7. Atticus

7

ATTICUS

T he world ceased to exist outside the heated cocoon of Aria’s arms. Our lips met, unspoken longing igniting between us. I was lost in her kiss, a sensation so profound and all-consuming that it eclipsed every other touch I’d ever known, forever spoiling me for any other woman’s embrace. Her hands, fierce and tender, tangled in my hair, drawing me closer as if she could pull me into her very soul.

“Atticus,” she whispered, a desperate plea.

The sound of footsteps destroyed our stolen moment. With a start, she pulled back, her fingers trembling as she smoothed her long lair, her gaze darting anxiously towards the bedroom door as if she was expecting someone to burst in.

She pushed me in the direction of the balcony. “Go, now. It’s not safe.”

The warning shattered the spell, and I retreated, senses overwhelmed by the intensity of my passion. This kiss was more than just a fleeting connection; it was the rawest form of truth and vulnerability. Having been let down too often by those who promised love, I knew I was standing on a precarious edge. My heart yearned to stay, but self-preservation propelled me toward the balcony, where the cool night breeze slapped some sense back into me.

I scurried down the side of the building, the rough texture of the bricks scraping against my skin. I jumped the last few feet and landed soundlessly, readying myself to integrate into the shadows until a snide, taunting voice shattered the stillness of the night.

“Quite the spectacle.”

Larkin Ranger emerged from the tree line.

Fuck, this was a bad omen.

I walked towards him, muscles tensed and alert, bracing myself for whatever awaited me. His existence was a reminder of the world’s harsh realities, a world where my kind of love was a liability.

“Spying now, are we?” I snapped.

“Merely ensuring my property isn’t defiled.” His voice dripped with a venomous intensity that made my stomach churn.

“Property?” The taste of Aria’s kiss still lingered, turning bitter with the intrusion of his contempt. “She’s not yours to claim.”

He stepped closer, fists curled with the threat of violence. “You’re playing a dangerous game, rogue, and I won’t hesitate to put an end to it. Remember, everything has its price.”

My pulse thundered, a war drum in my ears. The adrenaline and what remained of Aria’s kiss surged through me in an unfamiliar yet intoxicating way. As I stood my ground before Larkin, a newfound sense of fierce protectiveness lit in my veins, powerful and unstoppable. It was odd, this need to shield her not just from physical harm but from the likes of him.

“Careful,” I warned, my growl far more than a threat. “Underestimating me would be the last mistake you make.” I itched for a reason to let my wolf loose on the smirking idiot.

Larkin’s sneer widened, eyes glinting with malicious intent. He stepped into the pale wash of moonlight, and cruel joy danced in his gaze.

“You’re a bold one, climbing into the room of the alpha’s daughter,” he said. “Having fun with the future alpha, are you?”

That sparked a seething rage inside me. This asshole had the audacity to reduce Aria to a prize, nothing more than a stepping stone in his quest for power. My hands itched to wipe that condescending look off his face.

“Boldness plays no part in it,” I stated firmly. “What happens between Aria and me is none of your business.”

“Isn’t it?” he asked with dark amusement. “Just remember, rogue, she’s promised to me. But I can be charitable. Shall we come to a gentleman’s agreement? You have my permission to use her as much as you want until she and I are officially mated, then you’re done. That pussy will be mine… at least until she’s given me an heir or two. Do we have a deal?”

“Promises made under duress are as brittle as your ego,” I growled. “And ego has a way of shattering when confronted with reality.” I clenched my hands tight, my palms stinging as my nails dug into my palms.

He chuckled mirthlessly and moved away. “We’ll see. With each passing day, the Crimson Fang becomes more restless, leaving no neutral territory for you and your kind to hide in. I suggest you watch your back, rogue. Soon enough, you’ll be a lone wolf with nowhere to go, and if you dare enter my domain without my consent, I will take great pleasure in bringing about your demise.”

He turned and walked away from the manor, hands in his pockets as if he didn’t have a care in the world, leaving behind a loathing that lingered. Exhaling, I looked up at the balcony where I had left a piece of my soul behind.

Aria deserved freedom, the right to make her own choices. I was willing to fight with every ounce of my being to ensure she had both, even if I had to go against fate itself.

With a last glance up at the window, I formed a cloak of shadows and navigated the expansive grounds of the Silver Claw Manor.

