17

"Don't be ridiculous," Savannah held out her hands and shoved away from Dean. The burly warrior scowled and grunted his disapproval of her actions. She glared at the warrior and guards from her pack, "I'm the Alpha, and I forbid you to lay a hand on Zion. He's my mate, not just a rogue."

"But Justin said—"

"I don't care what Justin said! I'm in charge here."

Jamie mirrored her animosity, jutting her chin and throwing her shoulders back instead of posturing to her Alpha. "You left the pack under his authority. We've been taking orders from him."

"Okay, that's fine. I left him in charge, and I'm glad you submitted to his authority." Savannah thought back on all the times Jamie had preferred to joke with Justin instead of taking his commands as Beta seriously. The guard clearly had a thing for the handsome Beta, and Savannah had hoped that her absence had given Jamie time to mature and settle into her rank as Head Guard.

Clearly, she'd taken her position to the other extreme, opposing her Alpha and forgetting who she should really be deferring to. "But you're still under my command and leadership. You will do as I say, and go back to Justin. Tell him I'm not coming home and I'm not killing my mate!" Savannah told her bluntly.

Landon wisely remained silent but cast wary glances at the tall and muscular rogue. It was clear that even the three of them would have trouble taking him down. Without Savannah on their side, the task would be near impossible and likely suicidal. Nodding at Dean, the two of them stepped back, leaving Jamie and Savannah standing off, toe to toe, circling each other as if they were equals fighting for territory.

"You tell him yourself. Justin is worried about you, and is only just keeping himself together. You don't understand how hard it is for him to lead the pack as well," Jamie said lowly, rebuke in her tone. "And what on earth happened to your hair? Did the rogue try drowning you in a barrel of tar?"

Zion scoffed at her ridiculous accusation, but Savannah ignored it. "I'm sure my parents are helping with leadership of our pack. Dad never has trouble stepping in as Alpha when needed," she countered, knowing her enthusiastic father would never pass up the opportunity to lead his pack again.

"That's not the issue here," Jamie scowled, casting subtle glances between them.

"Then tell me what is? Because the way I see it, my pack is in perfectly capable hands, so I suggest you go back and keep doing your job."

"But you're our Alpha!"

"Couldn't tell by the way you're acting," Savannah crossed her arms and gave her guard a pointed look. When Jamie just growled lowly, the Alpha continued, "Right now I'm ordering you to stand down, and go home."

Jamie's eyes flashed, her jaw clenching as she fought against her desires to remain defiant. Then she wilted, her shoulders visibly sagging as she gave in to the dominance of her true Alpha. "Fine. I'll go back and tell Justin you refused to come home and shoulder your responsibilities. He's gonna be crushed that you'd rather gallivant around the city with a filthy rogue." Her last words were accompanied by an acidic glance at Zion.

"Oh please," he narrowed his eyes and growled at what Jamie was insinuating.

She ignored him. "I guess I'll have to be the one to console him," Jamie sighed dramatically.

Savannah couldn't help noticing that behind the indifference, Jamie was rather looking forward to the task. But once she looked beyond Jamie's attitude, she felt her heart tug at the way Justin was feeling.

Was he really missing her that much? It didn't make any sense, and she had to make Jamie see that so in turn, Justin would understand. "Sure. Go ahead. You do that, and while you're at it, tell him to stop worrying about me. I'm perfectly fine and safe. Does he really think my mate would hurt me?"

All three guards looked long and hard at Zion, who held himself with good posture, spine straight with his own natural air of dominance and strength. He was in control, not wild like the rogues they usually met and ended. He was clean and sophisticated, unlike the unkempt stench of mangy dogs they ridded the land of. As he stood beside Savannah and wrapped his hand around hers, it seemed he had no intention of killing her for her territory like most rogues would.

"No, I guess not. Your family is not going to like this, but I'll give a full report of everything that's happened here today. I'll try to make them see," Jamie leveled a serious look with her Alpha before she turned to the others. "Dean, Landon, let's go."

Then they disappeared into the shadows as quickly as they arrived.

"Finally. I thought they'd never leave us alone," Zion growled as he turned to Savannah, and before she could respond, his mouth swallowed hers in a passionate kiss.

