22

"Clearly not enough, since it didn't cool me down," she whined, secretly loving the heat that radiated from his touch and warmed her body despite the cold water surrounding them both. When he stepped even closer, backing her against the edge of the pool, she smirked up at him. When he removed his shirt, she bit her lip to contain a gasp. "So you are joining me?"

She couldn't help eyeing his hard, muscled chest with desire. A wave of daring washed over her, and she ran her fingers up his abdominals and across his chest, watching with awe the way his skin tensed and prickled under her touch. She could touch him like this all day, explore every gloriously beautiful muscle in his powerful body. How lucky could she be by getting Zion as her mate!

"Not in a million years," he responded coldly.

She didn't seem to hear him. "You just want to feel me all over you, isn't that right, Rogue? You can't get enough of my goodness," she teased while pressing herself against him. The warmth of his body encompassing hers was like the sweetest agony. "Mmm, you smell amazing." Nuzzling her nose against his neck, she took a deep breath and moaned at the heady scents of cypress and manly spice that overpowered even the chlorine of the pool water.

Zion pushed her away before throwing his shirt over her body and tugging it down to cover all her exposed skin. "It's past your bedtime, young lady. Time to say goodbye." He grabbed her around the waist, his large hands nearly completely circling her, and threw her over his shoulder before climbing nimbly out of the pool.

"Put me down, you big barbarian!" she screeched while pounding her fists on his lower back. Eventually realising it was useless, she called out, "Goodbye, everybody! Thanks for the epic party! So much fun!"

Zion marched her stiffly down the street and towards his home, keeping a tight grip on her thighs even when she began swaying back and forth, humming the tune from earlier.

"You're such a party pooper, you know that? We were having so much fun until you showed up." She sighed dramatically.

"Tell that to your hungover self tomorrow."

"I don't get hungover. I'm an Alpha, remember? I'll be fine."

He snorted. "That's another thing. Do you know how close you came to blowing your cover and getting yourself killed?"

Savannah threw her head back and laughed, her diaphragm aching for air from her upside-down position over his back. "You really don't think I could've handled myself against some puny rogues? You're hilarious!"

"It wasn't just them you were worried about, if I recall," he replied grimly.

Giggling some more, Savannah sobered as she thought back on the dark look on his face from earlier. "You're right. You were so angry, I thought for sure you were about to strangle me. Or kiss me stupid. I totally enjoyed the kiss, by the way. It was amazing! You could kiss me all night and it would make up for all the arguments...Wait!" she tapped her chin, wracking her brain as she pondered some more. Everything was so fuzzy, and she was starting to feel sick with all this blood rushing to her head. "Why were we arguing in the first place?"

Zion finally reached their house and swung her down onto the doorstep, steadying her when she threatened to topple right over. With a heavy sigh, he unlocked the door, pushed it open, and shoved Savannah over the threshold.

"Because, my dear little Alpha, you just found out I killed Alpha Bastien."

She gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Then, a giggle escaped despite her best efforts. He had to be joking. Everything he said was so funny, and the way his eyes crinkled as he looked down at her with amusement was so cute. He was so adorable, and she just wanted to reach up and pat the sun streaked hair on his head. It would definitely be as soft as a puppy's fur, or maybe even a chicken's feathers.

Maybe, just maybe, it would be silky like the rabbit costume she used to wear when Cale and Justin came over to play dress ups when they were all little pups. Cale nearly died from fright the first time she put it on, and Justin couldn't stop laughing for a whole week after as he replayed the reaction over and over on his camera.

Zion swung the door shut behind them, the loud thud snapping Savannah from her reverie. He locked it, then with a predatory gleam in his gorgeous eyes, he backed her against the wall.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a trace of a smirk. "And now, Alpha Savannah, I have you right where I want you."

Savannah groaned, trying to lift her head. It felt as heavy as ten rhinoceros, and she soon gave up. The incessant pounding in her temples and throbbing ache all over was enough to make her wish she never had to wake up. Curling into a tight ball, the Alpha squeezed her eyes shut, buried her face in her pillow, and imagined the world didn't exist.

Floating in a fuzzy haze of fragmented memories and fantasies, she couldn't even begin to imagine what her last twenty four hours of life consisted of.

It was all a blur.

A blur of emotions flitted through her mind; anger, fear, doubt, desire, and excitement. What they all meant, she didn't know and didn't have the energy to figure out.

