The Wayward Rogue

100...Darius finished his last hand-stand push-up on 101 counts. Lowering his upper body down, his right arm easing him into balance he bent his legs back towards the ground with controlled precision. In one fluid movement he slid into a sitting position, his palms on his knees and breathed out gazing into the darkness of the trees that surrounded him. Darius rose to his feet, leaning back against the trunk of the tree behind him to rest his back against it. The crisp air was cool, brushing against his skin. He glanced around, dark brown eyes scanning the perimeters out of habit. There was always a spark in those eyes, fierce and vibrant even when he was on guard. This part of the forest was a new area to him, one unknown and he was on the constant lookout for threats or danger. It was a habit from his days as a bodyguard for the Chinese princess and Lord Tatsuya. Old habits died hard. There was nothing but sparse trees in front of him and the stars in the night sky. He sniffed the air. Not a single scent of werewolf, human or anything else in between. Running a hand through his messy black hair, he rolled his shoulder working out some kinks. Darius wasn’t sure how long he had been here, doing his push-ups but he enjoyed being outside. He supposed it was the wolf in him, always lurking, always yearning freedom instead of being caged. Darius was still searching for a pack though, a family to call his own though sometimes he wondered if it was worthwhile. All the families he had formed during the past two millenniums had died because of him. His face darkened a little, charismatic features creasing. He had kept a low profile during his time in this land, much lower than the kinds of things that had led him to the adventures in his past that had thrown him from obscurity to the spotlight. Here no one had tried to kill him or poison him or torture him. Or forced him into being a test subject or a mistreated abused deck-hand. Always good signs.

He pushed himself off with his foot, standing tall and confident with his hands on his hips and stance wide. Not that he needed it. Darius was already tall which was sometimes intimidating for those who met him for the first time. Combined with his muscular, well-built sculpted physique, chiselled jaw and roguish good looks he attracted attention but it helped him get by and that was what he needed. Looking good in clothes helped too. Simple clothes fitted him the best but he was most comfortable in casual clothes. Jeans, corduroy jacket, hoods optional and sneakers just like what he was wearing now, brown jacket with a hood present. The smile always helped. Sometimes a smirk. He was good at chatting the ladies up. When he did the opposite sex always seemed to swoon or giggle or paid him more attention than was required. Darius was, as he considered himself, one charming devil. But even devils needed a pack to run with. He was sure that he’d find one here and maybe, not just a commander but a friend. Maybe it could be like Japan all over again. Darius almost laughed. Samurai werewolves? Here? He knelt down, scooping up a handful of grass with a hand and raising it to his nose to sniff for any lingering smells left by werewolves. Nothing. The moon shone on the back of his neck. Strength flowed through him. Times like these, it made him wish he was dead. His eyes clouded over with distant, agonizing memories, face grim. It made him seem older than he looked, youthful features fading into darkness. Then he brushed the grass off, coming to a decision. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he lifted his head to the skies and unleashed a long, deep, powerful howl that resonated through the skies for any others of his kin, unwavering and rising higher and higher until it filled the very air.

A scent lingered on the air, whoever it belonged to was unknown, but it was definitely one of a beast, of that she was sure. Male, younger than herself, but strong and healthy. If whoever it was did not have intentions of trespassing or harming any of her packmates then she would perhaps consider him as possible new blood. The night was still young, the evening celestial lights having only come out to glitter not too long before when the werewolfess had taken a short rest in her cave which she knew as home. Although the air was crisp her inhuman capabilities allowed her body to be maintained at a temperature unnaturally warm, and so the chill did not faze her with her fur-lined leather jacket zipped up to conserve her own body heat. Morning duties had consisted of a border patrol, a few hours of hunting and then a long run through the territory. All afternoon and evening she had been at work, and overall it had been an uneventful day. Until now, of course. The unfamiliar lycan odour made the small hairs on her body bristle, the defensive territorial urges surfacing within her. Staring up at the cracks of the stony ceiling in her den, she silently observed the faraway stars that had long since died but still shone brighter than many living things. Callista could not seem to fully appreciate the view however, her mind distracted by the invisible presence of the loner in the space of her private chamber. She came to the decision that she would have to investigate the rogue. Determining his purpose for being here would be the only way she could either remove him from around the pack's land or acquire a valuable new pack member. Either way would be a beneficial outcome.

