Chapter 17
1231 Words
Luke's POV:
Leaving her never gets any easier. For a second there, I swear she wants to kiss me, but I can’t let that happen. It would only complicate things even more—like this situation isn’t already a complete mess.
I show Ravi to the room across from mine. I want him close; I can’t risk anything happening to him. I promised Ellie I’d take care of him. I also have Joey, Emma, and the baby moved to the room next to Kimberly’s so we’re all on the same floor and I can keep an eye on them better.
I find Sage, Silas, and another older man sitting at the dining table. “Did you do what you were asked?” Must be the third elder.
“I brought a member back, yes. Now let me down to see my sister.”
“You’ve already seen your sister this week,” Silas answers.
What is this, prison visitation hours? “I said let me down to see Lilah!”
“She’s been down there for years alone. She’ll do fine without your visit.” Sage laughs like she takes pride in that.
“Are you f*****g toying with me, witch?” I grab her by the neck, lift her from the chair, and slam her into the wall. Silas laughs, and the other elder watches me with a dark curiosity.
“You’ve got some fight in you, Alpha. Do it,” he challenges. “Snap her neck.”
I hold Sage to the wall until her eyes almost roll back. I drop her right before she passes out, leaving her gasping for air. I know I can’t kill her.
“Ah, and smart too. Looks like you’ve figured out the only way down to your sister.” He stands, stepping closer. “It’s good to finally meet Nancy’s son. Looks like you’ve got your father’s anger. I’m Glendon.” He extends a hand, but I keep my glare locked on him and refuse.
“Haha, and your mother’s stubbornness.” He studies me, amused. “Sage, take him down.”
“He’s already—” Silas starts.
“Take him down!” Glendon snaps, making it crystal clear who’s in charge. “You’ve done something for the good of the pack, so we’ll do something for you. I’m usually the one to bring your sister her meals. You can do it today.” Glendon grabs a tray off the counter and hands it to me. I take it, never breaking eye contact.
Sage stands, and I follow her to the library and down into the dungeons. The smell of blood hits me even harder than before. Someone’s been down here since my last visit—selfishly, I hope it wasn’t Lilah. I speed up, pushing ahead of Sage to the door that holds my sister. Sage unlocks it and shoves me inside.
“Lilah?” I scan the room frantically. She’s lying on the floor under some blankets, motionless. I set the tray on a table. “I brought food, come on.”
I gently peel the blankets off her and freeze—there are bruises on her arms that weren’t there before.
“Lilah!” I shake her until she finally stirs, her one eye swollen and dark. Already healing, but I’m f*****g livid. I’ve done everything they’ve asked, led this pack—who the hell dares touch my sister?
“I’m alright, Luke.” She places a hand on my arm, groaning as she sits up. I can tell she’s hiding more bruising under her shirt.
“Let me see.”
“No, Luke, it’s—”
“Let me f*****g see!” I roar. Lilah doesn’t even flinch. She glares at me with that same stubborn defiance until finally she lifts her blouse, revealing ugly bruises all along her ribs, like she’s been kicked over and over.
I trace a finger over the marks. “Lilah, who did this?”
“Luke, please. We can’t focus on this. We need to break the curse.”
“No, Lilah! I’m doing what they want—how dare they come down here and f*****g hurt you!” I storm to the door. Lilah lunges to stop me, but she collapses, clutching her ribs.
“Dammit, Lilah!” I drop back down to soothe her.
“Just go!” She shoves at me, but I don’t budge. “I don’t need you! I don’t f*****g need you!” Her screams fill the dungeon, echo off the stone, until suddenly she goes quiet. She covers her ears, mumbling nonsense, her mind spiraling.
This isn’t okay. I can’t just let this keep happening. How can I plan for a day I’ve waited my whole life for—a day with my son and my mate—while my sister’s in agony down here? Guilt burns a hole straight through me.
“I’m going to ask you one more time. Who did this?”
Silence. If it were one of the elders, surely they’d brag. Maybe it was Declan. I haven’t seen him all day.
“Was it Declan?”
The look on her face at the mention of his name tells me everything. I pound on the door until Sage finally opens it. I’m seeing nothing but red. I don’t even process Lilah’s cries or Sage’s taunts.
I crash through the library doors. “Declan!”
I tear through the bottom floor of the packhouse, canines extended. “Declan!” I roar again. Kimberly appears at the back door, staring at the ground. She knows.
“Where is he?”
“A-Alpha, please… whatever he did, he didn’t mean to.” She shakes as she talks, but I’m shaking too—rage consuming me.
“He didn’t mean to beat my sister? To bruise her so badly she can’t stand?” I scream. “Get the hell out of my way, Kimberly!” I shove past her, half-shifted already, when I spot Declan sitting on a rock in the yard.
I don’t give a warning. I shift fully and slam into him, knocking him to the ground. My wolf stands over him, snarling inches from his face. He doesn’t even fight back. I growl louder, daring him to move. His eyes meet mine—dull, empty, haunted.
“Stop it!” Kimberly cries. Declan finally shifts beneath me, and our wolves crash together, fur and blood flying.
“He wouldn’t do that!” Kimberly’s shouting gets lost under our snarls. I should have killed him the day they let me out. I give my wolf full control, pinning Declan down again.
“Alpha! Luke, please!” Kimberly sobs, hitting my side. I shove her away, jaws snapping at Declan’s throat.
“He wouldn’t hurt her! He wouldn’t hurt Lilah!” she screams. “Tell him, Declan!”
This is it—one monster at a time. I should’ve started with him. The elders can’t protect him after what he did. He could’ve killed her, and I wouldn’t even have known until it was too late.
I’m an inch from ripping his throat out when Kimberly’s voice cuts through the haze.
"Lilah is his mate."
Kimberly’s words stop me cold, teeth hovering over Declan’s flesh.
“Lilah and Declan—they’re mates! He wouldn’t—he couldn’t hurt her!” she wails.
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