Chapter 12

Reid hated Nira with every fiber of his being and now even more so. As he tore through the woods in his wolf form, his fur became longer than usual, and the wind carried a bad odor right into his highly sensitive nose, which he knew was emitting from him. The stench of being a rogue, he could smell it already, and any werewolf who came close to him would be able to smell it too. The wound Denzel had left him on his face would not be healing anytime soon because it was done by an alpha. He kept feeling like Denzel was right behind him. In fact, knowing better, he was doomed to have that scar for life.

It seemed like the banishment was just a show off, and the real punishment, which he believed was death, was yet to be delivered. Since his intentions were still what they were, only intents, Denzel couldn't have been able to kill him. Technically he had yet to commit any crime, so being kicked out was what the law would permit Denzel to do. Unfortunately, the elders didn't have this privilege which was why Denzel ordered them to be killed spot on. Speaking of laws, there were none protecting him anymore.

A few more weeks, Reid would have acted out his plan and he would have been the alpha of the Blackmoon pack. Now, the banshee, Nira had exposed him, and he had been stripped of his betaship. He found his red truck parked exactly where he had left it among the tall trees at the beginning of the forest. Earlier, while he shifted, his clothes had been ripped to shreds and now he stood naked as he transformed back to his human form. He bent down to locate his key which he had buried shallowly underneath some dry leaves. He looked back still having the feeling of being followed but saw no one. He quickly entered the truck and put on the extra clothes he always carried at the back seat. He navigated his way back onto the main roads.

After driving for some time Reid was back in his neighborhood. LOn opposite sides of the road there were different blocks of similar houses with their lights still on and tv still blaring loudly. Marijuana smell filled the air. A dog barked and several others joined it in doing the same, their voices sounded at different pitches, some were thicker than others. Reid parked his truck somewhat closer to his own block, left engines running, alighted and slammed the door. He heard the sound of keys dangling and turned to see a woman from opposite his block trying to unlock her door. He marched determinedly towards the front door of his apartment, kicked it down and barged into a guy who stood abruptly and acted defensively until he realized it was just Reid.

"Hey, man, what the hell?" Keegan said, trying to approach Reid. He was taller than him and also more well built. However, Reid was far superior to him as a werewolf, but currently Reid knew they were of equal status. They were both rogues. It didn't change the fact though that he was still stronger.

Reid pointed a palm at Keeran to halt him. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey from on top of the center table which was already half drunk and poured himself a full glass, before downing it in one gulp. Keeran eyed the injury on Reid's face cautiously.

"Fuck!" Reid said, smashing the glass on the ground. Then kicking the center table with his heel, he broke that too.

"Calm down, and tell me what happened," Keeran said, feeling slightly alarmed to see that Reid was messing up the living room in his fit of rage.

"We need to leave now," Reid said teresely, staring deeply into Keeran's eyes, and placing his hand on his shoulder. "Grab some of our stuff and meet me outside."

"Oh shit, it's that bad?" Keeran said, but didn't wait for an answer as his feets moved swiftly to react on Reid's instruction.

Reid ran his hands across his thick black hair and his face looked filled with a worrying concern. He bit his thumb nervously as he watched the door, as if any minute now, Denzel will waltz in and attack him.

"Keeran! Fucking hasting up," Reid yelled, and headed for the truck.

Keeran was one of the rogues of the Bluefur pack. Reid had a secret and that was he had long identified the members of the Bluefur pack since after their second encroachment. Rather than tell Denzel about his findings, he helped organize them. Keeran had been the one who invented the idea of the rogues coming together to form the Bluefur pack, but he hardly had any plans for them other than help them steal from other packs. It had been Reid who had expanded the scope of their vision. He told Keeran about how he could make them a real pack in less than a month. In fact, Reid had informed them of the ambush Denzel had set up tonight, which was why none of the members of the Bluefur pack were going to show up.

Once Reid started driving, Keeran asked, "Why are we running away? What's going on? Do I have to inform the others to run too?"

"Just tell everyone to get ready for the next phase," Reid answered, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. He never took his eyes off the road as he kept driving as fast as he could.

Denzel stood in front of Reid's apartment staring at the dislodged door which hung on only one hinge rather than two. He shifted his gaze to broken glasses. He sniffed the air and he could tell that Reid had been here moments ago. He also picked up the familiar scent of the Bluefur pack member they've been trying to catch for some time. He scoffed wryly realizing now that all along Reid had been playing him for a fool. His heart sank low and his hatred for Reid grew even more.

Denzel knew it was too late to track down Reid now. Also, it would be risky to do so now alone since he must've had time to regroup with members from the Bluefur pack. He decided to return home to his lover and call it a night, but as he did, he also imagined if Reid would be back to seek vengeance or if he and the Bluefur pack would take their intrusion elsewhere.