"It's time to leave." Jude announced a few hours later.

Alexei's hand on my hip tightened briefly before he sighed into the skin of my neck. He wasn't ready to part with me.

I was still trying to grasp the fact that someone had bestowed him with the name 'Rogue Killer.'

Truthfully, I had no idea what to think of his reputation among the Rogues.

I also found it peculiar that as a past Rogue myself, I had never heard of the Rogue Killer. I guess, that was the downside of living more amongst the humans than the shifters. Shifter news rarely travelled towards human Territories and if it did, it usually died a quick death

Alexei exhaled another sigh, "I have to go now."

"Maybe we should talk more about this Rogue Killer thing when we get back to the Pack."

Alexei scrutinised my expression, "You don't believe me?"

"It's not that. I just realised how little we know each other. Knowing that a lot of people refer to you as the Rogue Killer is unsettling." I admitted.

He stiffened. "Unsettling?"

"I don't think you're telling me everything."

"Are you scared of me now, knowing what I did?"

"No." I meant that too.

"Then what's with the expression on your face?"

"You could say I'm just confused."

"Then we'll talk when we get back to the Pack." He said. "I don't have the time now to unpack everything to you right now."

"Are you angry?" I asked.

His jaw flexed. "We'll talk later."

He was definitely angry.

I could still feel the hot imprint of his hand on me when he retracted it.

It was decided Alexei, Jude, Kian, Allison, and Tatum would return in their wolf forms, taking the journey on rugged terrain. Jude's presence was required at the Pack as soon as possible and Alexei would be his shield as they traversed towards home.

Jamison appointed himself as the driver when Aella and I hopped into the truck. She stole the front passenger seat, sensing my need to be left alone in the back. I thanked her quietly, strapping myself in with the seatbelt.

Jamison had already checked our cargo, ensuring the lion was still heavy with sedatives to bother leaping off the back tub to escape. He also checked the binds on his legs before adjusting the blanket over the sleeping animal. He tightened the straps that crossed over the body to hold it down. Once he assessed the animal and jumped behind the wheel, he extended a palm to the backseat where I sat. "You probably want this back."

I took my phone, offering gratitude.

The engine roared. Smoke puffed from behind the truck, briefly obscuring my view of the cabin with black clouds.

The drive back consisted of Jamison and Aella bantering about miniscule things. Sometimes they wanted my input. I tried my best to not interfere in their squabbles. It wasn't a difficult feat since Jamison's sarcasm belonged on Comedy Central. He was effortlessly funny without meaning to, which made it even more hilarious.

At some point, Aella had blasted the country station on until we could hear nothing but her terrible rendition of a Sam Hunt song.

Jamison tried to refer her to a specialist.

I chose to get lost in Sam's sexy singing as he sang about breaking up in small town.

When we finally pulled up to the Pack grounds, Jamison parked the truck in front of the Pack house.

Jude and Tatum took care of the unconscious mountain lion, hauling it off to a place the Alpha had prepared for it.

I took my duffle bag from the backseat of the truck and walked to my house. I needed a good shower and a long rest. I hadn't slept at all. It was now halfway through the morning, which meant the Pack members were already up in action, going about and doing their own things.

No one stopped me as I walked by, which I found to be a big relief. I really wasn't in good form to be pleasant company to anyone but myself.

Seeing my home framed in sunlight, I dug my keys out of the side pocket of my bag and let myself in.

I made a bee line straight to the bathroom, taking off my E.S gear and boots. With the extra weight off, I twisted the shower knobs and stretched my limbs. The truck ride had taken most of my energy. I was practically a zombie. It was a surprise I had made it back home without collapsing to the ground somewhere else and taking a nap there. The thought had been tempting.

Once steam began to build, I slipped under the onslaught of hot water. I scrubbed myself clean from the dirt and dust I caught up in the mountains with my body wash, until the water ran clear, and the suds vanished. I also took the shampoo to my hair, washing my strands and coating it with conditioner before rinsing it out. From the ledge, I picked up my shaver and quickly began from my legs. I willed myself to keep my eyes open since I dreaded the idea of nicking myself.

It didn't take long to freshen up. When I finished, I hastily dried myself off and slathered on my sweet pea moisturiser.

I used my neon pink, wide teeth comb to untangle my hair. Whenever I washed my hair, it was always a challenge to keep the strands from forming little knots. When I untangled the last lock of hair, I was now swaying on the balls of my feet, blinking to keep sleep away.

I found my bed, fumbling under the covers.

It wasn't long until I was dreaming about vast blue skies and a certain golden brown eyed man.

***

It was late in the afternoon by the time I woke up from the dead.

I swore, glimpsing the time on the wall.

I overslept for hours.

I checked my phone.

3 missed calls.

One from Aella.

One from Kian.

And one from Jamison.

Aella's message was short but sweet, asking if I was fine and wanted company.

Kian simply wanted to know if I had seen his misplaced bracelet.

And Jamison wanted to know if the tracking chip was still reading on my phone app. I replied to him first, letting him know the chip was no longer in working order.

