{Lennon}
~**^**~
The weights clinked as I lowered the bar. My arms burned, my shirt clung to my skin, and sweat trickled down the side of my face—still no call from Rennon.
I had called him earlier, just before my workout started. He said they had already arrived at Beta Marc's place, so I told him to ring me when they were ready to head back.
But it was past twenty minutes now.
I dropped the bar with a light thud and wiped my brow. It was supposed to be a simple pick-up. In and out. What the hell was taking so long?
I didn't like the weight sitting in my gut. It had started brewing halfway through my second set.
"You're worried," my wolf muttered, huffing in the background of my mind. "About our mate."
I didn't argue. He was right.
"You like her."
"She's not bad," I admitted. "Not our usual type... but she's kind. Too kind."
"Too innocent," my wolf agreed.
I glanced at my phone again. No texts. No missed calls. Nothing.
Sliding it back into my pocket, I grabbed my polo and pulled it over my head, the fabric sticking slightly to my damp back. I didn't see the point in calling Rennon again. I had a better plan.
I'd go there myself.
Without thinking twice, I headed around to the front of the house where my bike sat parked and gleaming in the morning sunlight. My black Ninja. It was sleek and fast.
I pulled out the key from my back pocket, slid it into the ignition, and kicked the engine to life. It roared under me like a beast hungry for the road.
With my helmet on, grip tight on the handles and a focused mind, I sped off without a second thought.
The wind roared past my ears, but I ignored it. So did my wolf when he told me to slow down. I had no patience left for this.
Ten minutes later, I skidded to a stop outside Beta Marc's residence.
There, I saw Rennon. He stood calmly beside his car, speaking with a servant who was loading two pieces of luggage into the trunk.
The luggage were dusty and old, definitely Elira's. But she was nowhere in sight.
I cut the engine, yanked off my helmet, and strode over. "Where's Elira?" I demanded as my eyes locked with Rennon's.
"She said she'd be out soon," he replied, nodding toward the servant.
The man bowed nervously to me, his eyes flicking between us.
"Why are you parked outside?" I asked Rennon, frowning deeper.
"Elira said she wanted to speak to her uncle first, and had me wait outside," he replied, his tone calm but his face tight.
If it were me, I wouldn't have waited outside. I would have walked in with her. Elira was walking into a nest of hawks, and Rennon knew it.
"Where is she?" I snapped at the servant, my voice sharper than intended.
The man blinked rapidly. "L-Lady Maren ordered her to apologize to Miss Regina before leaving."
Both Rennon and I spoke at once.
"What?"
Rennon's voice was cold. "Take us to her."
The servant hesitated. That was a mistake.
I slammed a palm onto his shoulder, hard enough to make him stagger.
"Lead the way now," I growled through clenched teeth. "Unless you want to lose this arm."
He stuttered, bowed, and turned immediately. "Y-Yes. This way."
Rennon and I followed behind. As we crossed the gates, he said quietly, "I shouldn't have left her alone. That was a mistake."
"You were doing what she asked," I muttered, then raised my voice at the servant ahead. "Walk faster. Or risk losing those little legs of yours."
The poor guy picked up his pace instantly.
At the turn, he stopped and pointed. "That path leads to Miss Regina's courtyard. I'm not allowed any further."
"Leave," Rennon told him.
The servant fled like he was running from a demon.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Rennon said as we followed the path.
I was about to respond when we heard it.
Elira's cry.
We both froze for half a second, then we shared a look, and our gazes shifted. We both knew Elira was in danger.
Then we ran.
"So much for the Beta being around," I muttered bitterly, every step fuelling my rage. "I swear I will finish whoever touched her."
We stormed through the courtyard and reached the door.
"Elira!" Rennon called.
"Elira!" I echoed, my chest tightening.
I didn't bother with the door handle. I kicked it open and stormed in. And what I saw nearly ripped the breath from my lungs.
Elira was curled on the floor, her back to us, whimpering in pain. Regina crouched beside her, fake concern in her voice as she asked if she was okay.
Her scarf had fallen off.
Her hair—if it could still be called that—was hacked and uneven, a jagged mess of what once must have been long strands. We had never seen her without that scarf before. Not once.
And now...
Rennon rushed to her side instantly. I stalked forward, my glare locked on Regina, who now stood right next to her mother.
"What did you do to her?" I barked.
Regina shook her head, feigning innocence.
"We didn't do anything," Lady Maren said smoothly, her face composed like sheer wickedness.
Rennon lifted Elira slightly, and that's when I saw it.
Her hand covered one eye, but the skin on her arms and face was red, angry and peeling.
They were burned.
"They threw hot water on her." Rennon's voice was laced with fury just like my heart.
I dropped to her other side, crouching low. Her body trembled as she whimpered softly in his arms.
Her right eye was swollen as tears streamed down the side of her face.
"Elira," I said softly, trying to stay calm. "Who did this to you?"
Her lips parted—but the answer didn't come from her.
"It was a servant," Lady Maren said sharply. "Her hand slipped while carrying a jug of hot water, and unfortunately, Elira happened to be in the way and got burned."
I stood to my feet.
"You expect me to believe that?" I snarled. "That the water magically landed on her face and arms?"
Lady Maren opened her mouth to respond, butt Rennon's voice broke through.
"Lennon," he said urgently. "She's not healing."
I turned fast as panic clawed its way up my chest.
She wasn't healing?
"We are leaving," I said at once, stepping forward.
I gently lifted Elira into my arms, ignoring the pain on her skin that touched mine. I held her as if she were something breakable because right now, she was.
As I turned, we ran into Beta Marc in the corridor. He looked stunned to see us, then his eyes landed on Elira.
I didn't give him the chance to begin to ask questions. He didn't deserve my audience.
"I will be back," I growled, not stopping.
Outside, I gently laid Elira on the backseat of Rennon's car. She whimpered again, her skin flinching under my touch. I patted her hair gently.
"You're okay now," I whispered. "I promise you're safe."
Then I shut the door and turned to Rennon.
"I can't reach Zenon through the mind-link," he said, frustrated. "And he's not picking up my calls."
"Drive her home," I ordered. "I will get the healer."
Immediately, I climbed onto my bike, twisted the key, and took off like a storm.
My hands trembled slightly on the handles from rage.
I was going to burn the world for my mate.