The night air was cold and restless. The moon hid behind scattered clouds, dim light spilling faintly across the forest floor. Leon stood in silence, his heart pounding hard against his ribs. Every breath he took burned in his chest, heavy with regret.
He could still smell her faintly — Mia.
Her scent lingered in the air like fading perfume, mixed with fear, dirt, and blood.
He closed his eyes, trying to push the image away — her face when she said she didn't love him, that she hated him. The words had stabbed him deep, but now, knowing what had happened afterward, they cut even deeper.
He should never have walked away. He should have stayed. He should have protected her, no matter what she said. He wasn't even thinking of why Rachel and her father will do that. All he thinks of is her words. It sounded to him like he was being selfish. All he cares about was his feeling, not her safety. He has failed his mate. He has failed Mia.
Xavier's growl rumbled inside his head.
"You failed her, Leon."
"I know," Leon whispered under his breath. His voice was rough and his throat dry.
"She was scared, she probably said that to save herself, and you let your jealousy took over you. You left her there, in the hands of those heartless beings, as if she meant nothing to us, you didn't care."
"Enough," Leon muttered, dragging his hand through his hair. But Xavier didn't stop.
"You're supposed to guard what's yours, but you let her bleed alone."
Leon clenched his fists. His claws threatened to break through his skin.
He couldn't stand the voice anymore — not because Xavier was wrong, but because he was right.
The forest was quiet except for the low rustle of leaves. Then the wind shifted — and her scent hit him again, stronger this time. His eyes flashed silver as his wolf surged forward.
He didn't think twice.
He ran with a speed far beyond that of ordinary wolves. But he's a Lycan Prince!
Branches tore at his skin as he darted between trees, his speed a blur. His heart pounded faster with each step. Every beat carried one thought — find her.
The further he went, the heavier the scent became, until the faint sound of breathing reached his ears.
And then he saw her.
Mia lay on the ground near an old oak tree. Her hands were still bound, but the ropes had melted in strange white fire, leaving traces of glowing ash. The air smelled of moonlight and something ancient — divine, even. Her hair spread across the earth like silk, her lips pale, her body trembling slightly with every shallow breath.
Leon froze.
For a moment, he couldn't move. The sight of her — broken, unconscious, barely alive — hit him harder than any battle wound ever could. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hands shaking as he touched her face.
"Mia…" he breathed, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm sorry."
Her eyelids fluttered, but she didn't wake. Her skin was warm, but her pulse was weak. There was a strange light faintly pulsing from the mark on her shoulder — the same mark that had caught his eyes on that very day of rogues attack.
He pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. "Please, stay with me. Mate"
Xavier's voice was softer now, full of sorrow.
"She used her power again."
Leon nodded weakly. "And she's paying the price."
He couldn't waste another second. He lifted her gently into his arms.
Her body felt light and fragile, like glass about to break. Then, without hesitation, Leon shifted.
Bones cracked, his muscles expanded, his clothes tore away. Within seconds, a massive silver wolf stood where he once knelt. The moonlight shimmered against his fur. He lowered his head, nudged Mia's limp body carefully onto his back, and ran.
The forest blurred around him. Each stride was faster and stronger. The world disappeared into the rhythm of his heart and the faint sound of her breathing. His claws tore through the earth, his chest tightening every time her pulse weakened against his back.
He didn't stop until the first lights of the town appeared in the distance.
When he reached her house, he shifted back before stepping through the door. His skin was covered in dirt and sweat, but none of it mattered. He kicked the door open with his shoulder.
"Hello!" he called out, his voice desperate.
Her mother rushed out from the kitchen, her eyes widening when she saw Mia in his arms.
"Oh, goddess—Mia!" she screamed, running to them. Her trembling hands touched her daughter's face. "What happened? Young man, what happened to her?" She was too confused to recognize Leon despite meeting him the day of the rogues attack.
"She's weak," Leon said quietly. "She… used her power again."
Laura's eyes widened in shock. "Her power?" She looked at him, her face filled with confusion and fear. "You mean—oh my Goddess?"
Leon nodded. "She fainted right after. She's burning from the inside. We have to help her."
Laura's tears fell as she brushed Mia's hair from her face. "Oh, my baby." She pressed her forehead against her daughter's and whispered shakily, "what happened to you. Why will they take you from me." She cried. "You're safe now. You're safe." She whispered and gave her a peck on the back of her hand.
Leon gently laid Mia on the couch. Her breathing was shallow, her body glowing faintly under her skin. Laura straightened up, wiping her tears. "I have to call Rowan," she said immediately. "He'll know what to do."
She grabbed her phone, dialing quickly. Her hands trembled as she spoke. "Elder Rowan… please, come quickly. It's Mia. She's back, but there's a problem, please come here soon. Sir."
When she hung up, she turned back to Leon, who stood silently near the wall. He didn't move or speak. His eyes were fixed on Mia, his jaw tight, his hands clenched at his sides.
Laura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "She used it again, didn't she? The same power that saved her before." Now she has recognized him.
"Yes," Leon replied. His voice was low, almost broken. "And she's getting weaker each time."
Before Laura could respond, a knock echoed through the door — firm and heavy.
She hurried to open it, and there stood Elder Rowan.
The old man stepped inside, his dark cloak brushing against the floor. His eyes glimmered faintly with silver light, his expression unreadable like always. The air seemed to grow heavier the moment he entered.
He didn't speak at first. He went straight to Mia's side, knelt, and placed his palm lightly over her chest. A faint glow responded to his touch. His eyes closed as he murmured softly under his breath, words too old to understand.
After a long moment, he opened his eyes and exhaled. "The moon's energy is unstable within her. She's not ready. And she has already used it three times. If she keeps using it like this…" He looked up at Laura. "It might consume her. We may even lost her!"
Laura covered her mouth with a trembling hand. "What can we do?"
"She needs to rest," Rowan said. "And she needs to be taught. Her power is waking faster than expected."
He rose slowly, his back straight despite his age. "Who brought her back?" he asked.
Laura hesitated. Her eyes flicked toward Leon, who stood quietly near the doorway, watching them. She swallowed hard. "He did."
Rowan turned sharply, his eyes landing on Leon for the first time. But he know who he is, he can identify beings by their scent. But this time around it wasn't just the scent. He looks exactly like his father. The Lycan king.
Leon straightened, meeting his gaze without flinching, though something heavy tightened in his chest. The elder's stare was piercing — old, powerful, filled with a kind of knowing that made even a Lycan prince feel small.
For a long, tense moment, no one spoke.
Then Rowan's lips curved into a cold, bitter line.
He stepped closer, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the silence.
"Even your good deeds carry the scent of ruin, wolf." His tone dripped with disdain, his silver eyes darkening. "Your kind already destroyed enough."
Leon's jaw tensed, but he said nothing.
Laura looked between them, her heart sinking under the weight of their unspoken history.
Mia stirred faintly on the couch, her hand twitching. The glow on her shoulder pulsed once, twice, then faded into stillness.
The silence grew thicker.
Leon's heart clenched as he watched her, guilt carving deeper into his chest. He wanted to speak — to defend himself, but he didn't know what to say, and the words wouldn't come.
And Rowan didn't wait for any.
He turned away, his cloak brushing the ground as he walked toward the door, muttering something too quiet to catch.
Leon stayed where he was, staring at Mia.
Her breathing had steadied now, but her face was pale, peaceful, unaware of the chaos that surrounded her.
He whispered softly, barely audible — "I'll protect you next time… I swear it."
Outside, thunder rolled across the night sky.