Chapter 1
For a werewolf, being classified as Rogue was the ultimate betrayal, something that goes against all of our ingrained instincts.
It is a label given to those who have strayed from their pack’s loyalty, going against the will of their Alpha and Luna.
This rare title is not as unheard of as it once was decades ago, but it still holds immense weight in our culture.
To us, being part of a pack is an essential part of our identity, something that our inner wolves crave and require.
Going against this primal need is a fate worse than death in the eyes of most werewolves.
Yes, I am a rogue, an outlaw in our society, but my actions are guided by a strong moral compass.
I chose to go against the norms of our culture for a specific and just cause.
The consequences of being a rogue are severe - crossing a pack or anyone with power can lead to swift and merciless punishment, without any chance for explanation or understanding.
In this cutthroat world, no one cares for compassion or redemption.
Survival is all that matters in the end.
My name is Micaiah Winters, I am a young woman of twenty-one years.
But my true identity lies beyond what meets the eye - I am a werewolf, cursed to roam the world as a rogue for six long years.
Memories of my past flash before me as I recount my journey, and it all began with a twist of fate that changed everything.
I did not leave my old pack under any malicious circumstances; instead, I made the choice to become a rogue.
The Gravestone pack, named after its long line of powerful Alphas and their family name, was once my home.
As a member of the pack’s Beta family, I was born into a position of respect and responsibility.
My parents held the title of Betas during my youth, providing guidance and support for our pack.
I also have an older brother Elijah, whose age exceeded mine by seven years.
To me, he was simply known as EJ - a protector, role model, and friend.
At the young age of eleven, I huddled in a cramped and stuffy safe room with other children, terrified and clinging to each other as the deafening sounds of battle raged outside.
The screams of our loved ones mixed with the roar of weapons and explosions, making it impossible to tell if they were still alive.
We prayed desperately for their safety, our hearts pounding so hard we could feel them in our throats.
After what felt like an eternity, the battle finally ended, leaving behind a haunting silence that was almost worse than the chaos before.
My brother stood outside the safe room, his body bearing numerous wounds from the fierce battle.
I ran to him and embraced him tightly, tears streaming down my face.
“EJ, where are mom and dad? Are they at the hospital? Please, I need to see them,” I pleaded desperately.
EJ pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe, and I could hear his sniffling as he fought back tears.
Despite knowing deep down what his answer would be, I refused to believe it.
“They’re alive, right? Don’t lie to me,” I sobbed.
“I’m so sorry, Ki,” he whispered, using his childhood nickname for me.
His words were like a punch to the gut, and I couldn’t stop crying.
But his embrace was comforting, and I clung onto him with all my might, afraid that I may lose him too.
After that day, we became even closer.
We moved in with our uncle Jeff near the dangerous borders of our land.
It was strange because Uncle Jeff had never been around when our parents were still alive.
Yet now, he was the only family we had left.
A year had passed since I began my training, eagerly preparing myself for the challenges to come.
At fourteen years old, we were finally allowed to join the pack, to learn how to defend ourselves and our loved ones.
But even younger individuals were encouraged to learn self-defense, especially after the tragic events of the last battle on our lands.
At just thirteen years old, I joined the ranks, determined to become skilled in protecting those I cared for.
EJ and I had always been close, but after our parents’ deaths, he was set to take over as beta of our pack.
However, the trauma from losing our parents and witnessing the destruction caused by the enemy’s attack left him hesitant to take on such a responsibility.
The arrival of the Midnight Sun Pack brought a sense of excitement and urgency to the small pack.
They were here to assist in training, specifically for the head warriors and the soon-to-be Female Beta, who would one day take over as Alpha when her brother ascended to the position.
It was a rare occurrence for a female to hold such a powerful rank, earning it through skill and merit rather than being mated into it like most packs.
As we anxiously awaited their arrival, we prepared to welcome our guests with open arms.
We were grateful for their assistance, as our pack needed extra training in order to thrive in this dangerous world.
Despite what common myths may say, werewolves did not find their mates at the tender age of sixteen.
In fact, we weren’t even considered legal adults at that time.
Instead, our fates were determined at the age of eighteen - a time when we were fully matured and ready to face the challenges that came with finding our destined partner.
As they emerged from their cars, she caught my eye immediately.
With her long, jet-black hair cascading down her tan skin and piercing dark blue eyes, she radiated an otherworldly beauty.
But it wasn’t just her appearance that caught my attention - as soon as she stepped out of the car, she began sniffing the air with a deep sense of concentration.
My brother EJ’s low growl snapped me out of my trance.
I couldn’t help but wonder what had him so on edge.
Then, in unison, they both uttered the word that changed everything: “Mate.”
It was a word filled with awe and excitement, and I couldn’t help but feel happy for my dear brother who had finally found his life partner.
I knew all too well the feeling of finding your mate and how it could consume you.
And knowing her rank, I knew EJ would go with her without hesitation.
The pack trained us for two weeks to make us stronger, preparing us for this moment.
But now it was time for them to leave, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of being separated from my brother.
I remember the strain in the air as I walked into the kitchen, my brother EJ and his mate Emma holding each other tightly, deep in discussion.
I could see the worry etched on their faces, knowing that they didn’t want to leave me alone.
But Emma, fiercely independent and strong-willed, had earned her title and refused to leave without her mate by her side.
In that moment, I knew what I had to do for my brother’s sake.
“EJ, you must go be with your mate. I will be alright,” I said sadly but confidently.
He hesitated, not wanting to leave me behind.
But I also knew that he needed to get out of this house, out of his depression.
“Ki, I cannot just leave you behind. Come with us,” he pleaded.
But I couldn’t bring myself to leave my childhood home just yet.
“EJ, since our parents died, you have given up everything for me. Now it’s time for you to focus on your own happiness. Please, go be with your mate.”
He hugged me tightly, tears glistening in his eyes.
Emma joined in the hug as well, a rare display of affection from her tough exterior.
“You know you are one wise young lady,” she said with a smile.
And for a brief moment, I felt proud to have earned such a compliment from someone as badass as her.
“Thanks, Emma. EJ, just come visit when I have my first shift at least. You don’t have to come all the time, just call or stop by once in a while.”
He hugged me again and kissed me on the top of my head.
“Always Ki. You are my baby sister and we will always be connected no matter where life takes us.”
The day my brother left was etched into my memory, a bittersweet ache that never faded.
He had been the Beta of our pack, burdened with responsibilities and duties that kept him away from home for long stretches of time.
Despite his absence, he would visit when he could, his deep voice crackling through the phone as he updated us on his life.
I never held it against him; I knew our parents would have been proud of him for shouldering his role with honor.
