Snow creaked ever so softly under paws as I trudged through the snow. Ahead, the massive grey wolf would occasionally flicker his ears and look back, as if making sure I was still following. I huffed slightly, letting Drake know I was doing just fine and he continued ahead without a pause.

After my wolf had connected with Drake for a split second to show him our past, the Alpha had needed some time to process all the rapid images and sensations that had been thrown at him. They had left me alone in the room to calm down, as I had snarled when they dared to come too close.

Alpha Tristan had reluctantly seen me off, even though he was the one to contact Drake in the first place. He too realized that his pack was getting antsy about having a rogue among them. I guess it was instinct, as they all saw I was no threat yet they didn't trust me enough.

At least they're kind enough to say it to my face.

I huffed to myself, the long trek through the snow calming and quiet. Squinting my eyes against the wind as it howled past, whipping snow around as it yanked on our fur, I couldn't help but feel more comfortable out here than in Tristan's pack.

But now I was following another Alpha, who hoped I would eventually join his pack. Drake hadn't commanded me to join, he simply suggested that I'd come along to his pack and see for myself before making a choice.

"I can't believe I'm actually considering this..." I thought to myself, stumbling through the snow before stepping into the tracks that Drake had cut out. "Then again, what other choice do I have?"

A soft whimper escaped my wolf as it too felt trapped. I was too weak and unprepared for this winter and leaving now would surely wind up with me starving to death. I jumped at the touch of a cold nose against my side before Drake huffed and motioned ahead.

I blinked, seeing light scatter through the darkness, barely visible as the wind picked up speed and sent more snow barraging our senses. Both of us squared our shoulders, moving as quickly as possible.

Unlike Tristan's pack, which resembled more a metropolis, Drake's pack was more spaced out in the shape of a quaint village. A few wolves rushed over to greet us, doors closing as soon as we got inside and shook the snow out of our furs.

"Damn, I know they predicted a little snow but this sudden blizzard is ridiculous." The woman muttered as she ruffled her hair, casting out bits of melting snow. "Welcome back Alpha."

Drake snorted, graciously accepting the shorts she held out to him before he tapped off towards another door. My ears swiveled back as she held out another pair before she nodded to herself and simply placed them back on the table.

I was rather glad that she didn't seem to want to strike up a conversation and even more so that she wasn't openly gazing at me. Her eyes would wander through the room as she waited for Drake to return, sometimes flitting towards me before she averted her gaze once more.

My nostrils flared as I sniffed, pausing as her scent denounced any claim on pack or territory. Rogue. Yet the scent that was intertwined with hers and declared her mated, was clearly pack.

What kind of pack allows rogues to mate with pack members but doesn't force them to join said pack?

Footsteps made both of us look up as Drake was in the process of dragging a shirt over his head. He smiled warmly at the woman before she motioned us further in. "We had a few small accidents but nothing to worry over. Jake and Alric managed to get into another fight this morning... Speaking off..."

She stopped her explanation as snarls and barks exploded, two wolves rolling on the floor with foam on their mouths. I shot Drake a worried look but he stayed calm and chuckled, crossing his arms against his massive chest.

Looking back at the fighting wolves, I watched in stunned silence as the female walked up to the snapping beasts without fear. Within seconds, both wolves were whimpering and whining, tilting their heads as the she-wolf had the tips of their ears pinched between her fingers.

"How many times do we need to tell you? NO fighting indoors. If you need to release your stress by being absolute cavemen, take it outside. I don't care who started the fight this time, whatever furniture is broken is being paid from your paychecks."

The black and brown wolves both whimpered in unison before they were released. Their hackles were still raised, growls slipping from their chests before they averted their gaze from one another.

And found mine.

The black wolf snorted, sniffing at the air hesitantly while the brown one took an immediate approach, adopting a dominant stance as if to reaffirm his position. A good thing wolves can't roll their eyes, cause I would've pissed him off at that point.

