The Alpha's Rogue ✔️

58 | So Tell Me, Alpha

5431 words

"What happened to Justin?" Savannah ran to Benjamin and asked in a worried voice. She'd felt the older Beta's sadness through the bond as he slowly made his way back to the celebration, and she looked up at her uncle with concern.

"I'm sorry, Vannah... He's gone."

"What do you mean, gone? Uncle Benny, he can't just leave! He's my Beta. Where's he going? How long until he gets back? When--"

"Savannah, stop it!" Benny growled before he closed his eyes, then released a long sigh through his nose. "I'm sorry. I thought you'd have known considering your close bond with my son. Did you not feel his resentment towards Zion? Didn't you see how upset he was? He thinks it's best for everyone if he leaves, and I think... I think I agree."

"But...but..." Savannah sputtered, trying to make sense of the void that grew stronger in her mind as her Beta slowly ran to the territory's edge and crossed the boundary. He really was leaving, breaking the bond of Alpha and Beta, and turning his back on their family.

But given his vocal opposition to her decisions, and his simmering bitterness over the situation since she found her roguish mate, perhaps this really was better for everyone. She hadn't grasped how strongly he felt for her, but if he couldn't agree and respect her as Alpha now, it was best he left. He'd forget his feelings for her, or perhaps turn them into something else. He'd find his own mate, and realise how silly he'd been to love Savannah in the first place.

Zion wrapped his arms around her from behind, and placed an innocent kiss on the top of her head. His presence calmed the storm of emotions inside her, and clarified her own feelings for him. She couldn't keep feeling guilty for not returning Justin's affections.

"I really am sorry. And I tried to stop him, but there was nothing that would change his mind," Benny said regretfully, tugging his mate Kira to himself as she too felt her son leave the pack.

"Who's gonna be my Beta now?" Savannah sniffed, looking around sadly even as the rest of the pack continued eating, dancing to the live music, and enjoying themselves. It seemed Justin had closed off his mindlink with the pack, so his departure wouldn't spoil the celebrations.

"I can think of a number of candidates," Cale said cheerfully, coming up beside her and giving her a consoling hug. "It's okay, Van. You'll be okay," he comforted, understanding how she was feeling now that her best friend had left. Justin was like a brother to Cale, so the Gamma was also saddened by his decision to leave. "But look, Phoenix was born for the position. You've seen how well he works alongside Zion, his informal Alpha. I wouldn't be surprised if that wolf had Beta blood somewhere in his ancestry.

"Actually, he does," Halcyon added, bringing over a plate of chocolate brownies for Savannah to try. Most of the pack had gathered around flickering campfires, sharing desserts, songs, and tribal stories. "Our grandfather was a Beta, but he couldn't stand by a crooked Alpha that took advantage of their pack members. After many discussions and fights, he left, and that's how our family became rogues."

"Wow.... that's good to know. Alright, well... what do you think?" Savannah looked up at Zion, and he smiled at how easily she now turned to him for advice in important pack matters.

"I think he'd be perfect for the job, especially now that he's a part of your family too." Nodding his head in their direction, Savannah followed his gaze to where Emerald and Phoenix were slow-dancing to a romantic song. As her brother-in-law, Phoenix was in the best position to take over as her second in command.

"And if I may be so bold as to make another suggestion," Zion continued, and Savannah raised her eyebrows in anticipation of his request. "Chayton has always been Gamma material."