Severin sat in the driver's seat with Zero beside him. They were waiting outside the Rover Night Bar for Elijah to let his former boss know that he was quitting.

Zero's eyes were outside, searching the area as she seemed to be doing any time they were outside. All Severin saw were the storm clouds brewing in the sky over the parking-lot; the raggedy old bar; and a bunch of drunkards creating a ruckus near their vehicles. Severin really hoped those men had a chauffeur or at least take a taxi home. Although, something told him that Zero saw way more than the ordinary eye could possibly imagine.

"You said that you saved him from captivity," Severin broke the silence first. "What did you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said," she retorted. "Elijah lived in a cage."

Severin then remembered Tom's words back at the night of the birthday party. Zero worked primarily on terminating cage fighting associations. "No wonder he looked lonely despite being in a room full of people," alleged Severin.

Zero scoffed. "When you live in a cage for so many years, being lonely is the least of your problems," she told him. "Besides, a wolf is never truly alone."

Severin frowned and looked at her face through the reflection of the window. "How so?" he asked.

Zero's face brightened through the reflection, Severin saw her enchanting smile as she looked up at the moon in the sky. "How can a wolf be alone when the moon shines its light even in the darkest of times," she said. "Our moon guides the world and never forgets to grace us with its power." Zero looked down at her hands where the light of the moon beamed.

Severin's heart squeezed as he saw the sad smile on her face. "I never thought about it like that," he mumbled.

"The moon and I have a very old bond," she whispered. Severin wanted to reach out and hold her hand, that rested on her lap. But he held back the urge. "Hey, do you have time tomorrow?" Zero suddenly asked him.

Severin was already facing her when she turned and met his eyes. "Are you asking me out on a date?" he amazed.

Zero looked at him puzzled. "I guess you can think of it like that," she said making him laugh. "Well?"

"My time is always free for you," he grinned at her.

Zero shook her head. "Who made you such a flirt?" she remarked.

"My mom," he told her bluntly. "She believed that a man should know how to treat a lady."

Zero's amusement fell. "Did your mom ever teach you how to treat a killer?" she said more than asked.

Severin's smile widened. "I'm sure it uses the same amount of charm and caution," he told her. Zero took a deep breath and looked away outside the window again.

That was when Elijah appeared with a duffle bag slugged over his shoulder. He knew what car they were waiting in because Zero told him earlier before they left. Elijah walked around the group of friends huddled near the truck and marched straight to them. He opened the door and slid in the back seats.

"Ready to go?" Severin asked, as he met those blue eyes through the rear-view mirror.

Elijah nodded. "Yeah," he replied.

Severin reversed out of the parking-lot and got onto the open roads, that were fairly empty since it was late at night. He didn't want to come off rude or insensitive by asking Elijah questions to get to know him, so Severin stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. But he was mindful that Elijah wasn't one to make conversation simply to fill the silent. Elijah stayed reserved but his curious gaze was on Zero the entire time.

Zero, on the other hand, was attentive to the road and instructed when Severin should change lanes or take a turn. Zero didn't find it necessary to poke and probe at Elijah with questions either. Frankly, it appeared as if Zero knew Elijah for years and trusted him, even though it was clear that they didn't know each other at all.

They finally arrived at the manor, and Elijah was surprised of the pre-open gates, but still he hadn't mentioned anything about it. Severin parked outside the garage, and they all got out together. Zero went to Elijah's side, holding her hand out to his bag, but he stared at her uncomfortably.

"Let me help you," she said, grabbing his bag and taking him to the house.

Severin smiled at her as she explained that this was where he'd live from now on. They had just entered and Zero explained the routes to the house and all the safety measures. Severin was waiting for her to give the strict run-down, which he got when he first came here about the three rules, but it never happened. Severin was astounded more than anything else.

"There's the kitchen, which you can cook and eat in doesn't matter to me," she explained. "If you live here then you do your own laundry and wake yourself up."

"Yes, ma'am," Elijah answered as his eyes surveyed the entire manor.

"Come on, let me take you to your new room," said Zero.

"Wait," Elijah stopped her. His confused blue eyes staring at her with bafflement and panic. "How much do I owe you?"

Zero titled her head. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"For letting me live here, how much do I pay you?" Elijah clarified.

Zero blinked and stared at him confused for a while. "You owe me nothing," she said. "You live here for free."

Elijah's eyes widened. "But- but this is too much," he said. "I can't have this all for free."

Zero shared a grim look with Severin who understood Elijah's concern. "I hired you for a job, Elijah," she said. "So, I consider that as payment." Elijah opened his mouth to argue or correct her. But he couldn't muster a word after seeing Zero's stern gaze. "Now, the bedroom-" she pointed to the stairs making him go up them.

Severin grabbed Zero's hand when Elijah was a few steps away from them. Zero was surprised and stared at his hand in hers.

"What?" she asked.

"You didn't give him the three rules you gave me," he told her.

She raised a brow. "Yeah, so?"

Severin's mouth dropped open. "So, you're just strict with me," he remarked.

Zero pulled their interlocked hands up to show him. "Something tells me Elijah's not a troublemaker, unlike someone else I know," she said and let go before walking the stairs.

