Chapter 40
959words
Perhaps it was true that someone inside the mansion had plotted with the rogue. But that someone must be extremely knowledgeable and strategic. Getting past the borders must've taken quite a great mind and perfect timing. Anastasia didn't know who it could be. Everyone had been kind to her ever since she was here. Well, except Wendy. However, Wendy was in a cell now. There was no way she'd be plotting behind closed walls. But it could be possible.
An hour had passed by and Anastasia was starting to get sleepy. With half opened eyes, she saw Draco going towards her, exhausted and stressed. She welcomed him with open arms. "Tired?"
"I am," he answered, nuzzling his face into his neck. She hugged him tight and he hugged her back tighter. She was feeling so tired and he slowly fell asleep with his head on her shoulder. Anastasia quickly fell asleep right after.
The next morning, everyone was extremely busy preparing for something. Anastasia noticed it without any effort. Alpha Draco took her and her breakfast with him to his office. She understood that he was trying to keep her safe but this was just too much. He was acting so protective, forgetting that she had just passed her final training. Still, Anastasia decided to behave for him. He was already stressed enough as it was.
After some time of finishing her breakfast and reading a boring book and seeing Draco being focused on something else, Anastasia sighed. She decided she should probably go freshen up in the comfort room before boredom completely consumes her.
"Don't go anywhere without me," Draco warned as soon as she tried to leave the room.
"Why?"
"There's a rogue roaming around the place, remember?" he reminded as if that should've been obvious. "I don't think you understand the weight of the problem. Rogues are dangerous, known for their vicious crimes. They betrayed their Alpha and now they live without a pack — A lone wolf."
He ran a hand down his face as if he knew she might not understand it. "When a rogue illegally crosses a border and enters another's territory, their main goal is to hurt the Alpha. That means.. targeting the Alpha's weakness."
His dark gaze turned to look her in the eyes and she could see so much concern. "I know what mine is," he continued, looking directly at her. Was she his weakness? "I want to protect you, baby doll. I don't want you to get hurt."
"But.. why are they doing this?" she questioned. Who would have so much time and effort to do something like this? Who would want to see a known leader losing someone he loves? Anastasia never liked violence and she didn't think she could ever live, knowing she was causing violence to someone else.
"Only one thing is for sure," he stated with certainty.
"What?"
"Revenge," he said it with what seemed like a heavy weight weighing on his shoulders. "I don't have quite the perfect past," he began with a heavy sigh. "I fought a war against another pack and made enemies of my own. Even in places I didn't expect."
His eyes seemed to say something else, a past he wanted to forget. She wanted to know more but he didn't seem to want to talk about it at the moment. "This rogue," she whispered. "Who do you think it is?"
"I don't know," he answered, thinking deep. "But I have an idea."
"Who?" she asked, curious. All the time that she had lived as a normal human, Anastasia didn't imagine that there were a lot of werewolves out there. Different kind of packs and Alphas. Not even rogues.
"Long ago, I had a friend," he started. "Our friendship began in our youth. He was like.. the brother I never had. We grew up with a certain bond no one could ever replace. But his true colors showed eventually. It only took some time."
"What happened?"
"I found out he went behind my back and plotted to kill me."
She looked at him, horrified. "What did you do? Did you lock him up? Is he still here?"
He shook his head.
"Did you kill him?"
"I couldn't."
She watched as his jaw clenched. He looked at the forest view in front of them. A clear glass separated them from the outside world. He seemed to be looking at a distance and remembering something from a far away memory.
"I banished him," he finally stated.
The way he was telling her this now made her feel so sad. It was like he still felt a lot of anger after everything that happened. Maybe it was hard to move on from something like this.
"That's why I'm trying to protect you," he explained, looking down at her, his eyes dark and warm. "I don't want anything to happen to you. I have enemies anywhere."
"Alright," she sighed, giving up. "If it'll make you feel better, I'll stay with you here until you find him."
He gave her a smile as he kissed her forehead, making her feel safe. A loud knock on the door interrupted them and Edward came in urgently with a serious face. This time, she hoped it was good news.
