56

"What's this I hear about a feast?" Cale asked abruptly as he waltzed in through the front door. He looked tanned, healthy, and almost back to normal since his ordeal with the murderous Prince and his gang of thugs.

"We're going to officially welcome Zion to our territory with a big celebration," Savannah said, a million things to plan suddenly running through her mind.

"Why don't you go and get ready for the day first. You're in no fit state to be running around the territory, young lady," Alpha Kaiden admonished as he came downstairs.

Savannah looked down at herself and cringed at her short pyjama shorts, wrinkled top and messy hair. "I'll be back soon!" she yelled over her shoulder to her mate as she raced upstairs. While getting ready, she overheard Cale pull Zion aside.

"Hey, man, I know this might sound weird, but...uhh...can I...I mean, could you possibly give me your sister's number? If that's okay? Like, I totally understand if--"

"Persia? You want Persia's number? Whatever for?" Zion probed sternly, suddenly sounding like a protective older brother despite having only recently found out he had younger siblings.

Cale swallowed roughly. "Well, this may sound crazy, but... I think she's my mate."

Savannah choked on her toothpaste, quickly rinsed out, then raced back downstairs while running a comb through her hair.

Zion caught her when she tripped on the third last step, soared through the air, and nearly graced the tiled floor with her head. "No running in the house," he scolded, his tone sounding awfully like her father's. Hal laughed quietly and Cale snickered.

Frowning, Savannah brushed him off and hurried over to her Gamma. "Cale, why didn't you tell me about Persia sooner? Do you know how serious this is?"

At her demanding tone, he flinched. "Maybe that's why I didn't--"

"I mean good serious, you chipmunk!" She punched his arm lightly when he took her meaning the wrong way. "Finding your mate is incredible! I'm gonna ring her myself."

"Not so fast," Zion interrupted, grabbing her phone from her hand. "If you must know," he said tiredly, shaking his head in exasperation at her antics. "Persia is on her way here. She informed me earlier there was something she wished to talk to me about. So you can all see her later."

"Excellent!" Savannah clapped her hands together.

Cale suddenly seemed paler, and excused himself as abruptly as he entered.

"Now, how about you show me around your estate before the celebrations get under way, hm?" Zion wrapped his arm around Savannah's waist and guided her outside. "I think we've had enough excitement for this morning and I just want some alone time with my little Alpha."

Savannah didn't argue. She mind-linked Emerald to come and meet Halcyon, then laced her fingers through Zion's. "You know, this is the perfect way to prepare for this afternoon," she told him as they wandered down the paths and trails amongst her flower beds and flourishing pot plants. The path led to her greenhouse, and Savannah could already smell the floral scents of numerous rare and exquisite flowers that bloomed inside.

"Prepare?" Zion's steps slowed.

"For when my family tests you."

"Tests?" He stopped completely in the middle of the path.

Savannah tried not to laugh at the alarm suddenly written on his face. "Did you really think they'll just welcome you into the family and pack without getting to know you first? I'm sure my dad spent the whole night writing out a game plan for your initiation. He'll have recruited the best warriors to help out."

Zion swallowed hard and bent to study a hedge closely. "Hmm."

"The duranta really isn't that amazing," Savannah commented, standing beside him to see the leaves he appeared so interested in.

He chuckled, straightening before tugging her back along the path. "So your parents are really concerned about you ending up with someone like me?"

Turning to hide a smile, Savannah squeezed his fingers. "Don't be so worried about it. If Phoenix can handle fish sauce in his caramel cheesecake, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Fish sauce?"

At his incessant repetition of her words, she burst out laughing.

"I don't see how this is funny," Zion muttered, placing his large hands on her shoulders to stop her from laughing so hard.

When she settled, she explained the fish sauce. "My mum loves cooking international cuisines and has a whole bunch of weird and wonderful ingredients on hand. If Phoenix pretended his slice of cheesecake was so delicious, we'd know he was lying. So just be your honest self, and you'll pass easily."

Suddenly surrounding her with his thick arms, Zion bent down to kiss her. "I'd eat a whole wheelbarrow of deep fried tarantulas if it meant I'd get to keep you."

The mental image of eating spiders nearly made Savannah gag, but Zion's kiss alleviated the sick feeling, and she dragged him further into the greenhouse. Tendrils of fern green and foliage of viridian provided a screen of privacy.

