His Scarred Rogue

A/N

Welcome back to the Shadowed Sunset Pack, where wolves run wild and men fall hopelessly in love with their women. I’m so excited for you to read this story. Happy reading!❤️

Raive

The smell of blood never does manage to leave my nostrils, instead getting more potent every time I enter the arena.

One would think after only one species ever being successful, the other side would quit, but no, pride keeps the stench of death swirling in the air.

I don’t even know why I continue to come here. The outcome is the same, the energy is the same, the crowd is the same, and the stench is always the same. The only sane reason would be because of the escapism. It offers shelter from two parents who nag and yell. Escape from a home that feels suffocating. Sanctuary from a place that feels more terrifying than if I were to get in that ring and be brought down.

“Your victor!” The speakers blare, carrying the sound of a male voice across the entire building. “Tilly Young!”

Tilly Young is a wolf. And so is every victor that has ever stood in that ring.

I don’t exactly know when we decided that fighting in a ring was fun, but here we are. Rogues and whatever other shifters stupid enough to step up and open their mouths face off almost every night in that ring.

An abandoned underground tunnel led to a massive dome of space, and our kind decided to use it as a fighting space.

A giant platform about 2 feet high sits in the centre of the arena, a rope cage running along the outside. Bleachers line the walls, climbing up the concrete and almost touching the roof. It’s insane how many rogues come to watch. If I’m not mistaken, though, I believe some wolves from legit packs come to watch as well.

“You’re playing the game of risk today, I see?”

My stomach flips and I jump, my hands coming up instinctively into a defensive position.

Nester backs up a step, murmuring, “Whoa there, Rai. I’m not here to hurt you.”

I put a hand to my chest before I shove his away. “Don’t scare me like that!”

His eyebrows raise. “Fear is an indicator. Maybe you shouldn’t be here.”

I scowl. “You’re an asshole. I have just as much right to be here as you do.”

He clicks his tongue. “Which is no right. Because we aren’t supposed to be here.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t,” I mutter.

He taps a finger to his lips before saying, “I wonder what your dear daddy would think of this.”

I face forward again. “Do you decide every morning to be a dick or does it just come naturally?”

I see him flash his teeth out of the corner of my eye. “That beautiful trait comes naturally.”

Nester Haze. Aka, the asshole of the rogues. Aka, my kind of best friend, I think? As friendly as rogues can get, at least. He’s a jerk sometimes, but he’s also there if I need him, and in this world, it’s handy to have someone watch your back when you need it most.

“Jade was looking for you earlier,” I say with a sweet smile on my lips. “She said her bed is getting pretty cold.”

He groans into his hands. “Please spare me.” His eyes go wide as he says. “Yesterday she tried to convince me that she was my mate, Rai. My mate! As if it’s so faint I can’t even tell.”

I put a hand on my heart. “Awwww! She likes you.”

“No, I think she loves me, which is exponentially worse.” His brows furrow. “I’m an insensitive person.”

I nod, my attention shifting to the next fight that started. “I know.”

“Very insensitive,” he says again.

I nod again. “Yep. I’m aware.”

“Like, hit a man while he’s down insensitive.”

I look sidelong at him. “What is your point?”

He gestures at himself. “My point is that I’m not very likeable. In fact, I’m very easy to dislike, so what on earth does this woman find in me? My looks?” He smiles slightly. “I mean, I am pretty attractive, let’s be honest. I have great hair, and my muscles-“

I roll my eyes before snapping, “Nester!”

He clears his throat. “All I’m trying to say is that there are a lot of eligible men in this forest, so why is Jade so intent on getting the worst one?”

If I didn’t know that Nester was one of the most conceited, self-absorbed men out there, I would probably take pity and give a pep talk on how he could never be the worst.

I know better.

“It took a lot to call yourself the worst just now, didn’t it?” I ask dryly.

He grimaces. “I’m going to need a long nap from all the effort it took.”

I smirk. “Go nap in Jade’s bed, warm it up a bit.”

His lip curls as he stares at me in horror. “You are the worst.”

I take a little bow. “Why thank you.”

His eyes suddenly snap to the entrance of the tunnel, and I tense.

“Who’s this sucker?” He mutters.

I turn, looking to where his gaze rests. It’s at that precise moment that I lock gazes with the darkest pair of green eyes I’ve ever seen.

Mate! My wolf yaps excitedly.

Oh shit.

Nester laughs quietly, and I whip around, thinking maybe he knows, but his gaze is still glued to the man at the entrance.

“He’s not a rogue,” he says, shaking his head. “Poor kid doesn’t know what he’s walked into.”

Go to mate, go to mate!

Mate is a pack wolf and is probably here to reprimand us all, I snap back.

“Let’s go,” I say suddenly.

He looks back at me, brows furrowed. “What?”

“I wanna leave,” I say again, this time more urgent. “You said yourself that we’re not supposed to be here.”

He gestures to the tunnel entrance. “By all means, have at it. I’m staying to watch.”

I clench my fists. “But you just said-“

“And I just changed my mind.” He shrugs. “Deal with it.”

I growl in frustration before pushing past him. “Fine.”

He wiggles his fingers at me, saying, “Have fun explaining your whereabouts to mommy and daddy.”

I turn back to glare before moving forward.

Pushing past too many warm bodies is making my skin crawl, but I finally reach the end of the thrall, and I practically jump into the entrance. Cool air hits me and I sigh, relishing in it for a second before continuing to walk.

It looks like either the new guy decided to go in or turn around. Either way he’s not in the tunnel, and a relieved breath pushes past my lips.

I have never liked the idea of having a mate. A predestined man set out and determined for you before you’re even born? It’s weird. Like, really weird. I would much rather decide for myself who I want to mate with.

The giant bushes covering the exit to the tunnel come into view, and my nerves start to sing. My parents aren’t very approving when I leave the house at night. They aren’t very approving of anything I do.

My foot has just moved from concrete to grass when arms pull me to the side. I open my mouth a second before a hand closes over it.

Sparks fly across my skin and I thrash, but then a voice whispers in my ear, “I’ll let you go if you stay quiet. We don’t need unnecessary attention.”

My mate.