I told Kian I had no clue about his missing bracelet. The guy simply sent a sad face in response, which forced a smile from me.

I quickly let Aella know I was doing fine. She immediately responded with a thumb's up.

Sleep worked wonders because I was now ready to face Alexei. I was embarrassed I left too much time to settle the matter, but I needed to sleep on it.

I searched my drawers for something to wear. Most of the clothes I owned were of the E.S variety. I had only one drawer filled with clothes I rarely had the chance to wear which included an array of skirts, sun dresses and soft cardigans from light pinks to pretty shades of forest green hues.

I selected a dark blue sun dress adorned with printed delicate white petals. There was a slit that ran just above my thigh, exposing one leg. The material was thin but not see through. The neck of it was shaped in a small V that exposed the delicate lines of my collarbone and hint of cleavage.

The dress was something I would only wear around Alexei because frankly, I could not see myself prancing anywhere wearing something as feminine as this. Sure, it was pretty, but it wasn't my type of apparel.

I was unfortunately very much attached to my scuffed boots and combat gear.

I could handle a knife but give me a pair of heels and watch me lose all my brain cells trying to navigate myself without face planting the ground.

However, it felt good wearing something light without the extra padding for protection that I had stitched into the inner linings of my combat clothes.

I gathered my hair into a messy bun, allowing a few stray locks to frame my face.

I took one fleeting glance in the mirror, surprised by how different a dress could make me look.

Since I was still a girl who liked to always keep their feet flat on the ground, I took my clean Converses and slipped them on instead of the heels I shoved right to the back of the closet. Every dress did not need to be paired with skyscraper heels.

Converses were a staple in my closet because I could wear it anywhere and with anything. Aella had made attempts to convert me to the heeled shoes, but I was not keen on meeting the Moon Goddess anytime soon because I could not coordinate a single step in those lethal things.

Armed and poised to face Alexei, I left my home and made my way to his house.

Tatum had been one of the Pack members I greeted on the way to Alexei's place.

He had to call out my name to confirm that I was indeed Penelope Rivers, the same person who vowed to burn all her dresses.

"You look...different." He noted.

"A good different?"

"Different different." He emphasised.

"You're pulling my leg, aren't you." I accused.

The man took a moment to laugh. "I'm just not sure what I'm seeing but you look good Pen. You off to speak to Alexei?"

"Yeah."

"Bring him to his knees." He winked, walking off with a quick grin as if he knew what I was planning.

Tatum hadn't missed the tension between us earlier at the mountains.

I took a fortifying breath and kept walking.

Emerys ran into me a few seconds later. He slowed to a stop in front of me, gesturing to what I was currently wearing. His gaze immediately strayed to my dress, taking it in. "Where are you going like that?"

"I can't wear a dress?"

"Uh, I just didn't think you would wear one. I think I overheard you refer to the said article of clothing as 'an abomination' and they were only good to wear if you were in a rush to go to the toilet because you could just pull it up-"

"I know what I said Emerys. There's no need to dwell in the past."

"Right." The man looked utterly confused.

"Have a good day." I walked faster.

I blew out a disbelieving breath when I ran into Jamison. He blinked down at my attire, taking in the feminine cut and style.

I held out a finger before he could speak. "Not one-word Jams. Not a single word from you."

His brows furrowed, clearly perplexed.

"If you have a problem with me wearing a dress, I won't hear it."

Jamison was a very, very wise man.

He remained perfectly silent.

Once I stepped back from his personal bubble, he walked away in a brisk pace. However, he did glance over his shoulder once, but I simply waved him goodbye.

By the time Alexei's house appeared, I found myself in a mess of nerves.

The closer I drew near, the more I had the urge to tuck tail and hide but I gave Alexei my word that we would speak.

I climbed the stairs, aware of each creak beneath the soles of my feet. When I reached his door, I rapped against the wood.

I waited a few seconds.

I knocked again and laced my fingers together. I waited to hear footsteps resonate against the floorboards from inside, but I couldn't even pick up on a single sound.

Worry settled in.

Maybe he was out somewhere. I flicked a text to him, letting him know I was at his place and ready to talk.

I took a seat on the stairs and hugged my knees, waiting for a response.

Five minutes became twenty minutes, then an hour and then two.

Something wasn't right.

Alexei wouldn't leave me hanging. I pushed to my feet and knocked again on his door.

There was no response.

I tried calling his phone, but it cut straight to his voice message.

I tried calling Jude, but his automated voice message picked up instead.

I rapped my knuckles against the wood again, waiting for any sort of clue that Alexei was inside but nothing happened. I half expected him to burst out the door and announce he'd been home the whole time, intending to joke around but the cold silence was not something I could imagine Alexei doing, even if to spite me.

He wasn't home.

And he wasn't picking up his calls.

I closed my eyes and pondered.

Where was he?

Where would he be now?

My thoughts effectively scrambled when the first wave of heat rolled through my body. I stiffened. The air in my lungs stuttered.

It was as if an invisible hand stroked over all my erogenous zones in a tender kiss. I cried out in surprise, falling against Alexei's front door as a sharp gasp escaped my lips.