55

"Don't step in the gutter. Dad will have your head if you break it," Savannah warned as she hauled herself over the metal lip.

"Got it," Zion grunted as he followed her.

"Watch out for that tile; it's a bit loose."

"Okay, thanks."

"And beware of that section...we had to repair it a few weeks ago after a storm and if you fall through the weak spot, you'll end up in Isaiah's bed."

"I think I know how to climb over a roof, Savannah. Or do you forget who I am?"

The Alpha looked over her shoulder and found a devilish smirk on her mate's face. There was no forgetting Zion used to be the cunning and devious Silver Rogue, known nationwide for his bold invasions, daring escapes and the destruction left in his wake. He probably knew how to scale the steepest, most slippery roofs better than even the most skilled border guards.

"I just don't want you breaking your neck. Forgive me for being over-protective," she retorted, turning her eyes back to the sloping tiles beneath her feet, hoping he hadn't seen the way her gaze raked over his shirtless torso. The silver of the moonlight highlighted the broad width of his shoulders, the smooth planes of his chest, and perfectly shadowed the valleys of his defined muscles.

Heat crept up her neck and engulfed her face as she thought of all her desires soon coming true. Nothing stood between them and finally completing their mate bond. They'd accepted each other, marked each other, and Zion had agreed to join her pack and walk on the straight and narrow as a law-abiding citizen. He was now the best thing in her future, and she couldn't wait to begin a family with him and be each other's soulmate for the rest of their lives.

The sudden warmth of his touch nearly sent her toppling over the edge of the roof, but his hand slid lightning quick from the small of her back to around her waist, steadying her and pulling her close. He sat down heavily on a relatively flat section of the roof, and situated her on his lap.

Savannah instinctively squirmed, feeling momentarily caged. The slope was steep, and she felt at any moment that she might overbalance and slide off. The independent Alpha was used to standing on her own, looking after herself, and keeping herself safe in every situation.

"Shh, just let me hold you. I've got you," Zion whispered in her ear, sensing her unease as if he could read her mind.

Perhaps now he can, Savannah wondered, turning to face him. The moon reflected in his dark pupils, lighting up his eyes like a starlit sky. She finally relented to his firm embrace, relaxing as his arms kept her firmly secure. The strength of his body as he held her close, the warmth, and woodsy scent of cypress enveloping her eased the tension from her body, and she leaned back to nestle against his chest.

"You're thinking about me, aren't you?" he asked quietly, his voice rumbling through her entire body and sending shivers over her skin.

"No, I'm thinking about Jus--"

Zion's arm tightened around her waist while one of his hands covered her mouth. "Don't you dare say his name, you understand me?"

This time, the low timbre of his voice mixed with a deadly growl, and Savannah felt her wolf whining in submission to her mate's undeniable authority.

Only when she nodded did he remove his hand. "I was only joking, you know," she chuckled, rolling her eyes at his reaction.

The tension in his jaw didn't go away, so she tried again. "Of course I was thinking about you. How can I think of anything else when your scent fills every breath, the sound of your heartbeat fills my ears, and your presence invades my soul even when I can't feel your touch?" Lifting both hands to rest on either side of his face, she drew his gaze down until he couldn't look away. "Zion, you are my everything now, and no one could take your place as the other half of my heart."

He looked uncertain for a moment, then said slowly as if admitting a grave sin, "I was afraid your overzealous Beta would snatch you away in the middle of the night."

The explanation caught her off guard. "Is that why you were outside my door?"

He swallowed hard and nodded. "Seems as if he thought bolting your door in place was good enough. But nothing can keep me away from you, Savannah. If anyone tries, I don't know..." he took a deep breath as if needing to calm himself, then gazed into the distance with an obsidian look in his eyes. "I can't guarantee I won't hurt anyone."

Her eyes widened, afraid for her people if Zion carried through on his threat of causing carnage. But a moment later, when his lips twitched with a grin, she slapped his chest in admonition. "Don't tease me like that!"

