Rogues: Rise of The King

Five

Sloane: 

    I stood at the end of the terminal. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw me. My heart began to pound in my chest as he pushed away from my friend's arm and ran over to me. His little body smacked against mine. His arms once again wrapped around my neck securely. He had gotten a little taller. A little heavier as I lifted him up to hold him tighter. 

    "Mommy," he whispered into my hair. 

    "I've missed you, Danny," I whispered taking in his scent. He smelled almost the same. Dark chocolate and some kind of dark spice. The scent of pack wolves lingered on his clothes and on his skin. I hate it.

    "I don't want to go back to the place," he pleaded.

    "You never have to go back to the place," I promised. 

    "Never pegged you for the maternal type," I smiled at her as she handed me his luggage. 

    "What's this?" 

    "They handed him over, Legs," she had given me that nickname when we had first met. She had almost killed me that night. Had I not wrapped my legs around her neck she would have.

    "They handed him over?" I asked looking down at the luggage. She nodded. 

    "They had that ready by the time Tities reached the packhouse," that's her nickname for Titus. "He's super cute," 

    "I know," I said looking at my son. "He looks just like his dad," 

    "Tities is having all the fun isn't he?" she asked as we walked to my rental. 

    "Yeah, I had Alexie pick him up," 

She laughed putting her carry on in the trunk. 

    "You do know he hates us right? Fate has a way of finding you, legs. The one big bad on your list is the one that compliments you. Cute," 

I smiled at her securing my son in the car seat. 

    "Mommy, I'm hungry. I want chicken," he demanded, looking up at me. 

    "Don't tell Anya but we're getting chicken nuggets," his eyes lit up as he put his little hand up tapping his lips. I handed Sin the keys. 

    "Personal driver now?" she asked going around the car. 

    "I'm going to need you close," 

    "Why don't you keep your new beta close?" she snarked. 

    "Are you jealous?" 

    "No. I'm pissed that you didn't call as soon as that- that-... That guy came back into your life. I thought we... I thought we trusted each other enough to ask for help," 

    "We do. I didn't need your help with that. It was something I had to do on my own," 

She let out an annoyed sigh as she turned into a McDonalds drive-thru.

    "What's so important that you called now?" she asked.

    I pulled my sleeve up and reached between the driver's seat and passenger seat to hand her a twenty-dollar bill. Her hand gripped my wrist as she looked at my arm. The car shot forward before she pushed the brake to stop herself from hitting the car in front of us. I looked down at Daniel who just stared back at me and then snickered. 

    "You okay?" I asked him and he nodded. 

    "Yes, mommy," he smiled tapping his little hands on my face.

    "That's the royal family sigil," she said after a few minutes. 

    "Yes, it is," I nodded. 

    I jumped over the car seat as we pulled up to the speaker box. Daniel laughed the entire time. His laugh has gotten more contagious or maybe it's the fact that I had missed him so much. I winked at him and gave the speaker box my order. Sin ordered her food. Anya had left by the time we got home after dropping off the rental. So we were in the clear about the fast food.

    The condition they are in is exactly the way I had pictured it. Alexie is standing on the balcony and Titus is sitting in the living room with one of my books on his lap and an ice pack to his face. They had fought. Not the pack wolves but one another. They wouldn't be this bad if it were just the pack wolves. 

    "Daddy," Daniel shouted. As soon as he heard his voice Alexie's head whipped around. I place Daniel on the floor and he took off running as soon as his little feet touched the floor. 

    "Buddy," Alexie called out to him. 

    "I missed you so much, Daddy. I missed you," he cried out with a desperation that pull at my heartstrings hard. 

    A warm feeling settled over me when he scooped him up in his arms. The feeling of relief made my eyes water and it set anger I had been fighting from the moment they took him out of my sight. I can care less about them being blood. They took something from me and there is no f*****g way they're were going to get away with it. My cell phone began to ring.

    "Yeah?" I answered brushing away the tear that escaped my eyes. 

    "You think this is acceptable?" I really shouldn't answer the phone when I'm emotional. I always forget to check who it is.

    "You don't have s**t on me anymore. If you want me you can come and get me," I growled. 

    "It was not our intention to insult you, Sloane. We just wanted to show you how serious this is. I want you to meet with me?" 

    "The only reason I'll ever meet with you again is to cut your f*****g head off," 

She laughed. "You are upset. I thought having the pup back in your sight would have calmed you. I want to teach you how to work this system," 

    "I don't want to be part of your flawed system, Elianne. I didn't break my vows to prance around your f****d kingdom. You gave me something I didn't want. You took from me. You walked back into my life thinking I was going to be the same obedient little girl I used to be. That was your mistake. You shouldn't have let me out of your sight to begin with," 

    "Sloane, if you would have gone after Carter..." 

