"She is one human girl, Xanden," Alaric dismissed, his tone calm, almost bored. "We’ve all had our shares in disobeying Father."

"Don’t try to justify yourself." Xanden’s voice was low, restrained, and warning.

Alaric only shrugged. Careless, and unbothered. "She is my Luna."

’Ours.’ Xanden’s eyes glowed golden, as his wolf growled, fighting to come to the surface. A low, possessive growl echoed through his head, sharp enough to make his jaw tighten.

But outwardly, he said nothing.

Xanden stared at Alaric for a moment longer. His gaze was hard, and searching, like he wanted to say more.

He exhaled through his nose, shook his head once, and turned.

Without another word, he walked out. The door closed behind him, and the room quieted again.

Alaric didn’t move immediately.

His gaze lingered on the door for a second. Then slowly, he turned back to Aire, and walked toward her.

Aire’s breath slowed slightly as he approached.

Alaric stopped beside her bed.

For a moment, he just looked at her. He quietly reached for her hand.

Aire stiffened at the contact, but she didn’t pull away. His fingers wrapped around hers, warm, grounding.

His thumb brushed lightly over her skin.

He stilled at the contact. His gaze dropped to her hand, and to the faint patterns there.

His eyes darkened slightly. A flicker of something passed through them. He looked up, met her eyes, and held her gaze. Their eyes glowed warmly in the presence of the other.

"I have to go now," he said quietly. His voice was softer than before. Lower now, and more personal. "But I might be back later." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Aire swallowed.

Her throat was still dry. She gave him a small subtle nod of approval.

Alaric watched her for a second longer, then he released her hand, slowly and reluctantly.

He walked out without another word.

The door closed behind him.

........

The moment Alaric stepped out, his jaw clenched. His steps slowed, and then stopped entirely.

The hallway stretched before him, empty, and silent—but his mind wasn’t.

’She is my Luna.’ His own voice echoed back at him.

Followed immediately by a low, sharp snarl.

Alaric’s eyes darkened. "Not now," he muttered under his breath.

However, his wolf didn’t retreat. It pressed harder, restless, agitated.

Alaric exhaled sharply.

He dragged a hand through his hair. "I felt nothing."

His wolf growled again, low and dangerous.

....

Back in the room, silence returned to the room.

Aire barely had time to breathe through it before Mabel moved.

"Leave." She ordered the maid coldly.

The maid didn’t hesitate. She bowed quickly, and left. The door clicked shut behind her, and just like that, it was only the two of them.

Aire’s swallowed immediately. She pushed herself up. A sharp breath left her lips as she forced herself into a sitting position.

Mabel didn’t stop her.

She walked closer, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Aire stared at her. Her heart was beating faster now from panic. Panic she couldn’t explain.

"What happened?" Luckily, her voice came out steadier than she felt.

Mabel didn’t answer immediately. She adjusted the fold of her sleeve first, smoothen her gown, and smiled.

"You fainted under the sacred tree." Her answer was simple, clean, and controlled, just like her expression.

Aire shook her head instantly. "No." Her voice was firmer now. Her eyes locked onto Mabel’s. "Before that."

Mabel paused. "Nothing." She replied.

Aire blinked. Confusion flickered across her face. "That’s not—"

"At least," Mabel continued smoothly, cutting her off, "that’s what everyone would believe."

Aire’s breath caught. Her fingers tightened slightly against the sheets.

"I don’t understand," she said slowly, raising a brow.

Mabel looked at her fully. She tilted her head softly, and smacked her lips together. "You have fae blood." She deadpanned without warning, or hesitation.

Aire froze.

Her mind went blank. Completely blank.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

Her chest rose, fell, then stopped. Her head shook slightly, slow, and uncertain. Having fae blood would get her killed.

She knew she had some weird powers she hid but she never dreamt it would be confirmed fae blood.

Wasn’t her father just a wolf?

"That’s not possible..."

Mabel didn’t argue. She simply watched her. "You felt it," she said quietly. "Or let’s say you suspected this."

Aire’s breath hitched. Her fingers twitched. "No..."

"Yes."

Mabel leaned slightly closer. "And let’s just say," she continued softly, "that everyone under that tree today... who saw..."

Aire’s heart began to pound again.

"...would not say a word about it." She added.

Aire stared at her. Cold crept up her spine. "What do you mean...?" she whispered.

Mabel smiled softly, almost kindly.

"Even if they want to," she said, her voice dropping just slightly, "they would never be able to."

The room felt colder.

Aire’s fingers went numb.

Her throat tightened. "What did you do?"

The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Mabel didn’t answer.

Instead, she moved, slowly closing the small distance between them. Her hand lifted, and rested lightly against Aire’s cheek.

Aire flinched at the contact.

Mabel noticed. Her smile softened further.

"There’s no need to be afraid." The words should have comforted Are, but they didn’t. "I won’t tell anyone."

Mabel leaned in further, and pulled her into a hug. The hug was sudden, firm, and unavoidable.

Aire’s body went rigid instantly.

Her hands hovered awkwardly at her sides. She didn’t hug back. She couldn’t. Not because she almost hasn’t been hugged this way before, but because Mabel took this too calmly to be true.

Mabel’s arms wrapped around her completely.

"You’re safe," she murmured softly against her hair.

Aire’s eyes remained open. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. She didn’t feel safe, not at all.

Mabel’s hand moved slowly up her back. "You don’t have to understand everything yet," she continued quietly. "I’ll help you."

Aire swallowed. Her throat went dry, and tight.

Her voice came out small. "Why?"

Mabel pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her, and smiled. "Because," she said gently, "someone has to protect you."