It was strange that Larkin had brought up the Crimson Fang. The two packs had battled for dominance generations ago, and although Silver Claw had emerged victorious, there had been heavy losses on both sides. Since then, an uneasy truce had reigned between the packs. I’d never known the two packs to come together in any meaningful way. Something about his words unnerved me. I needed to probe him, search his mind for hidden malicious intentions toward the truce and his animosity toward Aria.

It would have been easier in wolf form, but our beastly counterparts didn’t think with the same intent as humans, and I would have received nothing useable. I had to enter his human mind, so with a focus honed by years of isolation and survival, I reached out, seeking Larkin’s twisted psyche. The tenuous connection was wispy and fragile, like cobwebs that could be brushed away with the faintest touch. What I found on the surface of his consciousness was a cesspool of self-serving aspirations and lewd fantasies, each more revolting than the last. He was an open book written in the crudest of prose.

Yet, beneath the filth lay something elusive and fragmented. Whispers of an alliance with Crimson Fang and schemes skittered through the dark corners of his subconscious, plotting moves on a chessboard obscured by darkness. There was a significance to these half-formed plans, suggestive of treachery far beyond petty power plays. There was depth, but I couldn’t see to the bottom of the chasm.

The link snapped as I withdrew, the aftertaste of Larkin lingering unpleasantly. Shadows coalesced around me, comforting in their familiar grasp as I moved with purposeful strides towards the safety of the trees. Each step took me farther from Aria, but closer to finding the truth hidden in the tangle of Larkin’s ambitions.

A growl rumbled from deep within me, a sound born of protective fury. No matter the cost, I would shield Aria from the darkness encroaching on her world. With every whispering leaf and creaking bough that watched my vow, the forest itself seemed to acknowledge my pledge.

This night had changed everything.

The shadows responded to my silent command, clinging to me like a protective cloak. I moved unseen, a ghost in the night. The rogue in me embraced the darkness, but the man craved the light of Aria’s presence.

I slipped into the welcoming den, the night pulsing with an electric energy that fueled my determination. My muscles tensed, still thrumming from the encounter with Larkin.

I found Hale in the throes of passion, an unknown woman under him. His growl of annoyance at my intrusion was almost feral, but there was no time for pleasantries or apologies.

“You have to leave.” I picked up the woman’s clothes from where they’d been discarded and held them out to her, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

“Dammit.” Hale narrowed his eyes at me, and with a frustrated expression, untangled himself smoothly from her embrace. The woman leisurely took the clothes from my outstretched hand, her coy smile silently extending an unspoken invitation to me.

“Out,” I snapped, and she grabbed the garments I’d missed with wounded pride before disappearing into the night.

“Since when do you cockblock without good reason?” Hale growled as he dressed.

“Since we have bigger problems than where you choose to stick your dick.” My gaze locked onto his. “Larkin Ranger.”

The weight of that name carried significance for me, but for him, it held no value. Yet, the way I spoke it seemed to have a profound effect on Hale, dissipating his annoyance with me.

“Who’s Larkin Ranger? Should I know him?” Hale demanded. My expression and tone had triggered a sudden change in him. He was now fully alert, the warrior replacing the playful brother. “Talk to me.”

“He is the shifter Ragnar has decided will be Aria’s mate.” With seething disdain, I recounted Larkin’s abhorrent thoughts, the intensity of my restrained rage building with each word.

“Sounds like he’s a real… catch.” Hale’s sarcasm was a poor cover for the ire that twisted his features. “It’s these types of outdated customs where a father dictates his daughter’s mate that make me grateful I’m free from the constraints of a pack.”

“I agree completely,” I said. My blood boiled at the prospect of Larkin laying a hand on Aria again. Frustrated, I scrubbed a hand over my face forcefully, trying to wash away the unsettling image. “Ragnar believes he will be good for the Silver Claw, but Hale… Larkin is colluding with the Crimson Fang.”

My anger intensified, transforming into a seething wrath that made it impossible for me to sit still. “The bastard had the nerve to watch me with her tonight,” I seethed, “then had the audacity to deliver ultimatums. He said just enough to show his true intentions. I couldn’t get everything, but the glimpses I caught weren’t pleasant. The threats aren’t simply hot air. If this plays out, there won’t be any neutral ground left. They’re coming, the Crimson Fang pack. They’re coming.”

“Shit.” Hale raked a hand through his hair. “You’re sure?”

I didn’t dignify his question with a response. He knew better, knew me better.

