53

"Missing? You're kidding, right? How does a fourteen year old get lost in his own backyard?" the young Alpha asked her father.

"He left to go camping in the northern forest three days ago, and no one's heard from him since. I'm beginning to think the worst," Kaiden replied gravely.

Savannah rolled her eyes and tried not to laugh at the seriousness on her dad's face. Looking over her shoulder at Zion, she gave him a wink. After being in Villawood all week, attending the trials for her mate and his rogue friends, she was tired, emotionally drained, and just wanted to curl up on the couch with her mate and rest...and maybe also kiss him for an hour non-stop.

Judging by the smirk on his face and the heat in his eyes, he was thinking the same thing.

So why, as soon as they'd finally reached home, was her dad being so dramatic?

"Did he tell you exactly where he was going?" Chesca asked her mate, casting furtive eyes towards the treeline. It wasn't unusual for her youngest son to go off by himself, exploring the woods, hunting, and being one with nature. They had a system in place where he would check in every day with one of the border guards, keeping the family assured of his safety.

Kaiden shrugged, reminding them all that the northern forest was a big place, not marked by names and locations easily pin-pointed on a map. "I've had Easton and Vika scour the area, and all they found were tracks heading towards the border. The footprints disappeared in Mirror Lake."

"So you're saying... he entered Svek's territory?" Savannah tore her eyes from Zion's and honed in on her dad. She'd only been half-listening while her parents and border guards discussed the issue, and had instead been trading silent messages to her mate with only their eyes. She could practically hear his voice in her head already as their bond strengthened due to their marks.

"It's a possibility. That's why I waited til you were home to tell you. Alpha Svek isn't allowing anyone except you to pass into his territory to search for Hunter. I've already organised a team to go with you, so you can leave straight away."

"That won't be necessary." Zion stepped forward, wrapping his arm around Savannah's waist and tugging her to his side. "I'm going with her."

Kaiden took a step back, startled by the boldness in this young wolf before him. "You must be the Silver Rogue."

"He's not a rogue anymore," Savannah said emphatically, glaring at her father for even daring to call him that. "He's been forgiven. He and his gang. They will officially become members of my pack as soon as we can organise an acceptance ceremony."

Narrowing his eyes, the former Alpha of Forged Hearts gave Zion a cold stare, looking him up and down and clearly disproving of the way he held his daughter so posessively. "So? Just because they say they'll become one of us, doesn't mean their actions will be sincere. How can I be sure they are trustworthy?"

"Sir, my actions have already proved you can trust me," Zion replied, his voice deep and carrying across the field, reaching everyone in the vicinity. Many pack members had gathered, curious to meet the rogues who were to join them. "I would rather cut off my own hand than do anything to hurt Savannah or her family."

"Well." Kaiden lifted his chin, taking a long minute to choose his next words. The weight of the moment had Savannah's heart pounding, desperate for her mate to be accepted by her father and the rest of the family. She knew by bringing him here, it would cause conflict. Not everyone could forgive and forget the crimes and pain caused by the Silver Rogue and his dangerous gang. Not everyone could love him like she did.

Her dad spoke, pinning Zion with his coldest stare, "Then, I suppose you had better not cut off your hand. We can't have a handless Alpha around here, can we? Who would support my daughter in all her Alpha duties?" With a small lift of his eyebrow, Kaiden stepped forward, toe to toe with the powerful Alpha rogue. "If you ever leave my daughter and run off on some illegal venture, I will hunt you down and personally cut off your hands. Finger by finger."

"Dad, please," Savannah begged him with her best puppy eyes.

Kaiden cracked a grin, then slapped Zion on the shoulder. "I'm sure you won't. Welcome to the family."

Savannah sighed with relief. Watching Zion take her father's hand and shake in greeting and acceptance was almost as good as hearing the Council pardon him of his crimes.

"Now, let's go look for my son!" Chesca exclaimed, breaking the silence that followed.

"Yes, I suppose he is your son. That's where he gets his infuriating tendency to wander off into the forest alone and without cause. Hm?" Kaiden looked at Chesca, who playfully jabbed him in the ribs.

"Maybe if you weren't so busy upstaging me as Alpha, I wouldn't have had to wander off and fight the enemies all by myself," she pointed out.

"For crying out loud, I was asleep after a hard day's work! Are you still trying to blame me for this?"He lifted his hands in exasperation, as if they'd had this argument a hundred times before.

Chesca crossed her arms adamantly. "Well maybe if you didn't order my men around with so many silly commands, you wouldn't have been so exhausted."

Kaiden stepped closer and looked down his nose at her to say, "If you weren't so adorable when you're mad, we wouldn't have spent half the night together in--"

"Oi! You!" Chesca exclaimed, slapping her hand over his mouth. She rose on her toes to glare at her mate evenly, then screeched in surprise when he wrapped his arms around her and smothered her next retort with a searing kiss.

