The Rogue Series Book 2: The Rogue Resistance

SIMON

She’s reaching out for friendship. She’s trying to understand me. This isn’t the script I had in mind.

She’s meant to push me away, to reject me. I’m a rogue. She’s supposed to despise me.

Isn’t she the offspring of the most ruthless family in history? I observe her from across the breakfast table.

How can someone like her show interest in someone like me? Our families are all around us, oblivious to the truth.

We’ve agreed to keep our bond a secret until we figure out our next move. It’s not their business.

It’s our private secret that they don’t have the right to spoil with their prejudice. They’ll definitely spoil it.

They won’t be able to help themselves. They’ll want better for her.

Hell, I want better for her than what I can offer. I’m certainly not better. Harley sneaks glances at us, trying to be discreet.

She smirks and steers the conversation to give us opportunities to interact. She’s so transparent.

I’m never confiding in her again. April’s laughter pulls my attention back to the table.

How can her laughter be so captivating, almost melodic? I watch her, letting the sound envelop me.

Could I be the reason for her laughter?

“You’re unusually cheerful today. What’s got our resident grumpy rogue in such a good mood?” Liam teases.

I glare at Liam as everyone turns to look at me. The last thing I need right now is the spotlight.

“First, I’m a problem because my attitude makes the pack uncomfortable. Now, you’re irritated because I’m too cheerful… I can’t seem to please you, can I?” I can feel the frustration building up inside me as I avoid April’s gaze. I can’t look at her while I respond; it’ll make me too vulnerable. I refuse to be vulnerable.

The sparks fade, her gaze leaves me. A chill spreads through my body in their absence.

Liam smirks, giving me a small shrug as he nudges Jackson. “There he is…”

“Liam…” Jackson’s voice, heavy with alpha authority, echoes across the table.

He puts an end to the conversation by cutting his friend off with the tone of his voice. Why is he shutting Liam up?

Jackson isn’t one to stop some harmless teasing. If anything, he usually participates.

I glance at Harley, squinting at her with a questioning look. Her eyes flicker between me and her mate as she gives me a small nod.

Oh great. She spilled the beans. Of course, she did. How do I explain this to April?

Just twenty-four hours into our mate bond, I’ve already broken our only agreement. Feeling uncomfortable, I stand up and leave the table.

“Before you leave, I’m assigning pack members to work on repairs today. One group is working on transforming the old school building into a rogue resource center,” Harley says, pausing to look at me. “Simon, can you help with this?”

I suppress my immediate urge to retort. Despite being a tattletale, what Harley is doing with the old building is commendable.

I could have used that as a kid. It will be beneficial for many rogues. I nod at my sister and then storm out of breakfast, feeling sparks dance across my back as I leave.

***

The old schoolhouse is located on the outskirts of the town, adjacent to the woods. It hasn’t been used in at least ten years.

Many of this pack’s properties are like that. Buildings sit vacant and dilapidated. It’s wasteful.

For years, members of this pack have been crammed into rundown homes. Yet, the old alpha had the nerve to squander time and resources on a war with rogues?

What kind of pack prioritizes a one-sided war over the welfare of its own people? It’s exactly as my mom described—further evidence that packs are inherently selfish.

At least rogue camps are straightforward.

Volunteers gather, their voices reverberating loudly through the woods—their laughter and chatter cease instantly as I approach the worn-out brick building.

At least ten pack wolves stand there, staring at me. A blend of glares, fear, and surprise is evident on their faces.

My face hardens as I move toward a nearby tree and lean against it nonchalantly. Rule number one: never let them see you sweat.

Never let them know your weaknesses. Whispers filled with intent start to fill the cool air around me.

“Why is he here?”

“Can’t trust him…”

“Who invited the rogue?”

My fingers dig into my palm, my chest constricting as I tune out their harsh words. At least Night Fang had the decency to communicate through their mind-link, rather than voicing such thoughts aloud.

Harley certainly has her hands full with these new wolves. Just because the war is over doesn’t mean their perspectives have magically shifted.

It’s going to take a lot to transform Whitetail into a new branch of Night Fang, especially with a rogue in the mix.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t have sealed that pit…”

My eyes sting as my wolf strains against the confines of my mind. I whirl around to confront the speaker, but someone else speaks first.

