Chapter 3 03

KEVIN.

"This is the best place I could find at the moment. Though it's small, I hope it's manageable." Uncle Walker announced as we stepped into the wooden house. And just like he'd said, The apartment was small, one my Father and Uncle Walker had built during their time.

I slowly toured the parlor. Dimly lit with the potent smell of dust. I heaved an inaudible sigh as I reviewed the furniture. This house was definitely going to need some serious cleaning.

"Thank you so much, Walker." My mother softly uttered with a tiny smile. But I could clearly see her sadness, One I had solely induced. My fingers inadvertently clutched onto the reins of my brown bag, feeling another pang of guilt surge.

"You don't need to thank me, Serene. This is the least I can do but I promise to find a better place." Uncle Walker wriggled his head as he toured about the building.

"Kevin, won't you show some appreciation?" My mother's voice tousled my thoughts. The way they both viewed me, irked me in a way. None of them had spoken a word to me after the Challenge but I knew they probably had lots of words brewing inside them currently–how disappointed they felt towards me but I care less.

"I hate to be the guy who says this," Uncle Walker mumbled. "But I told you so. Your bad temperament and reckless decisions cost you and your innocent mother to be banished from your Pack."

"Well, life as a Rogue isn't all that bad," I casually toned, Rubbing the back of my neck where the Rogue symbol still ached. The black half-moon symbol instantly appears on any exiled werewolf like a tattoo.

"You think Rogue life is easy, huh? Do you even feel remorse for your actions at all?!" Uncle Walker retorted while my mother simply wriggled her head in disappointment.

"The only thing I regret is that I failed to kill Alpha Jason and that my mother helplessly cried like a weakling in front of everyone."

"I saved your life!" My mother pitched her tone against mine. My grip tightened as tears started to soak her eyes again.

"Your Father ended on a bad note and you, as his son, are following that same path."

"My Father was not a traitor! And you should believe that too!" I yelled as anger began to fester in my heart.

"He was innocent, I know."

"Then why did you let him die?! Why did you just watch like a weakling? Why couldn't you fight for your mate? Why couldn't you defend him? Why?!" I barked. "Why?!" My chest towered up and down from heavy breaths. My eyes welcomed tears I didn't want but above all, the pain worsened. The pain from my injuries is still in the healing process.

"Bad things happen in life." That was all my mother used to answer. "No matter what I could have done, The Lycan would have had the final say."

"Mom, don't lecture me with one of your useless life and fate lessons," I growled as my eyes wavered between both of them. "The truth is, you all are weaklings! But I'm not. I'm going to avenge my father even if it costs me the last drop of my blood!" I avowed with a yell.

"You don't even know the crime your father committed!" My mother screamed.

"I don't want to know!" I raised my note higher. "Because my Father is not guilty of any crime. And even if I want to know, it will be from the mouth of the Lycan himself!

No matter what he says, I'll still end his life the way he ended my Father's. That I promise you." I bellowed before storming into my presumed room. The little pain from my injuries intertwined with anger and frustrations drove me to a pack of Cigarettes and a bottle of alcohol. I didn't even bother reviewing my room, all I did was impatiently scooping four wraps into my mouth.

Lighting them without hesitation. My lips slightly widened for the heavy smoke to puff out. Each lighted wrap fell off my lips to the wooden floor as I opened the bottle.

I gulped its contents recklessly, filling my throat to the very limits it could contain. I repeated the same thing and soon my vision became hazy, my senses were gradually feeling numb and it didn't take me long to succumb to the darkness calling to me from within.

My eyes slowly awoke to the sun rays illuminating my room and my ears entertained the tweeting of birds. I sat up on the edge of my small bed, my senses welcomed the reeks of alcohol and cigarettes. The once fine room was now decorated with several bottles dangling across the floors alongside Cigarettes. I kept staring at the floor like one who was enchanted but in my head, it was completely blank. I didn't even know when my mother joined me by the bedside. Her soft touch trailed alongside the tattoo on my left forearm.

"You look miserable." My mother softly chorused in my ear. I smiled, noticing the cheeriness on her face. Although I didn't know why she was, I planned not to ask.

"You locked yourself in for three days and look at the mess you made your room into."

I heaved a sigh while she tucked the loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

"Are you still in pain?" She asked and my mind traveled to the day I got banished. I knew Alpha Jason was crazily strong but not to that extent. Ever since I was little, my powers were on a dangerous level among my peers. Perhaps due to the Alpha's blood coursing through my veins or because of my sheer will for revenge. But that day, because of my reckless thinking, Alpha Jason won.

"My only pain is failing to kill Alpha Jason," I answered. She held my cheek so I faced her.

"Revenge is never the way, Kevin." She soothed but it irked me. "It will only cause you more pain. Look at what we've become, from a royal family to Rogues."

My palms slowly curled into a fist as my gaze wavered from hers. I only wished she could one day understand my point of view. Justice for my Father, rather than being submissive to absurd cruel fate.

