The Rogue Series Book 2: The Rogue Resistance
Yazar
Gemma Rue
Okur
509K
Bölüm
49
The Future of Rogues
Book 2: The Rogue Resistance
SIMON
I’m trying to blend into the background, lost in a sea of alphas. I never imagined I’d find myself here, in the midst of the very pack leaders I despise. The tales my mother told me echo in my mind, each one more horrifying than the last.
They’re all monsters. I scan the room, my gaze hard. How many of these so-called leaders abuse their power, treating their packs the same way my mother was treated?
How many of them exploit the trust that comes with their title? I don’t shy away from anyone’s gaze, not here, not now. I’m not the frightened pup I once was.
I’ve got nothing left to lose. Throw me in the pit. Kill me. It doesn’t matter anymore.
The room falls silent as an announcer steps forward. Today’s the day, the day we’ve been striving for. The day we find out if the dream of rogues being protected and free will be accepted by the packs.
Ever since Harley became alpha, she’s been advocating for a change in the laws regarding rogues. Many packs have already pledged their support. There’s a glimmer of hope that things might finally change.
“Do you think she’s done it?” Ember whispers from my left, her anxiety palpable. “My camp is counting on her today.”
I shake my head, keeping my voice low. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to either of them for more than five minutes this entire conference. She’s been swamped with meetings and dinners…”
My voice trails off as I spot a blonde beauty weaving through the crowd—April. My heart clenches as I watch her, but she pays me no mind. She never does.
“Still pretending you don’t care about her?” Ember’s voice drips with sarcasm and judgment as she fixes me with a knowing look.
“It’s not like that… Shut up,” I retort, trying to suppress the growl building in my chest.
But it is like that, and we both know it. April, my mate, wants nothing to do with me, and it’s all my fault.
Harley and Jackson step onto the stage. The room is filled with pack leaders from all over the country, their eyes trained on them. Elders line the side of the room, their disapproval evident.
They’ve been the toughest to convince; even Jackson isn’t sure he can sway them. The pair hold hands, looking as nauseatingly in love as ever. Their relationship seems to have been a breeze; it’s maddening.
“Thank you for giving us the chance to speak,” Jackson begins, his voice echoing through the room. “As many of you know, Night Fang has been leading discussions this past week about pack laws and how we can coexist with rogues. We’ve had support from the council leaders chosen by all of you.” He gestures toward the front row.
Ember and I both scrutinize the people seated there. Three elders, four alphas, and three betas make up the row. Their eyes are all downcast, their bodies rigid, except for one. Alpha Dane from Silverclaw Pack.
A chill runs down my spine. I can’t believe the fate of rogues hinges on the opinion of that dreadful pack. My mom’s stories are becoming louder in my mind.
If they could treat her, their own pack member, so horribly, why would they behave any differently now? I push the memories to the back of my mind, locking them away as I refocus on the front of the room.
Harley starts to speak. Despite her being an alpha, I trust Harley. She hasn’t let me down yet, not that I’d ever admit that to her.
She gives Jackson’s arm a reassuring squeeze as she begins, her smile warm as she addresses the committee. “Thank you, Alpha Jackson. As my mate mentioned, we have a proposal to change pack laws regarding rogues, and with your support, we hope to implement this today.
“Living in packs is inherent to all wolves, an instinct we all share—just like the need to obey stronger wolves or the urge to find one’s mate. For too long, we’ve overlooked this. Rogue children have been punished for their parents’ decisions.
“Choosing to be a rogue is a conscious decision made when one decides to abandon their pack. Rogue children, however, don’t get this opportunity because they don’t have an alpha to follow. Who can tell how many talented wolves were lost before they even had a chance, due to these policies and the decisions of their parents? The committee proposes that rogue children should no longer be held responsible for this choice and should be allowed to join packs.”
The room fills with a blend of applause and grumbles. What if the grumbles overpower the applause?
“Why is she only discussing children? I thought the goal was to alter all rogue rights?” Ember whispers to me.
“Perhaps they’re trying to ease the room into it… If everyone’s this upset, it might be the best approach.” As I say this, a chill runs down my spine.
This isn’t the plan. This isn’t what we’ve been striving for. All rogues, not just children, deserve a chance at safety.
Sparks mingle with the goosebumps on my skin, and the familiar smell of rain-soaked leaves fills my nostrils. It’s April.
She quietly slips in to stand next to us. “You need to leave. Something’s not right… It won’t be safe here for rogues,” April whispers.
We exchange glances as Harley continues to speak. April must be mistaken or trying to get rid of me. Harley wouldn’t betray us. She was a rogue before she became an alpha. She’s loyal to her kind and her family.
“Listen before you jump to conclusions,” she commands, her voice resonating with alpha authority. “We understand that your duty is to keep your pack safe, to shield your pack members. You can’t just invite rogue children into your home. The safety of the pack is paramount.”
I glance at Ember, anxiety creeping in. How much of a threat could a few children pose to a pack? Reflecting on Sage, Reese, and Millie’s transition to Night Fang, there was no danger. The most they did was introduce a few new games to the playground kids.
“Rogue children will be permitted to train, learn the pack’s customs, and prove their worth in schools. Once they turn eighteen, they’ll be welcomed into a pack if they pass their schooling and prove their worth,” Harley continues.
I shake my head as I watch her. She can’t be saying this.
“Starting tomorrow, the eight packs represented on the committee will replace their pits with training facilities for rogue children. We will allow the children to become fightersand help protect us all.”
“What about the adults?” an audience member shouts.
April’s hand tightens around my arm as she hurries me toward the exit. I resist her pull, straining to hear Harley’s response. I’m halfway out the door when my sister’s words reach me.
“The pack will be protected. They’ll be liberated from the burden of their existence.”
It can’t be… Not Harley. Not after everything we’ve been through.
I push against April’s hold, my wolf surfacing with strength.
“What the hell, Harley? How could you?” I shout as I enter the room. “You’re a traitor!”
Our eyes meet. Harley’s mouth opens as her eyebrows knit together, confusion spreading across her face, and her eyes glow.
But in an instant, the expression is gone. Her face becomes impassive, and she remains silent.
The coward doesn’t utter a word.
“Guards, please escort this rogue to the pit,” someone commands from the front.
What the hell? This must be some kind of joke. Some sort of trick.
They’ve done so much for rogues: freeing rogues, shutting down pits, and collaborating with Ember’s camp.
This undoes all that progress.
Even if our relationship meant nothing to Harley and Jackson, how could they do this to other families?
Hands seize me, roughly dragging me toward the back of the room.
I push against them, my voice tearing from my throat. “Harley! You can’t do this… What about your family…”
But she never looks back at me. The council surrounds her, shielding her from facing me.
The least she could do is face me and confess her betrayal.
I push harder, but I can’t overcome them. The guards are too strong, too formidable.
Damn, they are such jerks.
She can’t do this. She can’t do this to us, to the children.
It’s one thing to hunt and kill rogues, but to steal their children? That’s unthinkable, even for a pack wolf.
We aren’t safe. We’ll never be safe.
My mom was right.
