7

Phoenix handed her a glass of water, but she refused to take it. After he placed it on the coffee table in front of her, she snatched it up and downed it quickly.

He shook his head in amusement.

"So you're really trying to tell me, you do this kind of thing to help the community?" Savannah asked once her parched throat was content. The crazy events of the night had drained her, and she relaxed back into the couch she was sitting on.

Phoenix had just finished explaining that their group of rogues made deals with criminal gangs and crooked businessmen in the city, before handing over damning evidence anonymously to the police so they could track down the criminals and put them behind bars.

The dirty cash received tonight would be dropped off at the central police precinct, the markings on the bills giving the forensics team enough leads to trace back to the original launderer. In turn, the weapons they'd traded had been stamped with a unique alloy that would show up on police radars.

The cops could then follow the distribution channels and hopefully catch terrorists they'd been tracking for months. A few sacrifices along the way were nothing in the grand scheme of things, but despite Phoenix's explanations, nothing about this sat right with the principled Alpha.

"We've helped put away some very dangerous men," he reiterated.

"Still..."

"Did I miss anything?" Cale asked groggily, suddenly lifting his head from where it rested on Savannah's shoulder. She'd put him in a sitting position and slapped his face a few times, eager to have him wake from his unconscious state.

"Oh, the bliss of ignorance," she sighed, patting Cale's arm. He was more a brother than friend. "Phoenix was just filling me in on how saintly he and Zion's rogues are. But his explanation still doesn't explain the trail of destruction they've left across the country. Every month we get new reports of the terror spread by the Silver Rogue." She raised an eyebrow at Phoenix, daring him to justify that.

He just shrugged nonchalantly. "Things sometimes go south, as evidenced by tonight. Would you like a drink?" he offered a glass to Cale.

"But you have to understand why I'm upset with Zion. He deliberately lied to me, knowing I'd hate the truth."

Phoenix leaned back and spread his hands as if to appease her. "We're rogues, Savannah. It's what we do. Kill or be killed. Come on, even you kill people just for trespassing on your territory. As an Alpha, you should know what it's like to dish out harsh punishment."

"Only when it's deserved, yes. I nearly killed Zion when I first met you all, but that was because he first killed some of my men. And we're wolves. It's part of our genetic code and pack laws. But those men tonight were just humans."

"Wait, what happened? How long was I out?" Cale interrupted, but was wholly ignored.

Phoenix's face darkened, and he looked at the Alpha seriously. "Humans can be just as heartless and cruel as wolves, if not more. Did you know they let some peadophiles walk free, and go back to living in a community where they can reoffend and rape women and children? Or that they let known terrorists fly to different countries, where they can plan even bigger and more sinister attacks? Their government systems are built on corruption and blackmail, lies and bribery. Do you know how much fraud goes on? How much cheating, thieving, murdering, embezzlement, or identity theft. The list goes on. If you want innocent people undeserving of death, don't look amongst the humans."

Savannah studied the young rogue in front of her, noticing the way his eyes were alight with fury, his fists clenched as if aching to spill blood. "You hate humans, don't you?"

"They hate us more," was his instant reply.

She sipped the remaining water in Cale's glass before making an observation, "They took someone from you, didn't they?" She was going out on a limb here, but it was a safe bet. This type of reaction could only stem from something deep and painfully personal.

Phoenix swallowed hard and refused to meet her searching gaze. Clasping his hands together, he eventually spoke. "My little sister. Shot in the head with a single bullet. Not even silver, just a plain stupid three millimetre lead slug in a handgun."

Savannah was stunned by his blunt honesty, then her heart crumpled for him. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine the pain you must feel." Leaning forward, she laid her hand over his and squeezed it comfortingly. "I have my own little sisters. It would kill me if anything happened to them. Because of that, I understand your hatred towards humans. It's within our DNA to seek revenge and justice for cruelty against us. Our blood demands it. Did you ever catch her killer?" Savannah asked, knowing how important retribution was for the process of grieving and moving on to begin.

"No," Phoenix clenched his jaw, the muscles hardening before he spoke again in a steely voice. "We searched for years. My parents were heartbroken, and I swore to them, just before my mother died, that I wouldn't rest until I'd found Raven's killer. That's how I became a rogue. My Alpha told me to give it up and focus on my duties. But I couldn't. It was driving me crazy. I had to leave, and find answers on my own when no one cared enough to help. I've searched the continent, following leads that only took me to dead ends. Then I met Zion, and he has connections I could only dream about. It's taken a long time, but I think I'm closer than ever to finding her killer. And when I do..." his voice broke, and he blinked his eyes before even a hint of emotion could slip out.

