The Weight Of Silence

Darius POV

“My sister?” I asked again, needing to be absolutely certain. Toran nodded frantically.

“Yes, Your Grace,” he confirmed, his voice rushed with urgency.

A sickening twist formed in my gut. My sister. The only family I had left.

“Where is she now?” I whispered, careful not to wake Rian, who lay sleeping soundly beside me.

“The pack hospital,” Toran replied.

I gave a brief nod, silently dismissing him with a flick of my fingers. Then I carefully pulled the duvet up to Rian’s chin, letting my fingers brush over her hair briefly before I turned and followed Toran out.

The halls were quiet as we moved quickly through the palace and toward the hospital. A burning sense of dread simmered beneath my skin. When we arrived, I saw her—Avery—lying on the hospital bed, her body bruised and battered. Elira, the palace healer, stood beside her, dabbing her wounds gently.

She looked so fragile. My chest tightened at the sight.

She’s the only family I have left.

And someone dared to touch her.

I turned to Toran, my voice cold and laced with fury.

“How did this happen?”

He lowered his gaze, shame clouding his expression.

“I don’t know, Your Grace. The head warrior mind-linked me. She was coming back from town when she was attacked by rogues… but we couldn’t track them. No trace left behind.”

“What do you mean no trace?” I snapped, but before I exploded, I forced myself to breathe and turned to Elira.

“How is she?”

Elira bowed her head slightly, keeping her tone calm and steady.

“She’ll be fine, Your Grace. Just a few surface wounds. Nothing fatal. She’s resting, and I’ve given her something for the pain. She should be up soon.”

I exhaled slowly, letting some of the pressure inside me release.

“Get me the head of the guards. Now.”

Without another word, I turned and stormed out of the hospital, heading straight for the court.

The moment I entered, the elders—stiff and gray like ancient trees—rose and bowed deeply. I barely glanced at them as I strode to my throne, dropping into it with a scowl.

I was tired. Angry. Not in the mood for games.

“Well? What is it?” I asked, my voice flat, my eyes scanning the room with disinterest.

Elder Rayrus stepped forward, nodding toward the others before speaking.

“Your Majesty, we’ve heard… troubling reports. That you locked your betrothed in the dungeon… because she taught that omega a lesson for disrespecting her.”

I stared at him, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably.

Then I stood.

“Are you questioning my orders? My actions?” I asked, voice laced with steel. My eyes began to glow red.

Rayrus hesitated.

“But, Your Majesty—”

He didn’t finish the sentence.

With a flick of my hand, I reached for his life force and ripped it from his chest. He gasped, eyes wide in disbelief, before he collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

A thick silence hung over the room.

The other elders dared not move. Dared not speak.

I descended the steps of the dais slowly, purposefully.

“You summoned me for this? To question me over a traitorous bitch who dared to lay hands on someone under my protection?” My voice echoed in the marble chamber.

“Let this be a warning.” I glared at each of them. “Question me again, and you’ll end up like him. Try me.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and marched out of the courtroom.

The head of the guards was waiting outside. Perfect.

“You. Follow me,” I commanded.

He hurried after me, clearly sensing my mood as we made our way to my office. Once inside, I slammed the door and turned on him.

“Now tell me—what happened at the border? Where were you while my sister was being attacked?”

He stuttered. “M-My King… I… I didn’t—”

He didn’t even finish before I lost the last of my patience.

With a snarl, I grabbed the sword resting on the wall behind me and slashed it across his neck in one clean motion. Blood splattered across my desk and dripped onto the floor. He collapsed instantly, dead before he hit the ground.

“Toran,” I mind-linked, my voice calm. “Get the cleaners and some guards. I want this mess and the body gone from my office. Now.”

Without waiting for his reply, I headed back to the hospital.

By the time I arrived, Avery was awake. She looked up the moment I entered, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the pain.

“Look who the wind dragged in,” she teased weakly.

I rolled my eyes and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Avery,” I said softly. “How are you feeling?”

She sighed and leaned her head back against the pillows.

“I’m fine, Darius. Just tired. I’ll be okay.”

I frowned. “I told you to stop going out alone. You know it’s not safe.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll survive. But I heard you locked up your betrothed over an omega? Since when do you care about anyone else besides me?”

I hesitated, then gave her a look.

“She crossed a line. She hit Rian.”

Avery raised a brow. “Rian? Is that her name?”

I nodded, my voice lower now.

“Yes. And she’s my mate.”

Avery’s eyes widened, and she tried to sit up too fast, wincing in pain. I immediately reached forward to steady her.

“Careful, Ava,” I murmured, adjusting the pillows behind her back.

It struck me then—aside from Avery and now Rian, I couldn’t touch anyone else without harming them. But Rian… she’d survived my touch.

Avery stared at me, her eyes growing glassy with emotion.

“You found your mate,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “The goddess… she’s so cruel. How will you ever touch her without hurting her?”

I smiled, unable to hide the relief in my chest.

“That’s the thing, Avy. I already did.”

Her brows pulled together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I touched her. And she didn’t die.”

Her lips parted in shock. “You… touched her?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

She let out a gasp and suddenly threw her arms around me in a tight embrace.

“Darius! I’m so happy for you. You deserve this. You deserve happiness!”

I smiled against her shoulder, a rare warmth spreading through my chest.

Then she pulled back and gave me a sharp look.

“Wait. Have you claimed her yet?”

I hesitated.

“I can’t, Avy. I’m scared. I don’t want to hurt her.”

Her eyes narrowed immediately.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Where is she?” she demanded, already swinging her legs off the bed.

“She’s in the chamber. Resting.”

“Good. I’m going to check on her.”

She tried to stand, but I caught her arm gently.

“Not yet, Avery. She’s recovering. She needs rest. Just give her a little more time.”

She looked at me for a long moment, then slowly nodded.

“Alright. But I want to meet her soon. Properly.”

“You will,” I promised.

When I returned to the chamber, the room was dim, the soft rise and fall of Rian’s breath the only sound.

I stepped quietly to the bed, but before I could sit, her voice cut through the silence.

“You came back.”

I froze.

She hadn’t opened her eyes. She just… knew.

“Of course I did,” I said softly.

A beat of silence passed before she added, almost in a whisper:

“I thought you wouldn’t.”

My heart clenched

“I’m ready “ she said Wo looked at her confused

“ for what?” I asked

“ For the rejection “