The throbbing in her head increased, partnered with an incessant tapping that burrowed its way annoyingly into her brain.

Sleep wouldn't return, so she rolled over again and forced her eyes open. The light streaming through the bedroom curtains stung, and her throat felt parched as she yawned.

"Nice to see you're not dead."

She jerked up at the sound of that voice. The one replaying in her dreams and promising dangerous things. The one that melted over her like warm honey, yet grated on her nerves with anticipation and dread.

Her eyes found Zion sitting casually in his chair across the room, dressed effortlessly in a sweatshirt and slim-fitting track pants, one leg crossed over the other, his hands laced over a knee. He tilted his head and regarded her closely. "Do you realise what time it is?"

"Uh..." her mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton balls. "Late morning?"

He rolled his eyes then released a weary sigh. "Try late afternoon."

"Are you kidding me!" she tried leaping up, but fell back with a groan, her hand clapping to her head as it threatened to explode. "What happened to me?"

"You'd probably rather not remember," Zion waved his hand and gave a vague response.

"What is that supposed to mean? Can't you just... stop speaking in riddles?" she sat up, running her fingers through her hair to untangle it. Then she rubbed her hands down her face to try and ease some feeling back into her groggy existence.

"You really don't remember going for a dip at Chuck's place last night?"

Savannah's eyes widened. "A swim? But I don't even have swimmers here..." Flashes of the previous night invaded her head, memories of Talei and Willow encouraging her to drink, to go for a swim, to throw all cares to the wind and just let go. Her cheeks heated as she looked down at herself, and realised she was only wearing a shirt of Zion's, with no underwear beneath besides pants.

The phantom touch of her mate's hands on her thighs was heavy, the warmth of his breath on her face as he pressed her against the wall and admitted killing...

"Oh my goodness!" she sucked in a deep breath as the memory became clearer. Did he take advantage of her while she was drunk out of her mind? Had he undressed her and ogled her body shamelessly while she was passed out? "You," she lifted a wobbly hand and pointed her finger at him, "are such a jerk."

Pulling her feet under her, she rose to stand, but overbalanced when blood drained from her head. A squeak escaped her lips as she fell forwards headfirst to the carpet below.

Instantly she was engulfed in Zion's arms, never reaching the ground as he caught her in mid-air.

"You, my dear little Alpha, are not going anywhere until you have at least one glass of tea, some water, and sufficient rest," he placed her back in bed and picked up a decent-sized mug from the nightstand.

Savannah gingerly took the mug, then sniffed its contents while eyeing him over the rim. He was watching her intently from where he sat on the edge of the bed. "What is this stuff?" It smelled sweet like rosemary, with a touch of peppermint and something else, something bitter.

"A blend of Old World herbs. Mainly, tanacetum parthenium."

"Feverfew?"

"You've heard of it?"

"I grow it in my backyard. Such cute little flowers. They add the prettiest touch to floral arrangements," she gave a loose shrug.

Zion nodded. "It's also good for headaches and other mild maladies."

Savannah nearly snorted. "I suppose you would know," she lifted a brow knowingly. Clearly, being such a murderous rogue, he'd need something to calm his tortured mind at night to help him sleep after committing unforgivable crimes.

He just pressed his lips together and lifted his palms in placation. "Just drink it."

She did, loving the way it soothed her throat and awakened her senses. After placing the empty mug back on the dresser, she drank a whole bottle of water. Feeling refreshed, she focused back on her mate as he sat calmly only a foot away from her. His expression was serene and centred, while she was unravelling inside as implications from the previous night bombarded her on all sides. Just what had she done, and how big a fool of herself did she make? And had he started the whole mess by telling her the truth?

"Did you really kill Bastien?"

"Yes."

His blunt honesty smacked her in the face even though she'd been praying for it. "He was a good man!" Savannah remembered hearing the news of the Alpha of Mooncliffe's disappearance a few years ago, never dreaming it was her future mate who had killed him. Her eyes lit in anger as she leaned forward, wanting to tackle the murderer who sat calmly only a foot away. Instead, she clutched her head between her hands when a wave of pain engulfed her. She knew feverfew was a pain reliever, but it needed time to take effect.

"And I suppose all Alphas are, naturally, good."

"I never said that," she refuted her mate while shooting him an exasperated glare. "In fact, I know some pretty terrible Alphas." Like the one that killed my grandparents.

"Then believe me when I say," Zion twisted to face her, his thigh brushing her knee. She felt his body heat reach out and caress her as he leaned in closer. "Bastien was not a good Alpha."

