40

They came to stand by a quiet pool, the blue water glowing from the lights beneath. Small gardens of palms and fiddle leaf trees shielded then from the festive chatter of the other guests.

"You're very self-assured for a rogue," Alistair commented, staring at the sky above them thoughtfully. The stars were bright, the waning moon hidden low on the horizon.

"Is self-assurance a crime nowadays?" Zion posed the question, scanning their surroundings in his usual relaxed, inconspicuous way.

Alistair shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets. "It can lead to crimes. Over-confident rogues have a tendency to believe they can get away with anything." He paused, watching Zion closely as he added, "Such as the murders of Alpha Bastien and his son, for example."

Zion didn't give him the satisfaction of flinching. He blinked slowly, choosing his words. "Such a tragedy. But you won't ever pin that on me."

"My dear boy," Alistair chuckled, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening as he smiled. "Is that a confession?"

"It's whatever you think it is," Zion eyed him with a playful smile. "Isn't that how you usually operate, Lord Alistair? You make decisions based on whatever you think, whatever you feel. All to get whatever you want?"

Alistair waved him off, seeming unaffected by the blatant challenge to his authority. "Speaking of want," he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, smoothing the neatly trimmed beard that caressed his jawline. "I saw the way you were looking at Alpha Savannah earlier. She's a beauty, that little one."

Zion's eyes twinkled as if in agreement, yet giving nothing away. He hated the way Alistair was talking about Savannah, with desire in his voice and lust in his eyes. If the lord of Council were just an ordinary wolf, he'd be drowning in his own blood by now for daring to even mention Savannah in such a licentious way.

"It's a shame, really," Alistair continued, his voice taking on a sympathetic quality. "Your luck will run out one day, and where will that leave our charming little Alpha?"

Refusing to clench his jaw against the fear rising in his chest, Zion kept his lips tightly pressed together.

"Heartbroken. Bereft. Hollow inside should anything happen to her mate." Alistair grinned as he emphasised the word, making it clear he'd figured out the connection between the two. "But don't worry," he clapped a hand on Zion's shoulder. "I'll take good care of her. I can protect her from everything. Even a horrible fate like...Leila's."

A throaty growl escaped Zion's chest, and he shoved Alistair's hand off him. "What do you know about Leila?"

"I know that you weren't able to save her. That your very sins led to her murder. Such a tragedy," Alistair shook his head sadly. "Maybe Bastien really did deserve the death you gave him."

On the edge of losing control, Zion stepped forward and clutched Alistair's collar, pulling him up close till they were eye-level. "What makes you so sure of what happened to my mate?" he barked the question. Was the Councilor admitting to having a hand in the senseless murder of the woman he loved? He knew Alistair had been hunting the Silver Rogue for years, but what did he know of his identity and true soulmate?

"I know everything that happens on my continent," Alistair replied smoothly, remaining calm in the face of Zion's barely-controlled rage. He narrowed his eyes on the rebellious young wolf. "And in time, those responsible for such heinous crimes will be brought to justice. You can be sure of it," he promised gravely, a sparkle of mirth in his dark brown eyes.

Zion stared at him, breathing heavily as he swallowed down the urge to just rip his head right off his body. It would be so easy. All it would take to eliminate this threat to his second-chance mate would be to end Alistair's life now. The clean way, the hard way, the quick way or the tortuous way--it really didn't matter. He could kill Alistair in a hundred different ways, over and over, and it still wouldn't temper the thirst inside.

His wolf wanted blood, needed blood, to atone for the injustices that had ripped his world apart. And he would do anything to keep it from happening again to Savannah, to his hope of a new future and happiness that life had decided to give him. Was it worth it? Could he really walk away now and not end it? His wolf raged against his inner sense. The better side of him knew killing Alistair would not change anything besides make him feel good for a heartbeat of a moment.

"That's it. Calm down, boy. You take your hand off me, and I'll forget this little mistake. I'll let you walk away," Alistair said calmly, never breaking eye contact with the incensed male who held his life in his lethal hands.

"And if I don't?" Zion ground out, his voice rough and an octave deeper.

Alistair lifted a hand, his fingers touching the shell of his ear as if tickling an itch.

Out of the silence surrounding them came a sharp whirring sound.

Acting on instinct, Zion reached out and caught the blade before it embedded itself in his neck. Flipping the silver knife over in his hand, he released Alistair and gave a dark chuckle. "Looks like you just made a mistake yourself. And unlike you," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "I won't forget." With a flick of his wrist, Zion sent the blade flying back to its origin.

A guard toppled out from behind the trees, clutching his neck with crimson blood staining his fingers. Two more knives sailed towards Zion, each one snatched out of the air and sent straight back towards the hiding guards that surrounded them.

