Mute
Mute 45

Chapter 45

Caspian’s POV.

As the chaos unfolded before me, my gaze locked onto the unforgettable face of Ethan, making his presence known with long, confident strides.

Recognition surged within me, memories of a painful past crashing against the shores of my consciousness. “Sam,” I uttered his name, not the moniker he had adopted since his exile, but the name he was born with.

“Sam,” I repeated, my voice carrying disbelief and resignation. “What brings you here?”

He stepped closer, his eyes ablaze with a fire fueled by years of resentment and bitterness. “You know damn well why I’m here,” he spat, each word dripping with venom. “My parents were murdered, and your father saw fit to cast us out like refuse.”

His accusation pierced through the air, igniting a flame of anger within me. “So, you’ve been targeting my people in retaliation?” I countered, my voice filled with incredulity.

Ethan’s laughter rang out maliciously, “Retaliation?” he scoffed. “This is justice, Caspian. Justice for the wrongs inflicted upon my family.”

Before I could respond, his sisters emerged from their hiding spot, their presence a proof that they were ready to attack.

Armed with weapons, they descended upon my men with a fury unmatched.

As the fight erupted, Ethan’s gaze bore into mine with a cold intensity. “You’re holding onto her because you love her, aren’t you?” he sneered referring to Aria, his words laced with contempt. “No wonder you called off the wedding.”

His accusation struck a nerve, but there was no room for sentimentality, no time for introspection.

I squared my shoulders, my jaw hardening with anger. “Love has nothing to do with it,” I declared, my voice unwavering. “This is about duty, about protecting what’s mine. And I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

As the chaos inside the house escalated, more traps sprung to life, threatening to inflict more harm.

With each new obstacle, my determination to get Aria out safely intensified.

Aria’s fear was evident in the way she clung to Elijah’s arm, her eyes wide with terror as she looked to me for guidance.

“Stay close to Elijah, Aria,” I instructed, my voice firm but reassuring. “We’re getting out of here, no matter what.”

With Elijah leading the way, we walked through the maze of danger, dodging traps and obstacles with adrenaline- fueled precision.

Aria’s trembling hand reached out to mine, seeking comfort in the midst of chaos. I could see the fear etched on her face, and it only fueled my desire to protect her.

Finally, we burst through the threshed into the cool night air, relief washing over us, but not completely.

It was short-lived as Ethan, consumed by rage and desperation, made his move.

1/3

O

15:29 Fri, Aug 16

Chapter 45

“You think you can escape from me?” Ethan’s voice dripped with malice as he lunged forward, his eyes wild with fury. “I’ll have your head for what you’ve done!”

Without hesitation, Ethan shifted into his wolf form, his primal instincts driving him to attack. But I was ready, my own transformation swift and fluid as I met his charge.

“You’ll have to try harder than that, Ethan,” I growled, my voice a low rumble of defiance. “I’d like to see you try.”

With a snarl of rage, Ethan launched himself at me, his claws slashing through the air with lethal intent. But I was faster, my reflexes honed by years of survival in the unforgiving wilderness.

In a blur of motion, I countered his attack with precision and skill, my claws replaceing their mark with deadly accuracy. With a final, decisive blow, I brought Ethan to his knees, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground at my

feet.

On the other hand, Elijah and the remaining men held Ethan’s sisters captive, their cries of anguish ringing out through the night. But there was no time for remorse, no room for hesitation.

Turning to Aria, I saw the shock and disbelief written across her face, her eyes wide with the realization at the brutality that just happened before her.

With Ethan’s lifeless body lying at our feet, I turned to his sisters, their grief-stricken faces an opposite to the chaos that surrounded us.

Without a word, I motioned to Elijah and the men, and soon Ethan’s sisters were bound, their hands and legs chained, rendering them powerless.

“Take us to where you’ve hidden the captives,” I commanded, my voice firm but devoid of malice. “Now.”

Reluctantly, Ethan’s sisters began to walk, their steps heavy with sorrow as they led the way through the darkness. Tears streamed down their faces, their mournful cries echoing through the night as they mourned the loss of their brother.

Despite their grief, they followed my orders, leading us deeper into where the captives were hidden.

As we reached the hidden location, Aria’s voice broke the tense silence. “Ethan and his sisters have murdered so many,” she said, her tone filled with sorrow and disgust. “And these are just a few of the remaining survivors.”

Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud, a reminder of the atrocities committed in the name of vengeance. Without hesitation, I turned to Elijah, my expression unyielding. “End their lives,” I ordered, my voice cold and unwavering.

Aria’s gaze darted away, unable to witness the brutality that was about to unfold. With a heavy heart, Elijah carried out my command, silencing the sisters’ cries of anguish with swift and decisive action.

As their lifeless bodies fell to the ground, I knew this was far from over because there were still rogues out there who were attacking my pack and taking innocent lives.

As the last of the captives were being freed, I approached Aria, the weight of our recent ordeal heavy upon us both. “Ethan and his sisters are dead,” I informed her quietly, my tone solemn. “Justice has been served.”

Aria’s response was a simple nod, her eyes betraying the emotions too complex to articulate. Without a response, she turned away from me, her focus Shifting to the newly liberated captives.

With determination etched on her features, she moved among them, offering words of solace and aid as they

2/3

O

15 29 Fri, Aug 16 OR·

Chapter 45

began to replace their footing once more.

+59%

3

59%

5

Chapter 46

Caspian’s POV.

