Severin awoke with a jolt.

Clouded memories flooded his head and he felt the sharp pain in front of his eyes.

What the hell happened? Severin thought to himself. He couldn't remember until he tried to move his limbs and it felt as if they were made from concrete and submerged under water. He forced his eyes open to face the sunlight, when he came to focus he realized that the ceiling over him wasn't the one he recognized. He wasn't in Zero's house right now. A sudden rush of dread climbed in and that pushed him to get up from the bed.

"Be careful," a voice said in a rushed warning.

Severin looked up and saw Elijah getting off the chair. Elijah's stern expression was enough to tell Severin it wasn't good. That was when Severin's ears picked up the slow monitor sounds and bustling voices outside the door.

Severin closed his eyes tightly and rubbed the ache in his head when his hand brushed a cloth wrapped around his head. Hospital. Reaper. Zero; his head screamed those three words at him and his heart sank.

"Where's Zero and Tom?"

"Elijah, do you want grape or cherry?" Tom's voice neared as the door opened. Tom met his brother's eyes. "You're awake," he said in relief.

Severin rushed off the bed not thinking of the consequences that his body was still drowsy, but his brother caught him. "Are you hurt?" he asked not being able to hide his panic. He searched his brother and there were no bandages or wounds.

"I'm fine," Tom reassured him. "You're the one with stitches."

Severin didn't care about that. He hugged Tom tightly, taking in his brother's familiar lean body and fresh scent that always reminded Severin of his mom.

"We're all fine, Severin," said Tom. "We all walked out of that attack better than fine actually, it was only-" his voice fell and a rigid shock appeared in Tom, Severin felt it through the embrace.

"I need to go to her," he said.

"She's asleep," said Elijah.

Severin didn't care, he needed to see her right now. But when he moved towards the door, the sharp pain in his head blurred his eyes. Tom supported him quickly and seated him back on the bed.

"Stop being stubborn," Tom scolded. "Eat something and then go to her. She needs her rest too, Severin." That stopped Severin in his tracks. Tom was right. Zero needed rest after what she went through.

Severin may have taken a seat on the bed but he hadn't relaxed at all. His muscles were tense like stretched elastic ready to be released any second. He couldn't bring himself to think about what Zero went through after the accident.

"Was this Reaper's doing?" he asked.

Elijah looked up at him with vengeful eyes. "Yeah," he grumbled.

Severin let out a deep breath despite wanting to punch the fucking wall. "What did he do?"

"He captured Zero and then beat her up," said Elijah, the room drowned in a heavy silence that it was almost touchable. "He drugged Zero too-"

Severin's blood turned cold. "What?" He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Elijah dropped his head in his hands. "He used some drug that repressed her wolf," he gritted out. "I've never seen Zero in so much pain before-" the silence in the room returned but all Severin could hear was his heart thundering in his ears.

His mate was in so much pain. Severin's chest ached and he felt his eyes sting. "How- um," he couldn't find himself forming words- "how'd she escape?"

"I called alpha Gabriel," said Elijah. "He saved her."

Severin drew in a shaky breath. "Is he here too?" he asked.

"He was here all night with Zero. His pack was guarding the hospital," Tom explained as he ate the grape jelly.

As extreme as that sounded, Severin was glad that Gabriel took those measures, because right now Zero was defenceless and Reaper was a maniac to attack her no matter what.

"What are we going do?" he asked aloud, although that question was only for him. What were they going to do to keep Zero safe from Reaper?

"We can't do anything," said Tom.

"That's not true," disagreed Elijah. "I'm going to cut Reaper's balls off and feed them to him the next time I see his ugly face." Tom let out a laugh and funny enough Severin found himself smiling too.

Severin got off the bed and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up...

He saw his clothes from yesterday folded on the counter and put them on after his shower. He felt sick to his stomach when he put the old shirt back on himself because they were tainted with horrible memories.

Was this how his father felt when he had had an accident and he met Zero the first time? wondered Severin. Zero saved his father and now she saved him and Tom. How much debt would the Salvatore family owe to the rogue alpha? How much did the world owe her?

Severin let his wet hair sit back from his face, it dripped on the collar of his shirt which soaked the water quickly. He left the bathroom and Elijah was finishing off the cherry jelly with Tom.

"Take me to her," he said.

Elijah put his food down and got up to take him. They had only crossed two doors when Elijah brought Severin to a glass window and behind they all expected to see Zero, but they only found tousled bed sheets and an empty room.

"What the fuck-" Elijah astonished. "She was here ten minutes ago."

Of course, thought Severin. His mate would never stay in bed. "What's the time?" he asked.

"Six thirty," said Tom.

Severin looked at the empty room and realized that Zero hated being trapped here. She wasn't going to heal behind these four walls. "Where's the elevator?" he asked them.

Tom pointed straight ahead and Severin went alone this time. He knew his mate was where there would be strong winds and the sky for her to stretch herself and relax without eyes on her.