Severin scoffed. "Now, that's hardly fair," he astounded from the back and then quickly bolted up the steps towards their new roommate's bedroom.

Zero opened the door beside Severin's room and showcased the space entirely for Elijah's use. The area was massive and had a huge bed with a desk and bathroom. Elijah looked lost in the space. Zero had to push the man inside and put his bag down, so he'd finally realize that this was reality and his new room.

"Do you like it?" Zero asked.

Elijah stared at the room with a blank expression. "Er- I uh- yes, I do," he muttered.

Severin stared at the poor guy who just looked uncomfortable. "You hungry?" he asked chirpily.

Elijah looked past Zero to Severin. "Uh- kind of," he answered.

Zero nodded. "Unpack and freshen up," she told him. "We'll have dinner ready by then."

Zero and Severin turned to leave when Elijah said; "Hold on," they turned and looked at him. "You still haven't told me what I'm doing here."

Zero smirked. "There's no rush," she said. "I'll tell you after dinner." Zero closed the door leaving Elijah to his own accord.

"What are you planning?" Severin whispered.

Zero put her hands in the pockets of her coat. "Hopefully what I'm thinking doesn't happen because if it does then I'm not sure if the world is ready for it," she said.

Severin felt her angst instead of realizing his own anxious mood. "So, what's for dinner?" he said trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm craving chow mein," Zero said idly.

"Should we order takeout?" he asked.

Zero pulled out her cellphone and placed an order for stir-fry noodles, honey-garlic chicken and a bunch of pork dumplings on the side. Severin went to his room to freshen up too. He showered off the exhausting and long day, which felt heavenly.

After noticing that he'd spent quite a while under the hot water, he finally rinsed off the rest of the soap suds and got out. He grabbed the robe off the hook and wrapped it around himself, before he left the bathroom to dry his hair with a towel. He didn't hear any other voices or footsteps, so he guessed that Zero and Elijah were still in their rooms.

Severin changed and put on a pair of pants and a cashmere shirt before he left the bedroom to go to the kitchen, but it seemed he guessed wrong earlier. Zero was already showered, changed and setting the table with the food that had already arrived. She stood over the table in a pearl-white nightgown, that fell to her feet and was a delicate silk fabric. Severin didn't know where to look, his eyes kept drinking in the sight of her gorgeous skin against the white. Except, when Zero had turned her back to him, he saw something rather strange. A pale scar peeked right over her bare shoulder, he couldn't see the rest since it hid under the nightgown. He was about to ask about it, when he heard footsteps behind him so he held himself back.

Zero turned and saw him and then she saw Elijah. "Hope you like Chinese?" she asked.

Elijah held an indifferent expression. "I honestly forgot the taste," he told them.

Zero smiled. "I ordered a lot of it, so enjoy until you never forget," she said. "Come on, you too, Severin." She ushered them to join her at the dining table.

They sat down and Zero had already opened her noodle box to chow down. Severin grabbed the chopsticks and snapped them apart before he enjoyed his noodles and chicken, that were saucy and hot.

They enjoyed their dinner and Zero explained the security in the house to Elijah. She made sure he understood every protocol and she even told him that he'd start training with her as soon as possible. Not that Elijah looked like he needed it, Severin could tell from the broad frame and robust figure, that Elijah was a skilled fighter. However, it seemed that Zero wasn't convinced.

Suddenly, a loud alarm rang in the house, it echoed and silenced the three of them.

"What's that?" Severin asked.

Zero sighed as she put her chopsticks in the empty noodle carton. "Goddamn it," she cursed, as she pushed the chair back and got up. "You two eat. I'll be back." She left and it seemed that disturbing alarm was the phone.

Severin heard Zero's stern; "Hello." Before she walked away upstairs.

"So, you're not her driver, are you?" Elijah asked.

Severin looked back at Elijah who sat across him. "No, I'm not," he said. "I'm a guest too."

Well, that was the wrong word for what he was. But Severin didn't know what he was to Zero. He wasn't a guest nor a friend. He was her mate, although unmarked, but still her mate. He just didn't know how to tell others that.

Elijah's eyes, that looked more vibrant now than when they met in the bar assessed Severin. "Does she bring people to live here often?" he then asked.

Severin put his chopsticks down. "No, I don't think so," he said and felt like smiling. "We seem like the rare cases."

"Oh," muttered Elijah.

They finished dinner pretty fast and it was getting close to midnight now. Elijah and Severin cleaned the dining table and every few minutes they searched for Zero to come back, but she didn't.

"I'm gonna check on her," Severin said as he wiped his wet hands.

Elijah looked at him from the sink. "Alright," he said. "But don't you think-" Elijah suddenly went quiet and his eyes darkened. Elijah's eyes darted outside the window that was over the kitchen sink. A surge of threatening pheromones radiated from Elijah and the room drowned in the man's poisonous intent.

"What?" Severin asked as he saw the man turn pale as snow.

"Go get Zero," his voice was a deep growl. "We're under attack."

