Klepto POV

Nerves creep up my spine when I arrive at the door of doom. How many times have I stood in front of this door contemplating my life decisions?

I glare at the shiny paint plastered onto the wood, as if my heated feelings will burst forth from my irises and burn the dang thing to ash.

How can I hate an inanimate object so much?

Oh, I know, because behind this slab of old lumber is the one and only Alpha Green. His office, to be more precise. His lair of evil.

As soon as I'd watched that rogue disappear into the foliage, I headed straight towards the pack office building. I went quickly, keeping my head down as curious onlookers observed my injuries with what could only be described as excited interest.

My pack members are all wondering the same thing, who finally put the freak in her place?

I'd ignored them, because I've become quite good at that, and continued on my way. Thankfully, I hadn't caught any sign of Ezra or his comrades. They were nowhere to be seen or smelled and that's a good thing.

When I got into the pack office building, I was greeted by my lovely sister, Tressa. She was Alpha Green's trusty assistant and secretary, and she was very proud of that fact.

What I didn't expect was for her to look so... tired.

Tressa's face seemed to droop with exhaustion, her normally cool front gone. There was no hate in her icy blue gaze, but sorrow. Her own sorrow.

It surprised me because I didn't really think she had feelings other than being smug and hateful.

I had never seen my sister like that, and for some odd reason pity struck me hard. I could relate to that level of defeat, and who knows what Tressa's going through.

Everyone deserves some slack once in awhile.

I smiled at her, and after giving me a confused look, she actually returned the smile, though it didn't seem too authentic.

She let me pass with ease, telling me that Alpha Green was in his office and that he wasn't busy. All I had to do was knock.

That's a lot harder said than done.

Because here I stood, anticipation and dread spilling through me like an old enemy that I wish to forgot. This place holds horrid memories. Memories of being humiliated, punished, screamed at. Memories that made me hate who I was, hate the sickness my brain has.

I'm not scared of my stupid Alpha, I'm terrified. Terrified of what's about to happen, how it'll go.

Will he make me mad? Probably

Will he purposely agitate me? Most definitely.

Will I keep my cool? That's exactly what I'm afraid of.

I remind myself that bravery is not being fearless. Bravery is facing your biggest fears even when you are petrified.

That's something my Aunt Emilia always tells me, and she always gives the best advice, so I won't let her down.

As soon as I wrap my knuckles on the door, the deep voice of an Alpha replies.

"Come in." He calls, and I turn the ancient, silver knob slowly. I carefully peek my head into the room. When Alpha Green spots me, he growls and shoves away the paper he has gripped in his hands. I don't think he's happy to see me.

"Just great. This is all I need." He mumbles under his breath, but I hear it easily and I wince. This plan is already turning sour. Great.

Doubt fills me, and I almost turn and run. Instead, I lock my jaw in determination and stalk forward with some fake conviction.

"I have something to talk to you about, Alpha. It's urgent." I force myself to say, giving him a good dose of eye contact to get my point across.

He raises his eyebrows and does a little hand motion to summon me forward, and I gulp loud, hopefully not loud enough for him to hear.

Here goes nothing.

I walk into the office room, feeling cramped and trapped after shutting the door behind me effectively trapping myself. Sliding into a stiff chair across from his desk, a chair I've sat in many times, I take a deep breath. I can do this.

His cool eyes rake me, no doubt spotting my injuries. As for concern, I don't expect any and I don't receive any. In fact, he looks a little happier than before.

"I'm not going to ask what happened, I already know. I might be a busy Alpha, but that doesn't make me a blind Father." The timber of his voice holds what can only be described as pride.

He's actually proud of the cruel monster he raised. Not that's all that shocking to me, he has that in common with his first born.

"Is that what you've come to talk about?" He scours the papers on his desk once more, seeming bored with my presence, "Because if that's the case, get out. I can't say you didn't deserve it."

Alphas are something to be treasured by their pack, revered for their strength and kindness. They are expected to be providers and protectors of their packs. They're supposed to be heroes.

Alpha Green is definitely lacking in that department.

"No, that's not what this is all about." I explain, glaring at my black converses, the whites of the shoes streaked with electric green smudges from the grass.

"Well," Alpha Green stares at me expectantly, "spit it out then." He presses.

"I... I saw a rogue. There was a rogue in the woods." I rush out in one breath, and Alpha Green's face lifts in obvious shock, then his features scrunch up in obvious doubt.

"On our lands?" He questions dubiously.

