Chapter 7: The Avenger

Elena clutched the bottle of lotion tightly, trying to steady her breathing. She had barely processed the weight of Asher’s reaction when she forced herself to stand. Every movement sent sharp pain through her ribs, but she bit down on the discomfort.  

She needed to get back to her room.  

Stepping into the dimly lit hallway, she kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with the few passing wolves. The tension of the evening still lingered in the air. The Blood Moon pack wasn’t used to seeing their Alpha this enraged.  

Elena turned the corner—then suddenly, a strong hand clamped over her mouth.  

Her eyes widened in terror as she was yanked into the shadows.  

Emerson’s cold whisper pressed against her ear. “You don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?”  

Panic surged through her as she struggled against his iron grip.  

“We should’ve finished this earlier,” Harris muttered, stepping in front of her.  

Emerson’s fingers tightened over her mouth. “If you tell Asher anything else, you won’t live to regret it.”  

Elena whimpered, her breath coming in short gasps.  

She wanted to fight. Wanted to scream. But fear paralyzed her.  

She knew what happened to wolves who resisted.  

---  

 Asher's Dramatic Intervention : 

A low, menacing growl echoed through the hallway.  

Harris’s expression twisted in alarm. “Emerson—”  

Emerson stiffened.  

Elena’s breath caught as she followed their gaze.  

Asher stood at the end of the corridor, his golden eyes glowing with unrestrained fury. His wolf was dangerously close to the surface.  

The air became suffocatingly thick.  

“Let. Her. Go.”  

His voice was deceptively calm, but the raw power behind it sent a shiver down Elena’s spine.  

Emerson hesitated for a fraction of a second too long.  

Asher took a step forward. “If you don’t release her, you’ll lose your hands.”  

Emerson let go so fast Elena stumbled forward, gasping for air.  

Asher didn’t move. His gaze was locked onto Emerson, the threat still lingering between them.  

Then, from behind Asher, two guards stepped into view.  

Emerson paled.  

Harris cursed under his breath.  

They knew.  

They knew Asher wasn’t bluffing.  

---  

 Justice for Elena :

Asher didn’t spare Elena a glance as he spoke. “Take them to the cells.”  

Emerson and Harris froze.  

“W-What?” Harris stammered. “You can’t—”  

Asher’s wolf growled, a deep, chilling sound that sent fear rippling through the air. “I already took care of Connor and Nathan. You’re next.”  

Emerson’s face drained of color.  

Before they could react, the guards seized them.  

“You can’t do this!” Harris yelled, struggling.  

Emerson didn’t fight. He knew it was over.  

Elena stood in stunned silence as the guards dragged them away.  

She should have felt relieved. Safe.  

Instead, she could only hear Emerson’s last whispered warning as he passed her.  

“This isn’t over.”

_________________

Elena's heart was still racing as Emerson and Harris disappeared down the hallway, their struggles fading into the distance. The weight of what had just happened pressed heavily on her, but before she could fully process it, Asher turned to face her.  

His gaze softened, the golden glow in his eyes slowly dimming as his wolf retreated.  

"Are you hurt?" His voice was low, controlled, but she could hear the remnants of his anger.  

Elena shook her head instinctively, but Asher wasn’t convinced. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them. She stiffened as he dipped his head, pressing his nose lightly against the side of her neck.  

She froze.  

It wasn’t an act of dominance. It wasn’t a threat.  

It was… comforting.  

Her body went rigid at first, but then something strange happened—the rapid beat of her heart began to slow. The overwhelming fear that had gripped her moments ago started to ease, replaced by something unfamiliar.  

Warmth.  

Asher exhaled, his breath fanning against her skin, as if grounding himself in her presence. His hands remained at his sides, making no move to touch her, but the simple gesture of resting against her neck sent a shiver down her spine.  

When he finally pulled back, his eyes had returned to their usual deep brown. The fury was gone.  

“Better?” he asked.  

Elena swallowed, unsure how to respond. No one had ever tried to comfort her like this before.  

She nodded, looking away. “I just… I just wanted to go back to my room. You were taking too long.”  

Asher blinked, then smirked. “Impatient, huh?”  

Elena frowned. “That’s not what I—”  

“I guess I’ll just have to carry you then.”  

She barely had time to react before Asher scooped her up effortlessly.  

“L-Asher!” she gasped, hands gripping his shoulders.  

He let out a chuckle, his chest rumbling against her. “What? You said you wanted to go back, and you’re injured. This is the fastest way.”  

Elena opened her mouth to protest, but the words never came.  

For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn’t afraid.  

She wasn’t in pain.  

And then—without meaning to—she laughed.  

A small, breathy sound that startled even herself.  

Asher stilled, his eyes searching hers. Then, a slow, satisfied smile spread across his lips. “I like that sound.”  

Elena’s face burned. “Shut up.”  

He only laughed again, carrying her down the hallway with an ease that made her feel safe. As she rested her head against his shoulder, she allowed herself to believe, just for a moment, that maybe—just maybe—this birthday wasn’t as terrible as usual.