Severin didn't even ask questions, his feet moved on their own. He dashed up the stairs to the room where he followed Zero's scent to. He pushed the doors open and discovered that the room was a lovely Victorian-styled office. The masculine dark wood and stunning ceiling murals were a dream. Golden recessed lights and stain glass arched windows with a cathedral ceiling. There was a deep-red couch and leather chair over an area rug. Spacious built-in cabinets that held many books and decorative pieces. Severin was blown away and was about to compliment the room if he hadn't been sent here with an urgent message.

He spotted Zero still on the phone, but she stood behind the wooden table and a black leather chair. Her voice cut and she looked directly at him.

"We have a problem," he told her urgently.

She looked rather bored. "I know," she sighed. "I smelt it a mile away." She cut the phone and opened a cupboard and rummaged through it.

"What's the plan?" asked Severin. He was stunned by her nonchalant attitude. "They have your house surrounded, Zero."

Zero pulled out two guns and twin daggers before she rounded the table towards him. She worked swiftly as she attached the weapons onto her body with a black holster. "Exactly," she turned and opened the arched doors to the large balcony, which displayed the front of the manor. "They came to my house. Worst fucking idea."

"What are you doing?" he frowned when he saw Zero climb up onto the ledge of the balcony railing.

"Stay in here," she said.

Severin rushed towards the open balcony but he was too late. Zero had already jumped off from the second floor. Severin's mouth dropped open because he couldn't believe that the woman literally leaped off the building. But she wasn't some meek individual. Zero landed perfectly on the ground, she turned on her bare feet with the guns pointed out on each side, the daggers strapped to her back.

Severin saw her point in the opposite directions and then the whole property filled with the sound of gunshots. She shot every wolf's head and never missed. The massive and rabid beasts ran at her from everywhere but she was fine- didn't even break a sweat. She appeared as if she was practising target-shooting on an ordinary Sunday morning.

Severin leaned on the ledge, being attacked wasn't fun but watching her was undoubtedly amusing. The thrill of seeing her reload the empty barrel of her gun and then shoot whatever poor bastard was closest to her. The wolves dropped on the plain green field, their blood turning everything reddish black. The moon shined over the property, which helped Zero see everything that moved around her.

Severin grinned because his heart was pounding because of her. "You can't be real," he mumbled. His eyes lingered on her; he couldn't look away and there wasn't any chance that he would. Severin heard the front door open and Elijah appeared behind Zero.

"Is this why you hired me?" he asked her.

Zero's burning blue eyes gave the man his answer. Without hesitation, Elijah morphed into his beastly form, a rugged golden wolf appeared ripping through the night with a snarl. He ran to Zero's side and attacked any wolf that got too close to her. Elijah was ferocious in the way his sharp jaw locked onto the frail neck of his target. He ripped and shredded through the wolves, that were too far from Zero's gun-range. Elijah single-handedly cleared one side of the attackers.

Three wolves suddenly halted. They didn't come to attack her because they knew that they'd die.

"Don't you know that you should never touch a wolf's territory?" she asked them.

The wolves inched back as she idly strolled closer. Severin noticed that her eased expression had turned into a scary frown. She was fucking pissed. And these wolves were going to get it worse than their other buddies did.

Severin saw Zero drop the empty pistols that were fried from all the attacks. She reached around her back, to the holster, she pulled out a silver handle, glinting in the light of the moon, two silver daggers appeared.

The first wolf came at her with full force, but she merely beheaded him with one full swing. Severin was definitely not expecting such a horror show, but what did he know, this was pretty satisfying to watch.

Zero looked at the limp head, clearly not impressed. Severin chuckled and he saw her move towards the second wolf who stupidly ran at her too. Severin noticed her roll her eyes at the wolf who was a pup to her and nothing else. The wolf rushed straight ahead with an open jaw to chew her up, but she savagely stabbed inside the wolf's mouth. The wolf died at her bare feet when she ripped the blade out.

The last wolf didn't attack and it wasn't even going to try anything. Elijah came back to her side, his fangs dripping with the enemy's blood and his entire coat was drenched too.

Zero put her bare foot on the dead wolf's head. "You're going to give your alpha a message," she menaced. Severin's body chilled from her voice alone. "If he wants to kill me, send a bigger fucking army." Severin chuckled at her smug tone. "And tell him," she threatened, "he's my target now." The wolf ran the same way he came.

Severin left the study and walked onto the front steps of the house. Elijah morphed back to his human form and was soaked in blood too; his clean clothes were dirty. Elijah assessed the surroundings and said that it was clear from wolves, that they were safe again. He wiped his mouth but the blood just smeared on him more.

Zero stayed on the field, her gaze fixated on the moon above her, not looking at the blood pooled beneath her feet. The grass had been soaked crimson red, burning brightly as it ate at the white of her gown. Her legs soaked, her feet stained and so were her arms. Blood dripped off the strands of her hair and she drew in large breaths of air, like the scent of blood choked her.

Zero turned towards him and now he understood why the wolf ran with his tail between his legs. This woman's eyes were heavy with intense rage, ferociously charged that even Severin's wolf yielded to her dominance.

Severin came down the steps onto the bloody field.

"Severin," Elijah's grim voice warned Severin not to go any further. That maybe, it wasn't safe.

But Severin didn't listen. "Zero... honey," he approached her carefully, "you're covered in blood. Come inside, so I can help you."

