Chapter 68 - The Alpha's Fury
Silas didn't remember crossing the healing wing.
One moment he was in the doorway.
The next, he was beside Athena.
His hand wrapped around her wrist - not rough, but firm - guiding her away from the benches, away from the burns, away from the memories clawing through her.
She didn't resist.
She went with him.
They didn't stop until they were in the corridor outside, the heavy doors closing behind them.
Silas turned to her immediately.
His hands came to her face, holding her there like she might disappear if he didn't.
"Look at me," he said.
Athena's eyes lifted to his, still wide, still shaken.
"He stole you," she whispered again.
Something dark and dangerous settled behind Silas's eyes.
Not rage without control.
Rage with purpose.
His thumb brushed her cheek, grounding her.
"He will never touch you again," he said, voice low and deadly calm.
Athena's breath trembled.
Silas pulled her into him suddenly, one arm wrapping tightly around her back as the other cradled the back of her head.
He kissed her.
Not gentle.
Not hesitant.
Possessive.
Like he needed to remind himself she was here. Safe. Real.
Athena melted into him instantly, her hands gripping his shirt as if she needed the same reassurance.
The kiss was deep. Heated. Filled with everything neither of them had words for - fear, relief, fury, protection.
Silas's hand tightened in her hair slightly as he held her there, his mouth moving against hers like he couldn't stop.
Like he didn't want to.
When he finally pulled back, their foreheads rested together.
His breathing was heavy.
His eyes still burning.
"No one takes what is mine," he said quietly.
Athena's heart raced at the intensity in his voice.
Behind them, the healing wing doors opened.
Rowan and Kael stepped out.
They saw it immediately.
The tension in Silas's body.
The way he held Athena.
The fury barely contained beneath his calm expression.
Kael's jaw tightened.
Rowan spoke carefully.
"What do you want us to do?"
Silas didn't look away from Athena when he answered.
"We are not waiting anymore."
Rowan nodded once.
Understanding completely.
The mages had made a mistake.
A mistake they could not undo.