She gulped, hating the way her mouth had gone bone dry. After grabbing another bottle of water and drinking half of it, her eyes never letting his escape her scrutiny, she trusted her voice enough to say, "You're going to tell me the full story. No buts; no excuses."

Zion leaned back, easing the tension between them, and nodded his head. "Yes, the whole truth."

She felt her body sag in relief.

"When I know I can trust you."

"Excuse me?" Instantly, his words caused her to bristle.

Zion tilted his head and regarded her with calculating eyes. "After all you keep threatening to do to me and my gang, do you really think I would trust you with my darkest secrets?"

Her eyebrows creased in a dark frown. "You're unbelievable. Haven't you learnt by now that I don't want to hurt you or your gang?"

"Yes, which just shows how little of a threat you are to me. You're weak, easily manipulated, and if my secrets fell into the wrong hands, it could mean disaster for all of us."

"How dare you say that about me!" Savannah did launch herself at him this time, shoving the blankets to one side to remove all impediments. But despite her best intentions, her feet tripped over themselves, her knees gave out, and she fell face-first into his lap.

"You really need to calm down, Savannah," Zion scolded as he caught her, righted her, and placed her back under the blankets. Soothing the sheets to gently cover her exposed legs only made her blush all the more as the truth of his words rang in her ears.

He was right. Last night she'd given complete proof that she wasn't ready for his world. If she couldn't control herself in certain situations, there was no way he'd want to entrust her with his terrible secrets. Realising she was far too impulsive and headstrong for her own good was only one of the many instances that proved her mate's astuteness.

"I suppose you're waiting for a thank you," she dropped her head and mumbled quietly, wincing from the sudden movement. She grabbed the water for another sip.

"Well," he lifted a shoulder before letting it drop with a heavy sigh, "I could have let you face plant into the carpet. I could have let you get even more wasted at the party last night and find your own way home while laughing hysterically—"

"Ok..." she tried to concede, but stopped when his darkened eyes looked deep into her soul.

"I guess I could have let all those hungry wolves ravish my topless mate—"

Water spewed from Savannah's mouth as she choked. "I was not topless!"

"How would you know?" Zion erupted in a wide grin even as he wiped water from his face. Leaning closer, he tapped a finger on her forehead, "You can't remember a thing from last night."

Feeling her face redden in embarrassment at his teasing, Savannah looked down and clenched her fists around the bottle, disfiguring the soft plastic, then placed it back on the nightstand. "I know....because I know you. Despite every nasty rumour you like to hide behind," she gave him a contemplative look, "You wouldn't allow me to do something so stupid." She watched the triumphant smile on his face turn into something more serious, his eyes darkening with some unreadable emotions, and it caused her stomach to tighten and unwind in a contradiction.

"You're absolutely right," he replied in a low whisper that bordered on a growl. "I would never allow anyone to see what is mine, and mine only."

Feeling her body heat up from just his tone of voice, the possessiveness that laced the rough baritone, Savannah knew she could trust him on this. He would defend her honour no matter how stupid she was acting, and he would never ever take advantage of his position as her mate just because he had the opportunity. Despite all the denial, he really did have some decency in him, and she felt relief flood her like a wave of oxygen after drowning in doubt.

Flinging her arms around him, she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "I am eternally grateful. Thank you for rescuing me, my knight in shining armour," she whispered, leaning back to look him in the eyes as a playful smile teased her lips.

Something changed between them. The air crackled with an electricity that wasn't there before, but it was recognisable. Familiar, like the spark she'd felt a couple times when their hearts beat in sync.

Zion smiled--a slow smile that held too many promises--and wrapped his arms around her waist before placing a light kiss on her lips. "Always, little Alpha."

Playing with the back of his hair, she loved the feel of the wavy ends sliding through her fingers, and Savannah slowly became mesmerised by the hazel glimmering lights in Zion's eyes. Containing herself no longer, she pressed her lips to his and kissed him deeply. He responded, pulling her closer and cradling the back of her head in his hand. When his body shifted, moving back off the bed before coming closer to hover over her, she felt a spike in the tempo of her heart. His weight as he rested it gently on her body caused a thrill to run through her, and she found it hard to breathe though he supported himself on his elbows.

His kisses grew stronger, more fervent as he tasted first her mouth then her jawline, trailing his lips down to her neck and then her collarbone. Concentrating on one particular area, Savannah wondered what it would feel like to have his teeth sink into her skin, to be marked by him. It was a scary thought, but she was never normally afraid of anything. And this was no different.