"We should really get going," Savannah said breathlessly after a deep and passionate kiss. Zion didn't budge, instead pulling her even closer to himself as he placed kisses along her jaw and down her neck. Only when she poked a cactus spine through his shirt did he pull back.

With a frustrated growl, he allowed her to lead him out and towards the pack centre.

It wasn't long before everyone had gathered for the festivities. They were excited to have a break from work no matter the reason, and the atmosphere grew with excitement. The food wasn't quite ready, so they began with a game of volleyball.

The young and energetic wolves played enthusiastically while the food was prepared and the eating area set up the parents and grandparents. After a few playful rounds, Beta Justin stepped up with a serious air about him. "Alright everyone, let's organise a proper match. Rank against rank. Command against command." He eyed Savannah with determination.

"So...me against you?"

He shook his head with a smug chuckle. "No, my dear Alpha. You and me against the other Alpha and Beta here today."

Bewildered, he looked around until her eyes landed on Zion. They'd played so well together, her setting up shots for him to slam over the net. Everyone could see they made a perfect team. All she wanted to do was keep playing by his side all afternoon, but Justin was still her Beta.

The pack's top command had always been unbeatable. "Alright. But who is Zion's Beta?"

"The other rogue, of course," Justin replied, nodding to Phoenix who was whispering something quietly in Emerald's ear.

He turned at the sound of his name, and Emerald frowned. "You call him rogue one more time, and you'll be spending a month patrolling the wetlands."

Justin didn't even flinch at the threat. "Clear the court," he called out, shooing the crowd of players who were still lingering there.

"This should be interesting," Zion smirked, shooting her a conspiratorial look as he took his place beside Phoenix.

He kept watching her, his eyes glittering through the squares in the net. When he winked, Savannah felt a thrill run through her body and tighten in her stomach. Just one smile from her mate, and all rational thoughts evaporated like the mists on wet bitumen after a summer shower. The sun beat down on them, the crowd gathered to watch the exciting game, and Savannah felt beads of sweat trickle down her back. As if reading her mind, Zion peeled off his shirt. "It's so hot today. You feeling it, Phoenix?"

"Sure am," his Beta replied, and with his own wink at Emerald, he too removed his shirt. Both men sported broad shoulders, well-muscled arms, and toned abdomens that warned of deadly strength. The gasp from the spectators was audible.

"That's not fair," Savannah objected over the tittering of shewolves in the crowd. The urge to scratch out their eyes rose from her gut and squeezed her heart with possessiveness. "How would you feel if I just did the same?" She moved her fingers to the hem of her shirt, eyes trained for Zion's reaction. She'd never take off her shirt though she was wearing a sports bra, but her curiosity pushed her to test her mate.

As expected, he growled lowly and golden lightning flashed in his eyes. The sudden change in his expression, the jealousy that tightened his jaw and knotted his muscles, had Savannah giggling out loud. "You're so easy to stir," she teased her mate, letting go of her shirt and instead fanning her face in a weak attempt to cool down.

"Since they're both such show-offs," Justin muttered, frowning at the shirtless wolves on the other side of the court as they basked in the attention, "this should be a piece of cake."

"I wouldn't underestimate them. You don't know how well Zion and Phoenix work together," Savannah warned him when he lined up to serve. She'd seen the powerful former rogues play basketball, and had no wish to oppose them again. For Justin's sake, however, she was happy to face the tough opponents.

"And they haven't seen what a true Alpha and Beta team-up look like," Justin growled arrogantly before swinging hard and serving a perfect shot.

The angle and velocity of the ball would have challenged most serious players in her pack, but Phoenix received it easily. He set it up perfectly for Zion to dig over the net.

Savannah stepped back to line up under it, stretching her arms in readiness to dig it, but collided with Justin as he raced behind her. They managed to return the ball and win the point, but not as smoothly as she would have liked. Usually, Savannah and her best friend worked like one organism with multiple parts, moving in sync to accomplish and achieve everything to the best standard. Games were no different, the pair outstripping all the other pack members and mated pairs in every competition.

Now, Justin served only twice more before they lost the rally, and she felt his frustration as he lined up to receive Zion's serve. "It's okay. We can do this," she encouraged him.