Alistair stood still, shocked for a moment in the middle of the carnage that flashed by in only seconds. His dozen security were lying face down or sprawled on the tiled deck, staining the creamy marble with their red blood. Then he turned back to Zion, glancing over the rogue who appeared as calm as he was before being attacked by the most highly trained warriors of Villawood. Without a word, he withdrew his hand from his suit and aimed a pistol at Zion.

The gun fired, the harsh sound exploding around them and shattering the tranquility of the night's buoyant atmosphere.

Zion only sighed in annoyance as his quick reflexes launched him into motion. Side-stepping the bullet, he reached for the gun and swiftly twisted it around out of Alistair's hands. His finger pulled the trigger before it was fully in his grasp, the cartridge unloading another round directly into the Councilor's chest.

Alistair gaped, his eyes having not even witnessed how fast the rogue had moved. A crimson stain bloomed on his crisp white shirt, just over his heart. All he could do as he toppled to the ground was clutch his chest as the light disappeared from his eyes. As he lay motionless, his muscles tense, his lips moved as his lungs exhaled their last breath. "You'll never escape us." The voices were haunting, otherworldly. "Besides, your brother is coming for you." Then his body went limp, his head rolling to the side with vacant eyes staring into emptiness.

For a moment, all Zion could hear was his own harsh breathing, his blood thundering through his veins. Then, footsteps echoed behind him, becoming louder as the dinner guests rushed out to investigate the sound of the gunshots. Gasps and exclamations followed next, shouts of disbelief at the sight of their beloved Lord Alistair lying amidst his fallen guards.

Quickly pocketing the pistol in his own suit, Zion moved forward into the shadow of the trees, only turning around at the sound of a very familiar heartbeat.

He scanned the crowd gathered on the edge of the deck until his eyes met Savannah's. Shock was written clearly on her distraught face, but what twisted his heart the most was the fear and revulsion that slowly crept over her beautiful features.

Why? she was asking.

He shook his head, a million words that he wanted to say bubbling to his lips, yet there was no way he could make her understand. He would do anything to protect her and avenge his family's name. If she couldn't see that by now, maybe she never would. Keeping her at a distance was his last remaining choice. With a final dip of his chin, he turned and disappeared into the night.

It was better this way, he told himself.

___🖤🖤___

Savannah couldn't keep her eyes from wandering to Zion as he talked with Lord Alistair by the bar. No matter how hard she strained her ears, she couldn't hear what they were saying. Alpha Jonas and his Beta were chatting loudly beside her, Justin joining the conversation as he came up and handed her a plate of food.

In the moment of distraction, she looked away, giving her friends a smile and nod of her head in answer to whatever they had asked.

And in that moment, the men slipped away.

Scanning the tables of guests as they sat and ate or stood and danced, she couldn't see her mate anywhere. A prickle of apprehension had her rising to her feet and moving to seek him out. Something was wrong. Whatever he'd come here for wouldn't end well, she could feel it. Faint threads of the bond that tied them loosely together pulsed with awareness, and her heart began pounding with dread.

"Savannah, where are you going? You haven't finished your food."

She lifted her hand to wave aside her Beta, but Justin wouldn't be deterred. Rounding the side of the hotel, she thought she caught glimpses of Niko and Tas in the shadows of the surrounding greenery. What was their plan? Were they infiltrating the Alpha conference to instigate a bloody takeover of the Council? Were they here to abduct someone? Was it money they were after? None of these options truly made sense. Zion was smart, and wouldn't risk so many lives for something so superfluous.

"I wouldn't interrupt them, if I were you," Persia stepped in her way, the lights that lit the doorway to the outdoor deck reflecting like fireflies in her golden jewelry.

"You're not me, so stand down, Princess," Savannah growled fiercely, lifting her arm to shove Perisa to the side.

"Woah, Vannah, calm down!" Justin hissed. "That's no way to speak to a--"

"Tell me what the hell is Zion's plan, now!" Savannah demanded, ignoring her mortified Beta.

Persia lifted her chin, stepping closer until she was toe to toe with Savannah, "If you don't know your mate well enough to figure it out, then there really is no point in me telling you."

"I don't have time for this!" Savannah threw up her hands and moved past Persia just as two consecutive gunshots split the air.

The piercing blasts echoed against the building's walls long after Savannah rushed out, Persia fast by her side. The other Alphas and their commands joined them, pulling to a stop by the hotel pool that no longer glowed ethereal blue or sparkled with underwater lights.

Instead, a cloud of crimson bloomed through the water, a dark figure sinking beneath the murky depths. Bodies lay all around, and in the very centre of the spacious deck, lined by lounge chairs smattered in dark blood, was Lord Alistair. His glassy eyes stared blankly into the sky, the stars the only witness to whatever had happened.