"I'm serious," he said while chuckling.

Savannah narrowed her eyes sternly. "If I see you fighting any of my men, I'm gonna throw you in the dungeon."

"Are you now?" Zion's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Sounds like fun."

"Don't be ridiculous," she retorted, rolling her eyes at his sense of humour. "The only fun you'll get from the experience is a broken nose. Most likely from my Dad's fist."

"Not from your kiss?"

Before Savannah could realise what his outlandish words meant, Zion had crushed his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. His hand cradled the back of her head, holding her impossibly close. Her breath was completely snatched as his passion sucked her lungs dry. Heaving for air, she tangled her fingers in his hair and tugged. The sensation only excited him more, and he began kissing her hotly along her jaw and down her throat.

When he reached the fresh mark on her neck and bit gently, her entire body lit up with adrenaline and oxytocin. He consumed her mind, exhilarating her senses until she forgot where she was. Nothing else mattered but the man whose arms caged her in safety and warmth. She pressed closer, wanting nothing between them.

Her haze of desire evaporated into dread when she jolted forward.

Tiles scattered under Zion's hand as he threw it out to stop them both from toppling backwards. The awful sound of the loose tiles clattering to the gutter filled the silence of the night, snapping them from their feverish embrace.

"Shoot!" Savannah hissed, disentangling herself from her mate. "We'll wake up the whole pack at this rate."

"It was just a--"

"Shh!" Savannah clamped her hand over Zion's mouth. Tilting her head, her sensitive ears picked up movement from her parent's room. Her mother, disturbed from sleep, was wondering if rogues were trying to break in.

It's fine, Kaiden mind-linked assuringly. Just the darn possums, mating on the roof again.

Savannah nearly choked on her breath as she overheard her dad's voice in her mind.

"What is it?" Zion whispered.

"Just...my dad thinks we're possums." Biting her lip, she tried hard not to laugh at the absurd similarity between her dad's assumption and reality. The squeak that erupted from her tense throat sounded like a mongoose being strangled.

"Are you sure you're okay? Because I can help you--"

"Don't!" She grabbed the hands that slid down her waist and beyond. Instead of calming her excited heart rate, Zion's touch was throwing petrol on the flames of their passion. "Let's just... sit here." She scrambled to the central ridge of the roof and made her way to the chimney. Tugging Zion down beside her, they leaned against the bricks and made themselves comfortable.

Zion's long legs dangled down the slope. "You know, the flat roofs in the city are so much better than this."

"Maybe so..." she began to agree, then shook her head before tilting it back. "But can you see this many stars in the sky over the city?"

Zion followed her gaze to the studded velvet of the rich night sky. "I'm sure they're still there."

"Well, can you smell the pine forests, and fresh water of the river?"

"I prefer the delicious smell of beef bulgogi, and summer rain on bitumen."

Savannah screwed up her nose. "What about the hum of the cicadas? You can't hear them over all the nonstop traffic and sirens."

"No, but you can hear ten different genres of dance music in one block, and the whir of electricity in the wires that never sleep. Fast internet, instant food deliveries, unlimited shopping--"

"Smelly vehicle exhaust, wild parties and too much alcohol, high rates of crime and violence--"

"Cinemas and theatres, the latest technology, large corporations and job opportunities--"

"Okay, I don't have the energy to argue anymore." Savannah held her hand up to stop him. "You're gonna learn to like my peaceful little territory whether you want to or not," she declared, looking at him sharply. "And you've got at least ten years to do it. Now let's sleep."

At her abrupt command, Zion bowed his head in obedience. "Yes, my little Alpha." Then he leaned back and tugged her innocently onto his lap. "I guess I have to do what you say, since you're my parole officer, yes?"

Savannah pulled back to look at him surprised, then nodded. "I suppose so. But you're still an Alpha."

