The throbbing pain in his skull caused Trez to open his eyes with a pounding ache at the back of his head. He looked up at the dark ceiling that was dingy and filthy, which didn't disturb him at all, but just reminded him of his nights in the cages. Was his whole life a dream that he had while he laid in the cage that he couldn't escape? The dreams of holding an angel in his arms was fake and he only thought that his sins were forgiven, but in reality, he was drowning in this cage with all the bodies of the people he killed. The blood around him was enough proof that he was in hell again.

Trez heard that beautiful, soft voice caress his ear like it told him to go back to sleep and dream. He listened and closed his eyes to see the beautiful woman with soft red hair cascading down her elegant body. He ran his fingers through it and breathed in her rosy fragrance that brought out the wolf from within. He ached to touch her and taste her luminous skin on his lips. Wrapping his arm around her bare waist, he pulled her against him and her lips lingered before his own.

However, everything came crashing down on him like a cold splash of water. His eyes snapped open and he remembered what happened. They were in a car when they were hit by a truck. Wade, Sonya were in the car with him when they had been ambushed.

Trez moved without a second thought but his arm throbbed in agony and he found himself in a cell.

"You're awake," Sonya rushed to his side.

"Are you hurt?" he alarmed.

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine," she said. "But you and Wade are hurt."

Trez glanced over Sonya's shoulder at Wade who was still asleep on the spare bed. He saw the blood oozing down Wade's shoulder through his shirt. What the hell happened? he thought as he searched the answer but his head felt like a ton of bricks. He had to get them out of here and figure out a way to get to Angela and Axe.

"You shouldn't move," Sonya held onto him as he had trouble moving his injured arm.

"Fuck," he collapsed on the metal bed and looked down at the wound. It wasn't fatal but the glass stuck in the skin was making it hard to move. He raked his hair out of the way and looked around the cell, but it was pitch black and there was no sign of anyone or anything to give him a clue.

"There's only guard here," Sonya said suddenly.

He looked at her as she sat on the stool. "What?"

She pointed at the bars ahead. "That's what you were looking for right?" she said.

He saw the cuts on her cheek and on her arm. Noticing that she had been awake this whole time and probably fearing for her life. He took off his blazer and put it over her arms to keep her warm.

"How long have we been in here?" he asked her.

"A few hours," she said. "I wasn't really able to pay attention because they used some drug on us when we were hit by that truck."

"Did you notice anything else?" he asked.

"Yeah," she answered. "The men wore masks."

"Masks?" he frowned.

"They were black but they had this strange red circle painted on top of it," she told him.

Instantly, the blood drained from his face and he put the puzzle together in his head. "The Red Circle," he growled with scorn.

"Could they really do all this?" she asked him.

"Yeah, they can," he told her before Trez noticed that his arm was bleeding too much. He should patch himself up and check on Wade as well, but that was when he saw the glint of gold peek through Sonya's fist. It was the necklace she bought at the store earlier. "What is that?" he asked her.

She opened her palm and presented the necklace. "It's a mangalsutra," she told him. "This is a symbol of marriage and a wife is supposed to wear it all her life to show that she is devoted and in love with her husband the same way he is to her." She clutched onto the necklace as her eyes welled up with tears. "This is a symbol in my culture for soulmates and the only way they separate is if death takes them." She wiped the tears that fell from her eyes. "I'm not a wolf but I thought that I could wear this and be tied with Axe before I died."

Trez bit back a curse before he hugged her in his arms. "You're not going to die," he said as she cried softly. "We're going to get out of here and go home to our family. I promise." Her trembling hands held onto him as she relied on his promise too. He then remembered the ring that he got for Angela, he quickly searched his pockets but it wasn't there. Either he forgot it in the car or they took from him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"The ring is gone," he told her.

Sonya wiped her tears. "This is the worst day ever," she leaned her head back on the wall.

Trez sighed heavily. "Sometimes I think that you and Angela would have been better off without ever meeting us," he confessed. This was exactly why he hadn't talked to Angela in that old cafe because he knew that his life would bring her danger.

"Don't say that," Sonya said.

He glanced at her. "But it's true," he admitted.

Sonya's eyes were strong and warm. "You're the reason Angela has a future, otherwise she would have been grieving for her parents her whole life," she told him. "You were the one that avenged their death for her and you brought her happiness from the moment you met. She loves you more than anything, Trez."

Trez shut his eyes and saw his mate's beautiful smile. "I love her too," he said softly.

