Mute

Chapter 53

Caspian’s POV.

The message was sent swiftly, spreading through the pack like a wildfire. Every member, from the youngest pup to the most seasoned elder, was summoned to the grand hall.

Whispers of curiosity and concern filled the air as they gathered, trying to piece together what could have driven their Alpha to call such an urgent meeting.

I stood at the head of the hall, my eyes burning with a fury and boldness. The events of the past hours had stoked a fire in me that could not be quelled. I waited until the last members had arrived, the murmurs of the crowd growing louder by the second.

When I finally spoke, my voice cut through the noise like a blade. “Do you all know Aria?” I demanded, my tone cold and commanding. “The mute young woman in our pack?”

There was a ripple of acknowledgement through the crowd. Heads nodded, voices murmured assent.

“Good,” I continued, my eyes scanning the sea of faces before me. “Then let me make this perfectly clear: if anyone dares to hurt her, if a single strand of hair on her head is touched, I will show no mercy.”

My rage had turned my vision red, and I was too consumed by it to choose my words carefully.

The murmuring among the pack members grew louder, a mixture of fear and confusion rippling through the crowd. I could hear snippets of their anxious whispers.

“Is he serious?”

“What will happen to us if we disobey?”

“Why is he so protective of her?”

I raised my hand, silencing them with a single, sharp motion. My voice cut through the air, cold and unyielding. “If anyone tries to even harass Aria, mock or insult her, they will have to answer to me.”

A hush fell over the assembly, the weight of my words sinking in I could see the fear in their eyes, the uncertainty and doubt. Some of them looked at each other, whispering in hushed tones.

“He means it,” one of the elders murmured to his neighbor.

“He’s never been this serious,” another one said, a young warrior, his face pale.

From the back, a woman’s voice trembled, “But she’s just a-”

“Silence!” I barked, my eyes blazing with fury.

“She is not just anything. She is under my protection, and that is all you need to know.”

I could see the horror on my mother’s face, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. My father stood beside her, his expression a mask of stern disappointment. But I didn’t care. They needed to understand the seriousness of my words.

“Aria is the only woman I love,” I declared, my voice rising with conviction. “And she is going to be your Luna, whether you like it or not.”

Gasps filled the air, shock and disbelief etched on every face. The murmuring began anew, louder this time, filled with outrage and confusion.

O

“How can he do this?”

“A mute as our Luna?”

“This is madness!”

But I stood firm, my jaw clenched, my eyes sweeping over the crowd. I wanted them to fear, respect, and protect Aria. Nothing less would be acceptable.

As I scanned the assembly, my gaze locked with Lena’s. She stood at the edge of the crowd, her eyes filled with admiration and relief. She gave me a small, grateful nod, a silent acknowledgment of my efforts to protect her friend.

My heart was still pounding with the intensity of my emotions. I knew I had made a bold statement, and I would have to fight to uphold it. But for Aria, I would face any challenge, confront any foe. She deserved nothing less.

As soon as my words settled over the pack, I turned on my heel and strode toward the door. The weight of their shock and the gravity of my declaration still hung in the air. I needed to get away, to process everything that had happened and plan my next move. Behind me, I could hear the hurried footsteps of Elijah trying to catch up.

“Caspian, wait,” Elijah called, his voice tinged with urgency.

I didn’t slow down. I pushed through the door and into the dimly lit corridor, my mind was filled with anger and determination. Elijah caught up to me, his breath coming in quick bursts.

“Do you truly want to marry Aria and make her your Luna?” he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and concern.

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation, my voice as sharp as a blade.

“Caspian, your parents will be against it,” Elijah reminded me, his tone almost pleading. “They have their own plans, their own expectations.”

“That’s their business,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

Elijah suddenly nodded, as if he understood. But before he could say another word, I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the cold stone wall.

His eyes widened in shock, and I could see the confusion and fear in his gaze.

5

“You didn’t tell me,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “You didn’t tell me that Aria was tortured and thrown into a cell.”

“Caspian, I-” Elijah began, his voice trembling, but I cut him off

“You had every chance to tell me,” I snarled, my anger boiling over. “And you kept it from me.”

Elijah’s mouth opened and closed, his words stumbling over themselves in a desperate attempt to explain. “I was trying to settle things in your absence, to handle it without making things worse-”

“Making things worse?” I interrupted, my fury reaching a peak. She’s been through hell, and you thought you could handle it?”

I raised my fist, ready to strike, the rage coursing through my veins like fire. But then, something held me back. I could see the fear in Elijah’s eyes, the realization of his betrayal sinking in. Slowly, I lowered my fist, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

“I’m disappointed in you, Elijah,” I spat, the venom in my words clear. “You were supposed to be my right hand, someone I could trust. And you failed.”

I let go of him, watching as he slumped against the wall, his eyes downcast. Without another word, I walked past him, leaving him in the shadow of his own failure. My mind was already racing ahead, to Aria, to the battles, I would have to fight

Chapter 53

to protect her, and to the promises I intended to keep.

As I walked down the corridor, the image of Aria’s tear-streaked face and Lena’s pleading eyes burned into my memory. Nothing and no one would stand in my way. Aria would be safe, and she would be my Luna, whether the pack accepted it or

not.