    "Don't f*****g say his name," I cut her off. 

    "You would have died in the state of mind you were in," she finished anyway.

    "So what? You think I'm going to roll over and let you keep using me? You could have. I would have gladly done it if you had just asked me. Where you f****d up was taking my son," 

    "That boy is not your son,"

    "Don't interrupt me again," I growled. "You brought this on yourself. You gave me this power and the only way you can take it back is by killing me. I would love to see you try to come after me. I'd like to see how your alpha's all turn on you when you do. See the thing about using someone to clean up the s**t you make is that they become martyrs. They start feeling grateful. You wanted a royal family, Aunt Elianne. Well, you've got one," 

    "You really think I can't reel in a bunch of stray sheep? Fear trumps gratitude," 

    "Go ahead and start f*****g with your own people. It'll be easier to get rid of you," 

    "You're being unreasonable. I let you keep the pup. There is no need for us to be enemies," 

I laughed turning to look at my mate and my son. 

    "You've changed your tune really fast," I said. "I'm doing this my way," 

    "Sloane, this is not going to end well if you don't take the proper steps," 

    "This isn't the same as being the Luna Queen. I'm not a Luna, Elianne. I will never be a luna. I didn't kill all of those alphas to be the maybe if the older one dies. You tried to make me in your image," 

    "I did make you in my image," she shot back her tone harsh. 

    "No, you taught me to move. I'll never be like you. If you wanted a sociopathic heir you should have had a kid and paid someone to raise it for you and when it was old enough, you could have taken it under your wing,"

    "Now why didn't I think of that?" she laughed. I paused for a second thinking what I said over and decided not to think anything of it. The last thing I want is answers to something I didn't ask. 

    "We're done," 

    "Yes, I believe we are," she sighed. "You're more like me than you think. I was there when she turned her back on you," 

    "You turned your back on me too, Eli. You all turned your back on me when I needed you the most. You left me to die, remember?" 

    "If you hadn't killed that alpha you would have died by the time you turned eighteen. You felt it right? The surge your gift brought one when you became of age. How it drove you mad the first few days. I had to put you down myself," 

    "You want me to thank you is that it?"

    "In another year, when you reach thirty, it'll change again. This power I granted you, the power the former alpha king stored the night Gerard Victor kill his father is going to save your life," 

    "I'm sorry what?" I asked looking up at my mate. 

    "You didn't think you two were compatible because you're pure of heart did you? Lovie, you were a princess the moment you were born. I've grown rather fond of you. Perhaps I did overstep my bounds. I apologize. You're right. Do things your way. Don't make me regret saving your rebellious ass," she hung up on me. 

    "What the f**k?" I asked looking at the screen with the ended call menu on the screen.

    "Daniel is standing right here," Alexie scolded. 

    "I won't repeat," Daniel giggled looking away. 

    "Did you know?" I asked. 

    "I just recently found out," he admitted putting Daniel down. 

    "Deadman," Titus whispered, pulling Daniel out of the way. 

    "How recent?" 

    "The night we came from court. Your uncle told me my dad was paid to kill the former Rogue King. So, I went and asked him about it. He told me the truth," 

    "Which is?" 

    "He was fifth in line. His older brother. Daniel's grandfather, he was mated to the first-born daughter of an alpha. He chose her and became an alpha. Johnathan was going to annihilate the entire pack with my dad's other siblings. There were eight of them. My dad and Kraven are what my sister and I are. So they killed everyone. My dad didn't want to be king so they made a deal with the Alpha King. They'd store the power until they found someone who was worthy of it,"

    "What was the deal?" I asked. 

    "Kraven would be allowed the status of an alpha. My dad would take what he wanted here at Shore and Carter would be able to move through the packs undetected," he couldn't look up at me. 

    "f**k," Sin said shaking her head. 

    "That's why Elianne killed the Royal family," I said looking down at my phone. "f**k. Between Elianne and my mother..." 

    "They wanted total control. You have the mark on your arm now. This is- I can't believe I'm saying this s**t- she said this was going to happen. We were all taught this s**t. Rogues and Pack wolves alike," Titus added when I didn't know how to finish my sentence. 

    "That's an old pack tale," Sin laughed. 

    "The three Queens of Absolution," Titus smirked. 

    "No," I said shaking my head this is too much at once. Way too much.

    "The Three Kings," Sin corrected. 

