From Princess To Queen

Rogue’s Camp

Issy notes the rogues in the camp and wonders who are with Libby and who are against her. She can hear snarls as some people walk by, but they ignore them. Tasha comes and sits down by her and watches the people pass by them and their demeanor. She is also a rogue in the pack.

“What do you think of the others that are here?” Issy asks her new friend.

“Some of them do not like the guards or Libby; they snarl or give low growls when they walk by them,” Tasha explains.

“Not out in the open, they won’t, but they will later at night if they feel like it. Some have died at their hands.” Tasha continues to explain while Issy listens.

“Wow, nothing like going against them; if they don’t like them, leave the camp.” Issy states.

“Well, that poses a problem; we cannot leave. They will hunt and kill us. I have seen it done, and remember I told you yesterday I was threatened by it.”

“Yeah, I remember that conversation. Has anybody ever walked around the grounds to get the lay of the land?”

“Sure, people walk all over the place all the time, although they don’t go too far for fear they would be found and beaten.”

“Why? It’s pack grounds; what are they afraid of around here?”

“Stay awhile, and you’ll see. Most of us want out but must know who to trust to help us. The King is ruthless, just like Libby and her son Felix.”

“W..Wait...Is Felix Libby’s son? Who is his father?”

“His father banished Libby, and Felix was born a rogue but considered himself alpha of his dad’s pack. He took over that pack and is trying to merge the two packs. Most of these people are the remaining members of old packs that Felix wiped out and took over. Those are the ones that cannot stand him or his guards.”

“I am going for a walk; this is a lot for me to take in right now. I will be back by dinner time.”

Issy got up and walked away from her spot, starting to walk the campgrounds. She came across some abandoned buildings, noticing some guards living there. Issy keeps walking through the town, approaching the woods. She looks around, ensuring no one is watching her, as she looks around the area for any cameras that have been put up. She does not see nor sense any cameras around and continues to walk into the woods.

She looks around and runs into something hard with powerful arms that grab her. She looks at him with wide eyes; Jen is screaming ‘mate’ in her mind. Gabe is screaming ‘mate’ in this person’s mind. Issy looks at him and doesn’t know if she can trust him, but she knows he is an alpha due to the aura surrounding him.

“My name is Maximus, Max for short.”

“Issy, I am Issy.”

“No, you are not; I know you are not a true rogue. Now tell me the truth Issy or should I call you Kelley?”

“What? You are not supposed to know who I am; how do you know me?” Issy asks quizzically, in a whisper.

“I am not a true rogue; look, Princes Clara’s mother and siblings sent me here to find information about Felix and Libby. They also informed me that Xavior and Princess Clara put a spy here. They sent me a picture of you so that I knew who was here gathering intel. We are not enemies but friends.”

“What’s your back story then?” she asked Max.

“I am looking for my mate; I have been all over but never found her, so I looked into the rogue packs since she could be hiding there.

“Well, tada! Here I am; you found me, but I cannot leave. I have cams and trackers to put in the vehicles and somehow get into Libby’s quarters to put up videos all over to get on their plans.”

“I can help you with that. I work on their vehicles; they have the cheapest vehicles that do not have GPS. Give me your trackers, and I will put them in their vehicles.”

“I have them back in my house so that you can meet me there, and I will give them to you. But I want to scout the property to see the best spots to put the cams.”

“I know the best places to help you with that, but we must be very discrete about it.”

“Do you know who I am, mate?”

“Yes, little witch, I do; let’s walk before Gabe takes and marks you here and now.”

“About that, we must wait until we leave and save some of these rogues. Not all want to be here and want to find new packs.”

“They will return with me and to Clara’s mom’s pack. Oh, there are two other witches here who know about you too. They are good; one is Clara’s aunt and cousin that live with her mother and siblings.”

“That is comforting to know. How did they get in here? Are they gluten for punishment?”

Max just shrugged his shoulders as they continued to walk while getting to know each other. Dating is off-limits within the camp because Libby and Felix do not believe in mates. They have noticed several cameras up in trees but mostly hanging around on the fences around the compound. Max and Issy also saw three entry points, but only one was guarded and watched with cameras, but there were still guards in wolf forms around the other areas.

After they finished their walk, they got themselves ready for dinner. Max walked to her cabin to pick her up so they could walk together to the dining room, where dinner was served. The people are starting to come in, and Tasha is waiting for Issy. Max goes and joins some of the other men to eat. The protocol is that men are on one side and women are on the other. You can tell nobody likes this arrangement, especially those that are already mated.

Max instructed Shane, his delta, to get involved with the guards and warriors and obtain intel to help them go against Libby and Felix. They also had to figure out how to get the rogues out of the complex, into their pack, and train to go against Felix and the others.

