Severin paced in the foyer waiting for Zero and Elijah to return. Robin was seated on the couch typing away on his laptop and Tom was with him, just as anxious as Severin was right now.

Severin didn't know why but a disturbing sensation settled inside his gut. In his head, he kept asking if Zero was going to be alright once she came back. She had successfully saved the kids and Severin never doubted that she wouldn't be able to do it. No one was more competent than her. However, Severin never saw Zero's eyes as dark as the abyss itself before, that was worrisome.

He could still see Zero standing on top of the warehouse's roof. She stood tall and proud, a sneer on her lips as blood trickled down her body onto the floor. The eerie silence from her was forbidding, and then, she had done something that screamed revenge from every angle. At the front the warehouse where Reaper would have smuggled the kids, Zero had infiltrated and killed every single man Reaper had employed. She had taken their bodies and used chains to hang them off the roof, like scrap meat at a butcher shop. Some of the men were missing heads or limbs, it was a gruesome sight to behold for anyone. And now, the entire world had these images all over their news channels.

Even in this house, the television was on and all they saw were the reporters at the warehouse letting everyone know of the mysterious massacre today.

Though, it was no mystery. Everyone knew who was capable of such devastation and it was none other than the infamous executioner. Zero showed once again to everyone why she was feared, and especially proved to Reaper that she wasn't to be trifled with.

Severin almost sensed that Zero glorified her victory to Reaper. She had showed him with this grand display that she was not afraid to play nasty with him. If he wasn't going to be honourable, then neither was she. She would play the game with his methods and be as ruthless and cold. There was no more hiding and teasing one another. A war had begun and now Zero had stepped onto the field, it was only due time when Reaper would reveal himself to her. And right now, with the whole mess on the global news, Severin didn't suspect that Reaper would slither out of his hole to strike soon.

Suddenly, the front door opened and Elijah walked inside first; a bunch of kids huddled around his legs.

Severin sensed their anguish from the door, they looked as fragile as glass. One touch and they'd break. This wasn't how kids should live their lives, they were in constant fear and with no hope of having a safe home.

"Where's Zero?" Severin asked Elijah.

Elijah was roughed-up after the fight; his clothes dirty and his face. He looked up at him and motioned towards outside without a word.

Severin then bent down at the level of the kids. "Hi, I'm Severin, do you remember me?" he asked. "We all met when I visited the sanctuary."

"I do," a boy at the back spoke up. The green eyes, pale skin and frail body underneath the loose clothes told Severin that it was Ender. The boy named by Zero herself.

"Hi, Ender," Severin smiled warmly. "You guys must be exhausted. How about we get you all cleaned up and some warm food to eat. How does that sound?"

The kids looked around at each other and then nodded. They all walked inside closer to Severin, he held his palms out and they all linked hands. He was about to take them upstairs to the large pool Zero had here, when he froze by the chilling pheromones in the air.

He turned and looked outside the door, when his eyes locked onto the one whose pheromones sucked the life out of the air in the house. Zero, stood covered in blood, her eyes desolate and the feral heat of her wolf ripping through and presenting itself without a single word. Zero entered and closed the door behind her. Everyone stood on high alert around her, even the kids.

"Where are you taking them?" Her voice was thick with vigour.

"To clean them up," said Severin gently. "I think you and Elijah should do the same."

Zero's dark eyes lifted and the blue sparkled against the crimson red blood on her pale skin. She strode in closer, but all her focus was on the kids. She guided them upstairs herself without a word to anyone else.

"She does not seem like herself," whispered Tom.

"You should've seen her at the warehouse. She was unbelievable," added Elijah.

"Oh, we saw," added Robin from the couch.

"Is she gonna be okay?" Tom asked them, but it seemed only his brother had an answer.

"That's all Zero's seen in life. One person taking their anger out on someone else, and innocent lives being harmed in the crossfire," believed Severin. "Right now, Zero is at her most calm even if it doesn't feel like it. She'll be fine, don't worry." Before Severin realized, his feet moved on their own towards his mate and those kids.

Severin went upstairs where he saw the three young girls standing outside the large double doors from the pool chamber. Zero must be inside and the boys must be with her.

Suddenly, the door opened and Zero stepped out. She looked at him and had a concerned frown on her face.

"Can you go to my closet and bring some extra t-shirts and shorts?" she asked of him.

Severin nodded. "Sure," he said. "Are you almost done with the boys?"

"Yeah," she replied. "I'm just gonna help the girls now."

Severin touched her arm, that was rigid. He was going to tell her to clean up as well and not to take it so hard, but nothing came out. He took one glance into her deep eyes and forgot his words.

