Ignite | ✔

14

14 - Embers of Bravery

ZARA

I was grinning from ear to ear at the latest news. I was finally granted release from this damn place and the room I'd been confined to for what felt like an eternity now would be a distant memory. Goodbye, blindingly white walls and sterilized clear air, I thought as I revelled in the newfound freedom that came with my recovery.

Maya had been impressed with my rapid healing, so she said once again as she graced me with a change of clothes. She couldn't understand the reason behind it. My rapid healing was a mystery to you and me both, Maya. As she prepared my discharge papers, I couldn't shake the feeling that her curiosity about my healing rate extended beyond her professional interest.

As I attempted to leave the room, Conner appeared in the hallway, a friendly smile on his face.

"Oh no, what happened now?"

He laughed, "Nothing, nothing. I just wanted to ensure you got released with no issues."

"Where's Haden?" I inquired as we walked through the spacious corridors.

Conner glanced at me, his expression thoughtful. "Both he and Alex are visiting neighbouring packs to discuss some recent updates with the Rogue King. So for now, just think of me as your trusty tour guide."

I raised a brow at him, turning down the hallway and seeing the front doors in sight.

"Tour guide or bodyguard?"

He didn't answer but he shared a knowing smile with me. Conner led me through the pack infirmary and towards the pack house, a mere three-minute walk, where he started introducing me to various pack members along the way. People were skeptical at first, their cautious glances and hushed whispers a testament to the suspicion surrounding me as a rogue. But as they introduced themselves and exchanged pleasantries, their wariness gradually transformed into a tentative acceptance.

As we walked towards the living room, I noticed several members talking amongst themselves.

"Hey guys," Conner greeted as he entered the room, "this is Zara. She'll be with us while Haden figures out the Rogue King problem."

All eyes turned to me as followed behind him and I scanned each one wearily. Conner put a reassuring arm around me as he began proper introductions.

"My beautiful mate, Abigale," he started and the gorgeous brunette smiled widely at him. "She's one of our lead researchers here in the pack. If there's something about history to know, best believe this woman knows it."

She giggled and stood, immediately enveloping me in a hug. Startled, it took a while for my arms to respond and hug her back.

"Ugh, it's so great to meet you!"

"Umm... you too?"

"This is James, the Beta of the pack," Conner said and the man dazzled me with a warm smile, "and those two idiots are Jonah and Logan."

I remembered Jonah and Logan, two pack members from the night Natalia had sent me to lock up. Speaking of the woman who seemed to be attached to my mate, I thought with a hint of jealousy, I didn't see her anywhere.

"Well hello there beautiful," Logan flirted, "it must've hurt when you fell from heaven."

I threw my head back and laughed, feeling the tension leave my shoulders.

"Oh is that the best you've got? Surely, you can do better. I'll give you another try, go on,"

This time, he stood and his hand caressed my cheek.

"Try again? For you, baby, I'd do anything," he said with a husky voice. I shook my head and chuckled. He didn't stop there, choosing to wear his persistence on his sleeve, and he continued to flirt shamelessly. He opened his mouth to try again when a menacing growl bounced off the walls.

"Haden, can you believe this gorgeous woman won't give me a chance?" Logan asked rhetorically as his arm snaked around my waist. It was clear that only Conner had known that Haden was my mate, the others seemed oblivious to Haden's bubbling rage. His dark eyes went to where Logan's then slowly crawled to my face then narrowed them at Logan.

"You may want to sit down, Logan," Conner offered as he settled on the couch beside his mate, his arm thrown around her and pulling her close.

Haden growled again and stepped forward, grabbing Logan by the throat and pushing him down in the chair.

"Man, what the hell!" he protested but Haden didn't hear him. I saw him grumble as he took his seat in the armchair and folded his arms across his chest, closing his eyes and resting his head on the headrest.

"No one touches the rogue," he mumbled but his tone offered nothing but finality, "what are you guys doing anyway?"

Abigale patted the empty seat beside me and, with a smile, I slowly walked over as Conner spoke.

"Just gave Zara a tour of the house and introduced her to a couple of people. Just the typical Sunday afternoon. How was the meeting with the packs?"

"We've all agreed to a joint alliance and five other Alphas are on board. Two were connections through Bryon, then the others through Cannon. It's a step in the right direction while we face this Rogue King. We all need to be well prepared - anything can happen so be on your guard with your respective groups."

His words commanded attention as he looked at them all with seriousness. The air was still as he waited for their acknowledgement before his eyes met my own and he stood.

"You, let's go."

As Conner and Haden exchanged words, I couldn't help but voice my reluctance to go with Haden. "No," I said, my voice firm and unyielding.

Haden abruptly halted, his piercing obsidian eyes fixing on mine with unwavering intensity. An unspoken challenge passed between us, and the room seemed to hold its breath, as if even the faintest sound could shatter the fragile standoff that had become all too familiar. Our silent contests had a way of drawing everyone's attention, turning the air electric with anticipation. Our stares hardened, both of us too stubborn to be the first one to break.

Jonah broke the silence with a sardonic comment. "Talk about bravery. It takes guts for a rogue to challenge an Alpha like that."

Abigale, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward and extended an invitation for me to meet more pack members. Before I could respond, Haden took a step forward and grabbed my arm, his grip firm.

"We'll catch up," he grunted, his voice leaving no room for argument. With that, he began to lead me away, his grip unwavering and his intentions clear.