Akira's pov.

A voice echoed in my mind, stronger this time. “You are chosen, Akira.”

“Chosen for what?” I demanded, but the voice didn’t answer.

The glow intensified, and suddenly, I was surrounded by light. My body felt weightless as if I were floating.

Although I was no longer in the cave when the light finally faded, I stood in an open field under the full moon in a vast I knew it couldn’t be night yet.

Suddenly a tall, imposing, and undeniably powerful figure emerged from the distance, the man’s golden eyes locked onto mine.

“Who are you?” I called out, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

He stopped a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

“That shouldn't be the real question, you need to ask yourself, Akira, who are you?”

Who am I?

I tried to understand his question as his words sent a chill down my spine. My breath caught in my throat as I stood still contemplating his questions.

The cold wind of air struck against my face causing distraction as I made my way through the dimly lit streets of the border town.

All I could see was a stench of alcohol and smoke filled the air, but I was already used to it.

Becoming a rogue wasn't about comfort; survival was mostly their focus; you must fight to stay alive.

I swiftly pulled my hood over my face and I ducked into a tavern. The place was crowded, voices blending into a chaotic hum.

The pain in my abdomen made me crave food. Hunger was part of my struggle.

The rejection with the pain in my heart made my stomach growl, reminding me it had been over a day since my last meal. I could feel the horrific pain making me unrest.

“What can I do now?” I whispered to myself, I needed a moment to warm up and maybe steal a loaf of bread from the kitchen when no one was looking, this is the only way I can sort myself out.

A man was sitting in the far corner; I scanned the room, and my eyes landed on him. His dark hair fell over piercing eyes that seemed to scan every soul in the room.

His presence was magnetic, his aura commanding, I couldn't look away.

“You've to be careful where you stare,” A gruff voice snapped beside me.

I blinked when I realized the bartender was glaring at me; in hesitation, I walked close to him. “Sorry,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.

I turned back toward the corner, but the man was gone. My pulse quickened, why did it feel like he was still watching me?

I shook off the unease and moved towards the back of the tavern. My head brushed against a loaf of bread which left me unattended on the counter.

Just as my finger curled around it, a deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Aren't you taught that stealing is a bad habit, and you want to get caught in it?”.

I froze; the voice was smooth, yet it held an edge that made my race; slowly, I turned.

It was him.

“I wasn't stealing,” I quickly said, clutching the bread behind my back.

He raised one of his dark eyebrows. “Really? Then what do you call it?”

“It's called surviving,” I snapped before I could stop myself. “You, too, can give it a try.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. “Fair enough I don't do that”. He leaned closer with his eyes locking onto mine. “But survival comes at a cost, rogue”.

My breath hitched. How did he even know I'm a rogue? Something is fishy here.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, stepping backward; I needed to hide myself because I would be in danger if anyone found out I was a rogue.

He straightened, his gaze never leaving mine. “Of course you don't”.

Before I could reply, he reached into his pocket and tossed a coin onto the counter. “That's for the bread; use it and sort yourself.” He said.

I stared at him, confused. “Why would you do that?”.

“Because you intrigue me, and I believe you deserve the best,” he simply replied.

His answer left me more unsettled than I cared to admit. I didn’t like being noticed, especially not by someone as dangerous as him.

“Let me figure this out” I paused for a while, wiggling my fingers. “What do you want from me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Nothing… yet,” he said, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

Before I could press him further, the tavern door burst open, and a group of men stormed in. Their eyes scanned the room, landing on me almost immediately.

“A Rogue!” One of them barked. “We’ve been looking for you”.

I felt the blood drain on my face. None of them could be recognized by me, I wondered what would have triggered their curiosity, but the hostility in their eyes was clear.

“And so what's your problem with that?” the mysterious man asked, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous edge.

“Don't worry about that, I can handle it” I lied, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest.

He chuckled, low and dark. “I don't doubt it but let me help”.

Before I could refuse, he stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of the entire room.

“Stay back and don't come close, she is under my protection,” he said with his voice cold and unyielding.

“That’s not none of our business. We don't care to know who you are, but you see her. She’s a rogue, and rogues have no protection.” The men hesitated, clearly intimidated, but their leader stepped forward.

“Is that so?” The man beside me smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You’re playing with hell”

Before anyone could react, he moved with confidence, approaching them. In the blink of an eye, he swiftly pinned the leader against the wall, his hand around the man’s throat.

“One more chance, I suggest you reconsider or you face your doom,” he said, his voice low and deadly.

The tension in the room was so thick it was silent and suffocating. The men exchanged nervous glances before backing away.

“We’ll be back,” the leader spat as the mysterious man released him.

“I’ll be waiting,” he replied, his tone casual as if he wasn’t just threatening someone’s life.

The men left, and the tavern slowly returned to its usual noise. I stood frozen, unsure of what had just happened.

Akira's pov.

