Saving Tragedy Chapter 126

**Ashton's POV**

The door clicked shut behind me with a soft thud, locking out the chill of the night — but the heat still boiled beneath my skin, burning hotter with every step I took closer to my target... 

I didn't bother turning on any extra lights.

I didn't need to.

My wolf's vision cut clean through the dark house, every detail sharpening into focus as I walked forward — toward the soft glow spilling out from beneath the crack of the living room door.

They were in there.

I could smell them.

Rose's scent waved through the air first — sweet and warm, laced with lavender and something softer that always belonged to her. It hit me hard in the chest, dragging at the knot of rage tangled up inside me.

She always had that effect.

But tonight... it wouldn't save her.

Not this time.

I pushed the door open without a sound, my eyes sweeping across the room in one long, slow pass.

The scene before me would've been almost peaceful — if I wasn't still burning from the knowledge of what they'd done.

Tommy and Zander were sprawled out on the floor amongst a mess of blankets and pillows, their little bodies wrapped up and quiet to the world. 

The faint flicker from the lamp cast long shadows over their flushed faces, both of them breathing deep and steady — completely oblivious to the shitstorm they'd narrowly avoided tonight.

They were all safe.

Thank fuck.

But that didn't mean I was ready to let it go.

Not when the two women who were supposed to keep them that way were curled up like nothing had even happened — as if they hadn't disobeyed a direct fucking order.

Rose was slumped sideways on the couch closest to the fireplace, her head tipped back against the cushions, one arm flung lazily across her stomach. A blanket was half-draped over her legs, the soft rise and fall of her chest the only indication she was still locked in sleep.

Lydia mirrored her on the opposite sofa, tucked beneath a throw blanket with one hand curled beneath her cheek.

The sight of them curled up so snugly — so fucking oblivious — only stoked the fire simmering low in my gut.

Hunt followed in behind me, his footsteps heavy on the hardwood. I could feel the heat rolling off him too — his own fury still riding close beneath his skin.

I didn't glance back at him.

I didn't need to.

Instead, I fixed my gaze on Rose — the girl who had me wrapped around her finger, the one who had tested every inch of my patience since the day I had chosen to make her my mate. 

Her delicate face was slack in sleep, lips parted slightly, completely unaware that we were back... 

My wolf prowled closer beneath my skin, begging me to wake her up already — to snap her out of that peaceful little slumber and remind her exactly where her place was in this pack, in this relationship. 

I was the man in charge and she was supposed to obey me! 

She shouldn't have been out in the yard disobeying me. 

But instead here.

Safe.

Protected.

Right where I fucking left her.

I dragged in a long breath through my nose, forcing myself to hold onto the last scraps of control I had left before I crossed the room.

I crouched down beside the sofa, leaning in close until I could feel the heat of her breath ghosting over my cheek.

"Rose." I attempted, nudging her arm with the back of my hand. 

Her name left my lips low — a quiet warning in the night.

She stirred faintly, her brow pinching as she shifted against the cushions and whined.

I reached up, fingers curling around her shoulder, giving her a gentle shake next.

"Wake up, sweetheart." I pushed, and eventually, her lashes fluttered open. 

I watched as her sleepy, unfocused gaze slowly cracked open — only to lock directly onto mine.

The second her recognition dawned, her whole body went rigid beneath my touch.

I felt her heart kick hard — felt the sharp spike of both panic and relief lace through her scent as her eyes widened, lips parting on a soft, startled breath.

Her instinct was to first speak — to ask how I was or to apologise for her error, probably.

But I was quicker.

I clamped my hand over her mouth before a single sound could escape, leaning in until my mouth was only a breath away from her ear.

"You don't want to wake the boys, do you?" I murmured, my voice deathly soft. "Didn't think so."

I could feel her pulse racing beneath my palm, her wide eyes flickering up to mine in horror.

Good.

She should be nervous that I'm back.

I let the silence stretch between us, letting her feel the weight of my anger — of the punishment she knew was coming straight for her.

"Go upstairs," I whispered, my tone like a knife in the dark. "I'll meet you up there after I take Tommy to his room."

The colour drained from her face, her throat bobbing as she swallowed hard against my palm.

I could practically see her mind scrambling for a way out — for some excuse, some apology that might soften the blow.

Too fucking bad.

I slid my hand away from her mouth slowly, waiting to see if she'd try to argue back. 

But she didn't.

Smart girl.

Instead, she gave a jerky little nod, her gaze darting once toward Lydia — who was still half-lost in sleep on the opposite couch as Hunt went to wake her — before flicking back to mine.