Severin saw when Zero's gaze dropped from his concerned eyes, to his lips, and then to the hand that he had extended towards her. A brief moment passed, then she dropped the blades from her tight fists spearing them into the ground.

"Don't touch me," she said with a low growl that crawled over his skin. "I'll get it on you."

Severin smiled warmly. "I'm not scared of getting a little blood on me," he walked up to her. He faintly touched her arms, skimming down her tense body, he softly held her hands. "Thank you for protecting us." She slightly eased, her body lazed in his arms and she slowly held his hand too.

But she pulled away and Zero walked on ahead of him, her feet that were soaked to a dark shade of crimson had left a clear trail of footprints on the marble floors. Severin stared at her from the back, she strolled up the stairs and didn't utter a single sound. Severin looked back at all the wolf bodies scattered across the grass. He had no idea what just happened and who caused this, but whoever it was definitely wanted to kill Zero. Nonetheless, the enemy's plan failed. But Severin couldn't shake off the feeling of disgust. Who'd want to hurt Zero like this? he questioned.

A faint hand touched Severin's shoulder, it was Elijah. "I'll get this cleaned up," he told him. "You just help her."

Severin saw the firm trust in Elijah's eyes for Zero. "Thanks," Severin said before he followed his mate.

Severin went up to the bedroom where Zero told him never to enter. He hesitated for a second but gave up. Severin knocked and then pushed the door open before anyone answered. All that greeted him was cold and bitter darkness. Severin's chest ached and his stomach churned as he looked at the concrete enclave, that had a steel barred window and a mattress tucked in the corner, like this wasn't a lady's bedroom but instead a prison cell.

There was a blue glow from the second door inside the bedroom, it beamed onto the hard floor and the light made the blood gleam. He followed the tracks into the large washroom where he saw Zero standing over the sink. The holster ripped off and tossed on top of the counter, her hair bleeding onto the marble, so were her hands and her feet which made a gruesome mess.

"Zero..." his voice a whisper as he pushed the door open wider.

"You shouldn't be here," her voice was hoarse and thick.

Severin stared at his mate, dressed in pure white but was tainted with the blood of her enemies. The blue of her eyes popped against the blood and he saw that her skin had paled. Her rosy pink cheeks were white as snow and so were her lips. Zero started to rinse her hands and her neck. She wiped and wiped until the blood was gone but stain was still there. Severin wasn't looking at Zero anymore. This was someone else.

"This is exactly where I should be," he said as he stepped inside.

Zero looked at him through the reflection of the mirror, but his eyes stayed on her. He didn't break the contact he had, he couldn't when all he knew was that he had to ease her pain.

"Don't look at me like that," she grumbled.

Severin's eyes still didn't move. "Like what?" he asked.

Zero's eyes searched his. "Like nothing else matters to you except..." she hesitated and looked away.

Severin closed the space, his body invaded hers and all he could do was gather her in his arms. He didn't care about the blood or the fact that she had sheer panic written all over her face and in her eyes. Zero struggled against him, pulling away for him to let go of her, but he didn't. He put his hand on her neck that was ice under his palm, he tilted her head back and made her look right into his eyes.

"Nothing matters more than you," he spoke to her calmly. "I'm sorry if that scares you, but I won't let you walk away because of it."

Zero's blue eyes were a torrent of guilt, shame and maybe even disbelief. "I'm not scared," she confessed. "But you're right, I pull away from you because I can't be your mate."

Severin's blood went cold. "Tell me why?" he demanded.

"Because death is inevitable for me," she said, as her hands clenched onto his shirt.

"So is for everyone else," he countered.

Zero shook her head. "You don't get it," she said. "My fate is far more gruesome than that of any ordinary person. I can't mark you... then only to die and leave you to suffer without a mate. It'll destroy you and I can't live knowing that I did that."

"Zero, you're not making any sense," said Severin. "Mates all fear the same thing. That's no reason not to fall in love."

Zero sucked in her breath. "I want you to be free. No ties to me, no bond," she said sternly.

Severin's felt as if she had taken a knife and shoved it in his heart. "And what about you?" his voice grew irked. His arms tightened around her and he pressed her closer, so she'd feel his need for her. Zero's hands gripped his arms to steady herself. "Will you be able to resist the need to mate with me?" he gritted out.

"I will protect you, Severin," she promised. "My life is yours as your mate. But I won't link you to anything."

"You're being really selfish for deciding this all on your own," he said, as his eyes glared at her.

"Maybe," she said. "But I won't apologize for it."

Severin had it with her immovable defiance. "Then I don't apologize for this either," he whispered hotly.

Severin shoved his hand into her wet hair and pulled her head back to expose the long column of her neck. His wolf appeared so close, that he could transition in any second. Severin knew it was because his wolf was just as eager to mark Zero just like he was. Severin locked his teeth onto her neck and bit down painfully hard. His scent exploded around them and he felt his mark sink into Zero's beautiful skin. Marking her to him forever. Zero made a carnal sound that shot through Severin and hardened his body. He pressed her closer, making her feel every inch of him through that flimsy nightgown.

"You bear my mark now," he said as he kissed her neck.

Zero's grip tightened on his arms, her breath heavy and she dropped her head on his chest. "Why do you want me as your mate?" she asked with a voice that sounded broken. "You don't even know me."

