Time was ticking by and the guests were waiting for their host to begin. But it seemed that Wayne Salvatore was a bit distracted and no one particularly knew why.

"Dad, what are you waiting for?" asked Severin.

"My friend," Wayne Salvatore told his first-born son.

Severin raised a brow. "All of your friends have already arrived. In fact, it's been more than a few hours since then," he said.

His father's eager eyes stayed glued to the entrance of the ballroom. "You haven't met this friend of mine," he told him.

Severin was baffled that his father ignored all the prominent figures in the room and waited for someone else in specific. When in fact, his father never waited for anyone, that much Severin knew for sure. Everyone in the room was curious as to why Wayne Salvatore patiently waited for one guest. Severin never saw his father excited like this before, it was strange and it made Severin oddly curious.

"There she is," his father beamed a smile as his hand shot in the air.

Severin looked straight towards the door when a figure appeared.

A woman dressed in gold enchanted the entire ballroom. Everyone stared and everyone felt her presence. The warm light of the chandeliers mesmerized the beauty of her regal face made of a tough jaw, soft cheekbones, plump lips painted a bold red. She moved with control over her entire body, her long legs were exposed from the slit on the golden dress. The focus in her eyes was unmatched by anyone he'd ever seen.

However, what was especially peculiar was that Severin sensed her wolf from across the room, it was a powerful sensation that seeped into his body. The wolf chained him to look at her; feel her and to know that she wasn't to be trifled with at any given moment.

The woman cut through the distance, climbed the few stairs and stood directly in front of his father. No one attempted to stop her, neither did the security nor his dad for that matter. Severin stared at this woman with fascination. She was radiant and he'd never seen anyone like her before. Severin couldn't shake off the feeling from earlier.

Severin's father smiled like he rarely had since their mom had passed away. "Glad you could make it," he said.

Her crimson red lips lifted into a smirk, exposing her straight white teeth. "I'd only do this for you," her voice was low and sexy as hell. "Happy birthday, Wayne." They hugged and shared an amused laugh.

Severin needed to know right now how his father knew this woman and how come Severin only met her now.

Severin's younger brother appeared beside him. "Who is that?" Tom asked.

"No idea," Severin answered his brother.

Tom looked at the scene just as attentively as Severin. "She looks like she could kill all of us and not even break a sweat," he muttered secretly.

Severin looked back to the woman chatting away with their father. He couldn't find himself looking away from those striking cobalt blue eyes, that were as deep as the midnight sky. There was strength as sturdy as mountains in them, but he saw a rawness that smoothed down the icy-cold and turned it into warmth. Severin saw that she had eyes which spoke a thousand words, so nothing needed to be said if she just exchanged a look with you. However, through all that, Severin didn't overlook the danger in her eyes, she was hiding something behind this brilliant glow of her smile.

"Come, let me introduce you to my kids." His father came to where Severin and Tom stood intrigued. It seemed that this woman had the entire Salvatore family in her grasp already. "My sons, Severin and Thomas."

Tom stuck his hand out first. "Hi, it's nice to meet you," he said.

The woman smiled politely. "Good evening," her voice sent a chill down Severin's body. Her cobalt blue eyes shifted from Tom and found Severin staring at her.

"Severin," his father called out.

Severin was at a loss for words, but he composed himself. "It's nice to meet you," he said courteously.

This woman looked at him like she saw everything inside of him. There was no hiding the truth from her and that charmed Severin just as much as it unnerved him. "It's nice to finally meet you too," she said. "I heard a lot about you from your father."

"I would love to say the same, but my dad has been keeping you a secret from us," remarked Severin.

Zero's face fell stern. "That's my fault," she admitted. "I didn't want to bring any danger to you by letting you know who I was."

The sons raised a brow in confusion.

"Oh, that's nonsense," rebuked Wayne. "I finally tricked you to come this time around. Before you'd just meet me and then leave without seeing my kids."

"We've talked over this, Wayne," she said looking at him. "I'm still adamant about introducing me to your family now too."

His father shrugged and seemed impressed of himself that he pulled off this little gambit. "Kids, this is my very good friend and partner in crime, Zero," his father finally told Severin this stranger's name.

"Zero," both Severin and Tom spoke in awe.

"Is that your real name?" Tom asked, but Severin was damn-well curious too.

The woman exchanged a look with their father. "It's the only name that the world knows me by," she told them. "Also, Tom," she stared at him. "I heard of the Devroe case that put the smuggling gang behind bars last year."

Tom gaped. "You know about that?" he asked.

"Of course," she said. "When Wayne told me that you were the working with the DA on that case, I read up on the file. I was very impressed by your work and efforts to keeps to streets clean."

"Er- thank you," Tom stuttered, which was strange because Severin knew that his brother never got nervous, let alone falter in front of others. "But- uh- why would you read up on my work?" he asked then.

"I keep an eye out for promising talent," she answered. "Honestly, if you were stationed in New York, I would've worked with you."

