Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 126: Alike

Chapter 126: Alike

Ava nodded.

Kade watched her for a beat, then chuckled softly. "I guess I and my father are more alike than I care to admit," he said, half to himself, but loud enough for Ava to hear. "We both have a thing for the Alpha’s women."

His smile faded just slightly when he saw the weight return to her shoulders.

"I’m leaving the decision up to you, Kade," she said gently. "Whatever you ask of me, I will do. I owe you that much. You did save my life."

Kade’s teasing grin softened. He sat up straighter and rested his elbows on his knees, looking down at his hands like he wasn’t sure he deserved the pedestal she just put him on.

"Actually," he began, "I was just the first to get to the dungeon that day. There was a long line of people who wanted to save you."

Ava’s brow furrowed with affection. "Still counts."

"Everyone likes you. I don’t know if it’s this Daughter of the Moon mystery you’ve got going on. But you’ve got a lot of people on your side, Ava. A lot."

"I heard about the Alpha King." Kade added. He reached out and took her hand gently in his. "You don’t need to be afraid, Ava. You will be safe," he said with such firm conviction that it sounded more like a promise than a comfort. "You just focus on being Luna."

She nodded again, a small smile gracing her lips.

*****

Zoe found him where she always did these days—by the riverbank, where the water hummed , and the wind whispered secrets to the trees. She padded quietly through the underbrush, and without asking, she plopped down beside him, close enough that their arms brushed.

"You’re avoiding me," she said plainly, folding her legs beneath her and eyeing him sideways.

Dennis turned to look at her, the corners of his mouth tugging upward. "No," he said.

Zoe raised a brow. "Then you’re mad at me."

Another chuckle. "No."

She huffed. "Then what is it, Dennis? You’ve barely looked at me. I know I have done unforgivable things." She paused. "I didn’t choose my life, Dennis. It was chosen for me."

He let the words hang in the air a moment before replying. "I don’t blame you for any of that, Zoe. I don’t blame you for anything."

That surprised her. She turned to face him more fully, her brows knitting. "Then why are you pulling away?"

Dennis picked up a pebble and rolled it between his fingers. "Because I’m afraid."

She blinked. "Afraid?"

"I’m afraid of the future," he admitted. "I’m afraid of losing you. I’m afraid I’m not doing enough to keep you safe."

She grinned and nudged his shoulder with hers. "You’re not alone anymore. You don’t have to carry that fear on your own. We’re a team now."

He shook his head with a reluctant smile. "Actually, I was thinking of asking you to stay with Lucas and Ava at the fortress."

Zoe’s grin disappeared. "So your brilliant strategy is for me to go into hiding?"

"Yes. The fortress is secure, fortified, and under Lucas’s protection. It’s the safest place you can be."

She stared at him. "I’d rather stay here and build our own fortress."

"Zoe..." His voice was tight with worry, already bracing for her refusal.

"Dennis..." she echoed, but this time there was steel behind her softness.

"I’m not the kind of woman that hides from anything. I face my problems. I fight my demons. I don’t cower. Ever." She paused, her hand found his, fingers laced. "You have to accept that about me. Because if you go to war, Dennis, be damned sure I will be fighting right beside you."

"I’m never going to win an argument with you, am I?" Dennis asked.

Zoe, ever the picture of grace and mischief, rose to her feet. She didn’t look back at first, her fingers working the buttons of her shirt with intentional slowness, the movement teasing and effortless. "I can make it up to you. You let me have my way... I rock your world."

Dennis blinked. Once. Twice. And then like a man waking up from a trance, he bolted upright and scrambled after her. He nearly tripped over his own feet as he followed her back to the packhouse, muttering something about how the woman was definitely going to be the death of him.

*****

Ava sat beside Lucas in the car as it rolled toward the Council Hall. Her fingers fidgeted in her lap. She didn’t know these people. They didn’t know her. And yet, her future—their future—was about to be debated

Lucas wasn’t much help in the nerves department. He sat stiffly, jaw clenched, brow deeply furrowed.

When they arrived at the High Council building—a tower of intimidating glass and obsidian stone—they were told to wait in the reception area.

"Stop glaring at everyone like you’re planning a coup," Ava muttered under her breath, elbowing Lucas gently.

"I’m not," he said, gaze not leaving the door. "I just don’t like surprises."

"You don’t like people," she countered.

Lucas almost smiled.

Finally, a steward ushered them into a conference room. Ava expected a grand hall with echoing voices and twelve robed elders seated in judgment.

Instead... one guy. One man. She highly doubted they planned on taking them seriously.

"Alpha Lucas Raventhorn," he said, crossing his legs. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Although..." his eyes roved Lucas up and down critically, "I assumed you’d be bigger, given the chaos you’ve caused."

Ava’s brows shot up. Was this how the Council greeted dignitaries? With a side of ego and sarcasm?

"I was under the impression I’d be meeting the entire council," he said coolly, choosing to ignore the jab.

"You declared an emergency," the man said, gesturing lazily around the empty table. "This is what you get in an emergency."

"Comforting," Lucas muttered, with all the warmth of a thundercloud.

The man’s gaze slid to Ava, finally acknowledging her. "And who is this lovely lady beside you?"

@Sidra_Waleed, @Alicia_Zeigler: Thank you for your support.

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