"You're bleeding pretty bad," she brushed her hand over his arm.

"It's fine," he told her so she wouldn't worry, but Sonya's brown eyes were already telling him that she was concerned.

She grabbed the hem of the fabric draped over her shoulder and tore the leave bit off the end. She wrapped the fabric over his bicep and tied it tightly so the blood would stop.

"You didn't have to do that," he said regretfully as he looked down at her saree.

She smiled at him. "We need to get back to our family," she said. "I can't have you bleeding out to death."

They both got up and checked on Wade who came to consciousness after Sonya sprinkled some water on him from the bottles that were kept here by the guards. Trez explained everything to Wade and told him that the Red Circle had captured them. He wasn't that surprised but he wanted to kill them for ruining his car.

They sat together wondering what to do now and how to get out of here. The other problem was that they had no idea where they were or what the Red Circle planned. Sonya questioned if the others were okay, and Trez was worried about that too, but he'd sense if anything happened to Angela through the bond. And if his heart was beating, so was hers.

"We don't need to worry," Wade said as Sonya wrapped a piece of her saree over his shoulder.

"Why not?" Sonya astounded.

"You've met my brother," Wade remarked.

"I have," Sonya was confused.

Wade smirked. "The man put a tracker inside me when we started working at the club," he explained.

Sonya's eyes widened and she glanced at Trez to confirm and he gave nod.

"I just don't know if that tracker loses its signal in here," Trez said as he looked at the empty cell.

"It won't," Wade said as he held his injured arm. "I'm sure they're coming for us." He smiled at Sonya and thanked her for patching him up at the cost of her outfit.

Trez noticed a few times that the guard that was patrolling them had passed a few times. Every ten minutes, the guard made his round and he'd sneer at them as he passed. It was the same man every time, so Trez was sure that only a small team was here to keep them under lock and key.

This was good, he thought to himself as he went and sat on the other bed. They could escape this cell if they played it smart. However, with Sonya to protect, he couldn't be reckless. Axe would kill him if anything happened to her. He was sure of it.

Ten minutes passed and the guard held his gun over his arm as he passed by the cell. He stared at all of them as he counted their heads in Russian. The tattoos on his neck were in Russian too and Trez was sure that they were in some prison somewhere. He wondered if anyone else was here? That question was quickly answered by the Russian guard cursing in his language at someone across the hall. Trez realized that they weren't here alone and someone was also captured too.

"So, what's the plan?" Sonya asked them.

"We need the keys to this cell," Trez said as he faced them.

"How are we going to get those off that big Russian guard?" Wade asked.

"No idea," Trez said as he brought himself to believe that he needed to offer himself up and start a fight.

"I mean, we can always piss him off," Wade suggested.

"And get beat up," Sonya said.

"We get beat up a lot," Wade said as he smirked at her.

"No, you're both injured," Sonya said. "What if he hurts you more or worse kills you."

"They won't kill us," Trez intervened. "They need us for something otherwise they would've killed us in the car."

Wade sighed as he leaned his head against the concrete. "I swear, I never thought I'd be in a cage again," he mumbled.

Sonya laid her hand on his and held it tightly. "We're not going to be here long," she said. "No one has to right to tie us down." Wade gave her a smile as he held her hand too.

Trez wondered how he was going to get that guard to put up a fight in here, especially with the three of them awake. He could piss him off and get him to open the cage.

They heard the jingle of keys approach the cell door and Trez looked for his chance.

"You two, pretend you're asleep," Sonya instructed as the guard came closer.

"Why?" they asked her.

"Just do it," she whispered quickly as she rushed over to the bars of the cell. Trez and Wade quickly laid down on the bed and shut their eyes faking their exhaustion. But Trez was watching even though it didn't look like it. "Hi, can I get another bottle of water, please?" she smiled at the man.

The guard glared at her but he didn't say anything. He left for a few moments before he came back with another bottle of water.

"Here," his voice was gruff and he spoke English. He reached in through the bars and Sonya grabbed it brushing his tattooed hand.

"Wow, you have such cool tattoos," she said. "I have one too." She pointed down at her waist where Trez noticed the peacock feather before as well. "But I could never get so many like you. You're so strong," she showed him a dazzling smile and the man's stern expression softened. "You're nothing like the men I'm with right now. They're such losers." The guard laughed at that and remarked that she should ditch them. "I know," she said. "They're not as strong as you." She put her hand on his arm and trailed up his bicep to his shoulder. "You could protect your girl, couldn't you?" The man put his hand through the bars and laid it on Sonya's hip.

