Chapter 39

Chapter 39
## Caius's POV

"Why are you protecting her, Caius?" Eleanor looked up at me, her large eyes filled with concern. "In all the years I've known you, you've never defended anyone like this. You didn't even mention her to the authorities."

I leaned against the desk, arms crossed defensively. "Do you know who her father is? If anything happens to that girl, he'll have my head."

"You saw what happened today." Eleanor's voice dropped to a whisper. "Imagine if this happens again? To someone else? Next time could be fatal."

"Listen, Eleanor," I said firmly. "I understand your concern, but this is still my class, and I protect my students just as I protect my pack."

Eleanor's expression softened. "You're so noble," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm just worried about my old friend, that's all."

The silence between us stretched uncomfortably before Eleanor glanced at her watch. "It's nearly time for visiting hours. Are we still going to see your mother?"

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Let's go."

---

The antiseptic smell of the hospital assaulted my senses as we walked through the sterile hallways toward my mother's room. Eleanor matched my stride, her familiar presence a small comfort in a place that held too many painful memories.

"How is your mother doing?" she asked, lowering her voice.

"Recovering well," I answered. "She should be home in a few days."

"Back to the Umbra Wastes? She still refuses to move to your pack territory?"

I shook my head. "She wants to stay there to protect her people. It would take considerable persuasion to get her to leave."

And considerable force to keep her away from those she feels responsible for, I thought but didn't say.

We reached my mother's door, and Eleanor's hand found mine briefly before she pulled away. The gesture was familiar—a remnant of the comfort we'd offered each other since childhood.

"Eleanor!" my mother exclaimed as we entered the room. Despite her injuries, Seraphina's eyes lit up at the sight of her visitor.

"I heard about what happened. I'm so sorry," Eleanor took a deep breath, her eyes welling with tears. "I wish we could have protected you."

"Darling, there was nothing you could have done," my mother said softly. "They would have found me regardless, and the outcome would have been the same."

"We can make sure it doesn't happen to you again," Eleanor said firmly, shooting me a glance.

I remained silent, unwilling to reveal that I had already taken revenge on those who had hurt my mother. The silver dagger that had nearly ended my life was now back in its original owner's heart.

After our visit with my mother, I made my way to the nurses' station to inquire about Violet's condition. I overheard two medical staff speaking in hushed tones.

"I've never seen such a severe electrical injury. She's lucky to be alive," one doctor was saying.

"Is she awake yet?" a nurse asked.

"Not yet, and there's a possibility she may never wake up."

"Alpha Caius," the doctor said, straightening his posture when he noticed me. "We didn't see you there."

"I'm here to inquire about one of my students... Violet," I said.

"She's just out of surgery, so it's too early to tell," he replied. "She remains in a coma, but her vitals are good, and everything seems to be functioning properly. She's fortunate to have survived."

"Alpha, if you don't mind my asking... how exactly did this happen? We heard it was during your class..."

"One of the tools we were using had an electrical malfunction," I answered without hesitation. "As I told the authorities, it was purely an accident and a product failure. We'll be pursuing litigation against the manufacturer."

The lie came easily.

## Elara's POV

I curled into a ball on my bed, phone pressed against my ear as my mother's concerned voice filled the quiet room. Across from me, Audrey's empty bed reminded me she was out on a date, leaving me alone with my guilt.

"Your father is heading to the hospital to check on her condition," my mother said.

"Oh, Mom... it's just awful," I replied, my voice breaking. "I can't believe I did something like that..."

"It's because you lost control of your emotions. Elara, what made you feel that way?"

I couldn't bring myself to admit the truth—that jealousy over Eleanor's closeness with Caius had triggered my powers to lash out uncontrollably.

"I think I was just overwhelmed," I said instead.

"Remember what we practiced," my mother reminded me gently. "Your emotions are directly connected to your abilities. When they surge, so does your power."

After ending the call, I stared at the ceiling, replaying the moment when my powers had surged through Violet's body. The memory made me physically ill. What kind of monster was I becoming?

You're not a monster, Anna finally spoke within me after hours of silence. You're learning to control abilities that few understand.

My phone rang again, the unfamiliar number causing my stomach to tighten with anxiety. Was it the hospital? Or worse, the authorities?

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Hello, this is Lily, curator of the Lunastride Art Gallery. How are you this evening?"

I sat up, surprised. "I'm... fine, thank you."

"I received your work and was amazed by your portrait of Alpha Caius. I must ask, why did you choose to paint him?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "Alpha Caius isn't just Lunastride Academy's best combat and shifting professor, he's also the youngest Alpha. He works harder than anyone I know because he needs to establish and maintain his reputation."

"I'm pleased to inform you, Elara, that I'd like to feature your painting in our next art exhibition this weekend. Congratulations—I can't wait to meet the artist behind this portrait."

After hanging up, I felt an unexpected flutter of excitement cutting through my gloom. My portrait of Caius would be displayed for everyone to see—my vision of him captured on canvas for the world to appreciate.

For a brief moment, the weight of the day lifted from my shoulders. Tomorrow I would face the consequences of my actions, but tonight, I allowed myself to feel a glimmer of hope that something good might still emerge from this terrible day.