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But her mate was gone, leaving a gaping hole in her being that she didn't even know he'd filled. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she added, "Someone more reputable than you, that's for certain." Blinking back the stubborn burn of tears behind her eyes, she pinned the rogue with her most steely gaze.

"Then allow your Gamma to give you some sound advice," Phoenix bowed politely and ushered Cale forward.

Her Gamma, though strong, was usually the more timid of her command. He was a great follower, obeying her directives without hesitation. He'd supported her this entire journey, saying just the words she'd needed at exactly the right moments to encourage and inspire her.

But never had she seen such a dark look in his expression before.

He was angry. And it was clear the anger was directed at her.

"Savannah," he began slowly.

"What? No 'Alpha'?" she asked caustically, crossing her arms over her chest as her heart twisted against itself. A part of her dreaded what Cale would say, knowing she probably deserved every harsh word.

Cale's jaw clenched, his fists tightening as though speaking up against her was in contradiction to all his programming. "You know I'd never disrespect you, but there are some things you need to hear."

"I'm listening," she nodded for him to go on.

"Zion really does care about you. Anyone can see that. So don't think just because he's not here--"

"He left, Cale! Are you going to tell me that he's gone to get his life in order, come back to me an honest man, and we can live happily ever after? I won't buy it!" she stomped her foot lightly, hating the funny sound in her voice as she teetered on the edge of breaking down into ugly sobbing. She was a hair's width away from crumbling to her knees in a crying mess as the ache grew in her heart, the emptiness in her soul which Zion had slowly filled with his presence.

It was weird to realise how close she'd grown to him without really knowing him. How much of her feelings were based on lies? How much longer would she feel crushed over a man she had no business falling for in the first place? He'd given her excitement and adventure, yet left her feeling like a stupid idiot for ever thinking there could be something real between them.

"That's not what I was going to say," Cale ground out, frustration seeping from his fidgety gestures. "I meant, Zion had some things he had to do, and if he stuck with you or joined the pack, that wouldn't be possible."

"Yeah, like stealing a ruby. Of course that wouldn't be possible as a decent, law-abiding pack member. Why did I expect anything different from him?"

"You can't keep saying that, Savannah," Phoenix growled, stepping closer. "Zion was born a rogue and he's proud of who he is, of what he's done and accomplished in his life. Did you really expect him to rewrite his DNA and immediately fall in line, obeying whatever rules you command him to follow? He couldn't do that, and he couldn't keep putting you in an impossible position as Alpha. You answer to the council, and they're the last people he wants to be around at the moment."

"Oh yeah, of course. Because what he's doing is so illegal, and they're out for this blood," she rolled her eyes, sarcasm dripping from the truthful words. "How did I forget? Sounds to me like he fled for his life. Probably the most sensible thing he's done in a long time." She couldn't help the resentment from her tone, putting up an indifferent wall to keep reality from breaking her. If she pretended like she wasn't affected by it, that Zion was simply behaving like a lawless rogue instead of her mate, she might get through this without making even more of a fool of herself.

"You know what?" she continued before either boy could say anything else stupid. "I don't care about his reasons. He's gone, and so am I. Come on Cale, let's go." she turned on her heel, determined to grab her bag of measly things and drive home as fast as possible. She'd had enough of these useless rogues and their pathetic excuses for rude behaviour.

She'd been willing to explain herself. Turns out, Zion hadn't been. He'd run at the first big confrontation in their relationship, if one could even call it that.

"I expected you to do that."

Phoenix's steady voice stopped her with one foot on the stairs.

"So I decided to prepare. I'm ready to go whenever you are," he dropped a bag on the ground by the door, giving her a serious look when she turned to face him.

"Go where, exactly?"

"To your pack. I'm not leaving your side."

"You're not leaving my side? You're not even at my side to leave it," she raised her eyebrows, confused and trying not to laugh at the absurdness of the situation. "How about, we're leaving, and you're not." She turned again to go upstairs.

"I know you mean something to Zion, so for his sake I don't want to lose you. You both just need time to cool down and think about this. I won't justify the way Zion lied to you, but I will stick by you in this," he waved his hand, referring to the way she was running back home. "So if ever you decide you want another shot with Zion, I'll be able to help you."

