Epilogue

The road leading to the royal palace in Vinlarhk was shining as if paved with gold. Persia explained how the royal architects and civil engineers mixed a rare element called aureus with bitumen, giving the road its metallic shine. Savannah couldn't tear her eyes from the strange yet magnificent architecture that surrounded them in Luliwa, the heavily populated capital city of Vinlarhk. Grand structures, soaring spires, and dainty lattice-work marked each building as unique, yet complementary in their overall appearance. "Zion, look at that bridge!" She pointed out the window of their car at a short suspension bridge in the distance.

"Hm," he responded, drawing her attention to him immediately.

She noticed his eyes were on the road ahead, unmoving and likely unseeing as he rehearsed and prepared for the meeting that awaited them. She slipped her hand around his and squeezed, only imagining the level of apprehension that plagued him. Was he really ready to face the woman who'd rejected him and his father before he was even born? What did he plan to say, and what did he expect her reaction would be?

"I've told my family you're coming, so they'll be ready to receive us when we arrive. Although we're still grieving Parthia's death, they don't blame you for what happened," Persia spoke softly, clearly sensing the struggle that Zion did well to mask.

"Good to know I won't get my throat ripped out the moment I step foot on your estate," he muttered, sighing through his nose.

"We're not that barbaric." Persia rolled her eyes. "Our method of execution is more along the lines of a lethal injection," she added seriously, but amusement glinted in her dark eyes.

"The needle wouldn't even penetrate his skin," Savannah commented, going along with the morbid joke in the hopes of relieving her mate's uneasiness.

"Oh, we have our ways of making even the most hardened criminals break," Persia argued, crossing her legs and tossing her long hair over one shoulder. "I recall a time I brought the powerful Silver Rogue to his knees."

Cale rubbed his hands together. "Sounds like my kind of pack," he grinned, wrapping his arm around Persia. While he was overjoyed to have found his mate, he was equally fascinated by the beauty of the foreign land that would soon be his home, and he couldn't stop staring out the window as the sights passed by.

"You'd sooner give your prisoner cookies and a glass of milk than torture them," Savannah chided, shaking her head at her Gamma. Her heart shivered with a pang of sadness at the reminder he would soon be moving here to live with his mate.

"Yeah," he agreed without argument. "I guess Justin was always better at dishing out punishment than me. We made quite the team though. Good cop, bad cop."

"True," the Alpha nodded, suddenly blinking her eyes and trying not to cry at the absence of her Beta and best friend. Why was everything changing so suddenly? She'd known all along they'd grow up and find their mates, but she'd expected they'd all be living close by and remain best friends forever. It seemed fate had different things in store for each of them, and she just had to accept it as God's will for their lives.

As if reading her melancholy thoughts, Zion squeezed her hand to comfort her.

She gave him a shaky smile just as the car pulled through a set of large, iron gates. They drove up a long driveway, lined on each side with tall mediterranean cypress trees. The lawns surrounding them were immaculate, with neatly trimmed hedges and perfectly designed gardens with rock edges and stone pathways. In the distance, the palace became visible, its gleaming marble pillars and curved archways blending smoothly with the natural environment.

"It's gorgeous," Savannah breathed quietly, excitement building despite the stress that pervaded her entire being. This wasn't just a social visit, or even a diplomatic meeting amongst leaders of territories. The prospect of meeting the Queen who'd turned her back on such a wonderful man and their beautiful son was daunting for her, yet she determined to be strong for Zion's sake.

"Here we go." Persia slid out of the car as footmen opened the door for her, followed by Cale.

Savannah gave one last squeeze of Zion's hand before they climbed out and followed Persia up the smooth pebbled path that led to the grand entrance of the palace. Guards stood at attention, and a butler hurried to the Princess's side to take her coat and bag.

Two younger shewolves bounded down the stairs and wrapped their arms around Persia. "You're finally home! We've missed you so much," they wailed, not acting with the decorum Savannah expected everyone around this place to possess.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come home sooner, but there were things that needed to be done," Persia tried explaining, disentangling herself from the girls while still holding on to them affectionately.

Once they'd stepped back, Savannah could see the resemblance between the two shewolves and Persia. They wore fine silk tunics, embroidered with intricate stitching and gems that sparkled richly, while their luxurious dark brown hair was pinned up with even more expensive jewels. Savannah felt like a pauper in their presence, but she swallowed her self-consciousness and gave them a bright smile. "Are these your sisters?" she asked Persia, coming up to join them. Zion trailed behind reluctantly, but at his mate's gentle tug, he stood beside her.

"Yes, this is Philly and Cally. Both younger than me, but sometimes we feel more like triplets," Persia introduced them with a decidedly girlish smile. It was strange seeing the cool and aloof royal shewolf drop the stern mask and act naturally, act herself in her home environment.