Severin left to her closet and got what she needed. On a corner shelf, there were crisp cotton shirts and white shorts too, they looked to be Zero's size but they would be big enough for all the kids. He grabbed enough pairs and went back to the pool.

He saw the door across the pool open and figured the boys were in that room. He knocked lightly on the door, before he poked his head inside and saw the kids wrapped in towels.

Severin quickly helped all the boys into fresh, clean clothes so they wouldn't catch a cold. As Severin tried to lighten the mood and kept them occupied with little tasks, he noticed their paled expressions and distant eyes. It was clear to Severin that these kids were remembering the moment in the warehouse, and maybe the fact that they didn't have a 'home' to return to now.

What was gonna happen to these kids now? Severin wondered. What about Tyler and Darren and the rest of the survivors?

Building another sanctuary wasn't going to be done in a mere day or two. Severin didn't think keeping them all in a hotel would be any better either. Maybe, renting another house would do for a provisional solution.

Severin guided the boys out of the room and took them downstairs to the others who were in the kitchen. Robin and Tom were helping Elijah who had freshened up and now was preparing lunch for the kids. Elijah had promptly prepared turkey sandwiches for everyone and Tom was helping him grill the bread. Robin was sitting on the stool with his chin propped on his palm looking rather tired.

Severin took the kids to the dining room and seated them around the table. That was when Zero had arrived with the girls and told them to sit down too. Tom came with two trays full with sandwiches and Severin started to serve them. However, the entire time Severin's eyes followed Zero. She seemed unbothered and relaxed. He wondered if going and killing all those men had calmed her down? Or maybe, it was that she could see that the kids were safe. Whatever it was, something told Severin that Zero may look calm but her temper wasn't in a gaming mood.

The kids just started to eat, when the doorbell went off.

Everyone froze in their tracks and exchanged a suspicious look, except Zero who opened a drawer near the sink and grabbed something that was strapped under the shelf. She pulled her hand out and a black gun revealed in her tight palm. She turned and went to the door armed and pissed.

"That person better have a good reason to show up here right now," muttered Tom as he poured juice for the kids.

Severin put the tray down from his hands and followed after her because he was damn-well curious to see who had the guts to visit now. It couldn't possibly be Reaper, not after what happened at the warehouse. Besides, what psychopath shows up at the front door... right?

Severin marched out of the kitchen and spotted Zero opening the front door's lock as she held the glock to the door, she turned the knob and pulled the door open. But just as the door opened far enough and she saw who it was, she quickly hid her gun behind her back and strapped it to her belt, like nothing happened. Now, Severin was even more interested.

Severin leaned over the wall a little more and saw a man. The man in front of Zero was none other than Czar Bacardi, the alpha of the White Wolf Pack. Intimidating and reserved, was what he was known for in the shifter and corporate world. Everyone knew that Czar and his wife kept a tight fist around their pack from the outside world. He wasn't a cruel pack leader from what Severin had heard through the grapevine. But from his scars that ran over his neck and hands, his green eyes were sharp and alert, he thought maybe Czar was more dangerous than he let on. Czar was a deadly alpha who was respected by the world. He reminded Severin of his own father actually.

"Zero," Czar greeted her grimly, his voice matching his troubled eyes.

"What are you doing here, Czar?" asked Zero as she let him inside.

The hall filled with Czar's deep pheromones that were potent and rich. He stood in a deep red overcoat that was trimmed with black fur around the collar and he wore a black suit underneath.

"I saw what happened on the news," he said sternly. "The fire and then at the warehouse. That was you, wasn't it?" Zero didn't answer, her seething blue eyes did. And Czar went quiet with a sigh off his lips. "Veronica was worried about you," said Czar, and at the sound of his wife's name Zero's face slightly calmed. "She sent me here to check if you're doing okay."

"I'm fine," said Zero.

Czar straightened, his broadness getting larger and he appeared taller too. "Don't lie to me, Zero," he said. "I've known you since you were nineteen, so I can tell when you're lying to me."

"Being pissed isn't going to solve anything, Czar," she told him. "Many need me right now, so I don't have time to worry about my own feelings."

Czar's jaw locked and he looked out towards the front door, which was still open. "The sanctuary," he brought up carefully. "What will you do about it now? That place was very dear to you."

That was when Severin saw dread fill up in Zero's eyes. "Nothing I can do about it yet," she said.

"You will let me know if you need any help," said Czar.

"I will," Zero answered curtly.

Czar raked a hand through his dark hair. "Be careful out there," he said before he leaned in and hugged Zero. He mumbled a few words into her ear, that Severin couldn't catch and then Zero put her hand on his back too.

Czar pulled back and then left the house. Zero locked the door then turned when she spotted Severin watching. Severin ignored the heavy air and held a warm smile to her as she sauntered over to him.

