Zoya's skull throbbed like it had been hit with concrete. She couldn't feel her body and even her eyes wouldn't open on command. The last thing she remembered was leaving work to join River at the Centauri pack to celebrate the news of Ender's adoption. She had gotten a gift for Ender too and was going to give it to him tonight. However, everything after that was blank. She couldn't remember anything. Why couldn't she remember anything? she thought.

A muffle of voices caught her attention. She shifted and realized that she was sitting in a chair somewhere. The air was taciturn and bitter, just like how her parents liked it in their house.

"She's in bad shape already and you drugged her," a voice said.

"She'll live, it's just a few cuts and bruises, and the drug is so her wolf doesn't show, it's harmless," it was her mother's voice that she heard next.

Zoya froze. Oh god, don't let this be real. Let it be a dream otherwise she wasn't going to live another day.

Suddenly, a cold hand touched her face and took something off her. She realized that she couldn't open her eyes earlier because there was a cloth over her. She blinked away the black splotches from her gaze and focused on everything around her.

Opulent oak floors, that crimson red Victorian rug and that massive table that faced it's back to a huge arched window. The golden drapes made from velvet hung from the windows to the hard floor. The scent of cedar wood and cold venom hit her nose and she knew exactly where she was. Purgatory. The place of her nightmares. The Knightley mansion and her father's study.

Zoya needed to leave. She tried to move but just as she twisted her wrists, they cut into a slick wire and it cut her skin. The wire was what her father adored using on her, it was his preferred method to get her to submit to him. Everything was bound. She was prey being readied for slaughter, just like when she was a kid.

"Don't struggle," her mother snapped at her.

Zoya went completely still.

She remembered now. She was driving home to River when she noticed the vans following her car. She had outrun them all and it wasn't hard for her, but it was when more vans circled around her from the other end of the highway that she crashed into them. She passed out after that and they must have brought her here.

"It was you," she acclaimed.

"It was your father," Ellen revealed.

Zoya looked up at the woman dressed in white. Ellen was beaming delightfully like seeing her own daughter bleeding out on a chair didn't bother her at all, in fact, it pleased her.

"You're not going to ask why you're here?" Ellen baited.

Zoya wasn't worried about that, she needed to figure out how to get out of here. "You must have your twisted reason," she rebuked.

Ellen's smile fell. "Even after a car crash, you're still stubborn," she gritted out.

"I guess that's one thing I get from you," Zoya retorted. "But my brains come from dad since you're as dumb as a bimbo-" a hard hand smacked across Zoya's cheek, lurching to the side with a jolt. Zoya's eyes watered with the sting of that slap.

"You insolent child!"

"Ellen, enough," another voice froze both of the women in their spot. Joe Knightley had entered the room, and it didn't go unnoticed that Andrew Reed was with him.

Zoya lifted her head to face the man who had become a demon more than a father to her. Joe Knightley looked like a prestigious nobleman. He stood tall and broad in a dark grey suit, his brunette had streaks of grey dusted in it but perfectly racked back from his handsome face. She knew her father's perfect blue eyes, they were hollow that held no emotion or truth. She saw no life in his heart and there wasn't any shred of love either.

"Do you know why you're here?" Joe asked her as he stood in front of Zoya.

"Because I slapped your little bitch over there," Zoya remarked as she threw a piercing glare at Andrew.

Zoya expected it and she bit down on her teeth when her father's hand smacked across her cheek. He packed a punch even in his old age. She could never forget how his beatings hurt a lot more than Ellen's ever did.

"I won't ask again," Joe said.

"Let me guess... Oh that's right, I hurt mommy's feelings. Yes, that must be the reason since you love each other so much," Zoya retorted cheerfully.

Joe tilted her head back with the use of his jewelled fingers. "Do you think this is funny?" He asked.

"I find it pathetic actually," she snapped. "That the three of you strapped me to a chair and are too scared to face yourselves. You make me sick and I'm never going to forgive you for this."

Ellen laughed. "Don't give us that trivial bullshit," she said.

Zoya pulled her chin away from her father because even the faintest touch felt as if acid poured on her skin.

"What you did at the restaurant will not be forgiven," said Joe. "You not only disrespected your mother and our friend, but you fucked with my reputation."

"I don't give a damn about your reputation," she snapped back at him.

