Severin awoke with a jolt.

Clouded memories flooded his head and he felt the sharp pain in front of his eyes.

What the hell happened? Severin thought to himself. He couldn't remember until he tried to move his limbs and it felt as if they were made from concrete and submerged under water. He forced his eyes open to face the sunlight, when he came to focus he realized that the ceiling over him wasn't the one he recognized. He wasn't in Zero's house right now. A sudden rush of dread climbed in and that pushed him to get up from the bed.

"Be careful," a voice said in a rushed warning.

Severin looked up and saw Elijah getting off the chair. Elijah's stern expression was enough to tell Severin it wasn't good. That was when Severin's ears picked up the slow monitor sounds and bustling voices outside the door.

Severin closed his eyes tightly and rubbed the ache in his head when his hand brushed a cloth wrapped around his head. Hospital. Reaper. Zero; his head screamed those three words at him and his heart sank.

"Where's Zero and Tom?"

"Elijah, do you want grape or cherry?" Tom's voice neared as the door opened. Tom met his brother's eyes. "You're awake," he said in relief.

Severin rushed off the bed not thinking of the consequences that his body was still drowsy, but his brother caught him. "Are you hurt?" he asked not being able to hide his panic. He searched his brother and there were no bandages or wounds.

"I'm fine," Tom reassured him. "You're the one with stitches."

Severin didn't care about that. He hugged Tom tightly, taking in his brother's familiar lean body and fresh scent that always reminded Severin of his mom.

"We're all fine, Severin," said Tom. "We all walked out of that attack better than fine actually, it was only-" his voice fell and a rigid shock appeared in Tom, Severin felt it through the embrace.

"I need to go to her," he said.

"She's asleep," said Elijah.

Severin didn't care, he needed to see her right now. But when he moved towards the door, the sharp pain in his head blurred his eyes. Tom supported him quickly and seated him back on the bed.

"Stop being stubborn," Tom scolded. "Eat something and then go to her. She needs her rest too, Severin." That stopped Severin in his tracks. Tom was right. Zero needed rest after what she went through.

Severin may have taken a seat on the bed but he hadn't relaxed at all. His muscles were tense like stretched elastic ready to be released any second. He couldn't bring himself to think about what Zero went through after the accident.

"Was this Reaper's doing?" he asked.

Elijah looked up at him with vengeful eyes. "Yeah," he grumbled.

Severin let out a deep breath despite wanting to punch the fucking wall. "What did he do?"

"He captured Zero and then beat her up," said Elijah, the room drowned in a heavy silence that it was almost touchable. "He drugged Zero too-"

Severin's blood turned cold. "What?" He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Elijah dropped his head in his hands. "He used some drug that repressed her wolf," he gritted out. "I've never seen Zero in so much pain before-" the silence in the room returned but all Severin could hear was his heart thundering in his ears.

His mate was in so much pain. Severin's chest ached and he felt his eyes sting. "How- um," he couldn't find himself forming words- "how'd she escape?"

"I called alpha Gabriel," said Elijah. "He saved her."

Severin drew in a shaky breath. "Is he here too?" he asked.

"He was here all night with Zero. His pack was guarding the hospital," Tom explained as he ate the grape jelly.

As extreme as that sounded, Severin was glad that Gabriel took those measures, because right now Zero was defenceless and Reaper was a maniac to attack her no matter what.

"What are we going do?" he asked aloud, although that question was only for him. What were they going to do to keep Zero safe from Reaper?

"We can't do anything," said Tom.

"That's not true," disagreed Elijah. "I'm going to cut Reaper's balls off and feed them to him the next time I see his ugly face." Tom let out a laugh and funny enough Severin found himself smiling too.

Severin got off the bed and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up...

He saw his clothes from yesterday folded on the counter and put them on after his shower. He felt sick to his stomach when he put the old shirt back on himself because they were tainted with horrible memories.

Was this how his father felt when he had had an accident and he met Zero the first time? wondered Severin. Zero saved his father and now she saved him and Tom. How much debt would the Salvatore family owe to the rogue alpha? How much did the world owe her?

Severin let his wet hair sit back from his face, it dripped on the collar of his shirt which soaked the water quickly. He left the bathroom and Elijah was finishing off the cherry jelly with Tom.

"Take me to her," he said.

Elijah put his food down and got up to take him. They had only crossed two doors when Elijah brought Severin to a glass window and behind they all expected to see Zero, but they only found tousled bed sheets and an empty room.

"What the fuck-" Elijah astonished. "She was here ten minutes ago."

Of course, thought Severin. His mate would never stay in bed. "What's the time?" he asked.

"Six thirty," said Tom.

Severin looked at the empty room and realized that Zero hated being trapped here. She wasn't going to heal behind these four walls. "Where's the elevator?" he asked them.