"So, are we adopting twelve orphans?" he jested. "I think we should, it'll be good for you." She stayed quiet. "They'll use up all your energy, so you won't have time to do other things."

"I would keep them," she said. "But it's not safe here anymore." She past him into the dining room.

After everyone finished lunch, Zero took the kids upstairs to the spare bedrooms and put them to bed, since they were exhausted and barely able to keep their eyes open; some of them were even nodding off at the dining table. Except Ender, who seemed lost in thought. He hadn't even touched his food and all he could do was stare at his hands the entire time. No one forced him into eating or asked what was going on when it was obvious. However, Severin was concerned that the kid was pushing himself too hard. Hopefully, some sleep will calm the boy down.

It was getting close to the evening, when Severin went up to his room to take a shower too. He had just changed and stepped out of his room when he saw Zero's bedroom door open. Through the dark room, he heard the tap water running.

Severin let himself inside and was going to knock on the bathroom door but it was left open too. Zero stood over the sink aggressively rinsing her hands with soap. She was showered and changed into a baggy t-shirt. Severin stepped closer and it seemed that Zero didn't even notice him. He reached under the cold water and grabbed onto her icy hands.

"You'll freeze your hands off," he spoke softly.

Zero's hands felt so small in his grasp. She looked up at him and then at his hands around hers. "The scent," she muttered, "it won't go away and it's driving me crazy."

Severin didn't smell anything except the jasmine hand-soap. "What scent?" he asked her.

She swallowed, her eyes closed and her tremble ran through her like it was painful to even stand. "Blood," she replied through gritted teeth. The turmoil in her eyes reflected the agony that she held inside her heart for so long.

Severin's heart felt as it was being held in a fist. "You don't smell like blood," he said as he grabbed the towel off the hook and wrapped it tightly around her hands, so they'd warm up.

Zero faced down, her hair fell in front of her face. Severin leaned in and laid a soft kiss on her cheek. She stood stiffly near him, her breath even but he swore he could hear her erratic heart hammering in the quiet room.

"You saw earlier what I did at the warehouse, right?" she broke the silence first.

"I did," he replied confidently, but for some reason felt like he shouldn't have said that.

"What did you think?" she asked.

Severin had a feeling that she was testing him. "I felt angry," he told her truthfully, and when he had, instantly he felt the way Zero toughened every muscle in her body. But Severin kept this stance and he pulled in closer when she tried to move back. "I was angry-" Severin put his hands around her nape making her look at him- "that you had to dirty your hands with the stench of pigs who dared to mess with you."

Zero's sapphire gaze gaped at him, like she never thought that he would give that type of answer. "Severin," she whispered his name which made it sound so vulnerable. "I killed those men and I will continue to do the same until I die. I need to know if you're in this with me or not. I can give you ten minutes or more to decide-" she tried to leave making Severin laugh a little.

Severin grabbed her hand. "There's no need," he said. "I've already made up my mind."

"I still believe it is good to think it through," she added.

Severin put his arm around her waist, that he could measure so well through the flimsy shirt she wore. "I'm in this until the end, Zero," he told her. "After everything I saw from the first day I came here to now. I am still right here with you. The real question is... are you?"

Zero straightened and faced him with an intense flame in her eyes. "Yes," she gave a straight answer, which was just like her to do so.

Severin hovered over Zero with a smile on his lips when he heard that. So, before Zero could tell Severin to stop, he locked their lips together and it took both of them by a storm. He devoured Zero, he skillfully studied her mouth like it was the only thing he would do. Zero pushed at Severin's shoulders but his body just wouldn't budge.

Severin's hands gripped her waist and guided her back to the empty bedroom. He already knew where the bed was, so he made sure that they both made it where they needed to be, in order to finish what they started.

Severin was on top of the bed, he ripped away the sheets and restrained her under him. Zero knew it was futile denying this, but surprisingly, she accepted it and kissed Severin back with the same feverish heat that drove them both mad.

Zero didn't even notice when Severin's hands began roaming over her sensitive body. Severin's hands pushed up Zero's shirt and without pulling away from the kiss, his hands gripped her hot supple flesh.

"Severin," Zero called out his name and it caressed his body.

Zero pushed off Severin's sweater and then eagerly her hands yearned to know what Severin would feel like. Zero raked her nails up Severin's back, the deep growl from her surprised Severin but he didn't let her stop.

Severin consumed their kiss just like his hands held Zero close to him, and then he abruptly stopped.

Severin pulled away leaving both of them gasping for air and craving more. But Severin didn't pull away, he just stopped in order to rip his damn shirt off, he peeled it over his head and let it pool on the floor. Zero couldn't look away, Severin's muscular body glimmered under the deep golden light with an enchanted spell that made anyone stare forever.