"I think I have you pretty much figured out," he teased with a smirk on his lips.

Zero let out a short laugh. "Is that so?" she remarked.

Severin caressed her cheek, her neck and loved the way her lips parted to get that extra breath of air, like being with him was making her anxious. She looked up at him, getting his eyes to look into hers. The aqua blue had a low glow, that was dark and dangerous which was her permanent stare and that made Severin fall deeper into the pool of sapphire.

"At first I thought you were beautiful," he said. "Then I thought you were confident, but after spending more time with you, I found out that not only are you beautiful and confident, you're also courageous, intelligent-" Severin smiled down at her- "and so very cute."

Zero raised a brow. "Cute," she scoffed. "Me?"

"Adorable. Oh, and we can't forget sexy," he added.

Zero removed her hands and stepped back. "I will hurt you badly if you keep this up," she cautioned him.

Severin circled his arms around her again, not letting her create the distance between them. "I know you can hurt me in ways that I never thought were possible," he said, as he detected her erotic fragrance seeping into him. Severin held her gaze, making sure she saw what he intended do to next when his gaze dropped towards her parted lips. "But I think that that just makes you sexier." Severin leaned down and kissed her the way he wanted to the moment he met her.

Zero gasped and braced against him, like she hadn't imagined he'd have the nerve to actually kiss her. Severin wondered if anyone ever had the nerve in the past to try, which frankly annoyed the hell out of him just thinking about it.

Severin licked her lips and parted her mouth for him to enter and take the reins. She let him and he didn't step back then. His hands fastened around her head and he held her, so she couldn't run away. His lips and tongue worked to get her to unravel beneath him. He felt the way the tension in her body vanished and she melted into his arms. Severin held her safely and vowed he'd never let go.

Zero moaned, a soft sound that he never thought possible. But the sound caressed his ears as his tongue intertwined with hers. Both of them shattered at the mere sensation of their mouth moving over the other. Her soft satin lips were a dream, almost made Severin think that maybe it was imaginary kissing a woman like her. However, her hot tongue and her curvaceous body molded to his let him know how real this really was.

Severin deepened the kiss and didn't know what he intended to do next. A dark desire was ringing inside him to strip her bare and mark every part of her body right here and now. But, he swallowed that urge because Zero didn't need sex, she needed a warm bath and bed.

Severin let go first, but he knew that it was harder to move away than he expected. Zero even stayed frozen in front of him. Both of them breathless, confused and utterly stripped of their ego, they just stared at the other. They couldn't believe that the bond would consume them to such an extent, which their very existence was incomplete without the touch of the other.

"As much as I want to take you to bed and make love to you," said Severin, "I think we should get you cleaned up first."

Zero closed her eyes and moved her head. She turned her back to him and peeled the straps of her gown over her shoulders, now exposing her back to him.

Severin gasped as he saw the full length of the pale scar. He immediately thought of an angry dragon conquering her entire back. The scar ran deep and twisted around like it happily ate her flesh and tainted her forever.

Zero stiffened and didn't move an inch. "This is my past," she whispered.

Severin put his hand on the scar, his fingers caressing the skin softly. "What happened?" he asked, but unconscious of what he actually instigated for Zero. He regretted the moment he asked too, but she didn't answer him.

Zero let the dress fall around her feet and Severin respectfully kept his gaze to her head. She disappeared behind the glass wall and let the water steam up the room.

Severin walked out and stood in the prison-cell of a room. He really got the chills just standing here, it was a barren room with no hint of life or joy. What relief did Zero get here? he wondered. How did she come home to this and expect to find peace? Those questions bombarded his brain and didn't let him rest. He didn't even notice when Zero had finished and walked out beside him.

She quickly slipped on a pair of trousers and a tunic with sleeves. "You broke another rule, you know that?" she incited. From her stern voice, he realized that she was relieved a little now.

Severin rolled his eyes. "Aren't you glad that I did?" he retorted, as he turned and faced her. His eyes going to the mark on her neck.

Zero shook her head. "I'm gonna get some sleep," she said. "You should too." She moved around him and sat on the bed, that was practically a mattress on a metal structure.

"No," he rebelled. "You're not sleeping here." He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto her feet. She retaliated but he ignored her protests. He pulled her out in the hall when Zero stood her ground and didn't budge.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

Severin held her hand tightly. "I'm not letting you sleep in there," he said. "You don't need a prison cell as a bedroom."

Zero's eyes softened and she pulled her hand away. "A prison cell was a blessing back in day when I used to sleep in alleys," she confessed. "Trust me when I say that there are worse places to be."

Severin caught the note of mockery in her voice. But he still wasn't going to let her sleep alone tonight. He was just about to tell her too, when Zero's gaze turned away and looked out towards the stairs. She soon followed her intuitive and went downstairs. Severin tailed her and saw what Zero sensed earlier.

The sound of the burning flames didn't hide the rumbling thunder rolling over from above. A great big fire was lit in the front yard and it was burning was tremendous speed. Zero went up to Elijah who had collected all the dead carcases into one big pile.

"Thank you for helping me," those were Zero's first words to the man.