Savannah's heart raced, and her body flared to life with the simple touch. Her hands instinctively slid up his chest and delved into his hair, tugging him closer. His kisses were something she was now addicted to, and craved if she wandered too far from his touch.

How had she survived before him? Was this only the bond that drove her wild with desire and thirsty for more? How could her body be so attracted to him when her mind and heart kept telling her to slow down and take it easy?

His kisses were as hot and filthy as the rubbish drama on tv. Zion was a rogue afterall, and bad boys like him had never been on her radar as potential mates. Still, if this was who God fated her with, she wasn't complaining.

It didn't take them long to make it back home, and share the story of running into Savannah's pack warriors.

"Such a warm bunch of wolves. I'm sure I'll be happily welcomed into your pack should I decide to visit," Zion smirked.

"You might find this amusing, but it's not!" Savannah snapped, showing how rattled she was with the news from home. What would Justin do next in his quest to retrieve her? She'd told him to stay put and look after their pack, so what was he doing defying her orders and sending out search parties? Was her mother behind it all? Or maybe her dad was feeling overprotective of his adult daughter, and insisting they rescue her from the clutches of an evil murderous rogue?

She'd told them Zion wasn't all bad, and not to worry about her. But thinking about it from her parents' point of view, she could understand what they would be feeling given the circumstances of her presumed abduction.

"They care about you, Vannah. You can't blame your family for being desperate to have you home," Cale said as he placed a hand on her shoulder, reading her thoughts like her closest friends had become adept at.

"I know," she gave him a wan smile. "I'm just worried about what Justin might do next."

"We have bigger things to worry about," Phoenix interrupted and sat on the kitchen stool opposite them. He looked at Zion where he was mixing breakfast, a grave expression on his face. "We received an encrypted message to your private email address. The Captain has summoned you."

"For when?"

"As soon as possible. Today, even."

Zion's jaw clenched, and Savannah instantly sat up straighter. With her worries pushed to the back of her mind, her sense tingled with curiosity. "The Captain? You mean, the guy from the two hundred year old legend?"

"Wolves don't die young," Phoenix gave her a chiding look, as if her presumption was immature and proved her ignorance.

She knew what he meant, and had many older wolves in her pack, elders and great grandparents who offered much wisdom to the younger generations. She just couldn't imagine rogues surviving so long in the wild when some Alphas made it their mission to hunt them down.

"Did he say what it's about?" Zion asked.

"I think we all know what it's about." Chayton entered the dining room and crossed his arms as he leaned against the bench. His cryptic response intrigued Savannah even more. "I'm ready when you are, boss."

"Give me half an hour."

"I'm coming with you," Savannah spoke around a mouthful of food as she scarfed down the last of her breakfast.

"No, you're not," her mate deadpanned.

"I want to learn everything about you guys, and that includes your rogue history." She lifted her chin and spoke with a smirk on her lips. "You do want me to understand you better, yes?"

Zion narrowed his eyes on her, carefully scrutinising and assessing each of her intentions. "Fine. But only to meet the Captain. Then you're out. We have to discuss some highly classified matters," he finally conceded after sharing silent looks with Phoenix and Chayton.

Despite his harsh tone, Savannah nodded. "I don't doubt it." Then she clapped her hands gleefully and rushed off to get ready for the day.

"Before you go, hand over your phone."

"Excuse me?" she glared at Niko who'd entered silently behind her and blocked her exit from the dining room.

"I have to switch off the location services. It is imperative that no one knows where the Captain lives. Seeing as how savvy you are, you may track the route you take. And we can't have that, can we?" Reaching around her with lightning speed, he pulled her phone from her back jeans pocket.

Savannah felt her hackles rise. "Don't you dare call me savvy." She snatched at her phone in his hands.

"She's right," Chayton smirked. "She's definitely not tech savvy."

"Or even street savvy, isn't that right, little savvy Alpha Savannah?" Phoenix joined in. "Remember that time at the docks, how you nearly got us all killed with your savacious mouth?"

"I'm warning you," she glared at all three males who were clearly in the process of signing their death warrants, wicked smirks on their faces as they eyed her.

"Maybe she lost a little of her savviness when she said goodbye to her boyfriend—I mean, Beta," Niko winked.

The Alpha growled, a clear warning against continuing this joke.