Tom pointed straight ahead and Severin went alone this time. He knew his mate was where there would be strong winds and the sky for her to stretch herself and relax without eyes on her.

Severin entered the elevator and pressed the rooftop button. He leaned back and waited until the door pinged open to the massive garden on the roof.

Severin stepped out to face the crisp morning air and bright sun gleaming in the sky. The entire area was created to wind down and relax, with lots of flowers and greenery. Many benches and tables were set up as well.

No one was here this early, except one woman who instead of resting was hanging upside with all her weight on her hands, and her legs held straight up in the air. Sweat dripped down her face and onto the floor, a pained expression marred her face but she wasn't looking at the floor beneath her, she was lost in thought that she didn't see him.

"Shouldn't you be resting," said Severin breaking her concentration.

Zero didn't break formation though. Her eyes shut tightly and she let out a harsh breath before she collapsed onto the floor. "This was never hard before," she growled as her chest fell and rose heavily. Her lips were pale but her cheeks were red as blood had rushed to her head.

"What are you doing?" he asked her. "Pushing your body and breaking it are two different things, Zero."

Zero sat up and faced him. "It's still inside me," her voice was poisonous. "I can feel the poison tainting my veins, eating me."

"Elijah told me," his voice was too stern for his own liking.

Zero pushed her wet hair back and her sapphire eyes gleamed with a feral hunger to kill. "I'm just glad this drug isn't addicting," she confessed. "I need to sweat this out of my body, it's the only way."

Severin bent down and joined her on the ground. "A sauna would work just fine too," he said.

Zero shook her head. "Being in a room is irritating," she said. "What about you? How are you feeling?"

Severin couldn't tell her the truth, that his heart was breaking seeing her look as fragile as glass. She had bruises and cuts all over her pretty face, which would heal. But what about the scars on her heart or mind, would they heal? he wondered.

"I never thanked you for saving dad. Now, you saved my brother and I," he said.

Zero's expression stayed the same. "It sure doesn't feel that way," she said. "I feel like I dragged you in this mess."

"If you're going to say it's your fault you might was well stop here," he said. "Reaper's to blame not you."

Zero's eyes showed her gentle expression, although her strong jaw was held in a tight lock. Her gaze drifted off his eyes and to the bandage wrapped around his head. A torrent of angst melted the gentle kindness in her eyes.

"Did seeing me get hurt bother you?" Her eyes finally met his. He didn't see irritation, anger or even sadness. But he saw relief, even calmness.

"I haven't even marked you," she said as her hand touched his cheek, "and here you go getting yourself marked by someone else."

Severin smiled, he loved this woman. "You're welcome to mark me any time, baby," he said as he leaned into her touch.

"Stop pushing or I might do it in a way that it'll hurt you."

"We'll talk this out in bed later," he teased.

Zero let out a laugh and looked away with a blush on her cheeks and if he could capture this moment he would. A sense of relief washed over him that he got her to smile. This was how he loved spending his time with her, not worrying over their lives every time they stepped out the door.

"I'm not allowed to stop you," said Severin, pain etched his voice. "You never marked me, so I can't-" Zero's face said it all. She had no answer to this either. Severin leaned back looking out to the garden view of the hospital. "I can't tell you to stop and be with me, so we can build a life together. I can't do that because I'm not the only person that needs you," he said calmly although his heart was crumbling apart.

"I told you this before we mated, Severin," she said. "I won't choose."

"I know," said Severin.

"But I promised you something else as well and that was to keep you safe," said Zero. "I won't fail, but I can't do this if you don't trust me."

"I trust you," said Severin without hesitation. I trust you more than anyone else on this planet. So, I will love you with everything I have even if I'm scared, because that's all I can do for you.

Zero's lips lifted and she smiled softly. "I love you," she said firmly. "I love you, Severin Salvatore."

Severin smiled at her then too and gathered her into his arms. They sat like that for a long time, with no other worry in the world. Both of them soaked in the warmth from each other.

Severin then heard a low howl in his head, that awakened his wolf to emerge. His wolf prowled to the melancholy sound of his mate. Zero's wolf was calling out to them and telling them that she was trapped. Severin didn't know how else to comfort her wolf, but his wolf was already bonding through their scents and easing the pain Zero's wolf felt in isolation.

Zero's grip on his shirt tightened and her breathing grew harsh. "Your wolf," she moaned out. She brought her head into his neck and sought comfort or pleasure from his pheromones.

Severin's heart hammered when her teeth grazed his skin softly and her hot breath tingled on his throat. They needed a room otherwise whoever came to the garden was going to be in for a surprise.

Severin pulled both of them on their feet and guided Zero to the elevator, since her attention was on something else entirely.

What are you doing? Severin asked his wolf.

Bringing my mate back, his wolf answered.

By seducing her, said Severin.

His wolf had a cunning expression. The only way to bring out her animal is to remind her she is one.

