Chapter 17

Clay’s P.O.V

The clothes I was given fit me perfectly, although they were not mine.

I returned back to the abandoned house I had been living in for the past years, but now everything was different. I needed a room to sleep in and raw food wasn’t that appealing anymore. My pack was trying to make sense of how I was standing on two legs now, just as much as I was.

I was a rogue now, that much I understood. But what caused me to change back to my human form? Rogues couldn’t do that. Once we become rogue, we embrace the feral life of the wolf and there’s no turning back. Then how was this possible?

My memories were hazy, but I had knowledge. I understood and I learned, but not as fast. I was weaker; my brain didn’t work as fast as it was supposed to.

With confusion swirling in my mind, making the fog inside even heavier, I was standing in one of the many rooms of this broken house and looking for a place to sleep in, when I heard the growls of my wolves from outside. A second later, a familiar yet unfamiliar scent came to me.

I went outside running and growled at wolves to stay down and watched them turn to me in confusion before they lowered their heads and moved aside to let the man with silver hair walk in. He was holding two larger bags this time and even though they looked heavy, he was carrying them with ease.

“I brought more supplies.” He said as he saw me. “I didn’t expect your pack to still be this obedient.”

“Who are you?” My voice was still husky from unused, so I cleared my throat.

“Malachi, the Alpha of Lindersay.” He introduced himself. “I’m not here to fight.”

“Your people killed my wolves!” I growled at him, my nails lengthening to form claws.

“It wasn’t my people.” He corrected. “And if we’re keeping records, then you must know, our people never attack first.”

He was right. One of my wolves had lost control and attacked. But wasn’t that how it was supposed to be? Rogues and wolves attacking each other? But as I looked at the man, I didn’t feel any need to attack him. He was just another wolf…a sane one.

“I didn’t come here to pick a fight, Clay.” Malachi shook his head. “I’m here to help you settle in. Your needs will be different now that you are able to become human.”

He pushed the bags forward and a few of my wolves let out a low groan, but I silenced them.

“You can come in.” I gave him permission. “My wolves will not harm you again.”

“Thank you.” Malachi eyed a few of the wolves suspiciously, but entered nonetheless. “Do you have a room?”

“This way.” I showed him. “I’m trying to clean up.”

“Good. I think I came at the right time.”

I didn’t know how much time passed after that, but it was almost morning by the time we were able to set everything up. A mattress that was filled with air and a fire pit to cook food. And then there were food and water and clothes and a blanket.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked him at last when we walked side by side, as he headed back to the castle.

“I can give you a lot of reasons, but they will all sound like petty excuses.” Malachi said, looking up at the full moon. “To be honest, I am being selfish and that is the main reason why I’m helping you.”

“Selfish?” I frowned. “Wolves don’t help rogues because they are selfish.”

“No, but I am.” He stopped to look me in the eyes, but it wasn’t in a challenge. “You need to get your memories back in order to know more, but all I can tell you is that a lot of things are at stake. I cannot help you much other than making your life comfortable to live, for now. But as the days pass, your tests will get harder and harder.”

I didn’t understand what he said. Tests and hardships…something at stake? And what did all of this have to do with me? But oddly, all of what he said reminded me of Flora.

“How is she?” I asked him instead.

“She’s better now.” Malachi gave me a small smile. “She found her mate.”

A growl tore through my lips as my nails lengthened to form claws. Anger pulsed through my veins, raw and raging.

“NO!” I roared at Malachi. Flora couldn’t find her mate! No!

She was mine!

“Why are you upset? She isn’t your mate.”

Those words cut through my anger and made my eyes widen in disbelief.

Malachi was right…Flora wasn’t my mate…I didn’t feel the bond with her…then why…?

“That’s what you need to find out, Clay.” Malachi gave me a pat on my shoulder. “That’s what at stake, for you…and for all of us.”

With that he walked away from me, leaving me more confused than ever.