《Married to the Devil》 Brute 1 82 55 vouchers I pictured Cassian Valemont stepping over the bodies of his four wives. Did they scream? Did he linger to relish the sound, or stride on, already hunting bride number five? ¡°Atasha, the council assured us that this marriage is done to appease the young lord. It is nothing but formalities,¡± my mother¡¯s voice brought me back from my stupor. Marriage. Yes. A marriage with Cassian Valemont himself. I pressed two fingers against the unmarked skin over my heart and tried, onest futile time, to feel even a flicker of fur beneath. Nothing. Empty, the same as yesterday, the same as every day since my sixteenth birthday. Wolfless. The word echoed with the thunder hammering the council¨Chall roof. Each rumble felt like the ce chanting the verdict I¡¯d lived with for four years: useless, weak, expendable. If my wolf had awakened that night, would they still send me north as Cassian Valemont¡¯s fifth bride? I dragged my eyes back to my parents. Both of them were silent, both waiting for me to say yes. My father broke the silence first. ¡°If you refuse, the treaty dissolves. Nightfall will stand alone. The Alpha King will not protect us when Fang Demon marches.¡± Genevieve, my mother, spoke next. ¡°Think of your sister. Celeste is the future of this pack. We cannot let her marry that man. The north is too far away from our pack. How could she travel¡ª¡± she paused. ¡°Atasha¡­ you are different. You must marry the lord in her stead.¡± I looked at the face that used to glow with pride. ¡°Lord Cassian has been married four times,¡± I said tly. ¡°Three of them died on the wedding night. The fourthsted a week.¡± Marrying Lord Cassian would be marrying my own killer. How could they send me to my death? My mother didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°He is widowed now,¡± she replied quickly. ¡°The envoy swore this union is in name only. You will not remain at his castle. After the ceremony, you can live where you choose. Far from him. Peace, Atasha. Freedom. This is what you want.¡± Peace. The word rang hollow. Four years had passed since my sixteenth birthday, since I failed to awaken, and every day since had proven how little they valued a daughter without a wolf. Now, thunder rolled again. My father bent over parchment, quill scratching out the final terms. My mother leaned close. ¡°This bargain saves Celeste and secures the pack. You will finally be free of any duties. This is the freedom that you want.¡± Freedom. A life near the border, maybe. Somewhere no one would bother whispering the word ¡°human.¡± But 82 55 vouchers how could they use the word freedom after trying to convince me to marry Lord Cassian? Right. Nothing says ¡®freedom¡® like signing myself over to a bride¨Ckiller. But if I don¡¯t marry him? Who will? Celeste? I pictured Celeste in white beside the Alpha King. Yes, Celeste should be the one standing next to the Alpha King, not to the King¡¯s crazed brother. If marrying Cassian Valemont meant protecting Celeste and securing Nightfall, I¡¯d do it. Even a wolfless daughter could still be of use. I would save Celeste, even if it cost my life. My hand trembled on the quill, then I willed it still and signed in neat strokes¨CAtasha Genevieve ck. No apuse followed. Deals like this didn¡¯t deserve it. Near the doors, Celeste caught my eye as she mouthed two words. Thank you. I simply gave her a nod. This wasn¡¯t her fault. This wasn¡¯t anyone¡¯s fault. I knew that we were both victims of the circumstances and that, if given a choice, Celeste would never let me marry that beast. ¡°Cassian Valemont will arrive tomorrow night,¡± my father said. ¡°He wille to get the bride. Prepare your things. We will ensure that your dowry is sufficient. You do not need to think of anything else.¡± I nodded as the rain mmed the roof harder. As the ink dried, I straightened my back. Then I left the room without another word. A marriage to Cassian Valemont. The Cassian Valemont. The Alpha¡¯s brother. The one who didn¡¯t follow the council, didn¡¯t answer to the King. The one who led the King¡¯s Army like a warhound let off the leash. The man who killed every bride they gave him. Perhaps my dream of living by the borders was nothing but a fairytale. So maybe I wasn¡¯t destined for a life on the border after all. Reaching the top of the stairs, I turned right. My room was in the attic. It used to be a storage space. When Celeste asked for therger room on the second floor, no one argued. I was quietly told to move upstairs. I neverined, Comining was pointless when you didn¡¯t even have a wolf. Stepping inside, I closed the door behind me. The attic felt ustrophobic¨Cits low, sloping ceiling pressing down on a single wooden bed, a battered dresser, and a trunk by the window. A threadbare rug barely hid warped floorboards, and cobwebs clung to every corner. Tonight, the wind howled, and rainshed the panes, lightning carving jagged shadows through the trees. Sadly, I had no time to linger on the storm. 82 55 vouchers Lord Cassian arrives tomorrow. Sweat prickled my palms as I hauled the leather trunk from beneath the cot. With a groan, I flipped it open, and a cloud of cedar¨Cdust revealed the same faded cotton dresses I¡¯d worn since my seventeenth winter, nothing more substantial than a shawl. I slipped a hand between the cottonyers. I could already feel draughts knifing through the attic boards. If this room chilled me, what would a northern keep do? The north is and where the sun seldom rises, a ce where frost slicks the stones even at noon. And yet here I was, foldingce into my trunk as if it stood a chance against the cold. I started looking for something that would at least keep me warm. After what felt like forever, I found only one cloak thick enough to call a cloak. It was Father¡¯s cast¨Coff hunting wrap, wool scarred by burrs, smelling faintly of pine smoke. I pulled it around my shoulders as I pictured northern wind howling through castle corridors and shoved the cloak into the trunk. Then, I took Celeste¡¯s quilt from the foot of my bed instead. Midnight blue, stitched with silver thread in tiny moons. She¡¯d sworn it would keep nightmares out. Last night proved otherwise. Now, the trunk was half¨Cfull, half¨Cempty. Pressing the lid down, I fastened the brasstch. The leather creaked, protesting the weight, and so did my heart. If my wolf had awakened, would I even be here, packing for my own funeral? Tomorrow, the Tyrant Lord would take his bride to the northern walls, and I would arrive wearing clothes meant for summer. Well, it¡¯s not like I would survive this marriage. I would be lucky if Isted a month. No. A week. Another sh of lightning cut across the sky. Thunder cracked close behind it, loud enough to rattle the window. Then the curtain lifted violently as if something had surged through the room. Startled, I stood and moved to the window. Thetch again, probably. It always slipped loose in storms. My fingers reached for it¡­ then froze mid¨Cair. The air had shifted. The kind of shift every wolf¡¯s instinct recognized. And I immediately knew it wasn¡¯t just because of the wind. Someone else was here. My chest seized as the curtains whipped aside. I dared not blink, straining to read the darkness. Then I saw him. A man, standing not too far away from me. And it didn¡¯t take too long for me to recognize that face. It was him! A gasp caught in my throat. Cassian Valemont! Lightning fractured the sky, etching his broad shoulders and hard features. Dressed in ck, he stood : 82 55 vouchers unmoving at the foot of my bed. For a long, tense moment, the room fell silent as his burnished¨Csteel eyes felt like ice against my bones, yet I could not look away. I had seen him before, once beside the King during a coronation, once on a blood¨Csoaked battlefield. But this was different. This was not a man glimpsed from a distance. This was the tyrant lord standing in my room. In my silence. The Cassian Valemont. The one mothers warned their children about. And now he was here as if this night¨Cthis storm¨Cbelonged to him. Then he smiled. ¡°You signed your name like amb. It makes me curious¡­¡± his gaze slid to my throat. ¡°Will yourst scream sound like a wolf¡¯s roar or amb¡¯s bleat?¡± I Brute 2 ¡°I knew you were wolfless,¡± he continued, voice as steady as the storm outside. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were mute.¡± I forced my feet to move forward, but my voice was gone, swallowed by fear. My throat clenched as I stared at him, sweat slicking my palms against my skirt. I wanted to demand, ¡°How did you slip in unseen?¡± but all that came out was a ragged hitch in my chest. ¡°My¡­ My lord,¡± I lowered my head slightly, careful not to break eye contact too soon. ¡°Please forgive my current state. I was not informed that you would be visiting my humble rooms tonight.¡± His steps were soundless across the warped floorboards, yet every movement made the walls feel smaller. He didn¡¯t pace, he prowled, like something untamed that had wandered too far from its leash. Even when still, he moved. Like the storm, like the wind. Always watching. Always ready to strike. Then he said it, softly, almost idly, like it amused him. ¡°Say¡­ what do you think will happen if the bride ends her own life before the Prince arrives?¡± The words slid like a de between my ribs. Inside, I froze. Outside, I didn¡¯t even flinch. I wasn¡¯t stupid. If he wanted me dead, he could do it now. No one would stop him. No one would question it. And something told me he wouldn¡¯t even blink. Still, I did my best to control myself. Not too calm, calm would sound practiced. Not too frightened, fear would only feed whatever game this was. ¡°My death would start a war,¡± I answered. ¡°If I refuse the King¡¯s decree, if I die before we wed, my entire pack will be annihted to punish us for insubordination.¡± Cassian¡¯s storm¨Clit profile didn¡¯t change, but I sensed his gaze sharpen. ¡°He demands a bride for his brother,¡± I continued, voice steadier now that the truth was out. ¡°If that bride perishes¡­ the King would see it as treason. He¡¯d give you free rein to cleanse Nightfall.¡± He made a deliberate pause. Did I pass? Was that the answer that he wanted to hear? Then Cassian¡¯s lips curved, not kindly, but slowly, like the smile had been earned. ¡°Clever.¡± His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. Not amusement. Not approval. Something worse. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure what to expect,¡± he said. ¡°They told me you were quiet. Fragile. Dull. But not stupid.¡± He stepped closer. The shadows clung to him like smoke, and yet his presence filled the space like fire. I could smell rain on his coat, blood on his past, and something colder beneath it all. My hands stayed still at my sides. Do not tremble. Please, do not tremble. 82 55 vouchers Cassian stood in front of me now, arms loose at his sides. He looked down like he was calcting something ¨C something like how fast he could kill me, or whether it was worth it. ¡°I did note here to waste my time on an Omega,¡± he said. ¡°Your father¡¯s hiding something.¡± That threw me off. Just slightly. Not enough to show. ¡°Hiding¡­ something?¡± As the Alpha of one of the strongest packs in Arecor, my father has his own secrets. But what does this have to do with me? He tilted his head. ¡°Something he doesn¡¯t want the King to see. And I want to know what it is.¡± Thunder boomed directly above us, loud enough to rattle the ss. Still, I didn¡¯t look away from him. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± His brow twitched. ¡°I¡¯m not lying,¡± I added quickly. ¡°I was never brought into council. I wasn¡¯t allowed in war briefings or strategy meetings. My presence¡­ was inconvenient.¡± He made another pause. Almost immediately, the room crackled with tension, like the very walls were listening. Watching. Waiting for him to decide what came next. One step, I thought. That¡¯s all it would take. One step and he could crush my throat before I could even scream. And yet¨Che didn¡¯t. His eyes scanned mine. ¡°So useless after all,¡± his voice seemed lower than before, but he didn¡¯t leave. And that¨Cmore than anything¨Cterrified me. Why wasn¡¯t he leaving? ¡°Truly, I was never allowed into council meetings. I wasn¡¯t even permitted to speak during court visits. They don¡¯t tell me anything¡± I knew he knew. How could they let me join the meetings? I am weak. Powerless. This man did note here to ask. He came here to find some random reason to kill his next bride. A snort followed. ¡°What a useless wolf.¡± He suddenly held my chin and raised my head up. I swallowed as I stared at his eyes. They weren¡¯t glowing, nor monstrous, but something about them seemed wrong, off. It was as if something inside him was hungrier than any beast. ¡°How beautifully useless,¡± he said, rising again. The calm in his tone only made the venom worse. ¡°What a waste.¡± : : 82 55 vouchers Then he snapped his finger, and a man suddenly entered the room from the windows. ¡°Stage something¡­ I don¡¯t care what. Make sure she dies without feeling any pain,¡± Cassian said. ¡°Make it clean. And by dawn, burn the Nightfall Pack to ash. Let them learn what happens when they mock a King¡¯s decree.¡± My eyes flew wide. He meant it. They were going to wipe us out! ¡°Wait! My lord-!¡± He paused mid¨Cstep. Then slowly turned. That smile again. ¡°Oh? Is there something else the little offering wants to say?¡± I took a deep breath, ¡°I believe I can serve you. I- I believe¡­ I can be useful.¡± The flicker behind his gaze hinted at interest, not belief. So, I stepped forward toward the nearest guard and reached for the dagger at his waist. Immediately, a hand mped down on my wrist. Hard. ¡°Let me show you something.¡± He made a sound, somewhere between a scoff and augh, then gave a slight nod. The guard let go without saying a word. Then, without hesitation, I dragged the de across my palm. Blood welled up instantly, dark red and thick, trailing down my fingers and dripping onto the cold wooden floor. Then I turned my hand upward, letting him see it. The blood kept flowing, until it didn¡¯t. Slowly, the bleeding began to stop. The edges of the wound pulsed faintly, then started to close. Right there, in front of them. Flesh knitted back together, strand by strand, until the wound disappeared as if it was never there in the first ce. I raised my eyes to meet Cassian¡¯s again. But before I could say a word, the man beside Cassian drew his sword without hesitation and pointed it straight at my neck. ¡°Stay away witch, or I will slit your throat!¡± 55 vouchers Brute 3 ¡°Put it down.¡± ¡°Be careful, My lord,¡± the man said, eyes still locked on me. ¡°She¡¯s a witch. Witches can hide their appearance and easily trick you. They must be killed.¡± Cassian frowned. He nced at the man. ¡°Do you smell sulfur?¡± The man blinked, confused. ¡°No, my lord.¡± smell anything rotten?¡± ¡°Do you smell ¡°¡­No.¡± Cassian looked back at me, then smiled faintly. ¡°Then she¡¯s not a witch. Just a helpless Omega.¡± The man¡¯s grip didn¡¯t ease. His eyes flicked toward Cassian like he was debating whether to obey. ¡°Don¡¯t make me repeat myself.¡± Cassian¡¯s voice didn¡¯t rise. It didn¡¯t need to. The pressure in the room immediately shifted. The kind of stillness that came before blood was spilled. Finally, the de lowered. A sting lit across my throat, just a thin line, shallow, but it burned. The bastard red at me like I¡¯d caused it. Cassian didn¡¯t look at me. ¡°Leave.¡± The man didn¡¯t move. Cassian¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°I said, leave and go to the penitentiary hall for a week.¡± There was tension in the air for a beat too long. Then the man bowed stiffly and turned on his heel. The door closed behind him. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. My hand hovered near my neck. Just like the cut on my hand, the wound on my neck was now gone. I swallowed and looked back at Cassian. ¡°Does anyone else know about this?¡± he asked. I let out a short breath and shook my head. ¡°You saw how your man reacted. What do you think my father would do?¡± A bitterugh escaped before I could stop it. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t need a sword. He¡¯d hand me over to the Council himself.¡± Killing a witch is an honor. But handing a witch to the council would give them merit. ¡°Not even your lovely little sister?¡± he asked. I shook my head. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to expose her to anything or force her to hide this secret for me. It was a burden.¡± That was an honest answer. How could I let Celeste carry this burden with me? Working with someone that they considered a witch is punishable by death. Cassian said nothing. Instead, he stepped forward and took my hand, the one I had cut. I flinched. ¡°What are you-?¡± He brought it to his nose, inhaling slowly like he was memorizing the scent. I tried to pull away, but his grip didn¡¯t budge. 55 vouchers ¡°What are you doing?¡± I asked, my heart starting to race. He didn¡¯t answer. Then he stepped closer. In one clean motion, his other hand slid behind me. Without saying a word, he pressed his face against the side of my neck. I froze. The heat of his breath skimmed my skin. His grip on my hand remained firm. I could feel the solid weight of him, the cold dampness of his coat, the quiet threat wrapped around every inch of his stillness. My heart mmed against my ribs¨Cloud, fast, out of control. He didn¡¯t move. Not right away. Just stood there, breathing me in like a predator cataloging its prey. When he finally pulled back, his eyes met mine with a sharpness that pinned me to the floor. ¡°You don¡¯t smell like blood,¡± he said. My face burned. ¡°No¡­ my lord.¡± What was I even thinking? Of course, he was trying to see how good my ability was. ¡°And your wounds are healed. No scars or any signs that it has been there.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Without hesitation, he took the dagger from my hand and dragged it across his own palm. My eyes widened. ¡°What are you¡ª ¡°Heal it.¡± It was an order I cannot refuse. I stared at him. Lunatic! This man is crazy! Yet I took his calloused hand without asking questions. My fingers touched the wound. And just like before, it vanished. The torn skin pulled together seamlessly. No blood, no scar, not even a mark. Like it had never been there at all. I then quickly pulled my hand away. : 81 55 vouchers This wasn¡¯t normal. Even among wolves, even with fast healing, this wasn¡¯t that. This was something else. Something dangerous. Cassian looked at his palm, then chuckled. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re not a witch.¡± I said nothing. My hands stayed at my sides, steady only because I forced them to be. Everyone knew how witches were marked. Their rituals left a lingering stench of sulfur on their skin. No magic could hide it. Even the finest glimmering mours decayed in time. Witches depended on borate spells and careful preparations. None of them could heal with a single touch. Something always had to be given back. ¡°I am not,¡± I answered. Cassian studied me a second longer, then dropped his hand. ¡°I can be useful,¡± I said quietly. ¡°If you spare my family¡­ I¡¯ll serve you. I¡¯ll owe you my life. I¡¯ll bind myself to your name.¡± His sneer was immediate. He turned to face me fully. ¡°And what made you think you had the upper hand?¡± His voice was cold, amused. ¡°What gave you the idea that you were in a position to offer terms?¡± Words caught in my throat. My knees weakened beneath me. ¡°I could force you to serve me,¡± he said, stepping closer. ¡°And not even the King would object. I could make you my little pet, and no one would dare ask questions.¡± My mouth opened, but no sound came. Shame heated my face as I dropped my gaze. He was right. He could just force me to do his bidding, and I would be powerless. Weak. ¡°Please¡­¡± I whispered. ¡°Spare them. Whatever happens to me¡­ just don¡¯t hurt them.¡± He was quiet for a moment. Then suddenly his arm shot out and grabbed me. ¡°Hey!¡± He didn¡¯t answer. One arm locked around my waist, jerking me forward so fast I hit his chest. The wind knocked out of me. ¡°What are you-¡± My words choked off. He leaned close. ¡°So naive,¡± he muttered. ¡°Let me show you how great your family really is.¡± And then he moved. : 81 55 vouchers There was no time to struggle. No time to think. He lifted me like I weighed nothing, one arm beneath my legs, the other across my back. The window mmed open behind us. Cold air and rain swallowed us whole as he jumped from the roof to a familiar balcony. He moved like he belonged here, like this had always been his home. Before I could catch my breath, softughter filtered through the door of the balcony. I froze. ¡°See, Celeste? It worked,¡± my mother¡¯s voice echoed against my ears. ¡°All those years of pretending, of treating her like one of our own. It paid off.¡± My heart stopped. Pretending? What are they talking about? ¡°She signed that treaty herself. Walked straight into it.¡± I stiffened. They were talking about me? ¡°You were right,¡± Mother said, her voice swelling with pride. ¡°Convincing her that you were the only one she could trust¡­ it was enough. She sacrificed herself without question. I knew keeping her around would be useful. In the end, I was right.¡± ¡°Mother,¡± Celeste said lightly. ¡°You can¡¯t say that. You¡¯ve treated her like your daughter for years¡­ you at least feel a little bad, right?¡± should ¡°Feel bad? Are you jesting?¡± Mother scoffed. ¡°She¡¯s not my blood. Not your father¡¯s either. She¡¯s leeched off us long enough. We fed her, clothed her, raised her, even though she¡¯s the daughter of a savage. And now? She¡¯s done the one thing she was born to, die for you.¡± A sharp ache bloomed in my chest. What are they talking about? Celeste¡¯s voice came again, softer now, almost wistful. ¡°I guess¡­ knowing she agreed without us forcing her makes me feel less guilty.¡± Her sweet voice drifted towards me. How could she say that? How could- A tight grip on my wrist reminded me not to make a sound. I looked at Cassian. He was smiling, pleased with whatever it was he was hearing. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Mother replied. ¡°This was your idea. And it worked. You¡¯ve secured your future, our pack¡¯s alliance, and you didn¡¯t have to lift a finger. And for that¡­ you deserve a reward for all the hardwork.¡± I didn¡¯t breathe. What is this? What are they saying? My hands curled into fists, nails digging into my palms. ¡°What is this?¡± Celeste asked. ¡°A gift,¡± she said. ¡°You deserve it. You¡¯re the reason this worked.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t celebrate yet,¡± Celeste said. ¡°The Tyrant Lord hasn¡¯t taken her. Until she leaves with him¡­ nothing is guaranteed.¡± : 81 55 vouchers ¡°Stop worrying,¡± my mother said with augh. ¡°Atasha is nothing but your pet. Once the Tyrant Lord takes her, then her life is sealed¡­¡± And just like that¡­ Everything inside me broke. AD Brute 4 ¡°Sister¡­ you don¡¯t look well. Are you alright?¡± : Celeste¡¯s voice slid into the room like warm honey. But I heard the de behind it now. 81 55 vouchers I stiffened. My eyes lifted to her face, the same face that once lit up my childhood like antern in the dark. She looked perfect, as always. Glossy ck hair cascading over her shoulders, warm brown eyes filled with what appeared to be concern. She looked like safety. Like home. But I knew better now. ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep,¡± I said quietly, lowering my gaze. ¡°I¡­ I had a nightmare. About Lord Cassian.¡± Her handnded gently on my shoulder. ¡°Shhh¡­ walls have ears,¡± she whispered. ¡°You¡¯ve been under so much pressure. I understand. But you have to be careful not to say these things in the future, especially in the north.¡± Pressure? I bit the inside of my cheek. Pressure wasn¡¯t the word. Pressure was what I¡¯d felt the day I failed to awaken my wolf. This¡­ this was something else. Afterst night, after standing outside that balcony and hearing my own mother hand Celeste a reward for betraying me, there wasn¡¯t anything left inside me to press. I was hollow. Cassian hadn¡¯t said a word after it happened. He¡¯d just dropped me off on my attic bed, soaked through from the storm, and vanished. Not a taunt. Not a threat. Not even a look. He just left. Somehow¡­ that silence hurt less than Celeste¡¯s smile did now. Now, I followed Celeste down the corridor like I knew nothing. One foot in front of the other. Surprisingly, I only felt numb. How could someone act so pure yet so evil at the same time? Perhaps I had been naive, so naive to think that a wolfless girl deserves some love. ¡°I¡¯ve prepared a bath for you,¡± Celeste said, as if she were doing me a kindness. I nodded without answering, letting her lead me into the room. The tub was full of milk and petals,vender, rose, violet. They were my favorites, and Celeste knew. The water steamed softly in the candlelight. It looked like a bath meant for a queen. Or a bride. I stripped in silence and stepped in. The warmth soaked into my skin, but it didn¡¯t reach my bones. Celeste sat beside me, humming, chatting about old memories I barely heard. Something about sneaking pies from the kitchens. How I used to curl up in her bed during thunder. I remembered those nights. Her arms wrapped around me when the storms got too loud. The time she gave me her scarf after I scraped my knee. How she used to call me ¡°little mouse¡± when I couldn¡¯t sleep. Back then, I thought those moments meant something. Now¡­ I wasn¡¯t so sure. Lies. All of it. Or maybe not lies. Maybe half¨Ctruths twisted into weapons. How cruel. 81 55 vouchers When we dried off, she took me to her dressing room. ¡°Choose any dress,¡± she said, opening the wardrobe wide. ¡°Tonight is your introduction. Lord Cassian will being to collect his bride.¡± Collect his bride. A night ago that would have made me feel a little something, frightened maybe. But now? I felt nothing. Not after what I heardst night. She pulled out a gown without waiting for my answer. Burgundy. Deep as blood. It would make me look pale, drained. Spectral. The perfect sacrifice. ¡°This one,¡± she said with a soft smile. ¡°It¡¯ll bring out the blue in your eyes.¡± I nodded again. Wordless. As always. Then I started to wonder. When did I be this quiet? I used tough. I used to ask questions. I used to dream. Maybe it was the years of bullying. The mockery. The days I was told to eat by the kitchen door because I didn¡¯t have a wolf. Maybe it was my father¡¯s silence. My mother¡¯s cold voice. Or maybe it was Celeste¨Cmy sun¨Cslowly fading into shadow. Bit by bit, I disappeared. The sunshine in my eyes dulled. The smile on my lips faded. I became what they needed me to be. Obedient and small. Easy to use. Easy to throw away. Celeste pped her hands, and her personal maid entered without a word. ¡°Fix her hair. It needs to be perfect.¡± The girl worked quickly, tugging and twisting, weaving in baby¡¯s breath, pale roses, and silver ribbon. I let them dress me up like a doll. Celeste reached for my hands, brushing her thumbs against my knuckles. ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t forget to write,¡± she said softly. ¡°I want to know you¡¯re safe¡­ that you¡¯re warm¡­ that you¡¯re okay.¡± I stared at her. ¡°I heard it¡¯s freezing in the north,¡± she continued. ¡°So I packed more than just coats. The thick fur¨Clined one Father used to wear, two of Mother¡¯s cloaks, I even tucked in the quilt from the attic, the one you used to steal from my bed.¡± My breath caught. ¡°I packed you some wool socks. The mittens with the velvet lining. An extra nket or two, just in case the castle¡¯s drafty.¡± Each item she listed cut deeper than thest. Was she doing this out of guilt? She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°Take care of yourself, Atasha. Even if no one else will¡­ you have to. Do you understand?¡± I nodded and forced another smile. : 81 55 vouchers ¡°If you stop writing letters, I will tell father to visit you,¡± Celeste pouted. ¡°I am not kidding. You are my only sister. You have to write me letters and tell me all about the snow.¡± I looked at her. Really looked at her. And for a moment, I wanted to believe her. That maybe, just maybe, she hadn¡¯t meant to hurt me. Maybe it was for the pack. Maybe she truly believed that marrying the Tyrant Lord would do more harm than good. That tricking me was the only way. Maybe she told herself it was mercy. Maybe she thought I¡¯d understand. But if that were true¡­ why did it still feel like she gutted me with a smile? I heard her voicest night. I heard herugh. And I knew. All those nights we shared secrets under nkets, the jokes in the corridor, the bread rolls passed under the table¡­ none of it mattered. Not when it came down to choosing between me and her future. So this was what it felt like to be betrayed by someone you love. ¡°I can take care of myself,¡± I said softly, forcing a smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry.¡± I already showed my cursed ability to the Tyrant Lord. In response, he showed me the true face of my family. That should mean something, right? ¡°And I will be writing.¡± She looked pleased. Maybe even relieved. As if I¡¯d just made things easier. ¡°You look like you¡¯re about to cry,¡± she said, brushing my cheek lightly. ¡°It¡¯ll ruin your makeup.¡± I nodded. Then came the knock. A different maid stepped inside, her tone brisk. ¡°Lord Cassian has arrived.¡± I kept still, studying the girl in the mirror. My skin looked almost translucent, my lips were a deliberate shade of crimson, and my hairy perfectly secured beneath a row of pearl pins. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. A flicker of relief on Celeste¡¯s face. Then, she slipped a ne around my neck, her ne. The one she wore during court visits. ¡°You look so pretty,¡± she whispered. ¡°He won¡¯t be able to look away.¡± I sneered inwardly. That man had tried to end my life justst night. He was a beast, nothing more. He was a monster wrapped in devilish good looks and power he wielded like a de. If anything, all I wanted now was to stay quiet, stay small and invisible. Out of his line of sight. ¡°Your hair looked like jewels, like gold,¡± Celeste smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sure he will love it.¡± 55 vouchers Again, I nodded. Pearls glinted in my pinned¨Cup hair, strands curled delicately around my face like I was being prepared for disy. For years, I wondered why my hair was blond. Why my eyes were blue. Why I didn¡¯t look like Celeste, or my mother, or anyone else in Nightfall. Everyone else had thick, dark hair. Warm brown eyes. Earth¨Ctoned skin kissed by the southern sun. As for me, I had always seemed out of ce. My skin was unnaturally pale, the kind of pale that made people whisper about sickness or fragility. My features are unmistakably foreign. For years I told myself there could be only one reason, I must be an unfortunate anomaly. Now¡­ I think I finally understood why. Before my thoughts could spiral, the maid returned. ¡°Alpha Collin requests your presence in the drawing hall,¡± she said. Then, after a nce, added, ¡°Lord Cassian is adamant on seeing his bride.¡± Bride. I stood. My fingers curled slightly at my sides, just enough to keep them from shaking. I knew I shouldn¡¯t be mourning. This ce had never been kind to me, never warm, never safe. And yet¡­ something inside me pulled back at the thought of leaving. I should¡¯ve felt relief. Instead, all I felt was the weight of the unknown. Because no matter how useful I thought I was¡­ I had seen the way Cassian looked at me. Like he was still deciding whether I was worth keeping or burning. Sadly, I knew that even the useful bled when he was done with them. ¡°My, how romantic of him,¡± Celeste¡¯s voice cut through my daze, her innocent smile sharp as ss. ¡°Elder sister, aren¡¯t you thrilled to meet your groom?¡± AD Brute 5 ¡°And here I was led to believe I¡¯d be marrying your younger daughter, the one whose wolf has actually awakened,¡± Cassian said, his voice seeping through Father¡¯s study like slow, suffocating smoke that demanded attention. A chill crawled down my spine. Beside me, Celeste¡¯s inhale hitched so softly I almost missed
  1. it. Celeste and I hovered outside Father¡¯s study, backs pressed to the paneled wall, catching scraps of the conversation through the half¨Copen door.
None of us dared to say a word, scared shitless that the Tyrant Lord would notice our presence. Inside, Father answered in a strained baritone I barely recognized, but I knew it sounded more caution than authority. I couldn¡¯t make out the exact reply, only the brittle edge under it. Cassian chuckled, a low, amused sound that seemed utterly out of ce in our family wing. It sounded like a predator slipping unnoticed into a sanctuary meant for the innocent. The silence that followed was louder than any thunderp. Then Father¡¯s alpha senses must have caught our scents as his next words rang out. ¡°Atasha. Celeste. You maye in.¡± My stomach tightened. Celeste straightened first, smoothing invisible creases in her gown, schooling her expression into gentle concern. I forced myself to mirror theposure, my pulse hammering against my ribs. We stepped over the threshold together, the study¡¯s heavy oak door swinging wider behind us. Cassian Valemont leaned against Father¡¯s desk, gray eyes flicking from Celeste to me with sharp, measuring interest, like he was already deciding whichmb would season the stew best. Father gestured us forward, jaw rigid. ¡°Lord Valemont wishes to rify a few details before tomorrow¡¯s journey.¡± He looked at both of us, then he added, ¡°Lord Valemont, this is Atasha ck, your bride and this is Lady Celeste ck, my daughter and future Luna of my pack.¡± Cassian pushed away from Father¡¯s desk and sauntered toward us. He gave us that halfzy, half¨Cpredatory gait. He stopped a breath short of Celeste and angled his head, studying her as though she were a painting he might toss on the fire if the colors displeased him. ¡°Tell me little one¡­ have you ever heard a bone break? Your own, I mean.¡± Celeste swallowed. ¡°I¡­ n¨Cno, my lord.¡± ¡°Mm. A shame.¡± He tilted his head, studying the unblemished line of her corbone. ¡°Unbroken things often forget how fragile they are. The first crack is always¡­.educational.¡± His : : 81 55 vouchers smile thinned. ¡°I¡¯ve been told it sounds like dry wood snapping in the frost. One day I¡¯d like to judge the melody for myself.¡± Father bristled, but Cassian merely shifted his attention back to me, as if the notion of testing that ¡°melody¡± were nothing more than idle curiosity. ¡°Lord Valemont, you will not taunt my daughter in her own home.¡± Cassian turned, amusement sparking. ¡°Ah, Alpha ck, ever the courteous host. You did, however, dangle this daughter in front of me like fresh meat a week ago. Forgive me if I wish to inspect the cut before I pay.¡± Color rose in Father¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You came for Atasha. The marriage contract is signed and on its way to the king.¡± Cassian¡¯s attention slid off Celeste and settled on me like an iron yoke. ¡°Contracts are parchment. Wolves are blood.¡± He indicated the two chairs arranged side by side in front of Father¡¯s desk. ¡°Come, little bride, sit.¡± I obeyed, my skirts whispering across the rug as I took the left chair. Cassian followed and imed the seat on my right, close enough that our knees brushed when he angled toward me. Instead of reclining, he perched on the edge, hooking one arm along the back of my chair so his gloved fingertips grazed the nape of my neck. It almost felt casual, too casual. ¡°There. Bnce restored,¡± he announced, turning a faint, dangerous smile on Father. ¡°See? I can be reasonable.¡± Father¡¯s jaw worked. ¡°Your idea of reason is cruelty.¡± ¡°Only to those who miscalcte.¡± Cassian¡¯s smile cut sideways. ¡°Nightfall offered up one daughter, then tried to bargain with another. I¡¯m merely evaluating the exchange rate.¡± Celeste¡¯s hands clenched together, knuckles white. ¡°My lord, I never-¡± He silenced her with a nce so disinterested it stung. ¡°Rx, little sun. I meant no insult. You¡¯re wless¡­ which is precisely the problem. A wless jewel is ornamental, a wed de, however, is forged to bleed.¡± His fingers brushed my shoulder, light enough not to bruise, heavy enough to remind me he could. ¡°This one bears interesting imperfections.¡± Father stepped forward. ¡°You¡¯ve made your choice. Leave Celeste out of your games.¡± ¡°Games?¡± Cassianughed ¡°Alpha, I conquered three city¨Cstates before breakfast. This is entertainment. Although¡­¡± he looked at Celeste. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind taking a concubine. The King would not be asking questions if I asked for another bride.¡± : 81 55 vouchers Lightning shed beyond the windows, briefly etching Cassian¡¯s profile in white fire. For a heartbeat no one breathed. Then he leaned closer to me, lowering his voice until only I could hear. ¡°Sit still, Atasha. Listen carefully. One wrong answer tonight and I¡¯ll carve your father¡¯s pride to pieces before dawn.¡± I kept my spine rigid, eyes fixed ahead, every nerve screaming at me to flee. Instead, I folded my hands in myp and obediently nodded. ¡°If you value this alliance, you will show respect,¡± Father exhaled through his teeth. Cassian¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Respect is earned, Collin ck. Pray you earn it before the wedding night.¡± Tension tightened around us as fiercely as the storm brewing outside. Cassian¡¯s thumb began to tap the back of my chair slowly, every beat felt like an executioner¡¯s drumroll before the de falls. Then he casually smiled and looked at me. ¡°What would you like to drink?¡± Did he just¨CI turned to him, confused. ¡°Just water¡­¡± ¡°Water?¡± he frowned. ¡°Do you not drink wine?¡± ¡°I do.¡± I just didn¡¯t mention it¡¯s been years since I had myst one. Wolfless Omegas like me aren¡¯t allowed near the pack¡¯s good wine. ¡°Excellent,¡± Cassian murmured, then flicked amanding nce at Celeste. ¡°Bring wine for your princess and me. And I want the best.¡± Father immediately frowned. ¡°My lord, my daughter is no servant¡ª ¡°Mind your tongue, Alpha ck.¡± Cassian cut him off. ¡°You stand before the Prince Regent of Arecor and his chosen consort. Unless you believe your house outranks the royal bloodline, you will let the girl obey¡± Brute 6 Chapter 6 : Cassian leaned back, eyes flicking toward Celeste. ¡°Serve us some pastries.¡± 81 55 vouchers Her smile didn¡¯t falter, but I saw the twitch in her fingers as she reached for the tray. This was a future Luna who had been reduced to serving snacks. I didn¡¯t miss the way her eyes darted to Father, waiting for him to step in. He didn¡¯t. I watched her ce the tter between us, each motion stiff. She¡¯d prepared the wine, now the food. What next? Sweep the floors? How could Cassian casually embarrass Celeste? Did he not know that she was set on marrying the Alpha King? Yet a part of me could not help the small sense of satisfaction blooming inside me. Was he doing this because of me? No. How could I even think of something so absurd? Cassian reached for a pastry and took a slow bite, chewing like he hadn¡¯t just humiliated Celeste in her own home. Crumbs clung to his lower lip. He licked them away with ease, then turned his attention to me. My gaze stayed low, but I could feel Celeste¡¯s stare scorching the side of my face. Then, without looking at her, he extended the half¨Ceaten pastry toward me. ¡°Eat,¡± he ordered. I hesitated for half a second. Then nodded and leaned in, my lips brushing the spot where his fingers had held the edge. I took a bite, tasting honey and heat and something far more dangerous beneath it all. His eyes didn¡¯t leave me. ¡°Good girl,¡± he murmured, his voice just above a whisper. Something in my stomach twisted. Not from fear. From something worse. Something I didn¡¯t want to name. ¡°The Fang Demons will be marching next week,¡± Father said, cutting into the tension like it wasn¡¯t even there. Cassian didn¡¯t look at him. He reached for another pastry. ¡°Talking about demons on my wedding night,¡± he muttered as he brushed the crumbs from his fingers. ¡°How festive.¡± ¡°My lord, if the Fang Demons move, Nightfall will be the first to fall,¡± Father said, his voice tighter now. ¡°We¡¯re positioned directly in their path.¡± 81 55 vouchers Cassian finally met his gaze. ¡°A third of my army will be stationed here,¡± he said. ¡°Let theme.¡± Father faltered. I felt it. It was the way his shoulders shifted slightly, like the answer wasn¡¯t what he expected. Or maybe it was too generous. Was he expecting him to leave a third of his army? Why would Cassian offer so much so easily? One would wonder why the Lord of the North would suddenly leave his army in the south. But then again, these are the things that I wouldn¡¯t be able to understand. I nced at him. He didn¡¯t even look interested in the conversation. He was back to reaching for another pastry, lips stained faintly with wine. Celeste sat back down quietly, trying to regain herposure. But I could see it now. Cassian wasn¡¯t just making a point. He was taking control of the room, piece by piece. First with the wine. Then with the pastries. Now with the war. And I was sitting right beside him, silent, watching it all unfold. ¡°The war doesn¡¯t interest me nearly as much as my new bride,¡± he said. I froze. My head snapped toward him. What was he saying? Then he added, ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the dowry you prepared. It¡¯s rather modest for the eldest daughter of an Alpha, don¡¯t you think?¡± My mouth went dry. Dowry? Why is he talking about a Dowry? ¡°My lord¡­¡± Father began. Cassian didn¡¯t even let him finish. ¡°The dowry,¡± he said coolly. ¡°Was prepared by your Luna, my bride¡¯s own mother, was it not?¡± There was something about the way he said it, something that reminded me of the words that my own mother said the other night. He turned his head slowly. ¡°If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d think it was meant for a servant.¡± His gaze sharpened. ¡°Are you certain I¡¯m marrying your daughter, Alpha Collin?¡± Father stiffened. ¡°Are you suggesting I¡¯d lie to the crown?¡± Cassian¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°Did you?¡± ¡°Preposterous!¡± Father snapped. ¡°I would never endanger my pack with such deceit.¡± : 81 55 vouchers ¡°Then summon your Luna,¡± Cassian said, voice like a de drawn in the dark. ¡°I¡¯d like to speak with her directly.¡± It wasn¡¯t a request. It was amand. And in that moment, I realized something unsettling. My father might¡¯ve ruled Nightfall with authority. But Cassian Valemont? Cassian didn¡¯t rule. He conquered. The room immediately tensed. I heard the quick intake of breath from Father. Celeste shifted in her seat. Even the servants at the edge of the room stilled. ¡°My lord,¡± Father said quickly. ¡°If the dowry feelscking, we can add to it, whatever you need. There¡¯s no need to involve-¡± ¡°I asked for the Luna,¡± Cassian said, louder this time, like he was daring someone to defy him. ¡°Unless you¡¯re saying your wife sent me an insult on purpose.¡± ¡°No, of course not. I¡¯ll call her at once.¡± Panic flickered in Father¡¯s eyes. He gestured for the servants to call mother. Seeing this, Cassian leaned back, looking far too amused for someone supposedly offended. His gaze slid to me briefly, then away, as if I wasn¡¯t the topic at all, just the excuse. ¡°Tell me,¡± he added offhandedly. ¡°If Lady Celeste were the one marrying into royalty¡­ would her dowry be the same?¡± No one answered. We all knew the truth. And so did he. If it was Celeste, they would probably empty the whole treasury. It didn¡¯t take long before Mother entered. She gave a quick bow. ¡°My lord, I heard you had concerns about the dowry. I¡ª¡± Cassian rose before she could finish. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in excuses.¡± The room fell silent. What is he doing now? He stepped forward. ¡°My consort will receive what she¡¯s due, I expect a full inventory of the dowry before we depart tomorrow. If anything is missing¡­¡± He let the words hang. He didn¡¯t have to finish it as everyone inside the room knew what he meant. He would raise hell. Then he extended a hand toward me. ¡°I¡¯m tired. We¡¯ll be going to our quarters now.¡± My lips parted, but no sound came. I have never met anyone so viscous and yet so confident that no one else in the room would dare say a word against him. Despite this, I rose and ced my hand in his. We had barely taken a few steps when a servant moved to lead the way. Cassian halted. ¡°My bride will take me to our rooms,¡± he said. That was all it took. : 81 55 vouchers The servant froze, bowed quickly, and stepped aside without a word. The others followed, retreating like shadows at dusk. We left the study in silence. I led him through the hallways, past the council wing and through a door I had only seen opened once in my life. The guest quarters for visiting royalty and war generals. I wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. Wolfless girls weren¡¯t even allowed near this hall, let alone through its doors. But now¡­ I was the bride. His bride. Thetch clicked as I shut the door behind us. I turned slowly, taking it in. The room was enormous¨Cbigger than my father¡¯s chambers. A firece already crackled to life in the corner. There was a private living room, velvet chairs surrounding a table carved with the Nightfall crest. A curtained window opened to a view of the east gardens. A polished oak bar gleamed beneath a wall of crystal bottles. The bathroom was visible through an arch- massive tub, gilded fixtures. And at the center of it all, the bed. Four¨Cposted. Drenched in silver linens. The kind of softness you¡¯d expect in a fairytale. I stood there frozen for a second too long. Cassian shrugged off his outer garment¨Csome kind of military cloak, ck with red northern embroidery near the cor. It hit the floor without ceremony. Underneath, he wore a dark shirt, slightly damp at the cor, sleeves rolled to his forearms like he hadn¡¯t even bothered dressing for court. He didn¡¯t speak. Just walked past me and lowered himself into the nearest chair like he owned the room. One arm drapedzily over the backrest. He looked at me¨Cnot directly, at least. ¡°Wine,¡± he said, without looking up. I nodded and turned toward the bar, keeping my steps light. I didn¡¯t want to make a sound. The bar was fully stocked, red, white, aged blends from the far coasts. I didn¡¯t know what he preferred, so I chose the strongest one I could recognize and poured it into the nearest ss. When I turned around, he was already watching me. I crossed the room and held it out. He took it without a word but didn¡¯t drink right away He just let the rim of the ss hover near his mouth as he looked at me. Like he was trying to decide what to do next. Slowly, I met his gaze. ¡°You¡¯re not shaking,¡± he finally said. I didn¡¯t answer. I didn¡¯t trust my voice. Then his eyes drifted downward. ¡°Remove your clothes.¡± Ìï Brute 7 For a second, I didn¡¯t move. I don¡¯t even think I breathed. I stood there, frozen, pulse mming in my ears. My fingers twitched at my sides as I tried to gauge his reaction. His eyes didn¡¯t narrow. His tone didn¡¯t rise. There was no cruelty in it. It was simply¡­ an order. He raised the wine to his lips and took a slow sip. Still watching as the air in the room thickened. I could feel the difference in power stretching between us, his ease, his control. And me¡­ standing there like a sacrificial doll, unsure whether to obey or run. But running wasn¡¯t an option. Not anymore. So I reached up slowly. Fingers trembling just enough to betray me. And I began to undo the first button. Thece snagged slightly, and I had to pause to steady my grip. My pulse thundered in my throat, loud enough I feared he could hear it. I didn¡¯t dare look at him. Not while I stood there peeling off thest defense I had. I felt exposed before I was even bare. When thestyer fell to the floor, I stood there. Uncovered. Cold. Every breath felt like a knife scraping across my ribs. My arms instinctively twitched to cover myself, but I forced them back to my sides. I had already shown him everything, my ability and my ce in this broken exchange. There was no turning back now. His eyes stayed on me. Not hungrily. Not even curiously. It was like I was just¡­ there. A figure to observe. To dissect. And for a few seconds, I wondered what was worse, being objectified or being dismissed. Then he spoke, breaking the stillness between us. ¡°Come here.¡± The words dropped like a chain and my legs moved before my mind could argue. The floor felt colder with every inch. I reached him and stopped. Still, he didn¡¯t touch me. 81 55 vouchers Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded parchment. Thick, cream¨Ccolored. Sealed earlier, now creased from being carried. He then ced it on the table beside his ss and gestured toward it. ¡°Can you read?¡± I nodded. ¡°Then read it.¡± I reached for the parchment, my fingers brushing his wine ss as I unfolded the document. At first, the words were a blur. My eyes scanned the page, adjusting to the formal script, but as the lines began to register, my breath stalled. It wasn¡¯t a marriage certificate or a dowry list. It was a contract. My hand trembled slightly as I read the first paragraph again. A formal agreement between Lord Cassian Valemont and Atasha Genevieve ck. Terms ofpanionship, expected conduct, confidentiality uses. The second half of the parchment shifted tone. If the first part read like rules, the next unfolded like a im. I was to bear his child. No one else. If an heir was to be born, it would be mine, no concubines, no alternate brides, no whispered politics about stronger bloodlines. I would be the only woman permitted to carry the Valemont name forward. He would not take another bride. I was it. The one and only. He named me mistress of his estate. The servants, the guards, thends tied to his name, they would answer to me in his absence. I would rule in his stead, should he leave. I would carry the authority in his house. Me. A wolfless girl who had once been told not to speak unless spoken to. It read like a reward. Power, position, protection, all handed to me like a crown. But underneath the promises, I felt the weight of chains. My healing wasn¡¯t mine anymore. From the moment I signed, that ability, the one thing that made me more than wolfless, would belong to him. I would be expected to use it at hismand. Whoever he pointed to, whatever injury he deemed worth fixing, I would obey. No questions. No refusals. If he asked me to heal an enemy, I would. If he asked me to let someone die, I would. The gift wasn¡¯t mine. It was his to wield. And I was the vessel. 81 55 vouchers It was a throne, yes, but one bnced on a knife¡¯s edge. If I betrayed him, even once¡­ if I disobeyed, hesitated, or dared to act on my own¡­ He would not exile me. He would end me. And no one¡­ not my pack, not my parents, not even the King, would lift a finger to stop him. My breath caught. I read the line again, as if it might soften. It didn¡¯t. I looked up from the parchment, heart thudding hard against my ribs. Cassian hadn¡¯t moved, his expression hadn¡¯t changed. ¡°You¡¯ll have power,¡± he said, still seated, fingers resting on the armrest like he had all the time in the world. ¡°You¡¯ll have protection, influence,mand. No one will touch you without losing a hand.¡± I said nothing. The words on the paper said enough. ¡°But if you cross me¡­¡± His gaze locked with mine, cold and certain. ¡°You won¡¯t need to worry about exile.¡± He stood. The space between us shifted. ¡°If you sign that contract with your blood, you will belong to me,¡± he said quietly, without ir or venom, just truth. ¡°That includes your name, your body, your loyalty¡­ your life.¡± Then his hand lifted, two fingers grazing beneath my chin, tilting my face up until our eyes met. ¡°But,¡± he murmured, ¡°I¡¯m not without mercy. So I¡¯ll give you a choice.¡± He leaned in, voice softening into something far more dangerous. ¡°You can refuse. Tear the contract, walk away, and stay in this ce you call home. You¡¯ll keep your name. Your freedom.