The elevator doors closed and Severin met Zero's ferocious need to kiss right now. He felt the way her lips fused to his, reminding him how much he was made to be with her and she was his. Her body fit into his and she held him tightly to her. Severin caged her against the wall finding steadiness, his hands gripping her round hips and he deepened the kiss with his tongue locking with hers.

Zero wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her. But that was when he tasted the iron flavour and realized the cut on her lip had torn and he stiffened.

"Don't stop," her voice was low with arousal.

Severin's entire body beckoned to her call and even rationality left his head when her parted lips tempted him. He laid a hand on her stomach and held her against the wall, he eyed her mouth with hunger before he licked the cut on her bottom lip. Her blood burst in his mouth and the hot rush went straight to his throbbing erection.

"We need a room," he growled.

Zero reached behind him and hit something, he didn't know what it was, but then the elevator jerked to a stop and the lights turned off only to blinking red light. He saw his mate's figure and her blue eyes under that light, she looked hot as sin. He peeled away from her lips only to lock his teeth onto her neck and he bit down marking her wherever he could. Zero combed her fingers through his hair and held him to her throat.

"I want you in me," she said as her fingers tightened in his hair. Zero lifted her leg and wrapped it over his waist. "Now."

Severin's body trembled from the sensual whisper she spoke to him with that he didn't notice her unbuckling his pants, but he let her do that and get it out of their way. He then bent down only to put his arms under her hips and he hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around him and he only had a second to realize that her dripping wet core was exposed to him.

"Fuck," he breathed in and out reminding himself that he had to otherwise he'd forget.

Zero's scent exploded in the small chamber and that riled his wolf. Both of them were riding on the rush of their slick bodies connecting. Severin didn't need to waste a second nor did he need to see what he was doing. He knew his mate's body and he knew how to give her what she needed.

Zero threw her head back when his hard shaft slid into her core, which was pulsing around him. He fell against her and almost came from the way her core swallowed him whole. He pulled out and just before he was out of her completely, he thrusted into her core as hard as he could. Animal with animal, was how this felt. All boundaries shattered between them and they gave in to their carnal urge to consume the other.

She rode the wave of pleasure with him and both of them released together more than once. It was like they were thrown out of a hurricane after that. His head was fuzzy and so was hers. Both of them held the other as their lungs begged for air. He was still deep inside her, hard but satisfied to be in her and had given her what her wolf needed.

"My wolf is back," her voice was hoarse.

Severin opened his eyes and met her alert gaze, that was a lot more focused. "Isn't this better than working-out?" he jested.

Zero pressed closer to him. "Yeah," she sounded like she was laughing from her tone.

Severin kissed her lips and felt her smile, that alone was enough to thicken his blood and his shaft. "We can't take this elevator hostage," he said as he kissed up her neck.

Zero moaned and tightened around his shaft making him lurch forward in hot pain and pleasure. "Once more," she tempted as she brought him to her lips again. Her tongue met his and he forgot about everything again...

"Where the hell were you?" Elijah scolded when Zero came back to their room.

Severin and Zero shared a knowing look, but none of them could find the voice to respond.

"You two hungry?" Tom asked from the bed.

Zero moved around Elijah and grabbed the jelly from Tom. "Are you alright?" she asked him.

"I'm fine," he answered as Severin sat down too. "You're looking better too. Seems like Severin knew what he was doing."

Zero grinned. "He sure did," she said. Severin laughed internally but tried his best to keep his face stern- it didn't work.

"Zero," Elijah's voice was strict. "What about the drug in your system? How will you handle that?"

Zero's plastic spoon froze in the bowl of blue jelly. "I don't know," she told him. "But for now, it seems the drug has lost its affect. I can feel my wolf again, so that's all that matters."

"How's the possible?" Elijah asked.

Zero looked at Severin. "I trusted my mate," she said and Severin smiled at her.

"That's not a good enough answer for me," groused Elijah as he crossed his arms.

Zero rolled her eyes. "Stop pestering me," she said. "Let's get out of here. I hate hospitals."

They got up and left the room, only to be stopped by Dr. Stone. She was furious that none of them were in bed. However, her anger dimmed in front of Zero who didn't need to say a word about her decision. She lifted a brow and the doctor and her team and they all silenced.

"Thank you for helping us," Zero said formally before she went quiet at the next presence who arrived.

Gabriel Centauri walked into the hospital with his enforcers Azura, River and Ryder.

"Let her go, Dr. Stone," said Gabriel. "Zero won't listen to anyone even if it's for her own good."

"I'm glad you know," Zero remarked.

Gabriel stood in front of them after Dr. Stone and her team left. "You look better than yesterday," he said.

Zero nodded. "I feel better," she told him and that was when Azura stepped forward and placed a long black coat over Zero's shoulders.

"We will escort you home," said Gabriel.

