Chapter Three

I slipped out under the cover of night. My father was an arrogant man who believed he had us all on a tight leash but with my alpha pheromones it was no issue to command the gaurds' silence if I were ever caught. Despite that ability I found sneaking much more exhilarating. I had mastered it to the point I could walk out the door without alarming anyone, it was amusing though to see the "security" my father implemented. The gaurds were mindless dogs, a sorry sight from when I was a child under my grandfather's leadership. He had made us mighty through honor and strength. Father chased the greed of man, monetary wealth. Money could not buy true loyalty or pride, leaving the gaurds lack luster.

I walked through the forest easily, it was my home away from home. The crisp spring air was filled with the earthy smell of faint rain and luscious evergreens, it made my skin tingle as I took a deep breathe of it and let it clear my mind. My grandfather had brought me out here since I was a pup and every memory was precious. I would live my life here but I sought something more daring to relieve my frustrations. I smiled as I laid my eyes on the bustling Lunar City also known as the City of Rogues to the more conservative elders. It is one of the few all werewolf cities to exist and where most alphas do business. It is not under any single pack hence why some call it a rogue city but the more prudish deem it unsavory as it was filled with bars, dance clubs and all the dark alley fun of mortals. I had my heart set on my favorite hole in the wall. The Shadow Lounge. It was a little bar in the basement of a hotel, nothing special about it design wise but the ideology was liberating. No one held a title in the bar. Everyone was the same regardless of gender or title. I found it by chance so long ago, I was eighteen and my father had beaten me for something so trivial I have forgotten it but the shiny smile of the bartender was forever engraved in my mind. Her name was Haven and she was a rogue. Like me she was suppressed in her pack but unlike me she freed herself and found a life out in the world. She lived a life of freedom and though I was insanely jealous we became fast friends as she shared her tales with me and listened to my woes.

I through myself on a stool at the bar, the smell of years worth of cigarettes and booze oddly comforting to me as I felt myself loosen up. I hated the uptight life I usually led so I found great solace in the laid back atmosphere. Haven was busy with customers but her coworker Lenny was ready to lend an ear.

"You feeling OK Lena? You look more...out of it than usual." Lenny was another friend, the son of a more understanding wolf he lived his young life out in the city and frequents home in a pack a bit farther away. He was handsome with medium length slick back blonde hair and piercing green eyes, his tall trim physique was attractive and my type but he and I batted for the same love team.

I sighed and motioned for a bit drink. He nodded as he handed me a cup of straight liquor. I poured my heart out more with every new drink. we talked about my father and how much I hated my life, he in turn told me about his life with his new mate. His mate was a beta male with female capabilities. It was common amongst the omega class but on rare occasions higher ranks could be born with female capabilities and male bodies. Some packs would discards them or kill them young if they were higher ranks because they found them, disfigured. Omegas had more freedom in my eyes. People treated them like lessers socially but they lived less suffocating lives with fewer expectations.

He told me about his lover and I found myself feeling more comforted as I watched his face light up. I was envious of his ability to choose his love. Even if I found my destined mate if he wasn't powerful but obedient to father than I'd never be able to marry him. I felt my face flush with anger again. "Why can't I love freely huh?!" I jumped up in the heat of the moment and stumbled over. luckily I caught myself and laid my head on the counter top.

Haven came over and patted my head softly. "Oh kiddo, you should just leave. He can't keep you locked away now. You're an adult."

I looked up at her teary eyed. Her long teal hair tied back in a messy bun, her golden eyes popping against her edgy deep smokey eye colors and ruby red lipstick that complimented her golden olive tone. She was beautiful but also a notorious firecracker. She was someone who did what she said she would. She left and never looked back, I still had Daisy to hold onto and the memories of my pack under my grandfather made it hard to write them off. My misery wasn't their fault. I sat there silently for a while letting the muffled music play in my head until a cheerful voice caught my attention. It was Lenny's lover, he was cute and more feminine than I imagined for a beta. He was cute with soft touch pink hair and sky blue eyes, he was smaller than Lenny and thinner but he had strong commanding pheromones. The two looked so in love as they kissed and held each other I fair a pain in my heart. What was it like? To be intimate with someone that didn't make you want to rip your flesh off just avoid their touch.

I looked at Haven with sparkling eyes, she had many lovers before so I didn't hesitate to ask. "What's it like? being with someone, like they are."

Haven looked at them carefully and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, I've never been in love. Now if you're asking me what it's like being with a man, that's different. "

"OK, what's that like thenand how do you choose a partner? " the alcohol mixed with genuine curiosity made me feel like a sixteen year old at a slumber party. Haven rolled her eyes and laughed. She poured me some water and sighed.

"They make my inner beast howl, you'll understand it when you feel it and when you do don't think. Just go with it, trust me. "

I sighed as I say there until the early morning hours, the midnight rush faded and Haven started closing up. Lenny and his lover cleaned together while Haven shooed everyone out. I to was shooed out but Haven offered a ride to her place if I waited patiently. I was much to numb to sneak back in properly so I nodded and sat on the curb in front of the hotel. The night hair felt nice on my warm cheeks. I was oblivious to everyone around me until something caught my nose. I stood up quickly and locked eyes with a mysterious pair of blue eyes.

I stumbled to make a sound, all I managed to mutter was "woof"