As I returned to the castle, exhaustion weighed heavy on my shoulders, but the sight of Ellen waiting for me with teary eyes dispelled any thoughts of rest. Concern etched into my features, I approached her, asking softly, “Ellen, are you okay?”

Her response was a shake of the head, tears glistening in her eyes as she pleaded with me in desperation. “Caspian, please,” she implored, her voice trembling with emotion. “Marry me. Make me your Luna. We can have a small ceremony, just the two of us, and then I’ll be crowned. The mockery will lessen, I promise.”

Her words cut through the air like a dagger, and for a moment, I hesitated, torn between sympathy and duty. But then, with a heavy heart, I spoke the truth. “Ellen, I cannot, I confessed, my voice firm but gentle. “I don’t love you. I cannot marry you.”

Her **bs grew louder, her grip tightening on my shirt as she clung to me desperately. “But I love you, Caspian,” she cried, her words a desperate plea. “Don’t leave me for Aria. Please, don’t.”

My heart ached at her pain, but I knew I could not relent. “I’m sorry, Ellen,” I murmured, my voice heavy with regret. “But I cannot change how I feel. I cannot marry you!”

Despite her protests, I stood firm in my decision, knowing that to do otherwise would only bring more pain in the long run. And as Ellen’s tears continued to fall, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for the heartbreak I had caused.

But I knew that staying true to myself was the only way forward, even if it meant hurting someone I once cared for deeply. And so, with a heavy heart, I gently disentangled myself from her embrace.

Ellen’s tears seemed to fuel her desperation as she continued to follow me, despite my repeated explanations. With each step, her s***bs grew louder, echoing through the corridors of the castle like a mournful symphony.

“I can’t accept that, Caspian,” she cried, her voice trembling with emotion. “I won’t let you go. I refuse to believe that you don’t love me.”

Her refusal was met with a heavy sigh from me as I tried to reason with her once more. “Ellen, please,” I urged, my tone tinged with frustration. “You’re only causing yourself more pain by clinging to false hope. You deserve someone who loves you completely.”

But my words fell on deaf ears as Ellen’s distress reached a breaking poin lash out, smashing and destroying anything within reach.

In a fit of rage and despair, she began to

The guards rushed forward, attempting to restrain her, but she fought back with a ferocity fueled by heartbreak. Her screams filled the air, echoing off the stone walls as she cried out in anguish.

“I won’t leave you, Caspian!” she wailed, her voice raw with emotion. “I won’t leave this castle! You’re being brainwashed by this f***g matebond thing, can’t you see?

Her words struck a chord within me, a pang of guilt gnawing at my conscience as I watched her spiral into despair. But no matter how much I wished I could ease her pain, I knew that marrying her would only prolong her suffering.

With a heavy heart, I clenched my jaw, knowing that there was nothing more I could do to console her. As her cries echoed through the castle halls, I couldn’t help but wonder if there would ever be peace for me, or for her.

1/3

O

As I wood made the chaos that Ellen’s outburst had wrought, a heavy weight settled upon my shoulders. I knew that my refusal to marry her hard caused her immense pain, but I also knew that bringing her into a marriage where love was absent would only hurt her further.

Despite her protests and pleas. I couldn’t ignore the truth that lingered in the depths of my heart. My feelings for Ellen were not what she deserved in a partner. My heart did not belong to her, and to marry her out of pity or obligation would be a grave disservice to us both.

With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the scene, a pang of guilt gnawing at my conscience as I left Ellen behind in her anguish. Though it pained me to see her suffer, I knew that staying true to my own feelings was the only way forward

As I walked to my room, the echoes of Ellen’s cries still rang in my ears. The weight of the evening’s events settled heavily on my shoulders. Pushing the door open, I was greeted by the familiar, albeit stark, surroundings of my quarters. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts, to process everything that had happened.

Before I could even sit down, there was a knock at the door. It was Elijah. His presence, usually comforting brought with it a reminder that our problems were far from over.

“Come in,” I called out, my voice betraying my exhaustion.

Elijah stepped inside, his expression serious. “We need to talk, Caspian

I nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat. “I know. It’s about the rogues, isn’t it?”

Elijah nodded, sitting across from me. “Ethan and his sisters weren’t the only ones involved. We’ve received reports of more attacks. There are others out there, still targeting our pack members.”

The thought of more innocent lives being at risk made my stomach churn. “Do we have any leads on their whereabouts?”

“Not many,” Elijah admitted. “But we do know they’re moving in small groups, attacking isolated members and then disappearing before we can respond. It’s like they know our moves before we make them.”

I rubbed my temples, feeling the onset of a headach “We need to replace a way to track them down. We can’t let this continue.”

Elijah leaned forward, his eyes sharp. “I’ve already sent out scouts to gather more information. We’ll need to increase patrols and ensure everyone is on high alert. This isn’t over, and we can’t afford to let our guard down.”

I nodded in agreement. “We also need to replace out who’s leading them now that Ethan is gone. There has to be someone coordinating these attacks.”

Elijah’s expression darkened. “I have a few ideas, but nothing concrete yet. It’s possible one of Ethan’s allies has taken charge, or there might be a new leader we haven’t identified.”

The enormity of the situation pressed down on me. “We’ll need to act fast. We can’t let them gain any more ground.”

Elijah stood up, his determination mirroring my own. “I’ll keep you updated on any new information we gather. In the meantime, you should get some rest. We’re going to need all the strength we can muster for what lies ahead.”

I managed a weary smile. “Thank you, Elijah. I appreciate everything you’re doing.”

He nodded, his eyes showing a flicker of concern. “Just take care of yourself, Caspian. We need you at your best.”

2/3