Standing close to the net, she readied herself for the serve. Her eyes couldn't seem to leave Zion as he swung his arm back and tossed the ball overhead. Even as the ball sailed over the net and Justin dove for it, she tracked Zion's movements as an eagle tracks its prey. The way his muscles rippled, his long arms expertly moving into position before the ball, the jolt as they absorbed the impact, and the tight stretching of his stomach as he hit the ball back over the net was more mesmerising than the most beautiful scenic view.

With a dry throat, she could barely utter a squeak when Justin barreled into her and hit the ball a moment before it could slam into her head. He gave her a frown and barely concealed a growl at her obvious distracted state of mind.

Rolling her eyes, she ignored his rebuke and instead focused on the ball.

But it was pointless. No matter how well she moved around the court with Justin, employing all the tactics they'd come up with over many years of playing together, they failed to score many points. It was as if their minds, once in sync, were functioning as two separate entities. The well-oiled machine of Alpha and Beta was broken and sputtering like an old car in need of a new engine.

"It's like you're not even trying!" Justin growled, tugging his hair in exasperation. "That was clearly my ball, how could you not see that?" he said as they lost another point.

"It was closer to me! Why'd you run into me? It's like you're trying to lose to them," she retorted, fed up with him blaming it all on her.

"Unbelievable. You go for my ball, and then you miss the shot! And you call yourself the Alpha?"

Savannah clenched her jaw, pressing her lips tightly once remembering they were surrounded by spectators. It would do no use to show how fractured and distant the pack's command had become. When the next serve came flying over the net towards her, she called out "Mine!" as well as mind-linking her intentions to Justin. A fraction of a second before she hit the ball, she twisted out of his way as he lunged for it. His absolute disregard for her call stunned her, and she stood and watched as the ball played back and forth over the net between the men. It was like she wasn't even there as part of the game.

It didn't take long for Zion and Phoenix to win the match. Amidst the clapping and whistles of excitement, a few upset murmurings reached her ears. Her pack members must have noticed the lack of teamwork between her and Justin, and were disappointed in their leaders.

"What on earth happened out there? It's like you weren't even trying to play." Justin came over and whispered harshly.

"Oh great, I'm the one who wasn't trying to play? Says the guy who literally shoved me aside every time I went for the ball."

"You weren't concentrating and would have missed the shots. I just knew that mangy wolf would distract you from your duties."

"Duties? Since when has playing a fun game become part of my duties? And he isn't some mangy wolf, so don't you dare call him that ever again. If I hear you insulting my mate--"

"Ooh, whatcha gonna do? Lock me up in the dungeon? I'll remind you I'm your Beta, and have keys to every cell--"

"Then I'll put your dad on guard."

"I'm stronger than him, or do you forget how I earned this position?"

"Ah, so strength is the only thing that counts now? You've lost all respect for your elders, hm?"

"This has nothing to do with respe--"

"Oh, yes, this has everything to do wit--"

"Guys, stop bickering! The food's ready, and if you don't come now, Hunter and Elias are going to eat it all," Petrinna interrupted them, literally inserting herself between the Alpha and Beta as they stood toe to toe and hurled heated words in each other's face.

Savannah was the first to step away. Taking a deep breath, she pinned Justin with a fierce gaze. "Good. Because I'm hungry."

"Eat without me," he threw over his shoulder as he turned and stalked away. When Jamie, one of the guards under his command, reached out to stop him, he wrenched his arm free from her grasp and disappeared into the treeline.

Clenching her jaw, the Alpha watched him go with a heavy heart.

"Looks like he has some growing up to do," a deep voice chuckled by her ear.

"Don't talk about my Beta like that," she snapped at Zion, aware that it was this new and unlikely bond between Alpha and rogue that had snapped the traditional one between Alpha and Beta. Everyone was coming to terms with what their future now looked like, with a gang of rogues repenting of their lawlessness, and joining ForgedHearts Pack. So why couldn't Justin let things go back to the way they were? It was at this moment that she needed strong support from her Beta. Had he always cared for her so much more than required of a second in command, that he could no longer separate his love from his loyalty?

