my mother cried out, her arms wrapped tightly around me. Nomatter how hard I struggled in her embrace, she refused to let me go.

“I was only away for a few hours! What did you think happened to me?” I argued. She finally allowed me to breathe, pulling away to look into my eyes. Her lips parted as if she wanted to answer me, but they sealed shut the next second. Pain flashed in her expression before she showed me a relieved smile.

“All that matters is that you’re safe.”

“No.” My father’s strong voice caught our attention. Judging by his trembling frown, I could tell he was trying hard to keep up his stern-parent posture. “He skipped training without a valid reason, and he must be punished for it.”

“My grumpy condor, you know he’s had a lot on his mind. There’s no need to be so tough with him.” Mom left my side to cup my father’s cheek. His façade immediately melted under her touch. “He’s still just a boy.”

“No, I’m not,” I chimed in, taking a deep breath. I couldn’t keep hiding behind my problems to avoid my responsibilities. Stepping forward, I stared straight at my father. “I will accept whatever punishment you have for me.”

“Very well.” Dad tried to sound angry, but the shadow of a smile playing on his lips was proof he had failed. “Since your Beta is in charge of conducting training, he should be the one to define an appropriate punishment for you. Talk to him to see what he has in mind.”

“I will. May I leave now?”

“I’m no longer the Alpha, boy. You are,” he reminded me. “You don’t need to ask anyone for permission to do anything.”

“Why do I have to justify skipping training then?” I asked playfully.

He frowned again, while Mom chuckled. “There are still rules even an Alpha has to follow. You have to set an example.”

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