"You need to move on Kevin. Start your life again." She cooed. I could have hissed or done something provocative but I didn't want to ruin her mood. I've already caused her enough pain. Hence, rather than argue. I chose to nod while I flashed her a superficial smile.

"Breakfast is ready." She uttered with a tiny smile before parting away. And as the door closed behind her, my smile faded while emptiness took over. I sauntered into the bathroom for a quick bath before slipping into a black fitted pair of jeans complemented with a big brown shirt. I left my long strands messy but combed my beard. I made for the small wooden desk by my bedside. Tucking a lighter and a pack of Cigarettes into my pocket before strolling to the Parlor where my mother busied herself with cleaning. My eyes trailed to the pancakes she left on the center table for me but I shrugged them off. They might be enticing, but certainly not pleasing my emptiness.

"Bye, mom." I sounded as I made for the door.

"Where are you going?!"

"Going out for a stroll," I responded as I glimpsed at her briefly.

"But you haven't touched your food yet." She protested in a worried fashion. I heaved a sigh before walking up to the plate and scooping a slice into my mouth.

"I'll see you later," I added before exiting. This was my first time stepping outside after my banishment. The house was only a few kilometers away from Greenville Pack. My Werewolf hearing could pick some of my former Pack Members chatters. I soon chose to focus on my surroundings as I progressed. The Trees were just as tall as Greenville's but the air didn't bring so much warmth neither was this forest beauty intriguing like my Pack. But overall, it was peaceful and manageable.

How bad could a Rogue life be?

I continued to revel in cold comfort as I smoked my cigarette.

"Stop! Let me go!" I came to an abrupt halt as the screams of a lady phased through my ears. It was far off, probably kilometers but I could sense she was in danger. I listened more carefully, letting my nose trace her scent and when I had gotten a hold of it. I scurried to the location with werewolf speed. The winds stormed against my body as I paced dangerously against the leafy floor.

"Let me go!" She screeched again as I arrived at the location. There she was, her tiny frame struggling in the grasp of two sinister-looking men. Just by the mark on the back of her neck alone, I knew she was a rogue and the guys. Probably idiots from the Greenville Pack.

"Let her go," I ordered meters away from them. Only then did they notice me.

"You better leave, Son of a traitor!" One of them scorned and my palms easily clenched. I let out a puff from my Cigarettes still dancing on my lips as my chest towered up and down.

"Let. Her. Go," I reiterated, This time in an icy tone but they didn't budge.

"What are you gonna do? Wanna play a hero huh?!" The other mocked. I grinned sinisterly, dropping the unfinished wrap to the ground. Another round of heavy smoke toured out my mouth and nose. And in a swift moment, I trotted towards them. Rewarding the guy who clutched to the lady with a tight slap. He fell to the ground while his friend lurched towards me, trying to land a blow which I easily caught. With disgust, I wrenched his bone while he let out a loud cry of agony. His partner arose to me and my eyes switched to a dangerous bright yellow. My nose flared and my lips revealed canines as I growled to his face. Their faces morphed into horror before scampering away like loose cats.

"Are you okay?" I asked the lady by my side as my body reverted to its normal status. Her hair was long, curly and golden and her Honey colored eyes twitched in awe. Her red lips parted but no words protruded.

I pulled out a cigarette from my pack, lighting the wrap as my lips clung to it.

"You're the son of Alpha Mason!" She gasped. I frowned at her.

"How do you know that?" I queried sharply. I might have saved her but she was a Rogue after all.

"Your tattoo." She answered as she pointed to my sleeves, which partially revealed the tattoos on both forearms. But it led me to the next question, how did she recognize this tattoo?

"You're a Rogue. What Pack did you belong to?" I toned as I held her gaze.

"I was exiled from Greenville." She stated. I scrutinized the look on her face, listening to her heartbeat whilst. But she wasn't lying.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask.

She gulped down her Saliva, showing some hesitation on her part.

"It's kind of complicated. For refusing the Alpha's son."

My eyes flickered in discrete annoyance. Secretly cursing how Alpha Jason exiles his members for different absurd reasons.

"Can you please escort me home? I'm scared of being attacked again." Her pleas tousled my burdensome thoughts. I puffed out smoke, studying her for minutes before nodding in agreement.

"What's your name?" I asked as we threaded side by side on a lonely path.

"Rose."

I smiled to myself, a beautiful name befitting her body.

"I'm Kevin," I uttered before taking a puff.

"So how long have you been exiled?" I asked. She looked me in the eye before rolling the words out.

"Two years I think." My eyes widened whilst anger started to surge within me. An innocent soul like her was being punished all because of a stupid reason. My thoughts tousled when I noticed a large presence surrounding us meters away. They were Rogues, dressed shabbily in black with icy glares solely based on me. I took a brief glimpse at Rose, she was smiling at them.

I frowned. Maybe this girl wasn't an innocent soul like I thought. And from the looks of it, this looked like a perfect setup plan. An ambush against me!