Severin was hungry to feel her skin under his hands. He caressed up her calves to her strong thighs and the shirt she wore lifted too. His breath stopped in his throat and he almost lost all control when he saw her bare core dripping wet with ecstasy for him. Severin settled between her legs and wrapped her around his waist.

Severin leaned down, his lips close to hers and he felt her erratic breath that was scorching against his smile. His hands crept up her shirt, it was as if he couldn't help himself from teasing her with his bold but leisure touch. However, Zero hadn't raised any questions. Instead she had watched with her sapphire gaze with a curious flame of arousal and mischief too.

Severin touched over her bare stomach, that was flat and had no ounce of fat, it was all muscle as it flexed under his hand. He didn't go any further to her unrestricted breasts that were still covered by the cotton shirt. He was tempted when he saw the hardened peaks through the fabric, and he was about to act on the desire, when his eyes caught something strange.

Severin bent back when he saw what his hand had touched. A dark purplish-blue mark covered the entire side of Zero's stomach. She must have gotten this bruise when she jumped out of the burning building to save the others in the fire. The large bruise had to be painful all day, but Zero hadn't showed any hint of her pain to anyone.

"Severin," Zero's voice caressed Severin.

He looked back to her gaze, but his hand gently laid over the bruise wishing he could take the pain away. Severin laid his head down on her shoulder and held for that sweet moment.

"I've never met anyone like you," he told her, that was when he felt her hands hug around him. Severin kissed down her throat and nipped her earlobe making her jolt in surprise, which made him laugh in return.

"I should be saying that," she remarked. Severin looked at her confused. "No one dared to bite me before. You're the first."

Severin's smile widened as he loomed over her body, that was rather in an erotic state right now. "Good to know," he drawled. "I get jealous really easily and to know that someone touched you irritates me."

Zero's face grew stern and she lifted her back off the bed, nearing his face with a feral glow in her eyes. "You've never met a rogue alpha before have you?" she asked him. "An alpha like me doesn't get jealous, Severin-" Zero straddled his waist and put her arms around his neck- "Alpha's get possessive of what's theirs. Since you are mine, it'd be good for you to remember that for the safety of others."

Severin's body chilled with a hot shiver. He never thought that hearing her say that he was hers would be so reverberating.

Zero then pressed her body right against his chest and his breath caught in his throat. She leaned down and kissed his neck, her hot tongue licked up the length and he nearly orgasmed from that alone.

Zero moaned softly. "You smell nice... so sweet and warm," she said.

Severin hadn't realized that his grip on her body was firm and rough. His fingers dug into her hips and he felt the slight motion of her hips stirring over him. He closed his eyes the moment her lips found his and she opened his mouth to receive her glossy tongue. Her dark and fiery taste made Severin weak to her will. He let her do what she wanted and it didn't matter what anyone thought. This woman wasn't meant to be controlled, you'd only get burnt in the process.

Slow. Slow. Slow. He repeated in his head. Fuck.

As Severin kissed her lush lips, his fingers met her molten hot core. She moaned into his mouth when he rubbed her clit. Severin worked on her sensitive nub and made Zero climb into ecstasy. Her beautiful eyes drowned in arousal and it was all for him. He fucking loved that. Severin felt the wetness of her arousal coat his fingers.

Zero looked up from her dark lashes, the eyes mirrored his arousal and hunger too. Severin pushed a finger inside and she bit her bottom lip with her sharp fangs. Severin knew that getting her to relax was going to be hard, but he also knew how to do it.

He stripped off the shirt from her and Severin softly marked all over her neck; his free hand kneaded her plump breast that overflowed his grasp, the hardened peak was sensitive. He latched his mouth onto her breasts and rolled the nub with his tongue. She whimpered and closed her eyes at the sensation. Severin continued and he bit where he could on those beautiful breasts.

He cupped her lovely breasts. "I'm going to make these so sensitive that you'll come just from me sucking them," he jested. Zero's fiery eyes glowered at him and that was when he had already inserted another finger into her wet and welcoming core.

Severin continued thrusting his fingers into her as his mouth ravaged her breasts, he loved them and he wasn't ashamed to admit it either. They were a fucking gift to devour. Severin kissed her cheek and smiled when she rocked her hips into his hand. But he wasn't going to give it so easily yet.

Severin kissed her neck. "Who do you belong to?" he asked as his fingers thrusted deeply and stayed.

Zero's wild eyes filled with lust made him see the feral beast inside her. "Wh-what?" she stuttered, which was a first.

"Who do you belong to?" he repeated.