"Are you fucking crazy!" He smacked his hand across her cheek again, turning to Ellen. "This bitch is testing my last nerve."

Zoya started to tremble like a leaf, but not from fear. She was laughing, which soon reached their ears. She couldn't believe after so many years, that she would be back in this house under their control again. She ran away as far as she could. Yet life had dragged her back here where never wished to be. This was her nightmare alive right in front of her eyes. What did she do to deserve this? she wondered. Maybe, she was cursed forever. This poisonous family was in her blood and there was no running from it.

She stopped laughing and let her head fall back against the chair. "I hate you," she said as her cheeks throbbed and her tears were red from blood. "You're all going to die."

Ellen, Joe and even Andrew all stared at her as if she had lost her mind. But she was never sounder in her life. She wished them death and if she had to rot in the basement all her life for it to happen, so be it.

You won't need to wait all your life, her wolf said. Our mate is coming to get us.

River... the love of her life... she needed him and she didn't have to pray or hope for him to come. She knew in her heart that he was coming for her. She just had to be patient.

"After her bruises fade, we will arrange your marriage," Joe told Andrew. "I don't want to waste any more time."

"I completely agree," added Andrew.

"I think we should keep her here so she doesn't run away," suggested Ellen.

"Do whatever you want," said Joe. "She just needs to be ready to say her vows."

"Andrew, dear, would you like to help me?" Ellen asked.

Andrew willingly cut the wire digging into her ankles and dragged her up on her feet. She faced his bottomless blue eyes and her gut churned. He pulled her into the hallway and followed Ellen towards the basement door.

"A few weeks down here will clean her up," Ellen professed, "and help her lose that extra fat she's gained without my supervision."

Andrew opened the door and forced Zoya down the cold stairs with him into the hollowed concrete basement, that was dark and cold.

"We'll get a basement like this in our new home," Andrew whispered into her ear. "So, if you disobey me, then I'll have a place to lock you up."

Zoya struggled against his hold and Andrew didn't like it one bit. Suddenly, his meaty hand shoved at her shoulder, her heeled foot twisted under her and she toppled down the last few steps onto the cold floor. She let out a painful cry and couldn't move from the pain growing inside her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said as he bent down on the floor with her. He moved the strands of her hair back and laid his lips on her bruised cheek. "Even with so many bruises, you're beautiful-" his warm breath caressed her cheek- "I remember the slap you gave me. I can't wait to give it back."

"Fuck off," she sneered at him.

Andrew's eyes flared. "Good idea. Maybe, I should get a taste of what I'm getting," he snapped back. His hands were forceful and harsh as he groped her breasts and collared her throat before he tore through the silk dress she had on. She kicked at him but with her hands bound, she couldn't do anything.

"I like the fight in you," he growled against her throat as his hands clawed at the skin of her inner thighs. Her scream echoed into the dark void she was trapped in.

"Andrew," Ellen's voice made him stop. "You can't fuck her before the wedding, it's not traditional."

Andrew groaned. "I guess you're right," he said just as he pulled his hands away. "I should save it for our wedding night." He got off her and went up to Ellen and they locked the door without looking back.

Zoya mustered an ounce of strength and got off the floor, she rested her back against the wall at the bottom of the stairs and counted her heart beating inside her. She stared up at the door and didn't let her gaze falter nor did she give in to the darkness consuming her. She felt her eyes close voluntarily, but she needed to be awake for when River came. She needed him.

"River," she whispered through her sore throat.

Don't faint Zoya, her wolf warned.

I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you, she told her wolf.

I'm sorry too, her wolf howled a painful cry.

Suddenly, the locked door opened and the light beamed down the steps into her eyes. She saw a figure thinking Andrew came back for her to finish what he started earlier. Until, the rich fragrance that healed her soul washed down to her. Her eyes filled with tears and she cried out her mate's name.

River was down the stairs in seconds, he cut her restraints and then his arms were around her. "I'm here," he whispered soothingly. "I've got you."

She cried in his arms feeling relief wash over her. "Thank you for coming," she cried out. "I love you. I love you so much."

River held her tightly.

"Take me from here, please," she sobbed.

"I will," he said softly. "But first, I have some people to kill."

Zoya looked up into River's vengeful eyes. She didn't say anything after that. River put his jacket over her body, the coat covered her ripped dress, when she stood to her feet, she noticed the blood down her legs and the bruises around her throat.