¡± Then he chuckled. ¡°Assuming, of course, you survive your father¡¯s fury¡­ and whatever punishment this lovely little pack has nned for their disposable offering.¡± His thumb brushed my jaw. ¡°Stay, and you live like prey in a house full of wolves who want you gone. Or youe with me¡­¡± he paused, gaze lingering on my mouth. ¡°And at least the monster you serve will be honest about it.¡± I looked down at the parchment, hands trembling. For a girl who had always been treated like nothing¡­ this felt dangerously close to everything. And it terrified me. In the end, choice was an illusion. 81 55 vouchers I brought my thumb to my mouth and bit down, hard. The skin broke beneath my teeth, and blood welled up instantly, warm and metallic on my tongue. My hand trembled as I reached for the parchment. Then, with him watching, I pressed my bleeding thumb against the bottom of the contract. The mark bloomed red against the cream paper. I had just sealed my fate in blood. Seeing the signed paper, a smile appeared on his face. Then he leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°Now¡­ shall we begin?¡± Brute 8 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 81 55 vouchers He kissed me, gently, almost patient at first. His warm breath and the faint taste of wine, hum quietly against my lips. His hand skimmed my waist, palm steady as it mapped the curve of my hip, then higher, finding the wild thrum of my heart. I should have frozen. I should have flinched the way prey does under a predator¡¯s paw. Instead, I answered. A soft sound escaped before I could swallow it. My fingers curled in the woolpel of his shirt, anchoring me in a storm I¡¯d never learned to survive. His mouth deepened the kiss, slow turning to urgent, coaxing want from ces fear had long starved. When his teeth grazed my lower lip I gasped, and he drank the sound like approval. The hand at my waist slid up, calluses brushing my bare skin. Heat red inside me. ¡°Breathe,¡± he murmured against my mouth, and I realized I wasn¡¯t. I drew in air, sharp, trembling, vored with cedar smoke and rain. Every sense felt raw, the fire¡¯s crackle, his pulse beneath my palm, the scrape of stubble catching silk skin. He smelled of iron and winter and something yet unnamed that pulled a reckless ache from my chest. ¡°Look at me,¡± he said. I did. His gray eyes which almost looked like steel, locked onto mine. He studied me the way a predator studies a puzzle. Power shimmered behind that gaze. Hunger lingered too, not just physical, but something deeper, darker. A craving to own, to test, to consume. And beneath it all, a question burned quietly between us. Would I bend for him¡­ willingly,pletely? Or would I resist¡­ until I shattered? ¡°You¡¯re not shaking,¡± he repeated, softer this time, almost curious. ¡°I¡¯m past shaking,¡± I whispered. ¡°There¡¯s nothing left to fear.¡± That was a lie and I knew he knew, he heard it. His thumb brushed the curve beneath my breast, testing. My breath stilled again, not from fright but from the strange, sharp thrill of it. The edge he dangled me over tilted closer to : ruin, yet some stubborn shard inside refused to cower. 81 55 vouchers He felt that defiance. I saw it flicker behind his gaze. ¡°Good,¡± he said. ¡°A consort should know when to bare her throat and when to bare her teeth.¡± The hand roaming my skin found the thin scar I¡¯d earned training years ago, one of the few marks that never healed pretty. It was the one near my heart. Just above it. A few more inches and I would have died. But I didn¡¯t. Instead, the wound healed on its own. That was the day I discovered my ability. He traced it. ¡°wed de,¡± he murmured, echoing his earlier taunt. ¡°But tempered.¡± His lips curved into a faint smile before he pressed a kiss to the scar as if trying to rewrite its meaning with his own. Heat bloomed low in my belly, curling through me like wildfire. His hand trailed along my side before rising to cup my breast. A sharp gasp escaped me as heat bloomed deep in my core. Then, a knock shattered the moment like ss. The world rushed back in. I let out a deep breath I didn¡¯t even know I was holding. Cassian¡¯s expression darkened instantly. He turned his head toward the door, voice sharp with annoyance. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to disturb me?¡± ¡°My lord,¡± came the urgent reply from the other side. ¡°The Demon Fang hasunched an attack. They¡¯ve tripled their numbers. We believe they¡¯ll breach the border and reach the pack¡¯s territory within the hour.¡± I froze. My blood turned cold. The Demon Fang, rogues who had no allegiance, only a hunger for the blood of their own kind. They¡¯d been a looming threat ever since they carved out their so¨Ccalled kingdom, but this¡­ this would be the first time they dared tounch a direct assault on our pack. Coincidence? I heard him snicker. Then he took a step back, took a coat and suddenly covered me with it. I froze but chose to focus. ¡°The Demon Fang¡¯s territory is not that far. An hour is an overestimate. They rely on the dark to make trickeries. I- I¡¯ve seen the wounds that their weapons made,¡± My words seemed to catch him off guard, and for once, I found the courage to meet his eyes. ¡°Please be careful,¡± I said, my voice softer than I expected. Then I froze. I wasn¡¯t sure where the boldness hade from. Those words just slipped out before I could stop my mouth from speaking. Flustered, I rushed to add, ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ if something happens to you, I might get stuck here. In this ce.¡± : 81 55 vouchers As soon as the words left my mouth, I winced inwardly. That sounded selfish, didn¡¯t it? Like I only cared because it would affect me. I opened my mouth again, trying to fix it. ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean it like that, I just¨D¡± He chuckled before I could finish. Cassian¡¯s chuckle deepened into something low and wicked, like he found far too much amusement in my flustered spiral. His gaze dropped as he wrapped his coat around me. ¡°If I had known you cared so much about my safety,¡± he said, voice velvet with mischief, ¡°I would¡¯ve taken my time finishing what we started.¡± My mouth opened, yet nothing came out. He leaned in slightly, his breath brushing the shell of my ear. ¡°But if I don¡¯t make it back¡­¡± He paused, just long enough for my heart to catch in my throat. ¡°You¡¯ll have to find another way to relieve all that tension I just built.¡± My face went up in mes. Air. I needed air. He pulled back with a slow grin that told me he knew exactly what he was doing, and just how red I¡¯d turned. Then, without another word, he dipped his head and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. The gesture was brief, but it left my chest twisted in something far worse than panic, something tender yet dangerous. ¡°Wait here,¡± he said, straightening and fastening thest strap of his armor. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± And then he was gone, cloak snapping behind him like a warning. I stood frozen, still wrapped in his coat, my skin flushed, my thoughts tangled, and my dignity barely intact. I wanted to scream into the pillows. Or melt into the floor. Or both. With shaking hands, I peeled off the coat and searched for something decent to wear. After a few frantic minutes, I found a simple set of clean clothes, a soft tunic and dark leggings, folded neatly on the nearby chaise. I assumed they had been ced there earlier and gratefully slipped into them. My body still hummed with leftover heat, but I tried to focus on the looming threat beyond these walls, not the man who had just kissed me breathless. I had just started to smooth down my hair when a quiet knock came at the door. I stiffened. A secondter, it creaked open, revealing a girl no older than fifteen or sixteen. She had a delicate face, round with nervous eyes and a slight frame that barely filled out the crisp uniform she wore. It was simr to the colors of Cassian¡¯s personal guard, ck with silver trim, the red crest of the Valemont sigil stitched neatly at the shoulder. 81 55 vouchers ¡°I¡¯m sorry to disturb you, mydy,¡± the girl said with a slight bow. ¡°The Lord sent this to help calm your nerves.¡± She held up a small silver tray, bnced carefully in her hands. On it sat a single porcin cup filled with steaming tea, the scent floral and slightly sweet. ¡°Oh,¡± I said, blinking at her. ¡°Thank you.¡± That was a bit unexpected. Did I misjudge the monster after all? She gave a hesitant smile, then turned to go. I watched her leave, assuming without much thought that she was one of Cassian¡¯s people. The uniform, after all, matched his. And I hadn¡¯t seen many of the castle¡¯s servants yet. It made sense. I brought the cup closer, fingers wrapping around the delicate ceramic. Then I immediately realized something. The aroma was¡­ off. Not wrong exactly, but strange. I frowned and brought it closer to my nose. Then I felt it beneath the floral scent, something metallic lingered, faint but unmistakable. Like rust, or old coins, or- My stomach sank. Poison. Ìï AD Comment Send gift No Ads Brute 9 Someone wanted me dead? I didn¡¯t drink it. 55 vouchers Instead, I stared at the swirling surface of the tea, heart hammering, and suddenly, everything around me felt too still. Too quiet. I set the cup down slowly, carefully, as if it might explode. Then I turned toward the door, mind racing. Who was that girl? Where was the regr maid who had helped me before? And why was she wearing Cassian¡¯s crest? Did he want me dead after all? No, that can¡¯t be. That¡¯s impossible. He had seen my ability. Does he find it useless after all? However, before I could process everything, the door opened again, and the girl walked in. ¡°My Lady¡­ I apologize,¡± She gave me a shallow bow. ¡°I forgot¡­ but the young lord also wanted me to give you something,¡± she said with an innocent smile as she locked the door behind her. ¡°The Lord wanted you to have this too,¡± she said, voice as sweet as honey. Her fingers slipped into the pocket of her apron. And I didn¡¯t see the de until it gleamed. Something primal kicked in. I stumbled back just as steel arced through the air where my throat had been. The sh missed by inches, but not by ident. She wasn¡¯t rushing. She was ying. I crashed against the couch, breath mming out of me. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± I gasped. Her smile twisted. ¡°Finishing what should¡¯ve been done before you signed.¡± Then she lunged, The knife came at me again, this time aimed low. She was aiming for my gut. I pivoted just enough to feel the fabric of my tunic tear, a hot sting shing across my side, I cried out, grabbed the nearest thing, a small stool, and flung it at her. It hit her shoulder, enough to stagger her but not stop her. She hissed, more beast than girl, and came again. Faster. Like a wolf without a scent to track, just a singlemand: kill. I dove toward the edge of the table. My hand closed around the silver tray she brought in, and I swung it with all the force I could muster. It smacked her temple with a metallic crack. She 11:03 Wed, Sep 10 stumbled sideways, but only for a heartbeat. : Where are the guards? I wonder. What about the servants? Then she roared. 81 55 vouchers The sound made my skin crawl. This was not the sound of a servant omega! This was not the sound a girl could make! She wasn¡¯t normal. ¡°Help!¡± I tried to scream as I ducked another blow and rolled toward the far wall, breathing hard. Pain pulsed from my side, wet warmth soaking through the fabric. She had cut me deep. But I¡¯d trained for this. I didn¡¯t have a wolf, but I had spent years in the pack¡¯s shadow rings, forced to keep up with my peers. Learning to fight wasn¡¯t optional when you were surrounded by predators. She shed again, this time down my forearm. I blocked with my elbow, but the knife still grazed me. Another burn. Another wound. I kicked her square in the stomach, and she reeled back but not far. I tried to run. She grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me back, forcing me to the ground. I twisted and drove my elbow into her ribs. She snarled, then raked the de across my shoulder. Blood sttered the floor. She paused, panting, waiting for me to crumple. But I didn¡¯t. Because the gash, like the others, was already sealing. Her eyes widened, just for a second. ¡°You¡­¡± My healing. She hadn¡¯t expected that. She came at me harder, more desperate, the knife shing again and again. My arms, my thighs, my stomach, cut after cut bloomed red. But each time, the wounds began to knit together. Slower than usual, but still enough to keep me alive. ¡°Why won¡¯t you die?¡± she shrieked, her face twisted with fury, eyes wide with something beyond hatred, fear. She wasn¡¯t just trying to kill me anymore. She needed to. Because she¡¯d seen it. The wounds and the blood and the impossible way they closed. She had seen my secret. 11:03 Wed, Sep 10 81 E55 vouchers ¡°You¡¯re a witch,¡± she spat, voice trembling now. ¡°An abomination. That¡¯s what you are.¡± She raised the de again with a scream and lunged. I threw myself sideways, but not fast enough, her knife plunged into my side and hit something vital. I felt the burn, the split of skin, the crack of something deep, but I didn¡¯t die. Not even close. I gasped, choked, and writhed, the agony blinding. But even as she yanked the knife out, already, I felt the slow pulse of my body pulling itself back together. The searing pain dulled to a throb, and blood that should¡¯ve spilled endlessly began to clot. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, stepping back like she¡¯d just seen me rise from the grave. ¡°No, no, no¡ª this wasn¡¯t supposed to happen!¡± She turned toward the door as if to flee. As if to tell someone. I couldn¡¯t let her. She knew my secret and I couldn¡¯t just let her leave! I couldn¡¯t risk it. My limbs shook as I scrambled to my feet, vision swimming. My body was healing, but it still hurt. My muscles screamed with every breath. Still, I grabbed the fallen silver tray again and flung it at her back. It nged against her shoulder. She staggered and whirled around, de shing, fury reignited. ¡°I¡¯ll carve that magic out of you,¡± she hissed. ¡°I¡¯ll gut you until you¡¯re too broken to heal.¡± She pounced again, shing wildly. I ducked, blocked, twisted, anything to avoid the de. I wasn¡¯t faster. I wasn¡¯t stronger. And I sure as hell didn¡¯t fight like a warrior. I fought like someone who didn¡¯t want to die. Blood sprayed my arms, my thighs, my stomach. My shoulder split open again. A gash opened over my corbone. My vision darkened at the edges, but my body refused to fall. She screamed in frustration. ¡°Why won¡¯t you just die already?!¡± ¡°Because I can¡¯t,¡± I spat, surging forward and tackled her. We hit the ground with a sickening thud. The knife ttered across the floor. Inded on top of her, both of us gasping, chests heaving as our limbs tangled in a desperate fight for dominance. Her hands wed for my throat, fingers curling with viciousness. I 11:03 Wed, Sep 10 81 E55 vouchers twisted away, reaching blindly for the de she had dropped, but she wasn¡¯t done, she raked her fingers across my face, aiming for my eyes. I cried out andshed back with my elbow, catching her square in the jaw. Pain shot up my arm, but I didn¡¯t stop. I grabbed the front of her apron, fingers twisting into the fabric, and mmed the back of her head against the floor. Once. Twice until I couldn¡¯t count anymore. It created a sickening sound. Bone against stone. For a moment, her grip faltered, hands falling to the side in a daze. I didn¡¯t wait. I scrambled away from her, slipping and skidding through the thick smear of blood coating the floor, some of it mine, some of it hers, I couldn¡¯t tell anymore. My hand finally found the knife. Still wet with blood. I turned. She was already moving again. Somehow, impossibly, she was back on her feet, eyes wide with fury, teeth bared like a feral animal. She lunged at me one final time, arms outstretched, shrieking. I didn¡¯t think. I just reacted. With a scream of my own, I thrust the knife upward, both hands gripping the hilt as I drove the de into her chest. Her body collided with mine, the weight of her crashing into me with brutal force. Then- Her breath caught in her throat, a strange, broken sound that barely made it out. Then nothing. She copsed on top of me, heavy and lifeless. Her face fell to the side, cheek pressed to my shoulder, blood soaking through both our clothes as silence reimed the room. And just like that¡­ it was over. Iy there, gasping beneath her, the knife still lodged between us, my arms trembling under her weight. My body screamed, raw and battered. But alive. Somewhere nearby, the tea cup still sat, untouched. The only thing more deadly than what had been inside it¡­ was me. : : And now, I had a body and blood on my hands. 81 55 vouchers As if summoned by the chaos, the window creaked open with a sudden gust of cold air. I flinched and spun around, heart still thundering, blood¨Cslick hands clenched and ready to defend myself again. But it wasn¡¯t another attacker. It was Cassian. He stepped inside, and for one dizzying second, the sight of him, tall, steady, alive, made my knees nearly give out. Relief crashed into me like a wave, too fast, too hard, too much. My fingers loosened around the knife, and that¡¯s when I realized I was shaking. My whole body trembled, not from fear anymore, but from the aftershock of surviving something I shouldn¡¯t have. He took one look at me, at the blood coating my skin, at the broken body on the floor, at the knife still glinting faintly in my grip and froze. ¡°My Lord¡­¡± My voice cracked. ¡°I¡­ I just killed someone.¡± For the first time in my life¡­.. I just ended someone¡¯s life. Chapter 10 Brute 10 Chapter 10 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°How is she?¡± E55 vouchers ¡°I told you,¡± I murmured, the taste of iron still thick in my throat, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I eyed the body of the maid. ¡°I think we should find out who sent her. I mean- she just- she just made me think it was you who wanted me dead.¡± Cassian didn¡¯t respond. He didn¡¯t even nce my way. Instead, he turned to the doctor kneeling beside me, a graying man with a worn leather bag and eyes that flicked between my face and the blood¨Cdrenched floor. His fingers pressed gently against my arm, then my ribs, checking for damage that wasn¡¯t there. His eyes were sharp, clinical, the kind that had seen too much to flinch at spilled blood. He wore the same ck and crimson that marked Cassian¡¯s men, but something about him felt colder, like he had long since traded empathy for efficiency. His fingers prodded at my ribs and arm, methodical and detached, as if I were just another body on a battlefield. Cassian¡¯s silence pressed on me heavier than the girl¡¯s corpse. My gaze dropped, heat creeping up my neck as doubt swirled in my chest. Had I overstepped? Was I too bold? Too reckless? The words echoed in my head, and suddenly, I couldn¡¯t tell if I should apologize or stay silent. Every second of his silence made the air feel tighter. What if he thought I was a burden now? What if he realized someone out there wanted me gone and decided I wasn¡¯t worth the risk? Would he leave me behind? The thought coiled around my ribs like a vice. I didn¡¯t know the rules here. I didn¡¯t know him. And in this ce, one wrong step could cost everything. After a long moment, the pack doctor exhaled sharply through his nose and rose to his feet. ¡°She¡¯s not wounded,¡± he said, with the kind of disbelief only years of experience could wear thin. ¡°Her clothes are torn, and there¡¯s blood everywhere, but there¡¯s not a scratch on her body.¡± Cassian¡¯s eyes never left me. ¡°Then tell everyone,¡± he said, voice low, cold. ¡°That my bride is mortally wounded. Say she¡¯s unconscious. Fading. I don¡¯t care how you spin it. Just make sure no one suspects she survived.¡± ¡°What?¡± I shot up, heart lurching, ¡°Why would you¨CCassian, what are you doing?¡± I wasn¡¯t even wounded! Why would he want everyone to know that I was dying? He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he turned to the guards at the door, who hadn¡¯t moved since 11:03 Wed, Sep 10 : 81 55 vouchers entering. ¡°No one enters this room,¡± he ordered. ¡°Not until I say otherwise. Tell them we have done our best to help her and call Lucas, I need him here.¡± ¡°Cassian!¡± I stepped forward as his men started moving out. ¡°I¡¯m fine. The Demon Fang are attacking, we don¡¯t have time for this. Why are you acting like¡ª¡± ¡°Foolish girl,¡± he cut in sharply, his tone slicing through my words like a de. ¡°Do you think I care about the Demon Fangs and your pack?¡± he snorted. I flinched, words dying in my throat. He stepped toward me, not rushing, but with a kind of coiled intensity that made me instinctively retreat. There was heat in him now, not the kind that warmed. His anger wasn¡¯t loud, but it was clear, like standing too close to molten steel. It radiated from him in waves, and my feet backed up before I could think better. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m sorry,¡± I stammered. My hands curled into the shredded hem of my tunic. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to question you. I didn¡¯t mean to offend-¡± He said nothing, but kept moving until the space between us was narrow enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze. I tried to say more, to fill the silence that pressed between us, but my throat closed. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to say anything at all,¡± I whispered instead, the words tumbling out. ¡°I swear, I won¡¯t speak out of turn again¡ª¡± His hand lifted, and I closed my eyes, bracing instinctively, but he didn¡¯t strike. Instead, his fingers slid under my chin and tilted my face upward. ¡°Open your eyes,¡± he ordered and I immediatelyplied. His gray eyes now burned with something more vtile as he met my eyes. Fury yes, but also urgency. ¡°Someone wants you dead,¡± he said. His voice sounded like a low snarl against my skin, as if speaking louder would ruin the fragile control he held over himself. ¡°You killed an assassin. And you healed like a cursed thing. Flesh sealing where it should¡¯ve split. Blood pulling itself back into your veins like it obeyed you.¡± ¡°You are not fine,¡± he growled. ¡°You exposed yourself, you¡¯re marked. Someone wanted everyone to think that once again¡­ I killed my bride on my wedding night.¡± What does that mean? Did he not killed his previous bride? I tried to pull back. He didn¡¯t let me, ¡°Someone wanted to use you, but you lived,¡± he snorted. ¡°If someone finds out how you lived after being attacked by someone stronger than you, then they¡¯ll cage you and use you. Break you open piece by piece until there¡¯s nothing left but screaming and science. They¡¯ll turn you into a relic maybe a weapon. Or a myth that bleeds onmand.¡± : I shuddered, breath catching. But he wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°I won¡¯t allow that.¡± eyes 81 55 vouchers His darkened, shadows flickering like me behind gray steel. ¡°You belong to me now, Atasha. You signed your life away the moment you bled for that contract. Your name, your body, your pain. You are mine. And no one touches what¡¯s mine. No one uses what¡¯s mine. No one even looks unless I allow it.¡± He stepped in closer. I took a step back, but he followed, like a predator who knew the kill was already his. ¡°The only way to protect you is to make them believe you¡¯re dying,¡± he said. ¡°Because if they think you¡¯re strong, they¡¯lle. They always do. Power draws vultures.¡± I swallowed, my throat dry. My knees felt weak, not from fear but from how easily he made the rest of the world fall away. ¡°So y the part, little bride,¡± he murmured, thumb dragging along my bottom lip like he couldn¡¯t decide if he wanted to kiss it or rip it open. ¡°Look fragile, look broken, let them lower their guard.¡± He leaned in, eyes gleaming with something unholy. ¡°But when the timees¡­ you fight. You w, you bleed, you kill. Because no one¡¯sing to save you, not me, not fate. In this world, the only thing that keeps you breathing is your will to tear it apart first.¡± His hand curled under my jaw, forcing my face up to his. ¡°Let them think you¡¯re weak. And then remind them, monsters don¡¯t need saving.¡± Then, without warning, a sharp knock rattled the window. I jolted. A man burst through the frame a secondter, d in the same crimson and ck uniform as the others. His boots hit the floor with a thud. ¡°My lord,¡± he said breathlessly. ¡°The Demon Fangs¡­ they¡¯ve started using poison. It¡¯sced with silver and wolfsbane.¡± His voice cracked. ¡°Our men¡­ our men are falling.¡± If you want strong female lead, Check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride Brute 11 55 vouchers ¡°Do you know who you are talking to!?¡± Luna Genevieve¡¯s voice echoed against the corridor. ¡°I am the Luna of the Nightfall Pack, the very pack hosting you. Why am I not allowed to see my daughter?¡± When the guards didn¡¯t answer, she continued. ¡°I am demanding to see my daughter. Why am I being barred from her room?¡± Behind her, Lilian, the Beta¡¯s daughter, hurried to her side, clearly rattled. ¡°Luna, please,¡± she said gently, trying to soothe the rising fury. ¡°I¡¯m sure the young miss is alright. Let¡¯s not escte this-¡± She turned to the guards in crimson and ck standing like sentinels outside the chamber doors. ¡°You,¡± she said, pointing at the one nearest to her. ¡°We brought healers. Why are you refusing us entry? We only want to help Atasha.¡± The corridor almost felt too suffocating, the kind that made the air feel too heavy to breathe. However, this wasn¡¯t enough to rattle the guards stationed outside the chamber. They stood there like statues. Towering in their dark crimson and ck uniforms, they stood shoulder to shoulder like a wall of stone. ¡°I said, why am I not allowed inside!?¡± she demanded again, her voice cracking with a mixture of rage and desperation. How dare these people ignore her!? She is the Alpha of Nightfall Pack for goddess sake! Still, the guards said nothing. ¡°Answer me!¡± she snapped. Behind her, Lilian shifted anxiously, her fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeves. ¡°Luna¡­ please, maybe we should wait for Alpha Collin¡ª¡± ¡°I am her mother,¡± Genevieve spat, her voiceced with disbelief. ¡°My daughter could be dying behind those doors, and these dogs think they can keep me out?¡± ¡°They won¡¯t even look at us,¡± Lilian murmured, her voice almost lost beneath the weight of the corridor¡¯s quiet. Then Celeste came running around the corner, her cloak half¨Cfalling from her shoulders, eyes wide with fear. ¡°I heard what happened!¡± she gasped, her breathing in quick bursts. ¡°I came as soon as I can. Is she¡­ is she alright?¡± The moment the words left her mouth, her knees gave slightly and she reached for the wall, steadying herself. ¡°They said someone attacked her. Is it true?¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°Did : 81 55 vouchers someone try to kill Atasha?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Genevieve said, her voice softening as she looked at her youngest. ¡°But we don¡¯t know the full details yet.¡± ¡°I can smell blood inside,¡± Celeste¡¯s eyes immediately filled with tears. ¡°No, no, please¡ª¡± She turned to the guards, her expression crumbling. ¡°Please. She¡¯s my sister. Let me see her. Please, I have to see her!¡± Genevieve pulled her daughter close, wrapping her arms around her as she sobbed into her chest. ¡°Let them through,¡± she whispered, this time pleading rather than demanding. ¡°Just for a moment. Please.¡± Yet, the guards remained statues. Their gazes were fixed straight ahead, as if the cries of a mother and sister were nothing more than passing wind. Not even a flicker of emotion crossed their faces. Lilian stepped forward again. ¡°We brought healers. If the young miss is wounded, we can help. We want to help.¡± Still, the guards didn¡¯t answer. Seeing this, Celeste let out a choked sob and sank to her knees on the cold floor. ¡°Why won¡¯t they let us in? She could be¨Cshe could be¡­¡± ¡°Get up¡­ what are you doing?¡± Genevieve whispered, tightening her hold around Celeste. ¡°They¡¯re Cassian¡¯s. And they don¡¯t answer us.¡± ¡°Maybe we should tell the Alpha,¡± Lilian said. In response, the Luna shook her head. The Alpha is currently with the warriors, fighting against the Demon Fangs. She red at the guards. ¡°Atasha is my daughter, are you trying to end her life by refusing her medical help?¡± She straightened her back. ¡°If that is the case then we will be reporting this to the King!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know that the Luna of the Nightfall pack is such a loving mother, ¡°a sarcastic voice interrupted Genevieve. They immediately turned and found a man, one of Cassian¡¯s Lieutenants walking their way. If Genevieve was right, the man¡¯s name should be Lucas. Genevieve¡¯s spine straightened like a drawn bow as her eyes met the Lieutenant¡¯s. ¡°Then tell them to move,¡± she said. ¡°I will see my daughter.¡± Lucas merely snorted, amused. ¡°You misunderstand, Luna. Lord Cassian¡¯s physicians have already examined her. She¡¯s stable. Resting. And as of today, she¡¯s no longer just your daughter, she is a Valemont bride. A northern princess.¡± He tilted his head, mock sympathy tugging at his features. ¡°You don¡¯t simply barge in on royalty because you feel like it.¡± The wordsnded like a p, Genevieve blinked, stunned. Princess? Atasha? The same girl they had so easily given away? 81 E55 vouchers Celeste¡¯s tear¨Cstreaked face turned toward her mother, confusion mirrored in her trembling lips. Even Lilian looked lost for a second, her mouth parting as if to question what they¡¯d just heard. ¡°You¨Ctreat her like royalty?¡± Genevieve asked, her voice low now, disbelieving. ¡°Atasha ck is my daughter and no royalty can change that fact.¡± Her tone hardened again. ¡°You will let me see my daughter and let my physicians examine her! I will make sure that my daughter is safe.¡± Lucas¡¯s grin darkened. ¡°Unfortunately, I cannot do that.¡± ¡°You- ¡°Lilian¡¯s gaze narrowed. ¡°A mere Lieutenant would dare stop our Luna from seeing her child!?¡± ¡°I suggest you stop demanding ess to what is no longer yours.¡± Lucas said, ignoring Lilian¡¯s outbursts. He eyed Celeste then bravely met Luna Genevieve¡¯s gaze as he stepped forward, deliberately closing the distance between them. ¡°Make no mistake, Luna. I don¡¯t care who you were to her before. What matters now is who she belongs to.¡± Genevieve didn¡¯t back down. ¡°I am still her mother.¡± ¡°You were her mother,¡± he corrected smoothly. ¡°And being the wife of a southern prince doesn¡¯t change that you no longer hold power here.¡± His hand dropped casually to the hilt of his sword.. Lilian gasped. ¡°How dare you speak like that in front of a Luna?¡± Lucas¡¯s gray eyes flicked toward her, unbothered. ¡°I speak like this because I serve Lord Cassian. He has given me full authority to protect the princess,¡± he said with a drawl. ¡°And should anyone¨Ceven you¨Cpose a threat, I¡¯ve been granted the right to kill. Cleanly. Without hesitation.¡± Celeste stumbled back a step, her breath catching. ¡°He¡­ he gave you permission to-¡± ¡°To protect her,¡± Lucas said, his tone like steel drawn in warning. ¡°From anyone who might harm her. Orpromise her safety. That includes you, me, your Alpha¡­ and even your beloved Luna here.¡± The words hit harder than they should have. Genevieve¡¯s jaw clenched. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. She had expected formality. Maybe arrogance. But not this kind of silence. Not this level of shielding. They were treating Atasha like she were someone important. Like a damn valuable treasure. Are they insane? She is but a wolfless girl! That¡­ hadn¡¯t been part of the n. 81 55 vouchers She blinked, adjusting the mask of emotions on her face as her mind scrambled behind it. ¡°I see,¡± she murmured, keeping her voice carefully level. Almost maternal. Yes, this was her goal. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is. You¡¯re protecting her now. Shielding her from those who ¡®might harm her.¡°¡± She stepped forward, her eyes locked on Lucas. ¡°And yet¡­ you won¡¯t even let her mother through the door.¡± Her voice didn¡¯t rise. ¡°Tell me,¡± she continued, letting the silence stretch just long enough to sharpen the tension. ¡°Is that really because you wanted her safe or was it because she¡¯s already dead?¡± > Ìï MA AD Brute 12 ¡°Heal him,¡± Cassian said as he gestured towards the unconscious person not too far away from me. From his uniform, I could immediately see that he was one of Cassian¡¯s lieutenants. ¡°As fast as you can,¡± he ordered. I gave a curt nod and moved to the wounded lieutenant, deliberately keeping my back to the physician who stood a few paces away, the same man who had examined me earlier. He was no doubt acting on Cassian¡¯s orders. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he knew what I could do. ¡°Poisoned¡­¡± I muttered as I knelt beside the lieutenant¡¯s lifeless form, thentern light dancing across his ashen features. Rain from my hood dripped faintly onto the floorboards, but I barely felt it. My focus was on the wound just beneath his corbone, a dark stain in the pale expanse of his chest where the poisoned de had struck. My fingers brushed away the torn fabric to expose the entry point as though the assassins had practiced their aim. I broke off a corner of my cloak and folded it into a makeshift bowl, dipping it into the pail of water I¡¯d fetched. The cold water hissed as I poured it over the gash, carrying away coagted blood and revealing the milky white tissue beneath. ¡°Keep it clean,¡± I murmured, pressing the cloth firmly against the wound until every trace of impurity was gone. Then, Iid my hand t on his chest. A dull warmth spread from my palm, pooling beneath the surface of his skin, knitting flesh and closing the incision with such speed it looked as though my hand blurred against the lieutenant¡¯s sleeping form. When I lifted my palm, not a scar remained, only the gentle rise and fall of his breath. ¡°He¡¯s going to wake up soon,¡± I told the physician as I brushed back my hood, letting thentern¡¯s glow illuminate my face. ¡°He needs to be carried out of here before he stirs.¡± The doctor nced at me, respect flickering in his eyes, and together we eased the lieutenant¡¯s arms beneath his shoulders. When he stirred, he blinked twice against the dim light and managed a weak nod towards Cassian. ¡°Mendez saved you,¡± Cassian dered the moment the man opened his eyes. Mendez¨Cyes, that was the old physician¡¯s name. I didn¡¯t ask why Cassian wanted them to believe it was him. It wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t care. It was because my ability wasn¡¯t mine anymore. Not really. It belonged to him now. Just like everything else I signed away in that contract. The Lieutenant looked at the old physician and nodded before he steadied himself. Then his eyes found me standing behind Cassian. ¡°No questions, Rio. Not now.¡± Cassian pointed toward the corridor. ¡°Bring the next wounded in.¡± Rio, that was the name of the Lieutenant. I silently took my time remembering their names. 81 55 vouchers Cassian didn¡¯t have to say it out loud, but I knew that from now on, I would be working with them, especially when we get to the north. ¡°Understood, my lord,¡± Rio said, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weariness of near¨Cdeath. He turned to study me, eyes dark as storm clouds, but offered only a curt nod before disappearing into the shadows to carry in the next casualty. The candle sputtered, and in its flicker I saw Cassian¡¯s unreadable expression as he watched me stand, cloak drawn close. ¡°How did you learn to examine wounds like that?¡± he asked. ¡°I used to work in the infirmary,¡± I said, head bowed. ¡°Fetching supplies, assisting the pack doctors. It was the only ce I felt¡­ useful.¡± ¡°My lord she- ¡± Mendez suddenly said. ¡°Later Mendez¡­¡± Cassian said. ¡°But as you already know, she isn¡¯t one of them.¡± Mendez stared at me before he nodded. It didn¡¯t take too long before Rio took in the next wounded person. ¡°Quickly¡­¡± Mendez said as he helped Rio. ¡°This one¡¯s about to die.¡± I stepped forward before Rio could protest, my fingers already brushing aside the blood¨Csoaked cloth to reveal ragged flesh puckered with swollen veins, this poison had eaten deeper than thest, a ckened stain spreading like ink across bone. ¡°This is worse,¡± I murmured, voice low enough that only Rio and Mendez could hear. ¡°They¡¯veced the de with wyrmroot extract, potent enough to stop a dragon¡¯s heart.¡± I nced at Rio, whose jaw had gone ck, and offered him a steadying look. ¡°Fetch me water and clean this,¡± I instructed, nodding toward the wound as though it were merely a stain on my own sleeve.¡°Hurry!¡± Without a word, Rio dipped the hem of his tunic into the pail I¡¯d left by the door and returned to gently flush the gash, his fingers trembling. As the rancid odor of poison ebbed away with the soapy water, I pressed my palm against the lieutenant¡¯s chest once more, feeling the chill of death sh through his veins before my warmth chased it back. Around us, Mendez sucked in a breath so sharp I flinched, yet neither man moved to intervene. Within heartbeats, the skin drew taut, the discoloration faded, and the wound sealed cleanly as though it had never been. I pulled back, allowing the lieutenant¡¯s chest to rise in a steady, ubored breath, and pressed a finger to his neck to count the pulse that fluttered like a wounded bird¡¯s. Cassian¡¯s voice cut across the quiet: ¡°Before he wakes fully, bring him outside. No questions untilter,¡± he said. ¡°Then bring in the next one.¡± 81 55 vouchers Rio straightened, eyes still wide with disbelief, then crossed to the lieutenant¡¯s shoulders and, with surprising gentleness, lifted him into his arms. I stood back as Rio carried him past Mendez and out into the corridor, thentern light following their passage like a silent witness. He paused at the threshold, meeting my gaze for a moment that felt heavier than a sentence, then inclined his head and vanished. Mendez exhaled, shaking his head, but said nothing. I watched thest flicker of Rio¡¯sntern recede and felt a strange flutter in my chest, something like relief, or even pride. They hadn¡¯t recoiled in fear, hadn¡¯t whispered ¡°witch¡± under their breath or backed away from the miracle I¡¯d performed. Instead, they trusted me to save another life. That simple eptance warmed me from the inside out. It felt like a tiny spark against the cold dread I¡¯d carried since signing that damned contract. I took a step forward, brushing ash from the tent¡¯s threshold, and let the quiet settle around me. For a moment, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, in Cassian¡¯s world of blood and steel, there was room for someone like me. Someone who healed instead of killed. Then a voice interrupted my thoughts. ¡°My Lord, Alpha Collin ck¡­ is asking for an audience.¡± Ìï Brute 13 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°Oh?¡± Cassian smirked, voice dripping with mockery as he lounged in the chair like he had all the time in the world. ¡°I didn¡¯t know the Alpha cared so deeply for his daughter. Enough toe knocking while his warriors are being shredded by Demon Fangs just beyond the ridge.¡± ¡°My lord-¡± Alpha Collin started. ¡°My consort is safe,¡± Cassian cut in, tone clipped, his gaze t. ¡°But then again, shouldn¡¯t your priority be the enemy at your doorstep, Alpha? Or has your attention shifted to more personal matters?¡± I stood quietly behind him, head bowed, cloak pulled tight around me. From the outside, I must¡¯ve looked like one of his servants¨Csilent, obedient, forgettable. But inside, my heart mmed against my ribs. I shouldn¡¯t have been here. I wasn¡¯t meant to hear this, let alone be part of it. Every word they exchanged made the space feel tighter, the heat between them sharper. Still, Cassian had told me earlier, ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. Just stand behind me. Don¡¯t speak unless I tell you to. Let me handle them.¡± I repeated those words like a prayer. Alpha Collin didn¡¯t acknowledge me. Not even a nce. His eyes were locked on Cassian, his jaw clenched. ¡°My wife has been refused ess to our daughter,¡± he said. ¡°She only wants to see Atasha. That is not an unreasonable request.¡± Cassian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. ¡°No.¡± Silence dropped like a de. ¡°No?¡± Collin¡¯s voice edged with disbelief. ¡°You heard me,¡± Cassian said. ¡°She¡¯s resting. She doesn¡¯t need chaos at her bedside, or questions disguised as concern.¡± Collin¡¯s nostrils red. ¡°Are you hiding something, Lord Valemont?¡± Cassian¡¯s smile returned. ¡°I¡¯m not hiding anything. I came here under the King¡¯s direct orders to eliminate the Demon Fang threat.¡± He paused, then tilted his head. ¡°But if you no longer need my assistance, I¡¯m more than willing to ride out with my men and let Nightfall handle it alone.¡± The temperature in the tent dropped. Collin took a step forward. ¡°Don¡¯t twist this into something it isn¡¯t. Don¡¯t be unreasonable. Atasha is my daughter! Of course I¡¯m concerned.¡± : 81 55 vouchers Cassian chuckled. Not loudly, but the sound was sharp enough to grate. Cassian¡¯s arrogance made my blood boil. But no one challenged him. No one ever did. That was the worst part. He was untouchable. And even when he was being insufferable¡­ he was always right. ¡°Let¡¯s not fool each other, Alpha,¡± he said. ¡°If you were truly concerned about your daughter, you would¡¯ve married her off years ago, not shoved her at me like a broken trinket. If this union was meant to secure an alliance, then perhaps you should¡¯ve given me Celeste instead. Or is that still your intention? Let me marry a second wife?¡± Collin¡¯s eyes red with rage. ¡°Preposterous! How dare you suggest something so vulgar while my daughter is bleeding, possibly dying, as we speak!¡± Seeing my father this emotional stirred something unfamiliar in me. I found myself looking at him differently, almost warily. Alpha Collin never showed his emotions, least of all in the presence of other Alphas. He was alwaysposed, calcting, cold to the point of cruelty. And yet here he was¡­ seething with fury, hisposure cracking, not because of me, but because of Celeste. His anger wasn¡¯t quiet or strategic. It was raw. It was the anger of a father who wanted to protect his daughter. Despite this, I just stood there, silent as a shadow behind Cassian. ¡°If I didn¡¯t know any better,¡± Cassian said. ¡°This performance would¡¯ve almost convinced me, a father so desperate to protect his daughter, he abandons the battlefield to plead for her life.¡± He let out a sharp sneer, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. For a moment, I couldn¡¯t understand what was wrong with that. My father hade to check on me, wasn¡¯t that normal? But Cassian wasn¡¯t finished. And I¡¯d learned by now that when he spoke like that, something wasing. Without a word, Cassian lifted his hand in a subtle motion, and Physician Mendez immediately stepped forward. He crossed the space and handed my father a folded parchment. Alpha Collin frowned. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Aprehensive list of the poisons used in tonight¡¯s attack,¡± Cassian said. ¡°And it¡¯s still growing.¡± My father unfolded the parchment, eyes scanning the contents line by line. The deeper he read, the darker his expression became. ¡°This¡­¡± he muttered, anger flickering in his tone. ¡°Exactly,¡± Cassian cut in smoothly. ¡°Demon Fangs are savages. Crude and unpredictable. They don¡¯t use tactics or strategy, let alone calcted methods of poisoning. And yet¡°¡ªhe gestured 81 55 vouchers toward the list-¡°Here they are, striking my men with toxins engineered to kill wolves with Alpha blood.¡± My breath caught. He was right. I¡¯d seen the wounds with my own eyes, felt the depth of the poison that coursed through their veins. Those weren¡¯t makeshift concoctions mixed in the woods. No, they were precise, effective, and powerful enough to bring down warriors like Rio, wolves whose strength rivaled my father¡¯s. Something about that didn¡¯t add up. ¡°You¡¯re suggesting¡­¡± Collin¡¯s voice slowed as he looked up from the page. supplying the Demon Fangs with poison?¡± ¡°That¡¯s for you to find out.¡± ¡°Someone¡¯s ¡°My Lord¡­ this information¡­ ¡± Alpha Collin frowned. ¡°Someone wanted to destroy my Nightfall Pack!¡± His face darkened at the realization. ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± Cassian casually answered. ¡°I believe you will be very busy from now on¡­ I won¡¯t see you out.¡± ¡°Then my daughter- ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve answered your question, Alpha,¡± Cassian said, his tone sharpening like a de. ¡°Don¡¯t make me think this little performance is just your way of distracting me from the real threat we¡¯re facing.¡± ¡°I-¡± Alpha Collin faltered, his eyes dropping back to the list in his hands. His jaw tightened. After a tense pause, he gave Cassian a stiff, shallow bow. ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for a reply. Without another word, he turned, and I watched him strode out of the tent. ¡°Say¡­¡± I heard Cassian say. Immediately turning my attention towards him, I found him grinning evilly towards where my father left. ¡°When will he notice that the list was fake?¡± Cassian¡¯s grin lingered as the tent p swayed from my father¡¯s exit, the mes in thenterns casting flickering shadows along his sharp jaw. I stood frozen behind him, unsure if I¡¯d misheard him or if thatst line was just a joke said under his breath. But then he turned to me. And smirked. My stomach turned. ¡°You¡­ you lied to him?¡± ¡°Not exactly, no.¡± Cassian leaned back in his chair and folded his hands behind his head, looking far too pleased with himself. ¡°I told him exactly what he needed to hear.¡± 81 55 vouchers I wanted to ask him why, but I hesitated. As if reading my thoughts, he chuckled. ¡°Your father¡¯s not here out of love, Atasha,¡± he said. ¡°He came to make sure you¡¯re dead.¡± Dead? I blinked and watched as he stood. ¡°If he truly cared about you, his daughter, his blood, he wouldn¡¯t have left this tent without insisting on seeing you with his own eyes. Not once did he ask for proof of life. Not even when I hinted that you were resting. Funny, don¡¯t you think?¡± The space between us disappeared in three steps. He stopped just short of touching me, his presence enough to fill the air with tension. ¡°They already think you¡¯re dead,¡± he said, voice low. My heart pounded. I wanted to argue. To deny it. But I recalled what I heard the other night. Celeste and Mother wanted me to marry the Tyrant Lord. It had been their n all along. My lips trembled. ¡°Are you telling me that¡­ it was them who sent that assassin?¡± I asked. Cassian¡¯s smile twisted. ¡°You already know the answer, don¡¯t you?¡± he murmured, reaching up to brush a damp strand of hair from my cheek with a touch far too intimate for the weight of his words. His fingers lingered, like he owned even that small piece of me. ¡°So¡­ how about this?¡± His voice dropped lower. ¡°Since they¡¯re all expecting you to die, since, in their minds, you¡¯re already dead¡­ why not make it real?¡± AD Brute 14 The scent of burning sage still lingered in the Luna¡¯s private quarters, mixing with the faint perfume ofvender drifting from the curtains. Candlelight flickered against the polished marble walls, casting long shadows that stretched across the floor like w marks. The fire crackled low in the hearth, though no one in the room paid it any mind. ¡°How is it?¡± Genevieve asked, her voice smooth and emotionless as Lilian stepped inside. Lilian hesitated. She wrung her hands, her shoes still wet from the rain outside. ¡°The Alpha said that¡­ that Lord Cassian refused to let anyone see Atasha.¡± Silence fell. Genevieve¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t flicker. ¡°Luna, this¡­¡± Lilian tried again, voice shaking. ¡°I mean¡­¡± ¡°Speak,¡± Genevieve ordered, turning her attention toward Celeste, who sat curled on the settee near the window, her eyes swollen from crying, hands gripping the silk cushion on herp like she needed something to hold onto. ¡°I believe¡­¡± Lilian¡¯s words faltered as she looked between them. ¡°I believe the Tyrant Lord must have already hurt Atasha.¡± Celeste jolted upright. ¡°Nonsense!¡± she snapped, voice cracking. Her lower lip trembled. ¡°I dare you to say that again!¡± ¡°Lady Celeste, please¡­ calm yourself,¡± Lilian rushed forward, hands raised in a cating gesture. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that, I only-¡± ¡°You only what?¡± Celeste hissed, rising to her feet. Her fists were clenched now, her entire body trembling. ¡°You think I¡¯d let something happen to her? You think I wouldn¡¯t know if she was¨Cif she was-¡± Her voice caught, the words too awful to finish. ¡°How could you say something like that!? Atasha is fine. She should be.¡± ¡°Then exin why he¡¯s hiding her,¡± Lilian shot back. ¡°Exin why the guards won¡¯t even let the Alpha inside. Why not a single healer has been allowed to step foot near her chamber? That¡¯s not normal, Lady Celeste. None of this is normal.¡± Luna Genevieve finally turned her head. Her hand rested elegantly on the back of a velvet chair, her expression unreadable beneath the golden firelight. ¡°Leave,¡± she said coolly. ¡°You are making Celeste upset.¡± Lilian blinked. ¡°Yes, Luna,¡± she murmured, backing out of the room without protest. The door shut behind her with a soft click. Genevieve waited a few seconds. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, her demeanor shifted. ¡­ The faint tension in her shoulders dropped. 81 EX 55 vouchers ¡°You should stop crying and drink some water,¡± she said without looking at her daughter. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you waste your tears like this.¡± ¡°Mother¡­¡± Celeste pouted, wiping at her check as she turned away from the window. If Lilian were still in the room, she would¡¯ve been shocked to see the tears vanish in an instant. Celeste¡¯s lips curled into a small, almost mischievous smile, light, charming, and utterly at odds with her carlier sobs. Everyone in the pack believed she was the only one who truly cared for Atasha. How could she not show such distress after knowing that her sister had been attacked? ¡°Stop mocking me,¡± Celeste said with a huff, grabbing the nearest ss and taking a long sip. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could act like that,¡± Genevieve replied dryly, stepping away from the fire and toward the table. ¡°It wasn¡¯t acting,¡± Celeste said, setting the ss down. Her gaze dropped. ¡°I mean¡­ I was the one who pushed Atasha into this. I can¡¯t pretend I didn¡¯t feel something. After pretending for so long¡­ maybe I started to believe it myself.¡± Celeste let out a sigh. ¡°Do you think Lilian is right? That Atasha might have already¡­ died?¡± Genevieve¡¯s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± she said. ¡°This was part of the n. If the Tyrant Lord didn¡¯t kill her, then the poison or the maid would¡¯ve done the job.¡± Atasha had not received any training since she failed to awaken at sixteen. How could someone like her fight against someone who had been trained to kill? Celeste didn¡¯t reply. She only nodded, fingers tightening slightly around the rim of her ss as she stared at the floor. ¡°Once she¡¯s proimed dead,¡± Genevieve said, her voice low andced with quiet satisfaction, ¡°Your father would have a reason and he can formally request more reinforcement from Lord Cassian. More troops. More men.¡± She moved toward the table and picked up a grape from the silver tray, turning it slowly between her fingers as if weighing the value of a life. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Cassian¡¯s soldiers. Those aren¡¯tmon footmen or disposable Omegas. No, those men bleed Beta and, in some cases, Alpha. His lieutenants alone could wipe out an entire southern battalion. If they were left behind¡­ if they became ours¡­¡± She finally popped the grape into her mouth and smiled. ¡°Can you imagine the attention that would draw from the Alpha King? Nightfall, suddenly reinforced by the Tyrant Lord¡¯s elite. We¡¯d be untouchable,¡± 55 vouchers Celeste didn¡¯t answer. Her lips pressed into a line as her thoughts strayed to Atasha¡¯s innocent smile, the one she used to give even when she was being ignored. Celeste nodded slowly. Her mother was right. Atasha had always been born for this, for sacrifice. Just as she, Celeste, had always been destined for the throne. ¡°If she really is dead¡­ then why do you think Lord Cassian hasn¡¯t confirmed it?¡± Genevieve didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Maybe he doesn¡¯t know yet. Or maybe he simply doesn¡¯t care. You really think a wolfless girl means anything to a man like that?¡± she asked, her voiceced with disdain. ¡°The Demon Fangs are wing at our borders. He was sent here to end them, not weep over some disposable bride. Women like Atasha don¡¯t distract men like Cassian.¡± Celeste nodded again. Her mother¡¯s words were harsh but they made sense. Lord Cassian had never kept a bride alive. Why would Atasha be any different? This time, a slow smile crept onto her lips. ¡°Then¡­ we just wait for the good news.¡± ¡°Wait?¡± Genevieve scoffed and turned sharply, reaching for her coat. ¡°Oh, my sweet, naive daughter. Do you really think we¡¯vee this far by waiting?¡± She pulled the coat around her shoulders and looked back with a cruel smile curling across her lips. ¡°No, we go to the borders. We beg Lord Cassian to let us see our poor, beloved Atasha. And if he refuses¡­¡± She paused, her smile stretching wider. ¡°Then we show him just how loving a mother and sister can be.¡± Ìï AD Comment Send gift No Ads Chapter 15 Brute 15 Chapter 15 Atasha¡¯s POV 55 vouchers The air inside the tent was thick with smoke and sweat and the coppery scent of blood that clung to everything, my skin, my clothes, even my breath. Rain drummed against the canvas overhead in a steady rhythm. It was like a cruel luby that did nothing to soften the exhaustion wing its way through my bones. Thenterns, already dim, flickered with each gust of wind that slipped in through the gaps. I believe I have done this¡­ seven times. Seven. Werewolves whose wounds should¡¯ve killed them. Deep shes through muscle. Arrowsced with toxins meant to paralyze even an Alpha. Throats torn open. Chests split nearly to the bone. Things no healer would touch. Things no werewolf could recover from in hours, let alone minutes. But I had done it. I had mended them, every one of them. A part of me had that sense of pride, something warm slowly blossoming inside my chest, but there was something else that I failed to say¡­ something that wasn¡¯t right. My hands were steady, but my vision blurred at the edges, like ink bleeding into parchment. The warmth that usually surged from my palms when I healed felt weaker, duller. It still worked, I knew it did. I¡¯d just sealed thest of the lieutenant¡¯s wounds, smoothed his skin over like nothing had ever touched him. But as I sat back on my heels and gestured for Rio to carry the man away before he woke, my fingers wouldn¡¯t uncurl. ¡°Take him,¡± I whispered. Rio stepped in without hesitation, lifting the soldier¡¯s weight as if it meant nothing. He gave me a sharp, respectful nod as he turned toward the tent p. Thentern light caught on the edge of his armor, and for a moment, I could have sworn it looked like he was glowing. I started to rise. That was my mistake. The world tilted. My breath caught as a cold rush swept over me, like falling face¨Cfirst into a frozen river. My knees buckled before I could catch myself, and then¡­ Cassian¡¯s arms were around me. He caught me like he¡¯d been expecting it. I didn¡¯t even know he was standing that close to me. Did he notice it? The exhaustion of my ability? I immediately stilled. I only healed seven : werewolves, and he had thousands of them. Seven is nothing. 81 55 vouchers ¡°You should¡¯ve said something,¡± he muttered, his voice sharp against my ears. He sounded annoyed. No. I knew he was annoyed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but¡­ I¡¯m fine,¡± I whispered. His grip didn¡¯t loosen. ¡°You¡¯re shaking.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°Yes, you are.¡± I hated how close he was, how his warmth seeped through my damp cloak, grounding me in a way I didn¡¯t want to admit I needed. His scent, ash, cold steel, and something darker, wrapped around me like a second skin, threatening to pull me under. I tried to stand again, but the tent seemed to sway with me. From across the room, Mendez stepped forward, concerned in his eyes. ¡°She¡¯s pale.¡± ¡°I said I¡¯m fine,¡± I repeated, forcing my voice to steady. ¡°I can- I can heal more. You can ask Rio to bring in the next patient.¡± Cassian studied me in silence. His hand slid beneath my elbow, steadying me as he helped me into a nearby chair. I sank into it, grateful for the distance it created, even if it was only a few inches. ¡°She¡¯s healed seven men tonight,¡± Mendez said, ncing at the p where Rio had just disappeared. ¡°Seven critical wounds. The kind that even wolves with Alpha blood wouldn¡¯t survive.¡± Cassian didn¡¯t look at him. His gaze was still on me and somehow that scared me. Does he think seven is too little? What if he suddenly decide, my ability isn¡¯t useful after all? ¡°Are theybat¨Cready?¡± he asked. Mendez nodded. ¡°More than ready. Whatever she did¡­ it worked. Their vitals are stable, their strength returning quicker than I¡¯ve ever seen. If we give them a few more hours¡­ no perhaps even thirty minutes, they¡¯ll be able to fight again.¡± Cassian grunted, folding his arms. ¡°Good. We¡¯ll need them.¡± ¡°Still¡­¡± Mendez¡¯s voice dropped, ¡°We¡¯re at a disadvantage. It¡¯s dark, it¡¯s pouring, and the terrain favors the Demon Fangs. They know this forest better than we do. The mud slows our men down, the roots trip them up. And their strikes are precise, meant to maim, not kill.¡± Cassian¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Because they want to draw it out. Drain morale. And they¡¯re not just fighting to defend anymore. They¡¯re hunting.¡± I felt a shiver crawl up my spine at that word¨Chunting. Yes. That¡¯s exactly what it was. All the wolves who had taken fatal hits tonight weren¡¯t just anyone. They were lieutenants. High¨Cranking and very skilled. It wasn¡¯t random. It felt like someone wanted to prove a point, show the entire northernmand that even the strongest weren¡¯t safe. That no title, no bloodline, could shield you from what wasing. ¡°I can keep going,¡± I said quietly, gripping the edge of the chair like it could anchor me. ¡°Just give me a minute.¡± Cassian¡¯s gaze snapped back to mine. ¡°No. You¡¯ve done enough.¡± ¡°But-¡± ¡°Atasha.¡± My name left his mouth with a warning wrapped around it. Not loud. But sharp enough to cut. ¡°Rest.¡± I nodded, biting back any argument. I needed to show him and show myself that I could be useful. In the end, I only managed to heal seven werewolves. It felt underwhelming, almost shameful. But then again, this was the first time I had ever pushed myself to use that ability. The first time I had tried to do something that mattered. Maybe disappointment was inevitable¡­ but at least I had tried. ¡°Including Rio,¡± Mendez said, stepping forward, ¡°We have seven armored lieutenants back on their feet.¡± He nced at Rio, who had just stepped inside, soaked from the rain but alert as ever. ¡°We¡¯ve got a three¨Chour window before the sun rises. If we move before then, we¡¯ll have the terrain and visibility working for us¨Cnot against us.¡± Cassian said nothing. He just clenched his jaw and gave a slight nod. Even silent, he carriedmand like a second skin. I lowered my gaze, avoiding his steel¨Cgray eyes. The air between us shifted again. ¡°I¨CI believe I can help you,¡± I blurted, the words escaping before my mind could catch up. Damn it. I cursed myself internally. Why did my mouth always betray me when I needed it to stay shut? Everyone¡¯s attention turned towards me. What the heck was I doing? ¡°Speak,¡± Cassian ordered. And just like that, I obeyed. I lifted my head, forcing myself to meet his gaze. ¡°I¨CI know the terrain,¡± I said, the words rough at first. ¡°Probably better than anyone else.¡± I hadn¡¯t meant to ¡­ 81 E55 vouchers stutter. It wasn¡¯t fear. He wasn¡¯t going to strangle me. It was¡­ It was the way I spoke aloud. Offering something without being dismissed, settled heavily on my chest. Since I failed to awaken, no one had ever asked me to speak. This moment, however small, was the first. However, before I could finish my words, a voice from outside the tent announced. ¡°My lord, Luna Genevieve and Lady Celeste are here to see you.¡± AD Brute 16 81 55 vouchers ¡°I told you¡­ didn¡¯t I?¡± Alpha Collin ck hissed. ¡°We cannot do this now!¡± He held his wife¡¯s arm trying to pull her away from the tent. ¡°We are currently-¡± ¡°I merely want to see my daughter,¡± Genevieve hissed. The rain had not let
  1. up.
It beat mercilessly against the northern canopy, drumming down the leaves in a constant rhythm like the war drums of the gods themselves. The forest floor had turned to mud, a thick, sucking quagmire that clung to every step, swallowing boots whole and making the very act of standing feel like defiance. Rainwater streamed through the trenches, carving shallow rivers that ran slick with ash and blood. The wind carried the tang of iron and wet bark, and overhead, lightning spiderwebbed across the sky like a warning from the heavens. Yet none of that stopped Luna Genevieve. She stood just outside the central war tent, cloak soaked through, raindrops catching in her ck hair like a crown of cold fire. Her head was bowed in the perfect image of maternal grief, and her hands trembled as she clutched them before her chest. She didn¡¯t flinch when thunder cracked above her. Celeste stood beside her, pale and trembling, arms folded over her soaked gown. Every now and then she nced toward the soldiers passing nearby, ensuring their eyes stayed on them. She pressed closer to her mother, like a daughter seekingfort. It was all part of the performance. Genevieve dropped to her knees in the mud. ¡°My Lord Cassian,¡± she called, loud enough for every ear within shouting distance to hear. Her voice wavered, practiced to perfection. ¡°Please¡­ I beg of you. Let a mother see her daughter.¡± The words echoed. Heads turned. Curious whispers rippled through the ranks. The sight of the proud Luna, on her knees, soaked, voice breaking, was a scene crafted for witnesses. And Genevieve knew it. She could already feel their gazes on her like a thousand invisible hands. The weight of attention pressed in, and she smiled to herself. Let them watch. Let them believe. Behind her, Alpha Collin gritted his teeth. ¡°Genevieve, stop this,¡± he hissed under his breath, gripping her shoulder. ¡°We have bigger things to deal with, our patrols are stretched thin, the Genevieve stiffened. ¡°How dare you-¡± 0: 81 55 vouchers ¡°I dare because I bled tonight,¡± Rio snarled. ¡°Because my people bled. And you, standing here, stirring panic, sowing doubt, insinuating that my Lord, the Prince of the North, has harmed your daughter? Are you trying to distract us? Because if you are¡­ that sounds a lot like treason.¡± For a moment, the only sound was the rain pounding harder against the tent, and the distant roar of thunder rolling across the mountains. Genevieve¡¯s jaw ticked. She had not expected this level of pushback. Rio was clearly sharper than she anticipated. Still, she wouldn¡¯t retreat. ¡°I don¡¯t care about politics,¡± she said, raising her chin. ¡°I only want to see my daughter!¡± ¡°You want to be seen wanting to see her,¡± Rio snapped back. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend otherwise.¡± ¡°You-¡± For a split second, Genevieve appeared stunned, lips parting in mock disbelief. But inside, satisfaction bloomed. This was exactly what she wanted. The more resistance they threw at her, the easier it would be to twist the story, make them all believe Lord Cassian had something to hide¡­ something violent. ¡°If she¡¯s hurt¡­ if she¡¯s¡­ gone¡­ we have the right to know,¡± Celeste said suddenly, her voice cracking just enough to sound real. ¡°At the very least, let our physicians examine her. She¡¯s still the Alpha¡¯s daughter. Please¡­ I¡¯m begging you.¡± Rio stepped forward, boots squelching in the mud, his presence like a drawn de. ¡°Enough. Leave. We don¡¯t have time for this circus.¡± ¡°Luna. Celeste,¡± Alpha Collin snapped through gritted teeth. He had seen enough. With one swift motion, he grabbed Genevieve by the elbow, dragging her back without ceremony. ¡°Return to my tent. Now.¡± Genevieve hissed in protest, trying to yank free, but he didn¡¯t loosen his grip. ¡°And you too,¡± he growled at Celeste, eyes sharp with warning. However, just as they turned to leave, the p of Cassian¡¯s tent rustled open. Physician Mendez stepped out, rain beading along his shoulders, his expression cold as he eyed them. ¡°The Lord is willing to see you now,¡± he said calmly, eyes sweeping over each of them. ¡°Please, Come in.¡± outer ridge was breached just hours ago. This is not the time for theatrics.¡± 55 vouchers Genevieve didn¡¯t even look at him. ¡°This isn¡¯t theatrics,¡± she said sweetly. ¡°I am a mother, Collin. How do you want me to deal with this, huh?¡± ¡°I warned you about this¡ª¡± The p of the tent snapped open, and a towering figure stepped out, drenched in rain but solid as a wall of stone. Lieutenant Rio walked out. ¡°Step back,¡± Rio said coolly, his hand resting on the hilt of his de. ¡°The Lord is upied.¡± Genevieve didn¡¯t rise. She lifted her face toward Rio, her tears indistinguishable from the rain. ¡°Please,¡± she whispered, her voice cracking. ¡°I only want to see my daughter. I want to know she¡¯s alive.¡± ¡°You¡¯re here to cause a distraction,¡± Rio replied sharply. ¡°That¡¯s all this is.¡± The words cut through the gathering crowd like a knife. Celeste stiffened beside her mother, her fingers twitching. ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± she said weakly. Rio¡¯s gaze shifted. ¡°Is it not? Because where I stand, my brothers and sisters lie gutted in that tent. My Lord hasn¡¯t slept. Myrades haven¡¯t stopped bleeding.¡± He took a step forward, the mud squelching under his boots. ¡°And here you are, making a spectacle. Kneeling like a widow before a grave when your daughter isn¡¯t even confirmed dead.¡± Genevieve¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Then let me see her, she challenged. ¡°If she¡¯s alive, if you truly have nothing to hide, why refuse a mother her right to see her child?¡± Rio didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Because you¡¯ve forfeited that right the moment you let your daughter marry to the lord,¡± he said coldly. ¡°She is one of us now. Now quit your nonsense, stop nting doubt and undermining the Lord¡¯smands or don¡¯t me me for being ruthless!¡± ¡°What are you hiding, then?¡± Genevieve snapped, rising slowly. ¡°Is she too injured to be seen? Or perhaps¡­ already dead? Did Lord Cassian harm my daughter on their wedding night?¡± Gasps rose from nearby soldiers. Genevieve smiled inwardly. Yes. This was her purpose all along. She wanted to use everyone to pressure Cassian into letting her see Atasha. Celeste looked between them, then lowered her head, as if barely holding herself together. ¡°Mother,¡± she whispered, the perfect picture of a grieving sister. ¡°Please¡­¡± Rio¡¯s lip curled. ¡°What I want to know, Luna,¡± he said, voice dangerously soft. ¡°Is whether the Nightfall Pack is working with the enemy. Because that would exin a lot.¡± Brute 17 Chapter 17 81 55 vouchers ¡°Lord Cassian please let me¡ª¡± Genevieve¡¯s voice faltered, her next words swallowed by the thick, metallic scent of blood that hit her the moment she stepped inside. The sight froze her mid¨Cstep. Atasha was lying not too far from the center of the tent, half¨Cwrapped in a nket that looked more like it belonged on a battlefield than a bed. Her eyes were closed, her skin pale, but her chest rose and fell steadily. Her blond hair was damp with sweat, clinging to her forehead, and a faint flicker of warmth from a nearby brazier danced over her features. Alive. She¡¯s alive!? Celeste gasped softly beside her. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ here?¡± Genevieve¡¯s gaze darted from the bloodied towels in the basin to the faint traces of crimson staining the edge of the nket near Atasha¡¯s ribs. Something clenched in her stomach. Obviously, it was not grief, guilt or confusion. It was frustration. She should¡¯ve been dead. She expected Atasha to die from that attack! How is she even here? But before she could gather her next performance, a slow, unbothered voice cut through the tension. ¡°You look disappointed, Luna,¡± Lord Cassian¡¯s voice echoed. ¡°As you can see¡­¡°Lord Cassian didn¡¯t rise. He was seated at a field table a few paces away, one leg crossed over the other, a porcin teacup in his hand as though they were gathered for a leisurely evening chat rather than in a war tent soaked in blood and smoke. ¡°My wife is resting. She¡¯s alive. And well enough.¡± His steel¨Cgray eyes lifted to meet Genevieve¡¯s directly, though his tone remained polite. ¡°I trust that satisfies your curiosity, Luna.¡± For a moment, no one moved. Then, Alpha Collin took a small, stiff step forward. He ced a fist to his chest and gave a shallow bow. ¡°Thank you, my Lord,¡± he said. ¡°For protecting her. Seeing her like this¡­ is enough to satisfy my wife¡¯s curiosity.¡± Cassian ced the teacup down with a soft clink, folding his hands on the table. ¡°It is this lord¡¯s duty,¡± he replied coolly. ¡°She is my consort. My responsibility.¡± Then the tone shifted. ¡°Although¡­ what this lord does not understand,¡± he continued, voice still smooth but sharper now. ¡°Is why the Luna would insist on barging into this tent when his lieutenant had already informed her that the consort was resting. His eyes narrowed just slightly. ¡°Does the Luna not trust this lord¡¯s word?¡± he asked.¡°Or perhaps, she does not trust this lord¡¯s men either?¡± 81 55 vouchers Genevieve¡¯s throat dried. Again, her gaze drifted towards the pale Atasha. She tried to understand how was she able to live after that attack! Then it hit her! Someone must be protecting Atasha! When Cassian left, she instructed all guards to leave that part of the mansion as well. But what if someone, one of Cassian¡¯s people, stayed? Yes, that must be it. That was the only exnation she could think of. Cassian leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table. His next words dropped like stones into water. ¡°And if the Luna does not trust this lord¡­¡± Genevieve immediately looked at Cassian. She clenched her teeth and listened to Cassian¡¯s next words. This man is twisting everything! He¡¯s clearly using this incident to his advantage. It seems that she had underestimated him! ¡°Then what, precisely, is stopping this lord from riding out tonight and taking his soldiers with him?¡± Cassian said. The silence that followed was suffocating. Genevieve opened her mouth to answer, but the moment she did, she felt it. A wave of pressure, cold, crushing, and violent, flooded the space like an invisible storm. Killing intent. It rolled off Cassian in thick, suffocating waves, so potent it made the me in thenterns stutter. The ground itself seemed to pulse beneath their feet. Genevieve took an involuntary step back, her hands trembling despite herself. Celeste staggered, her knees nearly buckling as she gasped. Alpha Collin, sensing it first, acted on instinct. He stepped in front of his wife and daughter, shielding them with his body. ¡°Lord Cassian-¡± he started, but the full brunt of the pressure hit him like a battering ram. ¡°My Lord!¡± Blood spurted from his mouth. He staggered, knees giving way, and copsed to one side with a grunt, clutching his chest. His eyes wide with shock, pain shing through them. ¡°Damn it-¡± ¡°Alpha!¡± Celeste cried, dropping beside him in panic. ¡°Father!¡± Genevieve didn¡¯t move, and even if she wanted to, she couldn¡¯t. Cassian had not stood. He hadn¡¯t even raised his voice. And yet it felt as though the tent itself bowed to his will. ¡°That,¡± he said coldly, gaze flicking down to Collin. ¡°Is what happens when you insult this lord in his own camp.¡± ¡­ : 81 55 vouchers He stood atst, like a de being drawn from its sheath. His presence filled the room. ¡°I don¡¯t care for theatrics, Luna,¡± he said as he descended the few steps toward them. ¡°This isn¡¯t a southern parlor where your tears dictate decisions. This is war. And I don¡¯t tolerate maniption while my soldiers bleed outside this tent.¡± Genevieve straightened slowly, every inch of her spine locked tight withposure, even as her heart pounded in her chest. ¡°I was only worried for my daughter¡¯s safety.¡± Cassian¡¯s smirk was cold. ¡°Your worry is duly noted. Now take it elsewhere before I decide to bury it with the rest of tonight¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°My¨CMy Lord-¡± Celeste stepped forward, her voice shaking but still audible. She moved to shield her father. ¡°I know you hate being disrespected, but please¡­ please understand. We only wanted to see my sister. Atasha¨CAtasha is-¡± ¡°Princess,¡± Cassian cut in, his voice sharp enough to slice flesh. Celeste blinked, her wide eyes almost looked too innocent. ¡°P¨CPardon?¡± His eyes locked onto hers, and in that moment, the room seemed to darken around him. ¡°The girl you dare call Atasha,¡± he said. ¡°Is my princess consort. Mine.¡± He stepped closer. Celeste instinctively backed up. ¡°And yet here you are, tossing her name around like it belongs to you,¡± he continued, his tone dipped in disdain. ¡°Tell me, little girl, is it arrogance¡­ or stupidity that makes you forget your ce?¡± He tilted his head, mock curiosity glinting in his eyes. ¡°Or perhaps you believe you stand above this lord¡¯s authority? A pampered child from a dying pack has the right to speak so casually of royalty?¡± Celeste¡¯s lips trembled. ¡°I¡­ I meant no-¡± ¡°Silence,¡± he hissed. ¡°Before I forget that you are still a guest in my camp, and not just another problem to be dealt with.¡± He turned then, gaze sweeping over the three of them. ¡°You came here seeking answers, so allow me to offer one. The next time any of you dares to question this lord again, you won¡¯t be leaving upright.¡± Cassian¡¯s wicked smile returned. ¡°And I promise you, no one will mourn you. As everyone who might care will die before you do.¡± : 81 Brute 18 : 81 55 vouchers ¡°Why are you letting that man insult you?¡± Genevieve¡¯s voice cracked like a whip the moment they entered the confines of her husband¡¯s war tent. ¡°This is our territory, and he- he is nothing but a bastard! Someone born-¡± ¡°I dare you to finish that sentence!¡± Alpha Collin¡¯s fist mmed into the war table, rattling the maps and sending an ink pot skidding dangerously close to the edge. ¡°Go on,¡± he growled, veins pulsing in his neck. ¡°Say it again and let everyone hear how ungrateful you are!¡± Genevieve¡¯s breath caught. For a second, only the thunder outside spoke. Then she narrowed her eyes. ¡°So now you¡¯re siding with that monster?¡± Collin¡¯s re could¡¯ve cut through steel. ¡°Your scheming stops here.¡± Genevieve¡¯s face darkened. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°You think Cassian doesn¡¯t know something¡¯s off?¡± Collin snapped, stepping around the table. ¡°Why do you think he brought Atasha here himself? In the middle of a war zone?¡± Genevieve frowned. ¡°He¡¯s her husband-¡± ¡°Four brides¡­¡± Collin interrupted her. ¡°He has killed four of his brides so far. We all know he¡¯s not the type to y house,¡± Collin interrupted. ¡°Especially not with someone he barely knows. No, there¡¯s a reason she¡¯s here. He suspects something. And if you are not careful then you will bury this pack with you!¡± Genevieve¡¯s spine stiffened. ¡°Suspects what?¡± How could Cassian even think about Atasha when they are in the middle of a war? Collin ran a hand through his soaked hair. ¡°The Demon Fangs are using poison. Strategically. Unnaturally. They¡¯re targeting his lieutenants and our strongest. You think he doesn¡¯t realize this isn¡¯t just a mindless attack? That someone¡¯s helping them from the inside?¡± Genevieve folded her arms. ¡°And what? You¡¯re afraid of him now? He¡¯s just a werewolf, not as strong as the King¡± Celeste, who had remained silent this whole time, finally spoke. Her voice was soft. ¡°He¡¯s not just a werewolf mother and you know that.¡± Both parents turned to her. ¡°Father¡­¡± Celeste swallowed. ¡°Lord Cassian didn¡¯t even touch you¡­. and yet you bled. He made you fall without lifting a single finger.¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°I don¡¯t think we even understand the extent of his power. I believe, we needed to be more careful from now on.¡± Genevieve clenched her teeth, saying nothing. 81 55 vouchers ¡°I¡¯m telling you,¡± Collin said. ¡°He¡¯s dangerous. And he¡¯s angry. We have multiple injured men, but most of them were his men. High¨Cranking ones. He¡¯s not in a good mood, Genevieve. If we keep pushing, who knows what that monster might do next?¡± ¡°But we¡¯re almost there!¡± Genevieve hissed, desperation sharpening her tone. ¡°The n is seeding!¡± ¡°And it¡¯ll seed into your grave if you don¡¯t stop,¡± Collin snapped. Genevieve turned away, pacing to the far corner of the tent, frustration practically steaming off her. Then she asked, ¡°How the hell did she survive?¡± Collin raised an eyebrow. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Atasha,¡± she snarled, whipping around. ¡°I thought you sent the best. So how did she live?¡± Collin stared at her for a long, cold moment. Then he let out a scoff. ¡°You were there. You saw what Lord Cassian did to me without even blinking. And have you seen his people? That entire unit¨Chis so¨Ccalled ¡®guards¡®¨Cthey¡¯re not mere wolves.¡± He walked to the table, leaned forward, and nted both hands on the map. ¡°Even that physician¡­ Mendez. He¡¯s not just a physician. That man carries the air of someone who¡¯s killed before. And lived through it. He has an Alpha Blood running through his veins.¡± Genevieve¡¯s eyes widened, a thought dawning inside her. ¡°A shadow guard,¡± she murmured. ¡°He left someone to watch over her.¡± Collin nodded grimly. ¡°That would be the only exnation. He must¡¯ve known. Maybe not everything, but enough.¡± ¡°But why?¡± Genevieve said, almost to herself. ¡°Why would he go so far for her? She¡¯s nothing. A wolfless girl. Marrying her would not benefit him in anyway. She¡¯s¡­ She¡¯s useless.¡± Collin was quiet for a long moment. Then he muttered, ¡°Cassian has always been¡­ unpredictable.¡± What if this is all just bait? A trap to see who moves against her? The thought of it made him frown. Genevieve¡¯s jaw clenched. She didn¡¯t like the sound of that. Not one bit. ¡°He knows something is up with us and wants to catch us in the act of killing our own daughter? Do you think that is his motive?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know that. If he knows something then we are¡­promised. I¡¯m telling you now,¡± Collin said. ¡°We stop. If you¡¯re going to do something reckless, don¡¯t. Not while his attention is on us.¡± Genevieve said nothing. 81 55 vouchers ¡°That physician¨CMendez¨Cis likely the reason Atasha survived,¡°Collin said. ¡°He¡¯s sharp, smart and loyal. And probably just as dangerous as the rest of them. I heard he was able to save a few dying lieutenants as well. Cassian wouldn¡¯t keep him by his side if he were not skilled.¡± Genevieve looked away, her mouth tightening into a thin, bitter line. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re nning,¡± Collin said. ¡°Be very careful. Because this isn¡¯t a court full of puppets. These are killers. And they¡¯re watching us.¡± Genevieve let out a loud sigh. All she wanted was Atasha dead. How could it be so hard? Had she underestimated that woman¡¯s luck? ¡°Mother, I think we need to listen to father,¡± Celeste interrupted her thoughts. ¡°I mean¡­ even if Lord Cassian doesn¡¯t see any benefit in this marriage, we cannot let him use Atasha to target us.¡± Genevieve clenched her jaw. Nothing about her simple n has been going well. Perhaps Celeste and Collin are right. ¡°I need that woman dead before Lord Cassian leaves this ce,¡± she said. This is no longer a want. This is a need, a must. ¡°We need to find a way to end her life without¡­ without letting the shadow guards know.¡± Alpha Collin met her gaze. She knew then that her husband understood the importance of Atasha¡¯s death too. Only he knew the current state of their pack, and he knew that one attack from the Demon Fang and they will perish. He needed to make his troops stronger, and to do that, he needed soldiers. Soldiers from the north. ¡°I understand,¡± he said. ¡°I believe I know a way to end her life as quickly as possible.¡± Just as Collin parted his lips to speak, the tent¡¯s p rustled sharply, followed by a soaked, panting voice from just beyond the threshold. ¡°My lord!¡± Collin¡¯s jaw clenched. His eyes flicked toward the entrance, irritation ring briefly before he schooled his expression. ¡°Come in.¡± The p lifted, and in stepped William, Collin¡¯s most trusted beta. His cloak was drenched, boots caked in mud, and his face was pale, too pale for a man used to war. He bowed low, breath hitching as if the words he carried weighed too much to hold in his chest. ¡°My lord,¡± William said again, straightening. ¡°We¡¯ve just received word from Lord Cassian¡¯s people.¡± Genevieve¡¯s head snapped toward him, a spike of dread piercing her spine. William hesitated for only a second, then delivered the blow. ¡°Lady Atasha is awake.¡± 11:06 Wed, Sep 10 ATASHA¡¯S POV : Brute 19 : 81 E55 vouchers I opened my eyes to a room full of familiar faces. Their smiles were soft and rehearsed enough to almost pass for relief. But I knew better. None of them were d to see me breathing. And as I scanned their faces, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder, were they already nning their next attempt¡­ or just trying to figure out how to make sure it worked this time? Maybe even both. I shuddered inwardly. ¡°Atasha¡­ how could you scare your mother like that?¡± Genevieve murmured, clutching my hand like it meant something. I let out a weak, gentle cough. Hearing this, Mendez stepped forward. ¡°As you can see, the Lady is fine, but she¡¯s not¡ª¡± ¡°Do not interrupt when I¡¯m speaking to my daughter!¡± Genevieve snapped. To anyone else, she probably looked like a mother fraying at the edges with worry. But now I could see the truth. Just like Celeste, Genevieve wasn¡¯t worried. She was performing. And she was very, very good at it. Currently, she was trying to let everyone see how caring she really was. ¡°I almost died with worry. These people refused to let us in. Even your sister had to kneel outside of the tent under the rain just for Lord Cassian to allow us toe,¡± Genevieve said, tears pooling in her eyes like a mother on the edge of heartbreak. Right. Of course. She was worried, worried her n didn¡¯t work. Now I could see it as clear as day. The disappointment in her eyes wasn¡¯t for what almost happened to me¡­ it was for what didn¡¯t. They must¡¯ve chosen the perfect assassin. And still, it failed. It was almostughable how obvious their regret was now. Almost. Genevieve shifted her weight and turned to Mendez. ¡°You may leave now. We¡¯d like a moment alone with Atasha.¡± ¡°Apologies,¡± Mendez didn¡¯t budge. ¡°I¡¯m under the Prince¡¯s directmand,¡± he said evenly. ¡°The consort is still recovering. I will remain by her side.¡± Genevieve¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Atasha, dear, tell this man it¡¯s fine. You need rest, not strangers hovering.¡± 81 55 vouchers I knew this wasing. Of course she¡¯d try to clear the room. I forced a tired smile and nodded once toward Mendez. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I just need a private moment with my mother and sister.¡± He frowned. ¡°With all due respect, my Lady¡­ that goes against Lord Cassian¡¯s instructions.¡± I held his gaze, letting my voice tremble just enough. ¡°Please. I won¡¯t be long. I just¡­ I want to speak with them before anything else happens.¡± Before they were ever allowed inside this tent, Cassian had already warned Mendez what would happen. They¡¯ll want to be alone with you, he¡¯d said. Let them believe they¡¯re in control. ¡°Let them believe you¡¯re weak. Mendez will act offended, just enough to make it believable,then leave. The rest is up to you. But I want you to make them think they¡¯ve won a small battle. Let them.¡± It was all part of the performance. And I was the centerpiece. I let out another cough, but this time it wasn¡¯t for show. It wed up from my throat and dragged a fresh ache across my chest. My whole body felt like it was sinking into the bed, pulled down by something heavier than pain. Exhaustion. It wrapped around me like a wet cloak, suffocating and inescapable. I¡¯d only healed seven people. Seven. And I was already this weak. What would happen if I had to heal dozens? Hundreds? What if Cassian brought me to the front lines and told me to raise the half¨Cdead like a saint in silk? My fingers curled slightly, hidden beneath the nket. No. I wasn¡¯t a saint. And this gift, this curse, wasn¡¯t limitless. Each time I used it, it took a piece of me. And I was starting to feel the cost. But I couldn¡¯t show that. Not while my mother sat beside me with tear¨Cbright eyes and venom on her breath. So I leaned back, closed my eyes for just a second, and breathed through the pain. The show wasn¡¯t over yet. And I still had a part to y. Just as I expected, Mendez hesitated. However, he must have known that I was no longer faking it. He had seen my state before my mother and Celeste arrived and knew that I had : 81 55 vouchers exhausted my abilities. He let out a sigh before he used his hand to touch my forehead. ¡°You are starting to have a fever,¡± he said. Then, after a moment¡¯s pause, he gave a reluctant nod. ¡°Ten minutes,¡± he said. ¡°Then I¡¯ming back in.¡± He threw Genevieve a sharp nce as he stepped outside, the tent p falling shut behind him. And just like that¡­ It was just the three of us now. Genevieve was on me in seconds, her hands cupping my face, the scent ofvender clinging to her sleeves. ¡°How did it happen?¡± she asked, her voice dipped in maternal concern. ¡°Tell me everything¡­ who would dare hurt you like this?¡± I blinked slowly, feigning fragility. ¡°A maid brought in some tea,¡± I whispered. ¡°She said it was from the Lord¡­ I drank it and¡­ I don¡¯t remember anything after that.¡± Genevieve¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°So it was Poison?¡± she echoed. ¡°Are you sure?¡± I nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what Mr. Mendez said when I woke up. He said I had been poisoned.¡± Her eyes widened a little too quickly, as if surprised by the confirmation rather than the event itself. ¡°Do you remember anything else?¡± she pressed. I shook my head, dropping my gaze. ¡°I must have fainted¡­¡± Inside, I repeated the words Cassian had whispered before he left the tent with my father. Act weak. Act docile. And when the timees¡­ show them who the monster really is. Tears welled up in my eyes, just enough to shimmer beneath myshes. ¡°Mother¡­ I¡¯m scared,¡± I whispered, my voice so faint it nearly broke. For the first time in my life, I gave them something that wasn¡¯t real. For years, they had fooled me with their well- rehearsed concern, now it was my turn to return the favor. ¡°I- I don¡¯t understand why someone would want to hurt me,¡± I said, letting just enough tremor slip into my voice to make it sound convincing. ¡°You told me this marriage was only a formality¡­ that it would give me freedom. That once it was over, I could live quietly, far away from court and expectation.¡± I lowered my gaze, allowing the silence to stretch before adding, softer still, ¡°But now¡­ I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯ll survive the journey to the north.¡± Tears began to slip down my checks. My eyes widened, ssy with panic, as I looked up at her. ¡°Mother¡­ I don¡¯t want to stay married to the Lord. Please,¡± I begged. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be Lord Cassian¡¯s Bride!¡± 11:06 Wed, Sep 10 Brute 20 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 81 55 vouchers ¡°You-¡± Genevieve¡¯s voice faltered, her expression twisting in something between shock and irritation. For a moment, she looked genuinely speechless, as if she hadn¡¯t expected that resistance at all. ¡°Atasha¡­ how could you say something like that?¡± She looked around the tent as if scared that someone else would suddenly barge in and punish me for saying those words. ¡°I think the Lord wanted me dead,¡± I whispered, just loud enough for my voice to tremble between us. ¡°The maid¡­ the maid was wearing something like those soldiers. She said¡­ she said¡­ it was the Lord who wanted me to have the tea. We need to let the King know and have a divorce before he kills me¡­ Mother, please. You must save me.¡± Genevieve¡¯s eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of panic, not for me, but for what I¡¯d just said. Her gaze darted around the tent, scanning for hidden ears. ¡°Atasha!¡± she hissed, lowering her voice in a sharp whisper. ¡°Do you realize what you¡¯re saying? The marriage certificate you signed should have already arrived at the castle. As far as thew is concerned, you are now legally married to Lord Cassian. There¡¯s no going back.¡± ¡°Do you understand what it would mean to divorce a royal? Especially that royal? You¡¯d be tried for treason, if not executed outright. You need to stop this foolishness, immediately.¡± ¡°But-¡± I started, letting my lower lip tremble. ¡°But what?¡± she snapped, her tone clipped. ¡°Did you want your sister to marry him instead? Is that it?¡± I opened my mouth, then slowly closed it, eyes downcast. I didn¡¯t answer, because I didn¡¯t have to. That was exactly what I wanted her to think. A frightened, reluctant bride. One terrified of her husband. One clinging to her mother for protection. Yes, let them see that. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught it, a flicker of movement. A nce. So subtle it almost looked like it¡¯s nothing. But it was there, Genevieve looked at Celeste. It was the kind of nce most people wouldn¡¯t notice. Once, I wouldn¡¯t have either. But now? Now, I saw everything. It was a signal. A cue passed between them like actors on a stage. And right on time, Celeste moved. She glided to my side, knelt beside the bed with grace, and took my hand like it was instinct. 11:06 Wed, Sep 10 Her eyes were red, swollen. I blinked. How was that even possible? Had she really cried that much? Or had she made sure to look like she had? 55 vouchers Had she forced tears down her cheeks just long enough to stain hershes, only to wash them off behind a veil of pity? I couldn¡¯t tell anymore. How could someone cry so much and still look this perfect? Was it real? Or¡­ makeup? Drops to mimic tears? A trick she¡¯d practiced until even mirrors believed her? ¡°I know you¡¯re ming me,¡± Celeste whispered, her voice cracking just enough to sound like it was holding back tears. I turned to her slowly, brows furrowed. What is she doing? Then it clicked. ¡°I know you think it should¡¯ve been me,¡± she continued, her lips trembling, her hands sped tightly in herp. ¡°That I should¡¯ve been the one to marry Lord Cassian. And maybe you¡¯re right. Maybe I should have. If it meant sparing you from this-¡± her voice broke, ¡°-then I should¡¯ve taken your ce. Even if only as a concubine¡­ I could¡¯ve gone with you. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t feel so cruel.¡± ¡°Celeste, stop,¡± Genevieve interrupted sharply, her hand flying to her daughter¡¯s arm. ¡°How could you say something like that?¡± Her tone was half¨Cscolding, half¨Cpanicked, as if Celeste¡¯s words were too dangerous. ¡°Your sister is not heartless. You had taken great care of her since she failed to awaken years ago. How could she let you suffer? She knew you couldn¡¯t survive that man. She married him to protect you. Don¡¯t twist her sacrifice into something ugly with this nonsense.¡± I blinked, momentarily stunned. The way their voices cracked, the trembling hands, the sorrowful nces could easily fool anyone. If I hadn¡¯t heard the truth with my own ears, I might¡¯ve believed they were actually hurting. That Celeste was breaking because of guilt. But now? All I saw was how seamlessly they shifted roles. Mother, the defender. Celeste, the grieving sister. ¡°No¡­¡± Celeste shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t let her marry into the North. I can¡¯t¨CI can¡¯t just watch that man hurt her.¡± ¡°Celeste!¡± 81 55 vouchers ¡°I will talk to Lord Cassian- ¡± ¡°Celeste, what are you doing!?¡± Genevieve hissed. ¡°Stop it. Just- ¡± Genevieve looked at me as if silently pleading for me to say a word to ease my sister¡¯s guilt but I said nothing. How could I? Celeste¡¯s acting was too convincing, it was so good. ¡°This could destroy our pack! Stop it. Atasha, say something to your sister!¡± ¡°I- ¡°I lowered my head. ¡°I am not ming you.¡± ¡°I know you are,¡± Celeste said. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I will talk to Lord Cassian. I will marry him as a concubine, and we can travel to the north together. We can protect each other and I-¡° ¡°Will you stop?¡± Genevieve said. ¡°Someone! Someone¡­e!¡± Almost immediately, one of our pack¡¯s omega came in. ¡°Bring the young miss back to the mansion and do not¡­ let her talk to anyone else.¡± Genevieve said. ¡°Use force if needed.¡± ¡°No- Mother please¡­ don¡¯t.¡± I watched as two omegas forcibly pulled Celeste away from me. In the past, this performance would have immediately convinced me to die for her. But right now, I could immediately see the crack beneath it. Celeste had the blood of an Alpha, how could two omegas just drag her out of the tent? This was just another act. Something that was designed to make me drown with guilt. ¡°Your sister cares about you so much, she would rather apany you to the north than think about the pack,¡± Genevieve¡¯s words brought me out of my stupor. I immediately looked at her. She continued. ¡°Celeste is the future of our pack. She is meant to lead, and you know that,¡± Genevieve said.¡°If Lord Cassian wanted you dead, then his people wouldn¡¯t have saved you.¡± Then, with a smile too soft to be trusted, she reached into the folds of her cloak and pulled out a small ss vial. ¡°I want you to keep this,¡± she said, pressing it into my palm. The vial was delicate, Clear ss, corked, no markings, just fine white powder inside, like sifted ash. ¡°It¡¯s odorless,¡± she added. ¡°Tasteless, too. If anyone tries to hurt you again¡­ use this. It¡¯s fast. You don¡¯t even need much.¡± My fingers curled slowly around the vial, the chill of the ss seeping into my palm. I didn¡¯t have to ask questions to know what the contents were. It was poison. 81 55 vouchers The kind that could drop a werewolf in under a minute. The kind banned in every corner of the kingdom. My heart thudded, but my face stayed calm. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said softly, like I meant it. I held the vial tightly as ideas buzzed inside my head. Why hand me poison? Were they trying to frame me? Make it look like I was plotting to kill Cassian? Or were they hoping I¡¯d actually do it? No. That couldn¡¯t be it. That shouldn¡¯t be the n. If I killed Cassian, if I so much as tried, what would happen to my pack? The King would never see it as the act of one frightened, desperate girl. He would see it for what it wasn¡¯t, a political assassination. A betrayal, a scheme orchestrated by Alpha Collin ck himself. Cassian wasn¡¯t just a northern warhound, and they all knew that. He was the King¡¯s blood. The King¡¯s favorite weapon. The moment word of his death reached the capital, the King wouldn¡¯t send letters. He would send an army. Nightfall would be reduced to ash. Nightfall Pack, innocent or not, would be ughtered to make a point. That¡¯s how monarchs ruled. And no matter how selfish or cruel Genevieve was, no matter how ambitious Celeste had be¡­ they weren¡¯t stupid. They wouldn¡¯t risk the annihtion of our pack just to get rid of me. This could mean one thing. This¡­ this vial in my hand, it wasn¡¯t meant for Cassian. Which left me with only worse possibilities. Either they were trying to frame me for his murder, or they were giving me the means to kill myself. I stared at her. Really stared at her. And that¡¯s when I realized that¡­ she wanted me to end my own life. She met my gaze as she added. ¡°This is for your sister¡¯s safety. This is all for the pack.¡± If you want strong female lead, Check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride Chapter 21 ATASHA¡¯S POV Brute 21 Chapter 21 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡­ : 81 55 vouchers ¡°My lord, this poison ¡­¡± Mendez said as he slowly ced the vial in front of Cassian. It looked almost innocent resting there, fragile and gleaming under the candlelight. This was the same Vial that Genevieve herself had given me. ¡°It originates from the Western teaus. A very rare substance.¡± Cassian didn¡¯t respond, his fingers steepled beneath his chin, eyes cold and unreadable. Yet the smile on his face was unmistakable. He looked amused, entertained. I wondered if this was because of the substance or because the night had already ended. I heard that his men didn¡¯t suffer any great losses and his lieutenants have all recovered. That was something to celebrate, right? Mendez continued, ¡°It¡¯s often used by those seeking a painless end. It has no scent, no taste, and once ingested, deathes swiftly, often in sleep, without pain or struggle.¡± He paused. ¡°There is no known antidote. That¡¯s what makes it so dangerous. Even a small dose is fatal.¡± I didn¡¯t move. I watched Cassian¡¯s face, searching for a crack, a flicker of something human. But his expression remained infuriatingly unreadable. Like a stone. What was he thinking? Finally, he turned to me. ¡°Has your family always been this ruthless?¡± I said nothing. He didn¡¯t need an answer. He already knew. Cassian¡¯s mouth curled. ¡°They won¡¯t stop, will they?¡± he asked, almost conversationally. ¡°Not until you¡¯re dead. And once you are, they¡¯ll dress it up as grief. A tragic ident. A noble sacrifice. They¡¯ll cry their crocodile tears, deliver some practiced speeches about how much they loved you¡­ and then they¡¯ll move their little n into the space you were meant to fill.¡± Still, I stayed silent. Because what could I say? I didn¡¯t know what the n was either. I didn¡¯t understand why they would risk so much. What were they really trying to do? They could kill me, and I would simply be Cassian¡¯s fifth dead bride. The King would once again try to find a wife for his brother, and then the story would never end. Cassian studied me for another long moment, then exhaled a short, humorless breath. ¡°It : 81 55 vouchers doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he said finally, gesturing for Mendez to leave. ¡°Their n will fail. As all weak- willed plots do.¡± When Mendez was gone, the tent felt too quiet. Cassian didn¡¯t go back to his chair. Instead, he crossed the room slowly, stopping just a few feet from where I stood. His shadow stretched long and dark across the floor, merging with mine. ¡°Do you want to retaliate?¡± he asked me softly. I looked up, startled. ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°Do you want revenge?¡± he repeated, tone sharper now. ¡°Your so¨Ccalled family wants you dead. Do you want to make them bleed for it? Do you want to burn this ce to the ground? Watch them choke on the ashes of their own lies?¡± I swallowed. My throat felt tight, dry. Revenge? That word didn¡¯t feel like mine. It wasn¡¯t something I had ever used to define myself. Since I failed to awaken, I had been overlooked, the piece no one cared to protect. I was never seen as valuable, just a ceholder, something that could be easily removed when no longer convenient. After all, I was just a wolfless omega, the lowest rank, someone burdened with a dangerous gift that could turn on me at any moment and end my life. Retaliation¡­ I¡¯d never even considered it. Cassian¡¯s eyes darkened as he looked down at me. ¡°So you truly are as passive as they believe. I thought you were different. I thought there was more to you than this quiet obedience. But you¡¯ve disappointed me, Consort.¡± His words weren¡¯t loud, but they struck harder than any shout. He stepped closer, voice turning to ice. ¡°Do you think your weakness is a virtue? Do you think kindness will save you? No, all it does is make you bleed slower.¡± ¡°What- What can I do?¡± I asked. Even if I want revenge, what can I do? I don¡¯t have a wolf. I am nothing but a sacrifice. While it was true that I had shown him my ability and healed a few of his men, I am still as powerless as ever. I only did it to live, to survive. I waited for him to answer yet instead, he walked back to his chair and gestured for me to approach him. Iplied without asking questions. ¡°Your father is hiding something he didn¡¯t want the King to see,¡± he said. This was the second time that he mentioned this. ¡°And I want you to find it out.¡± ¡°But-¡± ¡°I am not done talking,¡± he said. I immediately closed my mouth. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to-,¡± 81 55 vouchers ¡°You are mine, Atasha,¡± he interrupted. ¡°My wife, the consort of the north. You do not need to apologize from now on.¡± ¡°P- Pardon?¡± ¡°I said, apologies are for the weak. And we, the North, are never weak.¡± ¡°I-¡°The word barely left my mouth before fading into silence. I didn¡¯t know how to respond, not really. And yet, strangely, the fact that he already regarded me as one of them, brought a flicker of warmth to a ce inside me that had long grown cold. ¡°You are now someone of royal standing¡­ the wife of a prince,¡± he said, without missing a beat. ¡°Once we arrive in the north, your position will be formally recognized. You¡¯ll be canonized in front of the court. After that, you won¡¯t just be my consort, you¡¯ll be the Princess of the North.¡± He paused, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. ¡°Apologizing,¡± he said with quiet disdain. ¡°Isn¡¯t something we royals make a habit of. It is beneath us. Do you understand that?¡± I nodded slowly. ¡°I do.¡± Yes, I understood. This was the life I¡¯d signed up for, contract or not. And whether it was a cage or a crown, I was already wearing it. The least.I could do was to meet his expectations and follow through with what was asked of me. ¡°Good,¡± he said. ¡°Now, I need you to obtain something for me.¡± I looked up at him, uncertain. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°A map,¡± he said simply, as if it were no more difficult to retrieve than a scrap of parchment from a desk drawer. ¡°A very specific one. And I believe it is in your father¡¯s study.¡± My brows furrowed in confusion. The thought of sneaking into my father¡¯s private quarters, into that room, made my stomach knot. How was someone like me supposed to steal something from an Alpha? ¡°Tonight,¡± Cassian added. ¡°Another attack will happen. It will serve as the perfect distraction. Your father will be preupied, and the guards will be scattered. You will be inside the mansion. That¡¯s when you¡¯ll go into the study¡­ and take the map.¡± I swallowed hard. My father¡¯s study wasn¡¯t just some ordinary room. It was a fortress cloaked in the illusion of 55 vouchers civility. It was guarded not just by warriors, but by mechanisms that had been designed specifically to kill an Alpha foolish enough to trespass. The walls were said to have hidden triggers. There were hidden weapons, silent weapons that didn¡¯t offer second chances. I¡¯d only been inside four times since my failure to awaken, and each visit had been brief, supervised, and tense. I had never dared to explore or even look too closely. The space was a mystery to me. It always felt cold, unweing, and hostile in every sense. How could someone like me, someone with no wolf, no strength, no right to challenge an Alpha¡¯s authority, steal something from a room even my pack feared? As if sensing my thoughts, he said. ¡°I could ask my men to do it but¡­ only you can steal it without leaving any scent behind.