Cale leaned forward and offered a comforting nod of his head. "I hear ya, man. If anything happened to my little sis, I would go crazy. I'd torture a hundred souls, humans or not, to get justice for her. I never used to understand rogues, how they could leave the comfort and protection of a pack. But now I think I do. We're all just one tragedy away from making drastic decisions. If there's anything we can do to help--"

"I don't need your help. Or your pity," Phoenix threw Savannah an accusatory glare, and she instantly wiped the pained frown from her face. "But thanks anyway," he softened, taking a deep breath and releasing a heavy sigh before standing. "You're not what I expected...for pack wolves."

Savannah shared a small grin of victory with her Gamma, then got up to follow Phoenix.

"Here's the kitchen and dining room," he led them through the hall and into the room where most of the rogues were seated around a glass top table. Savannah noticed, of what she'd seen so far in this house, that the furnishings were practical and classy; not flashy, but not cheap either.

A delicious aroma rose from the food laid out on the table, and the Alpha's stomach growled inelegantly. She grimaced, and Cale just chuckled. They both realised it had been over a day since they'd last eaten.

"Help yourself," Phoenix mumbled before throwing himself heavily into a chair beside Chayton and began piling food onto his plate.

Savannah looked warily around the table, noticing the only empty chair remaining--after Cale was pulled into a seat beside a simpering Talei--was beside Willow. The shewolf looked about as happy as Savannah felt. A foreign feeling of being on the outside swept over her, but Savannah gritted her teeth and smiled at Willow, determined to make the best of this awkward situation.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked politely.

Willow looked back down at her plate and grunted. "Not until you're in it."

Biting her lip, Savannah sat and began eating slowly. Quiet conversation resumed around the table, but Savannah could sense the tension like a noose around her neck.

"Hey, Willow, I just want to say--"

The other shewolf shook her head. "You were only doing what you had to do. And actually... after seeing you fight tonight, you're not half bad. You saved Zion, so for that I'm grateful."

Savannah was stunned, but quickly nodded in appreciation of Willow's apology. "He's my mate. I'd do anything to keep him safe," she said, feeling the need to explain her violent actions. She still didn't like the dirty way they'd fought tonight.

"But you don't even know him," Talei said from across the table, drawn into their conversation. "Why would you do that for a man you know nothing about?"

Savannah shrugged a shoulder. "It's the mate bond. Until you experience it, it's hard to explain. You have this innate sense to protect them. Yes, I barely know the man, but I'd still fight for him, no matter what happens. We're mates, and that's how it's meant to be."

"Mates are overrated," Chayton huffed, his deep bass voice rumbling around them all. "They tie you down like a ball and chain around your neck, and make you do stupid things. They twist your thinking--"

"It's called being selfless, and thinking of your other half," Savannah countered, leaning back and crossing her arms as she leveled the burly rogue with a piercing look.

"I've learnt the only person you can trust is yourself. No point getting close to someone who might just stab you in the back or drive you insane," he chuckled, drawing the others to join him in his cynicism.

It only made Savannah all the more determined in her argument. "Mates make you stronger. Together, they complement each other and balance each other out. Having someone love and understand every part of your heart and soul is something so precious, we can't ignore it. That's why I'm here. I'm never giving up on Zion no matter how different we are from each other. We're mates for a reason, and I'd do anything to be with him."

"Even kill someone? Or at least, torture them like only an Alpha knows how to?"

Savannah spun in her seat and came face to face with the object of her passionate words. "You want me to torture someone?" she squeaked, a blush creeping up her face as she guessed he'd heard everything she'd just said.

His hazel eyes twinkled with mirth, the golden flecks sucking her in with their handsome mystery. "I just know you're itching to spill blood, little Alpha," he knelt down to her level, then trailed a finger down her cheek.

Despite the stretched truth of his words, her body betrayed her and she leaned into his touch.

"What did this someone do to deserve the wrath of the Silver Rogue?" she asked in a breathy voice. What can I do to deserve your love and loyalty?

"They took something from me, and I want it back." He stood up abruptly and clapped his hands. "Dinner's over. We've got a big day ahead and I want you all in bed by midnight."

"Yes, Dad," Cale snickered, immediately causing everyone to freeze and Zion to bristle.