Severin entered the elevator and pressed the rooftop button. He leaned back and waited until the door pinged open to the massive garden on the roof.

Severin stepped out to face the crisp morning air and bright sun gleaming in the sky. The entire area was created to wind down and relax, with lots of flowers and greenery. Many benches and tables were set up as well.

No one was here this early, except one woman who instead of resting was hanging upside with all her weight on her hands, and her legs held straight up in the air. Sweat dripped down her face and onto the floor, a pained expression marred her face but she wasn't looking at the floor beneath her, she was lost in thought that she didn't see him.

"Shouldn't you be resting," said Severin breaking her concentration.

Zero didn't break formation though. Her eyes shut tightly and she let out a harsh breath before she collapsed onto the floor. "This was never hard before," she growled as her chest fell and rose heavily. Her lips were pale but her cheeks were red as blood had rushed to her head.

"What are you doing?" he asked her. "Pushing your body and breaking it are two different things, Zero."

Zero sat up and faced him. "It's still inside me," her voice was poisonous. "I can feel the poison tainting my veins, eating me."

"Elijah told me," his voice was too stern for his own liking.

Zero pushed her wet hair back and her sapphire eyes gleamed with a feral hunger to kill. "I'm just glad this drug isn't addicting," she confessed. "I need to sweat this out of my body, it's the only way."

Severin bent down and joined her on the ground. "A sauna would work just fine too," he said.

Zero shook her head. "Being in a room is irritating," she said. "What about you? How are you feeling?"

Severin couldn't tell her the truth, that his heart was breaking seeing her look as fragile as glass. She had bruises and cuts all over her pretty face, which would heal. But what about the scars on her heart or mind, would they heal? he wondered.

"I never thanked you for saving dad. Now, you saved my brother and I," he said.

Zero's expression stayed the same. "It sure doesn't feel that way," she said. "I feel like I dragged you in this mess."

"If you're going to say it's your fault you might was well stop here," he said. "Reaper's to blame not you."

Zero's eyes showed her gentle expression, although her strong jaw was held in a tight lock. Her gaze drifted off his eyes and to the bandage wrapped around his head. A torrent of angst melted the gentle kindness in her eyes.

"Did seeing me get hurt bother you?" Her eyes finally met his. He didn't see irritation, anger or even sadness. But he saw relief, even calmness.

"I haven't even marked you," she said as her hand touched his cheek, "and here you go getting yourself marked by someone else."

Severin smiled, he loved this woman. "You're welcome to mark me any time, baby," he said as he leaned into her touch.

"Stop pushing or I might do it in a way that it'll hurt you."

"We'll talk this out in bed later," he teased.

Zero let out a laugh and looked away with a blush on her cheeks and if he could capture this moment he would. A sense of relief washed over him that he got her to smile. This was how he loved spending his time with her, not worrying over their lives every time they stepped out the door.

"I'm not allowed to stop you," said Severin, pain etched his voice. "You never marked me, so I can't-" Zero's face said it all. She had no answer to this either. Severin leaned back looking out to the garden view of the hospital. "I can't tell you to stop and be with me, so we can build a life together. I can't do that because I'm not the only person that needs you," he said calmly although his heart was crumbling apart.

"I told you this before we mated, Severin," she said. "I won't choose."

"I know," said Severin.

"But I promised you something else as well and that was to keep you safe," said Zero. "I won't fail, but I can't do this if you don't trust me."

"I trust you," said Severin without hesitation. I trust you more than anyone else on this planet. So, I will love you with everything I have even if I'm scared, because that's all I can do for you.

Zero's lips lifted and she smiled softly. "I love you," she said firmly. "I love you, Severin Salvatore."

Severin smiled at her then too and gathered her into his arms. They sat like that for a long time, with no other worry in the world. Both of them soaked in the warmth from each other.

Severin then heard a low howl in his head, that awakened his wolf to emerge. His wolf prowled to the melancholy sound of his mate. Zero's wolf was calling out to them and telling them that she was trapped. Severin didn't know how else to comfort her wolf, but his wolf was already bonding through their scents and easing the pain Zero's wolf felt in isolation.

Zero's grip on his shirt tightened and her breathing grew harsh. "Your wolf," she moaned out. She brought her head into his neck and sought comfort or pleasure from his pheromones.

Severin's heart hammered when her teeth grazed his skin softly and her hot breath tingled on his throat. They needed a room otherwise whoever came to the garden was going to be in for a surprise.

Severin pulled both of them on their feet and guided Zero to the elevator, since her attention was on something else entirely.

What are you doing? Severin asked his wolf.

Bringing my mate back, his wolf answered.

By seducing her, said Severin.

His wolf had a cunning expression. The only way to bring out her animal is to remind her she is one.

The elevator doors closed and Severin met Zero's ferocious need to kiss right now. He felt the way her lips fused to his, reminding him how much he was made to be with her and she was his. Her body fit into his and she held him tightly to her. Severin caged her against the wall finding steadiness, his hands gripping her round hips and he deepened the kiss with his tongue locking with hers.

