25

He snorted. "Do I look like I've been attacked by such a deadly creature?" Zion spread his arms then wrapped them around her, his body heat swirling over her skin as he tugged her against his chest, all clear indications of his state of being very much alive. He ran his hand down her thigh and over her knee, massaging feeling back into her aching leg. Even with all the silver removed from her flesh, it would take a while for the toxin to filter out of her blood.

She shivered under his touch, melting into his comforting embrace. "I'm of the impression you're immune to all venoms and poisons."

"Hardly," he chuckled, then placed a small kiss on her cheek. "I'm afraid one particular specimen of shewolf, a rare breed from two Alphas, has the ability to bring me to my knees. But don't tell her I said that."

His words, and the husky voice he spoke them with, sent shivers of excitement racing through Savannah, her heart drumming with a thrill at the way he snuggled her against him and placed soft kisses on her face and neck. "Don't worry. I can keep a secret," she promised.

She definitely had to keep this a secret. Not wanting to ruin his impervious reputation, Savannah figured now was the time to put distance between them and continue the games. It was dangerous enough that she had won yet another race by his side, and she could feel the inquisitive looks Regan kept shooting her way. His gaze felt like a heavy constrictor, coiling around her neck in eagerness to suck the truth from her. It wouldn't take much more for Regan to grow suspicious of her and Zion, and order an inquiry into her true identity.

"The war is about to start, and we haven't yet decided teams!" Talei waved her arms excitedly, hurrying everyone along as they walked back to their camp.

Zion took charge, hands on hips as he dished out orders. "Phoenix will captain a team consisting of Chayton, Tas, Talei, and Cale. I'm keeping Vannah, Niko, and Willow."

"You had that totally planned in advance, didn't you?" Tasman questioned, incredulity in his tone of voice.

"Did you expect I'd let you pick for yourselves this year?" Zion lifted an eyebrow. "Do you actually want to lose?" He gave them all a smirk that dripped of superiority. He was the boss of these wolves, and it was funny to watch them push that authority. It was even funnier to watch them acquiesce to it, submitting to his decision like loyal pack wolves. Savannah was convinced they'd follow him through fire if it came down to it. And Zion wouldn't abuse that trust, she knew for certain.

"Well, that's all good and fine, but I'm sticking with my Alpha," Cale stepped up resolutely beside Savannah, managing to sound adamant yet drop his voice to a terse whisper on the last word.

"You most definitely aren't," Zion rebuked, his eyes flashing golden in the pale light. "I don't trust either of you, remember? I'm not taking any risks tonight. You might still have something shady up your sleeves, so that's why I'm separating you two," he gave Savannah and Cale both a suspicious glance.

Any warm feelings of love and devotion she felt towards this powerfully magnetic rogue dissipated as he doused her burning heart with ice water. Of course, she hadn't expected him to come around and trust her so quickly. Had she?

"Alright, let's move out," Phoenix motioned them all to the centre of the clearing where Regan stood on the platform, waiting impatiently as the rogues gathered tightly together.

"Wolves. Friends and family," he addressed them, hushing the crowd with only his authoritative voice. "The time has come for the most important game of the night. Once you have all separated into teams, we will move to our starting positions. The mission, as always, is to work together and form a strategy that outwits your competitors. In order for your team to win, you must work together as a cohesive unit with clever planning and mutual respect. You must overcome the other teams in whatever devious and cunning ways you can. There are no rules! Only the law of the land— kill or be killed." Regan took a deep breath, the rogues hanging on every word he said. Lifting his hands in dramatic flair, he shouted, "I present to you the final war game-- Capture the Luna!"

Everyone cheered, their arms raised and their heads thrown back as they went wild, howling at the moon, stomping their feet, and jumping up and down as if in awe of Regan's mighty words.

Savannah couldn't help but chuckle. The giggle started in her chest, then bubbled up her throat until it spilled out in a hearty laugh.

Those around her stopped dead to listen. A ripple of silence radiated out like a wave until it met Regan, still standing on the stage.

Savannah kept laughing, all the pent up tension of the night just rushing out of her like water from a burst dam. Laughter was definitely medicine to the soul.

"What's going on here?" Regan scanned the eerily quiet crowd before easily finding her, her deep belly laugh echoing over the stunned silence. "You! Shewolf, I should have known it'd be you!" He growled menacing before leaping off the stage and marching towards her, his eyes black with anger.

