{Lennon}
~**^**~
The scent of antiseptic lingered in the hallway.
My boots echoed faintly on the polished floors as I walked toward her room, the knot in my chest tightening with each step.
I had just seen the pack doctor off, watched her leave with a grim expression she tried to mask.
"The burns are severe," she had said. "The hot water got into her left eye."
She couldn't sense Elira's wolf because it was too weak. Then she said there was a chance—just a chance—that Elira might lose vision in her left eye.
My fists clenched by my sides.
I had seen red.
I didn't wait for anyone's approval, even my father's. I grabbed my helmet, mounted my bike, and returned to Beta Marc's residence like a storm that couldn't be stopped.
Beta Marc had come out to meet me. He tried to calm my rage down with a few words, but I simply ignored him.
If I had returned as promised, who could stop me?
Inside, Regina and her mother, who was no lady at all, were surrounded by members of the household, putting on a performance.
"Like I told you earlier, my daughter and I had nothing to do with it," Maren said, motioning to a girl who stood trembling at the corner after I questioned her once again. "She was the one who hurt Elira, though it was not intentional."
I knew they were lying. But unfortunately, I couldn't possibly punish Regina when there was no evidence, and even the servant who was accused didn't deny it.
I walked right up to the servant, grabbed her by the back of her neck like she was nothing more than an insect, and dragged her into the centre of the compound where everyone could see.
"Was it you?" I asked. "Did you pour hot water on my mate?"
She shook in my grip, tears already sliding down her cheeks. She nodded faintly.
"I can't hear you."
Her lips trembled. "Y-yes."
"Good."
Then, with one hand still firm around her neck, I lifted the other to her face. I let my rage rise. Let my fury pour into my palm until it pulsed with heat. Until it felt like fire itself danced beneath my skin.
Then I pressed it into her face.
She screamed. Smoke curled between my fingers. Her skin blistered beneath my palm.
Everyone gasped—some covered their mouths, others turned away. Regina gripped her mother's arm tightly and shut her eyes. But I didn't stop.
Not until I had burned every excuse from that servant's skin.
Only then did I release her and let her fall to the floor, still screaming, still sobbing.
"This—" I turned, sweeping my eyes across the terrified crowd, "—is what happens when you touch the future Luna of the Ashfang pack."
I didn't care if the servant was innocent. She was the shield Regina had hidden behind. And because of her, I couldn't give Elira justice. So, I made her wear my anger.
I dusted off my hands and glared hard at Regina and her mother. They flinched.
Then I left.
—
I pulled into the Alpha's estate with my bike still humming as I kicked down the stand.
Zenon and Rennon were at the entrance, talking.
Zenon's gaze darkened the moment he saw me. "Where have you been?"
"Went to avenge our mate," I said, killing the engine. "But the wicked coward pinned it on her servant. So, I burned the foolish servant's face instead."
"You branded her face," Zenon said, voice heavy. "Everyone's going to know that was your handiwork."
"Let them," I shrugged. "Let the whole damn world know. And let them know, too, that whoever lays a hand on our mate might not be as lucky as that servant."
His jaw flexed. "So, what now? You're going to start killing people?"
"If that's what it takes." My voice didn't waver. "Then I will help them meet their maker early."
Zenon disapproved of my methods, but I was in a state whereby his opinion wouldn't count.
A heavy silence hung in the air.
Then, Rennon finally sighed and walked over to place a hand on my shoulder. "You did well."
I nodded, the tension in my chest still sitting there like a stone.
"How's Elira?"
"In her room," Rennon said quietly. "I thought she should get some rest."
My shoulders dropped a little in relief. Then I looked at Zenon.
"That bitch Regina ruined Elira's hair." I stepped closer. "Amongst the three of us, you are good with scissors. Please trim her hair."
Zenon's eyes narrowed. "Get a barber. Or better still, take her to the salon then."
"She can't go out like this. Have you forgotten the state she is in?" I crossed my arms, staring him down. "Just help out, brother."
Rennon stepped in. "Please, Zen."
Zenon let out a low growl and pointed at us both. "Fine. But she will be unconscious while I work. And if either of you tells her I cut her hair, I swear, I will skin you."
"We won't," I said with a smirk. "Just like we haven't told her you were the one who caught her when she fainted at the clearing—even though you had tried to reject her right before that."
His hand came for me fast, but I ducked, avoiding a laughter.
I made my way up to Elira's bedroom and knocked twice on the door, lightly, before pushing it open.
The room was dim, curtains drawn. She sat in the middle of the bed, propped up by pillows. Bandages wrapped her arms, her shoulder, the left side of her face... and her eyes. Her neck was wrapped too.
She looked... broken.
My chest ached, fury slowly building roughly. I should have burnt down the entire Beta estate.
"Elira," I said gently, stepping closer. "It's me. Lennon."
She didn't respond.
I reached the side of her bed. "I went to your uncle's place. To punish the people who hurt you." I swallowed thickly. "But they hid behind a servant. I had no proof. No confession. So, I punished the one who took the blame."
Elira didn't move or breathe, but I knew she could hear me, so I continued.
"I'm sorry," I said, sitting beside her slowly. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you real justice."
Her body trembled slightly. Then a tear slipped from her right eye under the bandage, sliding down her uninjured cheek. She whimpered softly.
"I'm so tired," she whispered, voice cracked. "My cousin ruined my face. And... I might never see again with my left eye. What did I do so wrong?"
A thousand flames erupted in my gut again, but I clenched my fists and sat still. I regretted not plucking out the eye of that servant.
"I don't deserve to be treated this way," she sobbed.
"No." I turned to her fully, my voice steady and low. "You don't deserve it. They are jealous of what you are worth."
Her shoulders shook, and another tear slid down her cheek.
I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't watch her think she was worth nothing.
I leaned in. Gently, slowly.
"You have us now," I whispered. "Me. Rennon. Even Zenon. We're yours. You're not alone anymore."
Then, I kissed her. It was soft at first, just a brush of my lips against hers, catching the salt of her tears.
Then I cupped her shoulders gently, like I might break her if I held too tightly, and kissed her again, deeper this time.
She didn't kiss me back, but she didn't pull away.
Her lips trembled against mine, cracking something open in my chest.