"Savannah, I know--"

"Just drop it," she told Zion, not in the frame of mind to come up with excuses for her Beta. He just needed time to adjust to this new normal, so she'd give it to him. No point wasting her mental energy on his childish frustrations when the pack needed her.

"Alpha, there's a shewolf by the north border asking permission to enter," Landon, one of her border guards, rushed up and informed her.

"Did she give a name?"

"Persia. She also mentioned something about wanting her boots back."

Savannah chuckled. "Let her in."

Half an hour later, Persia and a couple wolves stepped from the trees, led by Landon and a small group of guards. Despite Savannah's order, they weren't taking any chances with the foreign wolves. Given the recent events of her abduction and Cale's torture, no assurance of peace was enough.

"Persia, it's good to see you again," Zion greeted her, arms open as if expecting a hug.

Savannah got the impression the Princess who'd trained as an assassin was not the type to give hugs. Her theory proved correct when Persia's eyes strayed to the man beside Savannah, and flickered with recognition.

Cale stiffened, leaning forward as if to run to her, but the cold look that once more entered the Princess's eyes had him remaining in place.

Maybe she has her reasons, Savannah linked her Gamma. Just be patient, and everything will work out how it's supposed to. If she'd learnt anything from the rollercoaster ride of getting to know her own mate, it was to not expect anything ordinary, but brace for the highs and lows with both eyes open and seatbelt strapped tight.

"Likewise," Persia replied, coming up to accept Zion's hand in a firm shake. Her fingers lingered on his as a dark shadow passed over her eyes. "I'm not sure how to say this, but you need to know. My... our brother, Parthia..."

As Persia hesitated, an uncommon trepidation in her voice where confidence normally paraded, the gathered wolves held their breaths in anticipation. The elders watched her warily, having felt her dominance and authority the moment she'd stepped onto the territory. The young adults and teenagers curiously peered at her, studying the stern and aloof way she held herself, ruling her men with just a twitch of her lips or wave of her finger. Even the young pups stopped playing tag and throwing balls as the Princess commanded everyone's attention.

"What about him?" Zion asked sharply, his stance just as tall and imposing as Persia's, his shoulders back and gaze direct.

Savannah didn't have to be his mate to notice the tension in his muscles, the way his jaw ticked and his throat moved as he swallowed hard. Standing beside him, she slipped her hand into his and silently gave him her support.

Persia's eyes, darkened with a mix of emotions, flickered to Savannah's before she said simply, "He's dead."

Zion emitted a low growl, the sound tangible as vibrations like an earthquake tremble. "I left him alive for a reason. Now you're telling me he's dead? If your people start to accuse me--"

"That's not going to happen," Persia immediately assured, her tone firm despite the pain etching it.

"How can we believe you? If Vinlarhk comes marching here in retribution for its Prince's death, my pack could be decimated. We did the right thing and let him walk despite how much pain he's caused us," Savannah spoke boldly, squeezing Zion's hand to remind him she had his back.

His heartache seeped through their bond, and she knew how hard it was for him to contain his emotions in the face of Persia's news. For so long he'd sought the death of his mate's killer, and now that Parthia really was gone, a part of him would feel peace. But the repercussions could be catastrophic to their pack if Vinlarhk decided Zion was to blame, and demanded their own form of justice.

"It's not like that," Persia faced her and replied with emotion no longer in her voice. The dark expression on her face did well to mask her true feelings. "He didn't die from the injuries you caused. We brought him home to be treated by our best royal doctors."

Savannah reminded herself it was Persia's own brother she was talking about, and despite his cruel and ruthless actions, somewhere deep down she must be mourning his loss.

"So then, how did he die?" Zion asked, his jaw clenched and his words measured.

"He was humiliated...despised...once everyone found out what he'd done to you. Our mother had him imprisoned for his crimes, deeming them treason against our own kingdom. Parthia insisted he did it to ensure the safety of our throne, but Mother wasn't fooled by his words, instead seeing the selfish monster he had become. So..." Persia's voice caught, and Cale took a step forward as if his presence alone might lend her strength. Her eyes met his, and her shoulders straightened with fortification. "We found him dead in his cell two days ago. He'd slit his own throat with his one good hand."

Savannah couldn't stop the shiver that ran down her spine as she recalled the sight of Parthia once Zion was through with him. Blood had coursed down his face from his missing eye, and his wrist hung jagged where his hand had been ripped off.