"You've done it now," Zion whispered harshly just as Regan pulled up in front of them.

The rogue was livid, his black eyes flashing. Savannah stood her ground as she examined him, not even shifting in the slightest towards her mate for protection. She was Alpha. It would be a piece of cake standing up to this punk despite his burly and ferocious appearance, arms thicker than her thighs, strong jaw that looked ready to rip someone's throat out, and clenched fists that could crush a skull between them. Savannah wasn't easily deterred.

She did however, slide her eyes sideways to share an amused look with Zion. He didn't look happy. In fact, he was annoyed, his eyes clearly saying shut up if you know what's good for you.

Oh well. She'd dug this grave, now she had to lie in it.

A rush of suppressed dominance infused the young Alpha with confidence, and she lifted her chin to Regan—the opposite gesture of submission to his authority.

"That's the dumbest game I've ever heard of! 'Capture the Luna?'" She threw up her hands in exasperation, cackling all over again. "Absurd! Besides being totally stereotypical and sexist, it's just plain rude to assume that all Lunas are weak, vulnerable creatures. I happen to know some very heroic Lunas who slit throats of demons for sport." Savannah smiled triumphantly as she envisioned her good friends Luna Ariella and Luna Devanshi with elizenthium knives strapped to their thighs and silver swords in their hands. They both loved going on hunting trips together, ridding their territories of the blackened souls that haunted their forests. Savannah had listened with amazement as they told stories of gritty battles and midnight raids on the cunning devils. The brave female pack leaders were her heroes, and she wouldn't let an ugly rogue like Regan slander their good name.

"You know Lunas?" Regan narrowed his eyes in scrutiny, the nearest rogues leaning in with threatening and accusing looks in their dark eyes.

"I know of them," Savannah snapped, realising her mistake yet refusing to acknowledge it. "Don't you know that in order to beat your enemy, you must know your enemy?" she lifted an eyebrow in question.

"Of course," Regan replied, one side of his mouth curling in a smile that suggested he saw right through her charade. It was apparent to all that she knew more than she was letting on. "So what do you suggest? Come, share your enlightened opinion for us all," he spread his arms in invitation.

Bad idea, Cale whispered in her mind. You'll get us all killed!

Relax, I've got this. She smiled coyly. "I suggest you play 'capture the Alpha' if you want to be fair. They usually appear strong and untouchable, but I know for a fact that some Alphas are quite pathetic." She called to mind the dangerous arrogance of Alpha Dennison, whose foolish and abusive behaviour destroyed his family, resulting in the death of his mate, daughter, and eventually his own. His enemies nearly killed his son and took the territory for themselves but for the quick thinking of the son's mate and future Luna.

Then there was the story of cruel and selfish Alpha Nabal who refused to return favours to allied territories. In their moment of need, he harshly denied them help, only to die soon after from plain old heart failure. All his riches and wealth were acquired by the neighboring pack, his beautiful and wise mate given as wife to the new Alpha.

"Again, you know this?" Regan circled Savannah, arms clasped behind this back, eyes perusing her whole body in careful scrutiny.

"Again, I've studied my enemies." The word enemy was distasteful on her tongue, but she was surrounded and had to play their game. When in Rome...

"Hmm." Regan stopped in front of her and stared deep into her eyes. The entire gathering held their breath silently as he deliberated over the situation. Savannah even sensed Zion slowly close his fists and tighten his body, preparing for a fight if need be. "I like your idea," Regan suddenly declared, a smile growing on his face. "We will keep the objective the same, but now we will capture the Alpha!" he threw his head back and roared, drawing every rogue there to do the same in raucous abandon. It seemed they liked the new version of the game even better, and couldn't wait to get started.

"Way to go, Savannah," Zion whispered in her ear, clearly upset with the way she'd handled things.

"Hey, we're all still alive, are we not?"

"For now, at least. I suppose I'll give you that," he said mockingly while giving her a stern glare.

"Lighten up," she jabbed him in the ribs. "I'm sure Phoenix won't mind playing Alpha. We'll make sure no one captures him."