Trez was triggered to kill him right fucking now, but Sonya handled herself well because he saw her reach down his chest running circles on him as she kept him engaged in her sultry voice. Trez caught her hand running down towards the belt of his pants and the guard was turned on more than worrying over the keys. Sonya was close, too close and Trez worried that she'd get caught. But the guard wasn't even trying to hide those keys from anyone. Sonya asked him about his tattoo when her fingers slid around his back and his smile told everyone that he was enchanted by her.

Sonya was quick when her hand grabbed the keys in her fist and she brought it back through the bars. She held the guard's eyes with her own as she slipped the keys onto the edge of her skirt around her waist and hid it behind her dress.

Sonya laughed at what he said. "You're so funny," she teasingly ran her hand down his arm again, when suddenly, the guard's radio went off and someone Russian spoke through it. He grabbed it in his hand and answered back.

"I gotta go," he told her.

"Bye," she blew him a kiss.

The guard left on his own and Sonya turned around facing the two men with the keys in her hand. Trez couldn't help but smile at her because he was fucking proud of his brother's mate for being a badass.

"That was fantastic, Sonya," Wade praised.

"Thanks," Sonya smiled as she handed Trez the keys. "But no one is allowed to tell Axe that I did that."

"I think he'd be proud," Trez said as he went to the lock and put the keys inside it. He fiddled for a while but the lock gave in and snapped open.

"Hold on," Sonya said before she bent down and revealed her ankles. Trez didn't know what she was doing until she unfastened the anklets on her feet.

"Why are you taking them off?" Wade asked what Trez was about to as well.

Sonya put them in her blouse. "Axe gave them and I'm not losing them here," she told them. "Plus, they have bells on them. People might hear me." She walked up to the cage door and this time she was soundless. "Let's go."

Trez swung the barred door open and he walked out last following after Wade and Sonya. They tracked the path that the guard would use. It was a darkly lit hallway that was slim and tight, Trez glanced behind him and no one was there. The cages around them were empty but he knew that there was still someone here that they didn't know about.

"We need our gear," Wade whispered.

"Where are we going to find that?" Sonya whispered back.

Trez saw them all approaching one ladder that climbed up to the second floor. But then he realized that they were in a cellar somewhere. They weren't on the main floor or anywhere high up in the sky. This caged area was somewhere deep and wet underground.

"They should have an artillery here somewhere," Trez told them.

Just as they crossed down the last bit of the hallway, Trez noticed that the cage right before the ladder was indeed occupied. He looked within the bars of the cage and saw a man kneeling on his knees, his hands tied back behind him and his head hung low. The flickering light swung above his head and it showed Trez the man had dirty-blond hair and a rugged beard. However, Trez didn't recognize him until he saw the shadow of the slave marks all over his neck. This man was a slave in the cage-fights just like Trez and Wade and the others were.

"Who are you?" Trez asked from the other side.

The man lifted his head and his blue eyes were soulless but they were strangely determined too, despite the fact that the guards beat him up quite a lot.

"I'm Elijah," his voice was gruff.

Trez glanced at the slave marks on the man's throat. "Do you want me to free you?" he asked then.

Elijah's lips cracked a smile, it felt sinister as the shadows darkened his face. "Once you've been in a cage, you always remain caged," his smile turned to a cold laugh.

Trez grabbed the key and stuck it into the lock of the cage knowingly. He felt this man's words pierce inside his heart because he spoke the truth. A slave was always in a cage despite being free because they never forget the memory. Nothing could erase that heinous time behind the cold metal bars as your life was a price-tag and a number to auction off.

The door to the cage swung open as it creaked from the old, rusty hinges. He walked into the cell and saw the chains binding the man to the concert wall. He bent down and used the other key on the ring to open the hatch on the metal shackles. Thankfully, the key didn't disappoint them and Trez was able to get the man free.

Elijah rubbed his reddened wrists. "Thanks, I owe you one," he said.

"Say that after we get out of here," Wade remarked as he stood on the other side.

"Which we should hurry up and do," Sonya prompted.

Trez and Elijah got out of the cell when they heard the usual guard making his round again. He would easily notice that all the captured were freed. Wade, Sonya climbed up the ladder towards the little circle passage up top, as Trez grabbed on to the metal step and pulled himself up too. Elijah wasn't far behind them, but he purposely stayed at the bottom of the ladder like he was ready to sacrifice himself if they got caught and hold anyone back that would follow after them.

