Chapter 5 Feeling sorry for her

Luke and Liam stood outside the door to Emily’s room, their faces serious and full of worry. They wanted to make sure she was okay after everything that happened. Even though they were tough alphas, ready to fight for justice, their hearts hurt for this girl. Emily had been tricked by her own mate, Oscar, and it made them feel sad and angry at the same time.

Luke reached for the doorknob, but he paused for a second. A wave of nervousness hit him. His chest felt tight, like a heavy stone was sitting there. He knew telling her the truth about Oscar would break her heart. But they had to do it. She deserved to know. Hiding it would only make things worse.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. 

Then he pushed the door open gently. Liam followed right behind, his big frame filling the doorway. The room was quiet and dim. The only light came from a small lamp by the bed, casting a soft, warm glow. It made everything feel a bit calmer, but the air was still heavy with unspoken worries.

Emily was curled up under the blankets, sleeping soundly. Her chest moved up and down in a slow, steady rhythm. Her hair spread out on the pillow like a dark halo around her face. She looked so peaceful, so innocent. Luke’s heart ached just looking at her. How could anyone hurt someone like this? She had been through so much pain, and here she was, resting like an angel.

Liam stood next to him, his arms crossed over his chest. His face didn’t show much, but inside, he was boiling with anger. He hated what Oscar had done. But seeing Emily like this, so fragile, it stirred something else in him. A deep respect for her strength. She had fought back, even when drugged and scared. That took guts.

“She looks so peaceful,” Luke whispered, his voice barely louder than the soft hum of the air conditioner. “It’s hard to believe she’s been through hell like that.”

Liam nodded, his eyes fixed on her face. He couldn’t look away. There was something about her that pulled at him. Her lips were slightly parted, and her eyelashes cast tiny shadows on her cheeks. She was beautiful, but it was more than that. She seemed vulnerable, like she needed someone to watch over her. And that made Liam feel a fierce need to protect her, like a fire burning in his gut.

“Yeah,” Liam said quietly. “We have to talk to her when she wakes up. She needs the truth about that scum Oscar. Even if it hurts.”

Luke agreed, his jaw tightening. He clenched his fists without thinking. They couldn’t let her keep living a lie. Oscar had used her, betrayed her over and over. Forty-eight times? It made Luke’s blood boil. But right now, seeing her sleep, he just wanted to let her rest a little longer.

They stood there in silence for a few minutes, just watching over her. The room smelled faintly of lavender from the sheets, mixed with Emily’s own soft scent. It was calming, but it didn’t ease the weight on their shoulders. They felt responsible for her now. She was in their home, under their protection. The Walker brothers didn’t take that lightly.

Finally, with a shared look, they turned to leave. Luke closed the door softly, not wanting to wake her. As they walked down the hallway, their minds were already spinning. How would they tell her? What if she didn’t believe them? But they knew they had to try. Justice wasn’t just about punishing the bad guys; it was about helping the ones who got hurt.

And as they stepped away, a strong determination filled their hearts. They were the Walker brothers, and they wouldn’t stop until Emily was safe and free from her past.

Later that night, as the moon hung high in the sky, Liam and Luke went to their own rooms. The penthouse was quiet, the city lights twinkling far below like distant stars. But their thoughts were loud, filled with images of Emily’s sleeping face. It was like she had etched herself into their minds, soft and angelic.

Liam pushed open his door and shut it behind him with a soft click. The sound echoed in the empty room. He felt tired, but not from lack of sleep. It was the emotional weight, the responsibility they had taken on. He walked to his bed and sat on the edge, staring at the floor. His room was simple – dark walls, a big window overlooking the city, a few weights in the corner for when he needed to blow off steam.

But tonight, he couldn’t shake her image. Emily, lying there so still. Her skin looked pale in the lamplight, and he remembered the bruises on her wrist. Small, purple marks from where someone had grabbed her too hard. Probably Magnus or Oscar. The thought made his wolf stir inside him, a low growl rumbling in his chest. He wanted to punch something, to make those bastards pay.

How could Oscar do that to his own mate? String her along, use her for favors, and be engaged to someone else? It was cowardly. Weak. Liam hated men like that. They hid behind lies and hurt the people who trusted them most. Emily deserved better. So much better.

He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The sheets were cool against his skin. He closed his eyes, but sleep didn’t come easy. Instead, he saw her face again – those soft features, the way her hair framed her like a picture. She looked like she needed protecting, but he could sense strength in her too. Her wolf was dormant, but it was there. Maybe they could help her wake it up.

A pang of sympathy hit him hard. Poor girl, living with a sick mom, no job, tied to a liar. What would she say when they told her? Would she cry? Scream? Or just go numb? The idea of her in pain made his heart twist. He made a silent promise right then: he’d be there for her. No matter what. He’d keep her safe, help her heal.

Finally, exhaustion pulled him under. But even in his dreams, Emily was there, her peaceful face watching over him.

Across the hall, Luke’s room was a bit different – books on shelves, a computer in the corner where he did his tech work. He flicked on a small light and paced for a minute before sitting on the bed. The darkness outside pressed against the window, but he barely noticed. His mind was full of Emily.

He couldn’t stop thinking about her sleeping face. The way her breaths came slow and even, like she was finally at peace. The moonlight had slipped through the curtains, touching her cheek just right. It made her look ethereal, like something out of a story. But she was real, and she was hurting.

Luke felt a swell of protectiveness rise in him. His wolf paced inside, restless. She had been so vulnerable last night, drugged and scared. Collapsing into Lucas’s arms. And now, here she was, in their home. He admired her courage. Punching Magnus? That took fire. Even with a weak wolf, she fought back.

But the betrayal from Oscar… that was the worst. Mated for three years, no real bond completed, and him using her like a tool. Engaged to another woman? It made Luke’s stomach churn with disgust. How could anyone play with someone’s heart like that? Emily believed in him, loved him despite everything. And he threw it away for power.

Luke lay down, turning onto his side. The pillow was soft, but his thoughts were sharp. He wanted to help her see the truth gently. Maybe show her the footage, the reports. But he worried about breaking her more. She had a mom to care for, no pack support. What if she felt alone?

No, he thought. She wasn’t alone now. The Walker brothers were here. All seven of them. They’d protect her, teach her to shift if they could. Unlock that ancient bloodline the doctor hinted at. She could be strong, powerful even.

A warmth spread in his chest at the idea. Emily, standing tall with them. His brothers felt it too – he could sense it in the way they looked at her. Especially Lucas, with that mate pull he was hiding.

Luke closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. But Emily’s face stayed, soft and angelic. He made a vow in the quiet of his room: he’d stand by her. Protect her from the pain, help her find her strength. For as long as she needed.

Sleep came slowly, but when it did, his dreams were filled with her. Smiling, free, safe at last.