"Unfortunately, as leader of our gang, I have to be Alpha for the purposes of the war." He gave them all a serious look, and Savannah's heart began racing at the somber expressions the others gave in return. "And there are plenty of wolves here who will jump at the opportunity to kill me."

"K—kill?" Savannah sputtered. "I thought it was 'capture the Alpha'?"

"Haven't you realised anything by now?" Zion grew irritated, pacing back and forth in front of her like a restless lion. "The war is only just beginning. Everything else tonight was just preparation. These games are held as a way to remember grudges. To settle old scores. We have licence to kill an enemy all in the name of the game, and no one will bat an eye. I have plenty of enemies here tonight, all eager to get rid of me and leave their mark by doing so. Your insolence in standing up to Regan and questioning his authority has just painted an even bigger target on our back."

His solemn words caused Savannah to cringe and shrink in on herself. The way Zion was looking at her was scary, with the knowledge that his anger was directed at her. The dark gleam in his eyes and the hard set of his jaw was enough to send any wolf running, but she, an Alpha who would normally stand up under such harsh appraisal, found herself quivering with fear. Most of it was from the brunt of his rebuke.

She realised she really had made a mistake by confronting Regan, the clear leader of all rogues.

"I was afraid something like this would happen," Zion continued, his voice rough with irritation, "That your impetuous mouth would land us all in trouble."

His words stung, the loss of Zion's good opinion of her hurting more than Calista's silver poison had. But that didn't mean he was right. "I'm sorry my words might bring you harm, but I don't regret what I said to Regan." Savannah crossed her arms stubbornly and continued, "Can't you see he's perpetuating the idea that Lunas are easy targets, and we should just go after them for sport? He's a menace to all werewolf society."

Zion waved his arm in a broad motion. "Look around us, Savannah. We're all rogues. It's in our very nature to be a menace. What did you expect from tonight? That we'd all be sitting around a campfire, singing songs, playing Chinese whispers, and toasting damn marshmallows?"

"I happen to love toasted marshmallows--"

"We don't have time for this!" he practically growled in her face. "We have to get into position stat if we want a chance at winning."

Rolling her eyes, Savannah watched as the gang complied, Phoenix shouldering his bag before walking off into the shadowy trees with this team. "Who exactly are we targeting?" she hated to ask, but disliked even more being kept in the dark about everything.

"Regan. Who else?"

That response was not what she was expecting. "Are you sure that's the brightest idea? He clearly has it in for us and won't make it easy."

"He's never easy," Zion chuckled wryly. "He's not the highest ranked wolf for no reason. We'll get the most points by capturing him."

"Highest ranking? Most points?" Savannah suddenly had no idea what Zion was talking about.

With an impatient sigh, he replied tersely, "Every gang leader is ranked according to past performance in the wars. Regan is first."

"So let's just leave him for someone else. Wouldn't it be better if we lay low and remained undetected?"

"That's not really an option now. Besides, I'm ranked second, so we were always going to be a hot target."

The fact her mate was second strongest among all rogues on the continent was pleasing to her ears, albeit in a slightly troubling way. Her next thought was, why couldn't he be first? She'd seen how strong and ruthless Zion was, and couldn't imagine him taking orders from the pretentious Regan. "I still don't like this," she worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

"He'll be targeting us anyway, so may as well meet the fight head on," Zion stated firmly, retrieving knives from his bag and strapping them to his legs before placing strange metal disks in the pockets of his utility trousers. "Willow and Niko, you set up a perimetre and keep guard for any intruders. Savannah and I will set up at our usual base at the sycamore tree."

"Can I go with Niko instead?" At the withering look Zion sent her, Savannah tried again. "I mean-- Oh great and wise lord Zion, might I request your permission to accompany Niko on his worthy mission?" She bowed for good effect, lowing her head before giving him a steely glare.

"Never speak to me like that again, Savannah," he growled, angry, grabbing her arm and pulling her up to her full height.

There was something strange in his eyes, something that forbade her from acting subservient to him. It was almost as if he wanted her as his equal. So why did he have to rebuke her for the decisions she made? Sure, she didn't do everything perfect or right all the time, but he didn't have to get all huffy about it.

"I'd rather go with Niko. I know these woods and how to establish a perimeter," Willow spoke up urgently, breaking the heavy staring match between Savannah and Zion.