When Zion moved further down still, kissing over the material of his shirt, she tangled her fingers in his hair and silently wondered just how far he intended to go, and if she should stop him. Did she want him to stop? She knew this was totally inappropriate given everything they'd just discussed, so why did it feel so right?

Before she could figure out these answers, Zion sat up, pushing himself away with a conflicted look in his eyes.

"What—" the breath was stolen from her lungs at the sudden rush of coolness from his absence.

"I'm sorry," Zion muttered and averted his eyes as he climbed off the bed. "I shouldn't be touching you, not until we accept and mark each other."

"Oh, really?" Savannah sat up against the headboard, pulling the sheet up to her chin to hide her trembling body. "Will we ever get to that? I know there's a lot to discuss but... But it seems every time I try talking to you about our relationship... friendship.. whatever it is we have," she waved her hands wildly between them. She knew she was rambling, and it only made her more out of breath. "You change the topic. You don't want to even have a serious discussion, but just make a joke of everything—"

"A joke?" he looked at her sharply, making her wish she could take back the words. He was the last person she wanted to falsely accuse. "Savannah, I think it is you who doesn't take this seriously. Have you even fully considered what it would mean for us to be together? Would you really want to mark a rogue? One who has killed an Alpha? You know how dangerous I am."

He had a good point. "I do know, believe me." She thought back on all the reports she'd read about the Silver Rogue. "But maybe if I just knew why--"

"And I will tell you, I promise. Just not now. It's bad enough you know it was me who killed Bastien." He raked a hand through his previously neat hair, leaving the waves in an unruly mess.

She thought about his words, and realised the implications. She was now in a very dangerous position, having heard his confession to the murder. Wasn't it her duty as an Alpha to report him to the council and bring him to justice? Hadn't it been her responsibility all along to arrest the Silver Rogue for his countless crimes? The fact he was her mate, and that she had determined to protect him, was making things very messy. Settling back against the headboard and folding her hands over her lap, she gave him a serious look. "Perhaps I trust you had a very good reason."

He cast her a troubled look, his brows furrowed as he pondered this. Then a hard expression settled over his features, the ease of it chilling her. "Then perhaps you trust me too much. You're naive to think an Alpha can receive the mark of a rogue and not lose everything because of it. Do you really want me so badly, Savannah, to turn your back on everything you love?"

"You don't have to remain a rogue, you know. Come home with me, and join my pack," she crawled forward on the bed and placed her hand on his.

He pulled his hand away and gave a mirthless laugh. "You really are naive to think I'd throw everything I've worked for away and just follow you into the confines of a pack."

"We could make it work, I'm sure," Savannah struggled against the coldness that crept over her bones and into her heart. "Once you've marked me, you'd understand us so much better. You would want to be part of my pack."

Zion sighed heavily. "From what I've learnt, relationships are built on trust. Would you really want to be marked by a man who doesn't even trust you?" His brow lifted in a challenge.

She immediately opened her mouth to respond, but her mind was still processing his words. "So... so we need to prove ourselves trustworthy to each other."

That's what it all came down to, whether one would betray the other, or remain loyal against everything they stood for.

"You make it sound so easy," Zion gave a loose shrug. "But look around you, Savannah. Who do you really want to trust? To mark and claim you?"

With those words hanging in the air between them, he rose from the bed and left after closing the door softly behind him, leaving her with her mouth hanging open.

His question rattled in her mind, making her think about it seriously...

But of course, he was her mate! Of course she wanted him to mark her and spend the rest of her life with him. They were so different, or maybe too alike, but they'd make it work. She'd find out exactly why he'd killed Alpha Bastien, and then they'd work through the consequences together. No matter his past, she could envision his future of being a good and upright man. He had so much fire and passion, it just needed to be channeled in the right direction.

They were made for each other, so what did he mean?

Then what he'd said became clearer, the real reason why he was remaining distant and kept joking about being together.

He wasn't just a rogue. She was beginning to see him for the man he was, the friends he'd made, and the life he'd built for himself. Whatever his reasons, he'd become an opponent of anything to do with packs, ranking, and respect for those higher in authority. Everything he was, was in opposition to her status.

How could she just ask him to give all that up? Rogues were far more complex than she'd been brought up to believe, their actions not so black and white as they danced across the line of right and wrong. What would it mean for him to belong to her world?

