Alfa drove like crazy out of his pack territory. Moonstone pack territory was one human town over. If he drove fast enough, maybe he could get there before Arya.
He had to follow human traffic laws while in human territory, so he drove his car at the speed limit. The last thing he wanted was to have traffic police at his tail.
He tried to avoid the traffic jam near a traffic light, but couldn't. His car was driving slower than a snail.
It took almost half and hour for him to get out of the traffic, then he drove just a bit over the speed limit, so in case he is stopped, he can say that he didn't mean to go above the limit.
It took Alfa more than an hour to get to the countryside road, and in two hours, he stood outside the Moonstone territory.
Her scent was here. Arya was already here. But how did she reach here, bare foot? How did she cross the human town without being seen?
"I'm Alfa Flowerew, Alpha of Moonsglow pack. I'm here to meet Alpha Rodriguez. I have come alone and unarmed," he said to the men at the gate.
Unlike most rogues, these ones didn't stink of decay. Yes, they had that mild scent of rotting meat, but not as strong as the rogues who didn't belong to this pack.
This goes to tell that these wolves, though rogues, were part of a pack that was ruled by an alpha. An Alpha who was strong enough to create order between them.
"Wait here. We will call for him!" One of them, an older man with many battle scars, said.
"Did anyone come through here," Alfa tried asking but was met with silence.
All the rogues had scars all over their bodies. In a war, wounds inflicted on one wolf by another wolf healed fast but left scars.
This goes to show that these wolves had faced many battles. Most were caused by packs who thought they could win over this territory.
After some time, Alfa saw Rodriguez coming toward him. His face remained stern, and his blood red eyes looked straight at Alfa's blue ones.
Usually, an Alpha took this as a challenge, but Alfa knew better. A challenge would mean death before Alfa could strike.
"Alfa Flowerew! What a pleasant surprise," Rodriguez said, coming to a stop just at the gate. "What brings you here?"
"I need to talk to you. I believe my mate Arya is here, but she can't know what we are talking about," Alfa said, desperation pouring out in his words.
"And what makes you think I'm willing to talk to you?"
"Alpha Rodriguez, please hear me out. My mate is not well... "
"So says the one who took her wolf away!"
Alfa looked at Rodriguez in shock.
"Word travels fast!" Rodriguez said, seeing the horrified look Alfa gave him.
"Whatever you want to say, say it here! There is no way I'll invite you in my territory," the Alpha of rogues declared.
"Alpha Rodriguez, I was hoping to have some private conversation with you!"
"This is the only 'private' you will get. Now, say what you want to or leave. I don't have time," Rodriguez commented rudely.
"Okay, okay! Look, I have reason to believe Arya is turning into a witch. To become a fully grown, powerful witch, she needs to sacrifice young girls at her great-grandmothers alter here."
"And why is that my problem?"
Alfa stared at the man in front of him. Did he not understand what was at stake here?
Arya could destroy the entire world, and Rodriguez is standing there asking why this was his problem?
Doesn't he understand that they all will parish if she is not stopped?
"Rodriguez...." "Alpha Rodriguez!" He corrected him.
"Alpha Rodriguez," Alfa corrected his addressing, before continuing, "you don't understand. She could destroy the entire world if we don't stop her!"
"Like I asked, why is any of this my problem?"
"She will be able to destroy this pack in seconds. She will be able to destroy everything you love and stand for!" Alfa said, desperation and anger evident in his voice.
Rodriguez gave a laugh. Alfa had never known he could smile, let alone laugh.
"Something funny?" Alfa asked, his voice sarcastic.
"You said she could destroy everything I love! Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but your father did that already. He destroyed everything before I was born. Why didn't you stop him?" Rodriguez said, his laughter replaced by anger.
There it was again! Something his father did that came back to bite him.
"Look, I know my father was no Saint, but Arya could do far worse than my father did. I just need you to stop her from going to her grandmother's alter, please," Alfa pleaded.
"Why is your mate suddenly turning into a witch? Because of you! Why is the world in danger? Because of you! You made the mess, and now you want me to help you clean that up! What makes you think I'll do that?"
Each word Rodriguez said felt like a punch in the gut. But he was absolutely correct. He had brought all this on himself, and now he expects a rogue Alpha to help him clean up.
He didn't have any answers.
Alfa closed his eyes, thinking what to say. He should have brought Ronald with him. He would have known what to say.
"Look, Alpha Rodriguez. I know I messed up. I have done some things in my life that I regret, but without your help, there's no fixing it. Please, I beg you, help me!" Alfa swallowed his pride and begged him.
"Well, I can't help you. I stay out of everyone's business, and I want everyone to stay out of mine."
Saying those words, Rodriguez turned around and began walking away.
"Wait, where is Arya?" Alfa called out after him.
Rodriguez turned around. "She is my guest."
"Can you call her. She needs to go home with me!"
"Do I look like your servant, who would take your orders? I don't think so. You want her, mindlink her to come to you... oh yeah, I forgot! She doesn't have a wolf. Because of your stupidity." Irony flowed like wolfsbane in his words.
By the way Rodriguez spoke, one thing was certain, Hazelwitch was right.
Arya has already persuaded Rodriguez to let her pass. But what did she give him in return?
Alfa kept staring at Rodriguez, unable to form words. What could he say? It was certainly his fault that all this was happening!
Had he trusted in his mate bond and Bella, none of this would be happening.
With the first full moon in just a week, he had to do something. He has to stop her one way or the other from making that sacrifice.