"Oh, you've just turned traitor on your leader?" Savannah eyed him curiously. She didn't quite like the idea of a rogue following her home to her beloved pack. There was no telling what motives he harboured.

Phoenix's jaw clenched as he recalled the choice words Zion had said to him. Besides calling him a mama's boy for becoming attached to the first pretty female Alpha to come along, he'd accused him of becoming trapped under her spell, or that he must be an imbecile for falling for the sweet lies of an enchanting woman. Zion had clearly been frustrated at the time, and Phoenix took none of his anger personally.

"I don't always agree with Zion," he began slowly, choosing his words carefully, "and he doesn't expect me to. But I do trust you, Savannah. I think you're the best thing that's happened to Zion since his mate was murdered. You're his second chance, and I'm willing to bet that despite how you feel now, you'll realise how much he really means to you, too. You don't want to let him go so easily. I know his plans, and how he thinks. I'll help you find him when the time is right. Besides," Phoenix's eyes dropped as he shuffled his feet. "It'd be kinda cool to learn how a real pack runs. Cale's told me lots of stories, and I want to see it with my own eyes," he looked up at her again, something like hope and yearning sparkling in the chocolate irises.

She pondered this, realising he was probably right. It would be awfully hard to track down the elusive Silver Rogue, and even though she was downright mad at him right now, one day she'd want him back. Whether to condemn him for his crimes, or welcome him with open arms, she'd want Zion, and it would be immensely useful to have his inside man helping her with that.

"Cale?" she questioned her Gamma. "What do you think?"

"I think if a rogue is willing to learn how to be part of an honest pack, we shouldn't refuse him the opportunity. I trust him," Cale told his Alpha solemnly, then gave Phoenix a small nod.

"Fine. We leave in ten."

Thirteen minutes later, the three of them were peeling down the street in a 1975 Ford Mustang, painted dark mahogany with white racing stripes accenting the roof.

"This car is so cool," Savannah commented as she stepped on the accelerator and overtook a couple cars as they entered the freeway.

"Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?" Phoenix gripped the edge of his seat grimly. "I've heard pack wolves aren't experienced with this kind of stuff."

"I'm not your average pack wolf," Savannah gave him a wink before turning her eyes back to the road. Her face was split with a wide grin.

"She learnt how to drive at Alpha camp," Cale leaned forward from the back seat and explained. He was enjoying the ride just as much as his Alpha.

"Of course, she did. You and your prestigious training camps," he rolled his eyes. "This car is manual," he said, his voice a warning. "Most girls I know only ever drive automatics." Phoenix was still holding on tightly, checking his seat belt to make sure it worked as Savannah passed yet another car at a speed far beyond what everyone else was doing.

"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm nothing like the girls you know?" Savannah huffed in annoyance, shifting to the highest gear and stomping on the accelerator even more.

"There are things called speed limits, you know?"

"Ha! A rogue telling me about the laws around here? Funny. You're really funny, Phoenix," she chuckled darkly, enjoying herself way too much. Being on the open road, fresh air blasting through the windows, her face pointed towards home was such a rush. She hadn't felt so content in weeks. As each kilometre disappeared behind them, the city and suburbia falling away and giving way to wide open spaces, anticipation grew in her body and excitement flowed through her veins. She was finally going home.

"Hey, maybe I just want to arrive at our destination in one piece. Forgive me for having common sense. Or is that another thing you never thought rogues would have?"

"Let's not turn this into an argument," Cale kicked Phoenix's chair from the back. "Just enjoy the ride. Does this car have bluetooth? I can't seem to get my phone to connect to the music."

"Are you kidding? This is a classic model from the seventies. Doesn't even have power steering. Pack wolves really are dumb," Phoenix rolled his eyes before rummaging through the glove compartment. "If you're lucky, there may be a cassette around here somewhere."

"Cassettes! Awesome. Let me just call my Grandpa and see if he remembers how to play one," Cale clapped his hands enthusiastically, smirking.

Phoenix shook his head in disbelief. "You can be such an idiot, you know that? Pretending to be so smart."

"And you're so full of yourself! Is this excessive self-confidence a typical trait amongst rogues?"

"Oh, please..."

