Balance of Light and Shadow

Rogue POV

It took me days to flee my old territory. The supposed Alpha King tracked me for 12 hours through the land before he called off the search. A few hunters tried to track me in the days after that, but I evaded them all.

Seeing my street come into view and the modest 4-bedroom house I called home gave me hope that I had escaped that world again. I put my key in and turned it just glad to be back. “I’m Home”.

My room mate Kimberly is the first to great meet me. “Welcome back. How was the conference”.

“Uh, yeah it was good. Usual sort of Vet updates”. The humans I live with don’t even know werewolves exist, let alone that I’m a wolf. No way I can tell them where I was or what happened.

Michelle comes running up to me way too excited, “Well now that you’re back you need to get dressed up. We’re going out to a wine bar tonight”.

I dramatically groaned. “No. Why”.

She just rolls her eyes, “Because I want to meet someone to have fun with and Kimberly is still looking for Mr husband material”.

I just laugh. “And what about Willow”.

“You know the only men she’s interested in are the ones in her books. Still more than you though”.

I’m the first ready and wait at the bottom of the stairs for my girls. Michelle comes down next in the shortest, tightest red dress she has ever made and matching 5-inch heels.

Michelle sees me and instantly rolls her eyes. “Why do you always dress like a bodyguard. Honestly how are you going to attract a man dressed like that”.

“A, who says I’m looking for one, and B, who is going to protect you from the ones who might actually try and eat you dressed like that”.

Her face lights up and she starts giggling. “I know, I look awesome right. Just need a man looking for a fun time tonight”. We look up the stairs as the other two girls make their grand entrance.

“Well hello commoners. Will you be escorting the ladies tonight on our outing’’, Willow calls out in a playful mocking tone.

Michelle just playfully snaps back. “You’re just jealous I’m this hot and you’re not. Now hurry up we have a reserved booth”.

I wish I could be normal like them.

Walking into the dimly lit bar I check for exits and potential threats hiding in plain sight. I use my senses to check for other wolves. None. Since I know there is a threat, the coolness of my hidden blades against my skin always brings me reassurance as we walk towards our booth.

I’m stuck in my own thoughts, seeing those glowing golden eyes staring at me from the shadows and the word that makes by blood run cold replaying over and over in my head. “Mate”. Even now, I know he’s not here but it’s like I can sense eyes watching me.

“So, what about you girl. What’s new in your life”. I jolt out of my thoughts to see Michelle smiling at me.

“You know me, I never have anything interesting going on in my life. I treat people’s pets at the vet clinic. Make them better when I can and come home. I can tell you about a new surgery technique I’m researching as I want to improve my surgical capabilities. That and I’m planning my monthly camping trip for next week”.

“You really need to get a hobby or something”, Michelle groans dramatically.

I just laugh at her expression. “Hiking and camping is a hobby”.

“You do the same hike and go to the same place each time. How about just going somewhere new and exciting. Somewhere more beach-like with cocktails and cabana boys”.

I just shrug at her. “What can I say, I’m a creature of habit”.

Kimberly suddenly gets very excited and starts frantically tapping my arm. “There is a guy at the bar checking you out”.

I roll my eyes, “Please, I’m sitting next to Mish. His eyes are probably wonky from too much wine”.

A waitress brings over a very expensive bottle of wine to our table. In her best customer service voice, she tells us, “Ladies, this is from the gentleman at the bar”.

Michelle looks over and blows him a kiss. He slowly starts to walk over. In an expensive, fitted three-piece suit, muscle physique, and emerald green eyes solely fixed on me.

Shit. A hunter from the Alpha King’s pack has found me.