Hale pulled on his shoes. “Fuck. We have to know what we’re up against. We can’t let them blindside us.”

“Agreed.” Strategy sharpened my thoughts. “We gather intelligence. Find out what Larkin and the Crimson Fang are scheming. It is crucial that we stay two steps ahead.”

“Too fucking right. Let’s go,” Hale called as he sprinted to the door.

Under the cover of night, we ventured forth, the air heavy with the anticipation of our mission to unveil the threat of the Crimson Fang.

“Stay vigilant,” I whispered to Hale as we entered the dangerous territory. Every shadow became an extension of my will, concealing our passage through the dense woods that bordered our territory.

Insulted, he hissed, “Always am.” His light steps betrayed no sound. His presence, a reassuring constant by my side, steadied me.

Nestled together, these three territories formed a compact group surrounding the majestic great forest at the heart of Lycanterra. The Silver Claw’s domain stretched from the heart and expanded towards the mountains. Other packs lay in the north and west, while the Crimson Fang’s reach extended to the western mountains all the way to the Lycan Sea in the south, where my father’s smaller pack called home.

We approached the eastern borders of the Crimson Fang’s domain, where the neutral unclaimed territories abutted both packs and reached towards the forests farther east. Raw energy surrounded us, alive with the pulsing tempo of nature, a rhythm I manipulated with ease.

I stretched out my hand, calling forth the darkness, and watched as it responded eagerly. It was a gift I wielded with natural finesse, one that allowed Hale and me to blend into nothingness, invisible to all but the most discerning eye.

“Showtime.” A misty cloud escaped my lips and dissipated into the night air. We positioned ourselves behind a thick copse of trees, their gnarled roots providing the perfect vantage point.

From our hiding spot, we observed the comings and goings of the Crimson Fang pack members. Their patrols seemed routine, but there was an undercurrent of tension, a subtle vibration in the environment that spoke volumes to those who knew how to listen.

“Look at them, so confident in their ability,” Hale whispered. “They have no idea we’re watching.”

“Arrogance is often the downfall of the mighty,” I remarked, studying the patterns of the guards.

At my silent command, the darkness obediently lengthened and reached out, its tendrils delicately probing the perimeter. Each heartbeat brought forth whispers of information, creating a vibrant mental image of the enemy’s defenses.

Hale tensed, his gaze fixed on something beyond the tree line. “Do you sense that?”

“Power,” I murmured, a ripple of energy radiating from the middle of the Crimson Fang territory. A warning, perhaps, or a declaration of their burgeoning might.

“Whatever they’re planning, it’s big. And it involves deep magic.” He looked at the distant figures moving with purposeful intent.

As we navigated through the thicket, it seemed like the forest was guiding our every step. Hale’s gaze darted anxiously in all directions, clearly frightened by what was happening. I found myself intrigued more than anything; I had to trust that the forest meant us no harm when we emerged in a misty clearing. We settled behind an oak, its gnarled roots offering the perfect vantage point. From here, we could see the clandestine meeting unfold.

Larkin stood, arrogance wafting off him as he conversed with a figure cloaked in the colors of the Crimson Fang. The wind carried their hushed words to my ears, words laced with intentions as dark as the night itself.

“Silver Claw won’t know what hit them,” Larkin’s conspirator said. They had their back to us. I didn’t recognize them, but they spoke with a venomous glee. “We’re already carving up their land.”

“Keep it quiet until after the mating ceremony,” Larkin said, his face shining with the promise of more power. “Once Aria is mine in the eyes of the pack, we’ll have the leverage we need.”

The sound of her name triggered an immediate response from my wolf, who snarled in defiance. The possessiveness in his growl made my blood boil, forcing me to clamp my mouth shut so no sound could escape. I tamped down the rage, focusing instead on the implications of their scheme. What they were planning surpassed a territorial dispute. This was an orchestrated takeover.

“Look there.” Hale nudged me, pointing to where tents and figures dotted the rogue territory border, a mere hundred yards from where we lay hidden. “They’ve already begun the invasion.”

“Snakes slithering into our home.” I brainstormed different strategies to counter their advance. This was no longer a simple reconnaissance mission. We had stumbled on a plot that threatened everything and everyone I held dear.

“Atticus,” Hale said quietly, “how the fuck has Ragnar or Aria not sensed any of this from the prick? You’re not even pack, and you picked up on it.”