Tom looked at Severin with sheer panic. "You need a prosecutor?" he asked.

She chuckled and shook her head like only she knew the joke inside her head. "Sometimes a lawyer too," she told him. "I get in a lot of trouble with my line of work. So, yeah, having you as a lawyer would be fun." Tom smiled at her.

"Alright, now that we're all here," said their father. "Why don't we begin the party."

Wayne Salvatore greeted the guests and told them to enjoy themselves for his fifty-seventh birthday bash. Severin would have listened to his father's speech if he wasn't so distracted by Zero. She stood beside his father with her shoulders held back and her posture was sturdy, her face held in an eased back expression, like she was in no hurry or panic. She didn't appear nervous at all standing with his father, which Severin wondered then if she had ever been anxious or scared. Although from where he stood, she didn't seem the type to get scared of the dark or what lied inside it.

"You're staring, brother," mumbled Tom.

Severin's acute gaze still didn't move. "You don't find it weird that dad never introduced us to her?" he asked quietly.

"Not really," his brother answered. "Besides, didn't you hear them. It was dangerous to know about her. Dad was just keeping us safe."

"I don't buy it," retorted Severin.

"What are you going to do about it?" jested Tom.

"I want to know about her," he told him truthfully.

Tom grew quiet, his frown appeared between his black brows which told Severin he had realized something. "Hold on, I knew that name was familiar," he said, as his dark indigo eyes widened. "Oh god-" he put his hand over his mouth.

"What are you mumbling about?" asked Severin eagerly.

"Zero, the executioner," Tom announced with amazement beaming off his face. "This has to be some trick. No, this is impossible. Dad can't have known who she is."

Severin looked at his brother sternly. "Explain. Right now," he demanded.

Tom's mouth dropped open. "This is bizarre, that woman can't be the rogue alpha," he said. "My friends were just talking about her the other day."

Severin was getting more and more intrigued. "Who is she?" he muttered.

"Zero fights crime against wolves," said Tom. "She's like royalty, Severin."

"Fights crime, like what?" Severin asked as they watched Zero walk with their father.

"The only one I know about is the cage fights and that's because it was on the news," said Tom. "But she's done a lot more."

"Cage fights... as in trafficking of wolves and selling them off?" Severin asked.

"Yeah," answered Tom. "It's been going on for years. But Zero wiped out nearly hundreds of organizations singlehandedly."

Severin looked at Tom baffled.

Tom laughed in disbelief. "Damn, I can't believe she's live and in-flesh in front of me. She's such an idol to my friends at work that she never felt real to me. She's a legend, you know?"

Severin crossed his arms. "A legend," he mumbled. His eyes followed her as she moved around the room with his father. Strangely, he could sense her every move. Her presence was suffocating as it was impressive.

Suddenly, from across the room, her eyes lifted and they landed directly on Severin. The hard look in her sapphire eyes had lit a tremendous flame inside him. He felt her gaze all the way into his bones. A normal man would be frightened by the intensity she possessed, but not Severin. He stared back into those eyes with the same resilience.

Severin knew that staring back at her would mean that he challenged her, and she may not like that, maybe she would even kill him for doing so. But Severin couldn't help himself, and he didn't want to stop now either.

The party had begun and the cake was cut too, champagne bottles were popped open and fireworks went off as well. The dance floor opened and many couples joined to dance to the melodious orchestra, that sweetened the night with their enthralling tune. Guests met with tonight's host and they all congratulated him, which finally allowed Severin a moment alone with Zero.

Severin appeared in front of her. "A dance," he held his hand out to her.

Severin watching her with curiosity of what her response would be. Surprisingly though, her slim hand slipped into his. He guided her to the floor and they took their position very easily. His hand rested on her narrow back and he held her gently as her hand rested on his shoulder. Her relaxed demeanour and smile had turned alert and she seemed absorbed. Severin was glad that she focused on him. As the soft music began- so did they.

As he led her around the floor, he found that she was simply letting him guide her through the waltz. He would have thought that she'd fight to lead, but she hadn't.

"I'm surprised that you agreed to dance with me," said Severin, his voice was only for her ears.

"I felt obliged since you're Wayne's son," she whispered. Not being able to help himself, Severin's lips curled up. "You find my reason amusing?" she asked.

"Yes," he responded.

"Care to explain?" she requested.

"I thought I intrigued you," he said bluntly.

When he spun her around and gracefully pulled her back into his arms, she told him rigidly; "Not in the slightest."

He whispered huskily next to her ear, "Well, I find you very intriguing." Finally, her intense eyes met his dark gaze, stirring him deeply.

Suddenly, she let go of his hands and he realized that the dance was over. As she tried to move around him, but he moved the same way blocking her. Throwing him a piercing glare- he smiled mischievously. But he eventually moved letting her go. Knowing that this weekend would be even more interesting than Severin thought...

After dinner was served and midnight promptly arrived, the guests were escorted out the estate to their hotel.