Then the howl echoed through the cave. The beta rolled off to the side of her bed and stood up to her feet in one smooth motion. Now she knew he was requesting to meet the pack and it was her duty to respond in such situations. Lucian could not be available for each of these calls so she would take this one. Hands tucked into her pockets, she walked out into the forest and towards the border at a brisk pace yet still unhurriedly. If it was important he could afford to wait, patience was a very good trait and one she would look for. Callista had no reason to shift to her primal form so far, she saw no threat and did not want to use dominance to get answers out of the male, unless he was going to be difficult. Then her attitude would switch in an instant. Like two magnets of the same polarity being pushed together, if anyone posed issues against her then she would repel in just the same way. But otherwise, respect would get them by just fine. She did not want to waste any time, it did not need to be an unnecessarily long conversation. Socialising at all was not enjoyable for her, she was able to just fine, but her preference was to keep to herself and her pack. When she finally saw the man in a patch directly beneath the rays of the moon, she slipped quietly between the trees until she stood boldly before him in the light. All the while she studied him carefully, making no effort to hide the act as she did so. He was tall, muscled figure, looked decent. All things that women would fancy him for. On the contrary she could not care less about his appearance and was more interested that he was alert and seemed skilled, leading her to want to know of his training and past experiences. But only if he was here to ask for acceptance and after he had answered her initial questions. She looked sharply to his eyes with her fiercely dark gaze. "I am Beta Callista. This is the pack and land ruled by Alpha Lucian. Tell me who you are and your purpose for calling".

Letting his howl fade on the wind, Darius searched his surroundings for the sight of a hulking wolf loping towards him or a wolf-scented human. Meeting the Alpha would have been ideal but he knew the responsibilities an Alpha held. It was a difficult job but one that could be envied by his fellow pack-mates to a degree. So he kept his eyes open and alert for signs of any werewolf, a glimpse of fur or gleam of wolfish eyes in the surrounding darkness. Or the unmistakable smell of one. Darius turned as he heard the faintest rustle of grass being brushed by quiet feet and simultaneously, smelt the scent of a female that wafted through his senses. If he had to stake his life on it, he'd guess it was the Beta Female or Alpha. No other female would have been allowed to accept newcomers. He stood a little wider, projecting absolute confidence so that she would know he was not afraid. Then she revealed herself, stepping into the wide column of moonlight that speared through the gap in the canopy. She was roughly about his height, slender and willowy and looked around his age, maybe take a year or two. She emitted confidence in her stance and there was something ultimately sharp in the way she looked at him. Her gaze seemed guarded which was understandable when she was facing a stranger. Besides that, he guessed she was the reserved type. Her hands were in her pockets, her movements not pronounced. That was alright.  Darius approached her in swift confident strides, sneakers pressing into the grass. He stopped directly in front of her, kneeling down on one knee with an arm across his bent knee and smiled up at her speaking genuinely, "It truly is a pleasure to meet you Beta Callista. I wasn’t expecting a beauty like yourself to answer my call so it’s my lucky night.” He stood up, straightening and reached near her ear with a hand. With a sleight of hand he shook lose the crimson red rose he’d found in his sleeve earlier into his hand, holding it by the stem. After a moment he pulled it out making it look like he had taken it from her ear and said, eyes seeming to glint impishly,“Yep it’s definitely my lucky night. Here, for you my dear lady.” He opened his palm, revealing the rose and extended it towards her genially. He continued with the same smile,“My name is Darius and I'm just a rogue looking for a home I can call my own. As for what I can offer, I'm a more than capable fighter, schooled in the arts of hand-to-hand combat and sword-fighting along with the staff. I know how to shoot a bow and arrow and can ride horse-back. I can also make simple weapons such as guns and crossbows and I'm a quick thinker. I can read situations and people well which makes me a good tactician. I've been second-in-command to many battles so I know how to organize and lead a group with the utmost confidence. I've also spent time as a bodyguard to a princess and a Japanese Lord protecting them from assassins, merceneries and even from their own people and led a crew of supernatural pirates for many, many years. If you accept me, you and Alpha Lucian you will have my skills in extra protection, fighting in armed and unarmed combat, leadership and craftsmanship among the ones you already possess among your ranks. So what do you say? Want to give an orphan a pack to run with?"
 
Darius indulged in harmless flirting on occasional periods but it was simply that. He had a gift, some would say and he used and abused it freely but when he did, it was out of sincerity. It would be dishonest otherwise to say and such things when one didn’t truly feel it and the female standing before him was a pretty creature, very much deserving of a rose. Of course, if she required more from him he would oblige. He would delight in showing her what he could do in terms of his skills and abilities and similarly, be pleased to tell her whatever she wished to hear when it came to his experience in fighting if she was not satisfied with his answer.