Trez admired the honour in the man despite none of them ever meeting before. Wade helped Sonya out onto the top and Trez was able to climb up himself. They all reached the main floor since this had more than one entries and exits. The many hallways and chambers were dimly lit, so it made it impossible to see what was on the other end of each way. The only time they saw any light was through the windows that were high up and circling the edge of the tall walls.

"This way," Elijah pointed to the west side of the building.

"How do you know?" Wade asked.

"I was conscious when they brought me here," Elijah said. "I made sure to remember where they were taking me."

All of them followed without questions asked and Trez was worried they'd run into someone by now and they had nothing to protect themselves. They needed weapons and they needed them now. Wade was at the front leading the way through the dark hall when Trez noticed that they door to left was open. He peeked into the room and saw a gun sitting on the edge of the metal table. That's all he needed for now. He signalled Elijah that he found a gun and he went in himself to grab it. The room was empty and he managed to grab it without being caught.

They continued down the path to another set of ladders. Climbing up again, Trez strapped the gun to his belt and made it to the top with the others. When suddenly, an alarm blared through the entire building.

"Fuck, they figured it out," Wade grumbled as they all reached the top of another floor, but there were still no doors to exit the building.

"We need to go," Trez hurried as he took the lead and Elijah checked the other end of the hall trying to find them a way out.

Luck was on their side that they didn't run into any guards yet. However, why did this feel like a trap again? Trez stopped in his tracks as he sensed the cold, bitter scent in the air like this place wasn't a building or a warehouse but something else...

"What are you doing?" Wade rushed. "Let's go."

"Hold on," Trez looked behind him over his shoulder when he saw the masked men emerging through the door.

Elijah was the one that stepped in front of them. "If you go out this door, you're going to be free," he told them. "Go, now."

"We can't just leave you," Sonya said.

Trez turned to Wade. "Take Sonya and get out of here," he instructed and it was clear in Wade's eyes that he hated separating the team. "She can't get hurt."

"We are not separating!" Sonya astonished.

Trez kissed her forehead. "You don't have a choice," he pushed her into Wade's arms who didn't need another warning. He was loyal and always followed the orders that were given to him.

"I told you to get out of here too," Elijah said as he looked at the men that were circling the room like wolves.

"There's no need to act tough," Trez said to him. "We'll get through them faster if we're together."

Elijah faced the men and it was as if they returned in the cages. Now, Trez realized why this place felt so familiar. This was an old arena for cage-fights. The hollow screams of torment were still ringing through his ears and it was like the walls of this place held onto every bad memory. The smell of pungent death purged his mind and he remembered being covered in the blood and sweat of the slave that was just killed by his hands.

Well, at least this time, he wasn't killing an innocent person. He was about to kill the bastards that would spend their life locking people like them up. Trez didn't reveal he had a gun on him and he knew it'd come to his advantage. However, the weapons of the masked men were enough to get rid of an army. This was going to be a bloody fight. Fuck, Trez wasn't sure how they were going to get out of this alive.

The masked men ran with determination to kill and Elijah was quick to attack back. The fight broke out and Trez was more than ready to take everyone on. He killed a few easily and they started increasing the numbers to attack them. Trez had to use the gun he had hidden but it only had a few bullets. Elijah was the one who took the gun off a dead body and attacked again. The fight continued but the men kept increasing, it was like they'd kill one but two would appear to replace him.

With no choice left, Trez shifted into his wolf as the only resort he had left. His wolf wasn't giving mercy today. He ran with full force ahead and locked his jaw around anyone that dared to step in front of him. The brutal sound of bones breaking provoked his wolf further and he was set on this path of destruction. Elijah transformed into his wolf too and was able to kill a few handfuls in one move. Both of them cut through the numbers.

Unexpectedly though, the men stopped attacking and they stepped back. Elijah and Trez shifted back into their human forms and they stood in the middle of countless dead bodies as they were covered in blood, sweat and grime. They were masking their ragged breathes and pounding heartbeats. Frankly, Trez wondered if he lost his touch. Back in the days, a fight like this would never tire him out. But spending countless days at the club made him lazy.

"What's going on?" Elijah asked.

"I'm thinking the boss is coming now," Trez muttered back.

He wasn't wrong with his assumption because a tall, skinny man in a red cloak appeared through the double doors. He held a thin smile on his wrinkled face and it felt as if he was a doll. Someone had their strings tied to his wrist and legs as he moved with a sinister motion. His expression didn't move an inch and he held his gaze as cold as ice.

