The strongest people let themselves be weak.

My twin's words echo in my head. He mind-linked me a few days ago. That was all he said, then he blocked me out. He knows me, he knows I'll try to keep everything inside. He's telling me I don't have to always appear strong, that it's okay to fall and let others know I'm down.

Zaine's been trying to figure out what happened between Asher and I, I can tell. The way his eyes seem to be studying me, trying to see into my soul and the way he seems to fret and worry over me, though he doesn't let it show.

Clove and Killian are suspicious too, they're all trying to get me to open up to them.

I haven't. It's not that I don't trust them, I guess I'm just... not good at sharing my emotions with others. I'm used to keeping everything inside, not letting anyone see and putting others' needs before my own. I guess I just need to start remembering to take care of myself and my needs too.

As I sit on my bed, my eyes fall to the snow globe Raiden gave to me. I take it gently, turning the key on the bottom, then placing it back down on my nightstand. As the tune plays from the music box within the snow globe's base, the argument Asher and I had comes to the front of my mind.

He said Thatcher's controlling me. I said he's not. He said we came back only because Thatcher said to...

... He was right.

Thinking over everything now, Asher was right. I can't think of anything else that compelled me to leave other than the fact that a pissed off Thatcher is not something I want to face. I trust that Asher won't turn out like his dad, I could see the truth and honesty in his eyes. The rogues and attacks can be managed from Moonblood, all I need is to be able to mind-link them and I can do that from anywhere with the Chains. And Clove can stay with us and be with Raiden.

I came back only because Thatcher said to. And now that I think about it, it's not the first time I've just blindly listened to him. I've joined him on various attacks that fall more into King's style of attacking for no reason rather than my own of rescuing others, just because he said to.

I scoff, thinking of how stupid I've been. I was giving him control over me.

But why? What makes me listen to him?

I remember when we first met, a few days after Lyria died, Thatcher and his group appeared in our temporary camp in the middle of the night, walking like he owned the place. He offered to make me his partner, another leader in the rogue world. I still remember his words:

"Treat me like a King and I'll treat you like a Queen, sweetheart. But treat me like a game and I'll show you how it's played."

That was when our group the Royals was officially formed. We were officially the King's partners, equals, and I became the Rogue Queen.

Thatcher helped me get a start on what I want to devote my life to, helping to save others who face abuse daily and he gave us what we needed to make a life for ourselves. Why does that make me feel so beholden to him that I pushed aside my own desires for his?

Pulling myself out of my thoughts, I think about my options. Stay or go back. I want to go back; I miss Raiden, Dad and Asher. I guess I should talk everything over with the rest of the Royals first though.

I groan and roll out of bed. I quickly go to the bathroom and brush my hair and teeth before trudging downstairs.

"She hath arisen!" Killian says cheerfully.

After glancing at the twins to make sure they're not paying attention, I flip him off. Yes, we use foul language but we all try to keep it more kid-friendly in the presence of the twins.

Everyone is in the dining room eating breakfast, even Clove who usually gets up later than me. After getting a bowl of cereal, I sit down next to her.

"Asher said King's controlling me," I say bluntly, knowing they'll understand.

"Well, he's kind of right," Killian says after a few seconds of thinking over my words.

"I know," I reply, sighing. "I know now, at least. So what do we do? Stay or go back?"

"I wanna go back," Zaine says instantly. "It was fun there. And I forgot how boring it can be around here."

"I'm with him," Killian says, taking a bite of his toast.

"I wanna go back too!" Rhea pipes up.

"Me too!" Chase adds.

"You know where I stand," Clove says when I look at her. "Have you realized why you let King have that power over you?"

I nod and explain everything to them. I have to fight myself a bit, forcing myself to tell them everything and not close up but I do manage to get everything out. When I do, Zaine gives a wry smile.

"So you felt you had to listen to him because he helped you," he says. He scoffs slightly, "Though being grateful is nice, you don't have to devote your life to someone who helped you. I know that's true."

My eyes narrow and so do Clove's and Killian's.

"What do you mean?" Killian asks, voice low.

Zaine's wry smile turns to something between a mocking grin and a scoff. "I seriously considered leaving you guys. Not in the suicide way but the run away kind of leave."

"Explain," I say, eyeing him carefully..

"It was before Flash and I started dating, about a week or two after you rescued me," Zaine starts, "When I wouldn't let you get anywhere close to me. I was terrified of you. I mean, you did kill my coven right in front of me. Not the best move."

"We weren't thinking," I say, wincing at the memory.

"I know you weren't," Zaine grins. "Anyway, yeah, I was grateful to you for saving me but I saw no way I would fit in here. I wasn't strong or a fighter. And I didn't think I was capable of anything we do. So I thought of running away and trying to make a normal life for myself. Steal some money and disappear."

"You know we could've and would've tracked you down," Clove says. "Made sure you knew what you were doing."

"That's partly why I didn't leave," Zaine replies, shrugging. "I had no clue how normal life works. All I knew was abuse and how to obey without question. And I had nowhere to go, no one to go to. So I decided that even if I would be a burden, I would stay."

"And do you regret staying with us?" Killian asks quietly.

