CHAPTER 14: RETURNING THE FAVOR (I)

Nikki’s cheeks flared crimson, her nails digging so hard into Ares’ sleeve that the fabric pulled tight under her grip. "Do you hear her?" she cried, her voice trembling with outrage. "She dares to talk back to you like that!"

Eberhard’s lips peeled back into a snarl. The fury in his eyes had not dimmed, though the evidence of Rhea’s blows had. Werewolf bodies were designed for war, their healing unnervingly swift: blood clotted in seconds, tissue knitted itself together almost as soon as it was torn, and pain dulled into nothing in less than minutes.The whip welts that had once scored his flesh were already fading into faint, silvery lines. He lifted his chin toward Ares, venom dripping from every word. "She is mocking you, Alpha. She needs to be put back in her place."

Rhea’s eyes slid toward him, sharp and unbothered. "Oh, shut up already," she said coolly. "Or do you want some more whips?"

The single word cracked like a lash itself. Eberhard flinched, his composure splintering just enough to betray the memory of that sting. He spun quickly back toward Ares, voice high with outrage. "Alpha, see? She is threatening me in your presence!"

Ares’ patience snapped. Rage darkened his expression as his hand shot forward, ready to strike Rhea where she stood.

But before his palm could land, Ellie moved. He stepped into the blow, shielding her, and Ares’ strike thudded against his back. The sound echoed in the stunned silence that followed.

Every jaw in the room dropped.

"Ellie... you," Ares said, his voice caught between shock and fury.

Eberhard’s eyes widened with vicious delight. "You dare protect her from the Alpha’s hand?" he barked. "You are going against your Alpha now?"

"Explain yourself, Ellie," Ares demanded, his tone trembling with suppressed rage.

Ellie only shifted his weight, placing himself between her and Ares, pulling Rhea in behind him. She let him, her eyes soft and fixed on him with gratitude. A faint smile touched her lips. She knew she could have avoided Ares on her own, but being shielded by someone else, even for a moment, felt different. It felt good. It made her miss her brothers so much.

Ares’ fist clenched at the sight. The way Ellie pulled her out of reach. The way she smiled at him. It scraped raw against the possessive growl of his wolf.

"Seems like your beta has betrayed you," Nikki whispered in Ares’ ear, her voice oily with satisfaction. "Maybe they have a thing for each other. No wonder he always speaks on her behalf."

"Oh, shut up already, will you?" Ellie snapped, his patience breaking. His eyes narrowed at Nikki. "First, I don’t have anything going on with Rhea. Unlike you, I don’t go about stealing others’ mates."

Nikki gasped, face blanching before it flushed red in fury. Eberhard snarled, stepping forward. "Then explain yourself. Shouldn’t you be standing with your Alpha, not protecting the woman who insults him?"

All eyes turned to Ellie. Even Ares, who stood rigid, was watching him with a storm behind his gaze.

Ellie exhaled slowly, then glanced down at Rhea with a crooked, almost careless smile. "Few moments ago," he said, his voice light, playful, teasing as if none of this tension mattered, "Rhea officially made me her brother. I’m just doing my brotherly duty. Tell me, which brother would stand aside and let anyone hit his sister? Mate or not."

Eberhard’s face twisted with disgust. "What nonsense brotherly duty are you talking about?" he spat.

Ellie didn’t spare him a glance. His eyes stayed locked on Ares, calm but unwavering. "Alpha, you should know me better than that. I will never betray you, no matter what. We’ve been friends for years, you know my loyalty." His voice softened just enough to carry weight. "But hasn’t the girl been through enough already? What’s so wrong with fighting back? Since when do we side with cruelty and call it justice? And you... " his brow furrowed as he leaned forward slightly, "how can you just believe whatever others said over your own mate?"

"She’s no longer my mate!" Ares snapped, his voice thundering through the room. His jaw clenched, his chest rising sharply with every breath. "I have rejected her. Do I need to keep reminding you of that?"

The declaration sent a ripple through the room. Nikki’s eyes lit up, her lips curving into a triumphant smile as she clutched tighter to his arm. Eberhard’s expression mirrored hers, satisfaction gleaming in his gaze like he had just won a war without lifting a finger.

Across the room, Seraphine, Lyra, and Lena exchanged quick glances, the tension easing in their posture. Their lips tugged upward, smiles breaking through at the Alpha’s words as if they’d just been handed the answer they’d been waiting for.

But Ellie’s face hardened. He inhaled slowly, a thousand arguments burning behind his eyes. He opened his mouth, ready to press back against Ares’ stubbornness...

When Rhea moved.

She stepped from behind him with quiet confidence, her eyes raking Ares from head to toe. A smirk played at her lips before she tilted her head. "Wow," she said, voice smooth and sharp, "you really are all good looks with no brain to back it up."

The room froze.

Ares’ eyes snapped to her, the vein in his temple pulsing again. His nostrils flared as his wolf bristled beneath his skin, ready to lunge at the insult. The Alpha of the pack, reduced to being mocked openly, and by her of all people.

Nikki let out a gasp, her face flushing with fury. "Stop insulting the Alpha just because he doesn’t want you!" she shrieked, her voice shrill and desperate.

Rhea waved her off lazily, her hand flicking like she was brushing away an insect. Her gaze never left Ares. "If I remember correctly, it was only you who rejected the omega. And she hasn’t returned the favor. Right?"

Ares blinked, his anger twisting into bewilderment. His brows knotted as her words tangled in his head. Why was she speaking like this? As if she was someone else, as if the omega wasn’t even her.

"Anyways," Rhea continued smoothly, her tone almost careless, "let me return the favor."

Ellie straightened where he stood, his mouth parting in disbelief. His eyes darted between Rhea and Ares, confusion cutting deep into his features. Behind him, Seraphine and her daughters exchanged uncertain glances, their brows raised as if they couldn’t make sense of what she was saying either. Even Nikki froze, her hands still gripping Ares’ sleeve, uncertain what to expect next.

Rhea lifted her chin, her voice clear and unshaken. "I, Rhea Ulric, accept your rejection, Ares Grimhowl, Alpha of the Grimhowl Pack."