Savannah instantly spun around, her cheeks heating up. Her parents more often than not ended their arguments with a kiss, so she would have thought she'd be used to it by now.

"Are your parents always this...argumentative?" Zion queried, casting glances at them from the corner of his eyes before raising a knowing eyebrow at Savannah.

Her blush only deepened, and she felt like running and jumping in the lake to escape the explicit images of her own mate that filled her mind. "Why do you reckon they had so many pups?" she muttered under her breath, secretly envying her parents' close relationship and hoping hers and Zion's would be even half as romantic as theirs.

"Hm, that's what I thought," Zion replied with a smirk, his fingers beginning to rub circles on her waist.

Shivers ran up and down her body, turning her knees to jelly and her thoughts to mush. If they didn't hurry up and begin this expedition, there was no telling what she might run off to do with her mate instead.

"I think I know where Hunter has gone."

The bold proclamation caught everyone off guard. Turning as one, they watched as Hudson, the son of Alpha Malachi from DoubleEdge, walked purposefully towards them.

"What sort of mischief has he roped you into this time?" Isaiah, Savannah's younger brother, asked, a frown on his face as he watched the Alpha's son approach. He was a few years older than Hunter, and always felt it his responsibility to look out for his little brother. His duty was made difficult when Elias--Beta Charles and Lexi's eldest--and Hudson were always concocting plans and adventures with Hunter. The three boys were all of similar age, and at times it seemed they spent more time together than with their own families. "If that punk thinks he can get away with this..." Isaiah thumped his fist into his palm, muttering threats and imploring his dad to come up with suitable punishment. It was foolish for Hunter to cause all this worry, especially at a time when the family had so many other important matters to deal with.

Hudson eyed the rogues warily before approaching Kaiden and Chesca. He dipped his head in respect. "Alphas, I have reason to believe Hunter has gone north up Stone Ridge Mountains."

"We could have told you that," Kaiden replied impatiently, folding his arms and ensuring the young pup, mature beyond his years, remembered his place. In Kaiden's opinion, Malachi had put far too much effort in raising the perfect Alpha, perhaps forgetting that Hudson just needed time to be a boy before becoming a man.

Hudson pushed his shoulders back and stood taller. "But what you don't know is, why?"

"Get to the point already. My feet are itching to get moving," Petrinna said, not caring that her rude interruption earned a scowl from both Hudson and Kaiden. She came to stand by Savannah, casting glances at Zion then wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Savannah elbowed her in the ribs not so subtly.

After taking a deep breath to calm his agitation, Hudson spoke solemnly, "He's after the Karalax."

"Excuse me? The myth? The legend of the great winged dragon in the mountains?" Justin stepped forward, backpack slung over his shoulder, prepared to go after Hunter at any moment.

"It might not be legend. Didn't Elias tell you what we found last week? Tracks. Leading up to the caves on Coonarin Ridge," Hudson replied, his tone of voice impatient.

"Look, it really doesn't matter what he's doing. The point is, my baby's out there, and we need to find him," Chesca interrupted. Her stern and concerned voice caused everyone to remember their purpose. They soon had a group organised, plans arranged, and supplies gathered for their expedition up the mountain.

"Wait. Before we go, I need to speak with Willow," Savannah told them, motioning for Justin to go ahead with the group while she ducked into the medical clinic. It had grown to be a rather large complex in the middle of the pack's town centre. Savannah was never very fond of the sterile place, having spent too many times getting a bone set or nasty gash cleaned after a wild adventure with Justin and their friends grew out of hand.

For the last week, it had been home to Willow as she recovered from the near-fatal poisoning.

"Hey," the Alpha greeted as she knocked on the door jamb to Willow's room. Her mate, Ethan, looked up from where he was resting his head against Willow's shoulder. Doctor Malhotra nodded from the other side of Willow's bed, adjusted the tubes that exited her arm, then motioned to Savannah on her way out.

"Willow is doing alright, just regaining strength since we've filtered the poison from her bloodstream. It won't be too long until she's back on her feet," Dr Niesha Malhotra spoke quietly as she updated the Alpha on her patient's condition.

"Thank you, Niesha," Savannah smiled gratefully, then stepped in.

Taking a seat by the bed, she felt guilt wash over her again at the sight of Willow, so pale and weak, and lying motionless against the white sheets. She was so different to the tough-as-nails shewolf she'd known back in Hierapolis, and the resolute warrior she'd fought alongside in the Rogue Wars.

"I want to thank you for what you did back in Kingston," Savannah began, clearing her throat.

