Kael's POV
It felt like forever before we reached the courtyard.
My heartbeat was faint against my chest. Too faint. My skin was ice-cold, and the metallic scent of blood clung to the air with every step I took.
When I rounded the corner into the gatmying, the music died.
Conversation cut off mid-laugh.
Every head turned.
A crowd of well-dressed wolves stared as I walked through them carrying a broken, bloodied girl in my arms.
They parted instantly.
Then a sharp voice pierced the silence.
"Why is he holding that useless girl?"
A young woman stepped in front of me, stomping my heel in outrage. I recognized her as the Alpha's daughter. Her brother hurried to her side, shock flashing briefly across his face before he masked it.
"We need a doctor," I barked, my voice carrying over the stunned crowd.
The Alpha pushed forward, his mate hovering behind him. "Prince Kael, what is the meaning of this? Why are you carrying that girl?"
Rage pulsed under my skin. River stirred inside me, furious.
"You tell me," I said coldly. "We found her beaten and collared like an animal in your territory."
The Alpha's face darkened. "I don't know what you're talking about. Collaring is outlawed. How dare you accuse me of such cruelty!"
"So she's not a member of your pack?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
"No," the Alpha replied flatly.
I noticed a man near the back flinch, like he wanted to speak. The Beta shot him a warning look, and he lowered his head immediately.
"Someone call a doctor," a small woman said, stepping forward carefully.
"Yes — here," I said, kneeling as gently as I could and lowering Aelara onto the ground.
The woman gasped. "Oh my goddess… what happened to her?" She opened her bag with shaking hands, pulling out medical supplies. "She's lost a lot of blood, and her back—" She looked up at me, horrified. "Sir, we need to move her to the clinic immediately."
"Lead the way," I said, scooping Aelara back into my arms.
"Prince Kael," the Alpha called after me, "perhaps my Beta should handle this. He will ensure she is cared for."
A snarl ripped from my chest before I could stop it. River surged closer to the surface, power flooding the air so thick the Alpha actually stumbled back a step.
"No," I said coldly. "I will handle this. And this gatmying is over. Everyone return to their quarters until I find out how this young woman was tortured and left to die."
Gasps rippled through the room.
I turned slightly, voice carrying command. "Do as I said."
No one argued.
They knew better.
I looked at the frozen healer. "Clinic," I ordered.
She spun and hurried ahead, guiding us out of the hall.
The clinic doors burst open as we entered.
"Clear a table!" the healer shouted. "Now!"
They laid Aelara down and began working quickly, cutting away what remained of her clothing. The room was filled with the sharp scent of antiseptic and blood.
I stood close — close enough to touch my hand but not in the way.
"She's severely malnourished," one healer muttered. "Multiple lash wounds… some infected… goddess…"
My jaw tightened.
River paced inside me, furious. They hurt her. They left her.
I placed my hand lightly over Aelara's fingers. They were so small in mine.
"You're safe now," I murmured. "I swear it."
The healer glanced at me. "My Prince… we need to clean the wounds. It will be painful even unconscious."
"Do it," I said.
I didn't look away.
Not once.
Because if she had survived all that pain alone…
The least I could do was stand there and face it with her