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit too obvious?¡± he asked. ¡°It is because you.. my dearest consort¡­ don¡¯t have one. You do not have a scent.¡± AD Brute 22 ATASHA¡¯S POV E55 vouchers How could a werewolf not have a scent? Even if I didn¡¯t have a wolf, I was still an omega. I should¡¯ve had a scent. Or perhaps, I had be so useless and weak that I couldn¡¯t even have one? I had so many questions that needed an answer. But there was no use thinking about it now, not when I was already back at the mansion, waiting for the signal to sneak into my father¡¯s study. Cassian had called it ¡°infiltrating,¡± a word that sounded strange to me. He used it so easily, like it was something normal. He said it would be like spying, but much more dangerous. That alone made my stomach twist. Still, what choice did I have? ¡°This quilt, I actually made for Celeste,¡± Luna Genevieve said as she handed me a thick, finely stitched nket. ¡°But now that I think about it, she won¡¯t really need this kind of fabric in the south.¡± Since I returned to the mansion, neither she nor Celeste had let me out of their sight. Celeste ced the quilt on the edge of my bed, her voice soft and almost too sweet to be real. ¡°I hope it keeps you warm in the North, Sister,¡± she said, tucking in a corner as if she were genuinely concerned for myfort. I didn¡¯t respond. My mouth stayed shut, my hands folded politely in myp. I was too nervous to speak, not because of the quilt, but because the sun had already set, and that meant the Demon Fang attack could happen any time now, just like Cassian said. Which also meant I had to leave this room soon and sneak into my father¡¯s study. The thought alone made my throat feel dry. And yet, Luna Genevieve and Celeste had hovered around me like crows pretending to be doves since the moment I returned. Something about their kindness felt hollow. Like they were waiting for me to slip. So instead of answering, I faked a cough, soft, weak, enough to pass for a recovering patient. Earlier, Mendez handed me something that would make me look weak. He said even another doctor wouldn¡¯t be able to tell it was fake. It only affected my appearance, making me look pale, but it didn¡¯t change how I felt. I still had all my strength. Almost immediately, Celeste reached for the porcin cup on the nearby table and held it out to me with both hands. ¡°Here, drink this,¡± she said gently. ¡°It¡¯ll help. Mother had the servants brew it just for you,¡± I epted the tea and drank it in one slow, steady sip. It was bitter. Thicker than it should¡¯ve been. Tasted wrong, but not unfamiliar. They¡¯d been feeding me this since they got here, always insisting it would soothe my wounds, calm my 11:06 Wed, Sep 10 : nerves, help with my breathing. I knew from the first sip what it really was. Poison. And yet, I drank it. Because poison didn¡¯t work on me. Still, I had to keep the act going. 80 55 vouchers ¡°I¡­ I think Lord Cassian will be back soon,¡± I whispered, letting my voice tremble. ¡°And I¡¯m still a little scared.¡± It was a lie, of course. Cassian had already told me what to expect, alreadyid the groundwork for this performance. But I needed them to believe that I was just a frightened girl, still fragile, still lost. Cassian had told me once that this would make things easier. That appearing weak would work in my favor. ¡°People overlook what they don¡¯t see as a threat,¡± he¡¯d said. ¡°And the overlooked are always underestimated. That¡¯s your greatest edge.¡± And now, lying still in this bed, surrounded by enemies who thought I was already halfway to death¡­ I finally understood what he meant. Genevieve¡¯s expression softened as she reached for my hand. Her touch was light, almost motherly. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be afraid of him,¡± she said soothingly. ¡°I know the Lord. He won¡¯t dare harm you.¡± I lowered my head, letting my silence pass for agreement. Then Celeste leaned forward, her voice low and full of remorse. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what I said before¡­ I realized now that it was silly of me to say things that could destroy our pack,¡± she murmured. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to me you. I only- I only wish I could take your ce. I wish I could be the one going to the North.¡± The North. Yes, the n was for us to leave this ce as soon as possible. The attack had dyed us, but Cassian said, we will be leaving immediately after I steal the map, ¡°Little sister,¡± I said gently. ¡°There¡¯s no need to apologize. Mother was right. I signed the papers of my own will. I did it for the pack.¡± Another cough escaped me, more real this time than thest. I pressed a hand to my chest, and Genevieve wasted no time reaching for another small cup of tea. ¡°Drink it slowly,¡± she said, patting my back. ¡°We need you strong. You need to recover quickly before you leave for the north¡± I took the cup without argument and emptied it. ??)) 80 55 vouchers Genevieve smiled and smoothed the quilt over myp. ¡°Rest now. I am d that Lord Cassian finally allowed you to recuperate here and not in that muddy tent. You need your strength. The journey to the North won¡¯t be easy, and we want you well enough to travel.¡± I nodded weakly, letting my body slump further into the bed. She handed me the quilt and added with a soft smile, ¡°Use this. It¡¯ll warm your body.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered. Celeste rose to her feet and gave me a gentle look. ¡°We¡¯lle visit again before you leave.¡± I gave them a faint smile, one that didn¡¯t quite reach my eyes. ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡± With that, they left the room, Genevieve¡¯s hand lightly guiding Celeste out the door, her voice murmuring something too quiet to catch. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, the warmth I pretended to have vanished. I sat up slowly, letting the nket slip from my shoulders. My gaze shifted to the small porcin teapot on the table. It was empty. Everyst drop of it was gone. They didn¡¯t leave until I drank all of it. Of course they didn¡¯t. A sneer escaped me. That had been the reason for their visit all along. Not tofort me. Not to say goodbye. Not to bring a gift or offer apologies. They stayed to make sure I drank the poison. And I had. Everyst drop. ¡°It seems that they are hell bent on killing me,¡± I murmured as I ced my hand on my chest. I couldn¡¯t understand why they wanted me dead. And I guess I would have to leave this ce without knowing why. I looked outside just as the sound of warning drums filled the air. The Demon Fangs are here¡­ and I¡­ I needed to make my move. Brute 23 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 80 55 vouchers I stood up from the bed, pulling the quilt away and folding it neatly to the side. My hands reached for the inner lining of my gown, and I tugged it off, revealing the dark clothing underneath. It was thin, tight, and flexible. All ck. Cassian had personally chosen it for me. He said it would help me blend into the shadows, and tonight, that was exactly what I needed. The moment I had changedpletely, I took my regr clothes and arranged them on the bed, stuffing the sleeves and shape with soft towels and spare cloths to create the illusion of a sleeping body. Then I covered it all with the nket Genevieve had given me. At a quick nce, it would look like I was still lying there, resting just like they wanted. I approached the window. My fingers worked quickly to unlock thetch, pushing it open just enough to squeeze through. The night air was cold against my skin. My heart was already pounding. Outside the window was a narrow ledge, the stone overhang that ran along the perimeter of the mansion. It wasn¡¯t meant to be walked on, not at this height, not barefoot and definitely not when it¡¯s wet from the rain. But it was my only way to reach the opposite wing without drawing attention. Below me was a two¨Cstory drop onto stone tiles, and I had no desire to find out how much pain that would cause. Carefully, I stepped onto the ledge, keeping one hand braced against the outer wall of the mansion. The surface beneath my feet was rough and uneven, not quite wide enough forfort, but enough to move. Slowly, I edged sideways, keeping close to the wall. I didn¡¯t look down. I couldn¡¯t afford to. The ledge curved at a corner, and I pressed my back tighter against the stone as I shuffled around it, breath held in my throat. From this angle, I could see across the courtyard, the guards were shouting orders, distracted by themotion. The Demon Fang had arrived, just like Cassian said. Fires flickered in the distance. Screams echoed faintly. The chaos was growing, and so was my window of opportunity. After a few more careful steps, I reached the window to my father¡¯s study. I crouched low, gripping the frame. It was locked. Of course it was. I reached into the pocket Cassian had sewn into the side of the suit and pulled out a small t piece of metal. A lockpick. He had made sure I practiced earlier, even if just on drawers. My hands trembled slightly as I worked it into the keyhole. I couldn¡¯t hear the clicks, not over the shouting and drums, but I felt them. One¡­ two¡­ Then the softest shift. It gave way. 80 55 vouchers I eased the window open just enough to slide through, then pulled it shut behind me. I was inside. Now I had to find the map. The room was dark except for the faint glow from the dying fire in the firece. I crouched low, listening for any movement. None. I moved deeper into the room, careful not to make a sound. The fire in the hearth was low, just barely enough to warm the study. Cassian had warned me about it, told me that to keep the temperature stable, one of the omegas woulde in every hour to feed the mes. That gave me a rough time limit, but not muchfort. If I got caught, no one would believe I was just lost. My eyes adjusted to the dim glow as I began my search. Cassian told me the map wouldn¡¯t look like a map. It would be hidden in in sight, somewhere obvious, yet easy to overlook. ¡°That¡¯s the trick,¡± he had said. ¡°Your father is paranoid. He doesn¡¯t trust vaults or secret panels. He hides things where people won¡¯t think to look twice.¡± I turned to the shelves lining the back wall. If I were seated at his desk, these books would be behind me. Out of sight. Out of mind. That alone made me doubt they were worth checking but I had to be thorough. I skimmed the spines with my fingers. The History of Werewolves and Fairies. The Pact Between Fang and Fang: Werewolves and Vampires. Arecor: Founding of the Eastern Territories. All of them sounded useful. All of them were dusty, untouched. The shelves were too neat. Too curated. Nothing here looked even slightly out of ce, I frowned. That wasn¡¯t like him. Even now, after everything, after suspecting that he might not even be my real father, I still knew the man. His habits. His paranoia. 80 55 vouchers This was someone who nearly gutted his Beta once because the man didn¡¯t knock properly. He was suspicious by nature, obsessive. If he hid something, it wouldn¡¯t be somewhere out of reach. It would be in front of him. Somewhere he could see it at all times. I turned away from the books and looked toward the firece across the room. Above it hung the infamous painting, a red horse on a white background. Legend said it was painted using the blood of our ancestors¡® enemies. I¡¯d always thought that was just a story meant to scare children. Still, the image unnerved me. The horse looked like it was charging straight at whoever sat at the desk. Was that the point? A warning? Or was it a message? I stepped closer and examined the frame. No hinges. No signs that it had ever been moved. My eyes dropped to the mantel. Dusty. Undisturbed. If the map wasn¡¯t there¡­ Then my eyes shifted downward. To the desk. Arge, heavy structure with stacks of papers, old maps, books, and one triangr paperweight near the center. Everything looked ordinary at first nce until I really looked. The paperweight was shaped like a pyramid, smooth, almost glossy. But under the faint light, I saw it. Etched into the surface, barely visible unless you looked closely, were faint symbols. Lines. A pattern of some kind. My chest tightened. This had to be it. I moved closer, reaching out to lift the paperweight. It was heavier than it looked. I turned it over, feeling along the base. There, tucked into the bottom edge, was a seam. Almost invisible. I didn¡¯t even get the chance to open it. The silence shattered with the faintest sound. A soft shuffle that¡¯s barely audible, but unmistakable. Then came the low thud of boots against the stone floor, slow and deliberate, just outside the door. My breath caught. My heart stilled. Someone wasing. ¡­ 80 55 vouchers I nced around the room, eyes wide. There was no time to escape through the window. I couldn¡¯t make it to the bookshelves without being seen. The doorknob turned. No¡­.too soon. I dove toward the far side of the desk, dropping low behind it just as the door creaked open. Brute 24 ATASHA¡¯S POV : : 80 55 vouchers ¡°Quickly,¡± a low voice urged. ¡°Tend the fire and go. I still have the east corridor to sweep.¡± My body froze beneath the desk, every muscle stiff and trembling as I pressed my back tighter against the wood. From the narrow gap between the base and the floor, I could see the hem of dark boots crossing the threshold, followed by another. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t take long,¡± the second man muttered. ¡°ce feels colder than usual.¡± Metal clinked as tools were set down. I heard the soft sound of logs being moved, the fire stirred back to life with practiced hands. Orange flickers began to dance higher on the walls. I forced myself not to move. Not to breathe. ¡°Did you hear that?¡± My heart mmed against my ribs. I instinctively gripped the paperweight tighter, holding it against my chest like it could somehow shield me. ¡°You¡¯re hearing things,¡± the other replied. ¡°There¡¯s no one here. No scent either. Maybe it¡¯s the wind outside.¡± The first one didn¡¯t sound convinced. His boots scraped against the wooden floor as he shifted his stance. ¡°Still¡­¡± The second sighed. ¡°If you want to stay and talk to ghosts, be my guest. We¡¯re already behind schedule. The attack tonight seemed different. We need to hurry before the wounded start pouring in.¡± After a few tense seconds, the footsteps retreated. The door clicked shut. Only then did I exhale slowly, carefully, as if my breath might still give me away. My palms were damp. My knees ached from crouching, but I didn¡¯t dare move yet. I waited another full minute in the silence, listening, until I was sure I was alone, Then, still crouched beneath the desk, I looked down at the object I was holding. It wasn¡¯t just a paperweight. It was a puzzle. My fingers ran across the edges again, tracing the seam. I remembered now, Celeste once had this exact paperweight in her hands. We were young, and she had been turning it around curiously in the drawing room. She hadughed, saying it looked like it could unfold. But no matter how she twisted it, it never opened. 80 55 vouchers Our father had stormed in before she could figure it out. He had snatched it from her and scolded her so harshly she¡¯d cried. At the time, I thought it was just another outburst. Now I knew better. I rotated the base gently, pressing one side inward. Something shifted. A faint click echoed against the inside of the desk. The triangr weight unlocked, unfolding like a hinge, revealing a t, silvery te, thin, smooth, and cool to the touch. I could barely see anything on it in the dim light, but when I ran my fingers across the surface, I felt it. Grooves and tiny ridges. Patterns carved so finely they were invisible without contrast. This was it. This was the map. I reached toward the corner of the desk where the inkpot sat, right beside a cluster of quills and broken wax seals. I dipped my finger into the ink and gently smeared it across the metal te. But before I could finish- The door creaked open again. No. I barely had time to tuck the te into the folds of my suit before pressing myself t against the underside of the desk again, heart leaping into my throat. The footsteps this time were slower. Heavier. These were not the same men. Then a voice spoke. ¡°Why did you ask to see me here of all ces? We¡¯re in the middle of a war.¡± My eyes widened. William. Father¡¯s Beta. Why was he here? Then a softer voice answered. ¡°He won¡¯te here tonight. Not with the attack happening and¡­ they just tended the fire. No one would be here for a few minutes, and I turned off all : the mechanisms. Besides¡­ I¡¯m worried about you.¡± 80 55 vouchers My breath hitched. Genevieve. Why was Luna here? Is she the reason why I didn¡¯t trigger any mechanism at all? I mped a hand over my mouth. What the hell? ¡°I saw your statest night,¡± she continued, voice dripping with concern. ¡°You¡¯re wounded.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± William said tly. ¡°It¡¯s a scratch. We have bigger problems. Tonight¡¯s attack, this wasn¡¯t in the n. They were supposed to hit once as a distraction. Now they¡¯re back again. Why?¡± My heart pounded so violently I feared it would echo through the floor. What the hell was he talking about? Genevieve spoke again, this time slower, and gentler. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but both of us know that those monsters cannot be trusted. This isn¡¯t surprising at all.¡± William growled. ¡°I know, but that was only for distraction¡­ Tsk¡­ you¡ªyou shouldn¡¯t be here. If anyone sees us-¡± ¡°No one will,¡± Genevieve cut in. ¡°The staff is busy. He¡¯s with the council. We have a few more minutes.¡± ¡°Gene¡­ what are you doing?¡± he hissed. ¡°I missed you,¡± Genevieve said in a sickly sweet voice that made me want to vomit. Genevieve¡­ my mother. William¡­ my father¡¯s most trusted man. Were they involved all along? It seems that I just discovered another secret. I stayed frozen, unable to think, unable to move, clinging to the cold metal te against my chest. If Alpha Collins ever found out about this, he wouldn¡¯t just punish Genevieve. He¡¯d go after William too, and it wouldn¡¯t be quick. He¡¯d tear him apart, piece by piece. And then William said something that made the blood drain from my face. ¡°Stop¡­ Stop it! We cannot do this now. We have to be careful. The girl¡¯s still alive. If she finds out anything¡ª¡± ¡°I already gave her the poison that you gave me,¡± Genevieve said. Her voice was so calm and cold it made me shiver. I have never heard her use this voice in the past. ¡°I have seen her drink it. All of it. She won¡¯t die here, but¡­ I can assure you she will never reach the north.¡± William¡¯s voice dropped. ¡°I have to go. We can¡¯t be seen here together. And you¡­¡± He paused. ¡°You need to be more careful. Especially around that Cassian.¡± : There was a shift in Genevieve¡¯s tone. Cassian?¡± 80 55 vouchers ¡°He knows something¡¯s off,¡± William muttered. ¡°He was asking questions about the poison. I don¡¯t want you getting dragged into anything if he starts digging.¡± Genevieve let out a soft, scoffingugh. ¡°No one will suspect me. Everyone already thinks it¡¯s Collin. He¡¯s made so many enemies that if something happens, no one would bat an eye. You don¡¯t have to worry about me. You should worry about yourself. Stop getting yourself wounded and making me anxious.¡± A beat passed before William let out a low sighed. ¡°You know the deal.¡± ¡°I do,¡± Genevieve replied, her voice turning soft and drawn out. ¡°Go on then. Hurry back to the chaos.¡± ¡°I¡¯m leaving first,¡± William said, and I heard the low creak of boots stepping away. ¡°Stay hidden until you¡¯re sure it¡¯s clear.¡± ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing,¡± Genevieve said with a sigh. The door creaked again, then clicked shut. I stayed frozen, heartbeat thudding in my ears. The air in the room had turned still, but not calm. It was heavy, tense, like the space itself was holding its breath. Then, Genevieve started humming. It was soft and familiar. A luby from my childhood. But hearing it now, sung in that same sickly sweet voice that had just calmly spoken about murder, sent a chill racing down my spine. Every hair on the back of my neck stood up. What¡¯s going on? Did she sense my presence? AD Comment Send gift Brute 25 55 vouchers Rain hammered against the canvas walls of the war tent, a steady downpour that turned the camp¡¯s walkways to sludge and drowned out most other noise. Inside, torches flickered against the damp air, creating shadows across the maps strewn across the main table. Alpha Collin stood at the center, jaw clenched, eyes scanning a blood¨Cmarked sketch of their recent skirmishes. His cloak was still damp from carlier rounds through the outposts, but he barely felt the cold anymore. The smell of wet leather and iron clung to everything. A scout knelt in front of him, mud smeared up his arms and across the side of his face. ¡°Two more were found near the southern ridge,¡± the scout reported. ¡°Same wounds. Neck punctured. ckened veins. We¡¯ve confirmed it, it¡¯s poison.¡± Collin¡¯s fist mmed into the edge of the table, rattling the ink pot and toppling a small wooden marker off the map. ¡°Then use poison against poison,¡± he growled. ¡°If those bastards want to fight dirty, we¡¯ll match it. Dip every de in venom. I want them to feel it with every cut.¡± The scout nodded quickly and began to rise. ¡°Wait,¡± Collin snapped. ¡°What about Cassian¡¯s men? Status?¡± ¡°All ounted for, sir,¡± the scout replied, hesitation flickering in his voice. ¡°No deaths. Not even serious injuries, ording to the medics.¡± Collin¡¯s brows drew down hard. ¡°Not one?¡± ¡°No, Alpha. They¡¯re saying Lord Cassian¡¯s people managed to hold the eastern line without losses.¡± A muscle ticked in Collin¡¯s jaw. He leaned over the table and stared at the map like it had wronged him personally. Something didn¡¯t add up. ¡°Where¡¯s William?¡± The scout swallowed. ¡°Patrol, sir. Near the west wing of the mansion. He took it himselfst night.¡± ¡°Send someone to get him. Now.¡± The scout bolted out of the tent. : 80 55 vouchers Collin straightened and turned toward the man sitting at the edge of the room¨CRenan, one of his oldest and most trusted warriors. A heavy scar ran from his temple to his corbone, a souvenir from a battle years ago. Though he no longer fought on the front lines, his eyes missed nothing. Renan shifted slightly in his seat. ¡°We may have underestimated Physician Mendez,¡± he said calmly, hands resting over his knee. ¡°The wound treatmentst night, his methods were beyond standard protocol. I¡¯ve only ever seen that kind of recovery speed from poisons.¡± Collin didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°There were rumors,¡± Renan continued. ¡°Back when he still served the royal court. Some said he worked closely with the fae and witches. Some say he tortured witches to gain their secret prescriptions, others say he was one of the few humans who could survive their rituals. Most dismissed it as legend. I thought so too¡­ until now.¡± Collin sneered. ¡°Legend or not, it¡¯s just luck. His people travel constantly. Of course, they¡¯vee across rare poisons. Familiarity isn¡¯t power, it¡¯s just timing. Timing and luck.¡± Still, he didn¡¯t sound as sure as he wanted to be. He looked down at the map again, fingers drumming the edge. ¡°So why now?¡± he muttered. ¡°Why would the Demon Fangs attack again so soon? They already struck once, caused a stir, then vanished. Are they testing Cassian¡¯s strength? Do they truly want us¡­ dead?¡± Renan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Could be. Or they¡¯re looking for something.¡± Collin shook his head, but the unease remained. If Cassian hadn¡¯t taken a single casualty, and Mendez was treating wounds with near¨Cmiraculous results, then someone was lying or worse, someone was ahead of him. And Alpha Collin Rosenthal didn¡¯t like being behind. ¡°Either way, we need a way to know how they healed the poisoned ones. It is not just a matter of physical strength. We are all werewolves. We have trained and bled. And yet, somehow, his people were able to live after the first night while ours¡­¡± Alpha Collin didn¡¯t want to think about the number of casualties that the Nightfall pack had the other night. ¡°Then perhaps a letter to the King will suffice,¡± Renan smiled. ¡°I believe it is time that we use what we have to our advantage and ask the King for more soldiers. A third of Cassian¡¯s men is simply not enough to help us out during the war.¡± Collin frowned. Originally, he had nned to use Atasha¡¯s death to ask for more soldiers, but 80 55 vouchers it seems that Cassian somehow predicted this move and saved his bride. This time, he nodded and, together with Renan, left the tents. It didn¡¯t take too long for him to arrive at the mansion, where he quickly went to his study. Collin shrugged off his soaked coat and hung it on the iron hook by the door, steam rising faintly from the damp fabric. The room was dim, lit only by a singlentern on the desk and the dying embers in the firece. He strode toward his chair, already rehearsing the phrasing for the letter he would send to the King, one that would demand reinforcements under the guise of concern for the kingdom¡¯s security, while subtly painting Cassian as a rising threat. But the moment he reached for the drawer to retrieve parchment, his gaze shifted, then froze. The paperweight. That pyramid¨Cshaped hunk of silver and stone that had sat untouched for years, its edges polished from time but never moved from its spot¡­ it was crooked. Collin narrowed his eyes. He reached for it, fingers closing around the base, and slowly lifted it to his nose. No scent. None. It was impossible. Even the most careful servant left behind a trace. A brush of fabric, the faintest imprint of skin oil, a single disrupted particle, something. Especially in this room, where only a few were ever allowed to enter. But there was no scent. Nothing¡­ except- He inhaled again, slower this time. Ink. A sharp, iron¨Ctinged tang that didn¡¯t belong to the fresh stack of sealed letters on the side or to his personal inkpot, which hadn¡¯t been opened since the morning. His lips curled back, not quite in a snarl but close. Renan, who had been standing quietly by the door, shifted forward. ¡°Alpha?¡± Collin turned to him slowly, eyes narrowing. ¡°Someone was in this room.¡± : If you want a strong female lead, check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride 80 55 vouchers Brute 26 ¡°What do you mean someone was in your room?¡± Genevieve snapped, her face twisting in irritation. ¡°It¡¯s the middle of the night Collin, and we are under attack. The only ones who entered were the omegas assigned to tend the fire.¡± She tried to sound indignant, but Collin¡¯s scrutiny made her pulse quicken. Obviously, this was because of her secret meeting with William. When he summoned her, she had braced herself for questions about her whereabouts or William¡¯s absence. But when he said someone had stolen something from his study, a wave of cold relief swept through her. Collin¡¯s eyes bore into Genevieve. ¡°Someone was in my study.¡± Genevieve scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. There were guards posted outside the entire time. You think someone just walked past them?¡± In front of them were the omegas assigned to tend the fire. One of the omegas, standing nearby with her head bowed, nced up nervously. ¡°Alpha¡­ we did hear something earlier. A faint noise outside the window, maybe. But we thought it was just the wind. Nothing seemed out of ce, so we left.¡± ¡°Out,¡± Collin snapped. The omegas bowed quickly and left the room. Renan entered just as the door was about to shut. ¡°I¡¯ve checked with the guards. Everyone was busy tending the wounded and controlling movement after the attack. No one was on the second floor aside from the posted guards, the Luna, Atasha, and Celeste.¡± Collin¡¯s frown deepened. Renan continued, ¡°That floor is for your family. Aside from your room and Luna Genevieve¡¯s, there¡¯s Celeste¡¯s chambers and the guest room that Atasha is using. The rest were empty.¡± His jaw clenched. Genevieve crossed her arms. ¡°Atasha should be unconscious by now.¡± Collin¡¯s gaze snapped to her. ¡°What?¡± ¡°She¡¯s still recovering from the earlier poison,¡± Genevieve said smoothly. Collin frowned and gestured for Renan to leave. ¡°Why is she unconscious? I thought Physician Mendez healed her.¡± Collin asked after Renan ¡­ 80 55 vouchers left the study. ¡°I gave her another dose. A slower one. It will send her into aa soon, but she won¡¯t die. Not before they reached the North.¡± Collin stared at her. ¡°You drugged her again?¡± ¡°She¡¯s done her part,¡± Genevieve said, her voice calm. ¡°She married the Tyrant Lord. That¡¯s all she was needed for. If she dies before they reach the north, everyone will assume Cassian killed her. And then we¡¯ll have reason to demandpensation, more soldiers, more control. Isn¡¯t that what you wanted?¡± He didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he turned toward his desk, eyesnding on the now- closed paperweight. ¡°The window was used,¡± he muttered, focusing on the important details instead of Atasha. Genevieve tilted her head. ¡°So?¡± ¡°Did you enter my study tonight?¡± he asked without turning. ¡°No. I was with Celeste the entire evening. We were sorting out some herbs that we can use for the wounded and coordinating with everyone for the troop¡¯s welfare. You can ask her. ¡± she lied without batting an eyelid. She had sent the guards away while she met William but Collin doesn¡¯t have to know that. Collin opened the paperweight again, unfolding it into the t metal te. He held it under thentern light. It looked like whoever touched it didn¡¯t get it open. They tried but failed. Still, that was too close. Too dangerous. He ran a hand down his face. ¡°There were traces of ink on the outside.¡± Genevieve frowned. ¡°Ink?¡± He didn¡¯t respond. Then she straightened, her lips curling slightly. ¡°It must¡¯ve been Cassian. Or one of his men. Who else could get in without a trace? His people are good at sneaking around.¡± Collin turned to face her fully, eyes narrowed. ¡°Are you certain Atasha didn¡¯t wake?¡± Genevieve raised her chin. ¡°She drank all of it. She should be slipping under by now, if she hasn¡¯t already.¡± But for the first time, doubt flickered in her eyes. Collin caught it. And he didn¡¯t like it. He moved toward the window, scanning thetch, the sill. It had been opened. Recently. 80 55 vouchers The study wasn¡¯t just his private room. It was a vault of secrets. And someone had almost unlocked one. He looked back at Genevieve. ¡°You better pray she¡¯s still asleep. If not-¡± ¡°She will be,¡± Genevieve interrupted quickly. ¡°The poison was prepared exactly how you wanted. Slow and painless. No traces. I made sure of it.¡± Collin said nothing else as he marched out of his room and found the room where Atasha was staying. He eyed the two guards guarding the door. ¡°Did anyonee in and out of this room?¡± he asked. ¡°No, Alpha,¡± one of the guards replied firmly. Collin gave a curt nod and stepped into the room. Atashay curled on the bed, her breathing slow and shallow. Her skin was pale, almost ashen under the dim candlelight, and a thin sheen of sweat clung to her brow. The nkets were bunched loosely around her, as if she hadn¡¯t stirred in hours. Her face looked drawn, weak- utterly helpless. ¡°She¡¯s wolfless¡­¡± Genevieve said quietly as she followed him inside. She approached the bed and gently pressed the back of her hand to Atasha¡¯s forehead. ¡°She¡¯s burning up again. Another fever. What made you think she could sneak into your study like that?¡± Collin didn¡¯t respond right away. His eyes swept the room, calcting. There was no sign of disturbance¨Cno misced furniture, no scuffed floorboards, no visible trace of another presence. Because he hadn¡¯t really believed it was Atasha. No¡­ it was too precise, too clean. Whoever it was had used Atasha as a convenient scapegoat. Someone hade through the mansion and covered their tracks carefully. He moved to the window. It was shut tight. Thetch was still aligned, the sill spotless. Not a single smudge or scratch. He inhaled slowly, scenting the air. Nothing. No unfamiliar wolf. No hint of outside intrusion. Too perfect. His gaze drifted back to Atasha. She hadn¡¯t moved. Her lips were parted slightly, dry, and her brow twitched faintly like she was trapped in some uneasy dream. ¡­ 80 55 vouchers Genevieve turned to him, voice soft and almost smug. ¡°She can barely sit up on her own. Honestly, Collin, your paranoia is getting ahead of you.¡± But Collin wasn¡¯t convinced. Something had been touched. Something had been opened. And if it wasn¡¯t her, then someone else had been in that study. Right under his nose. ¡°Hmph.¡± He spun on his heel and left the room without another word. Outside, the hall was dim and quiet. Renan was already waiting, falling into step beside him as they moved down the corridor. ¡°Tomorrow, Cassian and his people will leave,¡± Collin muttered, jaw tight. ¡°This cannot be a coincidence. Did you check his men?¡± Renan nodded. ¡°Yes, Alpha. I¡¯ve confirmed it with the scouts. Cassian and all of his lieutenants are currently in the war tent. They¡¯ve been there since the attack started. Multiple warriors saw them giving orders and assisting the healers. They¡¯re all ounted for.¡± ¡°And our side?¡± Collin asked sharply. Renan hesitated. ¡°We took heavier losses. Seven dead, three more in critical condition. Two patrols didn¡¯t return. We found one survivor and they said the Demon Fangs changed tactics tonight. Quieter and more coordinated. They struck harder along the southern ridge and disappeared before reinforcements arrived.¡± Collin exhaled through his nose, eyes narrowing. Cassian¡¯s camp held the eastern line with zero losses. ¡°No one enters that room without me knowing,¡± he muttered, more to himself than to Renan. ¡°I want everyone questioned. From servants to guards. I don¡¯t care how small their task was, I want names, movements, everything, Understood?¡± Renan gave a firm nod. ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± Îå AD Comment Brute 27 When I handed the map to Cassian, I expected him to examine it immediately, maybe react, maybe start piecing together whatever secret my father had hidden from the King. But instead of urgency, he walked into my room like he had time to spare, as if this was just anotherzy morning. He sat down next to my bed, too calm, too rxed, his attention divided between the parchment that contained the traces of the dark te in his hand and the windows. I didn¡¯t understand it. Maybe it was because I¡¯d never been good at reading people like him, men who didn¡¯t flinch, who wore masks with ease. Or maybe I really was too naive to grasp what was going through his head. I let my gaze drift to his profile. I have been with him several times now, but it still felt surreal. How could a man with features that sharp, that striking, like something carved from ancient stone, be the same one they called a monster? ¡°Are you satisfied with what you can see, Consort?¡°He didn¡¯t look at me when he spoke. My breath hitched. I quickly averted my eyes, heat rushing to my cheeks. I had no idea what he truly meant, but the way his voice dipped made it impossible to respond. Then, I lowered my head, eyes on myp. And didn¡¯t dare meet his gaze. ¡°I¨CI just want to know if I brought the right one.¡± My voice barely above a whisper. I hated how weak I sounded. I wasn¡¯t weak. I might look sick, my body pale and still, but I was very much alive and fully aware of everything. Cassian finally turned his head, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. ¡°We¡¯ll know soon enough.¡± That answer didn¡¯t settle me. ¡°What¡­ what do you mean by that?¡± I nced out the window. The morning sun had already risen. We were supposed to depart for the North within the hour. There was no time left to decipher secrets or test theories. How could he be so sure we¡¯d know soon? Cassian stood slowly, rolling his shoulders as if this entire moment bored him. Then he turned to me and said, ¡°We¡¯re leaving shortly. If you intend to keep up your performance, now¡¯s the time.¡± His next words dropped like ice into my stomach. ¡°Your mother and sister are on their way.¡± At those words, I immediatelyy back down and stared nkly at the ceiling. My chest rose : 80 55 vouchers and fell evenly, and I tried to match the rhythm I remembered from the nights I truly was sick. Then¡­ Mendez appeared beside me, holding out another tablet. He didn¡¯t speak until I hesitated. ¡°It won¡¯t harm you,¡± he said simply. ¡°Just makes it look like it did.¡± I nodded and took the tablet. The moment it touched my tongue, I braced myself, but just like before, nothing happened. No burning sensation, no rush of cold through my veins. It tasted like stale tea. nd. Harmless. I waited for my body to react, to warn me, to resist but nothing came. That was the problem. I had always known when something foreign entered my body. My healing ability screamed at the slightest imbnce. Even poison, even blood loss, it all triggered something. But this¡­ didn¡¯t. My body didn¡¯t resist it because whatever was in that tablet, it didn¡¯t register as a threat. Not to me. That alone made it more dangerous than any poison. This was the second time Mendez had given it to me, and I still had no real idea what it was. It didn¡¯t burn going down. It didn¡¯t cloud my mind or slow my heartbeat. It mimicked the symptoms of poison perfectly but left no trace behind. Not even my instincts, the ones tied to my healing, could sense anything wrong. Of course I was curious. Deeply. But there hadn¡¯t been time to ask questions. I made a mental note to speak to Mendez as soon as we left this ce. I wanted answers. About the tablet. About what it really did and why my body couldn¡¯t see iting. I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. And as if on cue, a knock came at the door. I didn¡¯t move. I heard the hinges creak open, boots clicking softly on the wooden floor. Then came the voice I knew all too well. ¡°How is she?¡± It was Genevieve, Mendez answered calmly, ¡°She¡¯s rpsed. The fever¡¯s back. The poison¡¯s still in her system. I¡¯ve done what I can, but she¡¯s very weak. Barely responsive.¡± I heard a sharp sob, too loud, too forced. Something thudded to the ground. Maybe she 55 vouchers dropped to her knees or kicked something. I would have wanted to see it but I quickly reminded myself to keep my act together. ¡°Please¡­ let me say goodbye to my daughter,¡± Genevieve cried. Cassian¡¯s voice followed. ¡°I am leaving first. Mendez, wait outside. Lucas is ready. Escort her to the carriage. I¡¯ll follow soon.¡± I heard more footsteps. The door opened again and closed. Then there was silence. And the shift was immediate. The air changed. Genevieve no longer bothered to cry. She stepped closer, her footsteps soft now. I could feel her presence beside me, feel the way her shadow loomed. ¡°This is your fate,¡± she whispered, her breath tickling my ear. ¡°You saved Celeste from that monster. For that, I suppose¡­ thank you.¡± I kept my eyes shut. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know what you are. Or where you came from. It¡¯s better that way. This world is cruel enough as it is without burdening yourself with purpose.¡± I heard her turn, her voice now directed elsewhere. ¡°Celeste. I¡¯ll be waiting outside.¡± Another set of soft steps approached. A hand touched mine, small, familiar, but colder than I remembered. Then Celeste¡¯s voice came, and it was nothing like the sweet little sister I thought I knew. ¡°I always hated you.¡± I almost opened my eyes. Almost. ¡°I thought it was strange¡­ how you clung to me. How you followed me around like some pathetic stray. But I smiled. I yed along. Because that¡¯s what I was supposed to do.¡± The grip on my hand tightened. Growing up, I never noticed any hatred from my sister. Had I been that blind and stupid? ¡°I deserve to be the one next to the King. You don¡¯t even have a wolf. You don¡¯t have power. You don¡¯t have worth. All you had was a borrowed title and a face too in to be remembered.¡± 11:08 Wed, Sep 10 80 55 vouchers your ¡°I¡¯ll be at peace,¡± she continued, her tone lighter now, almost gleeful. ¡°Knowing that death will be painless. It¡¯s a small kindness, I suppose. You get to die like a ghost, quiet and forgotten. Just like your family¡­¡± What? What did she say? For a moment, I thought I misheard her. Then her hand slipped from mine. ¡°Goodbye, sister,¡± she said, her voice curling with satisfaction. ¡°From this day forward, you¡¯ll be remembered as nothing more than that beast¡¯s fifth bride.¡± If you want a strong female lead, check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride ATASHA¡¯S POV Brute 28 ATASHA¡¯S POV : : 80 55 vouchers ¡°Why do I have toe?¡± I asked, my voice tight with disbelief. Cassian had just told me he was going back to the pack, and he was taking me with him. Just the two of us. I saw his eyes shift slightly, unreadable as always, so I quickly added, ¡°I mean¡­ we¡¯ve already left the borders. Even if I wanted toe, it would be hard for me to run back undetected. I¡­I don¡¯t have a wolf. I¡¯d be exhausted before we even got close¡­¡± Cassian didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the point? To find out if the map you gave me is the real one?¡± My eyes widened as the truth settled in. Of course. That was what this was really about. He didn¡¯t trust me and why would he? From his perspective, I could¡¯ve handed him a forgery, a decoy meant to lead him straight into a trap. If the map turned out to be false, it wouldn¡¯t just be a mistake¨Cit would be proof of betrayal. Bringing me along wasn¡¯t a gesture of partnership. It was insurance. If the map was fake, I¡¯d be the one to pay the price. However¡­ We were camped for the night, about two hours from the border. The forest surrounded us, thick, damp, and restless. Rain had started to fall again, pattering against the canvas of the carriages and soaking into the mossy ground. I stared at the muddy road outside, then back at him. I didn¡¯t mind apanying him, but I still couldn¡¯t understand something. ¡°In this weather? We¡¯re going back now?¡± And how was I supposed to run with him? I am physically weaker. But he looked perfectly calm, as if the rain and cold didn¡¯t touch him. As if we weren¡¯t in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a thousand ways to die. Slowly, I understood. Maybe he didn¡¯t want to tell me some of his secrets? Then again, to him, I was still a stranger. A potential traitor with a fake smile and a stolen map. Then, his voice cut through the sound of rain. ¡°We¡¯re not far from the area where the Demon Fangs attacked.¡± That made my breath hitch. ¡°If they¡¯re smart, they¡¯ll attack again tonight. An ambush.¡± My chest tightened. ¡°What?¡± Cassian gave a half¨Cshrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°Traveling makes soldiers tired. Exhausted men make easy targets. And we¡¯ve been traveling for almost a day 80 55 vouchers now. That¡¯s what they¡¯re hoping for. That¡¯s why we need to move. Now. In the middle of the chaos.¡± Before I could form a response, he was already stepping out of the carriage, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. The door creaked behind him. Then it stopped. He was waiting. Outside, in the rain. Holding out a hand. I stared at it. Then at the soldiers nearby. Of course they all knew who I was. I wore a deep cloak that shielded most of my features, but it didn¡¯t matter. Everyone around the carriage had seen me. Cassian¡¯s new bride. His fifth. I recognized some of them. Rio, for one, and a few of the lieutenants I had helped treat. Their gazes flicked in my direction, unreadable. Cassian didn¡¯t say anything, just kept his hand extended. I stepped out and took it. He didn¡¯t lead me far. Just away from the carriages and down a slope where the guards thinned out and torches burned less frequently. The trees grew closer here, and the shadows thicker. ¡°Do the others know?¡± I asked quietly, my voice barely above the sound of the rain. ¡°That we¡¯re expecting an attack?¡± he replied, still holding my hand. ¡°Yes.¡± We kept walking. To anyone watching, we must¡¯ve looked like lovers taking a stroll through the woods. The thought made me flinch but also, strangely, made my cheeks grow warm. ¡°They¡¯re not afraid?¡± I asked again. Cassian didn¡¯t stop walking. ¡°Fear is natural. But they¡¯re prepared. That¡¯s the difference.¡± ¡°But the Demon Fangs¡­ they don¡¯t care if they live or die. They don¡¯t have families to protect, no sense of loyalty, no real purpose beyond destruction. They fight like death means nothing to them¡­ like they wee it. And that makes them dangerous. They¡¯re strong. Maybe not as strong as your people, but they don¡¯t hesitate. They strike without fear, without restraint.¡± That¡¯s what made them¡­ frightening and almost unstoppable. ¡°You¡¯re getting talkative,¡± he said suddenly, ncing at me with a faint tilt of his head. I instantly shut my mouth. But then, without warning, he pulled me toward him. 80 55 vouchers I stumbled, my body colliding with his chest. His cloak was damp and cold, but his arms were solid, steady. My eyes flicked up, and I found his. Storm¨Cgray and sharp, narrowed slightly as he looked down at me. ¡°Are you scared of me?¡± he asked. ¡°I- ¡°Was I? Of course, I was! Naturally, I didn¡¯t want to be one of his dead brides! ¡°Is there something else to be scared of?¡± I heard him chuckle in response. ¡°You are a terrible liar,¡± he suddenly said before adding. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let anyone harm you,¡± he said. My lips parted, but no words came out. Before I could even react, he bent slightly and lifted me. One arm hooked under my knees, the other around my back. Like I weighed nothing. Like I was something worth carrying. ¡°Wha¨Cwhat are you doing?¡± I stammered, startled. He didn¡¯t answer. He just started walking through the rain, carrying me through the forest like this was the most logical thing in the world. Cassian didn¡¯t say a word as he carried me through the downpour. Then¡­ without warning, he started running. Fast. The trees blurred past us, shadows streaking across my vision before I closed my eyes shut. Rain pped against my cloak and stung my skin, but none of it touched me directly. Not with him holding me the way he did. His grip was firm but not rough. Surprisingly steady. I expected the cold of the storm to seep through his clothes, but his body was warm. Solid. Like a wall of heat in the middle of winter. The rhythm of his stride didn¡¯t jolt me the way I thought it would. Each movement was smooth, efficient, like he had done this before, carried someone like this before. Except, I doubted he had. O : I wasn¡¯t supposed to enjoy it. But¡­ part of me did. 80 55 vouchers Wrapped in his arms, moving through the darkness with only the sound of rain and his heartbeat in my car, I felt¡­ strange. Not safe exactly, but not in danger either. Like I was being watched over. Shielded. We ran for what felt like forever. Through thick woods, over uneven terrain, past thest flickers of torchlight from the camp. Then, slowly he began to slow down. His boots crunched softly against wet gravel as he came to a full stop. He lowered me gently back to the ground, setting me on my feet with surprising care. I adjusted my cloak and looked around, brushing wet hair away from my face. We were standing on the edge of something vast. Behind us, the forest loomed dense, wild, untamed. But ahead¡­ Was a familiar cliff. And just beyond it, I saw the rivers. The Rions Rivers. Stretching wide and dark, they twisted like veins across thend, fed by the mountains. They ran through multiple territories, even branching all the way to the capital itself. But this one, this particr river below us, cut straight through the borders of our pack. My breath caught in my throat. We were back. This was the edge of the border. The realization struck like a p. I stiffened, every muscle locking tight. My eyes scanned the trees for any signs of movement, guards, scouts, patrols. Nothing yet. But they could be near. I was standing on the edge of the very ce I had escaped not long ago. Cassian said nothing at first. I wanted to ask him what we were doing here, why we hade all this way. But I kept my mouth shut. Instead, I watched him as he stepped toward the cliff¡¯s edge, gaze fixed on thend beyond. 80 155 vouchers ¡°This is where the map leads,¡± he said finally. His voice was low but clear, steady despite the wind and rain. ¡°Right here.¡± Before Cassian could say another word, a strange sound cut through the stillness. A low hiss. Soft at first, almost like the whisper of wind through wet leaves, but then it grew sharper, heavier. My nose wrinkled. The smell hit a momentter. Rot. Pungent, thick, and definitely unnatural. Like something dead had been festering underground for days and was now seeping into the air. Before I could react, he was already moving. He pulled me close, tight against his chest, one arm locking around my waist while the other reached behind him. I didn¡¯t see what he grabbed, but within seconds, he¡¯d thrown the edge of his cloak around us, shielding both our faces. My hands clung to the front of his shirt as I pressed against him, eyes wide. ¡°Poison,¡± he hissed. AD Brute 29 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 80 55 vouchers ¡°Why do you think there¡¯s miasma in this area?¡± I whispered as we moved cautiously through the fog¨Ccovered path. The air was thick and heavy with the stench of decay. It clung to everything, clothes, skin, even the inside of my mouth. But while it made my stomach churn, it didn¡¯t harm me. I was immune to poison. Whatever was swirling through the air, this toxin, this miasma, it didn¡¯t affect me the way it would others. Cassian, however, wasn¡¯t immune. But he was prepared. He had a cloth covering his nose and mouth, soaked in something bitter and sharp¨Csmelling, but even that wouldn¡¯t be enough to block out all the toxins in the air. That¡¯s why he had me. We walked side by side, fingers intertwined, our hands locked tightly together. Every time the poison began to creep into his system, subtle, but fast, I felt it. I could sense the shift in his body, the faint pull on my ability. And I responded. Silently, constantly, I channeled my healing into him. Just enough to flush the poison from his blood, to keep his breath steady and his steps strong. Neither of us spoke about it. We didn¡¯t need to. We just kept walking, hand in hand, through the poisoned mist. ¡°Your father knew that someone stole the map, naturally, he had to add some¡­ precautions.¡± I said nothing in response. Yes. That was indeed the type of person my father was. ¡°Do you think he knew about William and my mother?¡± I already reported this matter when I handed Cassian the map. At that time, he didn¡¯t look interested at all. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know that,¡± he said. I immediately shut my mouth. Was I being too talkative? I had never been someone that talked much, especially after I failed to awaken. The¡­ was I nervous? Yes. That was it. Then again, this would be the first time that I would do something like this. ¡°This poison could harm even my strongest Lieutenants,¡± Cassian suddenly said. ¡°It¡¯s meant to kill the strong.¡± : I nodded. However, how could my father have ess to something like this? 80 55 vouchers ¡°Poisons like this can only be found in the West,¡± he said. That made me frown. The wWestis considered thend of savages. Both witches and other supernatural beings upy that area. I didn¡¯t have the time to say another word as he stopped walking. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± Before us stood a massive boulder, half¨Ccovered in moss and slick from the rain. It looked solid, ancient¨Cimpossible to move. But Cassian didn¡¯t hesitate. He stepped forward, retrieved the map from inside his cloak, and unfolded it under the light of a glowing stone he pulled from his pouch. He held it close to the rock¡¯s surface, his eyes scanning quickly for alignment. A few seconds passed. Then he pressed his hand against a specific groove etched into the boulder. There was a low rumble. I took a cautious step back as the center of the stone began to shift, smoothly, silently. A section of the boulder twisted inward like a gear, revealing narrow steps carved from the inside. Cassian folded the map again. ¡°Come on,¡± he said. We descended quickly. The moment both our feet touched thest step, the boulder slid shut behind us with a deep click. I turned back and stared at the seamless wall. No cracks. No handles. Nothing to suggest the opening was ever there. We were inside a cave. It wasn¡¯t wide, just enough for two, maybe three, people to walk side by side. The air inside was cooler, stale but breathable. The stone walls had no carvings or torches, but the dim blue glow from Cassian¡¯s lightstone gave us just enough to see by. Luckily, the miasma was only outside. Cassian raised two fingers to his lips and signaled me to stay quiet. I pressed my lips together and nodded. Oddly enough, I found it amusing. Cassian telling me to shut up, when I barely spoke as it was. He gave a faint smirk, then kept moving forward. We walked in silence, our footsteps muffled by the worn stone path. It was clear Cassian knew where he was going. He didn¡¯t pause to check the map again. He moved like he had already memorized every turn. I followed close behind, eyes darting to every curve of the tunnel, ears straining for sounds. Then it happened. 80 55 vouchers Cassian stopped for half a second, body tense. He rushed forward so fast it startled me. Before I could ask what was happening, there was a sharp crack. A body hit the ground just ahead with a dull thud. My breath caught. Cassian knelt beside the limp figure, hands already dragging it to the side. The guard¡¯s neck was twisted at an unnatural angle. I stared in silence, my heart thudding in my chest. I hadn¡¯t sensed the man¡¯s presence at all, no sound of footsteps, no shift in the air, not even the subtle rhythm of breath that usually gave someone away. It was as if he had appeared from thin air, and yet Cassian had detected him instantly. He took the guard down with frightening ease, as if it were something he¡¯d done a thousand times before. There had been no hesitation in his movement, no pause to assess or consider, just swift, precise action that ended in silence. He hadn¡¯t bothered to knock the man unconscious or give him a chance to surrender. He had killed him, cleanly, efficiently, without emotion. A cold shiver ran down my spine as I stood there, realizing just how little I understood the man walking beside me. It wasn¡¯t pitch ck in the tunnel, dim, yes, but any werewolf should be able to navigate it with ease. I could see well enough, but my eyes weren¡¯t as sharp as theirs. If Cassian hadn¡¯t been here¡­ We continued deeper. The path narrowed slightly, and the air grew colder. Then Cassian stopped again. Another guard. Same pattern. He moved without a sound, slipped behind the man, and¨Csnap¨Cdown he went. Cassian didn¡¯t even flinch. Just dragged the body aside like it was nothing. His hand brushed the blood off on his cloak as we passed. I kept my mouth shut. I had no illusions about what he was. But watching it happen, quiet, calcted, brutal, it was 11:09 Wed, Sep 10 different from the stories. And far more real. : 80 55 vouchers We walked in silence for what felt like an eternity. The tunnel sloped down now, and I could hear faint echoes, water, maybe, or something moving deep below. Then, suddenly, Cassian stopped. Cassian turned to face me and raised one hand, his fingers forming a clear gesture for me to stay where I was. His eyes locked withmine,e leaving no room for argument. I gave a silent nod in response, understanding the unspoken warning. Without another word, he slipped ahead alone, his footsteps soundless against the stone floor. I remained where I stood, holding my breath as the air around me thickened with tension. My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat loud in the silence of the cave. Then, just beyond the bend, the quiet was shattered by a series of sharp, unmistakable sounds, scuffling footsteps, a brief grunt of surprise, the sickening crack of bone, and finally, the heavy thud of a body mming against solid stone. Then nothing. Silence returned as if nothing had happened. Momentster, Cassian emerged from the shadows, his movements asposed and efficient as before. There was no change in his breathing, no hint of urgency in his posture, only the same calm, lethal precision I was quickly growing used to. It was as if killing was just another task hepleted without thought or hesitation. ¡± He didn¡¯t speak. He simply reached out, took my hand in his, and began leading me forward once more. The path began to widen, and up ahead, a faint flicker of light reflected off the cave walls, subtle, but unmistakable. As we walked toward it, I realized we were nearing a clearing inside the cave. And that was when I smelled it. Blood. Sep Brute 30 ATASHA¡¯S POV 180 55 vouchers ¡°This¡­¡± I tried to speak, but the words came out fractured, hollow. My voice barely reached above a whisper as my eyes swept across the clearing, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. Blood stained the stone floor. Thick, dark, and drying in wide streaks that trailed toward the shadows. The stench of it clung to the air, sharp, metallic, and suffocating. But that wasn¡¯t what made my stomach turn. It was the cages. Dozens of them. Lined up in tight rows along the cave¡¯s far walls, stacked in some areas two or three high. They were made of thick iron, welded crudely, rusted at the hinges. Inside each one was a child. Some looked no older than five or six. Others barely into adolescence. Their clothes, if they had any, were torn, filthy, and soaked in mud, blood, or both. Several had open wounds, untreated cuts, infected gashes, bruises in shades I hadn¡¯t known skin could take. But what unsettled me more than their physical injuries was the expression on their faces¡ªor rather, theplete absence of one. Their eyes were dull, lifeless, and unfocused. None of them were crying. None of them were speaking. They just sat ory still inside their cages, unmoving, their small fingers curled tightly around the rusted iron bars. It was as if whatever had been done to them had stripped away not only their strength, but also their will to react, to resist, or even to hope. My heart raced, pounding hard against my chest as my mind tried to catch up with what I was looking at. Cassian had already moved forward, his expression unreadable as he inspected the cages, one by one. He crouched near a small boy whose shoulder was wrapped in a blood¨Csoaked bandage. The boy didn¡¯t flinch when Cassian approached, didn¡¯t even look up, Is this the secret? Is this what my father was hiding all along? Dozens of questions flooded my mind all at once, ovepping and colliding until I could no longer tell where one ended and another began. What was this ce? Why were these children brought here, and for what purpose? 80 55 vouchers What was my father nning to do with them, were they being held as leverage, as test subjects, or something far worse? Where had theye from? Were they the children of captured enemies, rogues without packs, or¨Dmy stomach turned at the thought, were they from our own people? The idea alone was unbearable. And yet, I couldn¡¯t dismiss it. Children. Kept in cages like animals. Discarded like they didn¡¯t matter. It was too calcted to be random. Too many for coincidence. My eyes locked onto a girl near the back. Her hands were too small to wrap fully around the bars, but she held on anyway, her knuckles white from the pressure. She had arge burn mark on her arm and a fresh cut across her cheek, but she didn¡¯t cry. She just sat still, watching me with dull, unblinking eyes. A wave of nausea twisted in my stomach as the full weight of what I was seeing sank in. No amount of warning, suspicion, or mental preparation could have prepared me for this. This wasn¡¯t a disy of cruelty driven by rage, nor was it punishment meant to make an example. It was far worse. Every detail, the number of cages, the istion of the location, the way the children were broken but still alive, pointed to something carefully organized. This wasn¡¯t done in haste or by ident. It had been nned, structured, and executed without hesitation. And there was no justification for it. It was evil. in and simple. ¡°Your father,¡± Cassian said quietly, his voice t as he inspected the locks on one of the cages. ¡°Isn¡¯t just hiding secrets from the King.¡± 1 slowly turned to him, my throat dry, my voice barely holding. ¡°What¡­ what do you think he was doing with them?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t look at me as he answered. ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± he said. ¡°But it¡¯s not good.¡± Slowly, my legs began to move, driven more by instinct than thought. I approached one of the lower cages, my steps cautious, careful not to startle the child inside. He looked to be about five or six years old, curled on his side with his back against the bars. A deep, angry gash ran across his chest, dried blood crusted over torn skin. His breathing was shallow,bored, and his brow glistened with sweat. His lips were dry and cracked, and his skin had the pallor of someone on the verge of copse. He didn¡¯t respond to my approach. He didn¡¯t even flinch when I knelt beside the bars and 80 55 vouchers gently reached through to ce my hand on his thin arm. His skin was mmy to the touch, and within seconds, I felt it. ¡°There¡¯s poison in his system,¡± I said, my voice strained as I turned to look at Cassian. ¡°Not a lethal dose, but it¡¯s still there. It¡¯s making him weak.¡± Cassian¡¯s gaze snapped to the boy, his jaw tightening. ¡°Check the others,¡± he said quickly. ¡°All of them.¡± I nodded and stood, moving from cage to cage, crouching beside each child, touching their arms or shoulders where I could reach. My chest grew heavier with each one I checked. Poison. All of them. Different ages, different wounds, different levels of consciousness, but the same steady presence of something unnatural in their blood. It wasn¡¯t enough to kill them outright, but it was enough to keep them weak, barely coherent, unable to stand or fight back. ¡°They¡¯ve all been dosed with it,¡± I said, rising to my feet and facing Cassian. ¡°Every single one. They¡¯ve been poisoned deliberately.¡± I nced back at the cages, my voice rising slightly. ¡°We need to get them out of here. We can¡¯t leave them in this ce-¡± ¡°To where?¡± Cassian interrupted, his tone sharp but not unkind. ¡°Out into the miasma¨Cfilled forest? You may be immune, but they¡¯re not. If we drag them out now, half of them will suffocate before we even make it out.¡± I opened my mouth, ready to argue but stopped. He was right. The poison outside the boulder hadn¡¯t dissipated. The air beyond the hidden entrance was thick with it, and these children, wounded, starved, already weak from whatever they¡¯d been forced to endure, wouldn¡¯t survive long in that kind of environment. There were more than ten of them. Carrying them all at once would be impossible, and even if we did, it wouldn¡¯t guarantee survival. Unless I healed them. Without saying a word, I turned toward one of the cages, this time choosing arger boy who looked to be around eleven or twelve. His arms were scraped, and a bruise darkened one side of his face. But more than anything, he looked exhausted. He was awake, barely, his head resting limply against the bars. I reached through the cage and touched his chest, closing my eyes. The moment I focused, I could feel the strain in his body, the sluggish pulse, the fog in his ¡­ 80 55 vouchers blood, the low hum of toxin clouding his system. But unlike Cassian¡¯s lieutenants, whose strength and resistance made healing them a prolonged, energy¨Cdraining effort, this boy¡¯s body responded quickly. It wasn¡¯t fighting me. It weed the healing. Within minutes, his breathing steadied. The color returned to his face. The swelling in his eye reduced. And then¨Che blinked. His gaze sharpened slowly, shifting from confusion to focus, and then to realization. ¡°You¡­¡± he whispered, his voice hoarse and dry. ¡°You healed me?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. I didn¡¯t have time to exin. ¡°Cassian,¡± I called instead, gesturing quickly. ¡°Open the cage.¡± He didn¡¯t hesitate. With one strong pull, he broke the lock and swung the door wide. As the boy slowly sat up, still trying to process what was happening, I had already moved on to the next child. I dropped to my knees and ced both hands on her arms. This one was younger, limp in the corner of her cage, barely breathing. One by one, I worked through them, ignoring the sting of fatigue beginning to crawl into my limbs. Each healing took a small piece of my energy, but I couldn¡¯t stop. ¡°Someone¡¯sing¡­¡± Cassian suddenly hissed. His expression turning ugly. AD Brute 31 Chapter 31 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers ¡°Heal all of them. I¡¯ll take care of the rest,¡± Cassian said, already turning away before his words. had even settled. I didn¡¯t stop him. Instead, I focused on what I needed to do. I moved quickly, going from cage to cage, cing my hand on each child and pushing healing energy through their bodies. Their wounds closed faster than I expected. Unlike Cassian¡¯s lieutenants, these children were easier to heal. Whether it was because their injuries weren¡¯t as severe or because their bodies hadn¡¯t yet hardened from years of battle, I wasn¡¯t sure. ¡°My name¡¯s Aries and you won¡¯t be able to fight them,¡± the first boy I healed said suddenly, his voice surprisingly steady for someone who had been barely conscious minutes ago. He was standing beside me now, alert and upright. ¡°If it¡¯s just the two of you¡­ there¡¯s too many.¡± I nced at him, noting the rity in his eyes. He lookedpletely different, awake and aware. Alive. ¡°He¡¯s not like most,¡± I said quietly, more to myself than to the boy. ¡°Cassian¡­ is different.¡± But I didn¡¯t dwell on it. There were still too many children in cages, and I couldn¡¯t waste time. I moved to the next one, pressing my hand against a girl¡¯s bruised shoulder. ¡°You don¡¯t have a wolf, do you?¡± Aries asked suddenly. My hand froze. I turned to him, startled. ¡°How do you know that?¡± He shrugged. ¡°I just do. But it doesn¡¯t matter. I can help you open the cages.¡± I nodded, choosing not to ask how he knew. It didn¡¯t matter. If he could help, I needed him. I focused on healing the older, stronger¨Clooking children first. My reasoning was simple, if they could stand on their own, they could help free the others. And I was right. The boy grabbed a nearby stone, heavy and jagged, and mmed it against a rusted lock. The metal cracked under the force. One cage after another began to open. The boy moved quickly, using arge stone to smash through the rusted locks while I focused on healing the next child. Soon enough, we developed a rhythm. I healed them then he frees them and tells them the current situation, stabilizing them. Some of the children were strong enough to stand right away, while others needed longer before they could even sit up. For a moment, it felt like we were making progress. Then the sound hit me. 80 55 vouchers It wasn¡¯t just a distant movement, and I didn¡¯t need to see it to know that it was the sound of chaos. Steel shing against steel, heavy thuds, low snarls, and the sharp cries ofbat. My head snapped toward the direction Cassian had gone. This wasn¡¯t a scuffle or a quick ambush. He was fighting multiple enemies at once. A lot of them. ¡°Hey¡­ healer!¡± Aries suddenly said, his voice louder now, urgent. ¡°That one. You need to heal him first. He¡¯s not going to make it.¡± ¡°Atasha¡­ call me Atasha,¡± I mumbled as I followed the direction of his pointing finger and immediately moved, weaving around open cages and sluggishly moving children until I reached the farthest corner of the cave. The cage was smaller, more rusted than the rest, as if it hadn¡¯t been opened in years. Inside was a boy who couldn¡¯t have been older than nine. He was curled in on himself, his back against the bars, face pale and drenched in sweat. Blood streaked the corner of his mouth, and the stone floor beneath him was sttered with vomit, thick, dark, and tinged red. My stomach twisted at the sight. I dropped to my knees, reached through the bars, and pressed my hand to his chest. His heartbeat was faint, erratic and struggling. His body felt feverishly hot, but as I pushed my healing into him, I realized this wasn¡¯t just internal bleeding or infection. He had burns. Deep ones. They ran across his torso and back, hidden under torn fabric and dried blood. These injuries were different from the others. More brutal. More intentional. Still, I didn¡¯t hesitate. I poured more energy into him than I had for the others, guiding it through his bloodstream, targeting the burns, the damaged tissue, the poisoned lining of his stomach. He didn¡¯t resist it. His body didn¡¯t reject my healing like some older warriors tended to do when their systems had been hardened by trauma or training. Slowly, his muscles rxed, his breathing steadied, and the color began to return to his cheeks. Then, without warning, his eyes snapped open. They locked with mine instantly, sharp, unblinking, intense. Something primal flickered behind them. Not fear, not confusion, but instinct. It was Dominance, power. My breath caught as I stared into those wild, amber eyes. He had Alpha blood. It wasn¡¯t just the look in his eyes. It was the raw pressure that rolled off him the moment he sat up. Even in his weakened state, I could feel it, an unmistakable surge of natural authority. This child wasn¡¯t just another captive. He was something else entirely. But I didn¡¯t have time to dwell on that. 80 55 vouchers ¡°Open the cage,¡± I said without looking away, and Aries, who was already beside me with the stone, shattered the lock in a single swing. I moved on without a word. There were still a few more children left. My hands trembled from the constant healing, but I kept going. Thest boy had a fractured leg and multiple bruises along his ribs. I pressed my hand to his side and focused, feeling the strain pull tighter in my chest as Ipleted the process. Then I heard it. A low, guttural growling from behind me. It was close, too close. I turned quickly, instincts kicking in just as my eyes locked onto the figure standing a few feet away. Jack. The son of Beta William. He looked furious, chest heaving, eyes fixed directly on me with undisguised hatred. His fists were clenched at his sides, and his posture made it clear he hadn¡¯te to talk. He wasn¡¯t confused or hesitant. He had already made up his mind about me. ¡°You,¡± he snarled. ¡°I knew it. I knew you¡¯d betray us.¡± He stood just a few feet away. His eyes flicked from me to the open cages, to the children now standing, free, and slowly regaining their strength. ¡°You traitor,¡± he spat. ¡°I will kill you!¡± I barely had time to react before he lunged. His body shot forward, ws unsheathed, fangs bared. The suddenness of it caught me off guard. I stumbled back, nearly slipping on a patch of drying blood, barely managing to raise an arm to shield myself. His weight crashed into me, and I hit the ground hard, the wind knocked from my lungs. Pain shot up my spine, but I forced myself to stay conscious. Jack was already raising his arm for another strike. There was no time to think. No time to call for help. Brute 32 ATASHA¡¯S POV I rolled just in time. : 80 55 vouchers Jack¡¯s ws grazed the edge of my shoulder instead of tearing into my chest. Pain red, but I didn¡¯t stop. My hand scrambled across the ground until itnded on a jagged rock. I hurled it as hard as I could, striking his arm mid¨Cswing. He growled, recoiling with a harsh curse, staggering slightly from the impact. But he wasn¡¯t done. He lunged again, eyes wild, and I knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to dodge in time. Then a sharp crack echoed through the cave. Another rock mmed into the side of his head, throwing his body off course. He stumbled, blinking in confusion, and I caught sight of the small boy who¡¯d thrown it, his face tight with anger, his hand already reaching for another. That was when the others joined in. A second rock struck Jack¡¯s shoulder. Then another hit his leg. He spun around, snarling, trying to locate the source, but they were everywhere now. Children, the same ones I had just healed, were picking up rocks, some as small as fists, others the size of a loaf of bread, and hurling them with all the strength their small bodies could manage. The hits keptnding, against his back, his ribs, his arms. Jack cursed and staggered, trying to swat them away. One stone bounced off his jaw, splitting his lip open. Blood sprayed from his mouth. He turned, eyes locking onto a girl near the edge. She froze. Jack lunged toward her, but he never reached her. Aries tackled him from the side with the full force of his body, mming Jack to the ground with a thud that echoed across the stone. The boy moved fast for his size, pinning Jack¡¯s arms before he could recover. Then came the final blow. The Alpha¨Cblooded boy, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward from the shadows, his eyes burning with something ancient and savage. He climbed onto Jack¡¯s waist, gripping arge rock in both hands. Without a word, he brought it down on Jack¡¯s head. Once, twice. Three times. 80 55 vouchers Each strike came with a sickening crunch, and blood spattered across the boy¡¯s face, across the floor, across the wall behind them. Jack¡¯s body writhed beneath him, then began to twitch less and less. Still, the rock came down. Again. And again. Until Jack no longer moved. Until his skull had cracked open and blood soaked the stone beneath him. Then the other children joined in. Some screamed, others cried, but they didn¡¯t hesitate. Small fists and jagged rocks rained down on Jack¡¯s body, his arms, his chest, his legs. It was messy. Brutal. Unrelenting. Bones snapped. Flesh tore. And I¡­ I couldn¡¯t look away. I didn¡¯t know what these children had been through, what they had suffered in this ce, but in that moment, I understood one thing clearly. They had seen hell. And they weren¡¯t going to be victims anymore. Eventually, the chaos slowed. The Alpha¨Cblooded boy finally climbed off Jack¡¯s body, now a torn, bloodied mass that barely resembled the arrogant, sneering son of Beta William. Aries stood beside him, panting, knuckles scraped and red. ¡°We should leave,¡± Aries said calmly, as if what had just happened was nothing more than a necessary task. I nodded, pushing myself to my feet, my legs still unsteady. My gaze flicked in the direction Cassian had gone. The sh of weapons still echoed from beyond the cave walls. ¡°He¡¯s still fighting,¡± I said, turning to face the children now watching me. ¡°We¡¯re not done yet. Go that way, there should be an entrance. Run and then wait for us at the end, I needed to get him¡± They looked at me in silence. ¡°Go! What are you waiting forth¡± ¡°We¡¯re not leaving,¡± the Alpha blooded boy spoke. ¡°Come with us. 2 ¡°I- ¡°I paused. ¡°I can¡¯t leave my husband behind¡± That seemed to change their expressions. : 80 E55 vouchers He didn¡¯t hesitate. With the briefest nce at the distraction, he pivoted, driving his de into the exposed ribs of one attacker, then spinning low to gut another. A third lunged at him with twin daggers, but he twisted out of reach, grabbing the man by the throat and mming him down so hard the stone cracked beneath the body. Three dead. For a moment, none of us moved. Then I stepped forward, approaching Cassian. He was still on alert, eyes narrowed, but when I touched his chest, he didn¡¯t flinch. My palm pressed against his sternum. A soft pulse of energy pushed outward from my hand, seeping into his body. I could feel the toxin burning through his veins, chewing at his muscles, slowing his heart. But it hadn¡¯t rooted deeply. I chased it down, pulled it out, healed the torn flesh beneath the poisoned gashes, sealed them until they were nothing more than fading scars. ¡°You didn¡¯t leave,¡± he said. ¡°Don¡¯t speak. I¡¯m healing you.¡± The words came out sharper than I intended, and regret settled in my chest the moment I said them. How could I speak to him like that, after everything? I took a step back, eyes lowering slightly. ¡°And how could I ever leave my husband behind?¡± I added quietly, fully aware of the weight in his gaze as it settled on me. Then a flicker of a smile ghosted across his lips. ¡°Good.¡± He turned to look behind me. The children stood in rows, some blood¨Cspattered, others still clutching rocks with trembling hands. ¡°We need to leave,¡± he said. ¡°Now.¡± Ìï AD Comment Send gift No Ads Brute 33 COLLIN BLACK¡¯S POV 55 vouchers ¡°Sir, tonight¡¯s attack was different. It looked like our n to inform them about Lord Cassian¡¯s whereabouts was effective. We had lesser casualties, and none of them were fatal,¡± Renan said. Collin leaned back in his chair, studying Renan thoughtfully. He tapped a finger against the desk, letting the silence stretch for a few seconds before speaking again. ¡°How is the cave?¡± Collin finally asked. Renan straightened slightly. ¡°It should be secure, Alpha. Our men sessfully dispersed the poison throughout the area. It activates once night falls, exactly as nned. Even the strongest werewolf would sumb quickly if they inhaled enough of it.¡± Collin snorted, the corner of his mouth lifting in a subtle sneer. He hadn¡¯t confirmed his suspicions yet, but he was almost certain Cassian had been behind the theft of the map from his study. The notion irritated him more than he liked to admit. Cassian had managed to slip through his defenses, something Collin didn¡¯t intend to tolerate. Still, this was also an opportunity, one Collin wasn¡¯t eager to waste. Cassian¡¯s strength was undeniable, but even he had weaknesses. Collin wanted to see exactly how Cassian and his supposedly elite warriors would react when faced with a toxin powerful enough to incapacitate or kill even the strongest fighters. He wanted to know how Cassian would handle losing some of his best men¨Cmen he couldn¡¯t easily rece. ¡°And what about the Demon Fangs?¡± Collin asked, eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Renan¡¯s reaction carefully. ¡°Are you sure you provided them with Cassian¡¯s route north?¡± Renan nodded confidently. ¡°Yes, Alpha. I made certain their leader personally received the information. Cassian¡¯s men might be powerful, but constant travel and frequent battles would drain even the strongest warriors. The Demon Fangs know this, and they¡¯ll take advantage of it. They prefer hitting their targets when they¡¯re at their weakest.¡± Collin smiled grimly. ¡°Good. We need to keep Cassian upied. He¡¯s too dangerous when he¡¯s focused and rested. If he¡¯s forced to fight constantly, his strength will eventually fail him.¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± Renan agreed. ¡°He might manage to survive tonight, but each encounter will weaken him further. It¡¯s only a matter of time before he slips up.¡± Collin stood and walked toward the window, gazing out into the dim evening light. ¡°Cassian is resourceful, but even he has limits. Let¡¯s see how long hests when he has to protect his fragile new consort as well as his men.¡± Renan chuckled. ¡°He won¡¯tst long, Alpha. The Demon Fangs are relentless, andbined with our traps, Cassian won¡¯t know what hit him.¡± 80 E55 vouchers ¡°He had better not,¡± Collin said coldly, turning to face Renan again. ¡°I want detailed updates about his movements. Every misstep, every loss, every injury.¡± Renan inclined his head respectfully. ¡°Consider it done.¡± As Renan left the room, Collin returned to his desk, fingers tightening briefly around the edge. Cassian had managed to evade serious harm so far, but Collin would not allow that to continue. He intended to break Cassian¡¯s strength piece by piece until nothing remained. Then, and only then, would he truly feel secure. However, just before Renanpletely shut the door, an Omega came running towards him. Renan frowned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, wondering if it was the attack. The Omega, one of Collin¡¯s trusted aides who worked directly within the cave, stumbled forward, gasping for breath. ¡°Fire¡­ There¡¯s fire!¡± he managed to choke out between frantic breaths. Collin immediately shot up from his seat. His gaze sharpened, zeroing in on the Omega. ¡°Repeat that,¡± he demanded sharply. The Omega straightened slightly, gulping for air. His face was pale, eyes wide with panic. ¡°There¡¯s a fire in the cave, Alpha. It¡¯s spreading quickly.¡± Collin didn¡¯t waste another second. He moved swiftly, his chair nearly toppling behind him as he rushed from the study. Renan matched his pace, the two men moving rapidly down the corridor toward the staircase leading to the first floor. Their footsteps echoed harshly against the marble floors, urgency driving each step. Upon reaching the expansive library, Collin didn¡¯t hesitate. He strode to one of the towering shelves lined meticulously with countless volumes. His hand reached out immediately, gripping a seemingly random book bound in dark, worn leather, and yanked it forward sharply, Almost instantly, a low rumble sounded as the bookshelf shifted. Dust drifted into the air, and the heavy shelf rotated smoothly, revealing a hidden staircase spiraling downward. The entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for two people to move side by side, the stone steps descending steeply into darkness. Smoke immediately billowed from the opening, thick, acrid, and choking. It poured upward, obscuring visibility, making the stairs nearly invisible beneath a dense gray haze. Collin didn¡¯t pause to question the Omega further or assess the danger. Without hesitation, he plunged forward, rushing down the stairs into the suffocating darkness. Renan moved just ¡­ : behind him, his expression grim, determined despite the choking smoke. 80 55 vouchers The Omega followed closely but soon began coughing violently, his eyes watering from the intensity of the smoke. His steps faltered as he struggled for breath. Renan nced back, irritation flickering briefly in his eyes before softening into reluctant understanding. ¡°Stay here,¡± he instructed firmly. ¡°Don¡¯t follow us further.¡± The Omega nodded weakly, slumping against the stone wall as Renan disappeared deeper into the smoke¨Cfilled stairway after Collin. The descent grew more difficult with every step. The thickening smoke curled around Collin and Renan, stinging their eyes and burning their throats. The air grew hotter, the smell of charred wood and scorched stone intensifying. Still, Collin pressed onward, driven by a singr, urgent purpose. Renan understood exactly why the Alpha was pushing himself this far. Deep within the cave were critical documents¨Cfiles, records, and detailed receipts¨Cthat represented years of meticulous nning and maniption. These were not ordinary papers, they were the leverage Collin needed, evidence that could ensure his dominance and safeguard their pack¡¯s future. Losing them would mean losing everything. Finally reaching the bottom of the staircase, Collin¡¯s eyes squinted against the overwhelming smoke, his vision limited to barely a foot ahead. mes flickered nearby, illuminating sections of the cave in harsh, flickering shadows. The scent of burning parchment and ink filled the air. ¡°This way,¡± Collin growled, voice rough from the smoke. Renan nodded silently, following Collin¡¯s shadowy figure deeper into the cavern. The heat intensified, mes licking up the walls and engulfing wooden crates stacked against the rough stone surfaces. Patches of fire hissed and cracked angrily as they consumed valuable evidence. Collin surged forward toward a cluster of shelves, desperately pulling at documents that had not yet been engulfed. He grabbed handfuls of papers, scanning quickly to ensure he had the correct ones, stuffing them hastily into his jacket. Renan worked rapidly at his side, snatching whatever remained intact. ¡°We need to move, Alpha,¡± he urged, coughing sharply as the smoke thickened around them. Collin hesitated for just a moment longer, eyes narrowing in frustration at the mes swallowing the remaining papers. Then he finally turned, his face dark with fury. ¡°Go,¡± he rasped, gesturing sharply toward the stairs. Together, they hurried back, dodging falling embers and smoldering debris. Someone would pay dearly for this. Cassian, or whoever else was behind it, had just escted the war beyond : 80 55 vouchers what Collin had anticipated. And he was determined to retaliate swiftly and mercilessly! Collin and Renan staggered back up the stairs, choking on the thick smoke that clung to their throats and burned their eyes. By the time they reached the library, visibility had dropped drastically. Smoke poured out from the hidden staircase, swirling ominously around the towering shelves, rapidly filling the expansive room. The heavy scent of burning wood and parchment saturated the air. Books tumbled from shelves as weakened supports gave way,nding with dull thuds onto the smoldering carpet. Renan mmed a hand over his mouth, coughing violently as he moved to the exit. Collin followed close behind, clutching the salvaged documents tightly against his chest. ¡°Go call William, we need to get rid of the fire before it spreads out of the cave!¡± Collin barked. As they burst from the library into the corridor, chaos greeted them. People ran frantically back and forth, omegas and guards alike shouting orders or cries for help. Smoke had begun to seep into the corridor, curling around the ceiling and sending panic rippling through the gathered crowd. ¡°Alpha!¡± William¡¯s voice cut through the confusion. Collin spun toward the voice, narrowing his eyes as William pushed through the mass of panicking bodies. William¡¯s face was streaked with soot, his eyes wide and unsettled, an expression rarely seen on theposed Beta. His clothing was torn in ces, stained with smoke and sweat. ¡°Report,¡± Collin snapped, already bracing for more bad news. William swallowed hard, his jaw tight as he struggled to contain his frustration. ¡°The supply room¨Cit¡¯s on fire!¡± If you want a strong female lead, check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride AD Comment Brute 34 55 vouchers, ¡°He¡¯ll be thest one,¡± I told Cassian firmly, my eyes drifting to the darkening corridor behind him. Thick gray smoke had already filled the passageway, billowing forward in heavy, suffocating waves. I didn¡¯t have to see the mes directly to understand how far the fire had spread. The dense smoke was evidence enough, making the air hazy and hard to breathe. ¡°I¡¯lle back as soon as I can,¡± I added, my voice strained from the acrid smoke filling my lungs. This time, I didn¡¯t wait for Cassian¡¯s response. We both knew we had no time to lose. Outside, the poisonous miasma remained thick, lethal enough to endanger anyone who ventured into it without my protection. To safely get the children out, I had no choice but to escort each child individually, enveloping them in my healing energy to neutralize the toxins. This meant multiple trips, each one exhausting, each one leaving Cassian behind inside the cave to guard the others and hold back any attackers. But I wasn¡¯t concerned about Cassian¡¯s ability to fight. He was strong, perhaps even the strongest warrior that I had ever seen. My true fear was the fire he had set. After securing the critical documents he needed, Cassian had deliberately ignited the area, intending to destroy all remaining evidence. Now, the mes had grown faster andrger than anticipated and it forced us into this frantic race against time. ¡°This poison came from the West,¡± a small voice suddenly said, breaking through my thoughts. I nced down and realized thest child I needed to rescue was the boy with Alpha blood. He stared at the smoke¨Cfilled passage, his expression solemn. ¡°It was used to destroy my family.¡± The West, again. Everything involving my father and our pack seemed tied to that region. Could this poison be the reason Cassian hade here? ¡°Even the strongest wolves would die quickly after inhaling this poison,¡± I muttered quietly. We were fortunate that I could neutralize its effects, healing the children before it caused permanent internal damage. ¡°We need to hurry,¡± I said urgently, lifting the boy carefully. We had no more time to waste. I tightened my grip on the small boy, holding him securely as I navigated the treacherous path through the forest. I had already memorized a narrow route around the edges of the poisonous miasma, twisting carefully around trees and dense bushes, each step taken with precision. Even though my body was exhausted from repeatedly using my healing energy, I refused to slow down. 55 vouchers The moment we stepped beyond the toxic cloud, I felt the immediate relief of fresh air, sharp and cleansing, despite the heavy downpour soaking us to the bone. The rain fell in torrents, turning the ground into thick, slippery mud that clung to our feet, making every step arduous. The sky above remained dark, offering no hint of morning¡¯s approach. Visibility was poor, shadows cloaking the forest in uncertainty. I pressed forward until we reached therge boulder that marked our safe point, just beyond the Nightfall territory. The rock was enormous, nestled inconspicuously against a slope, its surface hidden beneath thickyers of ivy and tangled vegetation. To anyone unfamiliar with this area, the boulder would appear as nothing more than a natural part of thendscape. Carefully, I ced the child down beside the boulder, kneeling so that our eyes were level. ¡°Stay right here, and don¡¯t move, no matter what happens. Remain hidden, and stay silent. I promise I¡¯lle back soon.¡± His golden eyes locked onto mine. Aries, who stood protectively nearby with the other rescued children, stepped forward, cing a reassuring hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Atasha,¡± Aries said softly. Despite the pouring rain, he looked calm and collected. ¡°Come back quickly.¡± I nodded firmly. Without another word, I turned back toward the miasma¨Cfilled forest and sprinted toward the cave once more, driven by urgency and the need to reach Cassian in time. Each step felt heavier, my muscles burning as exhaustion crept into every limb. The rain made the ground dangerously slick, but determination pushed me forward until I plunged back into the thickening fog of poison. My healing energy instantly surged, surrounding my body protectively as I retraced my path through the lethal haze. The miasma seemed denser now, swirling ominously around me, the pungent odor nearly overwhelming my senses. My heart pounded hard, knowing Cassian had been inside the cave, exposed to the smoke and the lingering poison for far longer than I wanted to imagine. After what felt like an eternity of struggling through the choking fumes, I finally found the entrance to the cave. The opening was barely visible now, obscured by thick curtains of smoke pouring from the passageway. Gritting my teeth, I stumbled down the familiar steps, eyes stinging fiercely from smoke, my throat raw and aching with everybored breath. ¡°Cassian!¡± My voice was harsh, cracking beneath the strain of smoke inhtion. ¡°Cassian, can you hear me?¡± At first, only silence answered. Panic began to w at the edges of my mind, but then I saw him, a faint silhouette, barely visible in the smoke¨Cfilled darkness. Cassian was leaning heavily against the cave wall, head bowed, one hand gripping the jagged stone for support. I hurried toward him, heart racing as I reached out, my fingers brushing his shoulder. ¡°Cassian,¡± I repeated urgently, squeezing his arm firmly to get his attention. ¡°We have to leave now. It¡¯s time to go!¡± 80 55 vouchers His head slowly lifted, his eyes meeting mine through the dense, choking haze. For a brief moment, all I could see was the exhaustion etched on his face and the immense effort it took for him to remain standing. But then, without warning, his eyes shifted, his usual clear, steely gaze reced by an unnatural, deep crimson glow that pierced through the smoke like burning embers. Before I could even react, his hand shot forward with rming speed, fingers tightening around my throat in an iron grip. I gasped, eyes widening as my feet suddenly left the ground, my body helplessly suspended in mid¨Cair. Then a sinister smile spread slowly across his face. Panic surged through me as I struggled to breathe. ¡°Cass- Cassian it¡¯s me!¡± Chapter 35 Brute 35 Chapter 35 ATASHA¡¯S POV : ¡°Ca- ¡°I started coughing as his hand tightened around my throat. 80 55 vouchers His glowing red eyes locked on mine. I wed at his wrist, choking on the smoke and panic. This wasn¡¯t him. Not the man who told me to y weak to survive. But just as I thought he¡¯d crush thest breath from my lungs, something changed. His other hand jerked up, grabbing his own wrist. His fingers trembled. His jaw clenched as though grinding against invisible pressure. It was like he was fighting himself. Straining to pull back. Struggling against some force inside him. His grip loosened slightly, but his eyes remained red, burning and unstable. Then the smoke swallowed us whole. He coughed then fully released me. I copsed hard onto the cave floor, gasping, hacking through the acrid air. My vision blurred, lungs on fire. I blinked fast, trying to clear my sight. A few feet away, Cassian dropped to his knees. Then he looked at me, and that was when Irealized, his eyes were no longer red. I didn¡¯t know what happened, but I wassure, this was not the same Cassian who had tried to kill me seconds ago. ¡°Leave¡­¡± he said. ¡°What¨CWhat are you- 66 ¡°Leave me¡­ or you will die.¡± I frowned. But before I could say a word, he crumpled. He didn¡¯t move. ¡°No,¡± I rasped, crawling toward him. ¡°Cassian-¡® 99 But he was out cold. His bodyy limp, face pale beneath the grime and soot, his chest rising faintly but uneven. Behind me, the mes crackled louder. The air shimmered with heat. And ahead, the poison¨Cfilled tunnel waited, just as lethal as the fire. There was no time to think. I tore a strip from the hem of my shirt with trembling hands, rolled it tight, and pressed it over his nose and mouth. It wasn¡¯t much, but it might help block the worst of the toxins. Then I looked at him again, really looked. I could leave him. Leave him here to die. Let the fire or the poison finish what I couldn¡¯t. But I didn¡¯t. : 80 55 vouchers I didn¡¯t even blink as I slid his arm over my shoulders. His weight dropped onto me like stone, nearly toppling us both. I staggered, feet slipping on the ash, coated floor. But I nted my heel down and forced myself up. Every firewood run. Every trip up that cursed hill in Nightfall territory. Every bruise I earned from hauling what no one else wanted to carry, it all led to this moment. I bent my knees. Shifted his weight. Took one step. Then another. And another. Dragging him wasn¡¯t graceful. My back screamed. My knees shook. My arms ached so badly I couldn¡¯t tell if it was muscle strain or the onset of copse. But I kept going, teeth clenched, each breath a knife in my chest. The smoke grew thicker. My healing energy red around us, but even that was weakening. The more I used it, the more it drained me. Soon enough, we reached the exit of the cave. I pulled Cassian¡¯s body through the stumbled directly into the forest. gap, then The miasma hit like a wall. The air was heavy,ced with that same suffocating stench. I wrapped more of my power around us, shielding him, shielding me. But it was weaker now. Mud sucked at my boots. Branches whipped across my face. The rain beat down, stering my hair to my skin and turning the forest floor into a treacherous mire. Each step felt like wading through cement. And still¨CI did not stop. I didn¡¯t give myself permission to stop. Even when my vision dimmed. Even when I fell to my knees and had to crawl for a stretch, dragging him behind me like a dying soldier. Even when my fingers turned numb and my legs stopped responding. I kept going. Until, finally¨CI saw it. The boulder. The mark of safety. : 80 55 vouchers I cried out, but it was hoarse, more breath than sound. My legs gave out fully. I buckled forward. Then hands caught me. ¡°Atasha!¡± Aries. He pulled me upright, steadying my shaking frame as my head slumped forward. I felt small hands touch my elbow, the Alpha¨Cblooded boy. Together, the three of us dragged Cassian¡¯s limp form through the wet underbrush, under the shelter of the great ivy¨Ccovered rock. I copsed the moment we were safe. My fingers trembled uncontrobly, the sensation of strain and cold finally registering. Every breath I took came in sharp, ragged gasps, each inhale scraping against my lungs like broken ss. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to move. But we made it. Somehow. I turned towards Cassian. His breathing was shallow, but he was clearly breathing. He was alive. So was I. I let my eyes close, just for a moment. And let the exhaustion hit me all at once. My muscles, stretched past their limits, finally rxed against the cold ground. Every nerve in my body screamed for rest. I let myself feel the rain cooling my burning skin, and hear the muffled sounds of the forest around us. For the first time in what felt like hours, I didn¡¯t move. Then I heard Aries. ¡°I already removed our tracks,¡± he whispered somewhere nearby. ¡°No one will find us.¡± His voice was steady, too steady for a child who had just escaped death. Tracks? My mind struggled to grasp the meaning. What tracks? Why would he need to- But I couldn¡¯t ask. My body wouldn¡¯t cooperate. My lips wouldn¡¯t part. My eyes were too heavy to open. I wanted to speak, to question him, to stay awake just a little longer. But the weight pulled me under. My consciousness slipped like water through my fingers, draining away despite the part of me that screamed to stay alert. A deep unease wed at my gut, warning me that this wasn¡¯t over. 11:11 Wed, Sep 10 80 E55 vouchers That with both Cassian and me unconscious, the children, Aries, the Alpha boy, all of them, would be vulnerable. Exposed. Still, the darkness took me. Until¡­ ¡°Wake up.¡± The voice wasn¡¯t loud. It was clear, direct. Like a de through fog. My eyes shot open. Air surged into my lungs in a painful, uneven gasp, tearing through my throat like shards of ss as I jolted back to awareness. The cold, sticky mud beneath me clung to my skin and clothing, soaking through everyyer as if determined to anchor me in ce. Cassian¡¯s bodyy heavy and unmoving beside mine, his breathing faint but still present. Just a few feet away, the children huddled tightly beneath the shelter of the ivy¨Ccovered boulder, their faces pale, their eyes wide with a mixture of exhaustion, dread, and the raw memory of what they had just survived. I didn¡¯t know who or what had spoken. But then Aries leaned close to me, his lips near my ear. ¡°Someone¡¯sing,¡± he whispered. The words pierced through the fog of fatigue clouding my mind. I turned my head slightly to meet his gaze, searching his eyes for confirmation. Then my eyes darted toward Cassian¡¯s still form beside me. My heart lurched violently in my chest, a surge of panic breaking through the exhaustion. Because I knew¡­ we weren¡¯t ready for another threat. Öæ Brute 36 LIEUTENANT RIO¡¯S POV 80 55 vouchers ¡°The reason why these people dare to attack us is because of their poison,¡± Rio hissed through clenched teeth as he eyed the wounded men that they had overnight. ¡°Make sure everyone stays alert and careful.¡± Their warriors had survived countless battles, their bodies toughened and hardened by endless confrontations with ws, des, and brute strength. They had faced near¨Cdeath experiences, but poison was an entirely different threat, a threat far more insidious, deceptive, and lethal. The Demon Fangs relied heavily on their toxic arsenal, crafting poisons so varied it was impossible to predict their effects. Rio had personally seen its devastating range firsthand. Some poisons caused violent spasms, forcing warriors into convulsions, rendering them helpless. Others worked silently, gradually weakening the victim until paralysis set in, leaving them vulnerable and unable to defend themselves. Some toxins were swift and merciless, stopping the heart within seconds, while others cruelly prolonged agony, causing internal bleeding, burning lungs, and relentless, unbearable pain. Lieutenant Rio moved with heavy strides across the battered camp, his boots sloshing through mud thick as paste. Smoke still clung to the air from torches that had burned through the night. The rain had lessened, but the ground bore the punishment, deep tracks cut through the terrain, blood mixed with water, and bodiesy scattered beneath makeshift coverings. Groans echoed in the background, some low and weak, others sharp with pain. He passed by three warriors huddled under a soaked tarp, one of them barely conscious, his veins turning ck beneath the skin. The healers worked fast, but even their best efforts could only do so much. Rio crouched beside a fallen soldier, inspected the color of the man¡¯s lips and the trembling in his limbs. He wasn¡¯t going tost long without proper antidotes. None of them would, not if this poison spread further. That was when he spotted Mendez. The older man had rolled up his sleeves, arms streaked with blood and mud as he knelt beside a young warrior. His hands moved quickly, wiping sweat from the boy¡¯s brow while checking his pulse. Several makeshift herbal concoctions were lined up beside him, but even those didn¡¯t carry the certainty Mendez normally held. ¡°They used something different this time.¡± Mendez said without looking up, his tone grim. ¡°Just as we expected¡­ but worse.¡± Rio stepped closer. ¡°Worse how?¡± 80 55 vouchers Mendez finally looked at him, dark circles under his eyes and jaw set tight. ¡°It¡¯s more potent. The moment they inhale it, it starts breaking down the nervous system. Internal bleeding, paralysis, organ copse. We¡¯ve seen pieces of this type before but this specificbination? It¡¯s notmon.¡± Rio¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Have you seen this before?¡± ¡°Not in years,¡± Mendez admitted. ¡°Deep in the West. I encountered a version of this once, poisons crafted by witches. Their methods are older than ours, and far more precise. When witches craft poison, it¡¯s not just designed to kill, it¡¯s designed to torment.¡± That gave Rio pause. ¡°Then what the hell is it doing here?¡± he asked, lowering his voice, ncing around to ensure no panicked ears overheard. ¡°We¡¯re near the border, not halfway across the continent.¡± Mendez shook his head slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But if witches are involved¡­¡± He trailed off, clearly not willing to speak the rest of that sentence aloud. Rio straightened, chest tight with unease. Before he could respond, footsteps approached fast through the muck. Lieutenant Lucas emerged, his expression unreadable. He stopped in front of Rio and gave a quick nod. ¡°You and I are leading the pursuit team,¡± Lucas said. ¡°Demon Fangs retreated west through the forest. Our scouts saw the trails. They didn¡¯t bother covering them.¡± Rio nodded without hesitation. ¡°We move now?¡± ¡°Now,¡± Lucas confirmed. ¡°The longer we wait, the harder they¡¯ll be to catch.