"No," said Zero. "You did enough for me already. Go home and protect your territory from Reaper."

"This isn't up for debate, Zero," affirmed Gabriel. "The car's ready for you." He turned on his feet and held his arm out for Zero to walk ahead.

Zero gave in. She walked ahead and when they passed the doors they were standing with more wolves from the Centauri pack and Iron Blood pack too. Reaper would never understand this. True loyalty that wasn't out of fear but admiration.

In the black Range Rover, everyone got in behind Zero. River drove and Gabriel sat beside him. Everyone followed behind them. Severin then felt a knife twist inside his gut when he remembered his words from earlier. I'm not allowed to stop you. You never marked me. He wasn't wrong, but he felt ashamed to ever have that thought.

Too many people needed Zero for him to ask her to stop what she did. As many people hunted her, there were a lot more who would die protecting her. How was he going to make this right? He thought about that the whole ride home.

"Thanks for dropping us off," Zero said to Gabriel and Isaiah was with them when they got out of the cars in front of her house.

"No need to thank us," said Isaiah. "Just take care of yourself."

Zero patted Isaiah's back supportively. "Yeah, I will," she sighed. "Go home now. I'm tired and don't need you all crowding my ass."

"Wow," muttered Ryder. "She's still savage even after almost dying-"

"What'd you say?" Zero snipped back.

"Nothing," Ryder retorted as he hid behind his brother, but Severin had a feeling that wasn't going to protect him. Zeiden, Ronin and the others were snickering at the poor guy.

"We're off then," Gabriel said. "You take care, Zero." He stepped in front of Severin and his golden eyes bore into his.

Severin really didn't know what to expect to hear from him, so he spoke first; "Thank you for helping her," he said.

"Just returning the favour," said Gabriel. "Don't be too worried about what happened."

Severin stiffened. "How'd you know that I was worried?" he asked.

"I'm a mate to someone too," he said. "I know what it's like when all you want to do is keep her safe."

"Thank you," said Severin and he meant it. He really needed to know that he wasn't the only person going insane right now.

The Centauri pack and Iron Blood pack all left and Severin returned to the house with Zero and the others. But the morning had just begun and he needed to get to work today despite almost being assassinated.

Elijah was pestering Zero to take the medication Dr. Stone prescribed and go to bed right away. However, when did Zero ever listen to anyone. She told them that she was fine and she needed to workout. Tom was yawning as they bickered and clearly was a ready to fall asleep for the next twelve hours.

"Okay, kids, calm down," Severin stepped between them. "We'll be here all day if it was up to you two." Tom chuckled at Elijah's glower. "Let's freshen up and eat some breakfast."

Tom stretched his arms high in the air. "I'm off to bed-"

"No, you're not," Severin said. "We're going to work."

Tom groaned and dragged his feet to his room. He was so dramatic, just like their dad. Elijah rushed upstairs to shower and get ready for breakfast.

"You're going to work today?" said Zero.

Severin faced her. "I need to," he answered. "But you don't need to come with me. I think you should just rest."

"No, I will come with you," said Zero.

"I doubt Reaper will attack me at the company," said Severin. "Besides, I'm sure he's crawled back into whatever hole he came out of."

Zero went quiet and turned away to go upstairs. Severin was caught off guard that she agreed so quickly.

"What are you planning, sweetheart?" he asked as he followed behind her.

"Nothing," she replied.

"That's scarier," he muttered. She went turned towards her room, but he caught her hand and took her to his room instead.

Severin and Zero took a shower together and he got out first to get ready for work. His body still ached from every angle, the warm water soothed him, but it wasn't smart exerting himself while being with Zero. Although, he had relaxed a lot more since this morning.

He wore a black suit and ditched the tie and vest for today. Severin also called Skyler and told him that he was coming soon. But right now, Severin needed some strong coffee to wake himself up.

Zero walked out of the bathroom in a long robe that she didn't bother tying up. A towel was in her hand tumbling through her short hair and over her closed eyes. But contrasting against the white robe and bronze skin were series of bruises on her rib cage and legs. There was no spot that wasn't tarnished purplish black on her lovely body.

"If you keep staring at me like that don't blame me for what happens next," she said nonchalantly.

Severin stepped in front of her fully clothes and his hands slipped under her robe on her waist over the bruises. She opened her bright eyes from under her wet bangs and lashes and looked at him smiling down at her.

"You're the one walking out naked when you know how much I love your body," he said as his hands roamed around to her back and down over her curved butt. He pressed her close to him and their bodies melted into one another like two flames.

Zero's lip lifted into a smirk. "You could just stay here," she baited.

All willpower flew out the window. He kissed her lips softly; "You're going to have to try harder than that to keep me here," he retorted.

Zero ran a hand threw her hair and held a stern look. "Never mind, have a great day," she patted his shoulder and walked out of the room. Severin laughed and went downstairs instead of following Zero to her closet.

