By dawn, many family members had arrived at the gates of the hospital.

It was a fortress.

Royal soldiers lined the gates, weapons gleaming, their eyes sharp for any sign of trouble. Not even the members of press and curious citizens pretending to use that street dared to go close. Since no updates had been released by the hospital, royal family, fox lord or Sienna’s family, many were itching to be the first to break the silence.

Only the in coming eagle lord, Arkady Gresham had made a statement, denying the involvement of the respectable eagle tribe and promising not to shelter those who were found to be involved. He had even shared a picture of a ship that was carrying precious herbs to the capital to hasten Sienna’s healing.

After verification, the Rocland’s Millers and Veythar’s were allowed into the hospital. The corridors echoed with hurried footsteps, hushed whispers and the weight of unspoken accusations. Elias was leaning against the wall, outside the VIP room were Sienna was laying, unconscious.

His aura was cold enough to silence even the bravest soldier in the corridor.

Around him, standing or sitting, were his brothers, Liman and Linera. They were silent, nervous and grave.

Then, grandpa Corven appeared, moving in like thunder with a purpose.

The old man’s presence was a storm in the quiet area. His eyes were fiery, his back straight, his aura vast enough to make Elias tense. The royal soldiers trembled in his presence. Without a word, he strode to aunt Linera, the one he had tasked to protect Sienna--and, to everyone’s shock, struck her across the face.

The slap rang like a drumbeat. Gasps filled the hall. Linera staggered, clutching her cheek, her eyes wide with shame.

"I gave you one instruction. To guard her," Grandpa Corven thundered. "And yet she was ripped across the chest, forced to bleed almost to death while you stand unscathed. Is this what you call protection?"

Linera bowed her head, voice trembling. "Father...I failed. I won’t make excuses. Forgive me."

The old man’s glare softened only slightly. He turned, his gaze locking on Elias. The air thickened, the soldiers shifting uneasily. It was one thing for the old man to beat his daughter and another to strike the fox lord. "And you," he said, voice low but sharp. "You have enemies everywhere. Why did you let her walk around unprotected for even one second? Don’t you know that she is human? I can’t slap you, but don’t think that your strength makes you untouchable. Our matters will be settled in private."

Elias’s eyes narrowed, but he did not respond. Any excuse he could make now, simply felt like an egg hitting an rock. They were pointless.

The rest of the family arrived, unaware of what had just occurred. But, they could feel the tension in the air, like a storm waiting to break. Grandpa Corven strode past Elias, entering the ward. His wife, Mrs. Miller and Soren followed. The rest of the family pushed in slowly.

Grandma Byra took Sienna’s hand, whispering prayers to the falcon god. Mrs. Miller collapsed into sobs, her cries echoing through the room, waking the cubs that had been sleeping on a small bed in the corner. Soren stood silent at the head of the bed on which Sienna lay, silent, with clenched fists. Guilt gnawed at him.

He kept thinking that should have taken him with her.

Lord Marius and Lady Cadelaria, went to the children, comforting them quickly. Lady Cadelaria’s lips were pressed thin, a result of anger and fear.

"Aren’t you all powerful, where were you when she was attacked?" Numia questioned Elias.

That was the start of voices rising and accusations flying like arrows.

"You failed her!" shouted Jorik, pointing at Elias and his brothers. "Your arrogance brought this upon her! She was not the target, your son was. They wanted to punish you."

"And how do we know this?" Snarled Cyra. "Let’s be honest, you guys were thrown out of your tribe. Maybe your past did this. You falcons are always scheming."

Grandma Byra tried to hush them, but the storm only grew. Aunts and uncles traded insults, their auras clashing, the room trembling under the weight of their combined fury. The doctors and nurses were too frightened to go inside, fearful of being caught in the crossfire.

They had determined that the patient was about to wake up. All this noise was likely to do the job even sooner.

Elias stood silent, his gaze fixed on Sienna, his aura pressing down on the room like ice. Normally, this would have silenced a room, but not today. Not even this could silence the chaos.

Then, a faint sound cut through the storm.

Sienna’s eyes fluttered open.

The room froze. Voices died, accusations halted. All eyes turned to her, relief flooding faces, tears spilling anew.

Mrs. Miller was the first to react, clutching Sienna’s hand, sobbing harder. "Sienna! My child, you re finally awake. I was so scared that I would never see you again."

Sienna’s lips parted, her voice weak. "Mama..."

Her mother;s relief twisted into fury. She turned sharply, her gaze locking on Elias. "You! Divorce my daughter. Divorce her now! We will return to Lost born city, to live a simple life away from the danger that surrounds you."

The words struck like lightning. Gasps filled the room. Elias’s eyes widened, his aura flaring dangerously. Ali and Eli cried out rushing forward to the bed.

Lady Cadelaria stiffened, her face darkening. Yes, she wanted the couple to divorce, but not like this. What would people say if Elias left his wife just after she took a blow for their son? Wouldn’t he be compared to the worthless, heartless bastard that had divorced his wife after she lost her tail because of him?

Grandpa Corven’s eyes narrowed, watching silently. If necessary, he would step in. This divorce was not allowed to happen. Not on his watch. Sienna would be in more danger on her own. That much was now clear.

Sienna blinked, her strength barely enough to speak. "Mother....stop...."