I straightened back to my full height, looming over her as she peeled herself off the sofa with slow, shaky movements.

She kept her eyes low as she moved, gathering up the blanket around her shoulders like it might shield her from the storm brewing in the room.

It wouldn't.

Nothing would.

She had crossed a line with me and she knew it. 

Hunt was still leaning down over Lydia on the other couch, shaking her awake with far less patience than what I'd shown.

The second Lydia's bleary eyes blinked open, a sharp gasp escaping her, Hunt's fingers curled around her hand — bringing her up onto her feet. 

"Upstairs. Now." His voice was low, but there was no room for argument.

Lydia's face paled, her sleepy confusion melting into panic as she glanced from him and then to Rose — clocking instantly that something was very, very wrong.

'Shit!' I watched Lydia mouth across to her friend, the pair of them acting like disobedient kids. 

Rose lingered for half a second by the stairs, casting one last nervous glance over her shoulder toward me — like she was hoping for some sign of mercy.

She found none.

"Go!" I waved my hand to hurry her, as she sighed. 

The single word left my mouth like a growl — final and unyielding.

Her eyes dropped again, and without another word, she padded silently up the stairs, her footsteps barely making a sound as Lydia hurried herself to catch up to her. 

I waited until both women had disappeared onto the landing before I finally exhaled the breath I'd been holding.

The boys hadn't stirred once. 

Thank fuck.

Tommy didn't have to see us like this... 

I crossed the room back toward Tommy's sleeping form, crouching down to scoop him up in one smooth motion — tucking him in close against my chest.

He let out a sleepy little grumble but didn't wake fully, his small hands curling instinctively into my jacket as I carried him out of the room.

It felt good to have him back in my arms, but it also reminded me of the guilt I had felt having to leave him on the night of his birthday...

I would be sure to make it up to him tomorrow... 

Hunt followed closely behind us, his face carved from stone as he brought Zander upstairs - them both going in to Tommy's room to sleep more. 

Neither of us spoke incase of waking them.

And there was no need for us to.

We both knew exactly how the rest of this night was about to play out.

Once we got upstairs, I laid Tommy down gently in his bed — brushing a hand over his soft hair as Hunt lay Zander in the spot beside him. 

I pulled the blankets up around their shoulders and watched their soft, steady breaths fill the room.

Completely unaware.

Completely safe and unharmed. 

Rose was lucky... 

I lingered there for a second longer — letting the tight knot in my chest ease just a fraction.

Then I closed the door behind me.

The hallway stretched out in front of me, dimly lit and deadly quiet.

"Enjoy your night..." Hunt joked quietly from my side, before heading off towards the guest room where Lydia and him would spend most nights when they were staying here... 

Shaking my head at him with a smirk, I allowed my feet to carry me straight towards my room.

Towards her.

The door stood ajar, the faint crack of warm light from the bedside lamp spilling out onto the floorboards.

I pushed it open slowly, stepping inside.

Rose was already there waiting for me — standing still over by the window, wrapped in nothing but that same thin blanket.

I shut the door behind me. 

I locked it.

Causing for her to eventually turn to face me, her gaze soft and pleading. 

Then I took one slow, measured step toward her. She opened her lips to talk, but I cut in first: 

"You disobeyed me Rose." 

My voice was low, deadly, my disapproval evident.

Rose's breath caught up in her throat, her nails digging into the blanket knotted tight around her chest.

"Ashton listen—" She started, but It wouldn't work. 

"Don't." I shook my head, my eyes burning holes through hers. 

Her mouth snapped shut instantly.

I stalked closer, my steps painfully slow, as every muscle in my body tightened. 

"You put yourself at risk... you put Tommy at risk... all while I was out of this pack handling important shit!" I ground the words out through clenched teeth. "Do you think that's acceptable, Rose?!" 

A tremor ran through her — a small, helpless sound catching in her throat.

But I didn't soften.

Not this time around. 

"So you want to act like a brat, do you Rose?" I hum, approaching her to close the gap between us. 

"Then I'll treat you like one!" I hiss, my hand snapping out to grab a hold of her bicep firmly. 

Her breaths came faster now, panic flickering hot behind her eyes as I held her there. 

"Ashton, I'm sorry, alright? I'm sorry!" She raced to say, wiggling her arm as if that would work to set her free. 

No sweet little apologies would save her.

Tonight, she was mine.

"I want you to strip, and to wait for me here, I'm going to shower!" I lean forward, my nose inches from hers, making my first demands. 

She was about to learn exactly what happens to defiant little Lunas who forget their place...