Zero wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her. But that was when he tasted the iron flavour and realized the cut on her lip had torn and he stiffened.

"Don't stop," her voice was low with arousal.

Severin's entire body beckoned to her call and even rationality left his head when her parted lips tempted him. He laid a hand on her stomach and held her against the wall, he eyed her mouth with hunger before he licked the cut on her bottom lip. Her blood burst in his mouth and the hot rush went straight to his throbbing erection.

"We need a room," he growled.

Zero reached behind him and hit something, he didn't know what it was, but then the elevator jerked to a stop and the lights turned off only to blinking red light. He saw his mate's figure and her blue eyes under that light, she looked hot as sin. He peeled away from her lips only to lock his teeth onto her neck and he bit down marking her wherever he could. Zero combed her fingers through his hair and held him to her throat.

"I want you in me," she said as her fingers tightened in his hair. Zero lifted her leg and wrapped it over his waist. "Now."

Severin's body trembled from the sensual whisper she spoke to him with that he didn't notice her unbuckling his pants, but he let her do that and get it out of their way. He then bent down only to put his arms under her hips and he hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around him and he only had a second to realize that her dripping wet core was exposed to him.

"Fuck," he breathed in and out reminding himself that he had to otherwise he'd forget.

Zero's scent exploded in the small chamber and that riled his wolf. Both of them were riding on the rush of their slick bodies connecting. Severin didn't need to waste a second nor did he need to see what he was doing. He knew his mate's body and he knew how to give her what she needed.

Zero threw her head back when his hard shaft slid into her core, which was pulsing around him. He fell against her and almost came from the way her core swallowed him whole. He pulled out and just before he was out of her completely, he thrusted into her core as hard as he could. Animal with animal, was how this felt. All boundaries shattered between them and they gave in to their carnal urge to consume the other.

She rode the wave of pleasure with him and both of them released together more than once. It was like they were thrown out of a hurricane after that. His head was fuzzy and so was hers. Both of them held the other as their lungs begged for air. He was still deep inside her, hard but satisfied to be in her and had given her what her wolf needed.

"My wolf is back," her voice was hoarse.

Severin opened his eyes and met her alert gaze, that was a lot more focused. "Isn't this better than working-out?" he jested.

Zero pressed closer to him. "Yeah," she sounded like she was laughing from her tone.

Severin kissed her lips and felt her smile, that alone was enough to thicken his blood and his shaft. "We can't take this elevator hostage," he said as he kissed up her neck.

Zero moaned and tightened around his shaft making him lurch forward in hot pain and pleasure. "Once more," she tempted as she brought him to her lips again. Her tongue met his and he forgot about everything again...

"Where the hell were you?" Elijah scolded when Zero came back to their room.

Severin and Zero shared a knowing look, but none of them could find the voice to respond.

"You two hungry?" Tom asked from the bed.

Zero moved around Elijah and grabbed the jelly from Tom. "Are you alright?" she asked him.

"I'm fine," he answered as Severin sat down too. "You're looking better too. Seems like Severin knew what he was doing."

Zero grinned. "He sure did," she said. Severin laughed internally but tried his best to keep his face stern- it didn't work.

"Zero," Elijah's voice was strict. "What about the drug in your system? How will you handle that?"

Zero's plastic spoon froze in the bowl of blue jelly. "I don't know," she told him. "But for now, it seems the drug has lost its affect. I can feel my wolf again, so that's all that matters."

"How's the possible?" Elijah asked.

Zero looked at Severin. "I trusted my mate," she said and Severin smiled at her.

"That's not a good enough answer for me," groused Elijah as he crossed his arms.

Zero rolled her eyes. "Stop pestering me," she said. "Let's get out of here. I hate hospitals."

They got up and left the room, only to be stopped by Dr. Stone. She was furious that none of them were in bed. However, her anger dimmed in front of Zero who didn't need to say a word about her decision. She lifted a brow and the doctor and her team and they all silenced.

"Thank you for helping us," Zero said formally before she went quiet at the next presence who arrived.

Gabriel Centauri walked into the hospital with his enforcers Azura, River and Ryder.

"Let her go, Dr. Stone," said Gabriel. "Zero won't listen to anyone even if it's for her own good."

"I'm glad you know," Zero remarked.

Gabriel stood in front of them after Dr. Stone and her team left. "You look better than yesterday," he said.

Zero nodded. "I feel better," she told him and that was when Azura stepped forward and placed a long black coat over Zero's shoulders.

"We will escort you home," said Gabriel.

"No," said Zero. "You did enough for me already. Go home and protect your territory from Reaper."

"This isn't up for debate, Zero," affirmed Gabriel. "The car's ready for you." He turned on his feet and held his arm out for Zero to walk ahead.

Zero gave in. She walked ahead and when they passed the doors they were standing with more wolves from the Centauri pack and Iron Blood pack too. Reaper would never understand this. True loyalty that wasn't out of fear but admiration.