Severin paced in the foyer waiting for Zero and Elijah to return. Robin was seated on the couch typing away on his laptop and Tom was with him, just as anxious as Severin was right now.

Severin didn't know why but a disturbing sensation settled inside his gut. In his head, he kept asking if Zero was going to be alright once she came back. She had successfully saved the kids and Severin never doubted that she wouldn't be able to do it. No one was more competent than her. However, Severin never saw Zero's eyes as dark as the abyss itself before, that was worrisome.

He could still see Zero standing on top of the warehouse's roof. She stood tall and proud, a sneer on her lips as blood trickled down her body onto the floor. The eerie silence from her was forbidding, and then, she had done something that screamed revenge from every angle. At the front the warehouse where Reaper would have smuggled the kids, Zero had infiltrated and killed every single man Reaper had employed. She had taken their bodies and used chains to hang them off the roof, like scrap meat at a butcher shop. Some of the men were missing heads or limbs, it was a gruesome sight to behold for anyone. And now, the entire world had these images all over their news channels.

Even in this house, the television was on and all they saw were the reporters at the warehouse letting everyone know of the mysterious massacre today.

Though, it was no mystery. Everyone knew who was capable of such devastation and it was none other than the infamous executioner. Zero showed once again to everyone why she was feared, and especially proved to Reaper that she wasn't to be trifled with.

Severin almost sensed that Zero glorified her victory to Reaper. She had showed him with this grand display that she was not afraid to play nasty with him. If he wasn't going to be honourable, then neither was she. She would play the game with his methods and be as ruthless and cold. There was no more hiding and teasing one another. A war had begun and now Zero had stepped onto the field, it was only due time when Reaper would reveal himself to her. And right now, with the whole mess on the global news, Severin didn't suspect that Reaper would slither out of his hole to strike soon.

Suddenly, the front door opened and Elijah walked inside first; a bunch of kids huddled around his legs.

Severin sensed their anguish from the door, they looked as fragile as glass. One touch and they'd break. This wasn't how kids should live their lives, they were in constant fear and with no hope of having a safe home.

"Where's Zero?" Severin asked Elijah.

Elijah was roughed-up after the fight; his clothes dirty and his face. He looked up at him and motioned towards outside without a word.

Severin then bent down at the level of the kids. "Hi, I'm Severin, do you remember me?" he asked. "We all met when I visited the sanctuary."

"I do," a boy at the back spoke up. The green eyes, pale skin and frail body underneath the loose clothes told Severin that it was Ender. The boy named by Zero herself.

"Hi, Ender," Severin smiled warmly. "You guys must be exhausted. How about we get you all cleaned up and some warm food to eat. How does that sound?"

The kids looked around at each other and then nodded. They all walked inside closer to Severin, he held his palms out and they all linked hands. He was about to take them upstairs to the large pool Zero had here, when he froze by the chilling pheromones in the air.

He turned and looked outside the door, when his eyes locked onto the one whose pheromones sucked the life out of the air in the house. Zero, stood covered in blood, her eyes desolate and the feral heat of her wolf ripping through and presenting itself without a single word. Zero entered and closed the door behind her. Everyone stood on high alert around her, even the kids.

"Where are you taking them?" Her voice was thick with vigour.

"To clean them up," said Severin gently. "I think you and Elijah should do the same."

Zero's dark eyes lifted and the blue sparkled against the crimson red blood on her pale skin. She strode in closer, but all her focus was on the kids. She guided them upstairs herself without a word to anyone else.

"She does not seem like herself," whispered Tom.

"You should've seen her at the warehouse. She was unbelievable," added Elijah.

"Oh, we saw," added Robin from the couch.

"Is she gonna be okay?" Tom asked them, but it seemed only his brother had an answer.

"That's all Zero's seen in life. One person taking their anger out on someone else, and innocent lives being harmed in the crossfire," believed Severin. "Right now, Zero is at her most calm even if it doesn't feel like it. She'll be fine, don't worry." Before Severin realized, his feet moved on their own towards his mate and those kids.

Severin went upstairs where he saw the three young girls standing outside the large double doors from the pool chamber. Zero must be inside and the boys must be with her.

Suddenly, the door opened and Zero stepped out. She looked at him and had a concerned frown on her face.

"Can you go to my closet and bring some extra t-shirts and shorts?" she asked of him.

Severin nodded. "Sure," he said. "Are you almost done with the boys?"

"Yeah," she replied. "I'm just gonna help the girls now."

Severin touched her arm, that was rigid. He was going to tell her to clean up as well and not to take it so hard, but nothing came out. He took one glance into her deep eyes and forgot his words.

Severin left to her closet and got what she needed. On a corner shelf, there were crisp cotton shirts and white shorts too, they looked to be Zero's size but they would be big enough for all the kids. He grabbed enough pairs and went back to the pool.

He saw the door across the pool open and figured the boys were in that room. He knocked lightly on the door, before he poked his head inside and saw the kids wrapped in towels.