Elijah turned and saw her. "It's why you hired me, right," he said.

Zero smiled now, a proud smirk. "I'm glad my judgement paid off then," she remarked, as she leaned on the door frame.

"Any idea who sent these wolves?" Elijah asked grimly.

Severin was damn-well curious about that too.

"I will brief you on it tomorrow," she said.

"So, you know who did this?" Severin astounded.

Zero sighed. "I have a good idea," she told them. "Elijah, go get cleaned up too and get some rest, we have an early start tomorrow. I got it from here."

Elijah looked at her then at the fire, that had gotten smaller than before. "Uh-sure," he said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Severin said for both of them before Elijah walked upstairs. "Where's the mop?" he asked her.

"Just leave it. I'll do it," she said.

"Did I ask," Severin retorted. "Just tell me where the mop is before the blood dyes the marble permanently."

Zero grumbled past him and opened a door under the stairs where the cleaning supplies rested. Severin quickly grabbed the mop and got working. Zero monitored the fire, which burned out just before Severin finished getting rid of all the blood stains. Bleach worked fast through the stains and Zero was the one who told him, which wasn't a surprise that she knew what worked best. Severin approved of his work before he put all the supplies away. Thankfully, the marble didn't stain, but there was a crater on the lawn outside where the fire burned through all the wolves and the grass.

"Well, that's a pleasant sight," Zero remarked.

Severin laughed at the massive black hole. "I think it looks good," he remarked. "Adds character."

"Hell of a story it comes with too," she retorted.

Zero shut the front door and the security system locked the entire premise. They both went upstairs again when Severin froze outside his room. He watched as Zero opened her door and was about to leave him. She went inside and closed the door before he could stop her.

Severin didn't move from that spot. He faced that door to her room where he wanted to be with her. But just didn't know how to reach out and walk in. Severin leaned against the wall, his heart in his chest hammering away and he could feel Zero's presence walking around the room. She was pacing, like her mind battled her heart at this very moment.

A while passed, when suddenly, the door opened again. Zero wasn't supposed to see him still standing there, but she did.

"Will you come with me?" said Zero.

"Where?" asked Severin.

"To where it all began," she explained.

Severin followed without any dispute after he grabbed a jacket and so did she. Zero gripped his hand and took him out the door towards the car. He felt a few raindrops on his sleeve, when he looked up at the raging clouds about to break into a storm. It seemed that the typhoon was about to wash away the remnants of the battle outside Zero's house. Maya really did look out for Zero, it was proven yet again.

After an hour drive through the city, the rain stopped and they arrived to the more secluded part of Queens. A place where factories ran for days nonstop. People worked like slaves, engines ran longer than anything and people smelt fire more than fresh air. They stopped outside metal, barbed gates to a steel factory. From the broken hazardous sign and the graffiti on the doors, Severin guessed it was closed down.

"What are we doing here?" asked Severin.

"This factory used to employ five-thousand men to operate the hardest machines that would make steel rails for trains," Zero told him. "The government knew about the five-thousand men that worked here, but the officials or the police didn't know about the seventy-five kids that worked in here too."

Severin gaped. "Kids," he astounded. "Child labourers."

Zero nodded as she looked at the closed building with a lost expression. "But it wasn't out of force. These kids were in the factory by choice," she said. "They were living on the streets, scrapping for food and water."

Severin's skin crawled, but it wasn't the story that chilled him; it was Zero's drifted eyes and paled skin.

"The owner of this factory took in the kids from this block. Those kids were given only three-dollars a day," said Zero. "A small amount, which barely bought anyone a decent lunch. But to the kids it was better than nothing. As the kids worked they realized that they loved working in the furnaces with the other labourers. Their small bodies climbed through the chimneys and cleaned the smaller pipelines without trouble." Zero's eyes gleamed brightly and a smile graced her lips. "The older workers shared lunches with the kids, shared stories, some brought them books and pencils to read and write. All the kids found a family...a home."

"I'm sensing a 'but' coming," mumbled Severin.

"But," Zero jested. "There was one worker who wasn't too fond of this association. He was revolted by the kids and the elders that helped them. Many times, this man complained to the supervisors to fire them, but no one listened. One time, the manager fired the man instead for being so unreasonable. But the next day that man came and begged for his job again. The manager being a nice man let him stay but told him not to bother the kids anymore. The man agreed and work went on-" Zero straightened to her powerful height, her shoulders pulled back like the string on a bow ready to fire the arrow- "One of the kid workers saw that this man wasn't ready to play nice. He had come back with a vendetta."

Severin knew it. "What did he do?" he asked warily.

"He started targeting the kids," she said. "One by one bodies dropped. No one knew why but no one cared to investigate, except one kid whose friends had died and no one even gave them a grave." Zero walked away from the building over to the side alley where rain had washed away the scent of the trash, but the scent of gasoline and steam was a still strong.

Zero shoved the large bin to the side and behind it were black markings. Moon-like markings, seven of them embellished and a little faded. "Seven graves," she said. "Eight victims."

"Eight?" asked Severin. "What happened to the eighth victim?"

"That kid lived," said Zero.

"How?" asked Severin.