    That was the story we had been told. The last prediction of the original purebred. The craziest she-wolf to ever live and I don't mean crazy as in she was kick ass. I mean it literally. She had visions of the future. A touch of something that belonged to someone would set her off. A dream, anything that activated her affinity. She went crazy. In the end, it was her mate who put both of them out of their misery. 

    Before she died. She told her daughter the last prediction. A story of three kings. The Vampire King, The Alpha King, and The Rogue King. They'd bring peace between the species. They'd take the world into the next era of supernaturals. They'd be the new gods. 

    "I was told they were Queens," Alexie said. 

    "The scroll the message was written on said, Three Kings. It's written in the blood of the Visionist. I've seen it," I said. "It doesn't mean this is it. Elianne wouldn't let that ass hole do jack s**t with his power. She's controlling. My dad would die before he let my mom turn him. He believes in what we are. We were raised in the ways of the old days and now that he knows my mom is alive. He'll kill anyone who dares touch her. He's possessive like that," 

    "I see where you get your traits from," Alexie laughed. 

    "I'm not controlling," they all laughed at me. Even Daniel. "I'm not," 

    "Yeah, and I've never killed a man in my life," Sin sassed. "Where am I crashing? I'm tired, in need of a bath, and starving," 

    "Why do they have to stay here?" Alexie growled at her. 

    "I let your father live. I think I deserve a pass," I said reaching for my son. 

    "That leaves space for just one," 

    "I didn't kill Raz, either," 

    "She's your brother's mate," 

    "I didn't know that," I shrugged. "Titus for Gerard. Sin for Raz. Even trade I think. Titus is just as bad as your dad and Sin is just as nuts as your sister. No that's not right. Sin is worse. She knows how not to miss,"

    "Sloane," he warned. 

    "You have to get used to it. All three of you. These are my friends. You are my mate. We're going to be living together for a long time. Titus is on King duty. Sin is on Queen duty and Brandy is on Daniel duty," 

    "I have to guard him? We've tried to kill one another six different times," Titus mused. "No way," 

    "For once, I agree with the trash," Alexie added. Actually, that's three by my count. 

    "Titus not trash, Daddy. He's my friend," Daniel informed him. "He took me from the place," 

    "Danny likes him," I smirked. 

    "Please, daddy. Be nice to Titus and Sammy. She's cool too. She gave me ice cream," he looked at us in disbelief. I like this ganging up on daddy thing. 

    "I can't with the two of you," he shook his head before rushing up the stairs. I looked at my kid and smiled. I put my hand up for a high five which he took excitedly. 

    "Daddy is mad," he whispered. 

    "You guys are good at this," Sin smiled. 

    "There's life in these eyes at last," Titus mused coming over to me. "When we met, they were empty. I'm glad you found something worth living for," 

    "Okay, cheese face. Go away now," Sin scoffed rudely. 

    "I'd tell you where to shove it if Dan-dan wasn't here," he growled at her. 

"Okay, you two. Titus to the left. Sin to the right," I pointed at their rooms. Anya had officially moved in with Hyde a few months ago and said it would be alright. 

    "I have stuff," Titus pointed at his suitcase. 

    "He means pew pews, mommy," Daniel added resting his head on mine.  

    "Pew pews?" Sin laughed. "I love this kid. I have lots of pew-pews too," 

    "Mommy has a lot of pew-pews too. Daddy doesn't like that I know," 

    "Here I thought you'd be the strict parent. I had it all wrong," she laughed. 

    "Everything is set. Please put the safety on everything. He knows not to play with them but you know kids," they both laughed heading into their rooms. 

    "Mommy take a bath now?" he asked. 

    "Yeah, we have to take this nasty smell off you. I hate that you were around others. His eyes stayed on mine as I went up the stairs. "I missed you," 

    "I missed you too mommy. I didn't like the place. They called me da pup. They weren't very nice. I was stuck in a room with no T.V. and no swimming and no mommy or daddy. I don't want to go away ever again," 

    "They didn't hurt you did they?" I asked. He shook his head. 

    "Nope. The nanny lady kept me safe,"

    "Who was the nanny lady?" he shrugged. 

    "She didn't tell me her name but she looked like my other mommy," 

I put him down and let him pick his pajamas. He walked right past me into my room. Alexie picked him up, put him on the bed, and began to take his clothes off as I went into the bathroom to run the water for him. 

    "You smell funny, buddy," Alexie said bringing him in. "You smell like hay," 

    "Hay? Like horse food?" he asked. 

    "Yeah," 

    "Did you get your medicine shot already?" I asked him. He nodded looking over at the faucet. 

    "You're not lying are you?" Alexie asked. 