He was right. How was Larkin able to hide this level of duplicity from his alpha? Why hadn’t they sensed any of it, read it in his mind? Their connection would be far better than my superficial sweep.

Hale looked back out over the tableau of treachery the forest had laid before us. “We can’t let this happen.”

“No,” I agreed coldly, “we cannot.”

Inhaling deeply, I reached inward to the wellspring of power that lay dormant beneath my ribcage, and I extended my consciousness toward the pack members gathered beside Larkin. One by one, I touched their minds, seeking a crack, a weakness, but all I found were a lattice of mental shields.

“Fuck,” I muttered through gritted teeth, frustration lacing my tone. Each shifter was closed off, secure behind fortifications that shouldn’t have been there. How did they know of such defenses? The realization struck me suddenly. There were only a select few who possessed knowledge of these techniques. My father’s teachings, the secrets he had imparted to me, were being used against us.

“Atticus?” Hale whispered.

“Someone taught them to shield their thoughts.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue. My father had to be working with them. Why? What would be in it for him? If he had prepared the Crimson Fang pack and Larkin for mental intrusion, what else had they anticipated? “At least we know why Ragnar and the rest of Silver Claw haven’t picked up on Larkin’s dishonesty. He’s been taught to lock it down.” If my abilities hadn’t been so advanced, I wouldn’t have been able to glean anything, either.

Silently, we withdrew, leaving behind the web of deceit. The rogue part of me burned with a desire for warfare and retribution, while the man who had tasted the sweetest kiss of his life vowed to protect Aria with everything he had. I couldn’t be with her during her interactions with Larkin, but I had an important trinket, something I’d taken with me when my pack had exiled me. It would level the playing field. Larkin might be able to shield his thoughts, but the bracelet would ensure he couldn’t hide his lies. I resolved to find a time to give it to her and explain what it could do.

Fate had cast its dice, and I would answer its call. If I could tilt the odds in our favor, I wouldn’t hesitate to stack the roll.

We made it back to the den in silence, both of us lost in thought and troubled over what had transpired in front of us. When we entered the sanctuary of our home, Hale moved into the kitchen area and returned with a bottle of straw-colored liquid and two glasses. “Drink?”

I teetered on the corner of staying or seeking solace in my room. The offer of the homemade spirit was too tempting to decline. Two fingers of Hale’s moonshine would help me sleep better than any of Mia’s herbs.

I raised the glass, the rich scent filling my nostrils, and toasted with a sardonic “Cheers.” With one quick tilt, I drained the alcohol, feeling the burning sensation as it coursed down my throat. “Thanks for coming with me tonight, Hale,” I said, exhaustion settling in as I made to leave the communal area for the peaceful solitude of my room.

His hand gave my back in a friendly clap as I passed him. “Don’t mention it, Atticus. Family takes care of each other.”

Without bothering to change out of my clothes, I collapsed onto my bed, fixating on Aria and Larkin’s treachery. I wasn’t pack; I was a rogue shifter with a family. A family bound by choice, not duty, but our commitment to safeguarding the neutral unclaimed territories from the Crimson Fang was absolute. There was nothing I could do until morning arrived. I would be no use to anyone exhausted. I closed my eyes, and the world faded away as I surrendered to the familiar pull of sleep.

The dawn’s light hadn’t yet touched the horizon when I awoke, the remnants of betrayal still clinging to my consciousness. Larkin’s deceit had latched itself into me, creating a restless urgency that hummed in my veins. With the Silver Claw and rogue territories on the verge of chaos, there was no time for delay.

The waning stars provided a dim glow as I met with Joren, Hale, Mia, and Lyza outside, the cold air nipping at my skin.

“Split up,” I ordered. “We need every last rogue who values their freedom.”

They nodded, needing no further explanation, and left.

My route led me through the wilderness where many rogue shifters dwelled. Some encounters were cordial, like meeting old friends in the quiet of nature. Each face bore the marks of hardship, exposing a shared history of survival. Their nods of agreement, a silent promise of support, turned them into trusted allies.

Yet, not all were willing listeners. One confrontation escalated swiftly as a rogue bared his teeth inches from my face, emanating an overwhelming sense of ingrained distrust. “Why should we follow you?” he snarled, his stance aggressive and unyielding.

“Because alone, we’re vulnerable,” I answered evenly. His aggression radiated through the air, but my hands remained steady. “If we work together, we’re a force that can hold back the tide of war that’s coming for us all.”

