54

"Don't even bother trying to fight him," Savannah said coldly, grasping the shaft of the spear and shoving it back at Ivan. "More than likely, it'll be your head on the end of this spear."

Ivan chuckled, remaining where he stood instead of taking a step back as Savannah hoped he would. "You think we can't handle a rogue?"

"Oh, I don't doubt your competency. But you fail to notice Zion is no longer a rogue."

Ivan took a sniff, leaning in close to Zion. "Smells like one to me."

Savannah crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to let Ivan's disrespect crawl under her skin. She was close to letting loose, to shifting into her wolf to defend her mate, but Zion's gentle touch on the small of her back reminded her of their objective. "He bears the mark of an Alpha."

Ivan scoffed, looking between them incredulously as if what Savannah had said was a funny joke. "I'll believe it when you two make it official."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The pesky guard just wiggled his eyebrows, infuriating her more when his meaning became clear. Surely he couldn't tell they hadn't slept together yet! At the thought, a hot blush rose up her neck and enveloped her face despite the cold air biting her skin.

"Just drop it, Vannah," Zion whispered in her ear. His voice calmed her, the scent of cypress soothing her agitated wolf.

"Whatever." She waved her hand to drop the subject. "He's staying on this side of the boundary line, so there should be no problem."

"Oh sure, no problem," Ivan repeated, eyeing Zion as if sizing him up for a fight. "Assuming he even knows where the line is. Rogues have no regard for boundaries."

"Play nice, boys." Savannah glared at them both before rallying her men and continuing up the mountain.

"You probably don't even know the meaning of nice," she heard Ivan continue to taunt.

"Then I guess I'll have to show you my own definition of nice," Zion replied, a smirk in his voice.

Savannah felt Justin hiding a smile, as if he couldn't wait for Ivan and his men to rip Zion to shreds.

"Alright guys," she commanded, drawing her men's attention as they shifted into their wolves, sniffing for footprints and traces in the rock-littered mountainous region. "Shouldn't take us long to track down Hunter. You all know what he smells like."

Like a smelly garbage bin that hasn't been washed out in a month.

Like my dad's hiking boots.

Like a crate of mangoes left out in the sun.

"You know I can hear you all, right? How rude you've become in your Alpha's absence," she admonished them, though secretly agreeing. Hunter could be pretty careless when it came to bathing, sometimes going weeks without while hunting and camping in their territory's forests. He'd come home with a bear carcass around his shoulders, and sweat and grime from top to toe. Their mum wouldn't allow him back in the house until he'd jumped into the lake five times to wash it all off.

It didn't take long for the search party to track Hunter's scent through the scarcely wooded region, crossing ridges and canyons before coming to a cliff riddled with caves. Some openings were small, barely large enough for even a small wolf to pass through, while others were large enough to swallow a bus. Darkness loomed out of them, and Savannah braced herself for any number of strange creatures that called these caves home as she and her wolves entered a mid-sized mouth into the rocky cliff. The air inside was even cooler, and dropped degrees the deeper they descended into the heart of the mountain. With their keen noses and sharp eyes, they were able to track a couple scents through the twisting tunnels and steep passageways.

Savannah wished her mate was by her side, experiencing this with her. It wasn't often she went caving, but she always enjoyed exploring new territory. Growing up, she'd been invited to Alpha Zander's territory, and traversed every passage of the caves on Siyah Magara. They were child's play compared to this black labyrinth of rock, and she prayed they wouldn't get lost on the way out.

Hunter, I can sense you nearby! Don't move, we're coming to you, she mindlinked her brother.

Savannah? His voice was etched with surprise. Don't come any closer, you'll--

Her wolves began barking and raced ahead around the curve in the tunnel, eager to reach the young rascal.

"You scared it away!" Savannah heard him whine just as she stepped into a large opening in the tunnel. The cavern stretched high over her head, and fanned out like an underground den. On the far side were multiple smaller tunnels exiting further into the mountain.

"Scared what?" she asked, marching up to him and putting her hands on her hips as she glared at him.

"The Karala--"

"Are you kidding me right now? You honestly believe one still exists? You crossed boundaries and nearly lost yourself in this monster of a cave just to chase a fantasy?" Her scolding voice had him cringing, and rightly so. His reckless behaviour had cost them time, energy, and their good relations with the Alpha of this territory. Svek probably wouldn't speak to her for years after this foolish stunt by her brother.