Zero pulled back, her whole body on display as she sat back without even knowing how erotic she painted the bed right now. "Your marks are all over my body," she said. "I think it's pretty clear by now who has me."

Severin grinned. "You're always so smart with your words," he said as he gathered her close and thrusted into her core.

She gasped, arching her back as he put in another finger. He noticed the hint of blood and stiffened, but he didn't let Zero sense it. Zero never slept with anyone before, he never expected that. Except, he didn't think too much about it. The only thing he cared for was if his mate was in pain and from the sensual look in her eyes, it was clear that she was not.

Severin licked her lower lip free from her teeth. "I want to be inside you," he growled as he parted her legs further.

Severin felt himself being pushed down onto the bed. Zero sat over him with her hands doing her own exploring. Her hands roamed over his toned muscles and skin. Severin's erection strained against his pants as it ached to be inside her. But he bit his urges back and let Zero lead at her own pace. Except, it seemed she was exactly where he was.

Desperate and raw was how both of them felt right now. His desires were coated with a ravenous lust, that was only sated when he could taste her, touch her and make sure that she was lost in arousal.

Severin felt her sharp fangs on his lip, biting down just enough to hurt but feel so fucking hot. The pain shot through him right into his groin, he growled against her lips before he fisted her short hair into his hands and kissed her back with a feverish hunger.

Zero raked her sharp nails down his torso and her fingers found the band of his slacks. If Severin wasn't kissing her, then he definitely would have begged for her to rip the damn pants off him. But she was twice as fast to get the job done. She threw his pants off to the side and crawled back on top of him.

His erection strained against her thigh and she had a lustful gaze before she positioned herself over him. Severin had never seen anything so hot before. Zero slowly lowered her hips and her hot core stretched to fit him inside her body. Her arousal dripped down his long length and he could see her bare core surrounding him.

Zero fisted his shaft, and with a hard thrust, she finally fit all of him to the hilt. Both of them breathlessly fell back in ecstasy. She sat over him, straddling his waist, her hot core drenched and her body shining under the dusk light. Severin laid back, so he could see her closely and help her. But she didn't look to need it. Her eyes were focused with lust and he knew what to do for her. Severin saw how she swiped her core of his shaft, coating it with her essence. Severin threw his head back when she had done that, it was fucking hot. She moaned and saw how he had hardened to the point of terrible pain.

Severin gripped her hips, his fingers bruising her milky skin. He brought her closer and she lifted her body, the head of his shaft probed her core. Zero put her arms around his shoulders, steadying herself before she gliding down onto him.

His shaft being swallowed by her welcoming core, that quivered and devoured him. She rode him slowly, carefully getting used to his size and learning how to do it as she went. He let her do it. He sat and watched as she took her pleasure from him. Her orgasm reaching its high and so did his.

"Zero," he gritted out. "If you keep-" he was going to come inside her if she didn't stop, but his voice fell when she quickened the pace.

Zero knew what he was going through but was still relentless. The pleasure climbed and climbed before they both released at the same time. The orgasm took their breath away and their minds. Severin held her to his body when she collapsed on him.

"We didn't use a condom," he gritted out.

"It's fine," she said. "I can't have kids anyways. I suffer from a past injury that took away my ability to have children." Zero stiffened and looked at him with guilt. "I should've told you that sooner. I'm sorry-"

"There's no need to apologize," Severin's shaft hardened inside her. "But Zero... again," he growled at her.

But this time he took her. He let her have her first be the way she wanted. But now, he needed to pound hard into her core, that was oozing with the remnant of their orgasm.

Severin pushed her down onto the bed, with him still deep inside her. He thrusted hard and held her waist to keep her steady. Zero moaned and raked her long nails across his back. He latched his own teeth onto her neck, marking her again as he pounded into her core. The walls around him convulsed and he emptied again inside her.

Breathless, he pulled out and his release spilled out of her core. A darkness appeared in him and he loved that his mate had his seed in her.

"Severin," she called out.

Severin looked at her hazy eyes. She motioned for him to come to her. He did and she had kissed him. He hardened again, but this time he pumped his fist, stroking his cock over her body. She deepened the kiss and he came on top of her body. His seed coated her stomach and breasts. Her black hair wildly tousled, her skin rosy from the heat of their bodies, his teeth marked and sucked every part of her. The scent of his body was all over her, making her entirely his.

"Now, you look like mine," he growled like a predator.

Zero blushed as she licked her plump lips. Severin picked her leg and put it over his shoulder. He kissed her knee and towards her inner thigh. She watched him carefully.

"I'm going to break you," he warned as he lined his cock to her core.

"I'm not that easy to break," she moaned as he pushed inside her. "I told you, I don't need a man who isn't competent to handle-" she gasped when he thrusted deep inside her- "me."

