Xander's Rejected Luna

Warning

Xander's POV

Lias's voice cut through my mind like a blade, urgent and edged with worry. Xander, get to your chambers now. It's Jasmine, she's out cold. My feet were moving before I could fully process it, pounding down the stone corridors of the palace, my warriors trailing behind but keeping their distance. My heart slammed against my ribs, a mix of fear and fury I couldn't shake. She'd been lively enough when I sent her off with Lias, her eyes bright with that spark of defiance despite the rogue attack. What the hell could have happened in the short time since? Damien stirred restlessly inside me, his demonic energy coiling tight, ready to lash out at whatever threatened her.

I burst through the door to my chambers, the heavy wood slamming against the wall. The room was dimly lit by the fire in the hearth, casting long shadows over the bed where Jasmine lay still, her silver-streaked hair fanned out on the pillow like a fragile crown. Lias stood nearby, his arms crossed, face etched with tension. The pack healer, an older woman named Mira with graying hair tied back and a satchel of herbs at her side, leaned over Jasmine, her hands gently probing her arm and cheek. Jasmine's chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, her face pale, too pale.

"What happened?" I demanded, striding to the bedside, my voice rougher than I intended. I knelt beside her, my fingers brushing her hand, cold and limp. Volt whined in my mind, pacing, urging me to wake her, to fix this. She looked so small there, swallowed by the furs, and it twisted something deep in my chest.

Mira straightened, her expression calm but her eyes serious as she wiped her hands on her apron. "She's in a deep sleep, my king. Her body has shut down to heal." She gestured to the faint scars peeking from under Jasmine's sleeve, old lashes that made my blood boil. "Malnutrition has weakened her over time, and the beatings… there are marks all over, some fresh, some healed poorly. The bruise on her cheek is new, swollen and red. It's like her system overloaded from the trauma, forcing her into hibernation to escape it all."

I stared at the bruise, a purple welt blooming across her delicate skin, and my claws itched to extend. Who dared lay a hand on her here, in my home? "Hibernation?" I repeated, my voice low, trying to wrap my head around it. Jasmine had endured so much, Lucas's rejection, her stepfamily's cruelty and now this? I thought bringing her here would end that nightmare, not add to it.

Mira nodded, packing her tools. "Yes. Her wolf is protecting her, giving her time to recover. She'll wake when she's ready, but she needs rest, food when she stirs, and no more stress." She bowed slightly, gathering her satchel. "I'll check on her later."

As Mira slipped out, I turned to Lias, my beta's face a mask of regret. "The cheek—what did that?" I asked, standing to face him, my hands clenching at my sides. Jasmine had been fine when she left with him, or at least as fine as she could be after the rogues. If something happened on his watch…

Lias met my gaze steadily, though I saw the flicker of guilt there. "I don't know exactly. She was alert when we arrived, looking around like she'd never seen anything like it. I left her in the courtyard to handle some border reports—nothing major, just a quick check-in with the guards. When I came back, she was on the ground, unconscious, surrounded by housekeepers. They said she stumbled into someone and got slapped for it."

"Slapped?" The word came out as a growl, Damien pushing forward, my eyes flashing red for a split second. I paced the room, my boots thudding against the floor, trying to rein in the rage. Jasmine, my mate, attacked in my own kingdom? Heads would roll for this. "Who? Get the housekeepers in here. Now."

Lias nodded and stepped out, returning moments later with a small group of them, three women in simple tunics, their faces pale with nerves. They bowed low, hands twisting in their aprons. The one in front, a young brunette with freckles across her nose, Lily, I remembered, stepped forward, her voice trembling but clear.

"My king," she said, keeping her eyes down. "We saw it happen. The new girl, Jasmine, she was wandering the walkway, looking at everything with wide eyes. She bumped into Brenda by accident. Brenda shoved her back, called her useless, and slapped her hard across the face. Jasmine fell like a stone, didn't get up. We crowded around to help, but Lias got there first and carried her here."

Brenda. The name hit like a punch, and I stopped pacing, my fists balling so tight my knuckles cracked. Brenda, the beta's daughter who'd been sniffing around my throne for years, her envy a poison I'd tolerated too long. I'd warned her before about her temper, her schemes, but this? Attacking my mate? "You're sure it was Brenda?" I asked, my voice dangerously quiet, though inside, Volt howled for justice.

Lily nodded vigorously, her companions murmuring agreement. "Yes, sire. She stormed off after, muttering about intruders. We didn't dare stop her."

I dismissed them with a wave, my mind racing. Brenda had crossed a line, one that couldn't be uncrossed. Jasmine lay there because of her, bruised and broken from a life of abuse, and now this added insult. What was I going to do with Brenda? Banish her? Lock her up? Part of me wanted to tear through the palace and confront her now, let Damien loose to show her the error of her ways. But I couldn't—not yet. Jasmine needed me steady, and rash actions could spark unrest among the betas loyal to her father.

"Lias," I said, turning to him as the housekeepers filed out. "Double the guards on Jasmine. No one in or out without my say." He nodded, but I saw the question in his eyes, what about Brenda? I rubbed my jaw, feeling the stubble scrape my palm, buying time to think. "Find Brenda. Bring her to the council hall. I'll deal with her myself."

He clasped my shoulder briefly, a silent show of support, before heading out. Alone with Jasmine, I sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine, her fingers small and cool. "I'm sorry," I whispered, tracing the bruise with my thumb, careful not to press. "This shouldn't have happened here." My thoughts churned, how many more enemies lurked in my own halls? Lucas outside, Brenda inside. I had to protect her, make an example.

A soft knock interrupted, and one of my guards poked his head in. "Sire, urgent message from the borders. Rogues spotted, and… Lucas's scouts with them."

My blood ran hot, and I stood, releasing Jasmine's hand reluctantly. This was escalating fast, and with her still out, I couldn't leave her vulnerable. But as I turned to respond, a faint groan escaped her lips, her eyelids fluttering. Was she waking? Or was it something worse?