Under His Protection

“I… I don't remember!” Eve shrieked in panic. Tears streamed down her deathly pale cheeks as her breathing grew shallow and ragged. She clutched her head tightly with both hands, as if desperately trying to keep it from shattering at that very moment.

“Calm down, Eve. Calm down.”

Asher immediately rose from the wooden chair in the corner of the room. With wide, swift strides, he crossed the space and sat right beside her on the edge of the bed. Without hesitation, he pulled her fragile body into his arms, holding her tightly against his broad chest. Eve trembled violently, sobbing as she let out a wave of terror she could not put into words.

“Shh, relax, Eve. Don’t force it if you don't remember,” Asher whispered, his tone incredibly low and soothing. His deep baritone voice, which usually sounded stern and intimidating as a leader, completely softened. With agonizingly gentle movements, his large fingers stroked her hair, channeling his warmth and calming Alpha pheromones. Slowly, Eve’s breathing regulated, and before she knew it, she had fallen back into a deep, peaceful sleep in his embrace.

After ensuring she was sound asleep, Asher carefully laid her back down. He pulled the blanket up to her chest before stepping out of the room without a sound.

Inside his private study, the atmosphere was heavy and suffocating. Asher sat upon his old, intricately carved teak wood throne. Across the desk sat a specialized doctor of the Nightshade Pack, nervously adjusting his old spectacles.

“So, what exactly happened to her?” Asher asked, his sharp eyes locked onto the doctor who had just finished thoroughly examining Eve.

“There is not much I can say definitively, Alpha,” the doctor replied, pausing briefly to phrase his words carefully so as not to offend his leader. “My assumption is that this is the result of extreme shock. Her brain has built a defense mechanism in the form of short-term amnesia to block out the traumatic event.”

Asher fell silent for a moment, processing the doctor's explanation with a furrowed brow. Before he could respond, a soft knock echoed at the door. The doctor bowed respectfully to grant them privacy and excused himself just as a male servant dressed in the Nightshade mansion's uniform entered with a deeply bowed head. In his hands, he carried a thick, black-leather file.

“Excuse me, Alpha. Here is the information file you requested,” the servant said respectfully.

Asher took the file. As he flipped through the pages one by one, his gaze locked onto a crucial line of information.

“So it’s true. Eve is Killian Blackwood’s Luna,” Asher muttered, his voice dropping to a chilling register.

“Yes, Alpha,” the servant replied, standing straight before the desk. “Our spies at the border report that the Blackwood Pack is currently mobilizing a massive force to hunt for Miss Eve's whereabouts.”

Asher fell silent once more. As the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, he had a very logical and safe choice: hand Eve back to the Blackwoods to avoid any political misunderstandings or a potential territorial war. Yet, for some reason, the memory of how fragile and terrified Eve had looked while crying in his arms flashed across his mind, and his inner wolf fiercely rejected the thought. A hidden instinct urged him to keep her here.

“What are your orders, Alpha?” the servant asked.

Asher closed the black folder with a firm thud. “For now, keep Eve under my protection. We cannot hand her over in such an unstable condition.”

“Understood, Alpha.”

Meanwhile, the upper hallway was shrouded in silence. Outside the room where Eve was resting, a petite silhouette stood hidden. A young woman with shoulder-length, honey-colored hair was peering through a slight crack in the door.

Valerie Dawn.

Her beautiful eyes intently watched the soundly sleeping Eve. Valerie had been standing there for nearly ten minutes, observing every inch of the strange girl's face whom Asher had suddenly brought home last night.

Slowly, Valerie pushed the door open and tiptoed inside, intentionally treading lightly to avoid making any noise. Despite her caution, her presence in the quiet room still managed to stir Eve, whose heightened Omega sensitivity caused her to slowly wake. Eve’s eyelids fluttered before opening completely.

“Hello…” Valerie greeted as softly as possible, offering her sweetest smile as she noticed Eve gathering her awareness.

Eve blinked, staring in confusion at the girl before her. “Hello,” she replied faintly.

“Are you feeling alright? Your wounds were quite severe when you were brought here yesterday,” Valerie asked, her tone laced with genuine concern.

By now, Valerie had seated herself right next to Eve's bed. She reached out with a warm hand, gently touching Eve’s forehead to ensure she didn't have a fever.

“I… I’m fine,” Eve answered briefly.

Valerie smiled again, her eyes shining warmly at Eve. “I'm Valerie. Valerie Dawn.”

Eve froze for a moment, trying to recall something within her mind, which was still spinning. “I am…”

Before Eve could finish her sentence, Valerie cut in gently. “I know. You're Eve.”

Eve gave a soft nod. A brief silence stretched between them before Valerie spoke again. “There is a beautiful flower garden right behind this mansion. The evening air out there is wonderful and will help you relax. Would you like me to accompany you for a walk?”

With a small nod, a faint smile graced Eve’s still-pale face. “Yes, I would like that.”

Just as Valerie went to help Eve out of bed to guide her toward the door, the large wooden frame swung wide open from the outside. The heavily built man Valerie knew all too well stood on the threshold.

“Where do you think you two are going?” Asher questioned, his voice deep and rumbling.

“I want to take Eve for a walk in the back garden, Asher. She’ll get depressed if she just stays cooped up in this room,” Valerie chimed in quickly.

The Alpha’s eyebrows knitted tightly as his gaze immediately dropped to Eve’s heavily bandaged ankle.

“What about your foot?” Asher stepped forward and sank onto one knee, inspecting the condition of Eve’s foot closely. “Does it still hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Eve replied shortly.

Asher stood up, turning his stern gaze toward Valerie, who was still supporting Eve. “I will not allow it,” he stated firmly.

“Oh, come on, Asher. I’ll watch over her and make sure she’s perfectly fine,” Valerie insisted stubbornly.

Asher remained silent for a moment. He looked deeply into Eve’s eyes. His gaze was so incredibly warm that it caused Valerie’s chest to suddenly tighten. A sharp pang of discomfort and jealousy pierced the depths of her heart. Asher has never looked at another woman like that… Valerie thought bitterly.

Letting out a heavy, long sigh, Asher finally relented. “Fine. But make sure to stay strictly within the garden area.”