"Competent enough for you, sweetheart?" he jested as he rocked his hips and played with her.

Zero smiled up at him. She moved her legs and turned onto her knees in front of him. "Very," she amused looking at him hotly.

Severin saw the way her back lowered and her butt raised to him, like she knew it'd kill him. Severin didn't let this chance slip out of his hands. He gave her what she needed and taking what his body begged for.

Severin thrusted into her body slowly, her body unravelled and she felt this heat just as much as he did. His gripped her plump butt, kneaded it in his rough hands and made love to her gently. They both came and both of them lost all sense of time...

After a while, they took a shower together and then Severin spent a long while kissing her and remembering every inch of her body in bed. He wanted to know where her sensitive spots were and where she was ticklish; and it was safe to say that she wasn't ticklish at all, which was no fun.

"This bed's a little small," said Severin as he laid beside her. Zero's eyes were closed and she was relaxed. "But I guess the smaller the bed the closer we are," he told her next.

"There is that," she added softly.

Severin crept over her again with a cunning grin ready to taste her again. He bent down and kissed the mark he left all over her neck and breasts. He nipped her shoulder then her throat, when she suddenly fisted his hair.

"Stop biting," she growled, "or else I might put a muzzle on you."

Severin chuckled. "I have a better solution," he retorted. "Kiss me." She lifted slightly and kissed him hard with her tongue.

Severin's arousal exploded in the room marking her with his pheromones. He moaned into her mouth and cupped her heavy breasts.

Suddenly, a muffled tune rang through the room. Both of them froze and looked at the door.

"What was that?" Severin asked and regretted even doing that.

Zero's entire demeanour changed. She got off the bed leaving Severin all disappointed by himself. She unhooked a black robe off the cabinet and covered her body with it. The black silk fell around her feet and hid her for the most part. Severin imagined taking the silk off her, but he held that daydream back for now.

Severin got up and followed her after he put on his discarded pants and shirt with the sweater. Severin reached the bottom of the stairs in a haste when he saw Zero going to the front door alone.

Someone was here, but who? wondered Severin.

Zero opened the door and two familiar faces stood there. It was Tyler and Darren who looked exhausted, which was to be expected, especially for Tyler who had lost his mate. Severin had seen firsthand what that did to a person.

Zero let them inside.

"Where are the kids?" Darren asked as soon as the door closed.

"They're asleep," Zero told them.

"We saw what happened at the warehouse on the news," said Darren. "You rescued them from that place, right?"

Zero straightened and she didn't answer, instead her rigid demeanour had. Severin neared and stood beside her, while locking eyes with Darren who held a melancholy expression. Tyler stood mute with his bloodshot red eyes.

"Are any of the kids hurt?" Darren asked then. "Did they eat?"

"They aren't hurt," Severin told them. "And we made sure to feed them before they went to bed."

Darren grew quiet again as his frown deepened. "Zero," he called out. "Are you going after the one who did this?"

A heavy silence passed between them that brewed like a storm.

Severin didn't know if the other two sensed it, but he knew the moment Zero had hung those corpses off the warehouse wall that she had already decided to hunt Reaper. There was no need to worry anymore, thought Severin. Reaper may have started this game, but Zero wasn't playing with him. She was coming straight for the kill.

"Darren," a small voice interrupted them.

Severin and the rest of them turned only to find Ender holding onto the stair railing with a desolate expression on his small face.

"Ender," Darren's face eased with a relieved smile. "You're safe. We thought- we all thought- you-" he couldn't muster up the words, but they all knew what he wanted to say.

Ender trudged down the stairs but didn't close the distance between them. "Is everyone really dead?" his small voice was weak.

None of them knew how to answer him.

"Our home," his voice cracked. "Was our home taken from us?"

Severin's heart squeezed at the sight of the anguish in Ender's hallow green eyes. They grew lifeless as he stood in front of them.

Suddenly, the air in the room shifted and it was Zero who had moved towards Ender. Her resilient eyes on the boy as she showed him who he had on his side.

Zero bent down onto one knee. "You haven't lost your home," she reassured.

Ender's tears trickled down his cheeks. "Did everyone die because of me?" he asked her. "Because I was in those cages and those men wanted me back."

"No," Zero said firmly. "Those men were cowards who only pick fights with innocent people. You are not in the wrong, son."

Ender's sobbing grew and he hid his face behind his small hands. But it wasn't Zero who comforted him, instead Tyler had rushed to the boy and took him in his arms only to start crying too. Darren joined and it seemed the three of them and the rest of the survivors were the only ones to live on in the honour of Maya's sanctuary.

Zero stayed beside them like she was guarding the three of them as they showed their vulnerable side.

