As soon as Luke stepped out of the room, he found Laila waiting outside, worry clearly written across her face.
"What happened?" he asked.
"It’s Zuri..." she replied hurriedly. "She woke up, but she isn’t saying anything. Terek said you brought her back, so... maybe you know what’s wrong?"
Luke let out a quiet sigh and folded his arms across his chest.
That was only to be expected. Considering what she must have gone through that reaction was understandable.
"Luke..." Laila called softly. "What exactly happened back there?"
Luke looked at her, and the tension in his expression eased.
He rested a hand on her head and said gently, "We’re safe, and that’s all that matters. Don’t dwell on anything else."
Laila slowly nodded.
Seeing Luke standing before her, safe and speaking as calmly as ever, eased the fear in her heart.
A hunt that had thrown the entire household into chaos had naturally left her frightened.
But now, she finally felt relieved.
Luke smiled gently.
"You can go inside and keep Monica and Ginna company if you’d like."
Laila thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"No. I’ll come with you."
She didn’t want Luke to face Terek alone. That man’s behavior had been growing stranger since this morning.
Luke gave her a faint smile, easily seeing through her intentions, before nodding.
Taking her hand, he led her toward the main hall, where everyone had gathered.
Dalia and Lex stood off to the side, while Gustav remained beside Terek.
Terek, meanwhile, was crouched in front of Zuri, trying to get her to speak.
It was a complete failure.
The redhead refused to say a single word.
She simply sat there in silence, her vacant eyes staring ahead as though she were asleep with them still open.
The sight was unsettling even to someone who didn’t know her.
Luke stepped forward, making his presence known.
Lex turned to him at once.
"What happened to her, Luke? Why isn’t she saying anything?"
Gustav spoke up as well.
"She woke up just after we got back to the house and ran away from Terek. Ever since then, she’s been like this."
Terek slowly rose to his feet.
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
He turned to Luke and demanded, "Who did this to her? What exactly happened? You told me she was safe, and yet she’s like this."
Luke narrowed his eyes.
"I brought her back alive, yet I haven’t heard a single word of gratitude. If you’re so confident in your strength, then go save your mate yourself."
Terek’s eyes widened.
Only then did he realize what he had done.
Before Luke could turn away, he hurriedly said, "I... I understand. Please forgive me, Luke. I can’t think straight right now. That’s why I spoke to you like that."
Luke let out a tired sigh.
So this man was capable of swallowing his pride after all.
To everyone’s surprise, Terek dropped to one knee before him.
"I am truly grateful that you saved her. But please... don’t leave like this. You’re my only hope now."
The sight was shocking, to say the least.
Who would have imagined that the same man who had disrespected his mate that very morning cared enough about her to kneel?
And he was kneeling before the very person he had practically written off as dead only hours ago.
For a brief moment, Luke considered turning around and walking away, letting Terek experience the same helplessness he had caused others.
Then he realized...
This was the perfect opportunity to settle the score.
"I’ll help, but only if you apologize to my mate."
"I... I will." Gritting his teeth, he answered without much delay, his head still lowered.
Luke gave a quiet hum before glancing at Gustav.
The concern on the man’s face made it clear how worried he was for his brother’s mate.
Taking a deep breath, Luke walked past Terek and approached Zuri.
She remained completely motionless.
Turning to the others, he said, "I’m taking her out for a walk. Don’t follow us."
With that, he gently took Zuri’s hand and led her away.
Like a lifeless doll, Zuri offered no resistance, allowing herself to be guided as the two silently left the house under everyone’s watchful eyes.
Terek stared at their retreating figures, unable to hide the worry in his eyes.
Gustav let out a quiet breath before patting his brother on the shoulder.
"Don’t worry. He’ll find a way."
"Yeah, Terek," Lex added. "Luke always finds a way to make things work. He’ll help Zuri too."
Terek had no idea how much Luke had done for this family over the past few days.
All he could do now was hope.
....
Luke walked at a leisurely pace with Zuri following behind him.
A single glance was enough to tell him her mind was still trapped by the nightmare that had deeply traumatized her.
That cowardly bastard had most likely exhausted her strength first before trapping her in an illusion and cornering her.
And whatever she had seen had shattered her spirit.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Luke decided to begin with his own experience.
"He made me watch my mate die right before my eyes."
He felt it.
A jolt.
As though life suddenly returned to her vacant eyes, Zuri stared at Luke in horror.
Without looking back, Luke continued,
"He showed me something horrific and nearly broke me. I think he did the same to you. He made you witness something so terrifying that it crushed your spirit."
He came to a stop beneath a tree and turned to face her.
Looking straight into her eyes, he said, "I won’t ask what you saw. Just know this... it wasn’t real, and it never will be. Unless you’re weak enough to let it become reality."
"Never!"
The answer came instantly, her voice burning with rage and absolute conviction.
A faint smile appeared on Luke’s face.
"Glad to hear that. If you have that much confidence, then why are you still letting that piece of shit influence you? He’s dead and gone. There’s no point carrying the poison he left behind."
"He died...?" Zuri asked, her brows rising in surprise. "Even after he made you see something so horrifying, you recovered and killed him?"
Luke nodded.
"It’s because Monica is everything I have to lose. When he showed me that nightmare, I didn’t let it corner me. I used it to fuel my rage instead, and I burned that asshole to the ground."
Zuri fell silent.
He was the same boy she had once known...
Yet she couldn’t find even a trace of his former self anymore.
Her shoulders gradually relaxed.
"I hope I can be as brave as you one day."
Luke chuckled.
"Just step out of your mate’s shadow, and you might."
Zuri blinked in surprise at his words.
Luke smiled faintly and gestured ahead.
"Come on. Let’s head back. Everyone must be worried."
She gave a slow nod, and together, the two of them made their way home.
•••••••
A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter. Please join the discord for the images because I couldn’t find pictures allowed to be posted on WN. Thank you.