I nod my head hastily, my ponytail bouncing on the back of the chair.

"Yes. On the pack lands, but close to the border." I elaborate, suddenly gaining confidence as my voice grows louder with each word.

Mr.Grouchy Alpha sets his mouth in a firm line as his eyes slant, narrowing at me with more than enough suspicion. This is exactly what I was afraid of, that he won't believe me.

"Impossible. No way in hell was there a rogue here. Our security has been doubled, the Guard sent those awful lycans here just because there's been some rogues spotted in a nearby human town." He says dismissively, shaking his head adamantly, "Nice try, Omega. Maybe you'll get more creative next time."

The glint of satisfied humor settling in his tone has me as prickly as a porcupine. Heat travels up my neck and into my cheeks and I glare at the smug Alpha sitting across from me.

"It's not a lie! I'm being completely honest. There was a rogue, her presence here threatens the safety of our pack, of my fami..."

"Woah, woah, woah! Back up, her? This big, scary rogue is a she-wolf?" He asks, incredulous but still maintaining that little grin that pisses me off.

"Yes. It was a girl. If she could sneak past security once, she can do it again. We need to find her before she hurts someone." I take a deep breath after speaking fast enough to make me pant and gasp for air.

Alpha Green surprises me by bursting out into an entourage of laughter, booming and laced with snarky amusement.

"A girl? Wow, Klepto. You come up with a web of lies and can't even bother to make it scary? A little girl? Threatening my pack? Right, as if a single female can do anything significant."

An involuntary growl works free from my throat as I picture attacking my Alpha, the sexist swine that he is. I'd love nothing more than to throttle the life out of him.

After a few calming moments of slow, calculated inhaling and exhaling, I speak again.

"Even if that were true, which it's not, she could still be gathering information, helping other rogues across our borders. It's a real threat. Something needs to be done about this."

All traces of humor are erased as Alpha Green glares at me, his fists clenching on the desktop.

"Listen to you, 'our' borders. You're delusional if you actually think you matter in this pack, that you're a valued member, let alone a member at all. I could kick you out any day, depending on my mood." He stands, leaning over the desk, a mask of destruction painted on his face, "Don't you dare tell me how to run my pack."

I don't flinch as he seethes at me, abrupt and evil as he is I can't conjure up a smidge of fear. All I feel is anger. Bubbly, brooding anger.

It takes everything in me to hold back from slapping him with all my might. Luckily enough for me, he gathers up some papers and struts out of his office like a ruffled peacock.

"Now get out of my office." He tosses over his shoulder on his merry way.

I look down at my clenched fingers, squeezing so incredibly tight that the blood drains away from under my skin, leaving my digits a pale color.

According to Alpha Green, I'm not even a member of this stupid pack.

Doubt surged in my veins about my decision from earlier today. Maybe I should have followed that rogue girl, escaped from everything here that made me so incredibly miserable.

My gaze travels from my fists to the desk in front of me. Eyes ablaze with mischief, I trail along until I see something shiny.

A fountain pen lays on the wood, right beside the tiny laptop. It's cap shimmers in the bit of sunlight leaking through the one window on the right wall. The writing tool looks expensive and beautifully crafted.

Take it.

The inner urge I sometimes feel makes its presence known as it nudges me. I subconsciously dismiss it, and then it just becomes more agitated.

He left, he's gone. He's a jerkface. Alpha Green doesn't deserve something that great. Take it.

I look around warily as I feel a cold sweat grasp me. I shouldn't. I can't.

No one will know! Take it!

My anger burns me once more as I am reminded of Alpha Green. His ugly demeanor, his overwhelming sense of superiority that oozes from him.

I don't owe him anything, he always dismisses me. Always discredits my words. Always assumes the worst of me.

I'm holding back this time.

Without a second thought on the decision, I quickly grab the pen. Standing over the desk as I twirl the writing utensil in hands that begin gaining some color back.

Gripping the cap, I pull it off the reveal the tip of the pen. It's a fountain pen, the rich ink drenching the silver point.

So I was right, it is expensive.

I replace the cap, and slip the thing into my pocket. A feeling of defiance and freedom blossoms in my chest.

I can't remember the last time I stole something. It feels.... good. It feels great. The blood rushing through my veins pumps with adrenaline.

A deep part of me acknowledges that things are about to change. Whether for better or for worse, I don't know, but I know that stealing is a part of me that I'm not ready to let go of just yet.

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If you're reading this, I love you:)