But did they get the hint? Even when Cale turned deathly pale and shook his head at them?

"Perhaps it's the city air. I think Savvy needs a real savannah to let her wolf run wild in. The city is too technologically advanced for her."

"Right, Savvy?"

"That's it!" She exploded, leaping across the room and tackling Phoenix to the ground. They both crashed into the living room, the couch splintering under their weight. Savannah held on with her claws, then reared back and punched him in the nose.

"Wait, I—!" he lifted his arm uselessly in defense against the enraged Alpha shewolf.

Another punch, this one to his eye. "I warned you!" the Alpha snarled, her claws ripping his shirt and coming dangerously close to his jugular vein. She watched as red stripes seeped from his torn skin. "So you bleed, too. Good to know."

Before she could inflict any permanent damage, she was hauled off by a pair of strong arms, stronger even than her anger-induced rage.

"That's enough, you two!" Zion shouted, glaring at Phoenix as he picked himself up from the couch stuffing and broken timbers. "Are you pups or something?"

"I warned them! But they kept calling me names," Savannah spun in his arms and pushed herself away.

"Yeah, she hates being called Savvy, in case you didn't catch it the first time." Trying not to laugh at Phoenix's self-induced predicament, Cale edged his way into the conversation.

"I don't care. No fighting under my roof. You know the rules, Phoenix," Zion gave his friend a stern growl.

Phoenix clenched his jaw, wincing at the pain in his nose and the bruise blossoming around his eyes. "Yeah, whatever man." He pushed past them, glaring at Savannah, and disappeared down the hall.

With a huff, Savannah eyed the remaining rogues with a deadly gleam in her eye. Phoenix's blood coated the tips of her fingers, and she smiled at the way the rogues flinched at the sight. "If you must shorten my name, it's Vannah. Nothing more, nothing less. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Sure thing, little Alpha."

"Aye, aye, madam."

After that, it didn't take long to grab her jacket and climb into Zion's car. With a blindfold wrapped around her eyes, Savannah bit her tongue against complaining as they sped swiftly down roads she could only guess at. Her life had surely become one wild adventure since stepping foot off her territory with her roguish mate.

With each turn, her stomach twisted in anticipation. The low hum of the passing bitumen beneath her did nothing to ease her anxiety, but one consolation kept her calm. Zion sat beside her, his thigh occasionally brushing against hers as they took a sharp turn, and his presence was enough to soothe any fears she had of where they were going.

If the Captain was dangerous, she had no doubt Zion would protect her against him. He'd saved her life a couple times already, so she doubted he'd offer her up as a bargaining chip to this mysterious Captain. Unless that was his plan all along...

"Why aren't the others coming with us?" she asked, suddenly realising how quiet it was without any of the other rogues bickering around them. Fear spiked the base of her skull and spread like a numbing toxin down her central nervous system.

"The Captain prefers solitude. He disdains meeting new people and letting others get to know him. It is an honour for even me to be summoned to his presence."

Savannah didn't miss the almost reverent tone of Zion's voice, and wondered just how influential this captain was among rogues. "Then why did you bring me? I'm new. What if he refuses to see me?"

Zion cast her a sideways look, one she couldn't read. "I'm sure he'll allow you to speak with him briefly. I have a feeling he will like to meet you. But I warn you, don't tell him you're an Alpha. And if you behave yourself, he may leave your tongue intact."

"Excuse me?" She understood the Alpha part, but what about her tongue?

"The Captain is very careful with what he says. Last year, an associate of mine remarked upon this lack of words, and immediately found himself pinned to the wall while his tongue was sliced out."

"That's horrible! And gross! So... your friend was no longer able to speak?"

Zion just shook his head with a hint of amusement. "You tell me."

Savannah pursed her lips and crossed her arms. Images flashing in her mind of a bloodthirsty rogue, with wild eyes and a crazed expression, snarling and reaching to rip into soft flesh. After a quiet moment, she built up the courage to ask, "Anything else I should know about this nefarious captain?"

"Never make eye contact with him, even if he tells you to look at him. In his era and circles of command, eye contact was reserved for equal rank. Even if you think you're better than him, never let him know it...if you value your eyes," he looked over at her and smirked.