Instead, I let out a slow, stretched out yawn before shaking my fur, showing my disinterest in their display. Both of them smelled young, still within their teens. Strength and bravery laid within their reach, but their age also meant that common sense was easily clouded by their hormones.

"Erina here is our pack doctor and the matron of this boarding hall. New arrivals to the pack and rogues are brought here, either to slowly integrate into the pack or to heal from past injuries and gather some common ground and understanding." Drake spoke as he introduced the female.

Erina smiled politely at me and I flicked my ears before lowering my head in greeting. It would take some time before I was comfortable enough in this new environment to shift anyways but I was sure she already expected that.

"Nice to meet you. As you heard earlier, we have a few small rules in place simply to make sure everyone can house here in peace and quiet. But some brats seem to forget the rules quite often." She growled while giving Jake and Alric a pointed glare.

The two wolves flattened their ears, tongue flicking past their lips as they averted their gaze. It seemed enough to placate Erina, as she nodded before counting down the rules on her fingers. "No fighting indoors, as it's at risk of our furniture and could set off some unpleasant memories for other inhabitants. A Rogue's past is his own and thus it should be their own choice to reveal it or not. Lastly, if you disagree with something or you'd like some changes to your accommodations, speak up. We're werewolves, not mentalists, mind readers or soothsayers."

I huffed at that before nodding once; those were easy rules to live by, but I was certain these pups could end up attacking me when their testosterone balance was interrupted. They were already glaring at me with contempt, but it was different from Tristan's pack.

These glares were from young males eager to prove their worth to others and themselves. A new arrival would be easy picking in most cases. The way they were nearly salivating was enough proof that they'd jump on me the second we were alone.

Huffing with annoyance, I turned and walked back to the door, nudging it open. It was still snowing but the wind had eased up a bit.

Good enough, I guess.

Stepping out, I turned and sat, glaring at the two youngsters who were looking on with slight hesitation. I wasn't going to wait forever and hide in fear for them to attack me. If they wanted to attack me, then let's get it over with.

Because honestly, I was craving for a good sleep.

Like I expected, the black wolf stayed back, allowing the brown one to lope outside and take a threatening position. He was itching for a fight it seemed and knew that the fight out here wouldn't be interrupted.

Thanks to the thick fur and snow, my scars were barely visible so I doubted he had seen them. Otherwise he might've reconsidered his decision in the first place. He sneered as I slowly stepped aside, eyes filling with mirth as they caught my slight limp.

Almost instantaneously, he vaulted towards me, ignoring common tactics as he figured I couldn't get away. I didn't even attempt to run away; I didn't need to. My past and my training both as a rogue and as pack was enough to give me plenty of leeway with this pup.

But I also wanted to make sure he wouldn't be coming for me every time he licked his wounds and gathered his shattered ego. As it was, I was already dreading more interactions from the pack, but I also recognized the strength in it. There was no need to fight basic instincts if you could curb them and settle the issue quietly.

As such, I simply ducked when the pup was near enough, making it impossible for him to change his trajectory. The second I saw my opening, I shoved myself back up, catching his throat between my teeth and slammed him on the ground.

The impact forced the air from his lungs as the others grew silent, watching as I stepped over the brown wolf with curled tail. The deep threatening snarl that was slightly muffled through his fur still made its point before I released his throat to hop over him.

Without pause, Erina blinked before smiling, gesturing further down the hall. "Room 303 will be yours for now. Food's in the fridge if you need any and you're free to use the showers any time you please. All I ask is to clean up after yourself, as I'm your caretaker, not your housemaid."

I nodded before limping towards the door, biting back an amused chuckle when the black wolf scrambled to move out of the way. Heavy footsteps followed my paws before a hand pushed open my new room.

It was a simple room with bed, side table, a desk in front of the window and a closet for clothes I didn't own in the first place. A few decorations were placed here and there but it was good enough.

I guess this would be home...

...for now.