A wave of sympathy filled Roxy at the thought of the rogues. It was hard to believe the unforgiving and mangy creatures had once been just like any other good wolf. Ones that belonged to well-meaning packs and were capable of feeling emotions such as happiness and love. Until something tragic had sent them down a lonely and dark path of self-destruction before turning rotten. They craved something to give them a new sense of belonging from whatever they'd lost, no matter how ghastly – to try numb themselves from their pain. Over time the rogue lifestyle would become embedded in them. The lore-abiding wolf that they once were faded faster with every cynical thing they did. Happy memories were distorted. Their minds were slowly brainwashed into believing the lifestyle they now led had always been the right one.

The door opened and Trent's large frame stood before her. A warm smile filled his face but Roxy could see stress and confusion looming in his brown eyes. 'Come on in, Roxy.'

The office, which was usually a room of organised paperwork and books was in total disarray. Roxy tried not to react to the number of open books on the floor with red marker scribbled in them and paperwork strewn all over the desk. The filing cabinets' drawers hung open to expose folders that looked like they'd been rifled through countless times. He was searching for answers.

The only thing that looked out of place in the chaotic mess was Cleo, who sat on the desk amongst the paperwork, wearing a pair of skinny jeans that showed the length of her legs and a loose camisole. Her long beachy hair, much like Roxy's after growing up on the coast, was tied up into a high ponytail and her blue eyes sparkled against her tanned skin. She'd always been a natural beauty; as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

'Hey. How are you holding up?' She reached out a hand and squeezed Roxy's in it tightly. 'I just came from the infirmary. Kenny is doing well. He suffered from a lot of blood loss and they're still running tests to make sure there aren't any infections, but other than that he's beginning to recover.'

'Oh good.' Roxy let out a breath of relief. She'd never seen a fellow pack member die and she hoped she never would. Although that was slim pickings in the world they'd found themselves living in.

The office door clicked shut behind them and Trent sagged in the office chair tiredly, swaying from side to side as he thought. Cleo slipped off the desk to walk around and place a gentle kiss on his cheek before slipping into his lap. He scooted closer to the desk, resting his large forearms on top. 'I need you to tell me everything you can about the rogue, Roxy.'

She swallowed. 'It was just like any other wolf. Gross fur, looked like it hadn't ate for weeks... creepy yellow eyes.'

'You said it got scared and ran away? What scared it?'

'I don't know. It was like it'd seen something but Kenny and I were the only ones with it.'

Trent nodded, looking slightly agitated that there wasn't more information. 'Can you remember anything else that was strange?'

Roxy sucked in a shaky breath and began nodding slowly. 'Yes. I think it came down from the tree. I was watching it run through the woods around us until it suddenly disappeared. Next thing the tree above us began rustling and when I turned around it was on Kenny's back. As if it'd fallen from thin air – literally.'

A deep frown set into Trent' face. 'Wolves don't climb, Roxy. We're not that agile not to mention far too heavy.'

'I know how it sounds, but I swear this one did.' She looked to Cleo for support. 'Maybe they're learning new ways to survive?'

Trent pushed Cleo off his lap walk across to the window and gazed out of it. The sun was beginning to set which meant the private beach on the other side of the woods would look magnificent in a pink glow. It was Roxy's favourite time and place for some alone time. 'Rogues that can now climb trees? Now that's a scary thought.'

'They have to be getting led by some powerful leader,' muttered Cleo, more to herself, as she swung side to side in the office chair.

'Rogues don't have leaders. They can barely work together without wanting to tear each others' heads off. The only reason why they do is because there's strength in numbers.' Trent leant against the desk making his tanned biceps flex. 'This is why it's not making sense. For centuries rogues have always been blinded by bloodlust. It makes them clumsy, naïve. Now, they're... educated.' He ran a hand through his blonde hair frustratingly. 'Maybe you're right.'

Roxy rested back in her chair, enjoying the think tanks working in front of her despite the dark conversation. Cleo and Trent had always gotten along well, long before they were declared as soulmates. It'd come as no surprise when they were. Roxy had been relieved that Cleo wouldn't be leaving Saltwater Woods to be with her soulmate. Her older sister had always been there for her and after she'd been rejected by her own soulmate two years ago the thought of being away from Cleo was too hard to bear. She continued to watch as the two bounced ideas off one another between rifling through old books, trying to find some sort of explanation. A sadness filled her and she rubbed at her heart when her inner wolf whined. If only her soulmate life could be like theirs.