Her blunt statement, this reminder of his true nature and elevated rank, seemed to startle him. He gave her a serious look. "Do you want me as your Alpha?"

It didn't take her long to reply, "Sure," then she added wryly, "You'll have to be an Alpha if you want to boss me around. Otherwise I won't stand for it. I take orders from no one."

He chuckled as expected, the sound rumbling out of his chest and vibrating through her body. "Then I order you to go to sleep," he told her, tucking her head under his chin and wrapping his arms around her.

Yes, my Alpha.

His arms seemed to tighten, as if he heard her. Savannah smiled to herself, closing her eyes and quickly falling asleep to the thundering rhythm of her mate's heart.

She awoke to the first screech of the white cockatoos that liked to gather at dawn and eat her sunflowers.

"You call this peaceful?" Zion mumbled in her ear, his voice rough with sleep.

Looking up at the perfect way the brightening light on the horizon reflected off his sculptured, handsome face, she grinned. "Would you rather be here with someone else? I can go--"

The cage of his thick arms kept her firmly pressed to his body. "You're not going anywhere, little Alpha."

Savannah smirked, then placed a small kiss on his neck. "That's what I thought."

They watched the sunrise together, enjoying the serenity of the territory before the warriors awoke and began training, the border guards handed over to the new shift, and families stirred to begin a new day.

They crept into the kitchen of the packhouse just after sunrise, and Savannah poured juice in two glasses for her and her mate.

"Nice kitchen," Zion mused as he looked at the large benchtops, well-used appliances, and decorative plaques with quotes on the wall. He studied the one above the kettle and read it out, "The Alphas' kitchen -- where good food, happiness, and love is made". He chuckled and turned to Savannah with a mischievous glint in his gold-flecked eyes. In one quick motion, he swept her up and sat her on the benchtop, stepped close between her legs and rested both arms on the benchtop beside her.

Surprised, she could only stare at him as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"So..." he drawled, sliding his hands along her thighs in a way that caused shivers to run up and down her body. Her heart rate accelerated and her breathing became heavy as his warmth wrapped around her, his scent invading her senses and consuming her mind. "This must be the place where you were all conceived. Shall we carry on the tradition?" he asked, his lips grazing hers and scorching them with his subtle yet dangerous touch.

Her mouth dropped open at his outrageous suggestion, and all she could think about was her parents walking in, or...even worse...one of her brothers or little Kiana.

"Alpha?" someone asked, clearing their throat loudly to get her attention.

Savannah shoved Zion away, hopped off the bench, and adjusted her pyjama shorts in one hasty movement. Spinning around, she found Justin standing in the doorway, dark eyes hardened on Zion before they met hers.

"Where were you during training this morning?" the Beta asked bluntly, fixing her with a disapproving stare. His hair was neat, his clothes clean, yet his vibe was restless and moody. "The new guards have almost completed their final tasks, and are ready for you to assess."

"I--I was...I was busy with my mate." She swallowed hard, forcing her heart to quit galloping like a startled gazelle. Reminding herself that she had done nothing wrong, and that her Beta had no right to lecture her, she pushed her shoulders back and narrowed her eyes on him. She could feel his physical repulsion at seeing her behave intimately with her mate. Reading his resentful attitude like it was an open book, Savannah was beginning to be annoyed by his objections to Zion.

"So I can see," Justin commented, folding his arms and looking between the two of them sternly. "Well, when you're done desecrating your family's kitchen, would you care to continue your Alpha duties? Or I could just take over for you if you wish to continue your little dalliance."

His accusation struck her like a blow to the guts. Standing up straighter, her hackles rose and her anger sparked. "How dare you call this a dalliance. For starters, nothing was happening between us right now besides maybe a kiss, and secondly, this is not a brief relationship that's going to end just because you don't like us being together. Zion is my mate, and that means forever. So the sooner you get over your childish infatuation with me, the better."

