The Rogue Alpha

When I opened my eyes I was sitting in the most comfortable chair I'd ever been in.

Cousin Richard was next to me. Others were pacing the room. I could feel someone's eyes on me, but I didn't bother looking through the crowd to figure out who I was sensing. I smiled weakly at Cousin Richard.

He asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Like I stepped through a dimension where suddenly I'm the most eligible Bachelorette, and all I want is to go somewhere I can be alone." I replied dryly.

Richard chuckled a bit. "I have a feeling you're going to be fine."

"Where am I?" I asked.

"The park manager's office." Richard answered, "Leona has a key, and suggested we bring you here."

The older lady who announced earlier she was in the house of Grade said, "It was the least I could do for our Luna."

I groaned. "Can I get some space?"

Richard cleared his throat. "Well, the council doesn't want you left alone. They're afraid you'll take off without giving them a chance. But I can leave you with a person or two."

"One!" I stated firmly, "And not someone trying to date or marry me."

Richard nodded his head. I closed my eyes and listened as people left the office. Some were less happy than others, but eventually the room was quiet.

"I'd like you to meet my cousin Eugene." Richard announced, smiling at me as I opened my eyes again.

I looked from him to the other man. Eugene looked to be around five foot eight, with blue eyes and blonde hair. I'd guess him to be in his mid thirties. He's good looking, and muscular, like just about every Hunter or Werewolf I'd met. However he didn't look at me like he might thump me over the head and drag me to the nearest cave, even though I knew for certain now that he was who I was sensing earlier.

"So, you're my cousin's cousin." I stated, trying to smile kindly.

He chuckled. "That I am, and I'm thirty six."

I looked at Richard, who promptly explained, "He's outside your dating range. Hunter rules prevent him from pursuing anything, even if he wanted to."

I scowled.

"It's a good thing." Eugene assured me, "It means no one else will be watching over you, or checking in on you, until you're ready to go out that door, and face everyone."

"Fine." I replied, not liking the situation, but not seeing a better one.

Cousin Richard nodded his head and went to the door. After opening it he told Eugene, "Good luck getting her to come to her senses." And then he left, closing the door behind him.

Eugene took a seat near me and explained, "Don't worry, that's to keep them contented about our conversation."

I looked at him carefully, and decided to address the perverbial elephant in the room. Cautiously I whispered, "I can feel a connection to you, it's strong, and..."

I didn't get to finish.

"If I you were a few years older I would be trying to win your heart." He admitted.

I rolled my eyes. "Why is everyone here so obsessed with age?"

Eugene grabbed my left hand. The black kiss on my right hand glowed, then turned blue for a moment. He promptly released my hand, and the kiss mark returned to black.

"Oh, boy." I exclaimed as I looked at my hand.

Eugene whispered so softly that my wolf hearing barely heard, "You can't tell anyone about that either."

"Why not?" I asked almost as quietly.

"Because you've already chosen your mate." He replied, "And I won't come between you, but if the council knows about it they can expand your age ranges."

I nodded my head, and tried to smile as I wondered what it would take for them to make an exception, and if it had ever been done before.

"If you're age group is widened by the Hunters, young Hunter could argue to be allowed to pursue you as well, and we're trying to keep you from getting more suitors."

I groaned and admitted, "I miss the days when I felt invisible to guys, unless I was tackling them on the football field."

"I don't know how they could miss someone as adorable as you." Eugene stated with a grin.

I playfully slapped him. The kiss glowed blue for the split second I made contact.

"Keep your hands to yourself." Eugene chided.

I rolled my eyes. "This isn't going to be easy. I'm a hands on kind of friend."

"Then don't think of me as your friend." Eugene suggested, suddenly getting a serious face.

I inquired, "How should I think of you?"

"I'm your lieutenant, you're my boss, who I also have to protect." He answered, maintaining his serious expression.

"And?" I questioned, sensing there was something else.

Eugene huffed. "And temporarily your tutor for the history of the Hunters."

"Oh, so, you're supposed to brainwash me into following some ancient protocols and rituals?"

He laughed. "I wouldn't put it like that."

"Oh, regardless of how you say it, that's what they want." I smirked at the door. "Good luck with that. The wolves aren't exactly doing well in their attempts to control me."

"Can I see your wolf?" Eugene suddenly asked with a grin.

I turned my head fully towards him. "Why?"

He grinned. His blue eyes danced with the light playfully, almost causing a twinkling effect. "I've never gotten to be close to one I wasn't fighting, and I'm betting yours is beautiful."

"You mean you didn't see it when I caught the dagger earlier?" I joked.

"You mean that silver blur in the corner of my eye?" He replied, "I want to really see your other form."

I blushed again, and turned my head. Instead of answering him: I jumped up and landed as my wolf. My eyes locked with his. Eugene smiled, but his eyes showed the surprise and amazement he felt.

He reached out to touch my fur. I didn't move a muscle. I just watched.

The moment his hand made contact the kiss mark glowed blue again.

I backed up and returned to my human form, grateful I chose to wear my Wolf Wear clothing, instead of my human stuff.

I looked at Eugene. "No offense, but I really hope that glow effect goes away once I'm officially mated. I can't go forever without touching someone who's in my life."

Eugene nodded. "I can get someone else to be your lieutenant."

I shook my head. "That would raise too many questions. Besides, we're on the same page, so it's best to leave things how they are."

Eugene smiled gently.

"Now, I have a question for you." I announced, then continued without waiting for a response, "Is it normal to sense everyone's emotions, and when they're lying, or is it just me drowning in feelings?"

Eugene chuckled. "We all have some empathic level. Of course some are stronger than others. The wolves are actually telepathic, but only in their own pack. We're only empathic, but it's with everyone. Some Hunters with extremely close connections, like twins, have been fully telepathic with each other."

I nodded my head. "So, because I have both: I can form telepathic connections, even outside a pack." I formulated.

Eugene whispered, "That's another secret we should keep, if that's the case."

A vibe in the air caught my attention.

"Is something wrong?" Eugene asked.

"I can't tell what they are doing, but Leona and Luna Eleanor are up to something." I declared, "And I'm not going to like it."

Eugene thought for a moment. "The only thing they have in common is a desire to maintain control, and thus a fear of you gaining it. If they're working together, they see you as a common enemy."

"And when the inevitable fight happens?" I asked.

"I, and many others, will be on your side." He answered, "Going against the Luna Hunter is insanity, specially after waiting so long for you."

"Then I need you to coordinate those loyal to me, because there's definitely a battle coming. I need someone I can trust dealing with things here."

Eugene nods his head. We then go over the long history of the Hunters and their war with the werewolves. Even when Eugene was finished I felt like part of the story was missing.

Then Eugene reached in a briefcase like bag, and pulled out an ancient book, about the size of a novel. "Everything is in here, it's been in my family's care since it was made, but I have a feeling I'm supposed to give it to you."

I thanked him, put it in my cargo pocket, and gave him a hug.

I suddenly felt a piercing pain in my head, immediately followed by the pained voice of Alpha Nolan. "What's wrong? I'm coming to you!"

I let go of Eugene and replied to Alpha Nolan through our newly formed telepathic connection, "Nothing is wrong. I'll explain everything when I see you at the cabin later. Don't risk yourself coming here!"