Tom and Elijah came to kitchen too and were preparing breakfast. Severin went straight to the coffee pot before anything and poured himself a full cup. He really needed that shot of caffeine if he was going to get through this day.

Tom spread strawberry jam on the square piece of golden toast. "Is Zero coming with us?" he asked before he took a bite.

"No," said Severin. "She needs to rest."

Severin didn't see it since his eyes were on the plate in front of him, but he felt Elijah and Tom share a wary glance with each other. Even Severin sounded confident that nothing would happen, but what choice did they have. Zero wasn't fit to stay on her feet all day, even if she appeared perfectly fine. But Severin could feel it through their bond that she was still weak and in a lot of pain.

Zero didn't join them for breakfast, but Elijah saved her a sandwich when she arrived later. Her complexion was a bit pale from earlier and she looked exhausted.

Severin went up to her and felt her forehead which was burning a bit too high. "You were fine earlier," he said. "What'd you do?" That was when he saw her workout gear. "Elijah, get her meds and that sandwich."

"When do you leave?" she asked as she faced him and Tom.

"We're leaving now," said Severin. "But I think I should cancel-"

"No-" she said. "Elijah will join you two."

"I will?" Elijah asked as he returned with the two blue pills and a sandwich.

Zero grabbed the pills and didn't reach for the water, she swallowed them on their own. Severin grabbed the sandwich and forced it in her hand.

"Eat," he affirmed softly.

She took a bite. "I'll walk you out," she said.

They went to the garage and Zero grabbed a particular key that sat alone on the hooks. She pressed the button and a gunmetal grey van blinked alive, it had black tinted windows.

"You'll take this car," she said.

"Are you sure that's not a tank?" said Tom.

"It's bulletproof," Zero revealed.

The three men gaped at her. Elijah grabbed the keys and was eager to get inside the car and Tom was too. Severin lingered back with her and didn't say a word because he had a feeling she wasn't in the mood to hear his protests.

"Make sure not to get into too much trouble with all of us gone," Severin said to her.

Zero bit into her sandwich and shrugged. "That's if the city sleeps, which is unlikely," she said.

Severin caressed her cheek. "I'll be back before noon," he said.

"Don't be worried," said Zero. "I'll have eyes on the streets and on you."

"I'm not worried for myself," he told her. "Get some sleep, baby." He kissed the temple of her head and got in the car with the others.

Elijah drove out of the garage and they left Zero standing alone in the house. Severin was restless the entire drive to work. Tom was in the back seat reading a book and Elijah was driving patiently through the city traffic.

They arrived in no time and Severin and Tom went into the building that was like their second home, but Elijah was a bit caught off guard.

"He looks horrified," said Tom.

"Elijah, come on," urged Severin.

"You work here?" he astounded as he craned his head back to get a look at the massive building.

Tom and Severin shared a confused look. "Where else did you think we worked?" said Severin.

Elijah frowned and he looked at them. "This is uncomfortable," he announced. "I don't fit here."

Severin met his friend's earnest eyes, that were paler than usual. "You fit with us," he said and Elijah's eyes softened. "Never say that again."

"Come on," said Tom happily.

Severin could see that Elijah swallowed all his thoughts down and followed Tom's lead into the building. But it was obvious that Elijah wanted to do nothing more than to crawl under a rock. They greeted their employees as they passed by the cafe and towards the elevator.

Once they arrived on the top floor, Skyler was waiting with Noah for them. The meeting of the morning had already begun and Severin walked inside with the others following him. And just like that he was in one meeting after the other.

There wasn't a single moment that Severin could take to relax. The final meeting of the day just ended and he stood with Skyler and Noah going through the presentation's documents. Tom was already with the legal team and Elijah was standing outside the boardroom probably scaring the everyone with his stern expression.

"We have two other meetings and then a conference call," Noah reminded them.

Severin looked up at the clock and saw it was well past lunchtime. "Push them back an hour," said Severin. "I need lunch." Skyler and Noah walked off in agreement.

He put the files down and pinched the bridge of his nose hoping the pain would lessen- it didn't. He had taken off the bandage and his hair covered the stitches, but he felt them more now that his head was hurting.

Lia popped her head inside the room. "Sir, you have someone here that wishes to speak to you," she said.

"Tell them I'm not available," said Severin.

Lia looked bewildered. "She's kind of scary," she whispered to him.

Severin lifted his head and stared at her confused. "Scarier than Elijah?" he asked her and Lia nodded immediately.

Severin agreed and Lia had called the visitor inside, that was when the air sucked out of his lungs and he forgot all about the pain in his head.

Zero was dressed in a satin dress that matched her black nylon tights, with the leather jacket he bought her when he was back home. She walked powerfully in black heels and her sapphire gaze locking onto him like a predator would its prey. Lia closed the door behind her and left them alone in the room.