"Once that kid found out that they all were being targeted, she made a plan to keep them safe," said Zero. "She walked them to the bus stops and made sure they all got on. She always got out of the lockers at the end, so she knew no one was left behind."

Severin's gut sank. "Who protected her?" he mumbled under a cold breath but Zero didn't hear or maybe she did, he didn't know.

"That kid knew that the man would attack her since no one watched her back," said Zero. "No one stayed back to make sure she got home safe. But she didn't care, she wanted the man to come for her."

"And he did," stated Severin.

Zero's eyes looked at the graves. "He followed her home one night-" Zero trailed down the singular pathway. They passed between many alleys and Zero turned to her right stopping at the last alley. They entered the dark space together. "On a night like this one, full of thunder and rain, the man cornered her into the alley," she said. "But the kid wasn't scared, in fact, she was ready for what was coming."

Severin's gut flipped, blood drained from his face.

"She stood watching the greedy man who was dirty from the oil the factory used to lubricate the rails," she said. "It smelt of thick grease and nasty sweat. But the kid had the same grease and sweat on her since she worked longer, harder hours than the man." Zero walked deeper into the alley. "The man assessed her, watched her with a condescending gaze. He declared with a harsh but proud tone that kids like her were the trash of the society. He called her blood impure when everyone bleeds the same. Red coursed through all our veins." Zero's hand swiped over the brick wall. "He told the kid her past, present and future were all meant to end with one fate. Death." Zero's voice dropped and for a long moment she didn't speak. "Like all his victims, he took out the match box from his pocket and threw it at the grease covered clothes the kid had on. The kid dodged and the match hit her back. From the man's laugh alone, she knew that she was going to die. He said that trash was meant to burn, before he left her to die in the alley."

Severin's gut twisted.

"As fire ate her shoulders and hair, she stared at the empty alley with agony in her heart and hatred in her veins," said Zero. "She didn't want to die only after hearing that her life was meaningless. Pulling as much strength into her legs as she could, she dragged herself towards the puddle of that night's thunderstorm and killed the fire before it killed her."

Severin couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"The kid held the piece of cloth to cover her body as she dragged herself to the hut she called home," said Zero. "But something peculiar happened-" Zero's eyes glistened with a wondrous light- "the kid met a woman on the street. A beautiful woman dressed in silks and diamonds that were brighter than the moon out that night."

Severin was so glad that this kid found someone to help her. "Did she help?" he wanted to confirm.

Zero smiled. "The woman took off the cloak and draped it over the kid," she said. "The kid was scared to have it on her, but she welcomed the warmth and comfort from it. The stranger used her pale hand and wiped the blood off the girl's neck and face. She laid a kiss on the kid's forehead and said that her power would unleash now. That kid learned two things that night; the hate that drives a person to kill, and then, there was a kindness that dragged a child out of despair with hope, that things always get better. She went home and fought a terrible fever with no medicine but just prayer on her lips to get through without dying because she now had a purpose in life. She needed to cleanse this world like a thunderstorm washes away the filth of mankind."

"That child was you," said Severin.

Zero nodded. "I trained since that night to get better at protecting people. I trained to be the one who would put the cloak over a kid that needed help. I trained until bones became steel and my skin became iron, that could withstand any arrow, bullet or blade of hatred."

Severin understood then that Zero wasn't a cold, resigned woman who pushed everyone away. She was an alpha who crawled through the darkest days and morphed into an inspiration for the people to follow. Zero wasn't a person who needed to heal from trauma or abuse. She was fully realized and a woman who had a certain standard of morals, that not even destiny could break. Zero was built off of devotion to be the best that she could be and her trust to see the good no matter how dark the world got.

Severin smiled at her, but his eyes stung with tears. "Thank you for sharing your story," he said. "It's an honour to think that you chose me to see this side of you."

Zero's eyes softened and she held a soft but sad smile.

Both of them went back to the car and Severin drove home this time. He let Zero sit back and relax in the seat beside him. He even cranked up the heat, so some colour would return to her cheeks and her hands didn't feel like icicles.

They returned home and Severin parked in the garage. Zero opened the door from the inside and they walked into the quiet house towards the second floor.

Severin seized Zero's hand. "Are you okay?" he asked hesitantly.

Zero's hand was warm in his grasp, which was reassuring. "I've been through worse," she said. "Get some sleep." She took him to his room and made him go inside alone. But Severin didn't hear her room's door open or close.

Severin left it. Something told him that she needed to be alone.

He stripped out of his clothes again, that had smeared blood all over them too. He went into the shower and washed off this eventful night again. He got into bed with just slacks on and picked up his phone, when he saw that there were three missed calls from Tom.

Severin speed-dialled his brother and wondered what happened. The phone rang and was answered instantly.

"Severin," his brother greeted him.

"You called?" Severin asked.

"Nothing to worry about," reassured Tom. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm joining you tomorrow."

Severin straightened. "You're coming to New York?" he asked.

"Yup," he answered. "I was bored alone at home. So, thought I'd visit my older brother."

Severin smiled. "I'll pick you up from the airport then," he offered.

"Don't bother," he said. "Just text me the address and I'll find my way."

"Are you sure you're not just visiting to hang out with Zero instead of me?" Severin retorted.

