Chapter 115
Valencia’s POV
There was no other explanation that I could think of.
“Why are you doing this?” I demanded, my voice trembling with both rage and disbelief as I snatched the champagne flute from Seven’s trembling hands before it could reach his lips.
Jaxon tilted his head, his golden eyes gleaming with a mock innocence that only stoked the fury bubbling in my chest. “Doing what, Valencia? You must be mistaken about my intentions.”
Mistaken? I glared at him, every nerve in my body alight with anger. His calm facade was a thin veil for the menace simmering beneath. My heart pounded as I stepped closer, holding the glass out to him with trembling fingers.
“Then drink it,” I said sharply, shoving the glass into his hand. “If it’s so harmless, you drink it.”
The tension between us thickened, and Jaxon’s cocky smile faltered. His eyes narrowed into slits, and his fingers gripped the glass tighter. For a split second, I thought he might actually do it.
Instead, he threw the glass.
The sound of shattering glass pierced the night air as it exploded against Seven’s head. I gasped, my heart plummeting as the boy stumbled backward, his fragile frame crumpling to the ground
“Seven!” I cried, rushing forward to catch him before his head hit the sand.
Blood. Thin lines of red trickled down the side of his head, staining the silver hair that had once gleamed under the moonlight. My chest tightened as I cradled him, anger surging like a tidal wave.
“You’re going too far!” I screamed at Jaxon, my voice cracking as I glared up at him. “He didn’t do anything to you!”
Jaxon scoffed, taking a menacing step forward. His eyes glinted with a anger amusement that made my skin crawl. “And what are you going to do about it?” he sneered, his voice low and taunting.
Before I could respond, a low, guttural growl tore through the air, sending a shiver down my spine.
Relief flooded through me as I turned to see Dante in wolf form emerging from the shadows, his eyes flickering between teal and molten gold.
“Dante!” I breathed, tears springing to my eyes as the weight of the situation hit me fully.
Aiden appeared right behind him, changing into human form instantly, his expression grim as his sharp gaze scanned the
scene.
Without a word, he strode forward and scooped Seven’s limp form into his arms, cradling him as if he weighed nothing. “What happened?” Aiden asked, his tone clipped as his silver eyes darted between me and Jaxon.
I didn’t answer. My focus was on Dante who had also changed back to human form.
His gaze locked onto Jaxon, and I saw the barely–contained rage simmering beneath the surface. His eyes, now almost entirely gold, flicked to me briefly before returning to the man who had caused this chaos.
My breath hitched as I noticed the faint sheen of scales beginning to appear on his hands, the sharp edges catching the
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Chapter 115
moonlight.
No.
I scrambled to my feet, closing the distance between us in an instant. Wrapping my arms around his torso, I pressed my palms against his chest, forcing calming waves of emotion through our bond.
“Dante,” I whispered urgently. “It’s okay. I’m okay. Please.. calm down.”
His breathing was shallow, his chest heaving beneath my touch. I reached up to cup his face, guiding his gaze to mine. My eyes searched his, wide with desperation and fear. “Look at me. Just me.”
He couldn’t transform here. Now. Where others could clearly see.
Selene’s previous words and expression came to my mind as I remember her response when I asked what would happen if Dante failed to control himself.
And I knew it wouldn’t be anything good. We couldn’t afford more problems right now.
For a moment, it felt as if the entire world had stilled.
His eyes widened, the gold beginning to recede, replaced by the familiar teal flecked with blue. His breathing slowed, the tension in his body easing as he focused on me.
“I’m okay,” I repeated softly, my voice trembling.
He exhaled sharply, his hands coming up to gently hold my arms. “Valencia….” His voice was hoarse, filled with a mixture of anger and relief.
Behind him, Jaxon snorted, the sound grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.
Dante turned his head, his body tensing again. His eyes darted to Jaxon, his gaze colder than ice. “What did you do?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
I bit my lips out of nervousness. As expected Jaxon didn’t confess to anything. He remained silent.
Dante’s sharp gaze flicked back to me, and he reached out, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip. “Stop that,” he murmured, his voice softening slightly. “Don’t hurt yourself.”
Before I could respond, he bent down and scooped me into his arms, the motion so swift that I barely had time to protest. “Dante!” I whispered urgently. “Put me down!”
He ignored me, his grip firm but gentle as he carried me back toward the clearing.
I sighed, my frustration melting into quiet resignation. “Fine,” I muttered.
When we emerged into the light of the garden, the air grew heavy with silence. Conversations halted, and dozens of eyes turned toward us.
Dante set me down in an empty chair, his hand lingering on my shoulder as if to reassure himself that I was safe. I glanced around, heat rising to my cheeks as the weight of their stares pressed down on me.
But the silence didn’t last long.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Aiden stepped into the clearing, Seven’s bloodied form cradled in his arms.
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Chapter 115
“What is the meaning of this?” Alpha Selene’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade
All eyes turned to her as she rose from her seat her dark eyes locked onto Seven. Her expression hardened and I could feel the shift in the air as her authority settled over the gathering.
Of course if Seven was truly ‘gifted‘ by the SNC, then it would be quite troublesome for the Wolfe pack to have harmed him Especially when it hadn’t even been long since his arrival.
Jaxon sauntered forward, his steps unhurried, “The slave was being disrespectful,” he said nonchalantly, as if the words were a perfectly acceptable explanation. “I taught him a lesson. One I have every right to.”
Selene’s gaze sharpened, her voice cold. “Slavery may be allowed, but Slave Law stipulates that no punishment shall result in bloodshed. Unless ordered by court.”
The crowd murmured, unease rippling through them.
Even though this law was widely known, most people chose to overlook it, because there was no one there to stop them. Similar to normal abuse cases.
Drogo and Alpha Roman approached, their expressions grim. Roman’s tone was measured as he spoke. “Punishment without a little blood is hardly a punishment,” he said, his words laced with a thin veneer of neutrality. “However, I understand my son may have made a mistake.”
Selene’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. He has. And he will make amends.”
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, and for the first time that night, Jaxon’s cocky demeanor wavered