“Jasper, I bet the new alpha would be thrilled to hear you’re against her policies.” April’s arms are folded, and her voice is more assertive than usual.

Jasper steps up, his gaze boring into April. My breath turns shallow, my body tenses, and my wolf battles for control at the surface. “You can’t seriously tell me you’re on board with these new rules. You, of all people…”

His words drip with disdain. “Times are changing, Jasper. Either adapt or leave. That is, if you think you can survive better on your own.”

April remains unyielding, her hazel eyes darkening to a rich brown. She’s not backing down.

“There’s a term for wolves who strike out on their own, isn’t there? Rogue, right?” He stands defiant, his eyes narrowing as he growls.

The air whips around me as I position myself between them, fists clenched, teeth gritted. I square off against the bully, fury coursing through me.

She was defending me. He’s nearly twice her size, undoubtedly stronger.

She poses no threat to him, yet he growled at her. No one is going to harm her, especially not on my account.

Jasper’s lips twist into a smirk as I step up, silently challenging him. I may not be as strong, but I’m determined to show him who he’s dealing with.

No one is going to push me, or those I care about, around anymore.

“Making friends already, Simon?”

Liam’s voice slices through the tension. Everyone’s stance shifts.

Jasper bows his head in respect for his new beta, the others following suit.

“You know me, always the social butterfly,” I retort with a snort.

Liam slings his arm around my shoulder, guiding me toward the front with a chuckle.

He begins to detail the project we’re working on, assigning tasks for the day, and dividing the crowd into groups.

I keep my eyes on April. Playing the role of the obedient pack wolf, she avoids my gaze and respectfully watches her beta.

Is she upset? Between the breakfast incident and the confrontation with Jasper, I’m making it painfully obvious we’re mates. I’m probably making her uncomfortable.

As the crowd disperses, Liam’s hand tightens on my shoulder, keeping me in place until everyone is out of sight.

Shaking off his hold, I lean against a tree.

Liam has become more likable since my return. He’s fun loving and not as stern as most pack wolves, except when he’s in beta mode. Right now, I’m not dealing with a friend; I’m dealing with the pack’s beta, and he’s not happy.

“What’s going on with you, Simon? You’ve been acting strange since we arrived.”

I shrug, avoiding his gaze as I stare at the grass.

Liam moves closer, leaning against a nearby tree. “Stop playing games. You’re not one to challenge pack members like that. He’s twice your size.”

“He was being an ass,” I mutter. That’s putting it mildly.

“Jasper is an ass,” Liam chuckles, nudging me. “Listen, Jackson and Harley are trying to accomplish something big here. Whether you like it or not, you’re representing all rogues right now. You could jeopardize everything if you make an enemy of this pack. Even alphas have their limits.”

I glance up, nodding at Liam. “I’m not here to be the model rogue. I’m here for…for my family.”

“Then make sure you can stay here for them.”

I nod, standing up and heading to the school to lend a hand.

The school is even more of a disaster inside than it is outside. Dust and grime coat every surface. Desks and old, broken furniture clutter the hallways and classrooms.

The walls are covered in graffiti from bored locals. I find an empty room and start to clear it out, moving the larger items into a pile for trash.

As I tidy up, Liam’s words echo in my head. I hate to concede, but he’s likely right. I need to pull myself together and prioritize the family over my own desires.

Sage, Reese, and Millie are safe for now, but alphas are always being challenged. I can’t be the catalyst that puts them in danger again.

What on earth was I thinking, going up against that jerk? It’s not like April and I are close. She’s just another pack wolf.

What makes her significant enough to risk creating an enemy, jeopardizing the safety of all rogues?

She wouldn’t do the same for me. But then again, she did. She didn’t have to speak up, but she chose to. No one ever stands up for me like that.

I stuff another trash bag and haul it outside.

When I return to the room I’m cleaning, a fresh scent permeates the stale air. April.

I look up, guilt gnawing at my insides as she gazes at me, her annoyance evident in her expression.

“Why did you do it?” she asks, crossing her arms.

“I don’t know,” I admit, looking away. “I just couldn’t stand there and do nothing.”

April sighs. “You’re going to get yourself hurt one day.”

“I know,” I say, my voice barely a whisper. “But I had to do something.”

She shakes her head. “Just be careful, okay?”

“I will,” I promise, though I’m not sure I can keep it.