When it comes to the ‘Shadowhunters’ fandom, all of the buzz seems to center around Magnus/Alec, Clary/Simon, Clary/Jace, and now Izzy/Raphael, but there was one storyline in “Bound By Blood” that should have left fans absolutely heartbroken.

In the world of Shadowhunters, an alpha wolf is someone who would decimate anyone or anything that was a threat to the pack. The pack is their family and their number one priority. Throughout Season 2 of Shadowhunters, Luke’s ability to fulfill his duty as an alpha has sparked controversy, and in “Bound By Blood,” his storyline with Maia took an unexpected turn that may as well have driven a knife into our fandom hearts.

It’s worth noting that in The Mortal Instruments, Luke only became the alpha because he needed the power to be able to help Clary, and on Shadowhunters, we see him use his access to information (both as the alpha and as a police officer) to help do the same, but at what point does he need to fulfill his role as an alpha? In “Bound By Blood,” Maia’s developing characterization only further proved that she deserves a guardian who values her safety, and it was evident that Luke was not capable of meeting these needs. Luke betrayed Maia and it should have raised more red flags within the fandom (especially with Alisha Wainwright’s powerful, emotive portrayal), yet the buzz around the episode didn’t seem to include Maia’s transformation or escape.

Photo Credit: Freeform/John Medland, Acquired From Freeform Press Site

Earlier this season, we saw the touching mentorship/rescue flashback scene with Luke and Maia in the ambulance when she was first turned, and we’ve seen a few other moments between the two of them where there is a strong father-daughter connection, arguably with similar elements to Luke’s relationship with Clary. And of course Clary would be a priority in Luke’s life, but when he chose to become a pack leader, he inherited young wolves like Maia, teens who now have to fend for themselves in a world where foreign supernatural tyrants can destroy what little they have left at the crack of a lightning bolt (literally).

After Jocelyn’s death, Maia made it clear that she was the only one left in the pack who was still committed to looking for Luke. His disappearance was understandable, particularly if he thought that he was at risk for hurting others, but for Luke to then physically and emotionally keep Maia locked away, he shattered the trust that remained between the two of them. When Luke slammed the door in Maia’s face, he abandoned a terrified teenage girl who thought Valentine would activate the soul-sword while she was still in isolation, essentially leaving her to think that Luke was locking her up to die. As Maia begged through her tears (wearing a Rock Solid Panda shirt, symbolism that just twisted that knife even further into our feels) for the sole request to not be left alone in the darkness, Luke completely failed her as an alpha, as a father-figure, and as a decent being.

It’s not a secret that Maia is fiercely protective. She has to be. When she thought Jace was a risk to the pack, she had no problems hunting him, and when she learned of Clary’s role in Valentine’s plan with the soul-sword, she acted to kill in order to protect herself and everyone she’s come to know as family within the Downworld. And for viewers who have read The Mortal Instruments, Maia’s character in Shadowhunters may be more closely related to the book series than previously thought. While there was no mention specifically of a brother, Maia did refer to a case file she knew Luke had seen, implying that she had suffered trauma from being kept in small spaces when she was younger. Yes, Maia was wrong to impulsively attack both Clary and Jace, but that does not validate Luke’s rationale to further alienate Maia when he knew full well that it would only cause her to feel more enraged (and be at risk for losing self-control).

In next week’s episode, Freeform released a clip of Maia confronting Luke about his betrayal, but we’re not so sure she’s in the wrong here. Jace comments that she’s out of control, but is she though?

Watch the teaser clip from Season 2, Episode 10 below:

Did Luke make the right call in order to protect Clary by locking Maia in the Jade Wolf storage closet? Does he ever deserve to earn back Maia’s trust? Sound off in the comments below and let us know your thoughts!

The winter finale of Shadowhunters Season 2, “By The Light Of Dawn,” airs Monday, March 7 on Freeform and on the Freeform App at 8/7c!