Ignite | ✔

29

Ensure that all entrances to the territory are secured, I firmly said. If these were rogues, I didn't need one of them slipping through and causing havoc on my lands.

As we made our way toward the northern border, another mindlink came through, one that sent a shiver down my spine.

They are approaching the border now Alpha, another wolf mindlinked. Eight wolves in total walking slowly towards the... wait.

What is it? I questioned.

Alpha... Alpha, I believe the Luna is with them, the wolf finished.

What? What do you see? Is she harmed in any way? Who are the wolves with her? I launched a series of questions at the man, feeling the anxiety and anger return. I didn't realize I was running faster until I got to the clearing first, my paws hitting the ground at a rapid rate and my eyes looking towards the line of wolves standing at alert.

I shifted, unbothered by my lack of clothes until one of the guards brought a pair of cargo shorts to me. Passing his station, I scanned the area until my eyes landed on her. I couldn't help but feel the weight of the last few days slowly lifting, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief and a fierce determination to protect her at all costs.

I watched as she cautiously walked closer to the wolves guarding the border, arms raised in the air.

"I'm not coming to cause any problems," I heard her say, "I need to speak with the asshole in charge."

My lips twitched in amusement then my humor faded once I saw the group behind her. Slowly, I walked towards them and her eyes snapped to mine just as the wolves parted. Had the situation been any different, I would have been appreciative of the way her eyes travelled down my chest.

One of the men behind Zara glanced down at the wolves on either side of me then his eyes trailed behind me and I figured the rest of the wolves had arrived.

"A lot of heat here, Zee," the man whispered.

She didn't acknowledge him, her eyes focused on mine. I scanned her face, not leaving any inch untouched, and ensuring that she was unharmed. I felt our mate bond trying to pull us together like magnets. Yet we stood on opposite sides of the border.

"Haden," she greeted, finally putting her hands down. "I know you're in lethal mode right now, but I'm asking you to calm down."

I breathed out a sarcastic laugh.

"Calm down?" I repeated. "My mate was forcibly taken from my territory and now she asks me to calm down. Interesting choice, but I think I'll pass,"

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Don't look at me like that. Which of these assholes kidnapped you? They'll die a slow, painful death," I growled out, proud at the agreement that travelled through the air by the loud growls beside me.

"No one is going to die!" Zara shouted stepping closer to the border, eyeing the wolves flanking me before her eyes met mine.

"They aren't a threat to anyone, I can promise you that," she said to me.

"Right now, the only thing I'm interested in is which one of them kidnapped you," I plainly responded.

"Can we just bypass that step and focus on the fact that I'm back?" she suggested with a playful smile, one that wiped away at the blank expression on my face, "okay, listen, you can't kill any of them. No, wait! They aren't the ones who kidnapped me, but they agreed to come here on the pretense that they wouldn't be harmed or killed. I want to be able to keep my promise, please Haden?"

"They're rogues, Zara,"

"They're people," she corrected, stepping back and linking her arm with the man standing before the others, an action that raised a growl out of me. "And this is... Luca, my brother. He's been taking care of all these wolves and they all decided to help me get back here – to get back to you."

I saw the pained look in Zara's eyes and I mentally cursed before I took in the sight of the rogues standing behind her. They all held weary looks, nervously glancing at the parade of wolves opposing them but from the look on Zara's face and on the man she held on to, Luca, I knew there was more to the situation and I wasn't going to get those answers now.

Despite my uneasiness, I signaled Zara to move aside and stepped across the border, meeting this Luca face-to-face.

"Are you the one who kidnapped her?" I interrogated him.

"No, I'm not," he answered, his gaze never wavering.

"Do you know who did?"

This time, his response was slower, but his silence spoke loudly. "I do," he finally said and my fists clenched. "But there's no point in going over that when he's not here, is it?"

I already didn't like the bastard and his cocky attitude.

"If I find out that you or any of the wolves behind you had a hand in this, I'll –"

"No one has time for your idle threats, Alpha," he interrupted.

"I could kill you in a heartbeat, rogue," I snarled at him, stepping forward.

He simply shrugged. "You could, but somehow I don't think she'd allow that to happen."

We held our stares, neither of us willing to break first, and I could feel the anger resurfacing.

"Okay, knock it off," Zara said, pulling Luca away from me and punching his arm. I looked at the pair, frustrated that I could see the damn resemblance, frustrated that he was actually her brother.

I turned back to the wolves guarding the border, my voice carrying the weight of authority as I addressed them. "Stand down."

Looking back to the rogues, I reluctantly said the next command, "You're all permitted to enter, but you will have a guard escort you to the pack house. Everyone dismissed."

As everyone disbursed, I folded my arms behind my back as I watched guards take the rogues one by one into the territory. Luca and I shared a look as he passed me but one look from Zara and he scowled. As the last rogue entered, I grabbed Zara before she could pass me, pulling her by her forearm towards me and capturing her lips with mine.

I didn't hold back. All the emotions I had been feeling these past few days, I let it all out, kissing her like the sun wouldn't come up tomorrow. I grabbed her waist with both hands, pulling her closer to me, so close I could feel the heat radiating from her body; so close I could feel the rapid beat of her heart. Hungrily, aching, I kissed her, growling softly at the feel of her fingers trailing up my arm to entangle themselves in my hair. This kiss was to make up for all the ones we had missed in our absence, the kind of kiss shook you to the core and left you wanting more. The moan that escaped her lips egged me on but before I could bend and wrap her legs around me, she pulled away absolutely breathless.

"I..." she breathed out, her face flushed and her eyes dazed. I shook my head and closed the gap she put between us with one simple peck, resting my forehead against hers.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" I murmured, my voice filled with a mixture of relief and irritation.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of apology and understanding. "I'm sorry, Haden," she began, "there's a lot that we need to—"

I pulled her closer, silencing her with a tender kiss, reminding myself that her safety was what truly mattered. There would be time for explanations and conversations, but for now, I just needed to hold her close.

-----

Yaaay Zara's back and things are happy again!

More than happy from that little kiss at the end (bet you guys didn't expect that ;) hehe)

What do you think about Zara's brother, Luca? Think he's going to cause some problems for our favorite Alpha?

Stay tuned to find out!