    He turned around showing him the red dot on his thigh. I rubbed it and made him sit down. I handed him a few bath bombs. He loves playing with them. He likes the fizzle. When I started washing him up I noticed they hadn't cut his hair. 

    "You need a haircut," I said. 

    "Are you going to cut my hair like daddy's?" 

    "Do you want me to cut your hair like daddy's?" 

    "Yes, please," Alexie's phone had rung so he had walked out but I'm willing to bet that he would have loved to hear Daniel say that. I'll surprise him tomorrow. 

    "He got a little taller," Alexie commented when we put him to bed. He insisted he sleeps in his own bed. I didn't want to let him out of sight but I don't want to overly pamper him either. Not that I already don't. 

    "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked once I got the baby monitor going. 

    "I didn't know how to tell you, baby," he said pulling me to him. "I mean come on. My mom and my dad basically f****d up your life when they gave reign to that psychopath. I was embarrassed and ashamed. I gave you s**t before about me killing my mom and apparently this s**t runs in my family," 

    "Don't say that. s**t happens. Your dad was looking out for his brother. Just like we all do. I just wanted to know why you didn't say anything. It's not like you," 

"Yeah, keeping secrets is your thing," I looked away trying to hide the burning in my cheeks. "We're really going to do this," 

    "You know I think I'm warming up to this. Mostly because I'm going to start f*****g s**t up again," I admitted. He squeezed my thigh making me jump. 

    "I don't know if I'm down to see you like that again. You took a pretty big hit last time," 

    "We're both going to have to take some pretty big hits until this is settled. We're going to have Dons on our asses as well as an immortal pack. Which is why I called in the cavalry," he shook his head. "Why do you hate them so much?" 

    "Sin almost killed Raz three years ago. I don't hate her to be exact. I feel kind of bad for her. Raz was dating this guy and he killed Sin's mate. I'm pretty sure she's told you that," I nodded. 

    "Grayson Thomas," 

    "Raz wouldn't give him up. Ash and I had to step in. She blew up the building my sister was staying in with sixty-seven of her wolves in there," 

    "She had every right,"  I shrugged. "I don't know what I would have done at the moment but had I been in Sin's shoes I would have waited for your sister to find her mate and I would have killed him while she watched. I would have left her that way until she came for me and it would have been a fight to the death," 

    "Yeah, that sounds about right," he laughed. 

    "What about Ty?" 

    "Don't give him cute pet names," he warned. "It's more like he hates me. We went to school together. Everyone knows who the Victors are. New girl shows up, I did my thing and it turned out to be his mate," 

    "You..." I got off his lap and turned away from him. "You little f**k boy. What the hell was wrong with you?" 

    "f**k boy?" he looked genuinely insulted. 

    "Yeah, you were a f**k boy. You went around deflowering everyone else's mates," 

    "I never deflowered anyone. Those girls were not pure when they got to me first of all. Second, they came on to me. They wanted this. Who was I to deny it?" 

    "You dog," I growled gripping a pillow. I hit him in the face. "You are so uncultured. I hate it sometimes," 

    "I am plenty cultured, sweetheart," 

    "Celebrating human holidays doesn't count. Name one important werewolf tradition," 

    "Blood moon sacrifice," he stated proudly. 

    "That's not a thing. What the hell is a blood moon sacrifice?" 

    "It's kind of self-explanatory, trouble," 

    "I can't with you right now. Tell me why you started hating him?" 

    "He killed her when she was turned by a vampire. She had been human," I didn't know that. I knew he had lost his mate but I didn't know the basics. She was killed in London. That was all he had said. He had been after one of the Dons there. So I assumed it had to do with his mate's death. "He had marked her. Some fanger told her she'd be with Titus forever. When she turned, her connection to him was broken. She was more fang than she was human. I told him to let her be. He chased her all the way to London," 

    "That doesn't mean he killed her," I said. 

    "It doesn't mean he didn't," 

    "Why did you hate him so much? It was his choice," 

    "Claire was- She had this way about her. She was one of those girls who had everything and then we ruined her. The moment she walked into our lives. Claire was already dead," 

    "You loved her," I stated, sitting down on the bed with my back to him. 

    "I didn't love her. I liked her. She was beautiful and lively. We were kids. Besides, she was his. It was by chance. Once I knew she was his. I backed off. I moved on pretty fast," I rolled my eyes. 

    "f**k head," I said falling back. 

    "There will never be anyone else but you, Trouble," 

    "I know that. I've never doubted that. It's just that you were a dog. It just shows how different we are. I forget sometimes. We're just so perfect together," 

    "Yeah, we are," he smiled pulling me closer to him.