"Well, well, what do we have here," his voice felt as if someone scratched their nails down a chalk-board, it crawled down Trez's spine. "Did you think you could escape my facility?"

Trez faced the old man. "Yeah, we did," he answered just to piss the man off, but his expression didn't change. Only his cold eyes landed on Trez now, it was piercing and evil.

"You don't know what I'm going to do to you for trying to touch the Red Circle organization," he prompted then as his bony hand appeared from under the long sleeves of the robe.

Trez understood right away since they were trying to track them down. He guessed that the organization didn't appreciate being under investigation.

"It doesn't matter what you do," Elijah spoke then. "You have no power."

The old man laughed. "I have you caged in this room and I have no power," he astounded.

Elijah smirked. "Yeah because you're the dirt beneath her boot, old man," he remarked.

"How dare you," he gritted out. "I will have you executed and erased from this world, you filthy rat."

Trez faced Elijah's sturdy shoulders that stayed confident like he knew that he wasn't going to die today. He wondered where the man got the nerve to stand up for himself when it was clear that they didn't have any advantage here.

"She will come," Elijah spoke, "and when she does, your judgement arrives too."

"Who will save you?" The old man's tone darkened.

Trez wondered the same thing but before he could stop Elijah a massive shipment truck slammed into the wall right in front of them. The entire wall caved in and the massive cobbles of concrete killed whoever was under it. Trez didn't expect that but it was like Elijah predicted this whole invasion. The old man yelled at the guards to attack, however the curtain at the back of the truck fell open and a woman in a black trench coat appeared. She held a massive M134 machine gun in her hands.

"Get down," Elijah grabbed Trez just in the nick of time before the gun went off. The six-barrel rotary spun with great speed as the woman shot everyone and everything around them.

Trez covered his ears at the roaring sound of the gun and he saw that the ammo was endless as empty shells of bullets dropped around the woman's tall leather boots.

Elijah was right, he thought. These masked men were truly dirt under her boot. She emptied the entire barrel of the gun on the enemy and Trez got to his feet with the entire army dead in a split second. But who was this woman? he questioned since he couldn't see her face.

"Took you long enough," Elijah remarked.

The woman took off the strap from over her shoulder and dropped the gun on the floor before she jumped down from the truck. That was when the light illuminated her piercing blue eyes which were powerful and raging with courage. The leather coat that flared out behind her as she walked up to them was as real as the tales told about her. This woman before Trez was Zero, the executioner that was worshipped more than the goddess who created them. But of course, it all made sense now. This woman was the only one who could enter the gates of hell and walk out victorious.

"What can I say?" she smiled at Elijah. "I like making an entry."

Elijah rolled his stiff shoulder. "I'm aware and it's frustrating," he remarked.

"Look at you," she grabbed Elijah's face. "They beat you up pretty good. This is what happens when you do things outside of my orders."

"Zero," Trez spoke her name, it felt surreal.

Her legendary eyes turned to him and he felt as if he saw the full moon in them. They were raw strength and honour poured from them. "Hello, Trez," she smiled with her red lips. "Good to see you alive."

"What are you doing here?" he astonished.

"Isn't it obvious?" she chuckled. "I'm saving your ass." She glanced over her shoulder at the old man cowering on the floor. His eyes bulging out of his head as he tried to use his legs to move but was too afraid. "If you'll excuse me," Zero said. "I need to squash a bug." She walked away and went to the old man. "So, you're still here." She grabbed the man by his collar.

"Let go," he tried to fight her but she was too strong for him. "I will have you killed for touching me."

Zero dropped the man on the ground and she stepped on his chest with her heeled boot. "You can't do anything to me," she said.

He laughed coldly. "I am part of the Red Circle, an old prestigious group that destroys people like you," he spat at her.

"I'm aware," she said calmly. "That's why I'm here to annihilate you all."

"You can't kill us," he said with an empty laugh. "We're too many and even if you get rid of me, they'll just replace me."

Zero wasn't fazed and she pressed her boot onto him making him squirm in pain. "People like you only see life as something to be tortured and toyed with," she scorned and her eyes darkened. "You disgust me."

He laughed again and that doll like expression had turned into real fear. "They will hunt you," he threatened. "So, you can't hide or run."