Observing his response to her presence before him, she had noticed the male's stance alter to stand broader, and it was a good start, suggesting that he knew that pack's did not need nor want weak members, which also hinted that he had either been part of a pack previously or some sort of regimented group so was aware of what was required for success. Her own posture was not so purposely confident, instead standing calmly yet dominantly a few metres in front of the man. Now face to face with him and able to see him clearly she realised he was no more taller than herself except for a matter of centimetres and he was definitely younger by perhaps a thousand years. His time seemed to have have served him well however, with his nicely sculpted build. A harsh analytical gaze slowly swept over his frame once more while she expected some show of submission towards her as he approached nearer. She was a pack wolf and the beta female at that; she held much more authority in these lands than he. Peering down at the rogue as he dropped to one knee right before her, she kept her stare on his face while she listened to him speak. Such a display of curtesy she had not expected, but it was suitable nonetheless. She felt sure that she was supposed to feel flattered, but no such emotion was present. Even with the smile, as charming as it attempted to be, did not stir any gracious feelings within her. The she-wolf continued to listen in this manner as his slightly flirtatious words babbled on, a brow arching slightly in mild amusement. As he stood and reached passed her face her gaze returned to a fiery glare. However she persevered until she knew what his intentions were. The mischievous sparkle in his dark eyes made her glance curiously from his face to his revealed hand. A single blood-red rose was settled in his open palm. Pulling both her hands from her pockets she then reached one out towards the flower, pinching it just below the head and removing it from his hand without making contact with his skin. Her hands then hung limply by her side and she paid no more attention to the gift while looking back to him. "There really was no need. And don't go around in future with flowers hidden in your clothing, it's very easy to trace. Thanks anyway".

Callista then stood silently as he explained his purpose and background to her. When he finished she figured he would make a good Warrior, perhaps something more if his walk proved to be as good as his talk, but she looked now for loyalty from him. She raised her voice once again when he questioned her. "Darius, we would be willing to give you the home you look for should you prove yourself useful to us. Though, as I should think you know, it is not just a home, you have a role to fulfil and our species to defend. From what you say, you have excellent fighting ability, plus sufficient training and experience to serve as a Warrior here. Your skills with weapons shall not be necessary as we fight only hand-to-hand and in primal form. I'm sure the skills are transferrable however. A few more questions for you before I can answer your question. Were you born this species? Secondly, have you ever been in another pack? If so, do tell me why you are no longer with them". Looking intensely into his orbs, the seriousness showed in her gaze. "Finally, can you swear yourself to serving this pack and its leader?"

The smile never flickered, instead seeming to grow a little when she took the rose without care. It was refreshing to see someone who wasn't so enamoured by one gesture of goodwill and flirtation. She was unaffected which was a good thing. It showed signs that she would not be distracted in battle or swayed by emotions which could cost her life. She seemed like she would be a strict superior from her behaviour which was good. It was a stereotype, that those in high positions of power were stern but there was truth in it. Being strict usually meant that the person involved could instill discipline and resilience, two things which were of the utmost importance. And of course, there were exceptions. There were those who were leaders but seemed to be balanced with an equal measure of sternness and approachability. As such chiefs, commanders and the like were not exclusively associated with strictness. It was one trait, a common one but not the only one. As long as one was confident in oneself then there was no need to put up a front that was not natural to innate disposition and character of the person. It would like asking someone who was not naturally prone to expressive displays and gestures to act reserved and guarded while assuming leadership. However he understood what was expected of her as a Beta. Most importantly, confidence in herself in regards to her own abilities and skills and control over her sub-ordinates. It wasn't an easy task to manage a host of personalities that would no doubt clash at some point or were as varied as the warring races that inhabited these lands. She had an image to keep after all, he supposed. So he straightened, facing her with his shoulders back and chest forwards moonlight casting a silvery, ethereal glow on him and making his black hair seem a softer shade of black. He nodded to her in response. "I'll keep that in mind." He did not add that it had gotten lodged in his sleeve earlier when he had been training knowing that she had just been concerned about their safety. And he was pleased she had appreciated his gesture to some extent otherwise she wouldn't have thanked him. Perhaps her shell wasn't as hard as she would have liked him to believe.