The woody cypress scent of her mate hung heavy in the air, tainted by the metallic stench of blood. It drew Savannah's eyes across the pool to the exotic trees that edged the outdoor area, her heart turning to stone when she met Zion's cold gaze. The hazel hues of his eyes she loved so much were as dark and jaded as the pool between them.

Before she could read the intense emotions playing across his face, he clenched his jaw and faded into the night's shadows.

"Zion..." she whispered, taking an involuntary step forward, drawn by the magnetism of their mate bond.

"Savannah, don't!"

Strong arms encircled her, pulling her back before she could rush after her mate.

"No, let me go! I have to find him." She resisted, trying to yank her wrists free from Justin's grasp. With her heart pounding and blood thundering through her veins, she struggled to believe the grisly scene before her and the sight of her mate slipping into the shadows. Dead bodies littered the once-pristine cream tiled deck, their blood staining it an ominous crimson. Had Zion really caused this much carnage?

"Alpha, stop. It's too dangerous. He just murdered Lord Alistair. Everyone is now going after him."

The whispered words against her ear made sense. The buzz of activity around them sharpened as her senses became hyper aware. The rest of the Council members began barking orders to their command, sending trackers and warriors after the murderer, instructing investigators to scour the gruesome crime scene for prints and evidence, and holding back the curious onlookers who were stunned by the horrible situation.

Savannah knew Justin was right. Diving headfirst into the hunt for her mate and possibly giving away his identity would be stupid.

Councillor Truett, a former elder from DoubleEdge Pack, soon took charge in Lord Alistair's shocking absence. "I want all the footage from the security cameras, now! Who was the man who did this? Does anyone know?"

"I believe it was the Princess's personal guard who was last seen with Lord Alistair. Maybe she knows something," Alpha Pierce stepped forward, a threatening look in his already dark eyes.

Savannah shuddered at the way he was scanning the area surrounding the hotel, alert for any signs that the killer might still be near. She knew how deadly Alpha Pierce was in a fight, how strong and capable he was as leader, and how far he'd go to capture the rogue who did this.

Being next door neighbours had taught her that Pierce was relentless, and couldn't be relied upon to do the neighbourly thing if it didn't directly benefit him. He'd stop at nothing to catch Zion, even if he knew what the rogue truly meant to Savannah.

Persia walked up to him, crossing her arms in contrast to his open stance that was in readiness for a fight. "I had no idea he was planning this," she denied, remaining unruffled despite the mayhem around them.

Pierce narrowed his eyes, lifting a finger to point in her face. "I don't trust this Hajian guy you brought along tonight. For all I know, he is the Silver Rogue."

Persia laughed while a snake of fear coiled around Savannah's throat, making it hard to breathe. "The Silver Rogue? That lame myth you tell stories of around campfires to scare little children? Please, if he was stupid enough to turn up at your Alpha conference, he wouldn't be such a dangerous threat. I don't know why you lousy lot of wolves haven't caught him already." She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with the topic of most of their discussions, of the legend who terrorized the packs on the continent with his ruthless cruelty.

"You watch your mouth, young woma—"

"Let's all just calm down," Truett stepped between the angry Alpha and the calm Princess. "We can't assume his identity without further investigation. I suggest, Alpha Pierce, you head up the search for the killer, and I will work with Princess Persia to determine who her personal guard really was."

"Fine. But if he's who I think he is," Pierce turned to Persia with a cold look in his eyes. "He's going to pay. You're all going to pay. We need to put a stop to this cold-blooded menace, especially after tonight," he motioned to the bodies laying around them. "And if I find you're in bed with our most wanted rogue, then you can kiss your pretty little royal privilege goodbye. You'll be rotting in hell with hi—"

"Enough!" Savannah glared at the Alpha, wrenching free from Justin's grasp to step up to Pierce. "I know how much you want to kill whoever did this," she waved her hand, not bringing herself to look down at Alistair's lifeless body. "But if you make it personal, you'll only hurt yourself. Think of your pack. By falsely accusing a royal of Vinlarhk, you'll bring your family and pack a world of trouble."

"She's not wrong," Persia nodded emphatically, staring down her nose as Pierce huffed. It was clear he was biting back a lashing of insults.

"So stop being a chipmunk and get moving! Go on!" Savannah practically shoved Pierce in the opposite direction to where Zion had disappeared. "Find the Silver Rogue since you're so sure he's the one who did this."

"Oh, I'll find him," Pierce leaned in close and spoke solemnly. "And when I do, I'm going to kill him."

"Be my guest," Savannah shrugged, masking the turmoil inside with feigned indifference.

Pierce continued, throwing Justin a meaningful look. "We both know how dangerous he is."

"You needn't remind us," Justin replied tersely, remembering vividly the way the Silver Rogue had poisoned him, using him as leverage against his Alpha. Pierce's Beta had been given the same treatment, allowing the rogues to pass unhindered through their territories.

