Chapter 37 My Daughter
Marcus Ashford’s POV
“Terry,” I said into the comm, voice sharp. “Say that again.”
“I swear it, Alpha,” Terry replied, breathless like he had run straight into the call. “Council member Rowan. He announced it himself. Said he has a dangerous girl in confinement.”
My hand stilled on the table.
“You are sure?” I repeated.
“Positive,”
My jaw tightened. “Where?”
“Today is the day of judgment gathering,” Terry said. “Both councils from the west and north have been summoned. They’re calling everyone.”
I couldn't respond for a minute. I hoped deep down that it wasn't my Selene, but I had a terrible gut feeling that the time was already here.
Then Terry spoke again, slower this time. “Alpha… the way they’re talking about it….”
My chest tightened. It was truly my girl, that was the only reasonable explanation.
“You think it’s her,” I said.
“I didn’t want to say it first,” Terry admitted. “But yes. I think it might be Selene.”
“That’s impossible,” I said automatically. “She would have contacted me.” I said, still holding onto the possibility of the news not being about Selene.
“Unless she couldn’t,” Terry replied.
“Prepare the car,” I snapped, already reaching for my coat. “Call the guards, we are leaving now.”
“Marcus,” Terry said carefully, dropping my title like he only did when things were serious. “If it is her, the council won’t let you take her.”
I paused at the door.
“Then they’ll learn something today,” I said calmly. “No one can keep my daughter.”
The road to the council grounds felt longer than it ever had. I barely registered the turns, the guards at the gates, or the murmurs that followed me inside.
My mind was fixed on one thing alone. The pull in my chest grew stronger with every step. By the time I reached the stone hall, my pulse was loud in my ears.
My heart sank as I caught a whiff of my daughter. The scent hit me, it was faint, but unmistakably Selene. My stride broke into a near run, fear and fury colliding as I pushed through the doors, already knowing I was too late and yet refusing to believe I hadn’t arrived in time.
The Day of Judgment was already underway when I walked into the room.
Councils filled the stone chamber, elders seated in rows like judges, as if they had the final say.
“Daughter,” I said quietly, heads turned as I barged through the door. Whispers followed.
“Marcus Ashford.”
“The banished eastern Alpha.”
“What is he doing here?”
I ignored them all. My focus locked on the center of the hall.
Selene.
Her face was different, even the air around her felt more in charge. But undoubtedly so, she was my daughter.
My feet moved before my mind could catch up. I scanned the chamber quickly. Two young Alphas stood near the front, tense, protective without realizing it.
Caden and Damien. I knew them both by reputation.
Then I saw her.
She was sitting, barely conscious, supported by nothing but stubborn will. Her skin was too pale. Her eyes dulled by pain. Restraint marks ringed her wrists.
My chest burned in fury. We tried to protect her from such treatments, from such life. She was always destined to suffer this much, but as her father, I would do everything within my power to protect her.
Rowan stood near her, smug and composed.
“Proceed,” Rowan said to the council. “As you can see, it wasn't our intention to treat her this poorly but it was necessary.”
I stepped forward.
“Necessary?” My voice cut through the hall like a blade.
Every head snapped toward me. Rowan’s eyes widened.
“Marcus Ashford,” he said coolly. “This is a council matter.”
I ignored him and looked at her instead.
She lifted her head slowly, our eyes met. Her lips trembled as she tried to speak up.
“Father,” she whispered.
The sound shattered something inside me.
Before anyone could move, she collapsed.
“Selene!”
I crossed the space in seconds, catching her before she hit the floor. Her body burned with fever and poison.
I held her against my chest, growling low.
“Who did this to her, who did this to my daughter?” I demanded. My voice thundered in the hall.
Caden stepped forward. “They poisoned her.”
Damien’s voice followed, dark with rage. “Repeatedly.”
The chamber erupted.
“You invaded council grounds!”
“You slaughtered enforcers!”
Rowan raised a hand. “Order.”
I slowly stood, Selene cradled in my arms.
“You call this fairness?” I asked quietly. “Drugging an innocent girl, starving her, restraining her like some animal.”
“She is not just a girl,” Rowan snapped. “She is dangerous. We should leave sentiments aside, I mean—”
“You're a father, Rowan. How would you feel if you saw your daughter in this state,” Rowan remained silent for a while.
“I would do anything to ensure peace and order in the lands. Her parents would be devastated to find out how dangerous she is,”
“She is my daughter,” I said, voice deadly calm.
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
“Daughter?”
“Selene?”
Rowan stiffened. “That’s impossible.”
I looked down at her face, pale and exhausted, eyes fluttering.
“Selene,” I murmured. “Stay with me.”
Her fingers twitched weakly against my chest.
“She’s bonded,” an elder said sharply. “To two Alphas. It is an abomination.”
“I don't care,” I replied.
“The bond alone threatens balance,” another elder said. “She must choose.”
Caden stepped forward. “You don’t get to force her.”
Damien’s voice was colder. “Not after everything she has been through.”
Rowan sneered. “You are young. You don’t understand sacrifice.”
I finally looked at him.
“You locked my daughter in a cell,” I said. “Fed her wolfsbane. And you expect understanding?”
Guards moved toward me.
“Stand down,” an elder ordered. “Marcus, this is not—”
“No,” I interrupted.
The word echoed.
“I am sure, no one here wants to witness a father’s protection.”
The guards hesitated.
I turned away from the council, Selene held tight against my heart.
“Marcus,” Rowan called. “If you leave with her—”
“I will leave,” I said, not looking back. “And if you follow, history will remember today as the moment you chose wrong.”
I took one step, then another. No one stoppe
d me.
Caden and Damien fell in beside me without a word.
As we reached the threshold, Selene stirred weakly.
I tightened my grip.
“Hold on,” I whispered. “You are safe now,”