Zaine grins, cuddling close to Killian, "Staying with you idiots was the best decision of my life." He looks at me, "I stayed because I had nowhere else to go. You do. You can stay with King or you can go to Asher and the pack. What do you want?"

"I want to go back," I reply.

"Then let's go back," Zaine says simply.

I nod. "We can get everything packed later."

I get up and head into the kitchen to place my bowl in the dishwasher. As I do so, a loud knock sounds from the front door.

"Who is it?!" Killian shouts, not moving from the couch.

"Just me!" Thatcher's voice says. "And my idiot brother!"

"Not an idiot!" Daring shouts in response to Thatcher's comment.

We all shoot each other unsure looks.

He won't let us leave, I say. And he'll get suspicious if we don't open it.

Using her power, a scowling Clove unlocks the door and opens it. Thatcher comes in, stomping snow off his boots with Daring right behind him, a wide grin on the younger rogue's lips.

"Queenie," Thatcher says in greeting. "Royals."

"What's with the sudden drop by?" Zaine asks, plastering a fake grin on his lips, convincing enough that Thatcher doesn't notice it's not genuine. "Couldn't get enough of me?"

"Easy there, Princey," Thatcher chuckles. "But if I couldn't get enough of anyone, it would be Queenie over there. Anyways, I came to invite you to join me and some of my other rogues on an attack. RedRiver pack, this afternoon."

I shake my head. "Sorry King but we're busy today."

"Come on, it'll be fun," Thatcher replies, smirking.

Normally, I would've caved in and agreed. Now, I stand my ground.

"King, we can't," I say.

"Can't, or won't?" Thatcher says.

I can hear in his tone I'm testing his patience. But I won't give in.

"Can't," I reply. "We told the twins we'd go bowling and we have to help the Healers take care of the animals rescued a few days ago."

Thatcher's eyes narrow. I can sense the aura around him turning darker, his mood shifting from pleasant to angry. Before we can do anything, Thatcher lunges at Chase, wrapping his hand around Chase's neck and holding him off the ground. Rhea scrambles back to Clove, her eyes locked on her twin brother. Killian and Zaine shoot to their feet, anger flashing in their eyes. Daring remains silent but his grin has dropped, his eyes watching his brother carefully.

"Don't you dare, Speedy," Thatcher hisses, focusing on Killian. "Any sign of your power coming out, I will snap his neck."

Killian growls softly, frustrated but nods. Even with his power, he can't move fast enough to surprise Thatcher and get Chase out of his grip.

"How 'bout now?" Thatcher says, looking at me, his voice casual as if he had only offered a box of chocolate to convince us and isn't holding my (honorary) brother off the ground by his throat. "If I don't break his neck, will you join in the attack?"

I clench my teeth, knowing he has me cornered. With Thatcher, never doubt anything. I know he really will kill Chase and there's no way in hell I'm letting that happen.

"Thatcher," Daring says uneasily, only getting a glare in return.

"Fine, we'll join," I say with a soft growl. "Only if you let Chase go, unharmed, and don't try to hurt either him or Rhea again."

Thatcher studies me for a second, then nods, releasing his grip on Chase. The boy falls to his knees, then quickly scrambles up and to Clove and Rhea. Thatcher's attitude changes back to the calmer one I'm used to and there's no sign of the aggressive mood from seconds before.

"Good," he says, smiling. "Now let's go. Witch bitches, get your weapons, you'll want them. RedRiver's a strong pack, it'll be so much fun."

Without answering, Killian and Zaine head downstairs to the basement, where we keep their weapons.

We'll get yours, Strange, Killian says, his voice monotone but angry.

Thanks, she replies.

"I'm going to change," I say.

I head upstairs quickly, pulling out the gear I usually wear. My black fingerless gloves, mask, tight black leggings, black combat boots and black sweater made of a kind of leather-like material but it's still easy to move in if I ever want to fight in human form.

I head downstairs and see Killian and Zaine still haven't come back up from the basement. How fast did I change or how long does it take to gather weapons?

"Why do you want us to join?" I ask Thatcher, my voice hard.

He smirks. "I have to keep an eye on the queen. And besides, it's been a while since we went on a joint attack."

Now grinning again, Daring nods in agreement. "Having you guys there always spices things up. Wolf against wolf gets old after a while."

His gaze shoots to Killian and Zaine as they come back up the steps. Killian has the pantera claws I gave him in one hand and the throwing knives he gave Clove in the other. Zaine carries one of his spiked metal baseball bats, swinging it in soft arcs like a pendulum.

After the Clove, Killing and Zaine change into something more attack appropriate, we're all ready.

I asked the Healers to watch the twins, I say. They're in the forest, waiting for us to leave just in case Thatcher does something unexpected. They'll be here as soon as we leave.

You two be good, alright? Killian says.

Alright, Chase replies softly.

We'll be back as soon as possible, Zaine says.

Be safe, Rhea whispers.

We will, Clove replies.

Thatcher leads us out the door and towards RedRiver, Daring shifting into his golden blond wolf and running excited circles around the rogue king.

He looks over his shoulder at us. "Lighten up, Royals. This'll be fun."

Behind his back, we all share looks.

I hiss, No, it won't be.