“Can anybody mind-link within this camp, or is just certain people?” Max questions the group of rogues.

“Nope, we are alone; the only way to communicate is in person. The only ones that can mind-link are those who have taken an oath to Libby or Felix, and most of us have refused to do that.” One of the men replies.

“Why don’t you all want to feel like you belong to a pack?”

“We do not want to belong in this pack; they are ruthless and kill for no reason. Felix and his mother want to be in the castle and will do anything they can to get there, and that is exactly why Felix disguises himself as Alpha Xavior so he can mate and mark Clara. Libby has put a spell on the King, mated, and marked him already.”

“Son-of-a-bitch, that is not good. The thrown does not belong to her or Felix. It belongs in Clara’s family, not anybody else’s.” Max says, thinking he needs to get word to Clara somehow.

“Yeah, we know. We are trying to figure out how to get out of here and join the castle or her mother’s pack. But everything is closed off, and if we try to escape to get help, we are tracked down and killed.”

“We need to talk somewhere more private where prying eyes and ears are not around. Somebody could rat us out, and that could get us killed.” Max tells his group.

“Thank the goddess; we have someone here on our side.”

“You have more than just me on your side. It will take some time, so hang in there and talk only to those you trust; otherwise, go about your day as usual.” Max states to the group of men.

The group went along with the night talking and singing around the bonfire; they had to make good out of a bad situation. They spoke about what they did in their packs and how good those alphas and betas were their Lunas and the members. Now most of them went home to their moon goddess after their passing.

Some started to leave the fire and headed back to where they were living, whether in tents or cabins, but no one was allowed to stay in the house where Libby resided unless the King or their son came to visit. There was business as usual for the next several days.

“Max, could you come here, please? There is something I want you to see before you go to work.”

“What is it, Issy?”

“Come inside, Tasha; this is Max, Max-Tasha. Tasha is another one that has tried to escape but was threatened if she were to try again, she would be killed like the others.”

“Tasha, is this true? Do they kill those that try to escape and not just threaten people?” Max asked with a raised brow. He was trying to see if she was lying or not.

“Yes, sir, they do. I have seen them murdering people, no matter if we are human or in wolf forms.”

“Listen to me carefully. I am the Alpha of The Wintercrown Tails, about ten miles near the castle, and we are in alliance with them and Princess Clara’s family, a neighboring pack. We will get you out of here as soon as possible and have you and the others join our packs, so you will have a place to call home.”

“Really? Oh my gosh, that is wonderful. I want to help with whatever you need me to do.” Tasha excitedly said.

“Max, here are the trackers for the vehicles. I know they are all coming in today, along with the King, and Felix’s stepfather is coming too.”

“Thanks; Issy is going to set up the videos around camp. What you could do is keep a watch out for any of the goons coming and trying to disrupt her.”

“I can do that. I can even help put some up, I am an excellent tree climber, and since I have been here for six months, I know the best times to go out, and right now is not the time; the vehicles are coming.”

“I have to go and ensure they are all taken care of.”

“NO! They are now at the gates coming in from the back two entrances. King Matthew and Felix’s father are in the back seat with them. His head is covered up, and his hands are tied with silver chains.” Tasha states.

“What are you, Tasha?”

“I am a seer; I can see what is going to happen, what is going to come, and what is happening at the very moment. So I know you two are mates, Issy; your real name is Kelley, and you are a tracker who is a witch. Your secrets are safe with me, so I can tell you who is faithful not in this camp.”

“You stay with Issy and help her. Please do not go too far away from her. I mean that. Your lives are in danger, and Tasha, NEVER calls Issy by her real name.”

“Don’t worry, Max, I won’t, but there are some you cannot trust as they are spies for a couple of the guards and warriors. Those are Carrie, Noel, Cole, Barrin, Larry, and Jordan. These are just a few that are here. The others are in the first and second vehicles pulling up outside, six in each truck; they are not nice. Be careful, Max.” Tasha tells him.

He looks to see who Tasha is talking about and looks over the characters in both vehicles and the six that had walked up to the truck. He grabbed the keys from one of the guys, took off with it to the garage, returned, picked up the other one, and signaled the others to follow him. He did his work by checking the miles on each vehicle, oil, and other fluids. I rotated the tires and changed a few since they were worn out. He told his help they could go for food, rest, and return in the morning to finish their work. The vehicles were not leaving for a couple more days as it was.

Max knew putting the trackers on after the others left the garage was okay. He ensured there were no cameras on where he pulled them in to work. He attached the trackers to change oil or brakes when Max was underneath the vehicles. He would only do a few at a time and then leave for the night. He kept the trackers with him and returned to his cabin; although Gabe did not like being away from his mate, it would stay this way for now.