"I don't remember seeing a meeting with you on my schedule," he said as she stood on the other side of the room but compared to her the room felt small. He felt her intensity from that far.

"Under our special circumstance, I thought you could make an exception," she retorted.

Special circumstance, he laughed at that. "What can I help you with?" he asked.

"I'm looking for someone to share a proposition with," she said, and Severin had never seen her play coy before.

Severin's ears perked. "Proposition?" he asked. "What do I have that the great executioner needs?"

Zero leaned back, perching herself on the glass table in front of him, she crossed her legs at the knee. "Maya's sanctuary," she said. "I want to build it again."

Severin dropped all acts. "You built that with my dad though," he said. "I thought you'd want to discuss this with him-"

"I'm not here to make a deal with your dad," she interrupted him. "You are already taking the reins for the family business. So, I think it's only proper for me to offer this deal to the new boss."

He pressed the red button on his phone. "Lia, don't let anyone into my office," he told her and the blinds shut too.

"Yes, sir," her voice perched back.

Severin stood to his feet and he came over to her. "Unlike my dad, I'm hard to bargain with," his voice was low and hot.

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement," said Zero.

Severin inched closer, between her legs he settled himself. His hands ached up her thighs and the satin dress that did nothing to protect her from him. Her scent was fresh as morning air and just as strong to his body, it called to him and sucked his senses out of control. He put his lips right above hers and felt the tension swim between them, it was as if tangible and real. His hands trailed up her thighs and gripped them hard. She let out a sound and his body thundered alive responding to her needs and his own.

Severin kissed down her throat, her scent sweetened and she raked her fingers into his hair. He moaned at the sensation of her hands on him. "I want to take this dress off you," he whispered.

Zero's low laugh crawled over his body right to his shaft that was hardening by the second. She kissed his lips softly like she was giving permission to do what he wanted. That was very dangerous because he wasn't thinking like a gentleman at all.

The soft kiss turned feral when Severin took over and pushed his tongue inside her mouth to meet hers. Something snapped inside him and he spread her legs. His hands latched onto the nylon fabric, it only took him a second by tearing the seam apart exposing the lace under it.

Zero's scent drowned him in ecstasy, it was enough to make him go crazy but he didn't stop there. He pushed the lace to the side and as his mouth worked on her lips, his hands on her core, she had already unbuckled his belt and freed his erection. He slowly pushed inside her filling every inch of her body with him. The eruption of pleasure shot through both of them and Zero fell back on the table, breathless and hot. He couldn't see past her ragged breath and flushed cheeks, it was even harder to think straight when her core tightened around him every time he tried to pull out, like she didn't want to separate.

Severin pushed her dress up and felt the flat plane of her abdomen. He kissed up her stomach but his eyes stayed on her while she watched him too. Both of them didn't expect this to turn so wild and like a hot fever making them succumb to each other.

"Was this your plan all along?" he asked her as he pulled his shaft out of her core.

She threw her head and bit her lip from crying out in pleasure. "No," she said huskily.

Severin plunged deep inside, their bodies ripping apart in pleasure. "Liar," he growled.

He couldn't hold it in after that. The scent of their bodies and sex made his mind go blank with a hunger that only his mate's body could sate. He rode out their release taking her hot and fast, like they both craved. Zero's came around his shaft twice before he released inside her.

Both of them laid on the table breathless.

Severin realized then that he forgot all about his headache or any other ache for that matter.

He got off her and went to the bathroom cleaning himself off and buckling his trousers back. He grabbed the hand towel off the rack and soaked it with warm water and came back to the office. Zero had gotten to her feet, but he stepped in front of her.

"Let me take care of you," he said softly, before he seated her back on the table again.

He cleaned between her legs, wiping the remnants of what happened before he put the lace back over her core. Her tights were still torn apart, but he pulled the satin dress over her hips and covered it like nothing happened and he wasn't between her legs a moment ago.

Severin brought her to her feet. "How about we discuss our new deal after lunch," he said before he kissed her lips.

"You know, I came here for a serious discussion," Zero retorted, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

Severin felt like he was being scolded. "You're the one who came to me in this dress," he defended himself, which felt like a bad idea. "How am I supposed to take my mate seriously when she's hot and sitting on my office desk?"

Zero raised a brow but couldn't say anything back. "I don't like being distracted when I came with a plan which was supposed to be executed," she told him as he grabbed his suit's jacket and they left the office together.

"I loved it," he jested. "You're welcome to distract me like that whenever, sweetheart. Now, what would you like for lunch?"

"Let's get Elijah and Tom first," she said. "I want Bobby's food."

"You read my mind," said Severin.

All four of them met at the front entrance of the company doors. They went off towards Bobby's restaurant for a hearty lunch to get them back on their feet.