¡± Without wasting time, both men crossed to the weapons racks, grabbing reinforced masks designed to filter airborne toxins. They strapped them on with practiced ease, adjusting the seals over their noses and mouths. The materials were rough, not perfect protection, but enough to stave off the worst of the miasma. Rio secured his des at his sides, gave onest nce toward the wounded behind him, and turned toward the trail ahead. Rain still drizzled, lighter now, but the forest remained soaked. Every step squelched beneath their boots, mud swallowing their ankles in ces. Fallen branches and slick rocks turned the chase into a dangerous dance of bnce and urgency. 80 55 vouchers The morning sun threatened to rise behind a veil of clouds, its faint light cutting jagged shadows across the forest floor. The trees were thick and twisted, visibility poor in some areas and worse in others. But the trail was clear, broken branches, smeared blood, andrge imprints marked the Demon Fangs¡® route. ¡°They¡¯re moving fast for injured men,¡± Lucas muttered beside him. Rio grunted. ¡°They know we¡¯ll chase. That poison wasn¡¯t meant to kill everyone, it was meant to slow us down.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s show them it didn¡¯t work.¡± They moved swiftly, deeper into the forest. The scent of wet bark and rotting leaves filled the air, heavy with moisture and something else, something faint but foul. At first, Rio didn¡¯t pay attention to it, attributing the bitterness to the rain¨Cdrenched terrain and charred remnants ofst night¡¯s skirmish. But then Lucas slowed beside him. ¡°You smell that?¡± he asked, turning his head slightly. Rio did. It wasn¡¯t just smoke or wet earth. There was a chemical edge to the air now, acrid, metallic, and clinging to the inside of his mask. His gut twisted with recognition. ¡°Poison,¡± Rio muttered. ¡°It¡¯sced through the air.¡± Lucas scanned the area, posture stiffening. ¡°They¡¯ve saturated the terrain.¡± Rio raised a fist, signaling the others to halt. The small unit behind them, six men, all masked -froze without question. ¡°This is clearly a step up to what they¡¯re used to,¡± Lucas said. ¡°It¡¯s a trap.¡± Rio¡¯s gaze swept the underbrush. The trail was still visible, but now it looked too clean, too easy to follow. That¡¯s when he spotted it. A glint of ss beneath a low¨Changing branch. He crouched slowly, brushing aside the leaves. Nestled in a bed of moss was a small canister, cracked open and oozing a pale, pulsing mist. The scent intensified. ¡°It¡¯s a dispersal trap,¡± he hissed. ¡°One wrong step and-¡± A sudden cry cut through the forest behind them. ¡°Ramos!¡± one of the soldiers shouted, and Rio spun around in time to see a man copse, convulsing violently. Foam bubbled at his lips, his mask ripped halfway from his face. Brute 37 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers I tightened my grip on the dagger I took from Jack, the familiar weight grounding me even as the tension built with every passing second. Pressed against the cold, damp boulder, I slowly shifted my gaze to the children. They were huddled close together beneath the overhang, backs ttened against the moss¨Ccovered stone, faces drawn and pale. Despite the fear in their eyes, none of them made a sound. Not a whimper. Not a breath too loud. Survival had aged them overnight. Aries and Rico, the Alpha blooded child, crouched closest to the boulder¡¯s edge. Both had des in their hands, stolen during the chaos. They were small, curved daggers not meant for children, but they held them with a steady grip. Rico¡¯s face was smeared with mud and streaked with dried blood, but it was the sharp focus in his eyes that unsettled me. He was just a boy, barely taller than my shoulder, and was, ready to fight, ready to kill if he had to. yet here he I heard it again, the subtle rustling of undergrowth shifting beneath boots, the soft crunch of damp leaves under careful, deliberate steps. The sounds werefaint, but unmistakable. Someone¨Cor several¨Cwere nearby. Earlier, this people disapeared but it looked like they immediately came back. There were voices too, not loud or careless, but hushed and almost rhythmic, weaving through the trees like a current of wind that didn¡¯t belong. They weren¡¯t calling out or shoutingmands. They weren¡¯t in a hurry. They weren¡¯t chasing. They were waiting. Listening. And watching. There was no panic in their movement, no fumbling through the brush or reckless stumbling. I could hear the distinct snaps of small branches beneath slow. Whoever was out there wasn¡¯t trying to avoid detection because they didn¡¯t need to. They were confident. And that was more terrifying than if they¡¯d charged directly at us. They were clearly taking positions. But what I couldn¡¯t figure out was whether they were trying to surround us or waiting for someone else to arrive. A part of me believed they hadn¡¯t discovered our exact location yet. But that could change at any moment. We were running out of time. : 80 55 vouchers I strained to make out the words, but they were too soft. Not the careless banter of mercenaries or raiders. These whispers were soft and coded, maybe even signed. It hit me then. These people might be wolves trained in covert operations. Assassins. Or worse, the elite trackers. My heart thundered against my chest as I thought of the Nightfall pack. This ce isn¡¯t that far away from their border. Was it possible that¡­ that they were able to track us overnight? Did they know about the fire? Was it possible that my father knew it was Cassian and I who saved the kids? The thought made my stomach tighten. No. That¡¯s not it. I was almost certain that the fire would spread outside of the cave and straight into the pack house and mansion. He wouldn¡¯t have the time to chase after me. I let out a soft sigh, not letting my guard down. Apparently, I had been unconscious for one or two hours, enough time for the storm to lighten. Enough time for these people to creep closer. The children told me they¡¯d heard the rustling shortly after I passed out. Aries had wanted to wake me immediately, but the others insisted on letting me rest. They knew I was still too weak after dragging Cassian from the fire and miasma. They had waited, hoping the danger would pass. But instead, the voices multiplied. The threat hadn¡¯t moved on. It had grown. I looked toward Cassian. His body was still motionless, buried beneath a loose covering of leaves, ferns, and wet soil. We had smeared mud on his skin to mask his scent, mud thick with ash from the earlier fire. It was a gamble, a desperate attempt to trick the heightened senses of any werewolf out there. But it was the best we had. Earlier, I¡¯d tried to heal him. My hand had rested against his chest, ready to repair broken tissue, mend internal bleeding, or force his heart back into rhythm. But I¡¯d found¡­ nothing. No ruptures. No injuries. No magical bacsh. Nothing that exined why he wouldn¡¯t wake. He looked like he was sleeping. But I knew better. He was unconscious, and not naturally so. Something had taken hold of him, something deeper. And I feared what it would mean if I couldn¡¯t wake him soon. Just like Cassian, the children had all rubbed mud along their arms, faces, and even hair. Some used leaves to cover their scent. Aries had done the same. 80 E55 vouchers Now, his eyes flicked toward me. His jaw clenched. Before he mouthed. ¡°Someone¡¯sing.¡± My entire body went still. I turned my head slowly, just in time to catch a flicker of movement, a shadow slipping between the trees. There were no footsteps, no voices this time. Just an unsettling silence pressing in from all sides. But I felt it. We all felt it. Something¨Cor someone¨Chad found us. And it wasn¡¯t alone. A branch cracked. ¡°Aha! Found you!¡± Every muscle in my body seized. I turned, instinctively shielding the children with my body as a figure pushed through the foliage. It was a man, though calling him that felt generous. He looked more like something pulled from a nightmare. His teeth were ckened, jagged like broken ss. His lips peeled back in a twisted grin that didn¡¯t reach his eyes, eyes that were pale and clouded like spoiled milk. Long, matted hair clung to his face and shoulders, soaked from the rain and streaked with dirt and what looked like dried blood. His skin was grayish and torn in ces, like he¡¯d wed at himself. His gazended on Rico first. ¡°No wonder,¡± the man rasped as the smile on his lips widened. ¡°Alpha Blood. Someone with Alpha Blood is actually here! Hahaha we got lucky!¡± I gripped my dagger, stepping forward before he could move another inch. But I didn¡¯t get the chance to strike. A blur of motion swept past me, so fast it barely registered. And then- sh. A sickening sound tore through the clearing. Blood sprayed across my face. The man let out a startled gurgle. His head twisted, severed from his neck. : His body dropped with a wet thud. The children gasped, frozen in ce. And standing exactly where the man had been a second ago was Cassian. 80 55 vouchers His bare chest rose and fell with slow, deep breaths. His face was soaked with rain and mud and blood that was clearly not his own. His right hand hung low, still gripping the severed head by the hair, blood dripping down his forearm and sshing into the mud at his feet. His eyes were open now. They burned with an unnatural red glow, piercing through the dim light like fire slicing through fog. His starended on me first, but it wasn¡¯t the look of a man checking if his consort was safe. It was something else entirely. Something darker. For a breath, I saw it, something feral, monstrous, slithering just beneath his skin. The Cassian I hade to know, was still there, but buried beneath something colder. Hungrier. His lips curled upward into a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. It was cruel, controlled, and full of quiet malice. It reminded me of a smile like a predator who¡¯d just walked into the trap it had designed. ¡°Wrong.¡± A deep voice rumbled out from him. With a sickening squelch, he dropped the severed head to the ground, letting it roll to a stop in front of the stunned children like a grotesque warning. ¡°I wasn¡¯t the one being hunted,¡± he said, stepping forward, the blood on his hands still dripping in steady rhythm. ¡°I was hunting.¡± Then he turned toward the shadows in the trees, toward the whispering monsters that thought they could stalk us in silence. ¡°And I just¡­ found my lovely little prey.¡± If you want a strong female lead, check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride Brute 38 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers Have you ever seen a man be something else entirely, something cold, inhuman? I heard the stories about Lord Cassian. The cruelty. The bloodshed. The way he killed without hesitation. But hearing about it was nothingpared to seeing it with my own eyes. He didn¡¯t just kill, he made it look effortless, like ughtering livestock. What unsettled me most was the look on his face. He didn¡¯t seem burdened by the violence. If anything, he looked like he was inplete control and part of him seemed to take satisfaction in it. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t¡­ shouldn¡¯t we help him?¡± Aries whispered beside me, his eyes locked on the chaos beyond the boulder. Like me, he was crouched low, watching Lord Cassian tear through the remaining enemies with brutal, unrelenting force. ¡°Those are Demon Fangs,¡± a girl muttered from behind us. She couldn¡¯t have been older than ten. Her voice was trembling, but her eyes were wide with recognition and fear. ¡°How could we even help him?¡± I didn¡¯t have an answer for that. Cassian was fighting like a man possessed, but I knew something was wrong. He was injured. Somewhere beneath the blood and dirt, I¡¯d seen the glint of metal and something wrapped in dark cloth. A weapon, likely poisoned. I didn¡¯t know when it hit him or how deep it went, but the effects woulde, and when they did, even he wouldn¡¯t be able to stay standing. I turned to Aries and Rico. ¡°Stay here. Guard the others.¡± Aries looked like he wanted to argue, but one nce at my expression made him hesitate. He gave a small nod, and Rico shifted protectively in front of the younger ones. I couldn¡¯t do much in a fight, not against what Cassian was up against but I could try to help. I knew the basics and poison don¡¯t work on me. Besides, I could at least keep him from copsing when the poison set in. Without wasting another second, I gripped the dagger tighter in one hand, the short sword in the other, and pushed myself into motion, mud kicking beneath my boots as I sprinted toward him. The stench of blood and burnt earth hit me the moment I left the boulder¡¯s shelter. The air was thick with smoke, and the sharp cries of the Demon Fangs filled the clearing. They weren¡¯t moving like normal wolves anymore. They surged forward with a desperation that felt unnatural, sloppy but violent, like they were running from something worse than death. Cassian stood in the center of it, his de already soaked in blood. His breathing was heavy 80 55 vouchers now, his steps just a bit slower. I could see it, the tremble in his fingers, the tightness in his jaw. The poison was taking hold. I didn¡¯t have time to shout. One of the Demon Fangs charged me from the left. I raised the sword and blocked it, steel shing against sharp ws. The impact rattled through my arms, but I didn¡¯t falter. I twisted my body, ducked, and drove the dagger up into its side. It howled, jerking back, and I yanked the de free just in time to dodge another swipe. Cassian appeared at my side, his arm swinging out in a clean arc that severed the head of the creature before it reached me. He didn¡¯t say a word. He didn¡¯t have to. His eyes, still glowing faintly red, met mine for a heartbeat before he turned back into the fray. We moved without needing to speak, our backs almost touching as the enemies closed in. I stayed low, using speed and precision, while he handled therger threats, cutting them down with wide, brutal strikes. A Demon Fang leapt over a broken tree trunk behind us. Cassian spun, caught it mid¨Cair with his de, and sent its limp body crashing into the mud. Another lunged at me from behind. I didn¡¯t even see it until a firm grip locked around my wrist. Cassian yanked me backward, just in time for the creature¡¯s ws to miss my face by inches. He pulled me against him, tight to his chest. I felt his heartbeat and his body trembled just slightly under the strain. ¡°Focus,¡± he growled. ¡°I am,¡± I muttered back. I pressed my palm against his chest. His skin was burning hot beneath theyers of fabric. The second my hand touched him, I let the healing flow through. It wasn¡¯t perfect but it was enough. Almost immediately, the trembling in his arm stopped. His stance stabilized. Another Demon Fang charged. He pushed me aside gently, stepped forward, and met it head- on with a clean, crushing blow that cracked bone and ended it in one swing. I was breathing hard now, sweat mixing with the grime and ash on my skin. I turned and caught another one trying to nk us. I ducked low and sliced at its legs, and as it stumbled, Cassian finished it with a kick that sent it flying into the tree line. For a moment, there was silence. Then another wave came. ¡°Behind you,¡± I called, swinging my sword up and catching another beast on the shoulder. Cassian didn¡¯t hesitate. He grabbed my shoulder, shifted behind me, and drove his de into the creature¡¯s back before it could recover. We moved again. We blocked and struck. As I heal and dodge. But it didn¡¯t take long for something else to hit me. 80 55 vouchers Fighting to defend myself was one thing. But killing, actually ending a life, was entirely different. The weight of itnded hard, sharp and sudden, as the body of a Demon Fang dropped near my feet. My hand shook slightly, not from exhaustion, but from the realization of what I had done. I barely had time to breathe before I heard it. Footsteps. Not just one or two but many. Fast, uneven, approaching from multiple angles. My heart jumped, adrenaline spiking all over again. More? I turned toward the sound, chest tightening. Where were these peopleing from? How could there be more? And more importantly¡­ Why would anyone send this many to deal with us? ¡°We need to do something about this!¡± I said as I dodged another w. I heard a snort in response. ¡°It¡¯s simple¡­ we just need to kill them all.¡± AD Brute 39 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers A sigh of relief slipped from my lips the moment I recognized Rio¡¯s silhouette pushing through the smoke with his de drawn. He wasn¡¯t alone. Reinforcements spilled in from all sides, Lieutenant Rio at the lead, followed by soldiers in northern armor, their weapons raised. They were here chasing the enemy. Almost immediately, the Demon Fangs faltered, confusion breaking through their frenzy as they realized they were no longer the hunters. They turned toote. Within moments, steel shed against bone and ws. The chaos that had overwhelmed us shifted, swallowed by the discipline and numbers of the new arrivals. I exhaled, legs trembling beneath me. The dagger slipped slightly in my grip. My knees buckled, but before I could hit the ground, a strong hand caught me, again. Cassian. Blood smeared his cheek and jaw, his chest still heaving with exertion. But the rage in his eyes had dimmed, reced by something unreadable as he turned toward the remaining enemies with a final, sharp gesture. ¡°Secure the area. Check the children. Bring them with us.¡± Themand snapped through the air like a whip, and his men responded instantly. I turned to nce at the children. Rio was already kneeling beside Aries and Rico, quickly assessing their condition, murmuring reassurances in a tone too gentle for someone usually so cold. And then I felt it. Cassian¡¯s arms wrapped around me and without warning, he lifted me off the ground. My feet left the earth in one smooth motion, and before I could protest, I found myself cradled in his arms. Like a princess. ¡°What- ? Cassian¨CI- I am fine. Put me down!¡± I hissed in a panic, trying to struggle, but it was useless. My entire face burned as I realized every pair of eyes was on us. Cassian didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Behave,¡± he muttered. My mouth opened, ready to argue, but no words came out. So instead, I turned my head and buried my face into the crook of his neck. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as he carried me through the carnage like it was the most natural thing in the world. He didn¡¯t say another word, and I didn¡¯t ask any more questions. 55 vouchers By the time we returned to camp, dusk had already swallowed the sky in a hazy gray. The journey had been slower than expected, carrying the children and the wounded had taken its toll. But we made it. All of us. Fires crackled as they were stoked back to life. Tents shifted in the wind. Soldiers moved in quiet, methodical lines¨Csome limping, others helping theirrades¨Cbut for one brief moment, everything paused. All eyes turned as Cassian strode through the heart of camp, still carrying me in his arms like I weighed nothing at all. I thought he would set me down, maybe turn to assist the others or check on the wounded like he usually did. But he didn¡¯t. He carried me straight into one of the carriages, cing me down gently onto the cushioned bench. The door shut behind us. Outside, I heard Mendez¡¯s voice barking orders, checking the children, organizing medics. But inside, it was quiet. I expected him to sit, maybe ask me to heal him again. He looked like he needed it, his hands. still trembled slightly, and I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. But he didn¡¯t speak. Not at first. He stood in the cramped space, gaze fixed on me like I¡¯d done something offensive. And then he asked¨Ccoldly, carefully, without emotion- ¡°Why didn¡¯t you leave?¡± I blinked, confused. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I told you to run. When we were still inside that cave, I told you to leave me.¡± His jaw clenched. ¡°You disobeyed.¡± His voice wasn¡¯t angry. Not exactly. It was strained. It sounded as if he was trying to stop himself from doing something stupid. Which was somehow worse. ¡°You were unconscious,¡± I replied, swallowing hard. ¡°There was no way I was going to leave you there to die-¡± ¡°You disobeyed an order.¡± I sat up straighter. ¡°Were you expecting me to just leave you to die?¡± I didn¡¯t know where I got the courage to speak up and met his steely gaze. ¡°Then ran away like a damn coward?¡± Cassian took a step forward, and for a second, the space between us seemed to vanish. 80 55 vouchers ¡°You risked your life,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°You dragged me out of a copsing cave, exposed yourself to the miasma, and nearly passed out doing it. Why would you do that? You had a chance to get out. Why didn¡¯t you take it?¡± I stared at him. His eyes weren¡¯t glowing anymore, but they burned just the same. A part of me questioned whether his anger was really about disobedience. Was it something else. Fear, maybe? Fear that I¡¯d get myself killed? The thought felt absurd¡­ too far¨Cfetched to be true. ¡°I didn¡¯t leave,¡± I said, quietly. ¡°Because I know you wouldn¡¯t have left me either.¡± His brow twitched, the only sign that my wordsnded. But I didn¡¯t stop there. ¡°Maybe you think it was foolish. Maybe it was. But I¡¯m not heartless. I couldn¡¯t walk away while you were still breathing. Not after everything that¡¯s happened.¡± I saw the way his expression hardened, unreadable, so I added quickly, ¡°And besides¡­ if you died, what would happen to me? We had a deal. I¡¯m supposed to be your only wife and you¡­ my husband. Do you really think I¡¯d let myself be a widow just days after the marriage?¡± The second the words left my mouth, I knew I¡¯d gone too far. They were blunt and reckless and careless in a way that made my stomach twist. The silence that followed felt deafening, like even the air had paused to judge me. I could practically hear the echo of my own stupidity bouncing off the walls. For a brief second, I seriously considered pping myself just to break the tension. He looked away, exhaling slowly, like he couldn¡¯t decide whether to shout or break something. ¡°And what if you had died?¡± he asked, quieter this time. ¡°What if you hadn¡¯t woken up? What then?¡± I shrugged faintly. ¡°Then at least I would¡¯ve died doing something that mattered.¡± That made him freeze. My eyes widened instantly. What was I saying again? Why was I panicking around him? ¡°I- I didn¡¯t mean- I meant the children. Yes. Dying after saving them was worth it.¡± The silence in the carriage grew heavier, settling over us like a second skin. Finally, he sat across from me, eyes locked on mine. ¡°You¡¯re reckless,¡± he muttered. ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± I replied, a smile blooming on my face. ¡°Now¡­ remove your clothes.¡± C Brute 40 hapter 40 ATASHA¡¯S POV The rain had finally stopped, but the air inside the war tent still felt damp, thick with something I couldn¡¯t name. Maybe it was dread. Maybe it was exhaustion. Either way, it clung to everything. Cassian sat at the long, worn table, one arm resting beside a spread of blood¨Cstained maps, while the other remained bandaged tightly across his torso. I had already healed him earlier in the carriage, there shouldn¡¯t have been any wounds left. Yet he had Mendez wrap him in fresh bandages anyway, right in front of everyone. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was for appearance, strategy, or simply habit. And to be honest, I didn¡¯t want to ask. Not now. Not when the air was still thick with the stench of blood and smoke, and we had bigger problems to face. A map of the northern bordery spread out in front of him, weighed down by daggers and empty mugs. He hadn¡¯t said a word since he ordered the reports. I stood behind him, half- hidden beneath the hood of a cloak, the shadows swallowing most of my face. He hadn¡¯t told me to leave, so I didn¡¯t. Not that I would¡¯ve listened. Mendez stood near the mes, flipping through blood¨Cstained pages of a field report. His voice was cold, but his words made my stomach knot. ¡°We¡¯ve confirmed twenty¨Ceight fatally wounded,¡± he began. ¡°Three lieutenants were poisoned -the samepound that was traced to the Demon Fang traps. One died this morning. Two are still alive but declining. Antidote efforts haven¡¯t worked so far.¡± He looked up briefly, then continued. ¡°We have twenty more injured,cerations, burns, crushed limbs. Minor cases for now, but that number will climb before dawn if another wavees.¡± Cassian didn¡¯t look up. ¡°It will.¡± Mendez gave a short nod of acknowledgment, then flipped the page. ¡°The children¡­ They¡¯re stable. No surface injuries, thanks to the treatment provided by Lady Atasha,¡± he added, ncing my way briefly. ¡°But they¡¯re severely underweight. Bones showing. Muscle mass nearly gone. Some of them haven¡¯t spoken a word since rescue. Others flinch when approached by adults.¡± My chest tightened. ¡°They were fed and given clean clothing, just as ordered. They¡¯re resting in the adjacent tent, : 79 55 vouchers but¡­¡± He hesitated. ¡°They haven¡¯t lowered their guard. Even while eating, they nce at the ps. They eat fast. Too fast. Like they¡¯re scared someone will take it away.¡± Cassian finally looked up. ¡°Continue,¡± he said, tone unreadable. ¡°She saved them. She deserves to know everything.¡± Mendez didn¡¯t hesitate this time. ¡°We suspect they¡¯re remnants of smaller packs and viges, scattered ones that were attacked during previous raids by the Demon Fangs,¡± he said. ¡°At least, that was the original theory. Now¡­ we¡¯re not so sure.¡± He pulled out a folded piece of parchment and set it on the table. ¡°We found traces of something unusual in their blood. Something not native to this region. I¡¯ll need more time to determine exactly what it is, but it wasn¡¯t natural. Whatever it was, it was being administered slowly.¡± ¡°What are you suggesting?¡± Cassian asked, voice low. ¡°I don¡¯t think those kids were just kept there. I think they were being prepared. Conditioned.¡± Mendez¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°There¡¯s a ck market for this sort of thing.¡± Cassian¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°very?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Mendez nodded. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s an undergroundwork that deals mostly in fae and witches, but children with werewolf blood, especially those with Alpha lineage, are rare and highly valuable. They fetch a high price. Even higher if they¡¯re young and malleable. Witches tend to prefer them for their sacrifices.¡± My blood ran cold. ¡°We¡¯re starting to believe those children weren¡¯t just victims of Demon Fang raids,¡± he went on. ¡°It¡¯s possible someone else was behind the attacks and used the chaos as a cover to collect the children.¡± ¡°And my father kept them,¡± I said, the words heavy and bitter, like ash settling on my tongue. It was sinking in now. Cassian had probably known about the children all along. That had to be the reason he pushed me to steal the map in the first ce. He wasn¡¯t just after a location. He knew what, or who, was hidden there. Mendez didn¡¯t say anything at first. Then, finally, he spoke. ¡°Collin ck is just one of several Alphas we¡¯ve long suspected of engaging in ck market dealings with witches,¡± Mendez said. ¡°We had intelligence pointing to his involvement in : 79 55 vouchers trafficking rare items, artifacts, herbs, forbidden potions, but we had no idea it extended to children. That part was hidden from us.¡± He paused for a moment, his jaw tight, eyes fixed on Cassian before shifting briefly to me. ¡°Now, with what we¡¯ve uncovered¡­ It¡¯s clear this operation runs far deeper and darker than we ever anticipated. This is.. Is on a scale we didn¡¯t prepare for.¡± I didn¡¯t respond. I couldn¡¯t. My throat felt tight, like something was lodged inside it. Beneath the heavy cloak, my hands clenched into fists, nails digging sharply into my palms. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was from rage or shame. Maybe both. I turned my head away, not wanting anyone to see the expression tightening my face. ¡°I didn¡¯t know,¡± I said quietly. ¡°I didn¡¯t notice anything.¡± Back when I was still in the pack, I kept my head down and did everything expected of an omega. I gathered firewood, hauled water, and spent long hours scrubbingundry. I wandered the territory often while collecting herbs, sometimes even passing through the outskirts near the restricted zones, but still, I never saw anything that raised suspicion. Or maybe¡­ I just didn¡¯t want to. Cassian said nothing. He just leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing at the tent p like he was already nning what to do next. After what felt like forever, he finally spoke. ¡°Bring the wounded into the tent. Atasha will heal them.¡± Mendez gave a nod and turned to leave, but just as he reached the tent p, a soldier burst inside, breathless, eyes wide with rm. ¡°We found another body,¡± he said. ¡°This one wasn¡¯t killed by the Demon Fangs.¡± Cassian stood instantly. ¡°What do you mean?¡± The soldier swallowed. ¡°It¡¯s a man. Northern soldier. Throat slit clean. No signs of struggle. And this was left on his chest¡­¡± Brute 41 The war tent had grown colder, despite the flickeringnterns and the lingering scent of blood and smoke. The night pressed in from all sides, muted only by the rustle of soldiers moving outside. Inside, it was too quiet. Not peaceful, just tense. Heavy, like the storm hadn¡¯t passed at all, only changed form. Cassian hadn¡¯t said a word since the soldier delivered the message, the one left on the corpse of a northern soldier with his throat slit clean and no signs of a struggle. He read the parchment without so much as a twitch in his jaw. Then, without even looking at Mendez, he ordered him to leave. Not a word about the wounded. Not a mention of the poisoned lieutenants. No instructions for me to heal anyone. Just a curt dismissal. Now we were alone. Cassian sat in the high¨Cbacked chair like a statue carved from shadow and steel, one hand resting over the report while the other tapped once, then stilled. I remained behind him, partially hidden by the edges of the tent, still wearing the cloak that clung damply to my skin. I didn¡¯t know why he wanted me here. I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to know. But the silence was unbearable. I cleared my throat lightly. It sounded loud in the stillness. ¡°I¡­ um¡­¡± I tried again. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I heal your lieutenants?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t move. I shifted ufortably, forcing myself to continue. ¡°You said earlier that two of them are still dying. I know Mendez already gave a report, but¡­¡± My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my cloak. ¡°If this message means what I think it means, then there¡¯ll be another attack. Soon, Wouldn¡¯t it be better if your lieutenants are back on their feet before it happens?¡± Still no answer. He turned his head slightly, finally ncing over his shoulder. His eyes met mine. From where I was standing, his gaze looked calcting. Like he wasn¡¯t listening to the words I was saying, but rather dissecting everything I wasn¡¯t. My throat dried again. ¡°I mean¡­¡± I tried tough, but it came out awkward. ¡°Of course, if you don¡¯t want that, I¡¯m not going to do anything stupid.¡± ¡°Sit,¡± he said. I blinked. ¡°What?¡± 79 55 vouchers He didn¡¯t repeat himself. He just leaned back in his chair, elbows resting on the armrests, one hand gesturing casually, toward himself. I didn¡¯t have to look around. I knew there was only one chair in the entire tent, the one where he was sitting. My heart skipped. ¡°You mean¡­ here?¡± His expression didn¡¯t change. I hesitated. The tent suddenly felt smaller, warmer, like the air itself had thickened. My eyes darted toward the exit, then back to him. ¡°Are you¨Cseriously asking me to sit on-¡± He raised a brow slightly, as if daring me to say it out loud. I looked around again, hoping by some miracle another chair had appeared. It hadn¡¯t. ¡°Lord Cassian,¡± I said slowly, trying to keep my voice level. ¡°This doesn¡¯t exactly seem¡­ necessary.¡± Why was he asking me to sit on hisp? I blinked, my face was getting hotter. What the hell was I thinking? ¡°It wasn¡¯t a request,¡± he said. I stared at him. His tone hadn¡¯t changed. It wasn¡¯t cruel or impatient. And I couldn¡¯t read it, which made it worse. He wasn¡¯t doing this to fluster me. I didn¡¯t even think it was about intimacy. He watched me like he was waiting for something, hesitation, defiance, fear. And part of me didn¡¯t want to give him the satisfaction. So I moved. Carefully, I stepped around the table. I stopped in front of him, hands clenched at my sides, then slowly sat down, awkward, stiff, barely putting my weight on his legs. I felt his hand on my waist almost immediately, pulling me closer until I was firmly seated. His other arm drapedzily across the back of the chair, boxing me in. I could feel the heat of his skin even through theyers of my cloak, the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my spine. ¡°Now, rest,¡± he said. (/) 55 vouchers ¡°Eh?¡± My head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing in confusion. ¡°Wait, what do you mean by rest? You want me to sleep? Here? In yourp?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t even look up. He turned slightly in his seat, picked up another parchment from the stack beside the and began reading it with ease, as if I hadn¡¯t said anything at all. No exnation. No rification. Just the sound of rustling paper as he flipped a page. I blinked, mouth slightly open. Was he serious? maps, I sat frozen in hisp, unsure whether to feel insulted, panicked, or ttered. This entire thing felt absurd. Why had he told me to sit here in the first ce if he was just going to ignore me? Was this some new form of dominance? Was he testing my boundaries? Or was he simply too exhausted to care and this was his twisted way of making sure I stayed put? I shifted slightly, only for his arm to tighten around my waist in response, guiding me back into ce without so much as a nce. That was when he spoke again. ¡°You should stop calling me ¡®Lord,¡°¡± he said casually, his eyes still fixed on the parchment. ¡°You seemed veryfortable using my name back in the cave.¡± My breath caught. I immediately stilled. He hadn¡¯t raised his voice. There was no bite in his tone. But that made it harder to gauge. Was he angry? Was he mocking me? Or was it just a statement? Either way, I wasn¡¯t about to fall into another verbal trap. I didn¡¯t dare look at him. I didn¡¯t need to. I could already picture him sitting there, expression calm, eyes unmoving as he scanned the report like he hadn¡¯t just dropped ament meant to slice through myposure. ¡°..¡°I licked my lips. ¡°Then what should I call you?¡± There was a pause. Then he set the parchment down and finally looked at me. ¡°Husband¡± That one word knocked the breath from my lungs. I blinked once. Then again. My heart thudded in a strange, misced rhythm Husband? Was be joking? ¡­ : ¡°I mean¡­¡± I muttered, refusing to meet his eyes. ¡°Beds are softer.¡± 79 55 vouchers He hummed.¡°Beds don¡¯t react,¡± he said. ¡°They don¡¯t adjust to your movements. They don¡¯t know when you¡¯re cold or when you¡¯re tense. And they certainly don¡¯t stay alert when someone tries to attack you in your sleep. My arms are better.¡± 11:13 Wed, Sep 10 Brute 42 ATASHA¡¯S POV 79 55 vouchers I woke to the sound of soft wheels rolling over uneven ground, the faint creak of wood, and the gentle sway of a moving carriage. For a few seconds, I wasn¡¯t sure where I was. Then the warmth of the thick nket around me, the faint scent of herbs and clean linen, and the muted light seeping through the heavy curtains reminded me, I was no longer in the war tent. I blinked and slowly sat up. Strangely enough, my body didn¡¯t hurt. Not even a little. No stiffness in my neck. No soreness in my back. Honestly, I expected some difort after spending the night sleeping in someone¡¯sp, especially someone built like a wall of muscle and bone. But to my surprise, I felt fine. Rested, even. I took a slow breath and looked around. It was the samerge northern carriage from before. Spacious, reinforced with iron fittings, lined with soft furs and thick cushioning. One that could double as a mobilemand room if necessary. I hadn¡¯t remembered getting in. Cassian must¡¯ve moved me while I slept. I turned and immediately froze. Cassian was sitting on the bench opposite me, eyes closed, arms folded, back straight, head tilted slightly against the side panel. He looked perfectly still, almost like he hadn¡¯t moved all night. But he was asleep. That, in itself, felt strange. I had never seen him asleep before. I didn¡¯t even think he was capable of sleeping in public. Yet here he was, his breathing even, his face finally free from that constant tension and sharpness he always wore like armor. He looked¡­ different. Younger, somehow. Less like the ruthless warlord I¡¯d watched cut down Demon Fangs, and more like a man. Maybe even the man he used to be before everything hardened him. I remembered someone had said he was nearing thirty. That tracked. He had married his fourth wife when he was twenty¨Csix. That was several years ago. I studied his face quietly. Without the frown creasing his forehead or the sharp glint in his eyes, he almost looked gentle. Not soft, exactly¨Cnothing about Cassian could ever be soft- but more¡­ human. My eyes drifted to his clothes next. 55 vouchers He had changed. The bandages were gone, reced by a clean, high¨Ccored shirt under a dark travel cloak. There were still faint shadows under his eyes, but nothing too worrying. Not the kind of exhaustion that signaled injury. He looked like someone who had stayed up too long and finally gave in. Then it hit me. Wait. I looked down at myself. I was wearing clean clothes, too. My cloak was gone. In its ce was a fresh tunic, warm but light, with a sash tied neatly at the waist. It wasn¡¯t something I remembered putting on. My eyes widened slightly. Who changed me? My heart jumped. Did he change me? I stared down at my chest, then patted it instinctively, more out of shock than anything else. The tunic wasn¡¯t tight, but it fit well enough that I knew someone had taken the time to dress me properly. I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure how I felt about it. Then again¡­ he had seen me naked before. Not that it made this any less awkward. But at this point, modesty was a lost cause, wasn¡¯t it? My gaze shifted back to him. And that was when I noticed his eyes were open. He was watching me quietly. I jumped slightly, my spine straightening in rm. ¡°Oh! You¡¯re awake-¡± Then I froze mid¨Csentence. My voice hade out too cheery, like I¡¯d just greeted a neighbor instead of the man I was just mentally using of undressing me. Cassian didn¡¯t say anything. He just looked at me, unreadable as always, like he had been awake far longer than I¡¯d realized. I forced a smile. Then immediately regretted it. 79 55 vouchers My lips were still frozen in that awkward half¨Csmile when I realized, I didn¡¯t know if I should be smiling. Was this a casual moment? Was he mad? Was he even in the mood to talk? ¡°Did¡­ did I wake you up?¡± I asked quickly, trying to steer the tension into something less humiliating. His expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°How was your rest?¡± he asked. ¡°It was good,¡± I said, lowering my gaze. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­ you didn¡¯t wake me up,¡± he said. Then he turned towards the door. ¡°They did.¡± Before I could say another word, a knock sounded from the door. Did he sense them before they could even knock? ¡°My lord, we are about to enter the territory of the Crimson Howlers Pack.¡± It was Mendez. ¡°It seems that Alpha Jason sent some people to wee us and was inviting us back to his pack house.¡± Crimson Howlers Pack? The name of the pack alone made me frown. It was familiar. Then it hit me. The memory came rushing back faster than I could filter it. Alpha Jason MacMahon. I have seen the man before. He had visited the pack years ago. However, this wasn¡¯t what surprised me. Cassian¡¯s first bride, the one who died the night after their wedding, was Alpha Jason¡¯s eldest daughter. Which meant¡­ this pack wasn¡¯t just some ally or old acquaintance. Cassian¡¯s first father¨Cinw was waiting outside. I blinked, my lips parting slightly as I turned my gaze toward Cassian. He remained still, unmoving as Mendez waited on the other side of the carriage door. Wasn¡¯t this a little awkward? Maybe more than a little? I expected him to respond the way he usually did. Maybe a simple, ¡°We continue,¡± or ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± I just couldn¡¯t imagine him wanting to stop for polite chatter with ¡­ 79 55 vouchers the father of the woman who had died after marrying him. But Cassian didn¡¯t say anything right away. Instead, he looked at me. Really looked. I sat there, still unsure if I should speak or pretend I hadn¡¯t connected the dots. Should I pretend I didn¡¯t know who Alpha Jason was despite the fact that Nightfall are neighbors with the Crimson Howlers pack? Then, finally, he turned back to the door. ¡°Tell them to prepare a room,¡± he said, his tone neutral. ¡°My wife needs rest.¡± My eyes widened. I stared at him. What? I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Did he really just say that? Mendez didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Understood, my lord.¡± The footsteps faded. I slowly turned to Cassian, trying to make sense of it. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ seriously stopping here?¡± I asked. His eyes flicked back to me. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°With them?¡± I rified, just to be sure we were thinking of the same people. ¡°With Alpha Jason?¡± ¡°Is that a problem?¡± he asked without blinking. ¡°I- No- My Lord.¡± ¡°Husband,¡± he said. ¡°Call me husband.¡± Brute 43 ¡°Husband,¡± he said. ¡°Call me husband.¡± COLLIN BLACK¡¯S POV E55 vouchers They were inside Alpha Collin¡¯s study, a room that smelled faintly of old books, worn leather, and the lingering traces of smoke that the maids had yet to fully scrub from the air. The fire hadn¡¯t reached this part of the estate, but it hade close enough that soot had slipped in through the cracks, staining the edges of the tall windows and leaving the curtains dull with ash. Beta William stood just a few steps from therge oak desk, a thick parchment in his hand. ¡°Alpha, here is the inventory list,¡± he said, his tone steady despite the tension in his shoulders. ¡°It covers everything the fire consumed the other night.¡± Without lifting his head, Collin extended a hand in a dismissive gesture toward the desk, his other hand still holding a separate stack of documents. ¡°Set it there,¡± he said. William obeyed immediately, cing the parchment carefully atop a pile that was already growing with unread reports. Collin didn¡¯t so much as nce at it. His attention remained fixed on the report in front of him, something rted to patrol rotations and troop movements and the Demon Fangs. The destruction from the fire, while unfortunate, was not his current priority. The western border demanded more urgent attention. After a long pause, he finally spoke again, eyes still scanning the page. ¡°Where is the Luna?¡± ¡°She¡¯s in the infirmary,¡± William replied. ¡°Helping with the wounded.¡± That caught Collin¡¯s attention. His pen stilled. ¡°We ran out of several healing herbs,¡± William continued, clearing his throat. ¡°Most of them were stored in the supply room closest to the eastern wall, the same wing where the fire started. Because the mes spread quickly through the wooden beams, we weren¡¯t able to recover much. The heat scorched most of the bundles before the guards could get the doors open.¡± Collin exhaled sharply through his nose and finally set his pen down, fingers tapping against the desk in irritation. The supply room had been stocked recently, and many of those herbs were imported. Expensive. Difficult to rece on short notice. And worse, he knew that once news of the shortage spread, questions would follow. Another problem added to an already growing pile. ¡°Have you kept this matter a secret?¡± Collin asked as he finally looked up from the document in his hand. 79 E55 vouchers ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± William answered with a firm nod. His posture remained straight, hands behind his back, but there was a tension in his voice that wasn¡¯t there before. ¡°We¡¯ve made sure the information hasn¡¯t left the inner circle. If news spreads that we¡¯re already running low on essential supplies, especially medical herbs, the Demon Fangs will undoubtedly take advantage of the weakness. Another attack would be inevitable. However, I already sent some letters to our allies. I believe, we will be hearing from them soon.¡± Collin narrowed his eyes slightly, as if running through potential scenarios in his mind. He leaned back in his chair, the old leather creaking beneath him, and studied the Beta for a moment longer. ¡°Good.¡± But William didn¡¯t leave. He remained rooted in ce, shoulders stiff, eyes flicking toward the door and then back again. ¡°What is it?¡± Collin asked, noticing the hesitation. ¡°Alpha¡­ word has reached us. Lord Cassian is currently within the Crimson Howlers Pack territory.¡± William paused, watching closely for his Alpha¡¯s reaction. ¡°Three of his lieutenants were reported to be gravely injured. A significant number of his men also sustained injuries during the most recent attack. It seems the damage was considerable.¡± That, finally, drew a response. Collin¡¯s features shifted. The cold detachment he wore as a shield cracked slightly, just enough for a faint smile to form at the corner of his mouth. His eyes gleamed. ¡°Good,¡± he murmured. ¡°Is everything in order on our end?¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha. The patrol routes have been reinforced. We¡¯ve rotated out the more exhausted squads. Fresh eyes are on the eastern and southern posts. And I already coordinated with Alpha Jason. Everything is just ording to our n.¡± Collin gave a short nod, pleased. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he dismissed William. ¡°Mind the patrols. Keep our guards sharp. We can¡¯t affordcency.¡± William bowed his head respectfully, then turned on his heel and exited the study without another word. Collin leaned forward again, elbows braced on the edge of his desk as he stared down at the map spread across it. While he had provided Cassian¡¯s location to the Demon Fangs, he had never once considered himself their ally. Cooperation did not mean loyalty. The Demon Fangs were feral beasts, vicious, uncontroble, and driven solely by bloodlust. Aligning with them had been a temporary tactic, not a long¨Cterm strategy. He had no intention of binding himself to creatures who could not be reasoned with. No matter how useful they were now, they were still monsters. And monsters, eventually, had to be caged or killed. 79 55 vouchers After what felt like an unending stretch of silence, another knock broke through the stillness of the study. The sound was sharp against the muted hum of the crackling firece. ¡°Enter,¡± Collin called, his voice steady but carrying an edge. The door opened, and Renan stepped inside. He came to a halt a few steps from the desk and gave a shallow bow. Collin¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°How was your investigation?¡± Renan straightened, meeting his Alpha¡¯s gaze briefly before speaking. ¡°It was just as you suspected,¡± he began, his tone grim. ¡°The cages were not empty. But the burned corpses inside¡­¡± His voice faltered, and for a moment, hisposure cracked. The memory was still fresh, seared into his mind. ¡°Those were not children,¡± he finished quietly. ¡°Those were our people.¡± Collin¡¯s expression shifted, the satisfaction from earlier wiped clean and reced with a dark, stony gravity. His hands stilled over the papers on his desk, the air between them growing heavier. ¡°Have you obtained the list,¡± he asked slowly. ¡°Of the ones who were supposed to be inside the cave when the incident happened?¡± Renan shook his head. ¡°Sadly, no. Everything inside was destroyed by the fire. Whoever set it¡­ they did it with precision. Multiple ignition points. It wasn¡¯t a simple ze, it was meticulously nned. Every document, every record of the experiments, gone. However¡­¡± He reached into his coat and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. ¡°I do have a list of the men currently unounted for.¡± Collin reached for it, but Renan¡¯s hesitation made him pause. ¡°And what?¡± Collin barked. Renan¡¯s jaw tightened before he spoke the words he clearly didn¡¯t want to say, ¡°Beta William¡¯s son, Jack¡­ was one of them.¡± The silence that followed was thick, Collin¡¯s hand, still half¨Cextended toward the parchment, lowered slowly. His gaze locked onto Renan, and his expression darkened further. ¡°Their deaths will not go in vain.¡± Alpha Collin¡¯s eyes burned with a cold, lethal promise. ¡°We will find the ones responsible¡­ and make them pay.¡± Brute 44 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 79 55 vouchers The courtyard was colder than I expected. Crisp air clung to the stones beneath our feet, and a thin veil of mist still hung in the spaces between the old columns. Crimson Howlers Pack had gathered in full force, guards in formal armor lining the sides, attendants standing stiffly, and, at the very center, Alpha Jason himself. He hadn¡¯t changed much. Still tall, still sharp in the way only old wolves could be, with a presence that demanded attention. His expression, however, was unreadable. Like this whole greeting was nothing more than a formality he¡¯d rather not bother with. His gaze swept across us and, for the briefest moment,nded on me. Just a nce. But it happened. And that was already strange. In the past, Alpha Jason hadn¡¯t looked at me at all. I could¡¯ve been a shadow clinging to the wall and he wouldn¡¯t have noticed. Back then, I was just an omega girl, wolfless and unremarkable. Not worth even a nod. But now, standing next to Cassian as his wife, a Princess Consort, that nce, short as it was, felt like a silent admission that my presence mattered now. Or¡­ he was just wondering why I was still breathing. Jason didn¡¯t hold my gaze. He shifted his attention immediately to Cassian and offered a nod, nothing more. ¡°Wee to Crimson Howlers territory, Lord Cassian,¡± he said. His voice was smooth but clearly forced, like every word had to be pushed through his teeth. ¡°I trust your journey wasn¡¯t too harsh. We¡¯ve arranged for yourfort during your stay.¡± Cassian didn¡¯t respond right away. He looked at Jason for a long moment, expression unreadable, then asked, casually, ¡°Are you sick?¡± I blinked, confused. Jason¡¯s brows twitched. ¡°What does the Lord mean?¡± he asked. Cassian tilted his head slightly, a slow smile forming on his lips. ¡°If you¡¯re unwell, you probably shouldn¡¯t be out here. Wouldn¡¯t want you infecting the rest of us.¡± I felt the tension in the air change instantly. Jason¡¯s entire body went rigid. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought I heard the faint grind of his teeth. For a moment, it looked like he might explode right there in front of everyone, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, he inhaled through his nose. ¡°I am not sick, my lord. Thank you for your concern,¡± he said, voice stiff and low. ¡­ : 79 E 55 vouchers Cassian just nodded, still smiling. ¡°Ah,¡± he said, feigning relief. ¡°Because I was starting to worry. You see, if you¡¯re healthy, then I assume it was just poor manners that kept you from grecting the Princess Consort.¡± My breath caught in my throat. Alpha Jason¡¯s gaze flicked toward me so fast I nearly missed it. And the look in his eyes¡­ was something else. He looked like he¡¯d swallowed something bitter and it refused to go down his throat. Still, he gave a shallow bow, one that barely counted. ¡°Greetings to the Princess Consort,¡± he said. The words sounded forced, like they pained him. Cassian reached out and pped a hand on Jason¡¯s shoulder, and I could tell it wasn¡¯t gentle. ¡°You¡¯re learning,¡± he said, the smile never leaving his face. ¡°But next time, you should mind your manners. You might not be so lucky. What if you run into someone worse than me?