"But the tracks are unlike any creature I've seen before. I'm telling you--"

"And I'm telling you we're going home. Now!"

"But Vannah," he began whining.

"Don't Vannah me," she interrupted, refusing to give in to the pitch of voice that always had her heart melting ever since he was a gorgeous and adorable baby. He'd always be her baby brother no matter how fast he grew taller than her, broad-shouldered and deeper voice. Just his puppy eyes alone could make him get away with practically anything, but this was taking it too far.

"How were you able to trespass onto Svek's territory anyway? His guards are eagle-eyed," she interrogated him as they marched back to the entrance.

"Simion let me enter the caves."

Savannah craned her neck and saw the Alpha's second son walking slowly at the back of their group.

"Why would he allow you to do such a thing?" She couldn't understand it, since all border crossings were normally approved by the Alpha himself.

"Well..." Hunter fidgeted, puffing and pretending he was too out of breath to talk.

"What did you promise him?" Savannah asked, having no patience for his games.

"A whole crate of pomegranates, since it's his favourite fruit and they don't grow up here where the climate is so cold and freezing, and honestly I think it's a good trade, since we have endless--"

"Stop talking," Savannah commanded when his incessant words plagued her ears like pesky mosquitoes.

"You did ask."

"You are in major trouble, young man. So don't be smart with me. Just wait till we get home and then Dad can deal with you."

Hunter dropped his head and visibly shuddered. Their father's stern talks and discipline were something to be feared. Many times as a young girl and especially a teen, the threat of her father coming home to talk with her was often enough to keep her out of trouble.

When they reached daylight at the mouth of the cave, Savannah took a moment to breathe in the scenery before they marched down. Her men gathered around her, taking in the view.

"Did you really find the great dragon?" Gary, a skilled warrior, asked Hunter with curiosity.

"Yes! It was about three times the size of a bear, I'm sure of it!" he responded excitedly, his face lighting up like a full moon. "I just saw its tail slithering through the caves as we chased it, but you herd of elephants scared it away before I could catch it."

"Enough fairytales, Hunter," Savannah snapped. "Everyone knows Karalax went extinct centuries ago."

"Simion saw it too."

All eyes turned to the Svek's son.

He looked at them boredly. "Hunter has better eyesight than me," was all he said before turning and walking up over the ridge and towards his pack centre nestled in the next valley.

"That pup is still so weird," Garry muttered, his curiosity neither confirmed nor denied by the enigmatic Alpha's son.

Irritated by this waste of time and desperate to return to her mate, Savannah dragged her unruly brother by the ear down the mountain. When they reached the clearing where their border lay, she rushed into the carnage that greeted them.

"What happened?" She gripped Zion's face, turning side to side to examine the small bruise forming on his jaw. Unable to help herself, she rose on her toes and placed a chaste kiss on the marred skin.

"He crossed the border, that's what happened," Ivan snarled angrily, rising from his position on a rock to show off a broken arm and blackened eye.

"I knew we couldn't trust the rogue," Justin growled and shot Zion a dark look.

"Would you believe me if I told you what really happened?" Zion ignored him, gripped Savannah's hands and peered at her anxiously.

"Of course," she breathed, not taking her eyes off him.

"They challenged me to a fight, boasting two of them could take me down easily. In my kindness and generosity, how could I not oblige their request? Clearly we proved who is the strongest male in all these territories," he finished arrogantly, smirking at Ivan and his ten guards who now only boasted fractures, missing teeth, and wounded pride.

Savannah pulled her hands from his and began stomping down the hill. "Unbelievable."

Justin ran and caught up, taking the lead down the rocky slopes as his Alpha fumed at her infuriating mate. Hoping to lighten the mood, an idea formed as he saw a spider web up ahead. Ducking under it, he led his Alpha right into it.

Her scream made his heart soar.

"You wretched piece of rubbish!" she screeched while rolling on the ground, trying to rid her face of the sticky web. "Is there a spider on me? I can feel something on my neck. Get it off, get it off!"

Justin only doubled over in laughter, reminiscing of all the times he'd played this trick on her. She fell for it every time.