"I will bring you to a home again," said Zero gently. "That's a promise." The three of them finally relaxed at her words.

Severin hadn't realized that his eyes had filled with tears too. There was a turmoil in Zero's eyes that told Severin exactly the reason she lived all her life alone. She was a fighter who protected innocent people, however she was also a target to darkness. He finally understood why she hadn't marked him or ever raised the question to do it, it was because she could see how miserable people are when their loved one's die. She lived that pain and she never wanted Severin to go through that. He got that now.

However, Zero didn't know that he had already lived that pain. He understood all four of these people better than anyone. Severin lost his mother and saw his family break in front of him, and he had no power to save them. A silence entered their house when their mom who was the light had died. Severin knew the loss and the sadness. The only difference was that Severin hid all that pain behind a smile. Maybe, he wasn't so different from Zero who does the same.

After a while, Ender had fallen asleep in Tyler's arms. However, Zero anchored the boy in her grasp and picked him off the floor taking him to the couch with her. She sat down with Ender resting on her lap and exhausted from the long day, which caught up to him now once his feelings were off his chest.

Severin found himself watching his mate simply protecting the boy in her arms.

"You two stay the night," Zero whispered so she wouldn't wake up the kid. "I will take you to your new home tomorrow."

Darren and Tyler exchanged a wary look. "What about the sanctuary?" asked Darren. "Will you build it again?"

Zero's lip cocked a smirk. "Of course, I will build it again," she declared.

"We want to go there too," added Darren.

"You can decide that for when it's ready again," said Zero. "For now, I need you all to be safe. And coming here without protection wasn't wise." She chided them like she was their older sister and the boys had done something reckless. Severin almost laughed at the guilty look on the men's faces.

"I want to go back to the sanctuary, Zero," Tyler finally spoke up, his voice hoarse from crying. "Hagen dedicated her life there and I want to feel her again."

Zero's face creased with agony for him. "She lives even now, Tyler. In these kids and in us, she is still with us. All who we lost are alive in our hearts." Some relief showed on Tyler's face.

Zero got to her feet with Ender in her arms. "I'm going to put him to bed," she said. "You two come too. I will show you your bed for tonight." The two men followed her leaving Severin seated on the couch alone.

A breath released from him and his chest finally felt a little lighter, like a bolder lifted off of him. Severin raked his tousled hair and hoped he didn't have all his emotions written on his face. He sat in the empty room with his mind and heart raging with the memories of his mother. He had shut that part of himself down a long time ago, and now, being amongst people who shared that pain brought that sadness back.

He didn't know how much time had passed with him lost in his thoughts, when the silence broke with the sound of the phone ringing. Severin looked at the phone on the counter and answered it when he recognized the number. He couldn't believe the timing of his father who knew exactly when to call.

"Hello," Severin said.

"You didn't answer your cell," said his dad. "How are you and Tom? How's Zero?"

Severin lost his voice in front of his father. "Um-" his throat squeezed and he stopped the tears in his eyes. Severin covered the mic and cleared his throat. "I take it you saw the news," he presumed.

"I did," his dad replied. "I still can't believe it."

A silence drifted between them and it was like his father took that moment to pray for those who went through this tragedy.

"Dad," Severin's heart squeezed and he closed his eyes. "You know- um- Tom and I love you, right."

"And I love you both too," his dad answered. "Take care of Zero, okay. Maya's sanctuary was everything to her."

"I will," Severin said firmly.

"Good," his dad smiled, Severin could feel it through the phone. "I will call you tomorrow and make Zero call me too."

Severin chuckled. "It's impossible to make her do anything," he confessed.

"She'll listen to you," his dad believed. "And now that I'm her father-in-law, she has to call me on time more often."

Severin forgot that ache in his heart and started to laugh more. "I will make sure to tell your daughter-in-law that," he promised.

Both of them cut the phone and Severin went upstairs to find his mate.

He saw Zero standing in the room with all the kids on the huge bed laid out beside each other. "Dad called," he told her.

Zero looked his way with a warmth in her eyes. "What did he say?" she asked.

Severin left the grim part out. "He said to tell his daughter-in-law to pick up the phone and call him," he jested.

Zero's eyes widened. "You told him about the bond?" she astonished.

He leaned on the door frame facing her. "Was I not supposed to do that?" he asked.

"Didn't he get mad?" she said. "I doubt anyone would be happy to have me in their-" she froze from her own words.

Severin moved forward and she stepped back far enough to hit the wall. Severin caged her in his arms. "Dad was bursting with joy when he found out about our bond," he made sure she heard him loud and clear. "Welcome to the Salvatore family, sweetheart." Severin leaned in and kissed his mate leaving her panting.