"Didn't do much good, did it? All this for nothing," Willow responded quietly, a bitter look in her dull eyes as she surveyed the new scars on Savannah's wrists and arms. It would take a long time for the reminders of Parthia's cruelness to fade.

"You helped save us from the Saints, and for that I'm grateful," the Alpha continued, pulling down her long sleeves.

"And nearly died in the process," Ethan muttered sourly. "Don't know why she had to go and throw herself in front of Zion like that." Gripping Willow's hand tightly, Ethan looked at her with unmasked sadness and a hint of rebuke in his eyes.

"Hey, I owe him my life. It was the least I could do for him," she protested, trying to tug her hand free.

"I should be the one you come to for protection. No one else but me, you understand?"

When it looked like Willow was about to fight him on that point, Savannah cleared her throat again. "I came to tell you about the trials in Villawood. You have all been pardoned of your crimes, so you are free to remain here in safety."

"Really? I'm free to be a prisoner here? How nice," Willow said, rolling her eyes before resting back on her pillow and closing them.

Savannah swallowed, choosing her words carefully. "You can go, of course. But every Alpha on the continent will be after you. I can't guarantee your protection unless you're on my territory."

"Then I don't have much choice, do I?" Willow gave a sarcastic chuckle which ended in a ragged cough. Ethan immediately put his arm under her shoulders and helped her sit up. Grimacing, she rubbed her belly where no doubt the bullet and tranquiliser wounds were still painful.

"It's the best offer of mercy you'll get," Savannah told her, trying to sound as kind as possible, but feeling her patience slipping in the face of Willow's signature indifference. "We're going to have an acceptance ceremony for the entire gang in a few days. I expect you'll be well enough to join us then."

Willow held her gaze, her dark eyes giving away nothing of the many thoughts running through her mind.

"You know I'll come visit you every chance I get. I promise you," Ethan said encouragingly, drawing Willow's attention off Savannah.

She stared at him for a few moments, then scowled. "No, you won't. You'll move here, claim me, then we'll finally be together like proper mates. How's that sound?" Her abrupt declaration left them all stunned.

Ethan stuttered, "Uh...um-- Sure. If that's what you want?" he asked, surprise and confusion playing over his open face. " I don't even know if the Alpha...?"

Savannah almost laughed at his hopeful expression, understanding clearly what he was asking. "I'll have to discuss your request with our pack Elders, but I'm sure they'll agree once they see what fine pack wolves you'll both become. Together." Lifting a knowing eyebrow, she left Ethan to interrogate his mate. She didn't feel like being the third wheel in any more mate arguments today.

"Why the change of heart?" She heard Ethan ask as she walked from the room.

The sheets rustled, as Willow shrugged. "You only die once. I came this close to my one time, and realised I couldn't let you keep living the good life without me. This is our second chance, Ethan. You muff it, I'll kick you out."

"Fair enough."

Savannah chuckled to herself as she walked out of the clinic, completely oblivious to the ball of fur running straight towards her.

Only when she was knocked to the ground and staring up at the sky, the view hindered by Petrinna's excited face, did she realise how off guard she was. Normally, the Alpha was ready for anything--danger, enemies, and especially over-eager friends. The exhaustion from the last few weeks was finally catching up to her.

"Thank you thank you thank you, Alpha!" Petrinna chanted in a sing-song voice once she'd shifted back to human form. "Why didn't you tell me? Was it supposed to be a surprise? You know I totally love surprises, so thank you!"

Savannah could hardly breathe in Trinna's crushing embrace. "What...what did I do this time?" she asked, prising herself from her friend's grasp.

"You found my dad and it's the most amazing thing ever! Better than finding my mate, I reckon, and I can't believe how happy I am! I could scream for joy and tell a million jokes and it still wouldn't express--"

"Your dad?" Savannah lost her breath a second time, finally taking her eyes off Trinna's ear-to-ear grin, and looked over her shoulder to see Chayton hovering close by. He had a soft smile on his face, the most gentle expression she'd ever seen on him, and the pieces clicked into place.

"Chay is your dad?! How on earth..."

"You probably heard how my mate left me?" he asked, looking at Trinna sideways, concern in his eyes as if he didn't want to speak badly of her mother.

"Mum was crazy, I know that for sure. You don't need to sugar coat anything for me," Trinna told him openly, snuggling into his arms and smiling up at him wholeheartedly.

"I guess she didn't know at the time she was pregnant with you, or... " A sad frown crossed his face like a dark cloud covering the sun.

