He could barely keep himself up. He swayed slightly as he tried to focus on the leader of the Keepers. Crimson blood dripped from a cut on his forehead, trickling down the side of his face. His breathing was rapid. He had obviously received a serious beating.
"A rogue."
I remembered the eyes first. Then as my eyes took in the light green eyes and toffee-colored hair, the feeling that I knew this person increased. When recognition hit me, I tried to hide my shock.
Dean. It had been over a year since the last time I had seen him. He had grown up. His boyish features hardened into the face of a man. He was strong and well-built for a werewolf, even at the young age of eighteen. But he was no match against one Keeper.
He couldn't be a rogue. He wasn't a lawless loner unable to live within the laws of the pack. Granted it had been a while since I had last seen him but I couldn't believe a person could change so dramatically that they could be viewed as an entirely different person.
Something had to have happened to make him leave the pack and seek solace in the life of a lone rogue.
"We found him trying to leave the territory."
That would have been a clear indication he no longer belonged to a pack. Werewolves tended to move in packs. Even trackers didn't work alone.
The urge to go to him and protect him from the Keepers was hard to fight but for both of us I had to. They knew what he was and if they found out what I was, our fate would be sealed.
I took another step closer. At the sound of my footsteps Travis gave me a side glance. I held his penetrating gaze, masking the distress I was feeling.
Dean, still battling to remain upright, let his eyes fall on me. I kept my face still, praying he wouldn't reveal who I was. There was a flash of recognition but he didn't say anything before his eyes found Travis again.
"He says he knows where the other rogues are," one Keeper informed Travis. He nodded as he looked down at Dean again.
"Lock him up until he's able to talk."
And with that, Dean was taken away.
There was no 'prison' like there was on the werewolf compounds, so I was curious to see where they were going to keep him. They dragged him to the house.
Oh, my God!my mind screamed as I put one foot in front of the other, trying to keep my panic from boiling over out into the open for everyone to see. I began to follow, needing to get to the safety of my room to get away from Travis.
Just as I entered the house, there was more noise by the foyer. I crept closer as I watched four guys I had never met arrive through the front door. They all wore the uniform black clothes, signifying they were Keepers.
One guy stood out from the rest. There was an authoritative air about him. It wasn't just because he was older, it was something else.
"Where's Travis?" he asked one of the Keepers.
"He's out in the back," the Keeper replied with an inclination of his head in the direction I was standing.
The elder Keeper's eyes met mine. I held my breath.
"And what is she doing here?" he asked. The younger Keeper turned to glance in my direction.
"She's a human. Flynn saved her from a rogue attack."
The elder Keeper continued to study me. Even with his cool reception, I didn't feel the same fear I felt when Travis was around. He looked down at my bandaged arm and I felt self-conscious about it.
"How's your arm?" he asked me, taking me by surprise.
"It still hurts," I managed to answer, remembering I couldn't let on that it had healed completely. The bandage hid my recovery well.
"Get her some painkillers," he instructed with a sweep of his hand.
The younger Keeper left to follow his command. The rest of the Keepers left me alone with the elder one. Not sure what to say, I anxiously shifted from one foot to the other.
"There is no need to be nervous. No one will harm you." He sounded just like Flynn. I had to wonder if those words were drilled into the subconscious with repetition. "We are here to protect humans."
I gave him a slight nod. He cocked his head to the side as he continued to study me. I felt like an insect under a microscope being studied. It made my stomach twist.