All too often she thought about him. It drove her mad. He hadn't wanted her. She should hate him after the heartache he'd put her through. But somehow, she missed him terribly. His handsome face played through her mind daily, remembering how she wanted to tear his shirt from his body so she could reveal the tattoo that'd crept up his neck. His mesmerising green eyes haunted her dreams. Goosebumps would break across her skin each time she thought of his husky voice. But that's all he would ever be.

A handsome stranger.

Time and time again she wondered why he'd rejected her. He hadn't even taken the time to get to know her. Had he heard something about her through the grapevine that had scared him off? She doubted it. Her quiet lifestyle kept her well below the radar for any trouble or gossip. Had he simply not liked the look of her? No, that didn't make any sense. Soulmates loved each other from the inside out. It was said that they were really seeing their other half's soul rather than their outer appearance, hence the name.

The only thing that had brought an end to her month-long pity party after the White Moon Ball was the thought of being like her mother. She couldn't let Cleo sit by and watch another family member lose themselves to heartache. Roxy thought of her estranged mother then the rogue who'd ran away, as if recognising her. Could it have been her? The last time her and her sister had seen their mother was before Cleo's transition – that was nine years ago. Roxy thought of the glowing yellow eyes, a far cry from her mother's stunning turquoise irises. Had she allowed herself to be twisted into a rogue?

Roxy shot up from her chair. 'Cleo... the rogues. What if it's mum?'

Her sister snapped her head around to look at her with narrowed eyes. 'What?'

Roxy had started pacing now. 'We only get a visit by one at a time.' She stopped to grab her by the shoulders. 'What if it's her, Cleo? What if it's her coming back for help? Oh Moon Goddess, what if I killed the rogue today! I could've killed our mother!'

'Roxy, you're being crazy. Mum hasn't turned into a rogue.' Cleo reached out to brush some hair from her face.

'How can you be sure? She was so lost for so long after Dad vanished.' A lump of emotion had wedged itself into her throat, making it hard to breathe.

'Oh, Roxy.' Cleo brought her in for a hug, running a soothing hand down the length of Roxy's golden waves. 'I knew mum a little longer than you did. Believe me when I say despite everything a piece of the real her was always still in there. There's no way she would've gone to the dark side.'

Roxy sniffled up the tears which had began rolling down her face. 'No. You're right. I'm sorry. Being so close to that rogue today alone has rattled me more than I thought it would.'

'It's a big thing to deal with, Roxy.' Trent gave a supportive smile. 'Don't beat yourself up too much.' He suddenly became nervous as his eyes flickered to Cleo. 'I think it's best we tell her now... before everyone else tonight.'

'Tell me what?' Roxy frowned as she looked between Trent and Cleo. An uneasy feeling stirred inside of her.

Trent went to speak but Cleo silenced him by placing a gentle hand on his chest. She turned back to Roxy. 'With the rogue visits escalating we've decided that the best thing to do is to send the younger pack members away. Just for a little while. Until we can figure out what on earth they want with us. That includes you, Roxy.'

'S-send us away?' She reeled back from her sister, betrayal burning in her body. 'Why? Where? We have no other family. Where in the hell am I meant to go?'

'I know it's a shock,' said Cleo in a soothing voice but it was doing nothing to calm her. 'But Trent and I have found you a suitable place to lie low. I hate the thought of us being apart just as much as you do but you need to trust me. I would never have agreed to it if I didn't think it was for the best.'

'If we keep only the experienced wolves here there's less risk of liabilities,' reasoned Trent. 'We're a small pack, we can't afford to lose any members.'

Roxy scoffed. 'So where are you shipping me off to?'

'Moonlight Ridge pack of the Mountainous Region. They're one of the biggest and strongest packs in our realm. You'll be safe there. A fly on the wall,' said Trent.

Roxy's head was spinning. She knew of Moonlight Ridge pack – wolves who didn't must live under rocks. They were one of the original packs, with bloodlines of the first werewolf descendants. It was once led by Alpha Marcus Winters and Luna Esmerelda Winters until their tragic deaths meant the Alpha title had been passed down to their son. Although she'd never laid eyes on him, the rumour mill seemed to be consistent with labelling him unforgiving and callous. A force to be reckoned with.

Roxy wrapped her arms around herself. 'So... you think the rogues are after one of our members?'

Cleo and Trent looked at each other before he spoke. 'Yes. But you can't tell anyone this. The pack doesn't need to be more alarmed than they already are. When rogues want territory, they go for it. This time it's different. They're playing games with us. Waiting, watching. There's every possibility that I'm wrong but for now that's what we're working on.'

Roxy swallowed roughly and flopped into the chair, feeling like she'd been hit with a tonne of bricks. 'So when do I leave?'

'We're expecting the Alpha's decision sometime today and if he agrees...' Cleo looked at her nervously. 'Tomorrow.'