A poisonous air engulfed him and his eyes changed. The softness he had left and was replaced with burning intent to kill.

"Was it Reed?" he asked through gritted teeth as his hand touched her thigh.

"Yes," she said.

He looked at the bruises at her throat and he didn't vocalize his next question, she heard him though. He didn't need an answer from her though. He knew.

River circled his arms around her waist and his lips sought hers. He kissed her intimately, like he was a marking her with his lips. She met his hot tongue with her own desperation and saw the difference between his touch versus Andrew. River was made for her, she felt her own body blooming under his touch begging him to consume her. She moaned into his mouth and clung to him.

River broke the kiss and bent down to carry her up the stairs. Right when they reached the first floor, she wanted to ask about so many questions. How did he know where she was? Was he here alone? How did he know about Andrew Reed? But she didn't ask right now because she was just relieved that he was here.

River held her hand and took her back towards her father's office when Zoya froze. "Don't worry, they can't hurt you," he said and she followed.

The door opened and Zoya found herself standing in the room where she was detained, but now, it was the other three kneeling on the floor. Lupin, Azura, Ryder, Hunter and King were all here surrounding the room with their dangerous demeanours and powerful bearings. This was the Centauri pack's power, it was clear now to her.

River let her hand go and walked over to Andrew. He didn't waste another second before he grabbed the man by his throat and crushed it under his grasp. Andrew struggled and whined for a while, but River didn't kill him so quickly. He tossed Andrew across the room, slamming him into the wall. River stalked up to him and Andrew crawled back on his hands.

"You dared to touch my mate," he seethed.

River pulled a golden brass from his pocket that fit his knuckles before he pounded his fist into Andrew's face. The handsomeness was quickly distorted when River was done with him. Andrew wasn't dead but he laid unmoving and crying out of pain like she had. River took out his gun and shot Andrew in the groin making the man scream and topple over. No one in the room flinched neither did Zoya before River shot Andrew in the face and ended his life.

"So, if that's Andrew then who is this fucker?" King asked.

"Joe Knightley," said Hunter.

Zoya watched as her father's eyes turned into saucers and gaped at Ryder who was looming over him now.

Ryder tilted his head. "Oh, is that so."

"Hurt him before you kill him," was all River said.

"With pleasure, brother," remarked Ryder.

"You can't kill me," declared Joe. "Unless you want all politicians, the largest law firms and every judge, prosecutors to come after you."

None of the pack members flinched at the threat.

"The friends and connections that you're gloating about can't touch us," said Ryder. "We're the fucking Centauri pack. Everyone is scared of us and you're about to see why."

Ryder grinned and grabbed her father's head by his hair. He threw him into the chair that Zoya was tied on and it broke from the force. Zoya didn't turn away when her father cried out. Ryder slammed Joe's head against the ground over and over again until it was turned to mush in his hands.

"Is he dead?" Azura asked as she saw Ryder drop the body on the ground by Zoya's feet.

"He's not breathing, so I guess," alleged King.

"Let's just make sure," said Ryder gruffly.

King walked over to the body and shot the man a few times to really make sure he was dead. The splatters of her father's guts were on Zoya's heels. She breathed out in relief that he was gone now.

"That leaves this bitch," Azura said.

"What do we do with her?" asked Lupin.

"I suggest we hang her from the roof," said Hunter.

"Gut her like a fish first," suggested King.

"How about we cut off all her limbs and then hang her from her neck?" added Ryder.

"Any will do," Zoya mumbled and they chuckled.

"You can't kill me!" she screamed. "I'm her mother. Your mate's mother! You- you won't hurt me."

River walked up to her. "What did I say that I would do to you if I saw you near her again-" before she could utter a sound, River had his gun at the temple of her head and pulled the trigger multiple times. He reloaded and did it again putting a fuck ton of bullets into her skull like he promised. She limped onto the floor, her head completely gone.

Zoya breathed out, the smell of blood hit her nose but she didn't hate it. She had realized that her wish came true. This family was gone, the hatred had ended finally. Joe and Ellen Knightley couldn't hurt anyone anymore.

"Thank you," she said to everyone in the room. "Thank you for saving me."

They all smiled at her.

"Let's get you home," said Hunter. "Everyone's waiting for you."