Severin quickly helped all the boys into fresh, clean clothes so they wouldn't catch a cold. As Severin tried to lighten the mood and kept them occupied with little tasks, he noticed their paled expressions and distant eyes. It was clear to Severin that these kids were remembering the moment in the warehouse, and maybe the fact that they didn't have a 'home' to return to now.

What was gonna happen to these kids now? Severin wondered. What about Tyler and Darren and the rest of the survivors?

Building another sanctuary wasn't going to be done in a mere day or two. Severin didn't think keeping them all in a hotel would be any better either. Maybe, renting another house would do for a provisional solution.

Severin guided the boys out of the room and took them downstairs to the others who were in the kitchen. Robin and Tom were helping Elijah who had freshened up and now was preparing lunch for the kids. Elijah had promptly prepared turkey sandwiches for everyone and Tom was helping him grill the bread. Robin was sitting on the stool with his chin propped on his palm looking rather tired.

Severin took the kids to the dining room and seated them around the table. That was when Zero had arrived with the girls and told them to sit down too. Tom came with two trays full with sandwiches and Severin started to serve them. However, the entire time Severin's eyes followed Zero. She seemed unbothered and relaxed. He wondered if going and killing all those men had calmed her down? Or maybe, it was that she could see that the kids were safe. Whatever it was, something told Severin that Zero may look calm but her temper wasn't in a gaming mood.

The kids just started to eat, when the doorbell went off.

Everyone froze in their tracks and exchanged a suspicious look, except Zero who opened a drawer near the sink and grabbed something that was strapped under the shelf. She pulled her hand out and a black gun revealed in her tight palm. She turned and went to the door armed and pissed.

"That person better have a good reason to show up here right now," muttered Tom as he poured juice for the kids.

Severin put the tray down from his hands and followed after her because he was damn-well curious to see who had the guts to visit now. It couldn't possibly be Reaper, not after what happened at the warehouse. Besides, what psychopath shows up at the front door... right?

Severin marched out of the kitchen and spotted Zero opening the front door's lock as she held the glock to the door, she turned the knob and pulled the door open. But just as the door opened far enough and she saw who it was, she quickly hid her gun behind her back and strapped it to her belt, like nothing happened. Now, Severin was even more interested.

Severin leaned over the wall a little more and saw a man. The man in front of Zero was none other than Czar Bacardi, the alpha of the White Wolf Pack. Intimidating and reserved, was what he was known for in the shifter and corporate world. Everyone knew that Czar and his wife kept a tight fist around their pack from the outside world. He wasn't a cruel pack leader from what Severin had heard through the grapevine. But from his scars that ran over his neck and hands, his green eyes were sharp and alert, he thought maybe Czar was more dangerous than he let on. Czar was a deadly alpha who was respected by the world. He reminded Severin of his own father actually.

"Zero," Czar greeted her grimly, his voice matching his troubled eyes.

"What are you doing here, Czar?" asked Zero as she let him inside.

The hall filled with Czar's deep pheromones that were potent and rich. He stood in a deep red overcoat that was trimmed with black fur around the collar and he wore a black suit underneath.

"I saw what happened on the news," he said sternly. "The fire and then at the warehouse. That was you, wasn't it?" Zero didn't answer, her seething blue eyes did. And Czar went quiet with a sigh off his lips. "Veronica was worried about you," said Czar, and at the sound of his wife's name Zero's face slightly calmed. "She sent me here to check if you're doing okay."

"I'm fine," said Zero.

Czar straightened, his broadness getting larger and he appeared taller too. "Don't lie to me, Zero," he said. "I've known you since you were nineteen, so I can tell when you're lying to me."

"Being pissed isn't going to solve anything, Czar," she told him. "Many need me right now, so I don't have time to worry about my own feelings."

Czar's jaw locked and he looked out towards the front door, which was still open. "The sanctuary," he brought up carefully. "What will you do about it now? That place was very dear to you."

That was when Severin saw dread fill up in Zero's eyes. "Nothing I can do about it yet," she said.

"You will let me know if you need any help," said Czar.

"I will," Zero answered curtly.

Czar raked a hand through his dark hair. "Be careful out there," he said before he leaned in and hugged Zero. He mumbled a few words into her ear, that Severin couldn't catch and then Zero put her hand on his back too.

Czar pulled back and then left the house. Zero locked the door then turned when she spotted Severin watching. Severin ignored the heavy air and held a warm smile to her as she sauntered over to him.

"So, are we adopting twelve orphans?" he jested. "I think we should, it'll be good for you." She stayed quiet. "They'll use up all your energy, so you won't have time to do other things."

"I would keep them," she said. "But it's not safe here anymore." She past him into the dining room.

