Fated is overrated

Zeke

POV

To my surprise she grabs both our hands and softly says "it's ok, you don't have to spit it out, I know what you are trying to say and I am so sorry for your loss". Her eyes are glassy with water and although my heart is tearing all over again at reminiscing my sister, I can't help but admire her compassion.

Even for us, considering what we have been like to her. Electric sparks are shooting through my hand where she is touching it, and I'm not sure if it was her intention - but the mate bond soothes my pain a little. We remain like that for several minutes, neither of us feel compelled to speak yet.

After we have gathered our bearings again Zane breaks the comfortable silence, wearing an awkward expression. "It was never personal, we just really didn't like nor trusted any rogues". S

he is pondering on his words and I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, as her gaze flicks between the two of us. She withdraws her hand and I am immediately saddened by the loss of contact."

Ok, so I understand where you were coming from at least. And I get that you wouldn't trust rogues anymore. But you must have known I had only been a rogue for 2 weeks? I understand the sentiment against rogues, I do. But had you met me 2 weeks prior, would you not have treated me like dirt because you thought I was wolfless?".

Zane awkwardly scratches his neck, we both know the answer to this already and I believe Lola does too. We were kind of* ssholes altogether."

To be completely honest, we were kind of *ssholes back then in general. But, we wouldn't have taken it so far as to chase you off" Zane replies and I chime in "and as for the 2 weeks, yes, we were aware. But we don't know how long it takes for a wolf to go feral, it depends from wolf to wolf.

Some never go completely feral and we haven't determined the distinguishing factor between those who do and those who don't, as we don't interact with rogues at all.

And honestly, you were a supposedly wolfless girl who survived in rogue infested territory for 2 weeks and traveled a great distance to get here, we were suspicious of how you had done that. Who knew - perhaps you had made a deal with the rogues or were even part of their pack?".

She scoffs at the comment, but there is some understanding in her eyes. "If I was with them - would your guards have caught me strangling one to death?". "Fair point.

But, we don't know how the rogues operate, there must be several packs or congregations of some sort out there we assume. So we figured it could be that you just came across rogues from another pack".

She is deep in thought for a while and Zane and I let her, she needs time to process all this. But honestly, it's the truth. We still think of rogues the same as we always have.

However, we do see now that she wasn't part of them and she was actually on the run from them, and her abusive pack. And we were the *ssholes who tried to push her back into rogue territory. "Ok, I understand I guess. Oh and by the way - I have the answer to that question.

There aren't different congregations or packs of some sort. The rogues are all ruled by 1 self-proclaimed "rogue King"". She snorts a little at the mention of the rogue King.

I am a bit baffled by the revelation. Rogues are loose cannons, how can they all answer to 1 man? Zane must have thought the same as he asks "what? But how? Most of the rogues are feral?".

"Well feral or not, any rogue either gets in line with the rogue King's bidding or they are assassinated, simple as that". I can't help but ask "wait - have you met him?".

A brief flare of anger flashes in her eyes and I realize she must think I am accusing her of something now, so I quickly explain "no, not like that! I now know you wouldn't.

I'm just curious as to how you have found this out. And if you met him - how on earth you managed to escape. We all know what rogues do to females out there, which is why there aren't any as far as we are aware". I shudder at the thought of our mate having been out there with those vile rogues. "

I know the dynamics from Nick, he was a rogue as well and that is actually how we met. He was the first rogue I came across and the only kind one.

He risked his life for me several times" she smiles and Zane and I both growl lowly, trying to keep it in but failing miserably, as this Nick is probably the guy she has been with.

She glares at us but continues "but to your second question - yes, I have had the displeasure of meeting him and his army of sorts. I didn't have Justice yet and Liberty always warned me not to show ourselves to other wolves if we didn't have to, as we would be hunted down.

And we were cornered and hugely outnumbered as well. But I would rather die than be anybody's s*x slave, so I dropped myself into a river which lead out to a 2,000 ft waterfall.

I don't even know how I survived that myself, the moon goddess must have pitied me for the sad life I had up until that point and decided it wasn't my time yet" she shrugs and laughs as if it is nothing.

The color has drained from my face and my mouth is hanging open at her revelation. 'Mate is so ballsy, it is so sexy' Lex practically drools in my head.