"Then let me go with Willow," Savannah tugged her arm free from Zion's grasp. "I'd prefer to keep moving than stay in one place like sitting ducks." Rather, she'd prefer to escape Zion's confusing presence for a while.

"You know I'd protect you," Zion snapped gruffly, stepping back and giving them both room to breathe.

"I know," Savannah shrugged, hands on hips as she refused to budge on the matter.

"Fine," he eventually agreed, sighing through his nose as he studied her for a tense moment. "Just don't do anything stupid. Remember, you're our first line of defence. If anything goes sideways, you know where to find Niko and me."

"Yep! Thanks. Got it,. Savannah was already dragging Willow away into the trees from the moment Zion said 'fine', eager to put him behind her. It wasn't that she was upset with him for getting angry with her, she just couldn't understand his sudden back-flip in confidence, and blatant distrust in her actions. Did he really think Regan posed a threat to them? That they wouldn't be able to take him down if he decided to attack them for real?

"Men!" she threw up her hands and huffed. "Why do they have to be so contrary?"

"Tell me about it," Willow snorted. "I couldn't take one more second of Niko."

"What's wrong with Niko?"

"His positive attitude. Really gets on my nerves."

"We could all do with some more positivity, especially considering the way tonight has turned out. I mean, just think how miserable--"

At Willow's incredulous look, Savannah pressed her lips shut. Okay, so Willow didn't want to engage in any girl talk, no matter how therapeutic it would be. It seemed they'd been surrounded by macho guys all night, showing off their strength and domineering natures, and Savannah was getting rather sick of it. She'd much rather strike out on her own and not feel the need to impress or be impressed.

"So where are we actually going?"

It didn't surprise her when Willow didn't answer. The rogue shewolf continued walking, her expression detached and unreadable as she plunged ahead through the dark trees and shrubs. With only a few glimmers of moonlight shining down between the thick foliage, Savannah could still see Willow was searching for something. Her nose tilted slightly, she tested the air, sensing no wolves nearby.

That soon changed suddenly, as an arm reached out from behind a tree and yanked Willow into the shadows.

"Willow!" Savannah screeched, her senses becoming fully alert as she spread them wide. She smelt a few wolves in the dense scrub, and determined to follow their tracks. Crouching low, the Alpha quietened her breathing and crept forward carefully, not wanting to tip off whoever snatched Willow that she was hot on the trail.

Had Regan's men already found them? Was their mission doomed before it had even really started? What were she and Willow supposed to do anyway? Secure the perimeter, wherever that was, and ensure no wolves snuck past to capture Zion... Well, they'd done swimmingly so far, with Willow abducted and Savannah trekking through foreign bushland to find her. Zion had said if anything went sideways, to go back and alert him, but there was no way she'd leave Willow to fend for herself. The young Alpha made it her policy to never leave a man behind.

"Willow!" she whisper-hissed into the night, sensing the other shewolf close by and hearing hushed whispers carried on the cool breeze.

Then laughter reached her ears, followed by a soft thud as something heavy fell to the forest floor. Snorts and exclamations resounded in the quiet stillness.

Savannah rounded a bush and promptly collided with a man.

He spun, eyes wild. He was as startled as Savannah, his reflexes taking over as any smart wolf's should. Reacting quickly, she caught the fist he sent her way in mid-punch. "Not a good idea, man, unless you want to be ground into worm food."

He hissed in pain, and she realised her grip was too tight.

"What the hell, Savannah? Let him go!" Willow gasped, tugging her back.

"You know this guy?" she hissed back, looking between the two. The man was tall and blond, with a wiry build. Slender muscles stood out under his loose tank and ripped jeans. He was giving her a wary look, probably mirroring her own.

"Ya think?" Willow growled, pulling the guy back to her side and away from Savannah's reach. Clearly, she didn't trust her either. Then without warning, Willow wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"Ugh, how many times do I have to tell you guys? Knock it off! We don't have time for your disgusting nonsense."

Savannah whirled to face the newcomer, surprised she hadn't sensed the shewolf before she'd stepped into the moonlight.

"You're just jealous, admit it," the guy responded, settling his hands on Willow's hips and tugging her closer. The move was very possessive and didn't escape Savannah's careful eye.

"Don't make me throw up, please," the shewolf rolled her eyes before shifting her gaze to Savannah. "Who are you?"

