Chapter 356: I will protect you
A grim atmosphere settled over the house as Luke fed potions to his brother and father. Both men lay unconscious on their beds, sparing Luke from any argument regarding the sleep inducing potions
The rest of the family gathered nearby, their faces filled with quiet worry.
Dalia was the first to break the silence.
"Couldn’t you have talked to them? Asked them to stay?"
There was no hiding the pain in her voice. Seeing her mate struck down hard enough to lose consciousness was something she could barely endure.
"They would’ve asked questions," Luke replied. "And Father would’ve chosen to fight beside me, no matter what was coming."
Ginna’s expression tightened.
"What danger, Luke? Do you sense something?"
No one questioned his instincts anymore. He had saved the family too many times to dismiss them as mere feelings.
Luke let out a slow breath.
"I don’t know what it is," he admitted, "but I have a feeling we’ll be ambushed tonight. If that happens, I want everyone in this house behind me, where I can protect you."
Dalia lowered her eyes before speaking again.
"You know Lex would hate this, right? If something happens while he’s unconscious, he’ll blame himself more than anyone."
Ginna was about to respond, but Luke had already risen to his feet.
He turned toward Dalia, his expression calm but unyielding.
"Do you really believe that if something appears beyond my strength, he’ll still be able to protect you?"
The words landed like a hammer.
Dalia flinched. More than his question, it was the unwavering certainty in his eyes that unsettled her. She said nothing, though the stubbornness remained written across her face.
Luke offered no explanation.
He simply turned and walked out.
Monica followed him without hesitation. After a brief pause, Laila slipped out as well, sensing it was better to leave mother and daughter alone.
The room fell quiet.
Ginna stepped beside Dalia and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You know he’s only doing this because he wants to protect us."
Dalia nodded, though frustration still lingered.
"I know. But what gives him the right to decide whether Lex can protect me?"
Ginna smiled faintly.
"I think you’re seeing it the wrong way, dear. Luke may be the strongest among us, but when it comes to family, he becomes quite vulnerable and uncertain. To him, Lex isn’t a warrior. He’s simply someone he wants to protect."
She looked toward the unconscious men.
"When danger comes, Luke doesn’t want warriors or anyone standing beside him. He wants everyone he cares about safely behind him, so he can fight without fear."
Dalia’s shoulders slowly relaxed.
The anger began to fade.
This had never been about pride. It had been about security.
Luke simply wanted the people he loved within reach.
She glanced at Lex’s sleeping face and whispered,
"Then... let’s all stay together tonight."
Ginna nodded.
"I was thinking the same thing."
---
"Luke."
Monica’s voice stopped him just before he reached the front door.
He turned.
"Please don’t take Dalia’s words to heart. She’s just..."
Her voice trailed off as she searched his face, trying to see whether he had been hurt.
Luke gently took her hand.
"I’m not angry, Monica. Dalia has always been emotional. I’ve known that for years."
His thumb brushed across her knuckles.
"So I don’t mind."
Laila approached slowly and asked.
"Luke... should we prepare anything?"
She had been given a blade she could wield reasonably well, but judging by Luke’s expression, she doubted steel alone would matter tonight.
Luke rested a hand on her head.
"Just stay with Monica and everyone else."
His voice softened.
"You’re my last line of protection."
Laila’s cheeks warmed.
Being entrusted with something so important filled her with quiet pride.
Luke’s gaze drifted toward the darkness beyond the doorway.
"I’m going to prepare the traps around the house. They’ll be lethal."
He looked back at them.
"So from this moment on, no one steps outside."
His eyes settled on Monica.
"And you’re responsible for making sure that rule is followed."
He pulled out a small vial filled with yellow liquid.
"If Father or Lex wakes up, make them drink this. It’ll put them back to sleep."
Monica accepted it with a nod.
Luke immediately produced another vial and gave it to Laila this time.
"And this one is for Monica... if she forgets the rule."
Monica puffed out her cheeks.
"How rude. Do you seriously think I’d ignore your warning and wander outside when there’s danger everywhere?"
Luke sighed.
"Monica... what happened earlier could happen again."
His expression grew serious.
"Someone could call for help using my voice."
Silence.
Just imagining Luke crying out for her made Monica’s heart clench.
In that instant, she understood why Laila was carrying the potion.
It wasn’t because Luke doubted her.
It was because he knew she would choose him over reason every single time.
Monica lowered her head.
"I understand."
Luke smiled gently.
He cupped her cheek, his touch warm and helping her ease some concefn.
"Nothing out there can threaten my life."
His forehead rested lightly against hers.
"So don’t worry. When the sun rises, I’ll be back in your arms."
A faint smile appeared through Monica’s anxious eyes.
"I’ll wait for you."
Luke kissed her softly.
Then he turned to Laila and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
Only then did he step outside.
The night greeted him with silence.
Luke rolled his shoulders, cracked his knuckles, and stared into the endless darkness beyond the house.
"Alright then, System."
A cold smile spread across his face.
"Let’s see what this new collection of traps can do... and turn this place into a hellhole for anyone foolish enough to break in."
There was a lot of work ahead.
And the night had only just begun.
~~~~~
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Do leave a review to help me keep motivated. And please read my new work too and leave some comment so I could know how it is going