"That's right," the one named Philly nodded her head exuberantly, though it was clear her high spirits were only momentary amidst the pain of grieving their brother. She sniffed and looked fondly at her sisters. "Our minds are more in sync than even mates, I swear."

Savannah glanced at Zion and silently disagreed, to which his eyes sparkled. It seemed no one could understand each other better than themselves. Over the past few days, they'd grown so much closer to each other than she thought possible, bonding at such an intimate level that every thought and feeling was shared between them.

"Come on. Mum's waiting," Philly tugged on Persia's arm after eyeing Zion up and down. She gave him a lopsided smile, as if she was unsure whether to be welcoming or wary of this stranger claiming to be their unknown older brother.

"Nervously waiting, I might add," Cally grimaced, scurrying after them.

"Welcome home, your Highness." An attendant greeted them in the foyer, bowing his head to Persia. The older man wore a black coat over an even blacker tunic, and held himself gracefully in a way that marked years of royal service.

"Thank you, Nestor," Persia replied, earning a familiar smile from the palace staffer.

"Her Majesty is waiting in the formal receiving room," Nestor informed them. His eyes were unreadable as they grazed over Zion and Savannah, a perfect mask of indifference held firmly in place.

"And Father?"

"Lord Khaan is out hunting."

"So it's that bad?"

"You have no idea," Cally grimaced, giving her older sister a knowing look.

"Yeah, he really became livid the other day when he found out about...um..." Philly spoke softer as she nearly choked on the words, "about Mum having a baby before she married him. I mean, it was a shock to us all, of course," she said louder before giving Zion an apologetic look. "But Dad felt it a lot more personally, I think. Hence, the hunting trip," she finished with a sigh and shrug of her shoulders.

Persia must have felt the need to explain, because she turned to Zion, "Our father is a good man, but he does like to head out of town when particularly controversial situations arise. He's happy to leave the ruling of the kingdom to our mother. Of course, he's only a consort, while she as Queen has far more power in the court, but I do wish sometimes..." the Princess trailed off, biting her lip as if she'd already said too much. Speaking directly to Zion, she lowered her voice, "You're lucky to have such a strong and caring father. Victor is a great man from what I've known of him so far."

With a reflective smile, Zion nodded his head. "That he is. I'm grateful to him for everything he's done for me, despite the hardships of his own life."

Savannah watched the interaction, suddenly realizing the privilege of her own upbringing. She'd had two loving parents her entire life, and while at times she'd felt smothered by their guidance and direction, she was slowly coming to realise what a blessing their constant presence in every aspect of her life had been. Nothing could replace the love and care of a solid relationship between a mother and father, and she wouldn't trade her family for anything in the world.

"Shall we?" Nestor motioned for them to enter two large, ornately carved french doors that opened into a lavish receiving room. Every chair and settee was upholstered in plush silken material, while the drapes that framed the windows were a rich velvet. The walls were decorated with expensive oils and acrylics that displayed scenes and portraits from different eras, and even the light fixtures dripped with crystals that diffracted the afternoon sunlight.

Savannah's eyes weren't immediately drawn to the elegant figure across the room, but once she rose from a large couch, the Queen garnered all attention.

"Her Majesty, Queen Safiya of Vinlarhk, welcomes you to her kingdom," Nestor introduced in a brisk, declarative tone.

The Queen appeared younger than Savannah had imagined, her skin almost porcelain against her rich, black hair that was pinned in an intricate updo and adorned with gold pins. Her dress, though simple in style, was exquisite in material and fit her slim figure perfectly. She held herself with all the dignity and elegance one would expect of royalty. Her gaze alone commanded the room, causing Savannah's heart to beat with reverence and submission. Even Zion seemed to stand straighter yet humbly under her direct stare. Though her hazel eyes were dark and appeared to hold many masked emotions, the red that rimmed them belied the anguish she no doubt felt at the death of her son, Parthia.

"So it's true..." Her voice was powerful yet soft, reaching across the gleaming marble tiles and echoing behind them.

Persia and her sisters seemed to linger back until they were noticed by their mother.

"Philistia, Chaldea--find your father and accompany him," the Queen commanded the two youngest in a blunt tone.

"But Mum--" Cally protested, but was quickly cut off by the stern look directed her way. She lowered her head in respect. "Yes, Mother." Then the two younger sisters gave Zion and Savannah a weak smile before turning towards the door.

Once they had left, Zion took Savannah's hand and led her before the Queen. He bent at the waist in a small bow and introduced himself. "I am Zion, son of Victor Forrester, and this is my mate Savannah, Alpha of ForgedHearts Pack."

The Queen nodded at Savannah before returning her gaze to Zion. Her eyes raked over him slowly, as if drinking in every detail. "My son. Come," she waved her hand in beckoning. "Let me see you in the light."