"Duly noted." Savannah pulled the visor down and peeked over her blindfold to study her eyes in the mirror for a moment. She loved her swirling brown irises and naturally long lashes, and wanted to remember what they looked like in case they were plucked out without warning. "Anything else?" Her voice wavered as she asked.

"Never touch him. Not even to shake his hand. And never, ever, underestimate him or let his calm facade fool you. Tricks and deceit form the alphabet of his most fluent language."

Curling her fingers tightly into her palms, Savannah squirmed in her seat with a suddenly racing heart. What kind of monster was this captain? He would have to be pretty vicious to slaughter a group of Alphas, rip out tongues and eyes, yet fool you into believing he was harmless.

"We're here," Zion remarked at last, and Savannah yanked off her blindfold. She barely had time to tumble from the car and fall into step behind her mate before he locked it behind her. Looking around them, she noticed they were in an industrial estate with wide roads, a few semi-trailers parked in loading bays, and tall, square structures for warehouse and storage facilities.

Zion marched right up to a modern building decorated with muted blocks of painted walls, and keyed in a code on the panel by the frosted glass door. As soon as it wooshed open, he entered and held it for her. A blast of cool air greeted them, making Savannah shiver. Her gut twisted further into knots, but she threw her shoulders back while taking a deep, fortifying breath. She knew how to appear confident even when her body cringed inside.

A clean sterile scent surrounded them, and she kept her eyes and senses on her surroundings as Zion led the way up an elevator and down a softly carpeted hall. From beyond the walls, she identified the steady hum of machinery and occasional clang of steel against steel.

They came to a large door, and again Zion keyed in a code, causing her to wonder how often he was summoned to speak with the captain.

"Remember, mind your manners."

From the serious glint in Zion's eyes, anyone would think they were about to meet the Queen of Vinlarhk herself.

The door swung open, and Savannah's eyes couldn't take in the scene fast enough.

It look like a usual executive office, complete with a large mahogany desk, leather swivel chair behind it and a couple chairs opposite, filing cabinets and bookshelves lining the walls, trays of paper and documents, stationery, plaques and certificates adorning one wall, and a potted ficus lyrata in the corner. The executive chair spun around and Savannah immediately dropped her eyes to the textured carpet below.

"Zion, it's been a while."

The gravelly voice reached across the office, cloaked in rich authority and a practiced air of dominance. Whoever this rogue was, he came from high-ranking ancestry.

"Captain."

She heard Zion's clipped tone, and saw him lower his head from the corner of her eye.

"What's with the formalities? I thought I told you years ago to loosen up, son."

The captain's voice held a touch of amusement, and Savannah itched to lift her eyes and examine the mysterious rogue. But Zion's warnings rang in her ears, overriding her natural curiosity.

"You know I like to show my respect, especially before those who are yet to make your acquaintance," Zion replied carefully.

"Ahh yes, I see you've brought a friend."

Footsteps drew closer, and Savannah swallowed thickly when her throat ran dry. Black polished shoes appeared in her vision, and she clasped her fingers together to keep them from twisting nervously.

"What makes you think she is worthy to be here?" the captain asked, his voice commanding. The bass notes rumbling in the lowered pitch sent shivers running up and down the Alpha's spine.

"She is of a rank that might be useful to your cause."

"Is she now?" The captain circled her, and she felt his eyes scanning her body. She glanced at Zion with a glare in her eyes, mentally cursing him for mentioning rank when he'd made it clear she shouldn't. Was he trying to get rid of her by selling her to this rogue?

"And what might that be?"

She jumped when the captain stopped in front of her, laid a finger under her chin, and tilted her face up. Keeping her eyes cast downward, she held her breath and felt her knees go weak. Her reaction was stupid, considering her strength of Alpha, but if this rogue was as strong and brutish as Zion made out...

"She's my mate."

At those words, her eyes snapped to Zion's, and she found his hazel irises dancing with golden flecks. His expression, the lines around his eyes and the thinning of his lips, looked for all the world like he was smothering a chuckle.