It was only when Zion grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, did she stop her futile fight against the web. Tenderly, he brushed the strands off her face and examined her neck for the spider. His fingers trailed over her skin, changing her goosebumps of fear into shivers of desire.

"There. All gone," he whispered, leaning in close to assure her.

Just the heat of his body had the cold fleeing her own. "Are you sure? Will I live?"

"That depends," he replied gravely, causing her heart rate to spike.

"On what? Because there's an extremely poisonous spider around these parts, and I hope--"

He cut her off by placing his lips on hers. After a searing kiss, he pulled back. "It depends on whether or not you believe I'll protect you. I know you don't need my protection, Savannah, but..." A frown flickered across his face, as they both recalled her earlier words of independence. "But I hope you want me to be here for you anyway."

Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled him in for another kiss. "I'll always want you to protect me. Just don't blame yourself when you aren't able to all the time. I'm not going to crumble without you, but I certainly can't stand my tallest unless you're by my side."

"I don't know about you, but we're freezing to death with all this dilly-dallying," Justin interrupted their moment. "I think I'm gonna be sick if I have to watch this much longer."

"Then go be sick. I'm not stopping you," Savannah growled back, brazenly taking her mate's hand and leading them downhill. The sun had set and the temperature was dropping, so if they didn't reach lower altitudes soon, they'd all be icicles. Though, the idea of snuggling close with Zion and keeping each other so warm was tempting.

Shifting into their wolves to travel faster, she bounded down the slopes and rejoiced to soon be amongst the familiarity of her pine forests and flower meadows. The trail narrowed as they ran along a ridge, and she laughed to herself when she saw a small puddle at the bottom of a gully. Jumping over it, she motioned for her mate to do the same. Then, tipping her head back, she barked at some birds in the trees overhead.

Distracted by their startled flutter, Justin tripped over a rock in the path and sprawled face first into the mud. He whined and growled as he picked himself up and tried shaking it off. At Savannah's uncontrollable laughter, he rushed over to her and tackled her to the leaf-littered ground. The Alpha and Beta rolled a couple times, Justin smearing the mud into her fur.

So you want to play dirty, huh? he asked, not finding it within himself to laugh at her payback.

Hey, you started it! She tried disentangling herself, but they only ended up more wrapped in a muddy mess.

A sudden roar had them jumping apart, Justin whining in submission as dominance washed over him.

Zion shoved him aside, coming to stand possessively over his mate where she lay in the dirt. His bared teeth and blazing eyes were more than a warning for Justin. They were a threat to every male in the vicinity that should they touch Savannah, they'd have their throat torn out and guts spilled. After his show of claiming her, he nudged her side and helped her to stand. Then, he began licking away the mud from her fur, frequently turning to spit it from his mouth. Savannah tried not to squirm under the rough feeling of his tongue as he ran it over her face, neck, and shoulders. Her body quivered under his touch, her senses igniting with the craving to be closer, to taste him like he was tasting her, and stand in his protective embrace for a never-ending moment.

Justin stood nearby watching them, his tail down and his ears back while emitting a long, low growl. It didn't take a genius to recognise how much he chafeded being under threat from the very dominant and jealous rogue Alpha.

Savannah ignored him, instead tossing her head in the opposite direction when he stormed off by himself. If he wanted to act like a spoilt child, so be it. There was nothing she could do for his feelings now.

Within the next hour, they were approaching the town centre and stepped from the treelines.

"You found him!" Chesca ran to meet them, throwing her arms around Hunter before looking at him sternly. Kaiden folded his arms and stared rebukingly at Hunter. To his credit, the young teen hung his head and submitted quickly to his parents' authority.

"He's all yours," Savannah told her parents.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," Kaiden began the scolding while Savannah headed towards their home.

The glow of the house lights drew her like a weary soul lost in a desert of darkness. How nice it was going to be to finally relax and switch off her brain for a while.

A loud voice by her ear snapped her from her daydream. "Do you know what tonight is?" Petrinna ran up to her and linked arms, moving her shorter legs quickly to keep up with Savannah's determined strides.

"A late one? It's way past bedtime and I've got a massive headache coming on." The irritated Alpha tried brushing her off, thinking of nothing more than a hot shower and her cozy pillow.

"It's the third last night before the full moon," her best friend replied, choosing to ignore the hint.