Zero was the last to walk inside and Severin knew it was because she needed to survey the area. He knew it wasn't possible, but it felt like she could see in every alley and corner of this street.

"Guys, it's Robin," announced Tom.

Severin looked ahead and it was Robin sitting- well, hiding in the booth with his laptop and a half-eaten burger. The door shut behind them and Zero went to Robin first, she went around the table and sat beside him.

"What the hell-" he grumbled and looked up only to see Zero. His lips shut tight and he realized what was happening.

Severin came around and sat on the other side, squishing the poor kid in the middle. Elijah and Tom sat on the other side, already opening the menu to order food.

"I thought we aren't supposed to make contact in public," Robin whispered to Zero.

"We're safe here," she answered as she took a cold fry into her mouth. "This territory is protected by Gabriel Centauri." Severin didn't know that. "What are we eating?" asked Zero.

"I want the double cheese burger," said Tom. "Oh, and the bacon burger sounds good too."

"Let's get both," said Zero.

"Is it necessary to bother me," said Robin. "I'm working-"

"You shouldn't work and eat, it's bad for your health," said Severin.

Robin rolled his eyes and plugged his headphones back into his ears.

Suddenly, a young woman came up to their table. She was dressed in a polka-dot dress and a ribbon in her blonde hair. "Zero, it's so nice to see you," she said. Robin took his headphones off and stared at the woman, Severin wondered what that was all about.

"It's nice to see you too, Fiona," said Zero. "Where's Bobby?"

"He's in the kitchen cooking," she said. "I'll tell him you're here." Fiona smiled happily at them. "If you can't tell that boy right there is my lovely son," she gloated.

He gaped over his laptop screen. "Mom," Robin blushed in the middle of all of them. Tom, Severin and Elijah wanted to laugh.

"Isn't he the sweetest and the cutest boy?" She bent over and pinched his cheeks. "I love embarrassing you, Robin."

"It's nice to meet you," said Severin. "The way Robin is no one would believe he's your kid."

Fiona laughed. "I get that a lot," she said. "What can I get you guys today?"

Zero quickly ordered her four burgers and fries on the side. Severin ordered for the rest of them and their drinks came first. Robin squeezed out from between them and got up to go to his mom.

"Mom, when does your shift end?" he asked and Severin heard what she said to her son.

"Around nine o'clock," she said.

"Why do you need to work so late?" said Robin. "I told you that you don't need to work so hard."

Fiona smiled at her boy. "I like working here," she told him, "and you stop worrying about it."

"But the bus is hard for you-" Robin went through the flap-doors with his mom.

"They look like siblings rather than mother and son," said Severin.

Zero looked at him. "Fiona had Robin when she was sixteen," she said and they gaped at her. "She was assaulted."

"Oh god," they all took a deep breath to calm down.

"Please tell me you killed him?" Elijah said.

"It's a funny story actually," she said. "It was after my third job with Robin that Fiona invited me to dinner at her house. I went that night and ate the most delicious mince pies. But after being there for dinner, I didn't want to impose and was going to leave early. Little did I know, when Fiona opened the door a man was standing there trying to get inside. I knew something was wrong the moment Fiona's smile dropped. I never saw her terrified like that before. Robin ran for his mom and they both recognized the man who was more than happy to see them horrified. But the man didn't know who was sitting in their house."

"What'd you do?" asked Tom intrigued.

"She burned the bastard alive and let him rot to death," another voice intervened, it was Robin.

"That's not an image I needed before eating," added Severin, but he was glad that Zero ended that bastard's life.

That was when their burgers came and his appetite was even more lost. Zero seemed unbothered and dug straight in for the meaty burger, that oozed juice and cheese.

Severin got up and went to the bathroom, when he saw Fiona working hard at the sink washing dishes. He remembered his mom who worked hard all her life only to die to a disease. Severin pulled out his cellphone and called Noah to arrange something special for Robin and Fiona, it was the least Severin could do- and he planned another surprise for his mate as well.

He rejoined the group after he was done and ate his burger while Robin bickered with Tom and Elijah. Zero was already on her third burger and second milkshake. He was happy that she was eating well.

A pang of guilt inched into his heart when he remembered what he said. He should have never told her to stop what she did. People like Robin, Fiona and Bobby needed her too much.

After lunch, they stepped out of the restaurant and what Severin arranged was waiting on the street.

"Robin, come here," Severin beckoned the kid to him.

The kid followed although reluctant towards a blue car parked on the street. Noah had the keys delivered earlier.

"Why are you taking me to a car?" he asked.

"It's yours," said Severin. All of them gaped at him, especially Robin. Severin looked at Zero who was smiling now. "It's a gift for helping Zero."

"You're giving me a car," Robin astonished.

"Now, there are some rules," he said. "You have to keep it clean and unharmed. You better drive in the speed limit and you have to drop off your mom for shifts or wherever she needs to go. Is that clear?"