Tom laughed awkwardly. "Don't be ridiculous," he jeered. "You know, I love you and miss you dearly."

"Uh huh," Severin chided. "Don't sugar me up, brother."

Tom chuckled. "Fine, I want to hang out with Zero too," he admitted.

Severin didn't really think it was a good time for her to have fun. Actually, maybe a distraction was what she needed. Fun, going on trips, shopping and enjoying food was probably perfect to lighten her mood.

"Make sure to let her know," said Tom. "I don't want to pop in unannounced."

"Yeah, I'll let her know," said Severin. "Call me when you land."

"I will," said Tom. "Bye, Severin."

"Bye, Tom," he said. Both of them cut the line together.

Severin got out of bed and went to Zero's room. He knocked but no answer came. He opened the door and saw that there wasn't anyone inside.

Suddenly, a soft sensation crept into him and he looked out towards the hall to the massive golden doors at the end of the path. The doors where he wasn't allowed to go and he remembered that was the first rule she told him. Was he going to listen? No, probably not. Was there a chance she'd hurt him? Yes, there was a slim chance.

He walked to the door and opened it. Severin was careful not to disturb his mate when he slowly crept inside the massive chamber. The floor was made of jade marble, gold darted through the green as if lightening cracked through the toughest of rock. He walked along the singular path lead by a long red cloth. The medium-sized room still had an echo since nothing was inside here. The brown concrete walls were plain and old, he walked up to where Zero sat alone. There was a low alter with hundreds of candles; different heights, all dancing to the slight breeze coming through the two large windows on each side of the room. It was a sanctuary. The place she found solace as she seeked wisdom from the only one she ever believed in. The goddess that reigned over Zero's heart.

The night sky was the only view from the open windows, stars glittered in the sky and it was a sight to behold. Silver light danced on Zero as if she was sent from Maya's grace herself. The moon was directly outside the left window and it was as if Severin could just reach out and grab it.

"You weren't asleep?" she asked him first, her voice echoed in the chamber.

"I had something to tell you," he told her. Severin climbed up onto the first step and took a seat beside her.

"What?"

"Tom is visiting tomorrow," he said.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No, he's just wanted to meet you again," he confessed.

Zero sat cross-legged, her hands on her knees and she faced a black sculpture of an elegant woman. It was so beautiful crafted with delicate lines of a woman's curves and the calm expression of her face was phenomenal. The woman had long wavy hair down to her feet and a gown that flowed around her.

"Who is that?" he asked.

"Our goddess," said Zero.

"Where did you even find this?" Severin astonished.

"I didn't find it," she said. "I made her... myself."

Severin gaped. "How did you even know what our goddess Maya looked like?"

Zero smiled as if she remembered a fond memory. "Remember I told you that someone helped me after I got burned?"

"Yes," said Severin. He still got angry when he recalled it now.

"This is what that person looked like," said Zero.

"But-"

"I know, it sounds strange that I made that person who helped me in the image of our goddess," she took a deep breath. "But I can't help but feel as if that day I was visited by Maya. No one else looked at me or helped me, and when she appeared-" Zero gestured towards the statute- "I could not think that it wasn't my goddess."

A chill crawled down Severin. "Well, I'm sure that the goddess herself probably came to save you," he said. "She knew that you'd become the saviour of her children."

Zero's eyes met Severin's. "Do you really think so?" her voice was soft.

Severin smiled. "I know so," he affirmed.

Severin had no idea that someone like Zero had existed a couple of weeks ago and now he couldn't imagine life without her. She was more than just a fighter that destroyed the reign of evil. Zero was a light so bright, that it burned in all the lives she touched. Severin knew in his heart that everyone prayed at night remembering Zero more than anyone else. A child that was set on fire, left to die on the dirty street had become the threshold of strength for the world of shifters.

"You must have been through a lot to become like this," he said. Severin's heart ached, a tightness grew in his throat. "You were all alone, fighting your way through evil," he said. "No one helped you and you were just a kid."

Zero smiled softly, her eyes remained desolate like they were lost in the past. "This world didn't let me be a child."

"I wish I could've taken you away," said Severin. "Brought you to my home."

"I was too lost in the darkness of this world, Severin," she told him. "You wouldn't be able to find me, even with your light."

Severin's smile dropped. "Don't say that," he said. "I found you now, didn't I?"

Zero lifted her hand and skimmed her fingers over his cheek. "Yes, yes you did," she smiled. "I didn't want to ruin you. I'm sorry you had to witness me in that state."

Severin leaned into her touch. "None of that bothers me, Zero," he said. "For you, all of it seems like it's nothing."

Zero searched his eyes, but all she found was truth. "Why do you say that so lightly?" she asked. "This is not a life for you."

"Anything with you is worth every dime of mine," said Severin. "Besides, you'd be surprised how many admirers you have that want to live with you."

"You make everything such a joke," she turned away.

"It's the only way to see that beautiful smile of yours," jested Severin. "Come on, let's go to bed." Severin got to his feet and held out his hand. "You don't need to be alone anymore."

Zero slipped her hand into his. "Thank you," she whispered, but she hadn't said it to him, she prayed it to her goddess behind her. The one who saved her and brought her to Severin.