She dared glance at the rogue captain, and was horrified to see the same expression on his older yet handsome face. Something about his eyes reminded her of Zion's, and she looked between the two as they traded amused glances.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, my boy?" the captain slapped his hand on Zion's shoulder and reached up to ruffle his hair. Shorter than Zion, the captain was broad and well-muscled, his powerful physique not easily hidden under a business shirt and neat black trousers. His hair was cropped short, his blue eyes crinkled in happiness, and his mouth widened in a genuine smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you," he then held out his hand to Savannah, and she cast a questioning look to her mate.

At the smirk Zion was giving her, Savannah felt herself wilt in relief while at the same time clench her jaw in fury. Clearly, the rogues were enjoying a private joke at her expense.

"I'd say the pleasure is all mine, but I'm still not sure I can trust you," Savannah narrowed her eyes at the rogue captain, and pointedly ignored his extended hand. She still couldn't be sure he wouldn't bite off her fingers.

At this, the rogues both laughed, and Savannah felt herself grow even hotter with indignation. "Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Zion dearest?" she pinned furious eyes on him, and watched as he just shook his head.

"Whatever my boy told you, ignore it. He loves fooling around," the captain waved a hand dismissively, then straightened his face and nodded his head. "I am Victor Forrester, and I am truly honoured to meet you."

His tone of voice was sincere, his stance not threatening, yet Savannah still watched him for a moment, blinking a few times as the cogs in her mind turned. "Forrester? As in...Zion's father?" she turned to Zion, the shared similarities between the rogues finally making sense.

"Didn't he tell you?" Victor asked, suddenly shaking his head at Zion. "Such a prankster."

"Yeah, a real prankster," Savannah glared at Zion, her eyes spilling threats as she plotted the countless number of ways to enact revenge on him for frightening her like this.

A fraction of his smile slipped, but then he met her steely gaze with a heated one of his own, those irises she loved so much twinkling with promises of danger and passion.

She snapped her eyes closed before she lost herself in his entrancing gaze, and tapped a couple fingers on her forehead. "Why does your name sound so familiar?" she turned to Victor. "I know! Were you at Alpha Malachi and Luna Ariella's acceptance ceremony? You showed up without an invitation and gatecrashed the party. You ate all the cake!"

Wagging her finger in his face, she let the memories of missing out on cake flood her. That three-tiered fruity masterpiece had been on display all morning, tantalising her as she ran around playing games with Justin and Cale. Just when the ceremony was over and they were cutting it up to eat, Alpha Asa had shoved the strange man in a chair, surrounded him with his mean-looking associates, and ordered him to talk. Luna Danella had first given them all slices of cake and dainty cups of tea in the hopes of sweetening their interrogative experience.

Savannah had wanted to shove grapes up their noses and kick them off the territory for ruining such a glorious party.

"Yes, that was me. I do apologise for any inconvenience caused." Victor again nodded courteously, and Savannah couldn't help smiling at his good manners.

Perhaps it was his disarming smile that was so alike his son's, those sparkling eyes hiding any threat of danger, or maybe it was just confidence in her own strength and dominance as Alpha, that had her resistance slipping. She felt she could learn to like this well-bred gentleman despite her initial fears of a roguish brute. "You're nothing like what I expected. But I am also glad to meet you. Zion told me about how you raised him when—" she bit her tongue, suddenly realising she shouldn't mention the woman who didn't want either of them.

Victor again smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "He was a good boy, most of the time. But as to his character now, I do apologise. There's only so much a father can do. I just hope you have what it takes to handle him."

"I'm sure I do," she turned to Zion and winked with smug satisfaction. "Alphas can handle anything."

"You're an Alpha?" All the colour drained from Victor's face.

"I— I mean.. You didn't know?" she asked in confusion. If Zion would so easily tell his father about his mate, wouldn't he also already know she was an Alpha?

"Okay, that's enough chit chat," Zion abruptly interrupted, snatching her up in his powerful arms and marching out of the office.

"Wait! I need to say somethi—"

"You've said enough for one day," Zion glared at her to shut up.

"But I didn't—"

The rest of her sentence never got the chance to exist as Zion pushed open a heavy door, walked into a large room that rang with the clatter of heavy machinery, and dropped her.

Freefalling, she felt her body become weightless before she was engulfed by cold water. Through the blur of liquid, she watched Zion's broad back turn on her and disappear beyond the door. It closed with a thud, the vibrations from the lock clicking into place rippling in the icy water around her.