The Rogues Who Went Rogue
Chapter 80

Tate's smile grew more radiant when he said, "Considering that you have a wolf that can try to push through silver cuffs; you climbed to the very top of the rogue ladder while raising a daughter by yourself for more than a decade; and the fact that your followers just trusted you when you asked them to follow a plane full of lycans that we're taught to stay away from, I'd definitely say that you are terrifying.”

That made Margaret chuckle, and the sound made Tate's wolf coo and wag its tail in happiness.

Lucianne's ears perked up when she heard footsteps approaching her, and Octavia offered to keep watch while the queen paused her leaves-weaving as she listened to what Margaret had to say. To Margaret's surprise, the only thing that came out of Lucianne's mouth was a relieved 'thank Goddess'.

There wasn't the slightest hint of anger, annoyance or judgment in her black-and-lilac orbs. In Margaret's rogue pack, there was almost no room for any kind of mistake, genuine or not. It was worse when misogynistic wolves still led the pack. Those late elders NEVER let her or any other female forget their mistakes. When Tate and Lucianne didn't make her feel sorry to begin with, Margaret felt like she was with...her birth family, who almost never judged her for blunders.

Lucianne told Octavia about it, and the consort glanced at Margaret before linking Pellethia the news without another word. Lucianne herself linked Xandar before she linked the others, strictly emphasizing that, 'If we had her power, we would've warned each other just as how she warned us. We're not blaming her for this!

Toby linked back in amusement, 'Lucy, if there's anyone who's going to blame the future Luna, it's going to be the other duke and his followers.

Zelena retorted, 'That's nonsense, Toby. Once Lucy gets that duke to forgive the matter, he'll obey like a loyal subject, and his followers will follow suit.'

Yarrington somehow saw the need to add, 'I personally think that the royal mavericks would not criticize the error because they themselves are pledging loyalty to the queen, not because the duke chooses to obey per se. Yes, they obey Greg Claw, but surely none of us can deny that most of them are growing fond of the queen.

Lucianne had no intention to make the royal mavericks loyal to her. All she wanted was a smooth cooperation, and she actually grew fond of many of them herself. Their strength and resilience was something she admired, and their plight was something that she was determined to help alleviate.

Xandar's deep, commanding voice rang through the link, 'Yarrington's right. They already love her, they'll comply," he then suggested, "Since there isn't a threat, half of us here should resume practice. The other half of us stay with the discretus, just in case.' Utterances of agreement were sent through the link before they decided who should go first. Xandar linked his mate, 'Babe, you go first. I'll take the first round.

Lucianne was a little shy at the affectionate way Xandar spoke to her in their group-link to the point that her cheeks heated up. She could've sworn she heard Toby's not-so-subtle chuckles when he saw how his best friend still responded to the king's gentle tone. After Lucianne briefed Octavia about the new arrangement, the queen threw away the partially-woven leaves and left her spot, which Xandar immediately went to retrieve before returning to his spot, studying the half-done craft with interest.

The king's features softened when he watched his queen jog across the field to his hated cousin. His smile fell as his predatory eyes watched their exchange. Lucianne made sure she stood in a way that Xandar could see hers and Greg's side profiles when they spoke. The duke's features hardened before his eyes instinctively roamed the space in search of the unreliable fortune-teller. But his search was brought to an abrupt halt when Lucianne's stern eyes and tone brought his attention back to her, and he nodded in compliance before Lucianne thanked him and left his side. Greg's eyes glazed over to link his followers.

Xandar only felt at ease when Lucianne was far enough from Greg, but when she reached a smiling Rafael, he tried to control his jealousy again so that Lucianne couldn't feel it through their bond. As he reminded himself that he and his mate were mated, marked, married and still deeply in love, he turned back to the forest in front of him.

Christian found this the appropriate time to link, 'Next time Annie brings up my jealousy, I'm going to use you as my buffer and say that you're worse, cuz. At least I'm not worried about a vampire stealing my wife'

'How would you know? Annie's not even here. Have her come tomorrow night and we'll see if you really won't feel insecure.'

After Christian took a short look at Lucianne, imagining that it was Annie with Rafael instead, the duke cleared his throat and linked, 'I'll bring Annie when Rafael is less good-looking and more hostile.' 'You're really not helping, Christian'

'My primary job as your favorite cousin is to annoy you. Helping you comes second.'

'You are so lucky you have no competition.'

'I know, cuz. Your love for me is eternal, as is mine for you.'

###

Greg's eyes glazed over to link the royal mavericks, 'The fortune-telling was a false alarm, and the queen has emphasized the need to refrain from exerting blame on the maggot, so don't. But keep an eye on them, all of you. The queen's safety is our top priority. Investigate at the first sign of danger.'

'Yes, Your Grace,' they uttered in unison through their link like they'd done a hundred times before.

When Greg ended that link, Hailey's private link came through, and she told him about Kate. He asked, 'Anything of use tonight?'

'She seems to have some aversion towards the empress. When the queen was speaking to us and everyone's eyes were on her, this rogue kept glancing at the empress with...hate. It's just a preliminary suspicion, Your Grace. I'm still trying to see if it happens again! 'Physical profile?'

'Brown, six-feet, bob hair, in a faded green top tonight!

His eyes scanned the field for Hailey before replaceing Kate not far from her. He took a good look at Kate, memorizing her features as he linked in response, 'Get another two of our own to help you keep watch, those near where this rogue is practicing. Good work, Hailey.' 'Roger that, Your Grace.'