Justin physically paled at her words, then his face grew red. "Childish? You call me childish? You, who chased after a deadly rogue just because he stole your first kiss?"

"Hey!" she scoffed. "I kissed him to save your life, you ungrateful little--"

"Is that the only reason why you kissed me?" Zion's growl interrupted her, and his arm snaked possessively around her waist and pulled her hard against his body.

Justin tried not to be intimidated by Zion's brazen move. He continued staring at Savannah and pointedly ignored Zion who was placing open kisses on her neck. Gathering his thoughts, he continued, "Not everyone can run off and take a holiday just because they found their mate, you know."

A dozen angry words rose to Savannah's tongue, but a small voice reminded her not to let her temper take over. Breathing deeply, the scent of her mate calmed her, and Zion held her tighter as if he knew his presence was exactly what she needed right now. "Actually," she replied calmly in the face of Justin's growing agitation. "You're right. You are absolutely right."

The confused frown on his face spurred her to keep going with her sudden idea. "Why shouldn't everyone have a holiday? We should be celebrating today that a gang of lawless rogues has chosen to join our pack." Smiling at Zion, she opened her mind to her pack. Hey everyone, drop what you're doing and prepare a feast! I'm declaring a pack holiday to welcome our newest members, Zion and his gang of rogues. So get ready to party! I'll meet you in the town square for lunch, then we'll play games by the lake.

Justin's mouth dropped open at her declaration. Slowly shaking his head, he said quietly, "You'll regret this," then backed out of the kitchen and disappeared outside.

Savannah wilted once the tension left the room with Justin.

"What you just did was pretty bold," Zion said, rubbing his hand up and down her back soothingly. He was surprised Savannah had just declared a pack holiday in his honour. Would all her pack members agree to accepting the gang of rogues so quickly? Was it really something they wanted to celebrate? Judging by the dark look on her Beta's face before he stormed out of the kitchen, there was bound to be more opposition ahead.

"And probably crazy. But Justin needs to know his place."

"You realise he's in love with you, right?"

She whirled around and stared up at Zion. "Love?" she squeaked.

"I figured it out the moment I met him. He was desperate to protect his Alpha. More loyal than any other Beta I've met. Before even seeing you, I guessed you were a pretty special shewolf. Now I realise you're even more amazing than I anticipated."

Savannah blushed, heat rising to her face from the intensity of Zion's words. Instead of answering, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. Her mate held her tenderly, placing soft kisses on the top of her head. This kind of intimacy, more than anything, was what she craved. This deep understanding that now existed between them was growing stronger, and just being in his presence was enough to make her heart soar and mind relax with warmth and security.

"So you're the mean wolf who used to be the Silver Rogue?"

The high-pitched voice from behind her made Savannah smile. She turned to Kiana and opened her arms for her morning hug.

"You got that right, Kiddo. I was a rogue, but not anymore," Zion smiled at her, reaching out to tousle her already messy hair.

"How many times have I told you to comb your hair when you get up in the morning?" Savannah scolded while trying to pat down her little sister's long, unruly hair.

"Isaiah's taking three hours in the bathroom," Kiana explained, causing Savannah to roll her eyes. The teenage boy spent more time than anyone, meticulously combing his thick hair and shaving his chin every morning. He was completely opposite to Hunter in that regard.

"You don't look like a rogue," Kiana continued, focusing on Zion and looking him up and down.

Zion stood taller, pushing out his chest regally. "I should hope not. Your sister has made an honest man out of me."

Savannah raised a skeptical eyebrow as if to ask Do you even know what honest means?

Zion shrugged, his eyes twinkling in response.

"You're not even scary. I thought rogues were all big and scary, and covered in hair as long as a mammoth's so when they hide in the cold mountains, they don't freeze to death. Did you used to be scary? Cos I don't see it. I wouldn't ever feel scared of someone as happy and nice as you," Kiana rambled, barely taking a breath between sentences.