Home, she smiled at that and her gaze locked onto River. He was her home. She didn't know when but the floor slipped under her feet and everything went black. The last thing she remembered was River's arms around her and his voice soothing her that she was safe now.

The Centauri pack was assembled in the hospital VIP ward as Zoya was asleep in the room, Abigail rushed over as well when River had called her and told her what happened. Dr. Stone was busy in the room with Zoya, she had stitched up her forehead and cleaned off her wounds. By the end of it all, Zoya had a few bandages on her face, her throat and her thighs.

River watched his mate resting back on the bed. She was safe, but the fire blazing inside him hadn't been sated. He craved more blood and killing those three wretched people once wasn't enough. He needed them to die over and over again until they were screaming for mercy and he'd kill them again because he'd never give them that relief.

"Are you okay?" Sabrina appeared with her eyes puffy and red since she was crying most of the night.

"No," he told her truthfully.

"Dr. Stone said that her injuries will heal quickly," said Sabrina.

River wasn't worried about her injuries. "I'm pissed," he gritted out.

"Why?" Sabrina frowned.

"I was too late," River grumbled. "She got hurt and I couldn't protect her."

"You saved her," said Sabrina. "She's with us and you got rid of her family. Her recovery is all that matters now. Just be by her side when she wakes up, that's all a mate wants." Sabrina went to Gabriel after leaving River alone.

River hung his head down and tried to get himself under control.

"Are you still pissed, like I am?" Ryder asked.

River looked into his twin's eyes that were fuming like his own. "My wolf wants to drink their blood and eat their guts," he seethed.

Ryder grinned at that.

The door opened and Dr. Stone walked out facing the Centauri pack. "You all should go home," she said. "Zoya's not going to wake up all night." The pack didn't budge. Dr. Stone smiled at that. "The hospital can't host all of you. I only have one spare chair in there and I think River's taking that one."

"I'm not leaving," Ryder said.

"Me either," added Sabrina.

River looked at Gabriel. "We're not any help crowding Zoya," said Gabriel. "Let's go home and prepare for her return tomorrow... Come on, kids, I won't repeat myself."

The pack wasn't pleased but they got into planning a party for her. The pack followed their alpha outside and Vincent practically dragged Ryder out of the hospital. Everyone left and River walked into his mate's room alone.

River rounded the bed and sat in the chair beside her.

He didn't sleep the entire night... it was until the gleam of dawn peeked through the windows that he realized the time. River went into the bathroom that had a shower area too. Hailey had brought extra clothes for both of them last night when they came. So, he changed and freshened up so Zoya didn't see or smell all the blood on him. River had thrown away Zoya's bloodied and torn dress away too, so she wouldn't see it.

After he was done, he walked back into the room when he saw Zoya shift on the bed. The tension between her brows grew as if the slightest movement caused immense pain. He could see why since most of her was battered with dark purplish-blue bruises.

River came up to her side, he caressed the soft arch of her cheekbone, she leaned into his touch and he didn't expect it but her eyes opened; they were a startling blue against her paled complexion.

"Hey," her voice was raspy due to her sore throat.

River couldn't find any words because all he felt was relief and a pure rupture of gratification. She was back and here in front of him.

"River-" her voice strung his heart into millions of pieces- "breathe, honey."

River hadn't realized that he had held his breath this entire time. Everything around him was spinning and feeling as if it all slipped through his fingers. He really was in love and everything he was and had was all for her.

Zoya held her hand out to him and River felt his icy-cold skin turned warm, he bent down and let her touch his face, he kissed the middle of her palm.

"My throat hurts when I talk," she mumbled.

"Don't talk if it's hard," he said as he kissed her cheek then her neck.

Zoya took a ragged breath in. "What happened?" she asked. "Are my parents actually dead?"

"They're turned to ash in the incinerators back at the pack territory," he gritted out.

Zoya let out another shaky breath. She didn't say anything further but inched to the side giving him room to lay down beside her. River lifted the blanket over them both and got in without hesitation.

"You're always so warm," she mumbled as she snuggled closer into his arms.

River held her close for however long she needed. He was sure that she would've went to sleep again, but after a long moment, she spoke again.

"I've never had anyone save me from my parents because they were afraid of their reputation in society," she said softly. "I watched hundreds of powerful people ignore my cry for help simply because I was a Knightley-"

River wanted to go and kill every single one of those bastards that ignored to help. Sure, Zoya was his mate and he's even more protective now. But if someone ever came to him crying for help, he would see it done, and not only him the entire Centauri pack would come.