Savannah tuned out their bickering and focused on driving. Despite her heart feeling lonelier with the expanding distance between her and her mate, she couldn't wait to reach her family and finally be amongst those who loved and cared for her. No more fighting against lawless rogues, no more struggling to stand up for what she believed was right and moral. No more pressure to try and be someone she wasn't. Being on her territory with her pack would be like a weight had slipped off her shoulders and she could be the Alpha they respected her as.

A few hours later, she parked the car on a dirt road that ran alongside Alpha Pierce's territory. Getting out, she shifted into her wolf, grabbed her bag between her teeth, and took off running east. The cool earth beneath her paws was like a breath of fresh air. Familiar birdsong surrounded her, dappled shade caused the forest to darken in overgrown patches while the sun shone down on wide open meadows. Each step she took had her heart racing a little faster. Her family would be so surprised to see her, and so happy to have her home.

There would be a lot to discuss, and she'd have to think of reasons to explain away the fact she hadn't brought back the Silver Rogue... in chains. Her mum would likely be disappointed in her reckless behaviour while being away for so long, and her dad would be angry that she hadn't just killed their number one enemy as soon as she saw him.

But all that could wait.

What she wanted most was to feel her parents and siblings in her arms again, and joke with her command and warriors, and enjoy the simple things in life amongst the land she knew so well. Pure country air filled her lungs, and the pack bonds tingled to life the closer she drew to her territory.

Reaching the top of a small ridge, she stopped, shifted back to her human form, and climbed up onto a weather-smoothed rock. Her land stretched out before her, the forests a palette of green hues, the silvery thread of Falcon river bordering the east, and lazy trails of grey smoke rising from the village homes surrounding the pack's towncentre. Already the scents of pine and wattle drifted over the air currents to greet her, accented with violas and lemon verbena that grew in the gardens of pack members who lived close by.

"Welcome to ForgedHearts Pack," she smiled at Phoenix, watching the way his eyes roved over the landscape.

He surveyed it curiously, a light in his eyes that hadn't been there when she'd first met him that fateful day they'd attacked her guards by the western border. This time, he wasn't cunning or secretive, dirty or even wild. He looked calm and much more at home in this environment than when she'd observed him in the city amongst his rogue friends. None of the usual surly attitude or suave charm graced his features as he put on airs for the ladies, and neither was the self-assured strength he exuded to appear as dominant as possible.

He looked at ease, natural, like his mind was realising this is what he'd been yearning for a long time. He'd been on the run for years, pursuing adventure and trying to avenge his sister's death, but all that had clearly taken a toll on him and his shoulders slumped forward as a frown crept on his face.

"What if they try to kill me? I did fight your warriors and poison your Beta, after all," he turned to Savannah, a plea in his eyes.

"We'll protect you. They won't do anything against my command," the Alpha promised him.

Phoenix seemed to accept this, wordlessly staring off into the distance again.

At Savannah's cue, they took off into the trees again, down the hill and across the forested trails at a slow jog. It wasn't long before they came across the border guards, who watched them curiously but kept their distance at Savannah's orders. The guards continued on their rounds, encouraged by the return of their Alpha.

Hey everyone, guess who's home in time for dinner? She mindlinked her family, elated with their joyous squeals of delight that vibrated through the family bonds. Kiana was the first to see them, running over the grassy backyard as fast as a seven year old could. Her dark blonde braids waved in all directions as she ran up and flew into Savannah's arms.

"Vannah!" She hugged her tight, but not as tightly as Savannah hugged her back.

The Alpha crushed the girl to herself, lifting her up and squeezing her in the hugs she loved so much. Her little sister laughed happily as she spun her around, and began telling her all about the inquisitive scrub turkeys she had to keep shooing away from the vege patch, the scary stories Isaiah and Hunter told around the campfire last week, and the rabbit Justin had caught and brought home as a pet. This last statement made Cale grimace in panic.

"And Mummy made special cinnamon scrolls last night! I think there might be one left, which you can have. Unless Hunter ate it. He's always eating the leftovers and I never get any. Now that you're home, can you stop him from eating all the food? I keep asking Daddy, but he just says he's a growing boy and should eat all he likes. But it's not fair. I want some more cinnamon buns and just coz I'm the littlest doesn't mean I should miss out, right Vannah? Will you tell Hunter to stop eating?"