"I think the question is, who are you?" Savannah crossed her arms defensively and glared at the two intruders. "You're the trespassers on our territory here."

"I'm Ethan, from Nightwing." The man smiled boyishly and stuck out his hand in greeting. "And I'm Willow's mate, so I think I get a free pass."

"Her mate?" Savannah gaped, ignoring his hand. No way she wanted to touch grimy rogue paws. She now understood Willow's reaction to the mention of the Nightwing gang being present tonight. Then a new thought dawned on her. "Hey, what about Roger?" she turned accusing eyes to Willow.

"What about Roger?" Ethan gave Willow a similar look.

"He was just some guy in my gang," Willow responded with her usual indifference. She'd probably rather eat a toad before letting others know what she was really thinking.

"Yeah, some guy who happened to be your boyfriend, who I then killed when you trespassed on my territory and attacked my wolves. You didn't seem too pleased about that, if I recall rightly. You were going to ask him to be your mate," Savannah filled in the missing sections of Willow's sparse explanation.

"Your boyfriend?" Ethan turned to Willow sharply, his eyes round as dinner plates. "I can't even begin to process everything else she just said," he waved a hand suspiciously at Savannah, "until I get one thing straight. What did you have going on with this Roger mutt? Did you actually propose to him? I thought--"

"You thought nothing," Willow gave Ethan a small shove when he crowded too close. "We were having a break. If I recall rightly," she glared darkly as she mimicked Savannah's words, "Your last words were, Go do what you like. We're through!"

"I didn't mean that literally! And you knew it, so stop acting like you're the victim here. We clearly had issues--"

"Look, I hate to interrupt your lover's quarrel," the other shewolf interjected, exasperation painted clearly in her pinched expression, "But can we please focus on the objective here? Time's running out, we have an impostor in our midst, and I for one don't want to get caught by some dumb imbeciles because we were too stupid to cover our own sixes!"

"Who's the impostor?" Savannah stood up to meet her moody attitude with one of her own.

"You! So start talking and tell us who you really are." The tall, slender, yet fiercely strong shewolf all but poked her in the chest with a sharp talon.

"I'm with Zion's gang. Your turn. What are you doing on our land?"

The rogue rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Well, it's not your land, but whatever. I'm Victoria, but call me Tori if you want to keep your eyeballs inside your head. We're after Regan. Rumour has it he's headed straight for your gang."

"Wait! I thought you said we were going after Philip?" Ethan looked shocked.

"That old geezer?" Willow finally cracked and showed amusement in the grim twitch of her lips.

Tori scoffed. "I just made that up so you wouldn't turn tail and run in fright. Wouldn't be the first time," she shot him a frustrated glare.

"That's not true!" Ethan denied with vehemence.

"Totally is," Willow agreed. "Remember that time we broke into Gonza--"

"Hold up!" It was Savannah's turn to interrupt, sick of their bickering. "Did you say Tori? As in, the girl they shoved over a cliff? Aren't you meant to be dead?"

"Geez, give a girl some credit, will ya? You really think a tumble off a cliff could kill me?" Tori flicked her long black hair dramatically over one shoulder before noticing a twig on her leather jacket. She dusted it off with flair. "It would take much more than that to kill me. "

"Like going after Regan," Ethan muttered anxiously under his breath, biting his nails.

"See what we mean? Chicken," Willow slapped his hand away from his mouth with disgust.

Savannah ignored them, focusing on the brazen shewolf. "So you lived, okay. But why did you kill Regan's son in the first place?" Forgetting the time and place, Savannah felt only eagerness at getting an explanation first-hand from this apparent legend.

"Because he was my mate," Tori replied simply, like it was the most natural reason under the moon.

"What? You killed your own mate?"

"Oh, for goodness' sake. What rumours are they spreading now? To answer your question, no. I didn't kill him. And keep your voice down, will you? It's like you actually want the others to hear us and ruin our mission," Tori moved to box Savannah on the ears, but the alert Alpha jumped out of the way in time.

"Fine. What did you really do to him?" Savannah asked, lowering her voice while scanning the trees around them for any threats. It seemed clear for now, at least.

"I helped him disappear."

After a moment of silence, Savannah pushed. "Care to elaborate? Like, you helped him run away? He'd committed some terrible crime?"