Robin burst with joy like never before. "Yes, clear as day," he beamed and ran towards the Acura NSX and he showed his mom right away too.

It was much later when they returned to the company and Severin discussed the plan to rebuild Maya's sanctuary with Zero. She didn't know much about the formalities and said that he could handle it, she only requested that it be bigger and better than the old one. Severin would make sure to do just that and with his team, this was going to be a piece of cake. Zero returned home and Elijah stayed back with them.

The clock hit ten o'clock at night. "It's getting late," Severin said to Tom who was on the laptop in front of him. "We should head home."

Tom slipped off his glasses and shut the screen. "I'm ready," he said eagerly.

Severin chuckled. He got up and grabbed his jacket. "Let's go home, Elijah," he said but Elijah was already on his feet following him. A text came to Severin's phone and it was Noah informing him that what he prepared was sent to Zero's house already.

Severin was eager to see it himself, so he drove them home this time. Tom was falling asleep in the back seat but Elijah was as alert as he was this morning. His eyes surveying the roads and every time they stopped at a red light, his body grew rigid as a mountain ready for anything to attack them. Severin didn't see the need; if Reaper would attack he would do it when they weren't expecting it.

"He won't attack," Severin felt the need to calm Elijah down.

"How do you know?" Elijah said.

Severin didn't know, he just had a feeling. "Reaper's afraid of Zero as much as it doesn't feel like it," he said before he pressed on the gas and drove again.

"That's why he will attack us," said Elijah looking at the back seat. "We're in danger as much as everyone else is."

Severin looked at his brother in the backseat. "Reaper's not coming after us," he said. "I think he's going to attack Zero again."

"You sound so sure," Elijah said.

"Because that's what I'd do," he sighed as he admitted that hard truth. "I'd kill her and end the game. Reaper's afraid of the power she has and he wants to erase that so he can put fear in others."

"He can't kill her," said Elijah with a shaky breath. "No one can."

Severin prayed that be true. "If Maya's real then let those words be true," he muttered.

They arrived to the house and some of the lights inside were already on. Severin recognized that the light over the balcony was dim through the curtains, she must be in her office.

All of them went to their rooms to freshen up. Elijah wasn't hungry and neither were Tom and Severin, so they decided to meet tomorrow for breakfast instead.

Severin took a quick shower and went to check on his mate. He knocked on the door and her curt answer to come in made him smile right away. He opened the door and pocked his head inside only to find her on her laptop staring intently at the screen.

"Are you busy?" he asked her.

Zero looked at him. "No," she said and shut the screen.

"Can you join me for a second?" Zero got up and came over to him. He took her hand and they both went to the front door.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

Severin unlocked the front door and both of stepped out to the cool night. "It's right over here," he pointed out the object covered by a red silk and a ribbon.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Go see for yourself," said Severin with a cheeky grin.

Zero went over and took off the cover in one sweep. A brand-new motorcycle sat shiny and black, just like the one she had lost the day there was the fire at the sanctuary.

"You got me a bike," she sounded awestruck.

"Zero," said Severin. "I'm sorry about what I said before. I don't want to be the reason you stop helping people."

Zero's eyes got off the bike and met his gaze. "You don't need to apologize."

Severin put his hand on her cheek. "I don't care about anyone else and what they think of you, but I need you to know that I am proud to be by your side," he told her. "The world needs you and that's why Maya protects you."

Zero lifted her head with a smile. "The world may need me and Maya may protect me... but I need you and I will always protect you." Severin pulled her closer to receive his kiss.

Zero put her new bike inside the garage. She admired it more and started to make plans with it. Severin felt a little left out, but he sat down and enjoyed that she was being herself.

"I'm getting kind of jealous," he said behind her.

Zero laughed. "You should be I'm loving this bike a lot more than you-"

Severin coughed and gaped at her. "I'm going to make Noah return it right now," he said hastily.

"Don't you dare," snipped out Zero guarding the bike. Severin crossed his arms.

Suddenly, a phone went off and Zero's hand went to her back pocket. She pulled out her phone and answered the call. But before she said anything, her eyes locked onto Severin. And he knew right away that she was needed by someone again.

Zero's blue eyes grew as ominous as a storm as she looked at him. "I will be there," she said rigidly before she cut the phone.

Severin's tried so hard not to show his concern in his eyes. But how could one hide from their mate when they could feel your heart better than anyone else. Severin straightened and went inside and she followed him.

"Severin-"

"You should get ready," he told her. "They need you."

Zero straightened her shoulders. "I'll be back soon," she said.

"You promise," he knew he shouldn't have said that, but it came out.

Zero came closer to him and laid her hand on his heart. "Whatever happens, I will always make it back," she said before she turned and left to get what she needed.

Dressed in her leather gear and coat, she got on her new bike and drove off in the direction of the call leaving him waiting for her.