"I don't expect you to offer condolences," Persia continued, her professional façade cracking to display the grief in her soul. Her voice wavered, and her eyes dropped to the grass under her feet as she swallowed hard. "After everything he did to you, I suppose you wish to rejoice--"

The sadness in her voice became muffled as Cale closed the space between them and enveloped her in his arms. Savannah watched as the princess held herself stiffly before finally relenting to Cale's embrace. Her arms slowly wrapped around him, and her shoulders shook in silent sobs as she finally recognised the bond between them and accepted the comfort he offered.

"None of us are rejoicing, Persia," Cale told her quietly. "We all feel pain, just for different reasons. But as a pack we can share our pain with each other, so no one is alone in grief."

"How..." She pulled back and hastily wiped her face, trying but failing to remove the tears on her cheeks. "After everything my brother did to you, how can you be so kind to me?"

Cale rested his hands tenderly on each side of her face as he wiped her tears away. "Because you're my mate, and I'll never turn my back on you. Parthia may have been your brother by blood, but I know you're not like him. We are so much more than the blood bonds between us. The family we choose is often more important than the one we are born into. I've seen whose side you're on, Persia, and I will stand by you no matter what."

At his words, she nodded mutely, her eyes far away as she absorbed his meaning, his presence, his touch and his promise to be with her. When she turned her eyes to his, Savannah looked away and tugged on Zion's hand for him to follow her. She would give the couple their privacy as they met for the first time, and processed how their mate bond now impacted on their lives. The Alpha smiled to herself as she remembered all the times Cale showed his fascination with the Princess he hadn't yet seen. Persia was almost as elusive as the Silver Rogue himself; she was a mystery that had stalked them from the shadows and appeared at the most unexpected moments.

"Talk to me," she whispered to Zion as he trudged silently beside her. They made their way behind the town hall, and stood in the shade of the liquidambars that grew there in a small grove.

Zion's lower jaw shook as he held back, and the veins on his neck pulsed thickly. Savannah watched as the muscles in his shoulders tensed with a barely controlled capacity for violence. This Alpha male may have decided to join her pack and place himself under her accountability and discipline, but a beast still lurked beneath his skin, ready to pounce and unleash its full strength if the right reason arose.

He eventually relented when she placed her hand over his heart, her touch calming the furious storm that raged inside his chest. "He didn't deserve such an easy death."

She released a heavy sigh, and nodded her head in agreement. "I know."

"He needed to suffer for what he did to...to Leila, and to you. To all of us. He tore my family apart, and doesn't even have to face justice in his own territory? We let him walk away, just so he could end it because he was too cowardly to own up to his sins."

"Zion, vengeance is not up to us. I know it hurts that we had to let him go, and it now seems he's got off easy. But we have to trust that God will deal with him later. Parthia will face judgement for his crimes eventually. But it's not up to you. What you did was the right thing, and now you won't have any regrets."

"You mean except regret for not killing him?" Zion stepped back and raked an agitated hand through his hair.

"You don't mean that."

He stared into the distance for a long moment before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. When he faced her again, a calmness had entered his expression, but it was rooted in sadness. "You're right. I don't. I just..." he paused, struggling for words.

"I know. I feel your pain, remember? Right here," she placed her hand over her own heart and mirrored the agony in his eyes.

"But I don't want you to feel my pain, Savannah."

She laughed sadly, torn by the concern in his eyes and the ache in her own heart. "I do. I want to feel every time you're hurting, and every time you're happy. I want to help carry your burdens. Like Cale said, we're with each other in grief, and in the good times too. We're stronger together. I'm your mate, and I love you so much." So, so much. "That's why I'll never let you go through this alone." Taking both his hands, she squeezed them tightly to impart as much meaning behind her words. Through the bond she felt him relaxing, letting go of his anguish, and grasping onto the comfort she gave him.

He leaned in until his forehead rested against hers. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent before wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her neck. She held him for a long time, rubbed soothing circles on his back, and prayed for the strength to face his demons every time they reared their ugly heads. The pain and trauma he'd suffered wouldn't go away overnight, and she didn't expect to always understand what he was going through. But God knew how much love she had for him and, given time, she'd help him to embrace that love, and heal from the tragedies in his past.