"Is that so?" Zion knelt down to her level, narrowing his eyes on her. His demeanor changed, and even Savannah felt a trickle of ice skate down her spine at the new aura Zion projected. "Didn't your parents tell you the stories about me?" Leaning closer, he lowered his voice, "Didn't they warn you to be afraid of the dangerous, and very, very scary Silver Rogue? Don't you know what wolves like me do to little shewolves on dark nights, during an awful storm, when the power goes out and everything is black? We sneak up to your house and--"

"And tell silly ghost stories!"

The front door burst open, emitting a young pup with hair in braids and leaves stuck to her boots.

"Munchkin!" Zion opened his arms wide and scooped up Darya. Swinging her around in a tight circle, he grinned at her wild laugh.

Kiana frowned at the abrupt interruption. "He just tells ghost stories?" she asked, her eyebrows scrunched skeptically.

"They're not even scary at all!" Darya replied once she was planted back on her feet. "My daddy is more like a cute little puppy. All warm and fluffy on the inside." She grinned up at him while wrapping her small arms around his thick leg.

"He's your daddy?" Kiana looked at them carefully. "He must be really old. But he's Vannah's mate, so ... so is she like gonna be your mum? She's my sister and that's so weird!" she finished by spreading her hands then rubbing them down her face in consternation.

"How about I be your auntie, okay Darya?" Savannah knelt down and took Darya's hands in her own. "Then you two cuties can be like cousins." She gave them both a bright smile that broke the awkwardness.

"Cousins! Cool! I don't have any real cousins but a lot of friends that are like family!" Kiana threw her arms around Darya and began tugging her outside. "Come on, I'll show you our treehouse. Can you climb trees?"

Darya looked up at her dad, waiting for his nod of permission before following the excited Kiana. "Not really. There aren't many trees in the city where I live."

"That's okay. I'll teach you how. We have lots of big trees here, and you can hide in the branches and throw sticks at the boys when they take too long to find you when we play games like cops and robbers or catch the rabid rabbit. It's so much fun!"

Savannah watched them leave before turning to the other woman who had arrived with Darya. "Halcyon, good to see you again," she said, holding out her hand in greeting. "Welcome to my territory."

"So you really are an Alpha. You probably expect me to bow or something." Hal eyed her curiously, her expression neither warm nor hostile, but somewhere in between.

"I don't need formalities. You can just bring me a plate of chocolate chip cookies as tribute next time you come," Savannah teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Phoenix told me all about how good a cook you are."

Hal smiled at this. "I'll also bring my famous cheese and chicken turnovers."

"Go easy on the chicken; my mum's a vegetarian."

"Alpha Chesca? I've heard all about how she took over as Alpha of this territory as a teenager. I have a lot of respect for her and your entire family. I'll bring vegetable curry too, if you like."

"Deal!"

The two shewolves shared a laugh, and Savannah noted the way Zion's shoulders relaxed as the tension eased between her and Hal. It was clear she was like a sister to him, and Savannah wanted to impress her from the start and make up for their initial meeting in the city.

"By the way, Alpha," Halcyon addressed her with nothing but sincerity, though her smile dropped and gravity entered her gaze, "I want to thank you for looking into Raven's disappearance. Phoenix says you might have found the place where....where her remains are buried."

Savannah nodded slowly. "You spoke with Alpha Malachi?"

"Yes. He and Alpha Zander have promised to take us there next week. Our brother Hawk and younger sister Wren will join us. Then..." Hal swallowed hard, looking down as she twisted her fingers together. Sniffing loudly, she pushed back a thick curl of frizzy hair and shoved it behind her ear. "Maybe then we can finally have peace."

"I'm praying so," Savannah offered a sad smile and took hold of Hal's trembling hands. Squeezing them, she imparted as much comfort as she could. No words would ever be enough, as Savannah had never lost someone as close as a sister. She'd rather rip her own heart out than face the death of Emerald or Kiana.