"So, I took matters into my own hand and ran away to Greece. I started my business and returned to Manhattan with money, power, statues of my own but-" Zoya took a few seconds to calm her breath and soothe her throat- "none of that mattered when I was tied down on that chair..."

He heard her quiet sob that was muffled against his chest. His arms tightened around her, reminding her that she was with him and not in that hellhole.

"Everything I worked for didn't help me in front of them and I was so angry," she cried. "But when you came and saw me in that basement, I forgot all the pain. I forgot that the basement was the place of my nightmares because all I saw was you. I love you so much, River. You took my hand and saved me. Thank you... thank you for being my soulmate."

River held her to him. "I love you too," he confessed over and over again and lulled her back to sleep.

River didn't realize when he nodded off either, it was when his cellphone buzzed a while later in his pocket that he awoke with a start. He pulled out his phone and saw a few missed calls from Gabriel, Ryder and Sabrina. He saw the time and it was eleven o'clock now. Most of the pack was probably wondering if River would bring Zoya home now or later.

He reached over for her beside him but the bed was empty. He jolted up and looked around the empty room with her nowhere to be seen. That was when he heard the light hum of water rushing from behind the bathroom door. She was showering all alone. She should've woken him up, he could've helped her.

River got up and walked into the bathroom finding it slightly steamed up from the warm water. "Zoya?" he called out.

The water closed and the glass door slid open, Zoya stood there freshly showered and refreshed, despite all the bruises on her. She had taken off the bandages, which let River see the purple cloud forming on her rib cage and shoulder, her right thigh and hipbone too. There were lacerations on her thin wrists and ankles from the wire they used on her. His eyes lingered on the bruising around her breasts. Andrew caused those. River and his wolf had the need to kill the bastard all over again.

"Can you pass me the towel?" she asked interrupting his thoughts.

River moved back and grabbed it for her. He held it open as she stepped out and let him wrap it over her body.

"Thanks," she smiled as she stepped around him to the duffle bag that was on the table. "Did you bring me clothes?"

"Hailey did," he told her.

"I'll have to thank her later for this," she said as she pulled out clothes. "When can we leave anyway?"

"Whenever you'd like," he replied.

She nodded as she put on her bra and underwear without looking once in the mirror ahead of her. She grabbed the comfy black sweater and pulled it over her just before she grabbed pants and got them over her legs too. She didn't even look in the mirror when she combed her damp hair and clipped it back away from her face.

"Do you feel okay?" he asked her. "We don't need to rush."

"I'm sore, but other than that I'm fine," she said. "Let's go home. I don't like being in hospitals. I'd rather be in bed at your cabin."

River didn't argue. "Okay," he said. He kissed the temple of her forehead. "Let's go home."

He texted Gabriel that they were returning home. River made sure none of the pack members showed up at the hospital because they would've turned the place upside down. They both got in the car and he drove home. He didn't mention that everyone back home was preparing to welcome her. He didn't want to ruin the surprise and even if he told the pack to dial it back, they wouldn't listen. The tradition as odd as it was, he couldn't help but love his pack for it.

Since it was early in the day, the traffic wasn't crazy, so they got home pretty fast. He parked outside the Centauri manor.

"I think I could sleep this entire day away," she said as she held her sore rib cage before she got out of the car.

River rounded the hood of the car and stood by her side, his arm secured around her waist to support her. Zoya leaned into him and sighed in relief.

"Why are you leading me to the Centauri house?" she asked him.

"They wanted to see you," he said.

"While I look like this," she astounded.

"It's either you go to them or they show up at the cabin later," he warned her.

She groaned. "At least let me grab my sunglasses," she said. "I need to hide my ugly face with all these bruises."

River stopped her and made her look up at him. "Woman, you can never look ugly," he said before he kissed her pouting lips. "Get inside the house before I pick you up and take you."

Her mouth fell open. "Is this how you treat a patient?" she astonished.

"What are you talking about? I'm giving you special treatment here," he said.

"In what way?" she asked.

River pressed his body into hers, all the hardness of his muscles melting into her curves. "Instead of taking you back to our cabin so I can make love to you until you scream my name, I'm letting you rest and enjoy the company of our pack," he told her.

Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. "I- I'm-" she stammered.

River looked at her pretty lips. "If you don't want me to kiss you then I suggest you keep walking," he said.

Zoya nudged his shoulder back getting him away from her. "You're cheating," she accused as she stomped up the stairs. "You know I can't resist you when you're like that. I'm starting to see that I'm at a disadvantage-" the front door burst open and loud crackers went off shooting golden confetti all over Zoya.

"Surprise!" They group shouted. "Welcome home, Zoya!"

Zoya abruptly closed the door on them and turned to River. "What just happened?" she asked him.

He chuckled at her. "They held a welcome back party for you," he said as he came up and opened the door revealing the confused pack. The front foyer was decorated with balloons and golden banner saying 'Welcome home' on the wall.

"Are you surprised?" Sabrina asked.

"I have no words," said Zoya.

"There's no need for words. We have really big cake waiting and we want you to cut it so we can eat it," said Ryder.

"I want the biggest slice," said Azura.

"Don't worry, Azura, you will get the biggest slice," reassured Hailey.

"Why does she get special treatment?" asked Vincent.

"Because I'm obviously cooler than you," Azura remarked.

"Cut it out, you two," warned Gabriel.

Vincent and Azura shared a glower before Hunter pushed them to the side and out of the way.

"Why did you do this?" Zoya asked them.

The pack looked at each other confused.

"What do you mean, Zoya?" asked Sabrina. "You're family."

Zoya didn't understand why or what came over her but her eyes filled with tears and she started crying in front of them. The group immediately panicked.

"Oh god, why'd you make her cry, Sabrina?" rebuked Viola.

"I- I- I'm sorry, Zoya," Sabrina started crying too.

"What the hell is going on?" King remarked.

"What a beautiful moment," Bone said with a handkerchief in his hand as he wiped his teary eyes and then Klaus cried too.

"How is this a beautiful moment?" asked Hunter with all the girls crying together.

"This is normal for us," said Vincent.

"That's for sure," added Lupin.

As Sabrina cried, she hugged her friend and everyone was dragged into the group.

"Oh god, not this again," grumbled River.

"Shut up, River!" Everyone shouted and shoved him into the circle.

Once the commotion ended, everyone had their tears under control, they moved from the foyer into the kitchen to cut the cake. However, the announcement of Ender's adoption made everyone cry again. King, Klaus and Ender were smothered in hugs and kisses. King had to threaten them to chill otherwise he'd go crazy. After that, as promised, Hailey cut the biggest slice of the strawberry fruit cake and laid it on a plate for Azura. She was thrilled and dug in without hesitation, this time she made sure no one dropped it by sitting in the far corner.

"How do you not get fat with all that cake?" asked Ryder.

Azura's mouth was full but she still answered; "My awesomeness balances it out."

"You're disgusting," Ryder covered his eyes from her mouth.

"You asked," she retorted.

Zoya was standing with Sabrina eating cake together. River didn't eat since it was way too sweet for him.

"Are you sure you don't want a bite?" Zoya asked him with the fork in front of his lips.

River stared at her blue eyes and he couldn't say anything to her. He bent down and took the offering willingly.

Everyone moved from the kitchen to the living room to chill for the rest of the day.

"Are we planning anything special for dinner?" asked Viola.

"We can cook something," Klaus said as he looked at Hailey and Bone.

"What would you like, Zoya?" Bone asked. "We can prepare anything."

"I'm fine with anything you guys cook," she said. "Ender, do you have anything you're craving?"

Ender looked up from the floor since he was sitting with the puppy by his legs. "Um- I'm fine with anything too," he said.

"What about you, King?" Bone asked.

"Your homemade pizza," answered King. "It's been awhile."

"Oh, pizza sounds delicious," added Zoya.

Bone smiled warmly. "Pizza it is then," he said.

They continued chatting away for a while, until Zoya was nodding off on the couch. Most of the gang already understood that she must be tired and let her sleep. They took their chatter out of the room, Klaus had made hot chocolate and was serving them in the kitchen.

River didn't join them and picked up his mate taking her home to rest until dinner time.

"Am I heavy?" she asked as he carried her.

"No," he answered.

"Liar," she mumbled with a laugh.

River rolled his eyes.

As they approached the house, she let out another laugh. "How are you going to open the door with me in your arms?" she asked.