"I wasn't planning on it," she smirked. "I'm hoping they show up at my front door so I don't need to hunt them down anymore." She grabbed the blade out of her jacket. "Now, let's start with you." She bent down and grabbed his head by his hair before she ran the knife across his throat and his head came clean off his neck. She was merciless and that was exactly what Trez expected.

"Elijah," she called out. "Bring me a chain."

Elijah grabbed the chain off the wall and brought it to her. She tied it around the old man's ankles and gave the head to Elijah to stab a pole through it so it could hang off the chain too. It looked like Elijah already knew what to do as he walked off dragging the body behind him and left the room.

"Come on, your family is waiting for you," Zero spoke to Trez.

He rushed to her side and he got in the back of the truck as she jumped into the driver's seat and drove them out of there. They were in a large facility that was being used as a cover for scientific research, when in fact, it was a lab for the Red Circle.

"How did you find us?" he asked her as he held on the wall as she drove the rocky path.

"I was tracking Elijah when I received a distress call from your club," she told him.

Trez's heart sank. "How's-"

"Your brother is safe-" Zero said. "I managed to make it to him on time and I was the one that lead him here."

"He's here!" Trez said.

"He joined with his mate," she said. "I told him I'd save you myself so he could get them all out of here."

They drove out onto the road and she parked beside the building where Trez saw Axe and the rest of them. They rushed over to the truck knowing it belonged to Zero. He walked out of the back that was wide open and jumped down finding his brother. They wrapped their arms around each other right away.

"Are you hurt?" Trez asked.

"No, are you?" Axe replied.

"No," Trez pulled back and met his brother's eyes. "Where's Angela?"

"At the safe-house with Scar," he informed.

Trez breathed from relief. "Good," he laid his hand on his brother's shoulder.

Zero came around and joined them by the road. "You all should head home now," she instructed.

"Please, come with us," Trez offered. "You can freshen up there and tell me more about the Red Circle."

Zero nodded. "Sure," she agreed. "Elijah and I will be right behind you."

"Where is Elijah?" Wade asked as he searched the group.

Trez turned towards the building as he remembered that Elijah left with the body. However, as he faced the building he saw a man on the roof and he threw something off; it was the body of the old man. Elijah left the man hanging off the wall and his blood dripped down the grey walls. He glanced at Zero who was unfazed and she didn't even bother speaking about it.

Trez faced his family. "Let's head home," he told them.

"Yes, please," Sonya chimed. "I need this whole day off."

Wade sighed. "Me too," he said before he glanced at Reyes who was standing next to him. "Let's go, cop." He put his arm over the man's shoulder and they headed off towards the car with Sonya too.

Trez and Axe followed too when he saw another car parked on the side and he guessed that it was Zero's ride.

"What happened in there?" Axe asked him before they got in the car.

Trez raked his hair. "A lot," he sighed before he glanced at Zero over his brother's shoulder. "But now I understand why the world talks so highly of her."

Axe looked at Zero too. "I never thought she would help us," he admitted.

"Neither did I," Trez voiced.

They got in the car and everyone else was sat in the back. As Axe drove them to the safe-house across town, Trez glanced at the mirror finding Zero and Elijah following behind them. They eventually made it home and the sky was still dark. But he was too exhausted to care and only needed to get to his mate's side. Sonya had already called Angela in the car and told her that everyone was safe and no one got hurt. But Trez wasn't satisfied with a call only. He needed to see his mate face-to-face and feel her body against his own.

Axe pulled up at the gates of the safe-house that was an old Victorian house which didn't catch much attention, but that was the point. Trez got out and climbed up the white stairs and towards the doors. The others were behind him and so were Zero with her partner. Scar already knew through the cameras that they arrived, so she opened the door before he knocked. He stared into the house and he saw his mate running towards him. Relief on her face and a smile beaming across her lips, she ran into his arms and he embraced her tight. Wade and Reyes pushed past them to get inside and so did the others, but he didn't care at all.

"I thought I lost you," Angela whispered.

"Never," Trez held her tightly.

He kissed her cheek and breathed in her lovely, sweet fragrance before he let go and took her inside the house. Scar shut the door behind them. Trez found everyone sitting together in the living-room. Hazel, Angela's friend was here too with Darius, but they stood on the opposite sides of the room.

"Did the Red Circle really do all this?" Angela asked.

"Yeah," Trez told her as they sat together on a couch.

"But why?" Scar asked. "What have we done to piss them off?"

"It's because you were investigating them," Zero stepped in then.

"What was your partner doing there anyway?" Reyes asked her.