"Yeah? So what?" Full moons meant little to the Alpha, as their monthly celebration was always on the night of the new moon when the sky was dark from the sun's reflective absence.

"Sooo.... I noticed you and Zion have marked each other."

"And...?" Impatient, Savannah stopped to give her friend a minute of undivided attention before ending the conversation.

"And you haven't done it yet, have you? So on the full moon, things are gonna get a little crazy, am I right?"

As the truth dawned on Savannah, she felt like slapping her hand over Petrinna's mouth as if that would make it less of a reality.

"That's not going to be a problem."

Suddenly, her mate was by her side, wrapping her in his powerful arm and tugging her to his body. She fell against his chest and was greeted with hard muscle.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she queried, pulling back to look up at him. The sharp planes of his cheekbones and strong jawline were highlighted by the silver of the moon and shadows of the night. Swallowing hard, she focused on his eyes and in equal parts loved and hated the mischievousness she found there.

"What I mean is, there are two nights between now and the full moon," he replied languidly, lowering his head so his breath tickled her ear. "Two very long nights. Starting with tonight."

"Oh, no. Not happening." She shoved away from him, held her head to stop it from splitting, and hurried inside. Her heart was telling her to stay, to remain glued to her mate all night long, while her mind needed space and time to process the onslaught of recent events, recover from the mental gymnastics, and reset to a completely new mindframe of living with her soulmate. Already, his chuckle was reverberating in the space between her ears.

She reached her door and stumbled into her room, turned to shut it behind her but was met with resistance.

Zion's broad shoulders filled the doorway, one of his sturdy hands holding the door open while the other snaked around her waist.

"Are you running from me, little Alpha? You know what happens when you run from a wolf, yes?"

The darkened flecks in his eyes, swirling with unspoken intentions, entrapped her gaze and held her captive. Her throat dried, her willpower slipping. "You'll chase me?"

"Very good," he cooed, stepping into her room and closing the door quietly behind him. "And then what happens if I catch you?" His voice deepened, hinting at the desire that crackled between them, lassoing them together and tightening like coils of elizenthium until neither could escape.

Savannah blinked, fighting the enchantment in his eyes, and laid her hand on his chest. She felt his heart race, his breathing quicken, and the vein in his neck throb with anticipation. Her lips curved in a saucy grin. "You end up with a broken nose."

Lifting her hand, she slammed her open palm against his nose, twisted free from his arms, opened the door behind him and shoved her shoulder against his with all her remaining strength. The impact caused him to stumble and curse, falling out her door with dark threats spilling from her lips.

"And here I thought you'd given up your roguish ways," she teased at the obscenities he continued to mutter. "Now let me sleep in peace. I'll see you in the morning."

After taking a long, hot shower, the Alpha felt the stress from the day melt away. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, not recognising the black hair that framed her face, and decided to do something about it on the morrow. Then, falling into bed, she expected to pass out almost immediately. So it was an unpleasant realisation when she kept tossing and turning, staring at the ceiling as the minutes ticked by, to admit defeat. Her mind was weary, but her heart and body couldn't rest with so much space between her and her mate. It just didn't feel right. Even the calming presence of her sister beyond the wall didn't help to settle her.

Giving up the fight, she dragged herself from and opened her door in search of her mate. No doubt he'd be in the spare room on the lower floor.

The doorknob twisted, but the door remained in place. Savannah tried again, recalling the number of times she'd oiled the hinges to ensure the door swung smoothly. So what was stopping it?

"Savannah? You okay?"

The quiet concern in her mate's voice had her leaning against the timber. Her fingertips sensed his body warmth on the other side. "Why won't the door open?" she whimpered, contemplating scratching the timber to pieces until she'd worn down the barrier between them.

"There are screws all around the jamb. Each one with the scent of your Beta's grimy paws all over it," came the growled reply.

"Justin!" she hissed, curling her fingers into fists and plotting revenge. "He must have done it while I was in the shower."

"Do you have a drill around here somewhere?"

"Too noisy. It would wake up the entire family."

Zion's groan was undisguised.

"Hey, I have a better idea," she whispered, "Head down the hall and take a left into the study, then go out the window."

"The window?"

Savannah grinned, looking out her own window and at the balcony railing beyond. Silver moonlight reflected off the trees in the distance and bathed the land in a metallic glow. "You like sleeping on the roof, don't you?"