Anguish twisted her heart, and she whispered to the closed door, "Zion, would you really want to be marked by an Alpha?"

After spending another hour in bed with her mind running in circles instead of resting, she eventually dragged herself out, showered, and made her way downstairs. The kitchen was empty, which she was grateful for. She didn't want to be sociable while recovering from a hangover and pondering the complexities of her mate bond. Instead, she got busy making pancakes for breakfast, as she suddenly had a craving for their fluffy goodness. There might even be some syrup in the pantry, and fruit to go on the side.

"Well, well, look who decided to join the land of the living," Phoenix chuckled as he sauntered into the dining room and pulled up a stool at the kitchen bench.

"You don't look much better yourself," she eyed his messy appearance and bloodshot eyes. "You had a few too many drinks?"

He plucked a pear from the fruit bowl. "What would you count as too many? Just enough to ease the pain? Or to make you forget why you were hurting in the first place?" he scowled angrily at the pear before squeezing it to a pulp in his fist.

"Ouch. I take it Pansy didn't return your affection?"

"Oh, Pansy did alright. It was her brother that spiked my drink. Couldn't keep anything down all night."

Savannah couldn't help but laugh at the rogue's misfortune. If he'd crossed a protective brother, he deserved the pain. "Sounds like she has a very caring brother. Gotta hand it to him, you did look like a typical bad boy last night."

"What? I even wore a nice shirt that you approved of!"

"You didn't tell me a brother was involved. If you had, I would have come up with something more appropriate," she teased, waving a spatula with flourish before placing a plate of banana pancakes in front of the sulking rogue.

"You made these?" Phoenix took a long sniff and looked up at her in appreciation, his heartache momentarily forgotten.

"You see anyone else here who could've done it?" she propped a hand on her hip.

"No, ma'am," he gave her a wink before shoveling them into his mouth, nodding his head with satisfaction. "These seriously are good," he commented after finishing another plateful. "Most of the girls I know can't even make toast without setting the smoke alarms off," he chuckled.

"Then you should really acquire better taste in women."

"Ain't that the truth," he frowned, his sullen mood overtaking him again.

"Well, it's a good thing you know me now. I can pretty much cook anything you'd like," Savannah told him cheerily, trying to lighten his mood. "Growing up as the oldest of five pups has taught me to be pretty resourceful in the kitchen. Both my mum and dad showed me how to make their favourite recipes, and I've come up with lots of my own."

"That's pretty cool your parents like to cook. Mine always just made two minute noodles or told me and my siblings to make ourselves a peanut butter sandwich," Phoenix tried adding a laugh to his words to lighten the sentiment behind them, but Savannah could see he didn't have very fond memories of meal times with his family.

"Yeah, I'm very grateful for my parents. They're often in the kitchen, making something together. It's been like that for as long as I can remember. In fact," she grinned with a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes, "I often wonder if my little sis was conceived in the kitchen."

Phoenix choked on his glass of orange juice. "No way!"

"Who's conceiving a baby in the kitchen?"

This time, Savannah choked on her spoonful of yogurt. The suspicious look in Zion's eyes as he barreled into their space had her stomach doing all kinds of acrobatics. "I was just talking about my parents..."

"Really, now?" Zion leaned against the bench, crossed his arms, and gave Phoenix a hard glare.

The younger rogue spluttered as his eyes widened. "I'm outta here," he coughed and backpedaled from the kitchen, grabbing his plate before hastily retreating.

Savannah glared at him before he fully disappeared. "Traitor."

"So, making something in the kitchen," Zion reminded her, stalking closer until he was only a foot away. "Is that something you've always fantasised about?"

"Gross! No, I mean--" her breath caught when he placed both arms on the bench beside her, caging her against it. "I can't believe you're talking about this now! After everything we just discussed!"

"What better time?" he whispered in a low husky voice, his eyes tracing the lines of her face as he leaned in even closer.

Savannah gaped, opening and closing her mouth. She must look like a fish. Finally gathering her senses, she poked her finger into his chest. "What's gotten into you? Did you trip down the stairs and bump your head, which would be highly unlikely given how coordinated and impervious you are, but there must be some explan--is that my phone?" Savannah was grateful for the distraction that cut short her rambling. Breathlessly, she shoved Zion aside and sidestepped him. She'd heard a vibrating sound coming from the living room, and searched until she found her jacket discarded on the back of the couch. She dug through the pockets and found her phone.