Zero suddenly hugged him. "I've fallen in love with you, Severin," she confessed. Severin grew stiff as a statue when she had said that. He squeezed his arms around her with no wish to let her go. "Get some rest," she told him before she pulled away hiding her face and left the house through the front door locking it behind her.

He didn't follow because he knew she wouldn't like it. Severin went to her bedroom and saw how the sheets were on the floor and the shirt she had on were still there too. All the memories of their mating came back and he wished Zero hadn't left, so he could revive all those moments again. However, Severin laid on her bed and waited for her when she was ready to come back.

Severin didn't know when he had fallen asleep. But it was sudden when his eyes opened and he faced the starry night sky through the barred window. Through the slight chilly breeze, he heard the lovely howl of a wolf.

That sweet howl called for Severin and he got out of bed without hesitation. Walking through the grand house, he went to the front door in search of the howl and saw a phenomenal sight.

In the darkness of the night the forest surrounding the house resembled shadows. The silver glint of the moon shined over the deep green grass, and in the centre prowled a regal black wolf. The breeze carried the wolf's powerful scent and it emanated through the entire area warning all other predators to stay away.

Zero was guarding the house all night and she would continue to guard it.

So, Severin took a seat on the porch steps and watched her stalk around her territory protecting all the members in the house.

Severin chest filled with pride at the thought that she was his mate. She told him that she had fallen in love with him. But Severin could say with confidence that he was already in love with her the day he met her.

"I love you too," he professed.

As a harsh breeze arrived through the forest, it felt like it carried his confession straight to the wolf. The black beast turned her head towards him and her ears perked up with those icy-blue eyes blazing brightly in the dark. Zero's wolf crossed the space and marched straight to where he was seated.

"Hi, beautiful," he greeted Zero's wolf for the first time and he wasn't timid at all. He put his hand on her neck, which wolves never allowed the privilege of to anyone. But it seemed Zero's wolf welcomed his touch. "You like to cuddle, unlike someone else we both know," he jested and right away in those blue eyes he saw Zero's glare peek through, which made him laugh.

Severin kissed the wolf's soft snout and her pink tongue licked his hand and then his neck. Her strong paws shifted on his legs and he combed his fingers through the thick coat of fur, which was rich like silk.

"When will you come to bed?" he asked Zero. The wolf stayed quiet and so did Zero. She only nudged him to go inside the house already.

Severin stared directly into those fierce eyes, which was not a good idea because that usually signalled to a challenge to an alpha wolf. However, between mates that wasn't what happened. When Severin stared into his mate's eyes, their bond grew stronger and a lot deeper, like it was being sanctified under the moon.

"I'll wait for you in bed," he told her since it seemed she needed to see him in the house safe and sound. So, he didn't fight her. "Now, give me a goodnight's kiss," he motioned to his cheek and waited. He peeked at her and saw a serious glower on the wolf's face. "Come on," he urged. "Otherwise, I will sit here all night and probably catch a cold too just because you didn't give me one."

The wolf grumbled and leaned in licking Severin's cheek a little, and then, she nudged him to go inside already.

Severin got to his feet and went inside to his bedroom, since he was frozen to the bone and needed a warmer blanket than the one Zero had in her own room.

Severin tried his best to fall asleep, but his eyes were alert as day. His body on the other hand was exhausted and he couldn't move a muscle. He stayed under the duvet for however long, until he saw a golden light peek over the horizon.

Daybreak had arrived. The house was simmering with silence, only the birds outside could be heard right now, and that was when, Severin heard the door open and close. Zero had returned to the house.

Severin closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep only hoping that Zero would search for him and come here.

Severin waited a short while, when the door to his room crept open. He sensed his mate and her scent with the slight aroma of forest pine and the morning dew on her. Severin bit back his smile as he felt the duvet lift and his mate crawling into bed with him.

Zero released a comforting sigh when she pressed closer to him. She put her arm around his waist and tangled her legs with his. Severin found her adorable and almost hugged her. But he wanted to see what else she'd do while his guard was lowered.

Zero took a moment taking deep breathes memorizing his scent. She laid her head on his chest and she calmed in his arms, like she was finding solace in him. And she had found it, when her body relaxed beside him and she had fallen asleep.

Severin opened his eyes then looking down at his sweet mate who was a hero to the world. But to him, he could see the delicate woman who stayed resilient for others. She must be exhausted after what had happened but she never showed that to others, because it would remind them that she was in fact mortal, like the rest of them who had a heart and soul. As tough as she was, she also needed space to rest.

Severin put his arms around her and pulled her closer. He promised today that he would be that space for her to rest and let every wall of hers down to be herself. Everyone needed Zero, but Severin wanted to be the one Zero needed. He would become her home.