Chapter 160: Her again

Ethan's POV

The tension in the air was thick with the weight of what had just transpired. My wolf, still surging with adrenaline, felt like it was still in the thick of the fight, the echo of my claws scraping against Reuben's skin. But the battle was over. Reuben had been captured, and now all that remained was to ensure that the twins were safe and that justice was done.

I couldn't help but glance over at the twins as I carried them, still unconscious but alive-thank the gods. The small bodies of the children felt impossibly light in my arms, but the fear gnawing at me wasn't going away anytime soon. I could already imagine the damage done to them-mentally and physically. The kind of trauma they would have to overcome.

As I moved through the woods, my thoughts kept drifting back to Emily. Her tear-streaked face haunted me. She'd been through too much-more than anyone should have to endure. I hated that Reuben had forced her to go through all this, but at least, for now, we had saved the children. I wasn't sure what came next, but I wasn't going to let anyone harm her again.

The wind bit at my skin, sharp and cold as we walked back toward the mansion. Every step felt heavier with the burden of what we had faced-and the realization that it wasn't over. Not yet. Not as long as Reuben was still breathing.

Caden and Ronan flanked me as we made our way toward the gates of Frost Mansion, each of us wearing our own quiet tension. But we weren't alone in our thoughts. Caden's jaw was set, his mind clearly on Lila and the twins. Ronan's presence, ever so steady, was a reminder that we couldn't afford to let our guard down. The fight was done, but the consequences would come.

The gates of Frost Mansion loomed ahead. I couldn't see Lila or Joan yet, but I knew they would be waiting for us, hoping-praying-like we all had that everything was going to be okay.

When we rounded the corner, Lila was the first to spot us. Her face broke into a grin, pure relief washing over her as she rushed forward. Without hesitation, she threw herself into Caden's arms, her face pressing into his chest. He held her tightly, his gaze softening for the briefest moment as he hugged their children to him.

"Thank the gods..." Lila whispered, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked down at the twins, still asleep in his arms.

"I've got them, Lila," Caden murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "They're safe now. We got them back."

Lila nodded, her tears falling freely now. She turned her head slightly, her eyes locking onto mine for a moment. The weight of everything-everything we'd all just survived-was too much to bear in that one instant. I wanted to hold her, but right now, there were too many things left to do.

Then, there was Joan, the Luna, standing by Alpha Ronan's side. Her face softened as she took a step toward him, her arms reaching out to embrace him. He didn't hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. There was no shame in their closeness, no hesitation in the comfort they sought from each other after everything that had just happened. Joan's eyes were still red, swollen from crying, but there was relief in her gaze, too. They were safe. For now.

I turned my gaze back to the mansion as Frederick, with Reuben still chained and struggling beside him, made his way to the side entrance. Miriam the nanny walked a few paces behind them, her gaze darting nervously as she followed.

The rest of us didn't move until we saw the twins-small and fragile, but alive in Caden's arms. Then I heard it. A soft, quiet sob that pierced the silence. It came from Emily.

I froze in place, my heart twisting painfully in my chest. I turned slowly, scanning the front steps of the mansion until I spotted her standing there. She was alone, her shoulders shaking as she wiped at her eyes. My heart shattered. She shouldn't have to carry this weight alone. Not anymore.

I crossed the distance between us in three quick strides, and before she could take another breath, I was there, my arms wrapping around her. I didn't say a word, because I didn't need to. The tears fell freely, and I could feel her body trembling against me.

"Hey, hey," I whispered softly, stroking her hair. "Don't cry, Emily. You're safe. The twins are safe. We did it."

She sobbed harder, clinging to me like I was her lifeline. "Ethan, I was so scared," she whispered between sobs, her voice broken. "I thought I'd lost them. I thought I'd lost you, too." Her grip tightened, and I felt the pain that had been haunting her for days in every inch of her touch.

"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," I promised. "I'll never leave you again. I'm sorry... for everything that happened. For everything that you went through."

Emily pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face glistening in the pale moonlight. She reached up and touched my cheek, her hand trembling. "I was so afraid, Ethan. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"You'll never have to," I vowed, my voice firm. I couldn't stand seeing her like this. She'd been through too much. I wasn't going to let it break her. "I'll protect you, Emily. Always."

She gave me a small, shaky smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. There was too much pain there. And I understood that. The weight of what Reuben had done to her, the uncertainty, the fear-it was too much to bear.

The air seemed to shift then, like everything was slowly starting to fall into place. The sound of footsteps behind me signaled the return of the others. I didn't need to turn around to know that they were coming to take Reuben away.

Lila and Caden, still holding their children, made their way up the stairs to the mansion, but the sight of Reuben in chains caused a fresh wave of unease. He was struggling against Frederick's grip, his face twisted with rage. His eyes, though, locked on me as though he could murder me with just a look.

Frederick led him inside, and I could hear the sound of doors closing behind them. I wanted to follow, but my focus remained on Emily. She needed me now.

"It's over," I murmured, cupping her face in my hands. "Reuben is going to pay for everything he's done. He won't hurt you or anyone ever again."

Her eyes were still cloudy with tears, but I could see something else there too-relief, maybe, or the first glimmer of hope in days. She nodded slowly, but the fear was still in her eyes. She had a long road ahead of her.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "For everything."

I leaned down, pressing my forehead to hers. "No need to thank me," I said softly. "You'll never have to face anything like this alone again. I promise."

The soft sound of footsteps behind us signaled that the others were gathered near the door. I took a deep breath and pulled back slightly, my hands still resting on Emily's shoulders. I could feel my wolf's tension slowly easing, but it wasn't over. Not yet.

Alpha Ronan approached, his eyes serious as he looked at me. "Ethan," he began, his tone grave, "Reuben will face the council tomorrow. He'll be tried under the laws of the Silver Moon Pack. The punishment for what he's done-putting royal blood in danger and drawing blood from a sitting Alpha-will be life imprisonment with hard labor. The council has already decided."

I nodded, my jaw clenched. It wasn't enough. It could never be enough for what he'd done to Emily, but it was justice.

"That's good," I muttered, my eyes still on Emily. "It's what he deserves."

Ronan gave me a nod before turning to Caden, then to Lila. The weight of everything was still heavy in the air, but at least, for the first time in a long while, things were beginning to settle.

With a final, quiet look at Emily, I followed the others into the mansion. Reuben would face justice. And I would never let anyone harm her again.