"Or she just wanted her independence at the expense of her own daughter," Trinna finished for him, mirroring his frown before it disappeared a moment later. "But enough crying about the past. I stopped missing my mum the moment Savannah accepted me into her family. She's done the same for you, so let's move forward together and not dwell on the past. I can't believe I have a dad! Oh my goodness, can you take me fishing? You do know how to fish, right? What about camping? Or you could teach me to ride a bike!" Trinna clapped her hands together and bounced on her toes. "I already know how to ride a bike, but I just feel like there's so much I need to catch up on."

"You can do all that later," Savannah told her sternly, grabbing her hand and rescuing Chayton from being smothered by the unstoppable shewolf. The bewildered look on his face was enough to tell her he needed time to process this. "Because right now, we need to find my brother."

"Right. Hunter. We need to find him. Got it!" Pertrinna called out while running ahead and catching up with Justin and the other trackers.

Smiling, Savannah slapped Chayton on the shoulder. "I guess you really are a part of my family now."

"Who would've thought?" he muttered, shaking his head and watching Petrinna fondly. It was amazing they'd recognised each other as family even after so many years of not being together. It was true that the parental bond was strong enough for wolves to sense their pups from miles away, and especially up close as in this case. Their scents resonated, their souls vibrating from awareness.

Savannah shifted into her dark mottled wolf, then ran to take her place at the front of the search party. Zion fell into step by her side, and she wagged her tail in happiness at having him so close. As they ran through the trees on the familiar paths she knew so well, she had to stop herself from slowing down to point out all the special things about her territory to her mate.

She was finally here with him, and couldn't wait to fully introduce him to her beloved homeland. When all this was over, she was going to take him up Razorback Ridge to sit and watch the stars together. They would run the forest trails together in search of wildberries and rare flowers. She would show him the view above the lake before pushing him over the edge and into the water.

Then they would go hiking through the fruit orchards and climb the apple trees together. Sitting in the branches, listening to the birds sing around them, she'd tell him of all her girlhood dreams of her future and family and how he was fulfilling every single one of them.

Nudging him with her nose, she caught his attention and winked. His golden wolf shone metallic in the mid-morning sunshine, his strong physique outstripping even her most toned warriors.

Everything about his wolf attracted her in the most primal way, but the gentleness in his hazel eyes as he gazed back at her spoke to her heart so tenderly she thought she might cry. How long had she been praying for this moment? To have her mate by her side, running with her pack with no barriers, borders, or laws between them?

Alpha, we're nearing Mirror Lake, Justin mind-linked, coming to run beside her.

Her eyes broke from Zion's, her heart pounding like she'd run more than a marathon to get here. The altitude increased, the air growing thinner the higher they ran. The slopes leading up Stone Ridge Mountains towards IceSword Pack were very steep, and the first peaks loomed ahead of them.

I know the lay of my own land, she replied to her Beta, gently chiding him for the unnecessary interruption.

With a huff, Justin remained focused on the uneven ground beneath his feet, but she knew he wasn't comfortable with having her mate so close, the Silver Rogue everyone had hated for so long, now running with them.

It didn't long to pick their way around the edge of the lake. Already, the surface glittered with the gently falling snow that dusted the air around them. They'd climbed over three thousand meters in altitude, and were nearly at the border when a dozen of Alpha Svec's men stepped out from the pine trees ahead. Each looked ready to send them tumbling back down the mountain.

Savannah pulled to stop, shifting and quickly wrapping her jacket tighter up around her neck. Ice cold wind bit her skin, but when Zion slipped his hand in hers, she felt her body melt.

"Only Alpha Savannah may pass." Ivan, the Gamma of IceSword, stepped forward and barred her men from advancing.

"If you want me to find my brother quickly instead of spending days roaming your territory, you had better let me bring some men with me," she replied evenly, refusing to be intimidated by his fierce scowl, stone-tipped spear in hand, and sharp eagle's beak hanging from his neck. The fur cape he wore over his shoulders pronounced his broad stature and muscular build.

"Your brother was foolish enough to trespass into our territory. I don't see why we shouldn't just leave him be, to get eaten by the cave panthers."

Savannah chuckled. "Yes, that would definitely teach him a lesson. But unfortunately, he's too clever to be caught by the panthers. He's probably turned them into stew by now. So if you don't want him learning all your secrets while snooping around up there, I suggest you let me and my men past, and we'll find him and bring him home."

Ivan growled, a low rumbling sound that threatened to send the snow around them cascading in an avalanche. "Fine." It was clear he wasn't happy with the decision, but his Alpha must have commanded him otherwise. "You may pass." He stepped aside and motioned for them to go ahead, further up the mountain and across the border. "Except for you."

The sharpened tip of his spear struck out and came to rest across Zion's chest. The point, as narrowed and precise as a surgical blade, parted the fibres of his leather jacket in a deadly warning.

Ivan grinned, a cunning grin that turned Savannah's blood to ice. "The Silver Rogue remains here with us."