¡± He leaned in slightly. ¡°You¡¯d be dead already.¡± Jason¡¯s expression twisted. The anger there was impossible to hide now. His fists curled tight at his sides, and for a second, I thought he might snap. But he didn¡¯t. Cassian chuckled under his breath like this was nothing more than an amusing exchange, then stepped forward with a smooth, unbothered air. ¡°Shall we?¡± he said, motioning ahead. ¡°Lead the way, Alpha.¡± Alpha Jason led the way through the stone corridor, his strides rigid but calcted. The guards stationed along the hallway didn¡¯t move or speak, simply watching us pass with expressionless faces and carefully masked curiosity. Every step echoed faintly off the walls, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice the way the silence between Jason and Cassian stretched, tight, stretched like wire, the tension thick enough to trip on. Eventually, we arrived at a set of tall, dark¨Cwood double doors. Jason pushed them open both hands, revealing a grand dining hall beyond. with The room was enormous, its ceiling arched and supported by beams carved with ancient symbols of the Crimson Howlers lineage. Chandeliers made from twisted iron and ss hung from above, casting a warm golden glow across the stone walls. A fire roared in the hearth at the far end, crackling quietly, adding both heat and light to the room. At the center stood a long rectangr dining table, made from polished ckwood and nked by high¨Cbacked chairs upholstered in deep red. The table could easily seat thirty people, maybe more. It was already set for a feast. Polished silverware, bone¨Cwhite dishes, and goblets carved with the Crimson Howlers crest lined every setting. The table was overflowing with food, roasted meats glistening with 55 vouchers honeyed ze, baskets of fresh bread, boiled root vegetables soaked in butter, dark sauces that steamed from porcin bowls, and a disy of fruit so vivid it looked almost unreal. Jason gestured toward the arrangement. ¡°Everyone¡¯s tired,¡± he said, voice still formal but more controlled now. ¡°Let¡¯s eat and then rest. There will be time to speak tomorrow.¡± Cassian gave a casual nod. ¡°Generous of you,¡± he replied, then looked over his shoulder. ¡°Mendez. The rest of you, join us.¡± His men hesitated only for a second before filing in. They spread out along the table, taking seats toward the far end. To my surprise, Cassian pulled out a chair, not for himself, but for me. He didn¡¯t make a show of it. Didn¡¯t look at anyone. Just stepped to the side, gripped the chair next to his own at the head of the table, and pulled it out with a single firm motion. When I didn¡¯t move right away, he raised a brow slightly, just enough for me to realize he was waiting. I blinked, caught between surprise and awkward gratitude, then nodded and stepped forward, lowering myself into the seat. He pushed the chair in slightly before settling in beside me, his expression unreadable. Across the table, Alpha Jason had taken the seat to Cassian¡¯s right, his lips drawn in a line too tight to be polite. Beside him sat Luna Carrie, his wife, dressed in muted red robes and wearing a neutral expression I didn¡¯t trust for a second. To her right was a young man with sharp cheekbones, neatlybed dark hair, and a coldness in his eyes that reminded me too much of his father. Caron McMahon. The heir apparent of Crimson Howlers, the next Alpha in line. I had seen him before, once or twice, during formal events at Nightfall. He hadn¡¯t spoken to me then. I doubted he would now. Alpha Jason raised a goblet of dark wine but didn¡¯t drink. ¡°The Crimson Howlers Pack is at your service, Lord Cassian,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°Whatever you need to make your journey easier, we are prepared to provide. But tonight¡­ we feast.¡± He gestured toward the food as if it were a peace offering rather than a disy of power, I nced down at my own te, suddenly aware of how hungry I was. The smell of roasted meat and spiced sauces was rich and inviting. I hadn¡¯t eaten properly since yesterday. My stomach was beginning to tighten in anticipation. I tried to be subtle as I reached toward one of the serving spoons- But before I could touch anything, Cassian moved. ¡­ 79 55 vouchers He reached forward without a word and began serving food onto my te. First, he ced slices of roast meat. Then a spoonful of seasoned vegetables. He reached for the bread next,ying two pieces neatly beside the rest. I could feel eyes on me. Across the table, Jason¡¯s expression didn¡¯t flicker, but the twitch at the corner of his jaw betrayed him. Luna Carrie¡¯s gaze slid toward me for a fraction of a second, then back to her cup. Caron looked directly at Cassian with something between disdain and curiosity, like he was trying to decide if the gesture was a threat or just arrogance. I didn¡¯t know what to do. So I just sat there, silent, trying not to let the flush creeping up my neck show too much. Cassian ced thest serving spoon down and leaned back in his chair like nothing had happened. He didn¡¯t exin himself. He didn¡¯t look at anyone. He just picked up his goblet and sipped casually, like it was a normal evening and the entire room wasn¡¯t watching us closely, reading into everything. ¡°Thank you,¡± I muttered, lowering my gaze as I picked up a small piece of seasoned vegetable from my te. I brought it to my mouth without thinking, too hungry to care about the stares, too distracted by the tension in the room to notice anything else. But the moment I tasted it- Something was off. My smile faded. My fingers stilled around the fork. The vor was wrong. Not just strange¡­ familiar. My eyes snapped up, heart lurching as I locked eyes with Cassian. He was already watching me, Smiling, ¡°Is there something wrong¡­ Consort?¡± he asked, his voice smooth, too smooth. And suddenly, I couldn¡¯t tell if he was asking out of concern¡­ or if he already knew the answer. Chapter 45 Brute 45 Chapter 45 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop them from eating it?¡± I snapped the moment the door shut behind us. The dining hall was now two corridors behind us, and the silence in the guest room felt almost suffocating inparison. ¡°My-¡°I paused, catching myself, breath short. ¡°Your men. You could¡¯ve warned them.¡± Cassian didn¡¯t respond. He walked calmly toward the wide table by the window, removed his cloak, and tossed it over the back of a chair like he hadn¡¯t just consumed a potentially lethal meal. He looked almost amused, which only made my jaw clench harder. I stood near the door, arms rigid at my sides, watching him as he poured himself a ss of water from the decanter on the table. He took a sip, then turned slightly, that same smirk still tugging at the corner of his mouth. He wasn¡¯t worried. That infuriated me. I marched across the room toward him, stopping just a few feet away. ¡°It¡¯s a slow¨Cacting poison,¡± I said tightly. ¡°There are no early symptoms. But it¡¯ll start soon, weakness, dyed healing. You know what that means, don¡¯t you?¡± Of course, he did. I didn¡¯t even need to say it. If anyone were ambushed tonight, or even tomorrow, they wouldn¡¯t heal fast enough to survive it. And he knew that. He had probably known it before I even tasted the food. I shook my head, trying to keep my voice even. ¡°Remove your shirt,¡± I said, stepping forward. ¡°I need to heal you before the damage spreads further.¡± Still, he didn¡¯t move. His gaze dropped to mine. Then that damn smirk deepened. ¡°You¡¯ve changed,¡± he said, the tone too casual to be innocent. I froze. My heart skipped. ¡°What?¡± I asked, confused, caught off guard by the shift in tone. 79 55 vouchers ¡°You¡¯re starting to sound like a wife,¡± he added, almost teasing. ¡°Nagging. Sharp andmanding.¡± My eyes widened. I flinched back slightly. Damn it. I was nagging! The realization sank into my stomach like a stone. I immediately dropped my gaze, embarrassed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t-¡± He moved. I didn¡¯t even hear his footsteps, but suddenly he was in front of me. One hand came up, and his fingers brushed beneath my chin. Gently, but firmly, he tilted my head up. ¡°Don¡¯t look away when I¡¯m talking to you,¡± he said. His voice cut straight through me. I tried to breathe, but the heat radiating from him made my thoughts blur. His fingers stayed under my chin, holding me there, forcing me to meet his eyes. They weren¡¯t cold like earlier. They weren¡¯t even smug. Just¡­ intense. I swallowed. His gaze lingered on my mouth a second too long. I knew what that kind of look meant. The space between us was shrinking with every breath. My skin prickled, but I didn¡¯t step back. I didn¡¯t dare. ¡°Remove your shirt,¡± I repeated, quieter this time. I wasn¡¯t sure if I said it for him¡­ or for myself. He didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, his gaze dropped to my lips, and before I could react or process what was happening, he leaned in and pressed his mouth against mine. It was just a kiss, brief, almost hesitant, and over in seconds. But the contact sent a jolt through me strong enough to steal the air from my Jungs. My eyes flew open, and I froze, not because I was afraid¡­ but because I didn¡¯t see iting. It wasn¡¯t rough or demanding. It wasn¡¯t like thest time he kissed me in front of everyone to assert control. No. This one was different. It was almost like he was testing me. And it worked. My throat tightened, and I stood there, too stunned to move. 79 55 vouchers He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, the corner of his mouth curling into the barest smirk. He didn¡¯t say a word. I swallowed, hard. My skin felt warmer than it should have. Goddess, I must be blushing! This man, the same one who had once grabbed me by the throat and nearly ended my life, was now standing inches from me, unarmed, half smiling, andpletely in control of the air between us. Was this the same Lord Cassian who had dragged me into this political farce? Was this still the war¨Chardened killer who looked at me like I was disposable when we first met? I didn¡¯t recognize him in that moment. After what felt like forever, he suddenly stepped back, just enough to put a sliver of distance between us. Then he lifted both of his arms slightly, palms open at his sides, posture rxed and unbothered. ¡°Will you do the honor?¡± he asked, his tone smooth and dry, like he already knew I would. My breath caught, but I didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, I stepped closer. My fingers moved to the front of his coat, unsping the fastenings one by one. The thick fabric slid off his shoulders without resistance, and I folded it carefully, setting it on the edge of the table. Then, without breaking the silence, I reached for the hem of his tunic. He continued watching me. My hands paused for the briefest moment, hovering at the edge of his tunic, before I finally gripped the fabric and pulled it upward, exposing his chest inch by inch. The sharp lines of muscle, the lingering warmth of his skin, and the faded scars etched across it came into view, each one a reminder of the life he¡¯d lived before this moment. I¡¯d seen him shirtless before, back at the carriage, when I was healing him. I had seen him shirtless during the worst of the fighting, when survival left no room for modesty. But this time felt different, and I knew it the moment my fingers brushed against his skin. It wasn¡¯t the first time I saw him like this. But it was the first time I touched him with care, not urgency. 79 55 vouchers It wasn¡¯t because I wanted to, I told myself again, forcing the thought to stick. I was here to heal him, nothing more. This wasn¡¯t personal. It wasn¡¯t about feelings or curiosity or anything else I didn¡¯t want to name. I kept telling myself that as I pressed my palm t against his chest. It was warm beneath my hand. Solid. His heartbeat thudded steadily beneath the skin as if the poison hadn¡¯t touched him yet. But I knew it had. I could feel the disruption in the flow beneath my touch, something subtle but present, like a snag in thread. It hadn¡¯t reached full effect yet, but when it did, it would slow his healing. Maybe even stop it entirely. My gaze dropped to the scars scattered across his chest. Some were jagged, others clean. Old wounds that hadn¡¯t vanished despite the elerated healing of werewolves. Scars that told stories I hadn¡¯t heard yet. Normally, scars faded within days for a wolf. But Cassian¡¯s body wore them like armor. Proof that he¡¯d survived things no one else had. any ¡°The poison was designed to slow down your healing. It¡¯s not supposed to show visible symptoms,¡± I said, thinking it through. That only left two possibilities. Either they weren¡¯t nning to attack tonight and were waiting for the right moment to ambush uster, or this was just the beginning, and they intended to give us more poison in small amounts over time to avoid being caught by Physician Mendez. Maybe it¡¯s both. ¡°I killed my first bride,¡± Cassian said suddenly. ¡°She was born and raised in this pack.¡± He looked at me. ¡°Can you really me them for wanting to retaliate?¡± Îå Brute 46 COLLIN BLACK¡¯S POV ¡°What do you mean she¡¯s still alive?¡± Collin asked, frowning. 79 55 vouchers ¡°We received news¡­¡± Genevieve¡¯s voice was low, but insistent. ¡°We received news that she¡¯s with Cassian. Alive.¡± Collin¡¯s brows drew together. ¡°And why exactly do I need to care about Atasha right now?¡± ¡°She should be dead by now!¡± Genevieve¡¯s voice rose, frustration slipping through. ¡°Why is she still alive?¡± ¡°Our pack just went through something catastrophic,¡± Collin cut in sharply. ¡°And your concern is Atasha? We all know she¡¯s as good as dead. Cassian wouldn¡¯t let her walk away, just like he didn¡¯t let his other bride live. Stop wasting time thinking about dead meat and focus on the mess we¡¯re in.¡± Genevieve¡¯s jaw tightened, but she didn¡¯t back down. ¡°We cannot leave Atasha alive,¡± she said through her teeth. Collin¡¯s eyes narrowed, the air between them turning tense. ¡°We won¡¯t,¡± he said finally. ¡°But right now, I need you to get out there and help the wounded. We can¡¯t afford another attack from those beasts. Think about the pack, Genevieve. Not that dead woman.¡± Genevieve¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, but she turned on her heel and left the study without another word. ¡°What did she say?¡± Celeste asked the moment Genevieve stepped into her room. ¡°Mother, you-¡± She stopped when she saw the dark look on Genevieve¡¯s face, ¡°Nothing¡± Genevieve replied tly. ¡°But I¡¯ve already sent our people to keep following them, Even if that physician Mendez managed to save her for now, he won¡¯t be able to save herter. The poison will get worse the colder it gets. I¡¯m certain Atasha will eventually sumb to it.¡± Or at least, that was what she was counting on. LIEUTENANT RIO¡¯S POV ¡°That¡¯s thest one?¡± Lady Atasha asked as the final lieutenant stepped out of the tent. ¡°Yes,¡± Rio replied, his eyes resting on her for a moment. Themplight inside the tent cast a warm glow over her face, making her look calm and steady,pletely different from how she had been after thest attack. Back then, she had been pale, trembling, and so drained she could barely stand after healing several of hisrades. He had assumed it was because of the nature of their wounds. 79 55 vouchers That night, the injuries had been brutal, deep, tearing damage that even werewolf genes couldn¡¯t fully recover from. But now, the situation was different. This time, the damage came from poison. Not just any poison, but one traced back to Alpha Jason. It was designed to halt. their natural healing entirely. Slow¨Cacting, but dangerous enough to wear them down day by day until they couldn¡¯t fight back. Outside, the night was cold and still. They were supposed to depart in the morning, yet here Atasha was, still kneeling by the injured, pouring her strength into them without hesitation. Rio nced at her again before hearing Mendez speak from the other side of the tent. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them. We were taught that those who could wield something like this, something most wouldn¡¯t even imagine existing, are witches.¡± Rio watched as Atasha finally straightened her back, wiping her hands on the fabric of her skirt. ¡°I¡¯m used to the stares,¡± she said without looking up. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t mind them.¡± Mendez let out a short sigh. ¡°They¡¯lle around. Eventually, they¡¯ll understand you¡¯re not a witch.¡± Atasha¡¯s gaze shifted toward him. ¡°Then what am I?¡± The question stopped Mendez cold. His mouth opened slightly, but no answer came. ¡°I¡¯m clearly not a witch,¡± Atasha went on, her tone steady. ¡°I can¡¯t use magic, and whatever I can do has its limits. So¡­ what am I?¡± ¡°I apologize, mydy,¡± Mendez said atst. ¡°But I do not know.¡± Atasha smiled faintly and nodded. Then she turned to look at Rio. ¡°The other lieutenants might have been surprised,¡± Rio said before she could speak. ¡°But they know you¡¯re the Princess Consort. They¡¯ll do everything in their power to protect you. All of them can be trusted, so you don¡¯t need to worry. They¡¯ll keep this secret.¡± Her smile returned, a little stronger this time, and she nodded again. ¡°Will you start with the others now?¡± Rio asked, ncing toward the far side of the tent where three morey unmoving. This tent held the three Lieutenant who were fatally wounded from the ambush. Earlier, Alpha Jason¡¯s men had checked them and concluded nothing more could be done. The poison in their systems was so heavy their bodies were rejecting every form of medicine. All that was left, they said, was to wait for death. O 79 55 vouchers Atasha nodded. She rose to her feet and walked toward the nearest patient, a woman named Grace. Rio followed a few steps behind. ¡°Grace has served for over a decade,¡± he said. ¡°A seasoned warrior. She¡¯s seen more battles than most in this pack.¡± Atasha crouched at Grace¡¯s side and ced a hand over her chest. Almost immediately, the change was visible, too fast for even a werewolf¡¯s eye to follow. Skin knitted together. Color returned. The shallow, ragged breaths steadied. Grace¡¯s eyes fluttered open, confusion crossing her face as she took in her surroundings. However, Lady Atasha didn¡¯t pause. She moved on to the second lieutenant, then the third. The tent was silent except for the faint sounds of breathing and the shift of cloth as she worked. By the time she finished, the color had drained from her own face. Her shoulders sagged slightly, but the three who had been written off as lost were alive¡ªand healing. Rio saw the faint sway in Atasha¡¯s stance. Her knees dipped slightly, her bnce shifting just enough to catch his attention. He took a step toward her- ¡ªbut someone else was faster. Powerful arms slid around her from behind, steadying her before she could fall. Rio¡¯s gaze snapped up to see Lord Cassian, his expression unreadable under the dim light. Without a word, Cassian reached for the hood of her cloak, pulling it forward until her face was hidden from view. Then he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. ¡°The consort will be resting,¡± Cassian said, his voice low but firm. His eyes moved to Rio, Mendez, and the three recently healed lieutenants, holding each of them in ce with a look. ¡°We¡¯re leaving tomorrow. Prepare yourselves.¡± Rio straightened. Mendez gave a short nod yet one of them spoke. Then Cassian¡¯s tone sharpened. ¡°What was done to us here will be repaid a hundredfold. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we move and we will return everything they gave us.¡± Brute 47 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers ¡°From the border of the Crimson Howlers Pack to this sector¡­¡± Mendez¡¯s finger traced a line across the map spread out between us. ¡°The route is covered in dense forest from start to finish. The ground is already soft from recent rains, and if the clouds keep gathering, the soil will turn heavier, making it harder for our people to move quickly.¡± He tapped a section marked between two jagged icons. ¡°Here¨Cthis gap between the cliffs¨Cis where the biggest threat lies. The Demon Fangs are expected to push through here. The cliffs on either side give them the advantage of high ground, meaning they can strike from above while their main force engages head¨Con. And with the forest closing in behind us, they could drive a second wave in from the rear, effectively trapping us in a kill zone.¡± Mendez¡¯s gaze shifted between Lieutenant Rio, Lieutenant Lucas, and Lieutenant Grace, who had joined us. ¡°This is where we split,¡± he said, tapping the map. ¡°Each of you will take a group from this sector and guide them through until we clear the cliffs.¡± ¡°They believe we¡¯re injured,¡± Rio said. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that make them drop their guard?¡± ¡°Wrong,¡± Cassian¡¯s voice cut in, firm and absolute. ¡°The Demon Fangs aren¡¯t careless. They¡¯re predators who savor the kill. They¡¯ll want us broken, drag it out, make us beg before they finish it.¡± His hand came down hard on the mark between the cliffs. ¡°This is where they¡¯ll force ast stand. Augustus and the others will be ensuring that the kids are safe while you¡­ you will be the ones who will hunt the ones thinking they are the hunters.¡± The words settled like stone between us. Momentster, Cassian dismissed them from the carriage, sending each to prepare their own teams. We had already left Crimson Howlers Pack and were pushing toward the edge of their territory. Until the very moment we crossed the border, Alpha Jason kept up his cordial facade, showing none of the malice behind the poison he¡¯d unleashed on us the night before. After the others left, Cassian¡¯s attention shifted to me. ¡°Do you know how to ride a horse?¡± ¡°I do,¡± I answered, then hesitated. ¡°I mean¡­ I used to. Before.¡± In truth, I hadn¡¯t ridden since failing to awaken. There¡¯d been no need to ride one, gathering firewood and herbs never required a horse. ¡°No matter,¡± he said as he stood, extending his hand toward me. ¡°You¡¯ll be riding with me anyway.¡± ¡°We¡¯re¡­ not staying in the carriage?¡± I asked. Cassian¡¯s lips curved into a calm smile. ¡°We will not. We¡¯re taking a separate path.¡± 79 55 vouchers I nodded. There wasn¡¯t much room to argue. We pulled on our cloaks, and once we crossed the border of Crimson Howlers territory, Cassian led a single horse toward the open trail. He mounted first, then pulled me up in front of him with one hand, settling me against his chest before taking the reins. The horse moved at a steady pace, not slow enough to be casual, but not hurried either. The open stretch ahead looked almost peaceful, which only made me wonder why we had broken away from the others. ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked, keeping my eyes on the empty path ahead. ¡°The others can handle themselves,¡± he said, his voice leaving no room for argument, as if the matter was already settled. It still wasn¡¯t the answer I was looking for. After a pause, he leaned in slightly. ¡°Consort¡­ do you like burning things?¡± ¡°Ha?¡± I blinked, my mind shing back to the fire that had consumed the cave. ¡°Since I was a child, fire has always¡­ fascinated me.¡± I didn¡¯t know what to say. Fire can be very¡­ very dangerous and painful but the burn marks heal all the same under my ability. ¡°Fires can be very destructive,¡± I said, careful not to say something that he wouldn¡¯t like. Cassian¡¯s tone shifted, carrying an edge of excitement that hadn¡¯t been there before. ¡°Fire,¡± he said, almost like it was a prize to be imed. ¡°Can consume everything in its path. Wood, stone, flesh, it doesn¡¯t discriminate. It swallows what it touches and leaves nothing behind but ash. A single spark can turn order into chaos, and in that chaos¡­ people make mistakes.¡± I stayed still in front of him, the leather reins creaking in his hands as the horse carried us forward. He went on. ¡°It spreads faster than you think. It doesn¡¯t just destroy, it takes the air from your lungs, blinds you, traps you. And once it starts, there is no reasoning with it. Fire doesn¡¯t stop until there¡¯s nothing left to burn.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure how to respond. I simply listened, my thoughts caught between the way he spoke of it, as if it were an ally and the memory of the mes I¡¯d seen before. It felt like he talked about fire for a long time, describing its reach, its power, and how it could change the oue of a fight before a single de was drawn. Eventually, the trees began to thin, and the ground leveled out. The sound of running water reached my ears just as the horse came to a halt. We had stopped at the edge of a cliff. From here, I could see the stretch of dark forest below, with a river cutting through it like a winding scar. Cassian dismounted first, then turned to lift me down. His grip was firm as he set me on my feet. : 79 55 vouchers ¡°We camp here tonight,¡± he said, scanning the horizon as if mapping every detail in his mind. Then his gaze shifted back to me, and his next words were low but certain. ¡°And once the sun sets¡­ we make them pay. Everyst one of them.¡± ¡°You mean¡­ we are going back to the Crimson Howlers Pack?¡± I asked. ¡°Not just them¡­¡± he said, smiling. I frowned, my eyes fixed on the curve of his lips. He looked like he was enjoying every moment of this. Not just them? The words echoed in my head. My mind went to the rumors I¡¯d heard about Cassian. People said he was petty, vindictive, and cruel. That even the King tread carefully around him, afraid of what might happen if he took offense. There was the story about a councilman, how Cassian had him killed over a single insult. I¡¯d never known how much of that was true, but looking at him now, I couldn¡¯t dismiss all of it as lies. The Demon Fangs had attacked us more than once. Alpha Jason had tried to poison us in our own camp. Rumors or not, I couldn¡¯t imagine Cassian sitting idle after that. The smile on his face didn¡¯t fade. If anything, it sharpened. ¡°Tonight,¡± he said, the words rolling out like a promise. ¡°We burn them all.¡± If you want strong female lead, Check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride AD Brute 48 ALPHA JASON MCMAHON¡¯S POV : 79 55 vouchers ¡°Alpha, we¡¯ve received word, they¡¯ve crossed out of our territory,¡± Beta Joma said as he entered my study. ¡°Everything is ready on our side. We¡¯re only waiting for your order.¡± Almost immediately, Luna Carrie¡¯s lips lifted into a faint smile. ¡°Alpha¡­ the time has finallye.¡± Her gaze dropped to the framed painting in her hands, a hand¨Cpainted image her daughter made years ago, before she was married off to Cassian in the north. In the painting, her daughter¡¯s face was bright, her smile untouched by the weight of politics or the cruelty of war. Carrie¡¯s fingers tightened around the frame, pressing it against her chest. ¡°This time¡­ it has finallye.¡± ¡°Father, I want to go too,¡± Caron Mcmahon said. ¡°You told me one day we¡¯d have our revenge. I want to be there. I want to see him break. I want to tear the skin from his bones myself.¡± Jason¡¯s eyes shifted back to Beta Joma. ¡°Report. What have you seen so far?¡± ¡°They left without suspecting anything,¡± Joma replied, stepping closer to the desk. ¡°There was no sign of anyone preparing medicine or mixing antidotes, nothing that would suggest they knew about the poison. From what I observed, their departure was as routine as any other. If they suspect danger at all, it¡¯s not from us. They¡¯d be thinking of the Demon Fangs.¡± A faint smile tugged at the Beta¡¯s mouth as he added, ¡°They didn¡¯t suspect a thing. And if they did¡­ they¡¯re looking in the wrong direction.¡± Jason¡¯s gaze lingered on him for a moment before he gave a single nod. But inside, his thoughts weren¡¯t on the Demon Fangs, they were on his daughter. La McMahon. Cassian¡¯s first wife. La had been barely eighteen when she left for the north, dressed as a bride and carrying the hopes of their alliance. She hadn¡¯t evensted a single night. By the next morning, word arrived, she was dead. No exnation, no details, just the cold announcement that the north had already buried her. They¡¯d never even seen her body, Jason didn¡¯t need proof to know the truth. Cassian had killed her. And La wasn¡¯t the only one. The second wife, gone. The third, gone. The fourth, gone. One after another, all of them ended up dead. By now, Jason was certain, Cassian wasn¡¯t just dangerous, he was a maniac who treated marriage as a death sentence. ¡°What about Lady Atasha?¡± Jason asked, his tone sharp. Joma shrugged slightly. ¡°We have investigated her before. She¡¯s Alpha Collin¡¯s eldest daughter, but I believe you haven¡¯t met her before. She¡¯s wolfless. Dull. An omega without any power or influence in the political game. That might be the only reason she¡¯s still breathing.¡± ¡°Or,¡± Jason said, his voice low. ¡°It¡¯s because she hasn¡¯t reached the north yet.¡± 55 vouchers He didn¡¯t voice the rest, but the thought stayed with him. Atasha ck was nothing more than a pawn, one the North would discard when her purpose was served. And when that day came, she¡¯d meet the same fate as La and the others. Jason leaned back in his chair. ¡°And Alpha Collin?¡± ¡°Already on his way,¡± Joma replied. ¡°He should arrive within the next hour or two.¡± Jason¡¯s fingers drummed once on the desk as the pieces fell into ce in his mind. ¡°Father, what about me?¡± Caron¡¯s voice rose. ¡°I muste! I must avenge my elder sister!¡± Jason¡¯s head snapped toward him. ¡°Do you hear yourself?¡± His tone cut through the room like a de. ¡°You think this is some personal vendetta you can parade into? You are the heir to this pack. The next Alpha. If you¡¯re seen anywhere near this, you won¡¯t just be avenging your sister, you¡¯ll be dragging our entire pack into the king¡¯s judgment.¡± Caron stepped forward, fists clenched. ¡°And what? I¡¯m supposed to stand here and do nothing? I¡¯ve trained my whole life for this. I have the right to be there!¡± Jason mmed his palm on the desk, the sound sharp enough to make Joma stiffen. ¡°Your right?¡± His voice hardened. ¡°Your right is to protect this pack, not throw yourself into danger because you can¡¯t control your temper. Use your brain, boy. Revenge without strategy is suicide, and I will not risk my sessor over it.¡¯ ¡°You think I¡¯m afraid-¡± Caron started, but Jason cut him off with a re that froze him mid- sentence. ¡°Afraid? No. Stupid? Absolutely.¡± Jason¡¯s voice was low but brimming with anger. ¡°I want Cassian to suffer as much as you do. But there is a difference between wanting it and exposing yourself to the consequences. You can¡¯t seem to see that difference.¡± Before Caron could retort, Luna Carrie stepped between them. ¡°Enough,¡± she said sharply. ¡°Both of you.¡± Her eyes darted between father and son, reading the stubborn set in their jaws. ¡°You¡¯ll tear each other apart before the enemy even lifts a finger.¡± She caught Caron by the arm and tugged him toward the door. ¡°Come with me.¡± He resisted for half a step but followed when she didn¡¯t loosen her grip. She didn¡¯t stop until they were inside her chambers, the heavy door shutting behind them. Caron turned on her. ¡°Mother, I- ¡°You want revenge. I know.¡± Carrie¡¯s tone softened slightly, though the firmness remained. ¡°But your father is right. No matter how much we hate him, Lord Cassian is still the Alpha 79 55 vouchers King¡¯s brother. If the king gets even a whisper that our pack had a hand in anything against him, he will not spare us. And he will not spare your father.¡± Caron¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°The king wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be naive,¡± she cut in. ¡°He may act like a benevolent ruler, but he is far from innocent. If¡­ and only if¡­ he learns the truth, do you think he¡¯ll simply sit on his throne and mourn? No. He will act. And when he does, it won¡¯t be mercy he sends our way.¡± He frowned deeper. ¡°What are you saying, Mother?¡± Carrie studied him, her fingers tightening on his arm. ¡°Do you truly believe your sister¡¯s death had nothing to do with the king?¡± ¡°You- ¡°Do you truly believe that the death of Lord Cassian¡¯s previous bride had nothing to do with the king?¡± she asked. Brute 49 COLLIN BLACK¡¯S POV P: 79 55 vouchers ¡°Alpha Jason¡­¡± Collin sped the other Alpha¡¯s forearm and felt the weight of iron under leather. ¡°Is everything ready?¡± Jason nodded once. Both of them were already in armor,yered mail under hardened tes, travel cloaks pinned back, des oiled. The courtyard behind the keep was stacked with movement, two lines of Crimson Howlers on one nk, two of Nightfall on the other, each column one hundred strong, handpicked. No banners. No drums. Just men and women with knives strapped to calves and short bows slung tight. Beta William stood behind Collin, his helmet tucked under his arm, face set. Across from him, Beta Joma reviewed a te of names with the Howlers¡® captains. Packs rarely mixed, but tonight the formation blended by purpose, fast movers up front, archers staggered, shield carriers spaced to cover a retreat if needed. ¡°Yes. We move now,¡± Jason said. ¡°We cut their tails before they reach the cut between the cliffs.¡± Collin gave William a look and got a short nod in return. The Nightfall scouts trotted ahead to link with Crimson Howlers¡® pathfinders. They¡¯d ridden the ridgelines all morning, marking a route that stayed off the main track Cassian¡¯s column would use. These were hunter trails, narrow and root¨Cchoked, but they kept them out of sight and scent as long as the wind held. ¡°Orders are the same,¡± Collin said to his captains. ¡°No howls. No signal horns unless you¡¯re dying. If you must call, use the thrice¨Ctap on steel. We hit the rear ranks first, then the supply mules and litters. Take officers when you see them. If they try to form, we break off, circle, and strike again. We¡¯re not here to trade bodies; we¡¯re here to bleed them.¡± William moved down the Nightfall line, checking straps and greaves, tugging on bowstrings, forcing one recruit to swap a cracked buckler. Joma did the same on his side, handing out resin to dull metal sheen and small y jars of pitch for the torch teams. Two squads carried grapnels and lines, if Cassian¡¯s men tried to climb the cliff faces to gain height, they¡¯d be yanked down fast. ¡°They won¡¯t be expecting us from behind,¡± Jason said as they walked to the gate. ¡°His people are watching the Demon Fangs on the border. You kept this¡­ discreet?¡± ¡°My guards think we¡¯re reinforcing the southern posts,¡± Collin answered. ¡°Only William¡¯s handpicked know our real target. The rest were told to hold the line against the Fangs.¡± The gate winched up. Cold air pushed through. They stepped out to the game trail that cut ¡­ : 79 55 vouchers away from the road, single file for the first stretch before it widened. Pine and wet earth masked scent. Both Alphas had rubbed mud into their greaves and cloaks to help. Runners peeled forward on both nks to watch for sign, fresh prints, cut branches, ash. If Cassian had left pickets behind, they¡¯d find them. ¡°Contact n,¡± Collin said, raising his voice enough for the nearest ranks. ¡°We don¡¯t know when the Demon Fangs will attack them. So, when the rear guard shows, archers will pin them. Shield line advances ten paces, then parts. Spear teams drive the gap. Torch teams wait for my mark. We don¡¯t burn until we¡¯ve cut their center loose from the head.¡± This was all part of the n. They were capable of transforming, but to hide their traces better, it is best to use weapons. Weapons that had beenced with deadly poison. ¡°And if he turns?¡± Jason asked. ¡°Then we pull them into the trees and trade them inches,¡± Collin replied. ¡°Your left will rake them while my right skews their front to the ravine. We finish the wounded. We then burn them all.¡± He pictured Cassian¡¯s column, tired men, slowed by poison, thinking only of the path ahead and the cliffs choke point. Good. Let them stare forward. Let them pray the Demon Fangs stay put. They wouldn¡¯t look back until it was toote. They marched. Nightfall¡¯s elite moved with short, even steps, bows unstrung but ready, knives loose in their sheaths. Crimson Howlers kept pace, heavier shields riding on shoulders, axes resting against thighs. At each bend, scouts signaled with two fingers and a tap on bark. Fresh impressions on the trail told a clear story. Cassian¡¯s people had passed here within the hour, mule prints, a drag line from a litter, the wedge of a boot heel that slipped and caught again. No counter¨Cscout sign. No set snares. William fell in beside Collin as they crossed a shallow stream. ¡°Wind¡¯s holding,¡± he said. ¡°If it shifts, we¡¯ll smell their cook smoke.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Collin answered. ¡°I don¡¯t want smoke, I want their backs.¡± Jason moved up on Collin¡¯s other side. ¡°Our cut¨Cin is half a league ahead. From there, the path runs parallel to the main road for a time. When we break through the birch stand, we¡¯ll be close enough to hear them.¡± ¡°Then we time it,¡± Collin said. ¡°The Demon Fangs will press their front very soon. I am certain of it. The moment they do, we take the rear. We snap them in the middle.¡± He didn¡¯t add the rest. Both of them knew that poison should be in their veins by now, that Brute 50 Collin ck¡¯s POV : 79 55 vouchers ¡°What is going on!?¡± Jason¡¯s voice echoed through the chaos. ¡°Why is- Aren¡¯t those- Demon Fangs?¡± The shapes that burst from the fog were nothing like the disciplined hunters the Cassian¡¯s men were known to be. They were the Demon Fangs. Even in full werewolf form, their movements were ragged. Fur was matted with blood, some theirs, some not. Gashes tore across shoulders and nks, deep enough to show bone in ces. One staggered forward with half an ear missing and a front paw dragging like the joint had been shattered. Another¡¯s jaw hung at an unnatural angle, teeth bared but clotted with gore. They were breathing hard, each inhale sounding like a growl dragged through a crushed throat. Several had arrows bristling from their hides, broken shafts still lodged deep. The stench of burned fur clung to them¨Csomebody had used fire at close range. Jason¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Didn¡¯t they ambush Cassian¡¯s troops? Why do they look like they were the ones ambushed?¡± Collin stepped up beside him, scanning the line of wounded predators. ¡°You¡¯re certain Cassian took it?¡± ¡°I¡¯m certain,¡± Jason said without hesitation. ¡°I saw him drink it. Every drop.¡± ¡°Then is it possible they found an antidote?¡± Jason shook his head sharply. ¡°Impossible.¡± He nced back at the shifting line of his men, all watching the carnage at the fog¡¯s edge. ¡°But since we¡¯re already here¡­¡± Collin opened his mouth, but Jason raised a hand in a sharp signal for silence. His expression didn¡¯t change, but the message was clear. Collin¡¯s jaw tightened. Memories of Cassian¡¯s brutality came unbidden, how fast he could strike, how little warning he gave before ending an Alpha who crossed him. If Cassian wasn¡¯t poisoned, if he¡¯d survived whatever trap they¡¯d set, the retaliation would be swift and merciless. Collin gave a short nod. Jason¡¯s gaze stayed fixed on the struggling Demon Fangs as he spoke to his captains. ¡°Attack the Demon Fangs. Kill them all.¡± The order cracked through the ranks like a whip. Collin didn¡¯t need more exnation. This fight would give them a clean excuse to enter the fog, and once they were in, Cassian¡¯s : 79 55 vouchers position would be exposed. Collin turned to William. ¡°Take the front spears and nk them from the left. Archers, keep a steady line and don¡¯t waste arrows. The rest with me, we drive straight through.¡± Themands were met with a low chorus of acknowledgments. Shields locked. Spears leveled. Then, with a roar that cut through the fog, both packs surged forward. The first sh was brutal. A Demon Fang lunged at a Howler¡¯s shield, ws carving deep grooves into the oak, only to be met with a spear that punched through its chest and out its back. Another leapt at a Nightfall archer, snapping teeth inches from the man¡¯s throat, before a sword came down in a hard chop, splitting skull and muzzle in one stroke. The fog thickened around them, turning shapes into shadows until they were on top of each other. Arrows hissed past, some finding flesh, others vanishing into the white. Men shouted warnings and kills. Wolves howled in pain and rage. A spear team drove one Demon Fang to the ground, holding it pinned while another soldier mmed a hatchet into its neck again and again until the head rolled free. One Nightfall fighter screamed as a Fang¡¯s ws tore open his stomach. Blood poured over his hands as he fell, and the Fang lunged for another target, only to be smashed aside by a Howler¡¯s shield, then finished with a thrust through the ribs. A sound tore through the fog, a howl, but not the kind that roused courage or called for reinforcements. This one crawled along the spine, sharp and wrong, making the hairs on every neck stand on end. The chaos faltered. Men froze mid¨Cswing. Even the Demon Fangs, snarling and bleeding, halted like prey sensing a predator far worse than them. Then a voice followed, loud and unmistakable. ¡°Kill the Demon Fangs! Kill them all!¡± Figures emerged from the fog, shapes sharpening into ck and red. They came in fast, weapons dripping, movements vicious and unrestrained. Cassian¡¯s troops. They weren¡¯t fighting like soldiers, they fought like starved hounds let loose from the chain. des cut through flesh, ws raked bone, spears punched through ribs. Demon Fangs fell one after another, not just defeated but dismantled. Collin and Jason locked eyes. This wasn¡¯t the oue they had nned for. Then a bugle¡¯s call cut through the ughter, sharp and final. From the ck¨Cand¨Cred line, a familiar figure strode forward, Physician Mendez. His armor was marked with fresh blood, his gauntlets dented from impact. He stopped a few paces from them and inclined his head in greeting, though there was nothing respectful in the look that followed. ??)) 79 55 vouchers ¡°This is¡­ unexpected,¡± Mendez said, his voice carrying an ease that didn¡¯t match the carnage still spilling behind him. Jason was first to answer. ¡°We received word of an ambush,¡± he said evenly. ¡°We moved in immediately.¡± Mendez¡¯s mouth curved into something close to amusement. ¡°How thoughtful.¡± His eyes flicked between the two Alphas, sharp enough to read more than they said. ¡°But there¡¯s no need to worry about us. The Demon Fangs are finished.¡± He gesturedzily over his shoulder where thest of the enemy were being cut down. ¡°Every single one who thought to harm us is gone.¡± Jason¡¯s brow drew down. ¡°Then we¡¯ll take our leave. This isn¡¯t the time or ce for ¡± ¡°Celebration?¡± Mendez interrupted, tilting his head. ¡°Why not? Victory is worth marking, don¡¯t you think? And since you¡¯re here, you should join us.¡± Collin¡¯s voice was clipped. ¡°In the middle of a war?¡± Mendez¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter, in fact, it deepened. ¡°What war? The Demon Fangs are dead. And while we stand here, another of ourpanies is¡­ attending to other enemies.¡± That sent a chill through both Alphas. Jason narrowed his eyes. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Mendez¡¯s tone stayed light, but his gaze locked on them with unblinking weight. ¡°That¡¯s a secret. And if I told you, well¡­ it wouldn¡¯t be a secret anymore, would it?¡± The way he said it left no doubt¡­ he knew. He knew they hadn¡¯te here as friends. He knew what they had nned for Cassian. The air between them thickened. Jason¡¯s jaw flexed, Collin¡¯s fingers curled against his side. Mendez nced at their expressions, and a lowugh rumbled out of him. ¡°Well.. since you are already here.. You must join us. Drink some good wine. Let¡¯s enjoy the night, Alphas. You never know how many more you¡¯ll get.¡± Hearing him chuckle, the soldiers behind him began tough too. If you want strong female lead, Check out my new novel: His Dangerous Bride Brute 51 COLLIN BLACK¡¯S POV : 79 55 vouchers Collin sat stiff in the tent, the canvas walls still carrying the faint stench of blood from the battlefield. The heat from the brazier mixed with the sweet, almost cloying scent of the tea being poured into thin, white cups. Across from him, Mendez looked perfectly at ease, his armor half¨Cunbuckled, his ck¨Cand¨Cred tunic stained in a way that told Collin it hadn¡¯t been washed in days. ¡°Since your arrival had been unannounced, please forgive us for not being able to prepare something more¡­ extravagant. It would take a few more days before we arrived in the north, and our supplies were running low. Sadly, we can only offer you something¡­cking.¡± Mendez said, smiling. ¡°This,¡± Mendez added, his voice smooth, ¡°Is a tea considered a rarity from the west.¡± He lifted his own cup but didn¡¯t drink yet. ¡°Lord Cassian personally beheaded a witch to receive it. A gift from a western n leader, grateful for the¡­ cleansing of theirnds.¡± Collin¡¯s fingers tightened slightly around the porcin cup. The tea¡¯s steam curled upward, but his throat felt dry. Jason hadn¡¯t touched his drink either. Mendez leaned back, almostzily, but his eyes stayed on them. ¡°They said this particr witch was clever. She cried for mercy until thest breath. Lord Cassian saw fit to make it quick¡­ head gone with one strike. Others weren¡¯t so lucky. Some were skinned while alive. Others burned. I hear the screams carry farther when you take your time with the fire.¡± The corners of his mouth lifted faintly. ¡°Lord Cassian hates witches, you know. Not just dislikes. Hates. He will obliterate them, and anyone foolish enough to ally with them.¡± Collin felt the weight of the words press down. Jason¡¯s jaw had tightened almost imperceptibly. The warning in Mendez¡¯s tone wasn¡¯t subtle, it was a de pressed against the table between them. Mendez sipped the tea, letting the silence hang for a moment before continuing. ¡°I admire him for that. Petty, some would say. I say thorough. If you strike an enemy, you don¡¯t let them rebuild. You wipe them and their roots out.¡± Collin kept his expression neutral, but the thought pressed in hard, Mendez knew. Or at least, he wanted them to believe he knew. Jason cleared his throat. ¡°Perhaps we should end the celebration here. There are still many enemies to deal with.¡± Mendez set his cup down with a soft clink and looked at him as if he¡¯d just said something amusing. ¡°What enemies?¡± He gave a small shake of his head. ¡°Lord Cassian is already 11:16 Wed, Sep 10 : 79 55 vouchers working on burning them all.¡± Collin¡¯s head snapped slightly toward him. ¡°Burning them all?¡± He had mentioned this earlier. Was Cassian leading troops to chase the Demon Fangs? That would be foolish, he thought. ¡°Oh,¡± Mendez said, feigning surprise. ¡°You must not have heard. Lord Cassian has a¡­ special affinity for fire. He likes to burn things. Buildings, forests, people. Fire speaks to him, in a way.¡± He said it casually, as if talking about a man¡¯s taste in wine. ¡°This is something that we all admire.¡± Collin didn¡¯t respond. Inwardly, he cursed. Arsonist. Madman. The north¡¯s Alpha wasn¡¯t just cruel, he was obsessed. Obviously, he knew about Cassian¡¯s habit of burning his enemies. He had read the reports before. But he couldn¡¯t say it here, not with Mendez watching him like a wolf watching for the twitch of prey. Mendez refilled their cups himself. ¡°Drink,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s rare. And it would be rude to waste a gift bought with such effort.¡± Collin lifted the cup to his lips and took a slow sip, the warmth sliding down his throat. Jason followed suit, though his eyes remained on Mendez the entire time. ¡°Ah, I almost forgot. This tea,¡± Mendez said after setting his own cup down. ¡°Had been brewed by the best poisoners from the West. They say it has certain¡­ short¨Cterm effects.¡± He leaned back, studying their faces. ¡°One of which is the inability to heal. For a short time¡­ of course. Because of this, many drink this tea before drinking alcoholic beverages. It makes them feel that burn from the beverage.¡± Jason¡¯s hand gave the faintest twitch, the porcin rattling softly against the saucer before he steadied it. His expression stayed controlled, but Collin noticed the muscle in his jaw tighten. ¡°Are you telling me,¡± Jason asked. ¡°That you¡¯ve just served us something that will stop us from healing? What is your meaning, Physician Mendez? Do you n to harm us?¡± Mendez¡¯s lips curved slightly as if amused by the question. ¡°Meaning? Alpha Jason, you wound me. Aren¡¯t we here to celebrate? Why speak of harm?¡± His gaze flicked between them. ¡°Poison isn¡¯t the style of the north. We are direct people. If we wish someone dead, we kill them ourselves. If we wanted to harm you¡­¡± His smile lingered. ¡°¡­you would already be dead.¡± Jason¡¯s chair scraped back slightly. ¡°Preposterous! How dare you threaten an Alpha?¡± ¡°Threaten?¡± Mendez chuckled, the sound low. ¡°It¡¯s not our habit to threaten anyone. We kill without warning. So let¡¯s stop with this nonsense.¡± Collin felt the heat of Jason¡¯s anger, but he kept his own posture firm. They both knew the truth, fighting Cassian¡¯s men here would be suicide. Even if Mendez was taunting them, killing two visiting Alphas in the middle of camp would be reckless. It wasn¡¯t likely they would actually follow through. That thought was enough to ease his own tension. 79 55 vouchers ¡°Enough,¡± Collin said finally, setting his cup back on the table. ¡°We are here to celebrate, not to argue. We share the same enemy. Lord Cassian¡¯s victory is our victory as well.¡± He gave Mendez a steady look. ¡°Speaking of Lord Cassian¡­ may we see him? My daughter was only just married to him, and I¡¯ve heard they¡¯re¡­ getting along.¡± Mendez¡¯s chuckle was soft but edged. ¡°The Princess is resting. However, before he left, Lord Cassian made it clear he was not to be disturbed.¡± Jason¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Left? Where?¡± Mendez¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already tell you? Lord Cassian is dealing with the enemy.¡± He picked up his cup again. ¡°Burning them all.¡± Something cold twisted in Collin¡¯s gut. His fingers stilled against the armrest. He didn¡¯t know why, but a heavy unease settled over him, a feeling that whatever Cassian was burning, it wasn¡¯t just enemy troops. Luckily, before he even came in, he already sent Beta William and a few of their men back. Yes, Beta William would be there to protect the Luna and Celeste. Çú Brute 52 79 55 vouchers The mes roared higher, swallowing the Crimson Howlers¡® homes one by one. Smoke stung my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t look away. People were screaming, scrambling to drag their children to safety, and Cassian just stood there, watching it all like it was nothing more than a battlefield map. There was no hesitation in him, no flicker of pity, only that hard, cold satisfaction I¡¯de to recognize. Before I could take another step back, his hand closed around my arm and yanked me toward him. ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡± ¡°Where?¡± My voice caught as he pulled me to the horses. I knew we were heading to my previous pack, but I wondered how are we going to get there without alerting people. After all, the fire already attracted everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°I know a shortcut,¡± he said, lifting me onto the saddle like I weighed nothing. ¡°A shortcut to what?¡± He swung up behind me, gripping the reins. ¡°Nightfall Pack.¡± The wind tore past us as he pushed the horse hard, veering off the main trail. My stomach dropped when I saw where we were headed, the cliff. The same one hiding the entrance to the cave where my father had kept the children. I twisted to look at him. ¡°What are we doing here? Why this ce?