Zion stepped closer with little hesitation, yet Savannah noticed the tightening of his jaw and the way he clenched his fists.

"How alike Victor you are," the Queen said quietly, lifting her hand and tenderly brushing the backs of her fingers down his cheek.

Zion shivered under her touch, perhaps from the residual sparks of the familial bond. Savannah felt him stiffen against the feeling, and brace his heart against the doubt threatening his resolve. Lifting his eyes to meet hers, he spoke boldly. "I'm not here to become your son." His voice was steady yet edged with pain. "I never was your son, and there are no bonds between us."

A furrow appeared between the Queen's eyebrows, hinting at only a glimpse of her inner reaction to what Zion said.

His words sounded harsh, but Savannah understood. Despite not knowing much about his mother or how she gave him up, he knew she'd rejected him and forfeited any right to call him hers. Though she seemed to welcome him now, he wasn't here to accept her benevolence as some form of reconciliation for past hurts.

He continued somberly, "I'm also not here to intrude upon your family, nor claim rights to the status and privilege of royalty. I'm merely returning what rightfully belongs to you and your family." He held out a silver-coloured metal box, and in his other hand rested the leaf-shaped key to unlock its precious contents.

The Queen's eyes traveled to his outstretched hands, and her face visibly paled. Sucking in a sharp breath, she reached out a trembling hand. "The Lava Mount Ruby."

"It was stolen from my father, but I have found it after a long search," Zion explained. "I understand it has belonged to the royal family for centuries, passed down from firstborn to firstborn. Why you gave it to Victor after rejecting him, I'll never presume to understand. So I return it now."

It wasn't a rejection of a gift given with great generosity, neither was it an insult or reminder to the misery it had caused by being given in the first place. Zion was merely making the declaration that he wanted no part in the lineage of his birth mother. Whatever compensation or reparation she'd hoped would be felt by the giving of the ancestral ruby, Zion couldn't pretend it eased the pain of her rejection and abandonment. In his eyes, the precious stone was worthless, and Savannah's heart swelled as she felt his attitude towards it.

The Queen took the box and unlocked it, opening the lid to reveal the deep red stone nestled in black velvet. Her eyes glistened and her lip quivered for a moment before she set the box down on a nearby table, and looked up at Zion. Tears slid from her eyes as she grasped his hands. "I'm so sorry," she whispered in a cracked voice. Swallowing hard, she repeated, "I'm so, so sorry. I would beg for forgiveness, but I don't deserve it." Dropping her eyes, she seemed to lose strength and sank to her knees as she broke down in deep, heaving sobs.

"Mum!" Persia stepped forward, but was waved away with a strong shake of the Queen's head.

The Queen once more looked up at Zion, who had knelt to her level. Tears were now running unashamedly down her face, her expression pained with years of guilt and sorrow. "I won't ever deserve your forgiveness for what I've done to you and your father. I'm so sorry. So sorry," she hiccuped, then went on in a halting voice, "All I wanted was to make it right, but I hurt you more than I can bear to imagine. You probably hate me and I deserve every bit of that. I'm so, so sorry," she repeated.

Her display of pain and heartbreak was hard to watch for Savannah. The young Alpha looked to Persia, who just stood by helplessly watching her mother with her own tears in her eyes. Clearly, the Princess wasn't used to seeing her mother so open and vulnerable with her emotions. Savannah imagined, like with every ruler and leader, the Queen had learnt to wear a mask that displayed strength and decorum in every situation.

"I don't hate you. I have forgiven you," Zion was saying, murmuring quietly to the Queen. "I understand you had to give me up. My father was a rogue, and you had a kingdom to rule. Though I wish things could have been different, I understand why you left us...why you rejected us."

The Queen shook her head, furiously wiping her eyes before clearing her throat. "I didn't just reject you."

Zion frowned, as confused by her words as were Savannah and Persia.

"Your father never told you?" the Queen looked at him incredulously, wonder showing in her dark hazel eyes. She sniffed, biting her trembling lip. "So he was even more honourable than I first perceived. He was far too good for me."

"I'm not sure I follow," Zion prodded slowly, as if dreading to ask. "My father never spoke of you, especially not badly."

"Then ask him," the Queen spoke firmly. Her tone was desolate, and her eyes now empty. "You deserve to know the truth. Ask him how I not only rejected him, but tried to kill you."

End

A/N:

Thank you so much for reading The Alpha's Rogue! I really hope you enjoyed this long and drawn-out rollercoaster of a story!

While this is officially the end of this book, I will soon post a short story giving us a glimpse into Victor and Safiya's relationship leading up to Zion's birth.

Plus, Zion and Vannah's story is far from over, and we will see more of them in the next book in this series, The Alpha's Sacrifice.