Chapter 0219

Seraphina

He appeared within twenty-four hours of our arrival.

The bastard was in human form.

I had never seen his human face before.

Julian couldn't help me identify him either. He had only ever seen the beast.

Rogues who shift at will are extremely rare. Most who turn Rogue can never return to normal Lycan life. But it's not entirely impossible.

Julian mentioned that guy from Obsidian Howl managed it. But this one was different.

He pushed all boundaries. He embraced his nature completely, granting him unusual freedom.

What I've learned about Rogues is their constant struggle between desire and control. That internal war is what destroys them. That's what prevents their return.

Heart versus mind. But this one had solved that puzzle. A smirk spread across my face without my permission.

"Do you see him?" Julian asked, noticing my expression.

“No.”

I felt his presence strongly, but couldn't pinpoint his location. He moved through the crowds seamlessly, blending with humans going about their daily routines.

He would know I was here too. He wasn't stupid. If I could smell him, he could definitely smell me.

Rogues develop enhanced senses. Their smell, hearing, everything amplifies to extraordinary levels. That's why they're harder to kill unless you catch them sleeping.

Where's the fun in that?

"Keep watching.” I murmured.

One man stood out. Tattoos covered his neck, identical to the guy who saw Julian speaking with me. Many people have tattoos, but identical patterns in identical spots? That suggested family markings.

If this was him, he looked nothing like his brother. Leaner build. Chestnut brown hair and eyes compared to Zachary's darkness.

Maybe they shared only one parent, like me and my dear half-sister.

He scanned the area. Probably searching for me. But I wasn't stupid. I had spread my scent throughout this entire town. It would be stronger here because of my current position. He had already figured that out.

He looked away when he didn't spot me. His attention shifted to a woman younger than me standing outside the library.

He approached her, commenting on the books she carried. Too much traffic and noise to hear his words. But I watched her giggle. A flush of red colored her pale cheeks.

I knew why he targeted her. She looked easy to manipulate. Perhaps naive.

He leaned closer, showing interest through subtle touches on her arm, tucking her curly hair behind her ear. She appeared flattered, probably unused to such attention.

It might have seemed sweet if I didn't know his true intentions.

She giggled again as his hand caught hers. I watched her nod and follow him. She glanced around as if expecting a trick.

She didn't realize that's exactly what this was.

“Time to end his little game.” I snarled.

I stepped from the shadows into full view, but he remained focused on charming her with lies. Her giggles grew louder, eyes wide as she hung on his every word.

Silly girl. Had Alpha Ryan taught them nothing?

"Now? In broad daylight?” Julian muttered in my ear.

"We must. Before he takes another victim. I want him gone permanently."

"Ironic how you and Athena share the same problem."

I ignored his comment and turned the corner, following the Rogue and the girl. They had disappeared from sight. “Fuck.” I growled, scanning the entire street.

Then I saw a foot protruding from a narrow alley between buildings. It twitched. I knew I was too late. She hadn't even made a sound.

By the time Julian and I reached the spot, the Rogue had vanished. He left the girl's heart behind.

Her eyes remained wide open, but life had departed. Her rosy cheeks paled rapidly from blood loss. Blood trailed down the alley, over the small fence at the end.

"Stay here. Call the Alpha. Tell him I'm hunting."

"Alone?"

"Always alone." I had my knives and gun. That's all I needed. No one else to watch over.

A small field lay behind the fence, leading to scattered trees and then woods. The blood trail continued, thinning as the beast healed. Occasional crimson droplets marked the path until they disappeared completely.