Burning Scorn

Chapter 7

I winced as I stepped onto the stairs, pain shooting through my leg. For a moment, I hesitated, wondering if it was worth making the long descent.

This was the first time I was leaving my room since being brought here. The blue gown draped over me perfectly, as if tailored just for me—or someone exactly my size.

I wiped my sweaty palms against the fabric. My nerves tightened. I didn’t know what to expect.

I descended slowly, each step deliberate, until I saw him. Dressed in a black suit, his dark hair slicked back, he stood at the bottom of the stairs, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—his piercing gaze never wavered from mine.

For some reason, I stopped limping. I straightened my posture, willing myself to appear composed. Presentable. Appealing.

His eyes swept over me, head to toe. Admiring. My heart fluttered. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, a small, unconscious smile forming.

Then, just as I reached the last step, my foot caught on the hem of my gown. My body lurched forward.

Air rushed past me.

My breath caught—But before I could hit the ground, strong hands caught me.

I opened my eyes. Nergal.

His face was inches from mine. Too close.

I barely breathed as I took in his features—the chiseled jaw, the sharp angles, the way his dark lashes framed those piercing eyes. He was staring at me, watching, waiting.My heart slammed against my ribs.

His grip on my waist was firm. Steady.

He reached out, brushing aside the strands of hair that had fallen into my face.

A shiver ran down my spine.

“You should watch your step,” he murmured, his voice smooth but edged with something unreadable. “You wouldn’t want to lose an arm.”

And just like that, he let me go.

I stepped back and adjusted my dress, heat crawling up my skin. Embarrassment settled in as I realized we weren’t alone. Across the room, Lena sat at the far end of the table, deliberately ignoring us, while George stood, tense and alert. Had I really startled them that much?

I took my seat, barely aware of the food being placed in front of me. The silence was thick as everyone ate.

I picked up my knife, ready to cut into my steak, when a hand reached for my plate.

“Let me.”

Nergal pulled it toward him and, with precise movements, sliced the steak into bite-sized pieces.

I watched his face—so serious, so beautiful. A part of me ached to reach out, to cup his face in my hands and just…

His eyes flicked up, meeting mine. A small, knowing smirk played on his lips.

Flustered, I tore my gaze away—only to meet Lena’s glare.

The smile vanished from my lips.

What’s her problem?

“How’s your leg?” Nergal asked suddenly.

I blinked, shifting in my seat. “Umm… it still hurts. Like there’s something inside. I always get a sharp pain whenever I touch the ground.”

He hummed thoughtfully, chewing on a piece of steak. Then, without warning—

“Let me see.”

I froze. “Huh?”

He tapped his thigh, signaling me to place my leg there.

My face burned, but I nodded and slowly lifted my leg. I stole a glance at Lena, whose glare had sharpened into pure hatred.

Nergal’s fingers traced over the injured area. His touch sent a jolt through me—warm, electric, stirring something deep in my core. At the same time, it tickled, making me squirm.

“Lena, did you have her foot checked?” he asked, still examining my leg.

Lena straightened, voice clipped. “Yes, Alpha. I applied the ointment George gave me.”

Nergal frowned. “Strange. Why isn’t it working yet?”

Lena’s lips curled slightly. “Maybe because she’s human.”

Her tone was sharp. Almost insulting.

Nergal turned his gaze on her, silent. The weight of it was enough to make her lower her head. “Apologies, Alpha.”

She stood abruptly, George following behind her.

Now, it was just the two of us.

Nergal sighed. “You should return to your room. I’ll get you another ointment. Your food will be brought to you. Do not walk around until I say so.”

He reached out, absentmindedly adjusting a strand of my hair.

I waited, expecting him to release my leg so I could stand. When he didn’t, I cleared my throat. “I’ll need my legs back if you want me to leave.”

His lips twitched in amusement, but he let go.

As I walked away, I could still feel his eyes on me, making me hyper-aware of every awkward step. The moment I was out of sight, I exhaled sharply.

What the hell was that?

I had barely reached the hallway when I heard voices ahead.

Lena. George.

I stopped short, unnoticed in the shadows. Instinct made me step back, pressing against the wall.

“You know you’ll have to accept her, eventually,” George murmured.

Lena scoffed. “I can’t believe he’d choose her over me.”

George sighed. “It’s not about you, Lena. You’re making it sound like this was his choice.”

Lena’s voice dropped, venomous. “If it wasn’t, why is he avoiding me? Ever since he found her, he has barely looked at me. Barely speaks to me.”

George hesitated. “He’s still trying to accept the situation. You know that.”

“Accept it?” she hissed. “You mean he’s already accepted it. He wasn’t the one who cursed all humans. He hates them—you know that. Yet, the Goddess chose one for him? It’s disgusting. There must be a mistake. And I will find it.”

George stepped closer, gripping her shoulders. “Lena… if she’s his mate, there’s nothing we can do.”

“You say that like the pack will actually accept her as Luna.”

George’s silence was answer enough.

Lena’s voice turned cold. “She’s weak. Lost. We have no idea where she really came from, and for all we know, she could be a trap. We couldn’t get access to anyone in there for years, not even with the strongest witches on our side. The enclosure spell was unbreakable. Yet somehow, she walked right through it?”

George hesitated. “She seems harmless.”

“That’s exactly why we should interrogate her.”

George stiffened. “Lena… she’s Nergal’s mate. Our future Luna.”

Lena sneered. “Your Luna. Not mine. I should be his Luna—I’m strong. I’ve fought by his side for years. We don’t need a weakling who’ll cry at every challenge.”

George ran a hand down his face. “Lena… calm down. You don’t want to be on his bad side.”

Lena scoffed. “She doesn’t even know him. No one’s seen his full form. How do you think she’ll handle it?”

George grabbed her arms, shaking her slightly. “Don’t let your emotions turn you into someone you’re not.”

Lena exhaled sharply, her expression settling into something unreadable. She gave a small nod.

Then they walked away.

I let out a slow breath, pressing my forehead against the wall.

Tears burned my eyes.

Now, I understand.

Lena hated me because I had taken something from her.

And she wasn’t going to let me keep it.