Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 116: Answer

Chapter 116: Answer

Ava knew the answer before a single word was spoken. It wasn’t something anyone had to say out loud, it was written in their eyes, in the way they looked at Dennis. He wasn’t the loudest or the fiercest, but he was the most constant. Where Lucas had ruled with fire and ice, Dennis ruled with earth and patience.

Ava’s heart squeezed as she glanced at Dennis. He didn’t posture like an Alpha. He didn’t puff his chest or growl for obedience. And yet, here he was, earning loyalty not through fear, but through love.

Then, one by one, the rogues moved. They dropped to one knee, heads bowed, chests lifted in quiet reverence. Dozens of them, rough and wild as they were, surrendered willingly. Only three people remained standing: Ava, Dennis, and Zoe.

Zoe stood still as stone, her eyes darting between the kneeling crowd and the man the Moon Goddess had destined for her. She’d seen people kneel before, but it was always forced. Done in fear or desperation. This was choice. And it was... beautiful. Strange, but beautiful. This is what peace looks like.

"We will follow you for the rest of our lives," came the collective vow. Ava had to blink fast. Again with the dust.

Dennis swallowed hard. His voice wasn’t commanding when he finally spoke. It was gentle. "You still have to stand trial with the High Council," he reminded them. "For past crimes. That hasn’t changed."

And still, none of them moved. Their loyalty didn’t falter. Not a single flinch.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the keyring Missy had handed her earlier. On behalf of Lucas, yes but really, this was for them. Holding the keys in her palm, Ava stepped forward and unlocked the gates, the rusty hinges groaning. She flung the gates wide open and stood back. It wasn’t just symbolic. It was sacred.

The rogue pack stepped through the gates almost reverently.

Ava turned her head as the tears won.

Dennis, meanwhile, was doing very poorly at maintaining any composure. He walked to Zoe, overwhelmed with everything and before he could stop himself, his arms were around her. He didn’t ask. He didn’t warn. He just kissed her.

It was rough and desperate, full of everything he didn’t know how to say. His hands tangled in her hair, his lips hungry against hers, and her heartbeat thumped against his chest. Zoe gasped into the kiss, her fingers gripping his shirt.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. She’d trained for control. For invisible exits and cold detachment. But here she was, kissed breathless by a man who was truly loved by his people and yet looked at her like she was the best thing in the world.

Her body betrayed her. She kissed him back and that terrified her.

Because she knew if this kept going, she wouldn’t be able to walk away. Not from him. Not from this.

Dennis pulled back just enough to press his forehead to hers, his thumb brushing her cheek. "You’re mine," he whispered, almost in disbelief. "You’re really mine."

Zoe swallowed. "Dennis..."

It was overwhelming.

She looked at the open gates, the laughing people

Maybe, she thought, it’s not so bad being free.

*****

Sarah sat on the cold dungeon floor, her body sore and bruised. She could barely move without pain shooting through her back and stomach. The silver chains had left angry, red marks on her wrists, and her lips were dry from thirst.

She had believed that Lucas had finally come to his senses. That he had told Nolan to stop hurting her. Maybe he remembered she once meant something to him.

But she was wrong.

It wasn’t mercy. They were just giving her a break to build her strength before the next round of torture.

Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back. Crying wouldn’t help.

She knew Lucas had to know the baby wasn’t his. He hadn’t touched her in ages. Of course he’d figured it out. Maybe everyone had.

She bit her lip and looked up at Nolan.

"Please," she whispered. "Let me speak to Alpha Lucas."

Nolan raised an eyebrow and slowly crouched in front of her.

"Why would I do that?" he asked. "It’s not his child. That means I don’t owe it anything."

Sarah’s heart stopped for a second. Her hands slowly moved to cover her stomach, as if to shield the baby from his words.

"If you don’t tell me what I need to know," Nolan said, leaning closer, "I’ll take that knife over there. I’ll cut it out myself. And still, you’ll get no mercy."

The fear was heavy, choking her.

"I will speak with only Alpha Lucas," Sarah whispered. "But I promise... I’ll tell everything. Just... let us live."

Her hands rested protectively on her stomach. The pain in her body was nothing compared to the fear that had taken root in her heart.

Nolan straightened up slowly, his spine cracking as he stood. He gave a slow, impressed nod.

"Well damn," he muttered under his breath. "Tougher than you look."

He couldn’t lie. The alpha’s plan of threatening the baby had worked. But Nolan had to admit, Sarah had held out a lot longer than most warriors he’d interrogated. She had been a concubine, not a soldier, yet she had endured enough pain to break a seasoned guard.

Nolan turned and stepped outside the dungeon’s heavy door, where the stench of blood lingered. He tilted his head and barked at the closest guard, "Send for Alpha Lucas! Tell him it’s done, but he has to come down himself!"

The guard took off, and within minutes, the sound of heavy boots echoed down the stone steps.

Alpha Lucas appeared completely uninterested in the sorry state Sarah was in. His face didn’t flinch. Not even a twitch of sympathy crossed his features. If anything, he looked bored.

Sarah kept her eyes on the floor. She couldn’t lift her head to face him, not like this. Her once-silky hair was matted with sweat and grime, her dress was torn in too many places to count, and her pride was buried somewhere under the dirt of her cell.

Lucas didn’t care. Not even a flicker of pity crossed his face.

"Alpha..." Nolan bowed deeply. "She’s ready. But she’ll only speak to you."

Lucas folded his arms and stared down at Sarah.

"So," he said. "I hear you’re pregnant. Do I want to know who’s responsible, or do I already know?"

@Harmonyque: You are so lovely. Thank you.

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