His gaze never left her as he waited for her response. At the same time as it was second nature to him now, he kept his ears alert for any signs of intruders. He heard everything, from the crunching of ants marching on the forest floor, brushing aside leaves in the process and the cool breeze, faint as it was, whistling through the air stroking their clothes with gentle fingers. He smelt the damp forest floor, the scent of fresh meat in the form of the solitary owl, sparrow and the fox, deer and rabbit that had passed by and were lingering about and around. The silvery glow of the moon shone down on her, illuminating her. He had laid all his cards out on the table, as much as he thought she needed to know for acceptance into the pack. When she responded he said, "I was born a mere human to a Roman gladiator and slave so no, I was not. I was turned by another, a friend who was like an uncle to me." He did not go into anymore details further than that. Those were his own to keep and he did not feel like revealing all his secrets. At her second question something savage flashed in his eyes. A slight ripple seemed to cross his handsome features as memories of bloodshed, screaming and bone and flesh tearing underneath claws and metal washed over him like a tidal wave. It had been many, many centuries but he still remembered the pain that had followed him when he had run with a pack very well. He said, "Well now Beta Callista, I've been in two. The first, I was the leader you could say. It was a band of merry misfits, pirates. We were a band of werewolves and Moras with a few humans thrown in but they were my pack nevertheless. We were caught off-guard at a moment that could not be helped and my crew was killed including my mate and unborn pups. So you can guess why I'm no longer with them." He paused, his face growing dark."That was my first pack. The second, which is what you're probably looking for, was my second and last pack. It was a gang of samurai werewolves whose Lord wanted me to join them after I saved him from an assassin. We did everything a pack should do. Hunt and protect each other, protected our territory from invaders and we had our fights and disagreements as all packs do but we fought it out. As for why I left, the feudal era in Japan ended and when it did, so did the samurai so I left in search of a better life and a pack." His eyes met hers, unyielding and dark as he continued, his voice seeming to lower in texture to a deeper, steel-edged tone, "As you can see, my loyalty is not something you will ever have to question. I stay with the pack. I run with the pack, and I will ultimately serve the pack and its leader."

In response to him taking her warning with the rose seriously the superior wolf nodded her head in acknowledgement to the rogue, letting him know subtly that she was not solely reprimanding him but also informing him of things he would need to be aware of if he was to join the ranks. He had not outwardly apologised, which she almost respected him for. It was easy to say sorry, and perhaps not actually mean it, but it was another thing to know that you had done wrong or risked putting others in danger and to understand you must take every precaution not to do it again. As she watched him she believed he would do such a thing, and she had a slight hope that he would become an asset to the pack of beasts under Lucian’s rule. However, she had high expectations for all who entered past these borders. All that was required was for them to fulfil their duties to the very best of their abilities, respect the authority and to be always ready to battle against the vampires and humans at the least. If gathering information from or gaining an advantage over these other races meant forming an artificial friendship, then that was a valid reason to be friendly with them. But either way, there were aspects of her packmates lives that she would not, including their relationships, but if the Alpha did not will them to do something, then they had to do it. The rules were simple enough, but the wolves had to be very dedicated and aware of their actions at all times to be able to live by them constantly.

She knew that he was as attentive to the surrounding as she, from the way his nostrils flared slightly and from what she interpreted to be the slight sign of focus in his eyes that he was concentrating on what his senses informed him of as well as he was looking to herself during their conversation. At this time of evening she could sense the nocturnal creatures awakening from their slumbers and venturing out to find whatever food they could to sustain themselves as the weather only grew harsher while the seasons progressed. It would be a good time for her to possibly catch a plump deer for the pack fire to celebrate the joining of the new male. Such feasts provided some entertainment in the dreary moments where there was little to do, like now, at the end of a day. Still watching him, no signs of her thoughts showing through in her expression, she listened to him answer her questions. Much like herself, he was not a born werewolf. That mattered little to her, for many were created that way and many who were turned could be equally able as those born with the monstrous life fluid. She herself had been turned by Lucian’s blood, so was perhaps blessed with more strength. The beta could feel him become more guarded as he answered these questions, omitting details whereas he hadn't before when he spoke of his training. Callista did not mind, everyone had secrets, they were revealed with time. His face turned dark and she understood why as she listened to his tales of adventures, battles and loss of family. It sounded like something from a fictional story, with pirates of different species and samurai werewolves. Never the less, loyalty was evident and he had sworn himself to her pack. Holding his gaze with her dark orbs, the dark clouds of the sky passed over the moon as she addressed him, casting a great shadow over them to the point where she would be almost impossible to see to someone of human vision. “Darius, for swearing your oath to the Alpha and his pack, I shall accept you into the lands of the werewolves. Make sure to introduce yourself to the others and the Alpha in time, they may be at the camp fire now. There are caves and dens available should you wish to make yourself comfortable. I expect you will work hard and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of a race that will become great. Welcome to the wolves, Warrior” A slight smirk crept onto the corner of her lips as she slipped the crimson rose back into his hand, placed both her own into her jacket pockets and turned her back to stalk back through the trees, returning into the territory.