Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 119: Disbelief

Chapter 119: Disbelief

His voice cracked slightly. He didn’t understand.

"I have to go," she muttered. She pulled on a pair of worn-out shorts and a faded t-shirt.

"Go? Go where? Why? You’re not making any sense." His voice rose with panic and disbelief. "Zoe, what the hell just happened? Can we talk about whatever the hell is going on?"

She didn’t answer. Her back was to him now, hair tousled, fingers trembling as she slipped on a pair of flats.

"Zoe, please." He stood.

Zoe paused at the door. "You don’t get it. I cannot have this."

Dennis stared at her. "You’re my mate, Zoe. Of course you can have whatever you want."

She turned her face slightly, just enough for him to see the glimmer of tears. "I’m sorry."

And then she was gone.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Dennis naked and dumbfounded.

He rubbed a hand over his face, muttering to no one. "That has not happened to me before."

*****

Zoe walked quickly toward the main gates, needing to get away from Dennis. Her mind was all over the place, and being near him was only making it worse. How did happy people think clearly? Her head felt like it was full of mashed potatoes. Every decision she tried to make now seemed to include Dennis, and that was the problem.

This mission was supposed to be easy—go in, get it done, get out.

"Hi, Zoe!" someone called out.

Zoe looked up and saw Ava sitting on a bench near the gate.

"You heading somewhere?" Ava asked with a smile.

Zoe hesitated. Should she be talking to the woman she was sent to find? "Uh... I don’t know. You?"

Ava laughed softly. "Well, I was in my room, and let’s just say some newly mated people were making a lot of passionate noise. I figured it was safer to go into town. But Lucas asked me to stay safe, so here I am."

Zoe groaned a little, half-embarrassed, half-proud. "Sorry about that."

Ava waved her hand. "Don’t be. I know what it’s like being with a Raventhorn. I’m happy for you."

That made Zoe feel like the worst person on earth. Ava was kind.

"If you want to go out," Zoe said, trying to change the subject, "we could go together. Something tells me I can take on this Dorian guy." She winked. "And maybe we can talk about these Raventhorn men. Share stories."

Ava chuckled and stood up. "Okay. That sounds nice."

But as they walked toward the gates, the guards stepped in front of them, blocking their way.

"Luna," one of them said politely, "Alpha Lucas said we have to make sure you’re safe. We can’t let you leave the pack grounds."

Ava sighed and looked at Zoe, then back at the guards. "I appreciate that, but I’m with Zoe. I think we’ll be fine."

Zoe crossed her arms and smirked. "Yeah. Unless Dorian brings an army, I think we are good."

The guards looked at each other, clearly unsure what to do.

"How about this?" Ava said. "You follow behind us. That way you’re still doing your job, and we still get to enjoy a walk."

After a short pause, the guards stepped aside.

"So, what’s it like?" Zoe asked as they strolled into town. "Being mated to a Raventhorn?"

Ava let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "Whew... well, where do I start?" She glanced sideways at Zoe. "Honestly? It wouldn’t be fair to group both brothers together. They’re very different."

Zoe raised a brow. "Oh yeah?"

Ava nodded. "Lucas is intense. Like... explode-first, ask-questions-later kind of intense. Volatile is the word. Meanwhile, Dennis is calm, steady... patient. He actually listens. He asks questions. He even waits for answers."

Zoe smirked. "Sounds like someone’s the favorite."

Ava chuckled again. "Its kind of a trick question. Dennis is surely my favourite. He is like the brother you run to when your husband is acting crazy but I love Lucas. I won’t lie and say he’s easy. Sometimes I think it takes all the strength of the Moon Goddess herself just to survive being with him."

Perfect match, Zoe thought. She’s literally the daughter of the Moon. Maybe Lucas needed someone who could shine through all his darkness.

Ava noticed the silence and gave Zoe a gentle nudge with her elbow. "You okay?"

Zoe shrugged, eyes down. "Just thinking."

Ava wasn’t going to press. She knew that face. The "too many thoughts at once" face. "Listen," she said quietly, "I’m not going to tell you having a mate is pure joy every day. It’s not. There’s fire and ice, kisses and chaos. Mine literally sentenced me to die." She laughed bitterly. "Romantic, right?"

They kept walking for a bit in silence, the lights of the town growing brighter ahead of them. Zoe didn’t know what to say. Her heart was heavy and confused. She hadn’t come here to fall in love. She came with orders, with a mission.

Suddenly, she stopped. The guard trailing them bumped to a halt too.

"Send a message to your Alpha," she said, turning fully to the man. "Tell him I want to speak with him. Right now."

The guard blinked at her. Once. Twice. "I... you want to summon Alpha Lucas Raventhorn?"

Zoe blinked right back. "Yes. Is that English not clear? I mean I know I have a bit of a northern accent but not enough that you cannot comprehend me."

He looked like he was about to pass out from shock.

Ava stepped in quickly. "Okay, wow, hold on. Did I not just say Lucas is volatile? As in... explodes? You can’t just summon him."

Zoe huffed. "I’m not scared of him."

"No, but he is," Ava replied, pointing in the direction of the shocked guard. "And I believe he happens to like his face the way it is. What’s so important that you want to see him right now?"

Zoe rubbed her temples. "Why does everyone act like he’s a ticking time bomb?"

@PrincessH: You are too kind

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.