"Not following my orders," Zero glanced at her partner who was glowering at her.

"But now what do we do?" Darius prompted with his arms crossed across his chest. "We have a target on our back."

"He's right," Axe said. "The Red Circle is coming after us now."

"Especially after all the destruction we just caused," Wade added.

Trez did have a feeling that the old man they killed was going to cause a series of problems for all of them. But the Red Circle was a huge organization to take on alone. Perhaps, they could work together with Zero and end this matter quickly.

"They won't hunt you anymore," Zero declared.

Everyone's eyes went to her.

"What makes you so sure?" Wade asked what they were all thinking.

Zero's powerful blue eyes gleamed like silver. "You are under my protection now," she told them. "And I won't let anyone touch you." She went over and grabbed the remote turning the TV to the news channel for the city. The coverage of the old man hanging off the building was alarming everyone. All the news reporters from around the world were already there. "I didn't hang him for kicks," she said.

Trez understood then that Zero put that man hanging off the roof as a message that if they were going to come after her then that's what their fate would be. He had to hand it to her, he loved her style.

"We'll help you hunt them down," Trez decided.

"No," Zero said then surprising them all. "You will stay out of this."

"After everything they've done to us," Axe astounded.

"Yes," she faced him sternly. "You all have mates now and a family to protect. Don't waste your time hunting criminals. That's my responsibility."

The room fell silent and no one could really go against her word, since she did save them and they owed her one. On top of that, she was Zero, her word was law around the world and Trez wouldn't disrespect her now or ever.

"As you wish," Trez responded on behalf of everyone. "But if you need us, we're one call away."

Zero smiled. "Thanks," she said.

"Why doesn't everyone freshen up," he said then. "I'm sure you all need it because I certainly do."

Wade stretched his arms and groaned about the pain in his body from being locked up. Darius was by his side and so was Reyes. Everyone got up from their seats and Scar showed Elijah and Zero a guest room where they could recuperate. Trez glanced at Angela who stood with Sonya and Hazel. The girls were discussing something that he couldn't hear. So, he decided to leave his mate be and go to his bedroom here. He was in desperate need of a shower and some new clothes.

"Do you think we're doing the right thing?" Axe inquired as they climbed the stairs together.

"I'm sure," he affirmed. "Zero is the only person capable of fighting an organization like this."

"I can't argue with you there," Axe said.

"But what I said was true," Trez continued. "If she needs us then we will be there for her."

Axe gave a curt nod before he glanced back at his mate. Trez laid his hand on his brother's shoulder because he knew exactly how he felt right now. Both of them were so terrified that they might have lost their mates today. Even the thought of not being with Angela freaked Trez out to the point that it was disturbing even thinking about it. He pushed those thoughts away and got into the cold daft of the bedroom. He walked across the path and turned the lamp on. The bright gold light cut through the darkness and he was able to see the plain bed and the bathroom door. He walked right over and went inside finding all the things that are needed here, since Scar kept this place clean for times like this.

Trez stripped out of his clothes and showered off the dirt and grim. The hot water cut through the filth and the steam clouded the glass and mirrors. He cleaned himself off before he stepped out in a towel around his waist.

Walking back into the bedroom, Angela walked inside then too. She was in simple jeans and a sweater with her hair set on her shoulders.

"Are you hungry?" she asked. "Scar's asking if everyone wants dinner. I was going to help her too."

Trez shut the door behind Angela and took her in his arms. He didn't care about the world right now and ached to sate the hot desire coursing through him. Locking their lips together, she put her arms around his neck and met his fervour with her own. Her tongue twirled around his and he moaned into her mouth. Her fingers combed into his hair and he pressed her along his wet body that soaked into her clothes. He grabbed her waist and guided her down onto the bed without breaking the kiss.

The need to feel her against was powerful because him and his wolf desperately needed to know that she was safe by their side. Her breath against his lips reminded him that she was alive. The sweet scent of her arousal told his wolf that she was still bonded to them. Even the way he pressed his hips between her spread legs screamed that she was living passionately for him.

"Fuck," he growled against her mouth as he put his hands under her sweater and cupped her bare breast in his fingers. She got up a little and pulled the sweater off her body and threw it to the side before he latched his mouth onto her nipple. She moaned into him and pressed closer seeking his touch more and more.

"Mhm- Trez," she whimpered his name like she always did; with submission and devotion dripping from her tone.