After everyone finished lunch, Zero took the kids upstairs to the spare bedrooms and put them to bed, since they were exhausted and barely able to keep their eyes open; some of them were even nodding off at the dining table. Except Ender, who seemed lost in thought. He hadn't even touched his food and all he could do was stare at his hands the entire time. No one forced him into eating or asked what was going on when it was obvious. However, Severin was concerned that the kid was pushing himself too hard. Hopefully, some sleep will calm the boy down.

It was getting close to the evening, when Severin went up to his room to take a shower too. He had just changed and stepped out of his room when he saw Zero's bedroom door open. Through the dark room, he heard the tap water running.

Severin let himself inside and was going to knock on the bathroom door but it was left open too. Zero stood over the sink aggressively rinsing her hands with soap. She was showered and changed into a baggy t-shirt. Severin stepped closer and it seemed that Zero didn't even notice him. He reached under the cold water and grabbed onto her icy hands.

"You'll freeze your hands off," he spoke softly.

Zero's hands felt so small in his grasp. She looked up at him and then at his hands around hers. "The scent," she muttered, "it won't go away and it's driving me crazy."

Severin didn't smell anything except the jasmine hand-soap. "What scent?" he asked her.

She swallowed, her eyes closed and her tremble ran through her like it was painful to even stand. "Blood," she replied through gritted teeth. The turmoil in her eyes reflected the agony that she held inside her heart for so long.

Severin's heart felt as it was being held in a fist. "You don't smell like blood," he said as he grabbed the towel off the hook and wrapped it tightly around her hands, so they'd warm up.

Zero faced down, her hair fell in front of her face. Severin leaned in and laid a soft kiss on her cheek. She stood stiffly near him, her breath even but he swore he could hear her erratic heart hammering in the quiet room.

"You saw earlier what I did at the warehouse, right?" she broke the silence first.

"I did," he replied confidently, but for some reason felt like he shouldn't have said that.

"What did you think?" she asked.

Severin had a feeling that she was testing him. "I felt angry," he told her truthfully, and when he had, instantly he felt the way Zero toughened every muscle in her body. But Severin kept this stance and he pulled in closer when she tried to move back. "I was angry-" Severin put his hands around her nape making her look at him- "that you had to dirty your hands with the stench of pigs who dared to mess with you."

Zero's sapphire gaze gaped at him, like she never thought that he would give that type of answer. "Severin," she whispered his name which made it sound so vulnerable. "I killed those men and I will continue to do the same until I die. I need to know if you're in this with me or not. I can give you ten minutes or more to decide-" she tried to leave making Severin laugh a little.

Severin grabbed her hand. "There's no need," he said. "I've already made up my mind."

"I still believe it is good to think it through," she added.

Severin put his arm around her waist, that he could measure so well through the flimsy shirt she wore. "I'm in this until the end, Zero," he told her. "After everything I saw from the first day I came here to now. I am still right here with you. The real question is... are you?"

Zero straightened and faced him with an intense flame in her eyes. "Yes," she gave a straight answer, which was just like her to do so.

Severin hovered over Zero with a smile on his lips when he heard that. So, before Zero could tell Severin to stop, he locked their lips together and it took both of them by a storm. He devoured Zero, he skillfully studied her mouth like it was the only thing he would do. Zero pushed at Severin's shoulders but his body just wouldn't budge.

Severin's hands gripped her waist and guided her back to the empty bedroom. He already knew where the bed was, so he made sure that they both made it where they needed to be, in order to finish what they started.

Severin was on top of the bed, he ripped away the sheets and restrained her under him. Zero knew it was futile denying this, but surprisingly, she accepted it and kissed Severin back with the same feverish heat that drove them both mad.

Zero didn't even notice when Severin's hands began roaming over her sensitive body. Severin's hands pushed up Zero's shirt and without pulling away from the kiss, his hands gripped her hot supple flesh.

"Severin," Zero called out his name and it caressed his body.

Zero pushed off Severin's sweater and then eagerly her hands yearned to know what Severin would feel like. Zero raked her nails up Severin's back, the deep growl from her surprised Severin but he didn't let her stop.

Severin consumed their kiss just like his hands held Zero close to him, and then he abruptly stopped.

Severin pulled away leaving both of them gasping for air and craving more. But Severin didn't pull away, he just stopped in order to rip his damn shirt off, he peeled it over his head and let it pool on the floor. Zero couldn't look away, Severin's muscular body glimmered under the deep golden light with an enchanted spell that made anyone stare forever.

Severin was hungry to feel her skin under his hands. He caressed up her calves to her strong thighs and the shirt she wore lifted too. His breath stopped in his throat and he almost lost all control when he saw her bare core dripping wet with ecstasy for him. Severin settled between her legs and wrapped her around his waist.

Severin leaned down, his lips close to hers and he felt her erratic breath that was scorching against his smile. His hands crept up her shirt, it was as if he couldn't help himself from teasing her with his bold but leisure touch. However, Zero hadn't raised any questions. Instead she had watched with her sapphire gaze with a curious flame of arousal and mischief too.