Kiana was breathless by the end of her tirade, and Savannah bopped her on the nose before placing large kisses on both cheeks. "You're still the most adorablest little girl in the world, you know that right?"

"I'm not so little anymore!" Kiana protested, squirming to be put down on the ground. "Daddy says I've grown two centimeters overnight! Soon I'll be as tall as Emmy!" she jumped up and down proudly, stretching up on her toes.

The words made Savannah pause, her heart twisting as she recalled similar words spoken from another little girl just recently. How could coming home to her own family remind her of her rogue mate so soon? Couldn't she get just one moment of reprieve from the mental turmoil?

Phoenix cursed softly beside her, his eyes riveted to something in the distance.

Even though Hunter was racing Cale's younger brother Brian across the grassy slopes to greet them, Phoenix's eyes were on someone else.

Rounding the corner of the house, in a flowing summery dress of floral print, was Emerald, her arms filled with flowers as though she'd just come from tending Savannah's plants in the greenhouse out back. Her head was bent as she talked to a few young children, their faces upturned and smiling as they hung on every word she said.

The golden light of sunset filtered down on her, illuminating her to be the angel she was inside. Dark hair covered her face, but as she lifted it, her eyes brightened at the sight of Savannah before drifting to the man beside her. She stopped in her tracks, her expression open in wonder as she stared at Phoenix.

"She has got to be the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen," the rogue said in amazement, completely oblivious of Savannah who was waving her hand futilely in front of his face.

Looking back to her awestruck sister, the truth sunk in. The horrible, disastrous, most worst truth possible.

"Oh, hell no," she cursed, her blood beginning to boil.

"This is not happening!" Savannah screeched, jumping in front of Phoenix and shielding his view of Emerald. She waved her arms, she tried distracting him, she even threw her hoodie over his head, but it was all to no avail.

Phoenix was a man on a mission, with a one-track mind, his eyes glued to Emerald as she ate up the distance between them with tentative steps. He brushed Savannah aside as if he didn't even notice she was there, and couldn't take his eyes off the vision before him.

Shyly, Emerald stopped a few metres away and tucked her long hair behind her ear. A smile lit her face, her eyes gleaming with the sparkling colours of her name.

By now her mother and father had come over from the training field, crowding in to embrace Savannah. Kaiden slapped Cale on the back, grateful for supporting his eldest daughter in the long journey from home.

Amidst the smiles and greetings, Savannah watched as Phoenix stood quietly, still transfixed by the sight of her younger sister. All his usual bravado was gone, a nervous hesitancy fusing his body to the ground.

Emerald held out her hands gently, and only after a reassuring smile did Phoenix take them in his own. Instantly they both smiled broadly, oblivious to the hubbub around them as they drew each other closer.

"No!" Savannah still protested. "You can't be mates! I won't allow it!"

"Vannah, what's going on?" Chesca finally took notice of her daughter's distress, turning to see what was unfolding amidst them. It didn't take long to see her other daughter holding tightly to the stranger's hands, and to piece together the significance. "You found Emerald's mate? That's amazing! This is super!" she mirrored Lexi's exuberance of the occasion, dancing a little jig that would rival even her best friend's moves.

Everyone knew the former Head Guard Alexis of Alpha Chesca's pack could make a party out of every situation, but especially when two mates found each other. Lexi was a hopeless romantic, but had also given contradicting advice to Chesca when she was navigating her own journey with Kaiden, confusing the young couple even more.

"What's wrong with them being mates?" Kaiden asked, looking between them with an amused expression. He too was a fool for love at first sight. "I know nothing about the man, but if he's a friend of yours..." he eyed Savannah expectantly.

"He's not a friend. He's a rogue!" she snapped, looking around at all the celebratory smiles on everyone's face, and wondering why no one cared to listen to her. Her insides were simmering away, about ready to boil over. Phoenix might be able to help her in her own relationship with Zion, but there was no way he was good enough to be her sister's mate!