“What a great strength and threat you instill in them but you didn’t have to do that,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s the only way to deal with some animals who refuse to heed instructions,” he said, turning to face me. “Because now, you owe me.”

I frowned. “Owe you? For what?”

“For your life,” he said, his tone serious.

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. He wasn’t wrong.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice softer this time.

He hesitated for a moment before answering. “Someone who sees potential in you.”

His answer only left me with more questions. “That’s not an answer and what potential are you talking about?.”

“It’s the only one answer you’ll get; with time, you'll learn,” he said, his expression unreadable.

I felt a pull toward him, looking confused with an inexplicable connection that I couldn’t ignore.

“Thank you for your concern; I appreciate your care,” I said reluctantly, knowing I owed him more than I could ever repay.

He nodded, his eyes softening slightly. “Don’t thank me yet, rogue. This is only the beginning.”

He didn't explain further; he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night as quickly as he had appeared.

I stood there in contemplation, clutching the bread he had paid for, my mind racing. Who was he? Why had he helped me?

The most important part of it, which I was interested in, was what he even meant by “only the beginning?”

“What beginning was he referring to?”

I whispered to myself with much curiosity but I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life had just taken a turn I wasn’t prepared for.

A lot kept me flashing back to my past experiences. I stepped out into the cold night air with much thought in my heart.

What had I gotten myself into?

The cold night wrapped around me as I stepped into the shadowy streets, clutching the bread tighter than I needed to.

Everything looks like a dream. More thought came stripping to my mind replaying his words, his voice, and the way his presence seemed to claim the very air around him.

Meeting a stranger without knowing a few things about him, I didn’t even know his name, yet I couldn’t deny the pull he had on me—a magnetic force I couldn’t explain. It was as if I was enchanted by him.

I walked aimlessly, the tavern growing quieter behind me. The truth was, I didn’t have a plan.

Rogues rarely did. It was all about surviving the day, but tonight felt different.

The eyes of the stranger haunted me, his voice echoing in my mind.

The sound of footsteps behind me brought me to a halt. My heart raced as I turned, my instincts on edge.

“It's me,” he said, his voice low and calm.

I sharply exhaled. “You again, why are you following me?”.

He shrugged his hands tucked into his coat pocket. “It seems as if you missed your direction, are you lost?”.

“I’m not lost,” I said defensively, though I wasn't sure it was true.

He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “If you're not lost then what are you?”.

I kept mute without an answer. Instead, I looked away, focusing on the cobblestone beneath my boots.

“Come with me, I've something to show you” he suddenly said.

I blinked up at him. “What?”

“You look famished; you're freezing alone; I know you're hungry. I have a place nearby. You can stay the night” he offered, his tone casual yet firm.

“Are you mocking me? Do I look hungry or homeless to you?” I angrily asked, defending myself.

He swiftly interjected. “Don't think negatively. That's not what I meant; I'm sorry if your thoughts do not correspond to my benevolence.”

For a moment, I hesitated, although accepting his offer felt dangerous, the alternative was spending another vulnerable and exposed night in the cold.

“Why are you so kind to me? To be sincere, why are you doing this?” I asked.

He smirked. “Let’s just say I’m curious about you”.

Curiosity wasn't a good enough reason to trust him, but something in his gaze told me I wasn't in danger—not from him. Against my better judgment, I nodded.

We walked in silence in a small inn tucked away in a quiet corner of the town. He led me to a room, its warmth and simplicity a stark contrast to the harsh world outside.

“Feel at home; you can have the bed,” he said, tossing his coat onto a chair.

I hesitated by the door. “You’ve been so nice to me. How do I repay you?”

He leaned against the wall, his eyes softening. “You’ve nothing to pay for; I noticed there's something great in you, Akira.”

I was astonished by the sound of my name on his lips sending a shiver down my spine. “How do you know my name? But I don't even know yours”.

“That's because you never asked”. He said with a charming smile.

“So what's your name, mysterious stranger, and what great thing do you see in me?”. I asked my voice barely above a whisper.

He kept mute without uttering any words; instead, he closed the distance between us, his hand brushing against my cheek.

The warmth of his touch melted the walls I’d spent years building.

For one night, I wanted to forget. Forget the pain, the loneliness, the endless fight to survive. And with him, I could.

Without another thought, I leaned in, letting the pull between us consume me.

His lips met mine, igniting a fire that burned away every thought but him. His touch was firm yet gentle, as though he understood the fragility of this moment.

The world outside disappeared as his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. Our breaths mingled, and the tension gave way to passion that neither of us held back.

Hours melted into each other, the room filled with whispers, soft gasps, and the sound of two souls colliding in the night. For once, I let myself feel—alive, wanted, whole.

When I woke, the room was eerily quiet. His side of the bed was cold, his presence a lingering ghost.

I sat up, scanning the unfamiliar space. Panic bubbled in my chest. This wasn’t his house—it was a hotel room.