He couldn't help but laugh as well as she reached down and opened the door herself for them. They stumbled in through the door and he took her up the stairs. He put her down on the bed after stripping off her clothes so she'd be more comfortable, she didn't argue and let him have his way. He had just covered her with the duvet when his phone buzzed and it was his twin who texted that he was outside the door.

"Get some sleep," he said as he kissed her lips.

River went to meet Ryder. He opened the door and saw Ryder holding a box.

"We did as you asked and I found her car on the side of the freeway," said Ryder.

River had instructed Ryder and Lupin to find Zoya's car last night. "What's the damage?" he asked.

"The car's wrecked. If Zoya wants to send it for repairs, then we can do that for her," he said. "This was all her stuff that I could get out."

River grabbed the box with her things inside that included her purse, phone, perfume and other little trinkets. There was a gift box wrapped up in red and green wrapping too. He read that it was for Ender and wondered what it could be.

"Okay, thanks," he said.

"No problem. Have fun," Ryder jested.

River closed the door on his brother's grinning face and returned upstairs with the box in his hands.

"Who was it?" she asked.

"Ryder," he said. "He brought your stuff from your car."

"You found my car," she said as she got up from the bed.

He nodded. "Ryder and Lupin did," he said. "They also brought all your stuff." He put the box in front of her.

She rummaged through it finding her purse, her phone and the gift box. "I was supposed to give this to Ender," she said.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I wanted to congratulate him so I bought him a camera," she said as she opened the box and revealed the sleek black camera. "Nothing is more special than filling a camera with memories."

"That's a nice gift," he said and meant it.

"I never had a camera when I was a kid-" she smiled sadly as she closed the box to the camera- "the reason for that is pretty obvious."

"They can't hurt you anymore, Zoya," he felt the need to reassure her, remind her that she was free.

"I still can't believe they're dead," she let out a short laugh. "They seemed so powerful... unreachable."

"Not for me," said River. "It doesn't matter who stands in front of me. If they hurt my family, I will kill them."

Zoya's regal eyes softened as they looked into his. "I want to be like you," she said. "I also want to protect you and everyone I love."

"Do you still want those lessons on guns?" he jested as he crept onto the bed over her, he sweetly pushed her down under him.

She let out a sweet laugh, it filled him up with warmth. "Will they be for free?" she asked.

"No," he replied. "I require payment."

"I will pay any price," she baited.

"Let's start with a kiss," he said softly before he laid his lips on hers.

The kiss was hot, sensual and invasive. As River pushed his tongue into her mouth, hers was there to meet him. She had combed her fingers through his hair and it sent a chilling sensation down his back shooting straight to his shaft that was hardening.

Zoya pushed away the duvet covering her and revealed her naked body to him. He reminded himself to be careful of her bruises and kept his hands braced at her sides.

River ignored his arousal and tended to her with all his focus. Once he had thoroughly kissed her lips leaving her breathless and wanting more, he moved down her throat. His lips skimmed the harsh bruises, that made his heart ache. He knew that they still hurt her. He laid his lips tenderly on the hammering pulse on her throat and read her need for him. He ignored that his heart was ripping apart and continued down her body.

Anywhere he kissed, he did softly. He cupped her heavy breasts into his hands and she winced at the contact. She saw the marks that were left there and he hated the look of dismay on her.

"Look at me," he called to her.

Her horrified eyes lifted and met his.

"That's it... eyes on me... only me, baby," he whispered as he licked the hardened peaks and bit down on each.

He took his time marking them before trailing over the soft plane of her stomach, he inched her legs apart, settling between them; it fit him perfectly. He knew in her heart that she was hurting from the memories of being taken. He wouldn't let those memories haunt her, he's guard her and protect her, make her feel safe.

River kissed the folds of her core, licking up the essence as he parted the lips and revealed her throbbing clit. She writhed from the ecstasy pouring through her body as he ate out of her core. He knew her body as if his own and gently caressed the beauty of her release near. He pushed his fingers through that tight channel and felt the walls quiver and her body shuddered as he pulled out. Zoya arched into his body, her hips seeking more of his mouth and he gave it.

He never looked away as she came in front of him, it was perfect. She was perfect. "You're mine," he whispered hotly.

Zoya smiled sweetly. "Yes," she replied before drawing him down for a kiss.