Trez cupped her ass in his hands and he loved the sensation of her wide hips in tight jeans, it was deliciously sexy. But he needed them off right now. He unbuckled the button and let the zipper go down before he ripped them down her waist and off her legs. The smooth skin of her body caressed his own as she wrapped herself around him. His towel already dropped somewhere and he held his raging shaft against the silk underwear covering her core.

She gathered him in her arms before she kissed his lips and lead him through the soft, sweet moment as he lined his cock into her and filled the hot walls of her core. All defences dropped and all he could do was breathe with her. He pressed his weight down and her body was like a cloud under him.

Taking her tongue into his mouth, he pulled her into his darkness and his cock throbbed within her. He pushed harder and closer as she yielded to him and his hunger. Taking his mate into a trance of their arousal spiralling around them like a storm, he rode her until she was begging for release and he was more than ready to give it to her. But before anything, he kissed down her neck and ran his sharp teeth where he ached to mark her.

Angela combed her fingers through his damp hair and they both reached their pinnacle as he bit down on her soft skin, marking her to him again.

Both of them breathless and overwhelmed by the strength of the orgasm didn't say anything, but he read her eyes that were full with vibrant love. He drank the sight of her and kissed down her body, worshipping her as she gave him everything he ever wanted. She was his life and the breath in his lungs, even his blood pumping in his veins was because she was near him.

He laid on top of her as she wrapped her arms around him. They took that quiet moment to understand that they were together, when suddenly, there was a knock on their door. Angela moved to get up but he stopped her.

"Stay here," he kissed her lips as he put the blanket over her body.

Trez got up and quickly pulled on a pair of slacks before he went to the door. He opened it to Zero standing there. She was cleaned up from all the blood and her long black hair had been tied back in a braid. He stepped out of the room and drew the door to join her.

"Sorry to interrupt your time with your mate," she said.

"Is everything okay?" he asked as his brows frowned together.

She gave him a reassuring smile that was strong but kind at the same time. "I just wanted to inform you that I'm going home," she said.

Trez realized that it was very late at night. "I'll escort you," he offered.

"No, stay," she said. "I mated myself, so I know the feeling of being away from them."

Trez remembered when Zero married billionaire Severin Salvatore who ruled England and America with his prestige. The whole world covered the news of their nuptials, it was more popular than the Royal wedding itself.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I am," Zero laid her sturdy hand on his shoulder. "I'm happy for you, Trez."

He matched her smile. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm finally happy too," he told her.

"Having a mate can do that," Zero said as she pulled her hand away. "Everything feels perfect when you're in their arms." Her eyes beamed with longing as she looked lost in her thoughts. "It makes us feel like everything we went through was for them, doesn't it?"

"It does," Trez said.

Zero drew in a long steady breath and it was like he did the same. "I'll see you around, Luciano," she smirked at him.

"Visit the club when you get the chance," he said. "Bring your mate as well."

Zero considered it. "I just might," she said before she strode off down the hall towards the stairs.

Trez stared at her long black coat that flowed behind her heeled boots. She was something else, he thought to himself. The woman carried the world on her shoulders but she never faltered in her path. He wondered what she went through to become this way? The power she wielded was for the brave and no one matched her honour.

He turned around and returned to the room before he shut the door. He saw Angela sitting on the bed under the blanket. The window on the right shined all the light over her glorious red hair and glowing skin. He faced her beautiful eyes and found himself compelled by her magic.

"Who was it?" she asked.

"It was Zero," Trez answered as he put a knee down on the bed and then his hand.

"Did she need something?" Angela asked.

"She's going home," Trez told her as he grabbed the blanket.

"You should have gone with her," Angela said. "She's done so much for us."

"I offered, but she refused," Trez crept over his mate as he moved the blanket off her.

Angela nudged at his shoulder as he tried to get her to lay down. "You should have insisted," she chided.

Trez got up and grabbed her legs before he pulled her down under him. She was flat against the bed and he loomed above her. "She knows what it's like," he told her as he kissed her throat making her giggle as she felt his hands push apart her thighs. "We crazy alphas can't stay away from our cute mates." Angela's smile tugged at his heart and he felt his wolf falling for her all over again.

Trez kissed her lips and devoted the rest of the night to cherish each single moment that he could with Angela. This was the life he dreamed of every night in those cages and he was finally blessed by the divine. He'd pray and pray that he'd never lose the angel that graced his darkness with her light. Her lips on his was the reason he could breathe. Life was perfect and he'd love his mate forever. 

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