He searched my eyes, looking for the deceit that had tainted our kind too often. He found none, only the fierce will of a wolf ready to defend his pack, rogue or not. “Fine,” the rogue relented. “But if this is a trap...”

“It’s not.” My words were not just a promise, but a vow to the very core of who I was.

As the sun climbed higher, painting the sky with strokes of gold and pink, we gathered, a motley crew tied by the need for preservation. The rogues came in ones and twos, some with suspicion still glinting on their faces, others with a fire for battle already burning bright.

Standing before them, the role of leader settled onto me. It was a heavy weight, but not unwelcome. It was a role I’d never sought, but one I was born for. I shared with them the threats that loomed over us, the web of deception Larkin was weaving, and the betrayal of the Crimson Fang that crept ever closer.

I stood in the center of the clearing, the air around me thick with tension. “By now, you’ve all heard the rumors,” I began, staring at those before me, attempting to forge a connection with each of them. “But I’m here to tell you, they’re more than just whispers in the wind. Larkin Ranger has betrayed the Silver Claw pack and is conspiring with the Crimson Fang.” I let the words hang in the air. Disbelief lined some faces while others twisted in anger.

With eyes that resembled smoldering coals, a burly shifter spat onto the ground. “That coward. He’d sell his own mother for a scrap of authority.”

His fury infected the crowd, and growls of agreement echoed his sentiment.

“Peace, brothers and sisters,” I said, heat simmering beneath my skin. “Rage unchecked will only lead us to ruin.”

“Ruin? We’re already there.” A younger female, her hair a wild cascade of night, stepped forward. Her challenging gaze met mine. “Some of us have seen the Crimson Fang creeping closer, felt their attention on us. What are we supposed to do? Roll over and bare our throats?”

I admired her spirit, but she needed to understand the stakes. “No,” I answered quietly. “We stand, but not in haste. What we need is a plan. Strategy.”

“Strategy?” A lean shifter laughed bitterly, throwing his hands up in frustration. “While you’re busy planning, they’ll be busy taking. Or haven’t you noticed?”

“Enough!” My command echoed off the trees, silencing the dissent. “I am well aware of the danger, but acting without a plan will only serve their cause.”

A hush fell over the crowd.

“The Crimson Fang won’t expect us to be united,” I said. “They prey on our disarray. But if we show them a unified front...”

“Atticus speaks true.” An elder shifter, his beard frosted with age, stepped forward. “We must be the still water that reflects the stars. Calm, collective, but deep with purpose.”

Reluctant nods followed his words. Not all were convinced, but the seed of unity had been sown.

“We’ll watch the borders, stay vigilant,” I said. “We cannot reclaim lost territory. Not yet. But we can protect what remains.”

“And wait for them to come knocking?” a skeptic called out from the back, his arms crossed over his chest.

“Wait, yes, but not idly,” I answered. “We’ll gather intelligence to learn their activities, their weaknesses. When the time is right, we strike. But until then, we stand strong.” My gaze swept across the group, taking in the sea of faces and diverse expressions, the energy and anticipation radiating from each person. “We’ll form patrols to monitor their movements along the border. We won’t provoke them, not yet. Our aim is to observe and defend.”

Murmurs rumbled among them, and I saw the doubt in some of them.

“Who will lead these patrols?” someone asked, a hint of challenge lacing his tone.

“I’ll take the first watch and follow Larkin,” I said. “There’s more at play here than simple territory grabs, and I intend to find out what.” Pride bloomed in me that these rogues wanted to be involved in preserving our way of life. “Leave your name with Joren and Hale if you’re interested in participating in the patrols, and they can coordinate a schedule.”

A chorus of affirmations rose, the initial trepidation giving rise to a growing solidarity.

“Let’s use this time wisely,” I advised. “Prepare, train, and most importantly, stay alive. We need every shifter prepared when the moment comes to strike.”

I turned away from the crowd, already plotting the course ahead. The shadows wrapped around me in silent accord.

The night was cool, the air rich. I melded with the darkness, moving with purpose, a protector forged from flesh and spirit, ready to safeguard what was ours.

In the distance, the Silver Claw Manor loomed, its silhouette a stark reminder of what was at stake. Aria’s face flashed through my mind. This wasn’t just about land or power, but a future that belonged to us all. I would fight relentlessly to guarantee a secure future for her, for the rogues, for every individual who craved liberation. I would not back down.