"What's wrong with being a rogue?" Emerald said simply, her eyes giving a subtle rebuke to her sister before returning to Phoenix. "He doesn't look like a rogue to me. I don't care what he's been in the past, he's here now," she said simply, as if his very presence on their territory deemed him as an honest and trustworthy pack wolf.

At her words of acceptance, Phoenix positively glowed, and stepped closer into her embrace.

It was strange how simple it was. Two mates coming together and accepting each other without all the bickering and fighting. Two mates willing to give their relationship a shot before even knowing a single iota of information about the other. Two mates putting aside all backgrounds, differences, and beliefs as they simply trusted their fate of being the other's half. God only knew how their journey would go, how much heartache awaited them, or how much joy He could give them. But they trusted Him in making the right decision of pairing them together, and working it out for their good in the end.

Oh, to be so innocent.

"But.. but... He's a rogue," she said again, stamping her foot and crossing her arms, agitation rolling off her body in waves. "You have no idea where he's been." As the condemning words left her mouth, she felt Phoenix flinch without having to look at him. So much for trusting him to follow her to her territory, and allow him to stay here for a while. She'd figured he'd prove useful in the days ahead, and maybe be an asset to her team for a little while. There was never a scenario where he ended up as her sister's mate!

Emerald shook her head as if Savannah was making no sense. "Your mate is a rogue, isn't he?" she pointed out bluntly, her pretty face scrunched in confusion.

"Yeah, and look how good that turned out!" Her voice thundered, followed by the storm of her feet as she stomped away, throwing up her hands.

She was beyond aggravated, and almost couldn't bear to think that her sister—her sweet, innocent, pure sister—was mated to that scoundrel! A rogue! Phoenix was the last man on earth she'd let her sister accept as mate.

He'd had how many partners, committed how many crimes, broken how many laws? He had no moral compass, no respect for authority and only a little more respect for women, and was always looking for a good time. He would ruin her sister in less time than it took to plan a picnic.

The haven of trees Savannah knew so well welcomed her with more empathy than her family had. As she waded deeper into the shadows, she let the soothing ambience speak to her soul and calm her body. But her mind was still fuming. Maybe she should just let the others get to know Phoenix as he introduced himself as the charismatic player he was. Let them see his charming good looks and hear his tales of conquest. Let her dad kick him to the furthest territory away from his precious daughter and protect her against the big bad wolf! Maybe then they'd understand the Alpha for reacting the way she had.

"I can't believe it. I honestly can't believe it. Out of all the good, decent men who belong to packs, he has to end up as my sister's mate!" Muttering to herself, she tugged on her hair and ducked under a low-hanging branch.

Add fell through the forest floor as the ground gave way under her feet.

"Aaurgghh!!!"

Her scream echoed over the hushed twittering of birds. She tumbled into an undignified heap at the bottom of a hole, immediately finding dozens of critters crawling all over her. "Ew! Help! I'm an Alpha. Get me outta here!"

Her cries were answered by a sudden burst of obnoxious laughing, as Beta Justin strolled into the clearing and grinned down at her.

After dragging herself up from the hole, Savannah danced up and down in a circle to shake off the centipedes and woodlice that were crawling under her shirt. When she saw Justin laughing at her misfortune, she glared at him as large as her eyes would open. With a screech, she charged at him, tackling him to the ground with a thud. "How dare you!"

Trees lost their birds as they flew away from the terrible fight going on below them. Alpha and Beta rolled on the leafy forest floor, one laughing, the other growling in irritation.

"Are you trying to get me killed? Break my neck or snap my leg in half? Don't you know how dangerous random pits dug into the ground are?" Savannah yelled at Justin as she pinned to the ground, his wrists restrained by her hands as she held them beside his head.

Flipping them both over by his knees, Justin smirked. "It sounded like someone needed their mind taken off things. It was the perfect way to liven up your mood, so you should be thanking me."

"Are you serious right now?" Savannah wanted to strangle him, but it was a little hard when he now had her arms pinned to her side.

"I dug the pit as a trap for some pesky foxes in this area, You seemed like the perfect test subject," he explained nonchalantly, a teasing grin on his face as the sun angled down through the trees, highlighting the riot of curls that tumbled over his forehead. He tossed it back, his boyish grin never diminishing no matter how many threats Savannah's gaze shot him.