The rogue stalked to the Gamma, stopping by his chair and glaring down at him. He inhaled, his chest widening with the action while Cale shrunk into the seat, appearing smaller. "You, young wolf," Zion leaned close and gripped his ear between his thumb and finger. Savannah could only watch with bated breath as she prepared a funeral ceremony for her Gamma. She might not know Zion well, but she knew disrespect of him could only land you in deep water. "You are on clean up duty for a week," Zion proclaimed his sentence, then scuffed the back of Cale's head as she'd seen him do to Phoenix on more than one occasion.

Phoenix snorted, and even Talei slapped a hand over her mouth to hold in a giggle.

At Zion's glare, they all scrambled from the room with goodnights and sleep tights falling from their lips.

Savannah moved to help Cale with the dishes but soon found herself caged against the kitchen bench by two very strong arms.

"When I said early night, that included you, little Alpha."

"I'm not ready for bed yet," she spun in his arms and faced Zion with a defiant lift to her chin. "Besides, where am I even sleeping? You gonna tie me again to that awful chair in the basement?"

Zion rolled his eyes but didn't step back. He leaned closer. "You're staying in my room."

"Yeah sure. I don't think so. There's no way I'm sleeping with you, rogue," she said, knowing she was being stubborn but finding nothing wrong with the character trait.

"So...." he murmured, his lips only inches from her ear. "You'd kill for me, but you won't sleep with me? You know, a lot of women would kill to sleep with me."

She scoffed, pushing him back with a firm shove to his chest. "Get over yourself, Mr Arrogant. Just because I'm your mate doesn't mean I'm going to instantly give in to your charms. In case you've forgotten, I'm still upset you lied to me."

"Are we going over this again?" he snarled. "I kill. It's what I am. A rogue killer. And you do the same, Alpha."

"I do it because I have to. To protect my pack from the likes of you." She stamped her foot, feeling familiar righteous anger flooding her veins.

"That's right. Because I'm a filthy rogue," he lifted his eyes to the ceiling and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration.

She couldn't tear her eyes from the way his arms flexed, large biceps stretching his white shirt with every movement he made. Snapping her eyes shut, she channeled her desire into exasperation. "Yes, a filthy rogue who still can't tell me what they were doing on my territory in the first place. I won't do any of your dirty work until you tell me the most basic information I ask of you."

He dropped his head, eyes locking with hers as a dark look crossed his face. "It doesn't matter anymore. I retrieved something far more valuable when I visited your little territory. And you will do what I say unless you want to see more of your precious pack members suffer at my hands."

She laughed, the sound tinny even in her own ears. "Your false sense of Alpha authority might work on those other rogues, but not me. You need me, and none of your threats are going to work, rogue. So I suggest we start working together, or we don't work at all." She crossed her arms and gave him a steely gaze.

"Fine. Have it your way. But don't come crying to me when your pack is decimated and you lose those you love the most." He spun on his heel and left the kitchen promptly.

The absence of his large body and brooding attitude made the room feel a lot bigger, and Savannah filled her lungs with a deep breath. His scent lingered, the cypress undertones reminding her of wild forests, and she suddenly felt homesick.

"Sorry, Cale. You'll have to do the dishes yourself," she said out loud. "Cale?" Upon hearing no response, she figured he'd left earlier to give her and her mate some privacy.

Huffing, she grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair and walked through the house in search of a front door. All was quiet, as if everyone really was in bed already, but the Alpha needed more space and solitude. This place was slowly suffocating her, and she needed to get out. The lingering threats from her mate didn't scare her, but perhaps she should take him more seriously. This thought alone choked her up and she wished she had her Beta to talk it over with. Instead, Justin was miles away, hopefully looking after everyone she loved most.

Pushing out through the front door and finding herself on a quiet street, she turned back to memorise the house facade, then took off at a fast walk. Aimlessly wandering the unknown streets was not how she'd envisioned spending the night, but it was better than banging her head against a brick wall. A very devastatingly attractive brick wall.

Her keen wolf senses tracked her steps, remembering streets signs and cracks in the pavement, but her mind was miles away. When lightning split the sky and thunder rumbled around her, she felt a piece of home in the elements. When it started to rain and soaked through her jacket, she lifted her face and laughed wryly at the sky that seemed to be crying along with her.

When a hand reached out from behind a dark corner and snatched her wrist, yanking her back into the shadows, she didn't even bother fighting.

Maybe a little adventure would take her mind off her confounding mate.