Safe for Now - Halley's POV
We follow the leader deeper into the camp, each step echoing against the mix of wood, metal, and dirt under our shoes. The wolves’ eyes follow us, their raw energy, mixing with our own. Sam’s presence beside me riles them further, but they don’t move. I feel a ripple in our bond as memories resurface. Fear, pain, and the hunger for revenge all seethe beneath the surface.
The leader stops at a larger shelter made from twisted branches and a tarp patched with scraps of what appears to be leather. He gestures for us to sit on logs that circle a low fire, the flames flickering against the hard lines of his face. A few other rogues hover nearby, probably waiting to hear scraps of information for their own curiosity.
“Talk,” he says, his voice low and calm. “Why should I risk my pack for your war?”
I lean forward, keeping my gaze level with his. “Because the council won’t stop with us. We may be at the top of your list, but he won’t stop there. You know it,” I say, my voice just as low as his. “We’re offering you protection, resources, and a chance to change the rules before they come for you. You can stay in hiding, waiting to be purged from existence, or you can stand with us and make them respect you.”
Sam’s hand brushes mine in reassurance, a silent reminder that we are in this together.
“We’re not asking for your blind loyalty,” he says, his tone sharp. “We’re asking you to make a choice. Stand with us, and no matter what happens at the Summit, none of us will be hunted for who we are and who we choose to be with.”
The leader watches him closely, his eyes narrowing as if he’s weighing out every word. Around us, other wolves shift their stances, muttering among themselves. A few nod slightly while others watch on, their interests piqued.
“Change the rules,” the leader repeats slowly. “And if this goes wrong?”
I meet his gaze. “Then we fight. Together or alone. But if we wait, the Council comes first for you and then for the rest.”
He leans back, exhaling sharply through his nose. “You talk big. You speak like someone who’s already won, but words don’t win wars. Actions do.”
“Then watch,” Sam replies, his voice low and steady. “We’ll act, and we’ll prove we’re serious, but we could use allies. If not, then I guess you’ll be facing them alone.”
For a long moment, silence stretches across the fire. Then the leader finally leans forward, elbows on his knees, and studies us both like he’s weighing the weight of every soul in the camp.
“You’ll stay the night like I said,” he says at last. “We’ll talk more in the morning. If what you say holds weight, maybe we’ll see if your Summit is worth joining. But cross us, and you leave with nothing.”
I nod once, sharply, meeting Sam’s gaze. “Fair enough.”
We settle near the fire, but neither of us truly relax. The rogues don’t put off the most comforting feeling. They only give space as their gazes flick between us and others in the camp. Sam lowers his shoulders slightly, but the tension in his jaw remains. I can feel it in the bond, tight and restless, like a horse that refuses to slow. His thoughts do the same.
On the opposite side of the fire, the wolves out in the camp begin the quiet business of the night. Some mend clothes, others sharpen blades. Then I hear whispering in half-formed words that vanish when we glance their way. None of them move with ease, yet none leave, either. This is their territory, and every eye on us is a reminder that trust here is earned, not given.
I shift on the log and notice the children in the shadows, peering out from behind shelters and the legs of adults.
“You never said there were kids,” I whisper to Sam.
“Because I didn’t know. It’s not like I could see when they kept me in the crate.”
Their eyes are curious but wary. Even in the darkness, the raw hunger for survival is written across their faces. I feel a pang of something protective rushing through my veins.
The leader glances at me once. “They watch and hope for a brighter future. We are all outcasts, because of the council and their wicked ways.”
“I thought they didn’t throw anyone out of the pack, so how did you all end up here?”
He scoffs. “You all have been lied to. People are thrown out of their packs daily, or at least almost daily. Someone doesn’t fit the pack’s idea of a wolf, then they’re gone. Too many alphas, they’re gone. It’s just the way of the council. The only thing they’ve ever killed for is what you two have, though.”
I’m awestruck. “So, all of you were thrown out? What about the children?”
“No, they were not thrown into exile. It was all adults, but we try to live our lives just as we would have if we had never been thrown out. What the council does isn’t fair to anyone. No one should have to live by their ridiculous rules.”
I nod along, wondering which ones he’s talking about.
“You have no idea, do you?”
I glance up, meeting his gaze. “Know about what?”
“Their rules,” he says, leaning forward again. “There are many, but I found out after becoming an exile that certain areas of packs have different rules than others. It’s like we’re a test and they want to see what works. Then, they make them into official laws that apply to all, just like the one that prevents alphas and betas, like yourselves, from being together.”
I blink a few times before glancing at Sam. “So, it’s certain areas… That’s why we wouldn’t know.”
“Wolves here come from all over,” he says before snatching an apple off a nearby plate. “I’ve heard a little of everything. You’d be surprised at some of the ridiculous rules that have been spouted from the mouths of alphas. If you are promising freedom from all of it, then I may just be inclined to follow. As for tonight, sleep. You are safe… for now.”