Alpha Pierce laid his hand on Savannah's shoulder as if to offer her comfort. "Don't worry, Savannah. I'll make him pay for how he treated you. No one deserves to be taken hostage by such a cruel, merciless rogue. I'll set this right for all of us."

She shrugged him off. "I don't need your help." Savannah felt like blurting out that she didn't want it to be set right, as he'd put it. Despite knowing Zion's strength, and that whoever went after him would probably end up like Bastien and Alistair, Savannah still feared for her mate's life. After the crime he'd committed tonight, Zion couldn't keep running from justice forever.

"Suit yourself, sweetheart. But if I were you, I'd watch your back." Pierce gave them one last solemn nod of his head before striding off with his command flanking him.

Once he was out of sight, Savannah let out the breath she'd been holding. She sucked in another shaky breath, then crumbled.

Justin immediately wrapped his arms around her, guiding her head to his shoulder. Savannah squeezed her eyes shut against the tears that began spilling out. She couldn't comprehend that Zion had actually killed Lord Alistair. That truth was too dreadful to believe. After everything he'd told her of being fair and just, killing only those deserving of death, how could he explain away this?

The stench of blood that filled her nostrils and churned her stomach was anything but justice. What had Alistair done to result in such a horrible fate? What fate now awaited Zion should he be caught? It was too distressing to think about, and Savannah hid all her fear and angst under the guise of mourning their leader, Lord Alistair.

Even Melody was shedding tears, and other Alphas, usually so stoic, were grave as they surveyed the deaths around them.

If anyone doubted the severity of the rogue problems that plagued their country, they no longer had any misgivings. Punishment would be as swift and harsh as possible.

"Justin," she whispered against his suit jacket that was now drenched with her tears. "If they catch him—" she hiccuped.

"They're going to kill him," he finished for her.

"Not if I catch him first," Persia growled softly as she stood close to Savannah, her face twisted with muted fury. "Then I'm going to kill him."

Savannah stared at her in shock before bursting out in a fresh set of tears.

"Shh, don't listen to her," Justin patted her hair. "She's just being dramatic."

Persia rolled her eyes. "He's ruined everything! How am I supposed to solve who tried to kill my mum, when that pathetic rogue just shot our main suspect?"

"Excuse me? You think Lord Alistair was behind the assassination attempt on the Queen?" Savannah eyed her incredulously, furiously wiping her face and hoping she didn't now look like a raccoon with smeared make up all around her eyes.

"Either that, or he's working with the men who are. I wouldn't put anything past that slimy weasel," Persia looked down at Alistair's body with disdain. "I guess now I'll have to find some other way to make sure they all rot in an open grave for the birds to come pick their bones. This treachery has gone on long enough."

"But...I thought Lord Alistair wanted to create an alliance with your province?" Savannah thought back on the treaty Alistair seemed eager to finalise. "Why would he attempt to kill your Queen?"

Persia lifted an eyebrow as if she was about to explain simple maths to an idiot. "Greed can make men commit unthinkable crimes. Don't forget that, my little Alpha." Lifting her hand, she touched Savannah's cheek and stared seriously into her eyes, then swept away from the chaos with purposeful strides.

As the sound of her heels faded, Savannah's heart rate picked up the rhythm. "We have to find him first. Before anyone can get to him and hurt him, we have to find him," she vowed in a grave voice.

"Savannah, I don't think—"

"Don't question me on this, Beta. He's my mate," she whispered, mindful to keep her voice down while surrounded by Zion's mortal enemies who now had even more reason to kill him. "And I'm not going to stop until I save him."

It didn't take long to pack their things and drive through the night. Malachi didn't protest when Savannah approached him with her plan to go home early. After conferring with a few Council members about how every Alpha was going to help with the hunt for Alistair's killer, he and his Beta were ready to leave.

I understand how much you want to find him before everybody else, Vannah, Justin spoke silently with her while Hamilton drove. But how exactly are you going to do that? We don't have the best resources for that kind of investigation. The Council will be pouring everything they have into it, and we can't compete against that.

I know him, that's how, she responded vehemently, staring at the dark shadows of countryside that passed swiftly out her window. She'd already been trying to figure out where Zion would go to lay low. Maybe to his father's place? Maybe she could reach out to Tori and see if he'd contact her. Or even get in touch with Ollie or Chuck in Hierapolis. Surely Zion would use his buddies to help him disappear. Plus, she gave Justin a calculating grin. We know his best friend.

As soon as they reached home, and confirmed to her shocked family the news of Alistair's murder, she got right down to business.

The door to her office slammed against the wall as she pushed it open and roughly dragged Phoenix in by his ear. Shoving him down onto the couch, she pulled up her own chair and fixed him with a dark glare. "Tell me everything you know about Zion's plans. Why did he go to the Alpha conference? What did he want?"