Severin and Tom had stayed in the main foyer with their father and Zero after all the guests left. Finally, once the house was empty, Severin pulled off his suit's jacket and his bow-tie. Both brothers went straight to the large kitchen to eat leftover cake.

Their father appeared later on. "You two, why are you eating cake again?" he said.

"Because it tastes better after everyone leaves," remarked Tom.

Severin ate the cake as he eyed Zero who stood off to the side. Severin guessed that she was staying at the house and not the hotel.

"Zero will be staying with us in the house," their father told them and Severin was proven correct. "I'm going to escort her, so you two make sure to sleep early, because tomorrow we're having breakfast in the garden with our guests."

"Ugh, how early are we talking about?" muttered Tom.

Wayne gave his son a pensive look. "Just make sure you don't wake up at noon," he remarked. Their father turned and looked at Zero. "Right this way," he said. They left Severin and Tom in the kitchen.

"I guess I should get a head-start if I have to wake up early," said Tom, as he yawned.

"Yeah, goodnight," said Severin.

"Goodnight," he replied.

Tom left to his room, and after a while, so did Severin. Even though sleep was nowhere near on his mind right now. He had no desire to fall asleep when all his attention was focused on that woman Zero. Severin was almost desperate to search her up online, but he calmed himself because this wasn't courteous behaviour to anyone, especially himself.

Zero changed out of the dress, took a shower and put on slacks with a loose shirt. In the massive, extravagant bedroom that had its own chandelier, she felt out of place and she knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep here. Not that the room wasn't the best, it was and that was the problem. The mattress was too soft and the duvet too lavish, there were fluffed pillows and velvet, satin fabrics, which were too much for her. She travelled a lot in her time and had to sleep in a lot of areas that weren't fit to her preference. The only place she got any sleep was in her own room back home. She tossed the towel from around her neck onto the high-back chair and left the room making her way to her friend.

Zero knocked on the door to Wayne's study. "Come in," he said from inside.

She opened the door. "Join me for a drink," she prompted.

"What do you think I was waiting for here," he remarked and told her to join him in his comfortable study.

She took a seat on the comfy, leather chair and he handed her a glass of his favourite 1964 Bowmore whiskey, that he rarely shared with anyone. They clinked their glasses together and took a moment to enjoy their drink.

Wayne was still in his suit, looking strikingly handsome despite being in his fifties. The alpha-male title that Wayne had was evident from his strapping built and wide shoulders. He looked deadly, dangerous and he wasn't any mere wolf or man to be trifled with. His dark black hair had grown longer than when she first met him and there were a lot more streaks of silver near the temples of his head. He raked his hair stylishly back for the party, but now, some of the strands had fallen onto his forehead. Wayne's kids had their father's eyes, which was the deepest, darkest shade of indigo. Wayne's gaze burned brightly in the light of the tremendous flames lit beside them in the stone hearth.

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" asked Wayne as he joined her on the chair.

"I enjoyed it as much as I could," she told him. "You know it was only for you that I even came."

Wayne beamed. "You're such a sweetheart," he said. "I still don't understand how a man hasn't snatched you up and made you his mate."

Zero chuckled. "Probably because they all run away with their tails between their legs," she jested, which wasn't exactly a lie.

"Maybe if you didn't show that gun you always have on you then they would be more adamant on staying," remarked Wayne.

Zero enjoyed the rich taste of whiskey. "I don't need anyone that gets scared of me," she told him.

Wayne's smile turned sad. "Trust me when I say, that a mate is never scared of the bond," he told her. "When you find someone who will love you no matter what, then you won't be able to let them go."

"Since when did you become so philosophical?" teased Zero.

"Kids do that to you," he said, but his eyes told her that he was remembering his wife. "You'll know when you have your own."

"I want to have kids... a family," she shared honestly.

"You already have the biggest family," said Wayne. "And you are the mother of all the kids you save every day." Zero smiled at him. "I honestly don't know how you do it," remarked Wayne. "I can barely handle two kids."

Zero chuckled. "Your sons have grown up a lot these past few years."

"They're doing the best they can," said Wayne. "That's the most a parent can ask for."

"You raised them well," said Zero.

"I like to think so too, but it was my mate that made them who they are," he remarked. "And no thanks to you, that I was even able to stay with them."

"Wayne, there's no need to thank me every time," she said.

He shook his head. "If you hadn't pulled me out of that car, my kids would be orphans right now," he said. "Since that day I've owed you my life and I mean it."

"You're not going to start crying on me, are you?" she jested.

He laughed. "Oh dear," he poured himself more whiskey.

"Enough about that, how are you holding up?" she asked. Wayne's mate had passed away a couple of years ago, but she knew that Wayne still held onto his mate's memory.

Wayne's eyes saddened. "Losing a mate isn't easy, but I have my kids and they keep me going," he said. "What about you? You crawl in the darkest of places and face the vilest of people. I worry about you a lot."