Why did he leave without saying goodbye? And who was he?

Akira's pov.

It all started with a small thing that made a wave of nausea in the mornings, the sudden exhaustion that pulled me down like a heavy anchor creating an overwhelming sense of unease.

For some weeks now, I have ignored the signs, chalking them up to stress or bad food.

But one special morning made another shocking experience as I leaned over the side of the stream to wash my face.

I realized I was pregnant. This came like a wave of lighting striking my heart and sending shivers around my body.

I was pregnant yet not happy; I couldn't be pregnant with a stranger I barely knew.

The world seemed to freeze, making my hands tremble as I placed them on my stomach; I was barely able to comprehend what this meant.

The previous night, I allowed myself to forget my pain and escape from its reality had left me with more than just memories. I could imagine myself carrying a pup.

“No, this can't be possible. How am I supposed to do this?” I whispered to the wind as tears began streaming down my face. “I'm an outcast rogue who's very lonely. So how can I raise a child in a world that wants us deaf?”

The silence of the wind did not answer, but it reminded me of what I already knew. I couldn't stay here and even let my past catch up with me or risk my pup growing up in the shadow of my failures.

Days turned into weeks as I prepared to leave the forest that had been my hiding place. Survival wasn't an easy thing but I managed, scavenging food and avoiding anyone who might recognize me.

Every step was filled with fear; coming out in public would take some longer processes of observation to avoid intruders or spies; I wasn't doing this for myself alone but for the tiny life growing inside of me.

One evening, as I rummaged through an abandoned cabin for supplies, I heard voices. My heart stopped.

“Did you hear what Caleb's planning?”.

The name alone was enough to make me freeze. “What would he be planning?” I whispered to myself, hiding myself to eavesdrop on more information.

The memory of Caleb's rejection kept flashing in my mind, my Alpha, my mate. The man who rejected me and threw me out like I was nothing.

“No,” Another voice replied. “But whatever could be his plan, is going to be big because the Nightshade pack had been gathering rogues, and they are not being subtle about it”.

“Rogues? Caleb hates rogues. What's he up to?”.

“That's one of the issues we need to figure out because he's not just gathering them; he is also leading them.”

A shiver ran down my spine. How could Caleb be the leading rogue? I was the same rogue he rejected.

This doesn't make any sense. The Caleb I knew despised anyone who wasn't part of the pack.

I pressed myself closer to the wall, straining to hear more, but the voices faded as the strangers moved on.

My mind raced. Whatever may be Caleb's planning it wouldn't be of good deeds.

The next morning, I sat by the edge of a cliff, staring out at the endless forest below. The wind carried the faint scent of pine and rain, but it couldn’t calm the storm inside me.

I had two choices: continue running and protect my pup from afar, or return to the pack that had rejected me and face whatever Caleb was planning head-on.

“This could be more dangerous than I think.” I stood still contemplating”. “But why does it have to be this way?” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

“Akira! Is that you?” a deep voice said from behind me in excitement. “Waw!

I never thought I’d see you again”.

My heart was pounding as I whipped around. Standing there was a man I didn’t recognize, but his scent told me he was from the Nightshade pack. His dark eyes glinted with curiosity, and a smirk played on his lips.

“See me again, How? And Who are you?” I curiously asked, demanding an answer, keeping my voice steady despite the fear creeping into my chest.

“My name is Darius,” he said, taking a step closer. “And you’re the infamous Akira, the rogue who broke Caleb’s heart.”

“You must be joking. Do I break his heart, or he broke mine?” My anger rises but deafening.

“I'm sorry if I got you pissed off,” he swiftly apologized.

I stiffened. “What do you want?”

“Well, seeing you today has made my day, there's nothing much to be requested,” he said with a shrug.

“Ok, that's good for you, if you don't mind excuse me”. I said, trying to avoid him.

“Wait a minute,” he interjected, intruding into my space. “I Just thought you’d want to know that Caleb hasn’t forgotten about you. He’s been talking about you a lot lately.”

My stomach churned. “Why would I care?”

“You don't have to say that, Akira; Caleb still has you in mind.”

“And what's my business with that? If he did he wouldn't have rejected me”

“The Alpha had made, and he's ready to put things for your sake; I beg you, Akira, don't turn him down,” He said, his voice low and convincing.

“It's late, too late for an adjustment; tell him I say so.”

Darius tilted his head, studying me like a predator sizing up its prey. “Because whatever Caleb’s planning, you’re a part of it. Whether you like it or not.”

The words haunted me long after Darius disappeared into the trees. What did Caleb want with me? Why would he involve me in his schemes after everything he’d done?

As the days passed, I found myself unable to shake the feeling that I couldn’t run forever. My pup deserved better than a mother who was always looking over her shoulder. If I wanted to protect my child, I needed to face my past.

But as I packed my things and prepared to head back toward the pack I once called home, one question lingered in my mind:

Would I be walking into a trap?