¡± ¡°This,¡± he said, dismounting. ¡°Is the perfect way into your pack. They¡¯ll never think the ones who set the fire woulde back.¡± Before I could answer, he scooped me into his arms and ran straight into the cave. The darkness swallowed us, but he didn¡¯t slow. Just as he¡¯d predicted, there were no guards. No sounds. No one at all, ¡°You memorized the entire map¡¯s?¡± I asked. ¡°Yes,¡± He stopped at a narrow stone stairwell and started climbing, his steps sure. At the top, pressed his hand against a section of the wall, and a door slid open. he I froze in the doorway. My heart mmed in my chest. I knew this ce, I¡¯d been here before. 11:16 Wed, Sep 10 The library. ¡°Surprise?¡± he said. ¡°How did you know?¡± I asked. 79 55 vouchers ¡°There are multiple entrances to that ce,¡± he replied. ¡°One of them is in the supply warehouse.¡± ¡°That¡¯s where you started the fire?¡± I asked, the realization settling inside me. Instead of answering my question, he smirked. ¡°Are you ready?¡± I froze, my gaze sweeping over the shelves. I didn¡¯t need him to exin. Cassian wanted to burn this ce too. Memories I hadn¡¯t thought about in years came back one after another, running my fingers along these books as a child, hiding in the corner during storms, pretending the library was mine. But those moments didn¡¯t matter anymore. Not after the failed awakening. Not after the way Celeste had looked at me like I was something special when in fact, I am but a pawn that she wanted to manipte and use. It hit me then that I didn¡¯t know my family at all. Not my father, who had taken those children. Not my mother. And definitely not Celeste. Whatever image I¡¯d built of them was gone. I looked back at him. ¡°How much time do we have?¡± ¡°Enough,¡± he said. I nodded in response. I knew every corner of this ce. Every hallway, every shortcut, every hidden passage the Omegas used because they weren¡¯t allowed through the main entrance. I¡¯d cleaned every inch of these walls once, carrying buckets heavier than I could manage, slipping through narrow gaps just to finish my work before the next inspection. Now, that same knowledge would make our movements faster. I led Cassian to the first spot, the supply storage. If they¡¯d moved anything important after the fire, it would be here. The shelves were stacked high with sacks of grain and crates of dried meat. Cassian didn¡¯t waste a second. He pulled out the same ck sphere he¡¯d used on the Crimson Howlers Pack, setting it in the center of the room. ¡°This one will burn slow, but it won¡¯t stop,¡± he exined. ¡°Just ced it in the middle of the room and leave it be. Let it do it¡¯s thing¡± I¡¯d seen what it could do. The ck mes would spread until there was nothing left. From there, I took him to the firewood storage. The air was thick with the scent of dried bark : and resin. Perfect fuel. He ced another sphere between the stacks. 79 55 vouchers Thest stop was the herb storeroom. Bundles of dried nts hung from the ceiling, and rows of jars lined the shelves. Some were rare, roots and leaves that took months to gather. I knew exactly what would happen once the fire reached them. Walking through these ces brought back memories I didn¡¯t want but couldn¡¯t push away. Jack, the Beta¡¯s son, had once cornered me in the firewood storage, shoving me against the stacked logs until my back ached for days. Lilian, his sister, had dragged me into the herb room more than once just to knock the jars from my hands, making me clean the mess while sheughed. One winter, they¡¯d used me as their practice target in the training yard, throwing small rocks and snow packed with ice. Jack had hit me in the ribs so hard I couldn¡¯t breathe. Lilian had smirked, telling me to get used to it because ¡°that¡¯s all Omegas are good for.¡± Then they shoved me to this ce to¡­ heal myself. I had been their punching bag, their way to pass time when they were bored. And no one had stopped them. Not my mother. Not Celeste. Not anyone. Cassian nced at me as he set thest sphere in ce. ¡°Ready?¡± I nodded. This time, I wasn¡¯t the one taking the blows. We returned to the library just as the first trails of ck smoke curled in from the corridors. The heat was faint now, but it wouldn¡¯t stay that way for long. Stepping inside brought back another memory I¡¯d buried, one that still made my skin prickle. Jack and Lilian had cornered me in the back hall one night, using me of stealing food from the kitchen. Before I could defend myself, Jack had shoved a lit candle against my sleeve. The mes caught fast, licking up my arm. I¡¯d dropped to the ground, smothering it with my own hands, crying until I could barely see. Celeste had found me afterward. She¡¯d given me a jar of ointment, half¨Cempty and smelling faintly of mold. I¡¯d thought she cared then, thought she was the only one in this family who might actually love me. Standing here now, I almostughed at the thought. She hadn¡¯t been helping me, she¡¯d been keeping me useful. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Cassian¡¯s words broke my stupor. He was already moving toward the cave entrance when a voice cut through the growing crackle of mes. ¡°Intruders!¡± We both stopped. A woman stood at the far end of the hall, her eyes widening in rm. She didn¡¯t recognize us under the hoods, but I knew her voice instantly. Luna Genevieve- my mother. ATASHA¡¯S POV Brute 53 79 55 vouchers ¡°Intruders!¡± Genevieve¡¯s voice thundered up the stairwell, followed by the sharp echo of her boots against stone. I didn¡¯t have to turn around to know she wasing after us. Cassian¡¯s hand tightened on my arm, pulling me forward as we broke into a run. Shouts rang out in the corridors ahead. More footsteps joined the chase, the sound multiplying until it felt like the entire pack was on our trail. Over the noise, I heard Genevieve bark an order, clear andmanding. ¡°Kill them! Kill the intruders before they reach the exit!¡± Cassian nced over his shoulder, his expression hard. ¡°I can handle them.¡± ¡°No,¡± I said, forcing him to look at me. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the Luna.¡± That made him slow for half a step, his eyes narrowing at me through the shadow of his hood. Without a word, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small object, pressing it into my palm. It was smooth, round, and cold. ¡°Throw it at them,¡± he told me. ¡°That¡¯s all you need to do.¡± I closed my fingers around it, and he gave a single nod. ¡°Meet me at the exit.¡± Then he turned and broke away down another passage. I didn¡¯t watch him go. I kept moving toward the exit, the pounding of Genevieve¡¯s steps growing louder behind me. When I finally looked down at what he¡¯d given me, I froze. It wasn¡¯t the ck incendiary sphere he¡¯d used before. This one was green, the surface faintly glinting under the light. Recognition hit instantly. This is Poison. I stopped running. Almost immediately, Genevieve¡¯s figure emerged from the shadows at the far end of the hall, her hair pulled back, her shoulders squared. She slowed when she saw I¡¯d stopped, her lips curling into a cold smile. Behind her were two others that I recognized as warriors, ¡°You¡¯re brave,¡± she said, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°If you think you can walk out of here alive.¡± kept my hood low, letting the fabric hide my face. For now, she didn¡¯t know who she was talking to. And I intended to use that. I closed the gap between us in seconds, the dagger hidden against my side. Genevieve¡¯s stance 79 55 vouchers shifted immediately, she was ready to fight, her weight bnced, her shoulders turning to meet me head¨Con. She¡¯d been trained for this. I knew if I went at her straight, she¡¯d drop me before I could get a strike in. So I didn¡¯t. Just as she moved to counter, I flicked my wrist and hurled the green orb at her feet. It burst open mid¨Cair, releasing a thick, greenish cloud that spread faster than I expected. The sharp, acrid scent burned my nose instantly. I heard Genevieve choke on her first breath, and her hands shot up toward her face. The mist wrapped around us, clinging to skin, hair, and clothes. It attacked the eyes first, turning sight into a blur of color and shadow, then the rest of the senses followed. Hearing dulled, bnce wavered. Even the one who threw it wasn¡¯t spared¡­ unless they were like me. Immune. The thought shed in my head, this wasn¡¯t just a weapon. It was the kind of thing someone could use to take themselves and their enemies in one move. Ruthless. Behind Genevieve, the two pack members who had been trailing her staggered, coughing hard. Their eyes were red, watering, their movements sloppy as they tried to shield themselves. I went for them first. The first one barely registered my approach before my dagger slid between his ribs. I yanked it free and turned on the second, who was already on his knees. He tried to push himself up, but I drove the de into his throat, ending it fast. It was over in heartbeats. Then, I turned back to Genevieve. She¡¯d stumbled out of the thickest part of the mist, but not far enough to escapepletely. Her eyes were shut tight, her breath uneven. She¡¯d inhaled enough to make her cough, her hand gripping the wall for bnce. I closed the distance until I stood just a few feet away from her. Slowly, I reached up and pushed back my hood. Her eyes were still shut, but when she finally forced them open, blinking through the blur, she froze. ¡°¡­Atasha?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. I just stared at the woman who¡¯d spent years pretending to be my mother, the same woman who stood by and watched while others made me their target. I had been blind to it for so long, it was pathetic. 11:16 wed, ¡°A¨CAtasha? It¡¯s you?¡± 55 vouchers I took a slow step toward her. The faint green tint on her lips told me enough, she¡¯d inhaled the poison and her body wasn¡¯t recovering quickly. ¡°Atasha, what are you doing¡­? Did you just harm your own pack? Your own mother?¡± That stopped me for only a moment. ¡°You are not my mother,¡± I said tly. Her brows drew together. ¡°What? What are you talking about?¡± I tightened my hand around the hilt of the dagger as I took another step closer. ¡°Atasha¨Cyou-¡± For a moment, something flickered in Genevieve¡¯s eyes. Not fear, something colder. It was ruthlessness and before I could react, she lunged at me. My back mmed against the cold stone, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. Pain red up my spine, but before I could even raise my arm, a sharp, tearing agony ripped through my side. I looked down in disbelief, Genevieve¡¯s hand was on the hilt of a knife, already buried deep in my flesh. She didn¡¯t hesitate. She didn¡¯t flinch as she stabbed me with all her might! Her body pressed into mine, pinning me to the wall. Her lips curled into a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°So¡­ you already knew.¡± She twisted the de. White¨Chot pain shot through me, stealing my breath. My knees buckled, but her arm kept me upright, the knife grinding against muscle as she drove it in harder. I felt the warmth spread across my ribs, the wet sound of blood spilling against my clothes. My mouth filled with the copper taste of it, and a thin stream slid from the corner of my lips. I forced my eyes up to meet hers. Genevieve¡¯s gaze held no remorse, only that same calcting coldness I¡¯d seen my whole life without realizing what it really meant. ¡°You think a little poison and a dagger make you my equal?¡± she hissed. Her grip on the knife tightened, pressing the steel deeper until my back arched against the wall from the pain. Every nerve in my body screamed, but I didn¡¯t look away. I met her stare, letting her see that even bleeding out, I wasn¡¯t afraid. ¡°You are not my mother,¡± I repeated. 79 55 vouchers ¡°Of course I¡¯m not,¡± she sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°You think I¡¯d ever im a wretched thing born from a cursed bloodline as my own? Pathetic.¡± Her smile sharpened. ¡°And now that you know¡­ I¡¯ll make sure you die here.¡± I let out a short, coldugh. Die? Even if I wanted to, my body wouldn¡¯t let me. In one swift motion, I pulled the smaller dagger strapped to my leg and drove it straight into Genevieve¡¯s neck. Brute 54 ATASHA¡¯S POV And that clearly caught the Luna by surprise. Genevieve¡¯s hand went to the wound at her neck, blood spilling between her fingers. Her eyes were wide, darting from the dagger to my face like she was trying to piece together something that didn¡¯t make sense. I could almost see the question in her head. How could I still move, let alone stab her, when I looked like I was seconds from copsing or dying? She staggered back, her knees hitting the floor. The sound of her armor scraping against the stone echoed on the cave walls. I stayed where I was for a moment, forcing air back into my lungs despite the stabbing pain in my side. Each breath was a battle, but I didn¡¯t blink, didn¡¯t look away from her. Finally, I pushed myself off the wall. My legs trembled, but I straightened.. Her eyes widened a fraction. ¡°You you should be on the ground by now.¡± I took one slow step forward. ¡°I¡¯ve been on the ground enough times in my life,¡± I said, my voice. ¡°I¡¯m not staying there for you.¡± Keeping my gaze locked on hers, I gripped the dagger buried in my side and yanked it free in one smooth pull. I tossed it aside, the metal ttering across the stone. Pain red, but it wasn¡¯t from the wound, it was from the flesh knitting itself back together, muscle and skin stitching faster than even my eyes could track. ¡°Witch!¡± Genevieve¡¯s breath hitched, her gaze darting to my side as the realization hit. She scrambled to rise, but the moment she shifted her weight, her palm slid through the slick pool of her own blood. Her eyes widened, panic flickering there for the first time, just as I closed the remaining distance between us. She reached for her own knife, but I kicked it aside before her fingers could curl around the hilt. The ng of metal against stone rang through the space. I stood over her now, her gaze tilting up to meet mine. For the first time, there was something in her eyes that wasn¡¯t contempt. It wasn¡¯t fear exactly, just the realization that she might not win this. ¡°You¡¯re making a mistake,¡± she rasped. ¡°You kill me, and the whole pack will hunt you.¡± I crouched, ignoring the pain in my side. My wound had closed, but healing organs was slower than flesh. ¡°Let them hunt.¡± ¡°You-¡± 79 E55 vouchers ¡°My dagger¡¯s poisoned,¡± I said. ¡°They say it¡¯s deadly to most¡­ but poison doesn¡¯t hurt me.¡± The look on her face made me smile. ¡°Even if I leave now¡­ you won¡¯t have a chance to live through this.¡± She was about to speak when she suddenly started to vomit blood. ¡°Mendez said the poison on this dagger was from the west. Just like the one that you used¡­ when you wanted to kill me,¡± I added. ¡°You should know more about the western poison¡­ right?¡± Genevieve gagged, another wet cough sending a dark spray across the stone. ¡°Mendez told me something about this poison,¡± I said, leaning closer so she couldn¡¯t look away. ¡°It doesn¡¯t kill fast. It drags you through it. First, you lose your strength. Then your senses. Then it puts you under,atose. Your werewolf genes will try to heal you¡­ but every time they do, the poison attacks again. Over and over. Heal, tear apart, heal, tear apart, until there¡¯s nothing left to heal. I thought it was ruthless, and it perfectly suits you.¡± Her eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw it. Fear. She tried to speak, but her throat worked uselessly before another gush of blood spilled from her mouth. I reached out, gripping her chin and forcing her to meet my gaze. ¡°For years, I couldn¡¯t look into your eyes. I was afraid I¡¯d see disappointment. When I failed to awaken, I thought you¡¯d see me as useless. Now¡­¡± I let out a short breath. ¡°I can see them clearly. They¡¯re beautiful, Genevieve. Your eyes are very beautiful, they look like gems. Shame Celeste didn¡¯t inherit them. She got William¡¯s instead.¡± Her eyes flew open wider, the shock cutting through the pain for a second before she doubled over, vomiting blood again. I tilted my head, watching her. ¡°What do you think the Alpha will do when he learns his wife has been ying with his Beta? What do you think he¡¯ll do when he realizes Celeste isn¡¯t his?¡± She shook her head weakly, but the motion ended in another violent cough, blood running down her chin. I chuckled. ¡°I guess you won¡¯t find out. You won¡¯t be alive by then.¡± I stood, wiping my hand on my sleeve. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll send flowers to your grave. And maybe the next time I visit this ce, I¡¯ll tell you the ending of that story.¡± The horror in her eyes didn¡¯t fade, it only deepened, before her body gave out. She copsed, limp against the floor. I crouched onest time, ripping the dagger from her neck, the slick warmth of her blood 79 55 vouchers coating my hand. A sharp breath tore from my chest, relief and exhaustion mingling. When I opened my eyes again, they went straight to the shadows at the far side of the cave. ¡°Are you nning to hide forever?¡± I called out. From the darkness, Cassian emerged, a slow smile tugging at his lips. ¡°I was trying to let you savor the moment,¡± he said. I didn¡¯t answer. My eyes stayed on Genevieve, her breaths so faint they were barely there. ¡°You didn¡¯t ask her about your real parents¡­¡± he prodded. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t tell me,¡± I replied without hesitation. ¡°Oh? And how do you know that?¡± ¡°She¡¯s spent her life using me like a tool,¡± I said tly. ¡°The moment I stopped being useful, she tried to kill me for her and her daughter¡¯s gain. Why would she waste time talking about where the tool came from?¡± He chuckled. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could be that ruthless¡­¡± He closed the distance to my side in seconds. ¡°But I like it.¡± Without warning, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to my temple. ¡°Then you don¡¯t need to think about your family. You have me. And that¡¯s enough.¡± I held his gaze, trying to decide if that was meant asfort. Then I nodded. Obviously, a tool is still a tool. At least with him, I knew I was being used. Ìï AD Comment Brute 55 ALPHA COLLIN BLACK¡¯S POV 79 55 vouchers Collin saw the column of smoke rising from Crimson Howlers territory and felt the ground tighten under his boots. Part of him refused to believe Cassian would push farther, the other part knew better. He broke into a run, cutting across the ridge toward Nightfall, barking orders through the mind¨Clink as he moved. He had sent William and his men in advance. Surely they were able to protect the pack, right? Soon enough, the glow over Nightfall¡¯s roofs came into view too fast. The air already tasted of resin and scorched grain. A dull st rolled through the trees, followed by another, short, hard thumps that didn¡¯t sound like kitchen fires orntern idents. Fire. It was just as he expected. Mendez was right. Cassian led a troop to deal with them! As he crossed the outer yard, ash drifted across the gstones, and the first screams carried from the lower corridors. He grabbed a passing guard by the shoulder. ¡°Status.¡± The guard swallowed hard. ¡°Alpha¡­ there were multiple ignition points. Smoke in the library wing. And a ck me in the supply hall that water won¡¯t touch.¡± ¡°What about the Luna and Celeste?¡± Collin demanded. ¡°Lady Celeste is in the infirmary, helping the wounded. As for the Luna-¡± The man faltered as Collin shouldered past him. ¡°William!¡± Collin spotted his Beta near the inner stair, soot streaking his face. ¡°William¡ª report.¡± William didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°The fire started in the supply hall and jumped to the herb stores. It¡¯s not natural, sir, water spreads it. We¡¯re using sand and wool nkets. The library stair ispromised. We found two men down near the lower passage, eyes burned, lips green. The Luna wasst seen heading toward the cave. Sadly, we cannot locate her. The smoke is too thick, and there¡¯s something in the air¡­ probably poison too. I¡¯ve had no link response from her since.¡± Collin¡¯s jaw set. ¡°Secure Celeste, Pull everyone off the water lines and smother the mes, Shut the vents to the library, seal the eastern passages, and post archers at the cliff entrance. If anyonees out of that tunnel, drop them first.¡± William nodded once. ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± He hesitated. ¡°Sir¡­ whoever nned this knew ouryout.¡± : 79 55 vouchers Collin didn¡¯t slow. ¡°I know.¡± He drew breath against the smoke. He narrowed his gaze. Cassian must have forced this information out of Atasha, he thought. ¡°Go on ¨C ¡°Sir!¡± 66 ¡°Sir!¡± A runner skidded to a stop, soot streaked across his face. ¡°Demon Fangs are attacking the south border. Lord Cassian¡¯s men are holding the line, but they won¡¯tst at this rate. More shapes in the treeline, dozens. They need reinforcements!¡± Collin¡¯s expression hardened. Of course, the scavengers woulde now. Demon Fangs always circled when a pack bled. ¡°William,¡± Collin snapped. ¡°The fire is yours. Sand, earth, wool¨Csmother it. Shut every vent to the library. Lock the inner doors to the herb wing. Pull Celeste and the infirmary to the stone cer and put four squads around it. Any man with green lips or burned eyes gets masks and is pulled off the line, don¡¯t let poison spread through the ranks.¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± ¡°Send twonces to the cliff entrance. If anyone emerges, drop them. No warnings.¡± William nodded, already signaling captains. Collin turned to the runner. ¡°Tell the south wall I¡¯m on my way. Form a wedge at the river break. Shields up front, archers behind, aim low, drive them into the ditch. If the ck me rolls that way, use earth, not water.¡± He opened the mind¨Clink and drove hismand through the pack. ¡®All warriors to the south border. We push as one? A low chorus of acknowledgments answered him. He drew his sword from the wall rack as he hit the yard at a run. The glow over Nightfall had darkened; the smoke sat heavy, tasting of resin and burned herbs, Another st thumped from deep in the halls. He pushed faster. They reached the southern palisade as the first Demon Fangs broke from the brush, howling. Cassian¡¯s men was there, dark armor, shields locked, holding a narrow gap by the river break. Bodies already littered the grass. The northerners were trading ground for time, and time was running out. ¡°Nightfall!¡± Collin¡¯s roar cut through the sh. ¡°On me!¡± His warriors surged to fill the wedge. Shields mmed. Spears lowered. Arrows hissed over their heads and punched into the front rank of Demon Fangs, staggering them just long enough. B55 vouchers Collin stepped into the gap and drove forward. Steel met bone. The line moved with him, one hard step at a time. ¡®Tonight we live,¡® he told the link, voice like iron. ¡®No one breaks. Drive them back to the trees and hold.¡¯ Sadly, it didn¡¯t take too long before he realized that something was wrong with his body. CELESTE¡¯S POV ¡°Lady Celeste, here are the herbs that we need- these are the only things that I could find.¡± Lilian said as she handed Celeste a bundle of herbs. ¡°All of them are of low quality, but¡­ it should do.¡± Celeste nodded, her expression dark. Lilian lowered her voice as she pushed another bundle of crushed stems and brittle leaves into Celeste¡¯s hands. ¡°Whoever set this knew the halls,¡± she said. ¡°They lit the right rooms, hit the vents, and slipped through the servants¡® stairs. No one saw them until the smoke reached the main corridors. Do you think it¡¯s an omega? Or it has something to do with the tyrant?¡± Celeste¡¯s jaw tightened. She ground the herbs in a mortar, the scent weak and stale. These are stock meant for fevers, not burns and poisoned lungs. It must be Lord Cassian! Cassian was supposed to be an ally. If he had turned, there had to be a reason. If it wasn¡¯t him, then someone with a map of Nightfall had done this. ¡°Lord Cassian is our ally,¡± she said, mostly to steady herself. ¡°We don¡¯t know that it¡¯s him¡­ YET,¡± Lilian replied, gathering bandages and checking the nearest cots. Celeste added water and worked the paste smoother. She counted patients in her head, smoke burns first, eyes next, then anyone with green¨Cstained lips. She passed the bowl to a page. ¡°Take this to the physician. Steam it. Cloth over the nose and mouth for anyone coughing blood. Keep the children by the back wall.¡± A warrior burst through the door, helmet under his arm, soot across his cheek. ¡°My Lady! Demon Fangs have been spotted at the south border. The Alpha has taken the line. Beta William orders the infirmary to hold until escorts arrive.¡± Celeste¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°What about the Luna?¡± ¡°No word,¡± he said. ¡°Her link is dead. Last sighting near the library corridor.¡± Lilian caught Celeste¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Breathe. The Luna is strong. The poisoned smoke can cut the link. They¡¯ll find her.¡± 79 55 vouchers Celeste nodded once and kept moving. ¡°Tell Beta William we need masks and sand for the door gaps. If the ck me reaches this wing, water will spread it.¡± The warrior saluted and ran. Celeste didn¡¯t waste time. She pushed a fresh bowl of paste into the physician¡¯s hands. ¡°Eyes first, then the throat. Short breaths. Rotate the children every five minutes to the clean¨Cair corner.¡± Celeste moved from vent to vent, testing the draft and the heat bleeding through the stone. Something about the way the fire spread was wrong, but she had no time to unravel it. ¡°Seal these with wet wool,¡± she told an attendant. ¡°If the smoke thickens, we move to the stone cer. I¡¯ll take the children first. Lilian, you follow with the elders and anyone coughing blood.¡± Lilian nodded and started assigning pairs. Another dull st sounded somewhere deeper in the keep. The air tasted of resin and char. Celeste paused long enough to steady a shaking patient and adjust the cloth over the girl¡¯s mouth. The noise in the corridors rose and fell like a tide. Celeste kept her voice even, issuing the next set of instructions, but the feeling in her chest didn¡¯t ease. This didn¡¯t look like a raid that got lucky. Someone wanted to hurt their pack! ¡°My Lady! My Lady!¡± Another warrior burst through the door, boots slipping on ash. ¡°Bad news!¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Celeste asked. ¡°We received news¡­ the Alpha-¡± He swallowed. ¡°The Alpha is down. The Alpha is down!¡± END OF BOOK 1 É« AD Brute 56 Book 2- The Rise of the Northern Consort ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers ¡°The north is the coldest ce on the, but it doesn¡¯t mean we are destitute,¡± Grace said, smiling as she handed me a bowl of warm porridge. I took it and murmured thanks. ¡°In fact, the north is very wealthy.¡± I nodded. Since childhood, I¡¯d been told the North kills the careless, you can freeze before sunrise and even a small beast can drag you from a tent. But never about their wealth. Still¡­ I nodded. It had been two weeks since we left Crimson Howlers¡® territory, two weeks since we burned Crimson Howlers and Nightfall Pack. News came in fragments from scouts. I noted it and let it go. I wasn¡¯t ready to make sense of any of it on the road. Instead I focus on our journey. The snow started four days ago and didn¡¯t stop. By today it buried the shoulders of the track, covered the pines, and packed over the rock so deep the wheels cut trenches. The driver had the team on chains and a slower gait. Outriders rotated every mile to keep their faces from freezing. The ss kept fogging, and each time I wiped it with my sleeve, I caught Cassian¡¯s banner slipping in and out of the white ahead while the rear patrol checked our tracks for anything following. Travel changed with the weather. Horns sounded more often, one short for a drift, two for a choke point, three for a halt. The heater core under the bench hummed and kept our breath from frosting inside the carriage, but the cold still pushed through the seams. Because of that, Cassian rode ahead with Lucas to clear the pass. When I asked to go, he refused. And told me that the north was too harsh, and I wasn¡¯t limated yet. He left two wardens with me and told Grace to keep me inside the column. I thought I¡¯d fight him on it, but I didn¡¯t. The order gave me what I needed, time to breathe, go through some notes, and arrive with enough strength to face what waited at ckfrost. And of course, the biggest change had been Grace who was asked to apany me all the time. Grace poured me more tea from a lidded tin. ¡°You¡¯ll see our first vige after the pass. We call it Frostgate. From there, caravans branch cast and west. Most families earn coins through the mines.¡± ¡°Mining?¡± I asked. ¡°In this weather?¡± 55 vouchers ¡°We work under it.¡± She pointed to the floor, as if I could see through the packed snow and rock. ¡°Old veins run along the mountains and the frozen rivers. We follow them. It¡¯s not all iron and salt. The wealth is in Fac stones.¡± I looked up. ¡°Fae stones¡­ the same stones that amplify abilities?¡± I have read about these stones in the past. However, they weren¡¯t very detailed about it. ¡°The same,¡± she said. ¡°They form in pockets where the earth is thin and the air hums. We grade them by color and weight. Clear ismon. Blue holds cold and wind well. Amber takes to healing or growth. Red carries impact and fire. ck is rare and dangerous.¡± She tapped the side of the cup. ¡°Cut right and set in silver, a stone can power a ward¨Ctower, heat a barracks, or strengthen a gifted fighter for a few minutes. We sell refined stones south and west. That trade is why the north is rich.¡± ¡°Who controls the mines?¡± I asked. ¡°Lord Cassian and the guild council. The guilds handle picks, food, medicine, and contracts. The lord sets taxes, guards the roads, and keeps the monsters out.¡± She nced at the window as the carriage rocked over a drift. ¡°When the snowse early, the beasts push down out of the white. Frostboars, ss¨Cwolves, sometimes a wraith. They smell heat and blood. Hunts keep them back.¡± ¡°Is that why he rides ahead?¡± ¡°Yes. The scouts gged sign yesterday. Something big crossed the river ice. He took Lucas and a dozen riders to sweep the slope.¡± I set the bowl aside. ¡°Do children work the mines?¡± ¡°Not inside the deep shafts. Apprentices start above ground, sorting, washing, carting. Down below is for trained hands. We lost enough men before we learned that lesson.¡± ¡°What about the stones themselves? Are they safe to handle?¡± ¡°Raw stones hum in the bones. Too much contact makes you dizzy. The ck ones burn out the nerves if you press them to skin for long.¡± She pulled a small pouch from her coat and loosened the top. A dull blue shard sat inside, the size of a thumbnail, wrapped in oiled cloth. ¡°We carry them shielded. Only cutters and smiths handle them bare, and only for a breath.¡± ¡°What do you do with them after cutting?¡± ¡°Most go to the forges and sold to the Facs.¡± She counted off on her fingers. ¡°Obviously, we also work with Faes to create power cells for the ward¨Ctowers. The best stones go to the keep, ounts, reserves, or the lord¡¯s personal stores. The rest are traded for grain, medicine, and iron.¡± 79 55 vouchers I nodded. Faes live further north. It is only expected for them to interact with the wolves who are mining their stones. ¡°And the viges live off the guild contracts?¡± ¡°Mining feeds everyone, but people still trap, fish under the ice, and tan hides. We also harvest frostkelp from the caverns near the hot vents. It sells well to healers. In spring, river barges take timber down to the minds.¡± The carriage slowed. I heard a horn cut short and the crunch of boots outside. Grace lifted the curtain an inch, then let it fall. ¡°Checkpoint. The road narrows before Frostgate. Scouts rotate here. You¡¯ll see the first ward¨Ctower soon, stone spine, iron cage at the top. It burns blue at night.¡± ¡°Powered by stones?¡± ¡°Four blue cores and one clear back¨Cup. The tower keeps wraiths from lingering on the road. It also runs the signalmps to the vige.¡± I watched a rider pass along our side, hood rimed with ice. ¡°So¡­ Faes can live here as well?¡± I asked. ¡°That is only natural.¡± Again, I nodded as I wondered more about Faes and their rtionship with werewolves. In the south, Faes aren¡¯t thatmon. In fact, I had never seen one in my life. ¡°What about theft?¡± I asked. ¡°A stone small enough to pocket could buy a home.¡± ¡°Every pouch is weighed and signed. Every cart is sealed. The council hangs thieves. Not because of the coin,¡± she added. ¡°But because a stolen stone can power a weapon used against us. We don¡¯t risk it.¡± The carriage jolted as we took a rut. I braced a palm to the wall. ¡°And the monsters?¡± ¡°Winter brings the bold ones. Frostboarse in pairs. You don¡¯t let them ram the runners or they¡¯ll flip a wagon into a ditch. ss¨Cwolves hunt in a crescent, they learn the curve of the road and wait at the bend. Wraiths drift. You feel them in your teeth before you see them. The towers keep most of those away.¡± ¡°And if the towers fail?¡± She met my eyes. ¡°Then the lord rides.¡± We fell quiet for a stretch, listening to the wheels grind through snow. The air in the carriage stayed warm, held by a little brass box fixed under the bench. It hummed faintly. ¡°Stone heater?¡± I asked. ¡­ :
  1. 79.
55 vouchers Grace smiled. ¡°Created by Faes. It uses clear core, nothing fancy. Good for travel. We don¡¯t waste wood when the ground gives us better.¡± I looked back out the window. In the distance, a column of darker stone rose out of the white, topped by an iron cage like she said. Men moved along the road, faces covered, spears strapped to their backs. Beyond them, a line of low roofs with steep eaves sat pressed to the mountain, smoke thin and straight in the still air. ¡°Frostgate,¡± Grace said. ¡°After this, the road splits. West to the ironworks and the main guild hall. East to the healers¡® caverns and the hot vents. We¡¯ll head east for tonight, then on to the keep tomorrow.¡± ¡°Does everyone here answer to Cassian first or the guilds?¡± ¡°Both,¡± she said. ¡°The guilds are managed by Five Families and they run the work. The lord decides who lives to keep doing it. That¡¯s how the north holds.¡± Outside, a horn sounded twice. The carriage rolled forward again. I tightened my cloak and picked up the cooling porridge. ¡°Eat,¡± Grace said. ¡°You¡¯ll need the heat when we step out.¡± ¡°And if somethinges out of the snow?¡± She didn¡¯t look worried. ¡°Then you¡¯ll see why the north is wealthy. We can afford to fight.¡± However, before I could take a small sip, a knock echoed inside the carriage. ¡°Your Highness, Mr. Aries, wanted to see you.¡± AD Comment Send gift No Ads Chapter 57 Brute 57 Chapter 57 ATASHA¡¯S POV : ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªsay that again,¡± I said, looking from Aries to Rico. ? 79 El 55 vouchers In response, Aries squared his shoulders. ¡°My Lady, we¡¯ve decided to work under Lieutenant Rio. The boys will train as soldiers. Kasumi and the girls will assist Physician Mendez. We want to repay you and the Lord.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t recall asking for repayment.¡± I set the cup down. ¡°You¡¯ve been through enough. Lieutenant Grace told me there are other jobs for children here. You can earn your keep and live safely in the north. Training isn¡¯t required. It¡¯s enough that you build a good life.¡± ¡°I apologize, but we can¡¯t do that,¡± Rico said. ¡°You didn¡¯t just save our lives. You changed our future.¡± I studied the young Alpha. ¡°Your future¡± felt toorge for boys their age, but he wasn¡¯t wrong. Cassian had already told me what awaited them on the road west. They will be sold piece by the piece to witches. Their organs, limbs, eyes and even their hair. They will be kept alive as long as the blood still moves so they could be used again. They weren¡¯t going to be killed quickly. They were going to be used. That was the future they were headed to before we saved them from my father. ¡°Being a soldier is dangerous,¡± I said. ¡°The north isn¡¯t like the south. We face monsters here. some as tall as buildings, and there are other threats you haven¡¯t seen. Don¡¯t throw away your future for the sake of ¡®repayment.¡°¡± ¡°We¡¯re sorry, my Lady, but we¡¯ve decided,¡± Aries answered. ¡°Kasumi and the others are being examined now to see if they can assist Physician Mendez. Those who don¡¯t pass will work as maids. We may be small, but we can still be useful.¡± I swallowed as memories of what I went through after my failed awakening shed into my head. The word ¡°useful¡± stuck in my head. After my failed awakening, I had chased that word like it could fix everything, if I worked harder, if I stayed out of the way, if I made myself necessary, maybe someone would keep me. I knew exactly why Aries and Rico wanted this. Being useful felt safer than being helpless. I looked from Aries to Rico. ¡°I don¡¯t require your service,¡± I said. ¡°And I won¡¯t stop you either. But before you step out of this carriage, promise me one thing.¡± They both straightened. 79 55 vouchers ¡°Live for yourselves,¡± I said. ¡°If you want training, train. If you want the infirmary, learn the work. But do it because you choose it. Seeing you do well is the only repayment the Lord and I will ever ask for. Live well, and live for yourselves.¡± Rico lowered his head. Aries turned his face to the window. I didn¡¯t need to press them. The shine gathering in their eyes told me enough. I cleared my throat. ¡°You should also know this. The one who took you, Alpha Collin ck, my father, was hit hard in the attack two weeks ago. He¡¯s in aa.¡± I held their eyes, so they understood I wasn¡¯t asking for pity. ¡°Luna Genevieve died two days ago from poisoning. It rotted her from the inside until her heart failed. Currently, the one who is leading Nightfall is my sister, Celeste. Nightfall still stands, but it¡¯s broken. Recovery will take years, if ites at all.¡± Rico¡¯s hands tightened at his sides. Aries swallowed, jaw set. The three of us know that recovery will be difficult, knowing that the Demon Fangs are always on their border, waiting for them to show any weakness. ¡°This is better than killing them outright,¡± I said. ¡°They can no longer do to others what they did to you.¡± I let the silence settle, then continued. ¡°You will be safe in the north. Lieutenant Grace will help you with the formalities. If you train under Lieutenant Rio, you follow his rules, no heroics, no leaving posts, no missions without clearance. If you work with Physician Mendez, you follow his safety checks. If any of you want different workter, you tell Grace and she will move you. No one here owns you.¡± Aries nodded once. ¡°We promise.¡± Rico wiped at his face and managed a small smile. ¡°We¡¯ll live well.¡± ¡°Good,¡± I said, easing back on the bench. ¡°Then go. Finish your assessments. Eat when they tell you to eat. And if anyone tries to use you again, youe to me.¡± Aries and Rico bowed and backed out. I expected Grace next, but the door opened to Cassian. He smirked. ¡°Entertaining, hearing you talk to children like that.¡± I didn¡¯t bite. I poured him tea and slid the cup across. ¡°Do you need someone healed?¡± A dry thought crossed my mind: I had just told the children toe to me if anyone tried to use them, while I let Cassian use me whenever he pleased, and I didn¡¯t mind it. He set the cup down. ¡°I¡¯m noting with you to the mansion.¡± I looked up. ¡°Why?¡± : ¡°There will be a beast tide in a few days. I¡¯m marching to the border.¡± 79 55 vouchers A beast tide. I¡¯d read about it in northern field reports. Ites when a red moon is near. Packs of creatures leave the deep snow and move as one. Their eyes turn red, and they attack anything that moves. They don¡¯t stop when they¡¯re wounded. If they run out of prey, they eat each other. The frenzysts for days, and the bodies draw more beasts. Patrols rotate every hour to keep men from breaking. Bites carry fever, and ws leave rot that spreads fast unless a healer cuts it out or purges the blood. It made sense now why we hadn¡¯t stopped at any allied packs on the road north. He was keeping the caravan moving to defend the north from the tide. ¡°Take me with you,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯ll need a healer at the front. I can work through poison and fever faster than most, and I don¡¯t panic when blood runs.¡± He shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re the princess consort. When you arrive, you pay respects to my grandparents first.¡± I frowned. ¡°You never mentioned grandparents.¡± And I never heard about any grandparents from the meager information that I had about him. He smiled. ¡°Of course not. They¡¯re dead. I killed them myself.¡± I stared at him, the wordsnding heavier than I expected. For a moment, I didn¡¯t know what to say. AD Brute 58 Cassian had already ridden out at first light. He was headed for the border and theing beast tide. That left me with Grace and a carriage that wouldn¡¯t stop shaking. However, this wasn¡¯t the reason why my hands wouldn¡¯t settle. Grace noticed and took one, steadying it against my cloak. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± she said. ¡°You are the Princess Consort, the wife of the Prince Regent. The moment you step down, head high. No one will bully you in the north. You tell them what you want and everyone will listen to you.¡± I looked at her. ¡°Is that something I can actually do?¡± ¡°It¡¯s something you will do,¡± she answered. ¡°Listen. When the door opens, the steward will announce your name and title. You will ept the house token from him, the silver band with the wolf crest. You¡¯ll nod to the captains, not bow. Then we go straight to the shrine. Two kneels only: one for the house, one for the fallen lord anddy. You ce a clear fae chip on the brazier, touch the rail, and repeat after me. That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°What do I say?¡± I wondered if this is some sort of a tradition that every previous bride had to do but I didn¡¯t dare ask the question. Grace recited it for me. ¡°I enter under the northern roof. I keep itsws. I guard its borders.¡± She held my gaze. ¡°You don¡¯t need to add anything.¡± The carriage slowed. Horns sounded twice from the gate. I felt the heat from the stone heater fade as cold air pushed through the seams. ¡°Cassian won¡¯t be there,¡± I said. ¡°He sent word,¡± Grace replied. ¡°The council understands. The shrinees first for you today. The borderes first for him.¡± My stomach turned. ¡°And if I fail this in some way?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± she said. ¡°Stand straight. Speak clearly. Don¡¯t let anyone lead you into extra vows. If someone tries, look at me.¡± ¡°Will someone try to do that?¡± I asked, eyes widening. ¡°Yes, mydy,¡± Grace said. ¡°You are the Lady of the House, and I will be honest with The north has problems moreplicated than Lord Cassian¡¯s temper. He prefers the field to the council chamber, he fights, he doesn¡¯t manage. Some on the council will test you, press for extra vows, and push for advantage. As Lady of the House-¡± you. 79 55 vouchers I didn¡¯t need her to finish. The rest, politics, ounts, disputes, staff, and guests, would be mine to handle. I looked outside of the still moving carriage. So, this was Cassian¡¯s motive all along. He left and let me deal with all of the formalities myself. Maybe this was the point. Cassian left me to walk in alone so I would nt my own feet. As Lady of the House, he was handing me the right to deal with anyone who didn¡¯t respect me. It felt like a test, but not the kind meant to make me fail. I remembered the contract we signed. It clearly stated that I would be his only wife. No second wife, no heirs through another woman, no rival imant. All rights and inheritance would pass through me and our children. He wasn¡¯t just binding himself, he was telling me to act like the woman who held that ce. The thought steadied me and for some reason, hand stopped shaking. ¡°Who will be there from the council?¡± I asked. ¡°All of them,¡± Grace said. She took a leather folder from her satchel and passed it over. ¡°The five banner families each send one representative. They¡¯re called council members. They help Lord Cassian run the estate. He protects the north, they keep the wheels turning. Politics still exists.¡± I opened the folder. A list was tucked inside with neat notes. ¡°House Frostgate,¡± Grace said, tapping the first page. ¡°Roads, checkpoints, and caravans. Their man is Oren Frostgate, the roadmaster. He values schedules and signed contracts. If you promise him escorts, he will hold you to the hour.¡± Next page. ¡°House Ironsong. Forges and cutters. Matron Yara Ironsong speaks for them. Practical. Hates waste. If you push her, bring numbers.¡± ¡°House Keldar,¡± she continued. ¡°Wardens and patrol rosters. Captain Ilya Keldar is blunt. He wants a clear chain ofmand and written orders when patrol routes change.¡± ¡°House Morrow. ounts, tributes, grain tallies. Steward Halden Morrow counts everything twice. He will ask for ledgers on any new spending.¡± ¡°House Briarholt. Stores, infirmary, and winter rations. Sister Veris Briarholt handles allocations. Stern on ration lines. She will fight any request that cuts into reserves.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a sixth chair,¡± Grace added. ¡°It belongs to the Lord or, in his absence, to you. The clerk sits near you and records every order and vote.¡± I scanned the margins. Grace had written small warnings like how Ironsong and Morrow argue over budgets and that Keldar pushes for more wardens when frostboars move. Frostgate wants road crews doubled before the thaw and Briarholt rejects any raid on grain without two signatures. 55 vouchers ¡°How much time do I have?¡± I asked. The thought alone gave me a headache. I was never taught to run an estate. As a wolfless omega I belonged in kitchens and the infirmary. Now I¡¯m expected to manage the house and face councilors twice my age. ¡°One night,¡± Grace smiled. ¡°Really, you don¡¯t have to be afraid of anything. What¡¯s there to fear? You are the Lord¡¯s Wife. Your position is more noble than everyone here.¡± I hoped that would steady me, but it didn¡¯t. I wasn¡¯t trained for councils or power. After my failed awakening, most of my life had been kitchens and the infirmary. Because of this, I spent the rest of the ride memorizing the council families, their duties, and the house chain ofmand. Steward, seneschal, quartermaster, head housekeeper, ward- captains, guild liaisons. I needed to know who answered to whom the moment I stepped inside. After what felt like hours, the carriage finally slowed. Grace lifted the curtain and nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡± Outside, a pair of iron gates rose out of the snow, rimed in frost and set with a ck wolf crest. Beyond them stood ckfrost Manor. Banners hung stiff in the wind. The ce looked like it was built to withstand winters and sieges both. I drew a breath, ran through the names once more, and reached for thetch. Grace caught my wrist and shook her head. Then I recalled how protocol said we have to wait for the steward to open the door. Yes. As thedy of the house, I have to wait for someone to open the door for me. This is northern etiquette. Almost immediately, I heard boots crunching on the snow outside the carriage. Then, thetch lifted from the other side. The door swung open, and a st of cold air swept in. It wasn¡¯t the steward. A captain in ck armor filled the frame, frost on his pauldrons and a silver band in his gloved hand. Behind him, five hard faces watched from the gate. ¡°Princess Consort Atasha ck Valemont,¡± he said. ¡°Wee¡­ The council is waiting.¡± Brute 59 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers However, what I expected didn¡¯t happen. In fact, none of the scenarios I imagined yed out. For a moment, I wondered if I¡¯d just gotten lucky or if they were still testing me. They seated me at the head of a long rectangr table. After the shrine, the council invited me to a wee feast, and I braced for tests. Yet, none came. Everyone stood when I entered, bowed once, and waited for me to sit. No extra vows. No probing questions. The spread in front of me cut against everything I¡¯d assumed about the north. I¡¯d thought meat would be scarce, doled out in thin strips. Instead, tters came out one after another. A roast of frostboar with crackled skin, smoked river troutid over sliced onions, a thick stew heavy with marrow and roots, dark bread still warm, hard cheeses, pickled mushrooms, winter berries in syrup, and a clear broth steeped with herbs that tasted clean. The serving boards were set on stone warmers that glowed faint blue, fae cores keeping food from freezing at the table. I swallowed as I tried to look away from the feast. I wanted to pretend that I wasn¡¯t hungry, but my grumbling stomach had betrayed me. Still, I maintained a calm expression on my face- or at least I tried to. Matron Yara Ironsong spoke first. ¡°Princess Consort, the north isn¡¯t like the south. Some customs will feel sharp at first,¡± she said. ¡°If you have questions,e to me. I also grew up in the South.¡± Almost immediately, Sister Veris Briarholt lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Matron, you make it sound as if you¡¯re the only one who¡¯s traveled,¡± she said, then turned to me with a small smile. ¡°I visited the south a few times when I was young. Different markets, different tempers. If you choose to, you cane to me as well.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯ll take both of you up on that.¡± While we ate, I matched names to faces and houses. Sister Veris Briarholt was the oldest at the table and the council¡¯s authority on stores and the infirmary. She controls winter rations, approves any release from grain and meat reserves, signs off on medicine and stone allocations for heaters, and sets triage rules when supplies run thin. People defer to her whenever food, fuel, or hospital beds are mentioned. She wore a in ck dress, her gray¨Cstreaked hair pinned back. Her hands were steady, her eyes missed nothing, and she spoke in short, exact sentences while an aide beside her kept notes, Matron Yara Ironsong was younger than the rest, her hair braided into a crown so pale it was nearly white. The forges and cutters answered to her. She asked for numbers, ore intake, 78 55 Vouchers output by shift, breakage rates, fuel use per batch, and pressed anyone who spoke in guesses to give a figure. Waste made her frown. Repairs and prevention made her nod. When she promised something, she named the crew and the hour. Halden Morrow, steward of ounts, looked to be the youngest on paper but worked like an old auditor. Ink stained his cuffs, two ledgers sat at his elbow. He tracked cost per head for rations, stone cores issued versus returned, and the margin on each caravan. He didn¡¯t interrupt often, but when he did it was to ask who had signed a release or where the second signature was. Oren Frostgate, the roadmaster, had windburned cheeks and a scar across one knuckle. He spoke in distances and times like drift depth on the east spur, crews needed for the pass, escorts per wagon, toll waivers during storms. His reports were brief. His questions were about keeping caravans moving and checkpoints manned. Captain Ilya Keldar of the wardens sat straight, hands folded, eyes on the room more than the food. He cared about patrol rotations, casualty counts, ward¨Ctower cores, and discipline. When he answered, it was in clean, clipped lines. What he had, what he needed, what he would do if denied. He and Oren rarely smiled, both acknowledged remarks with short nods and returned to the exchange of reports rather than talk for its own sake. As they gave me a quick run down of how the north work, servants kept cups filled. Steam rose from the bowls. No one rushed me. They let me eat, let me watch and listen to them, and when I had a question, how meat reserves were managed through a long winter, how often caravans ran in deep snow, Sister Veris and Oren answered cleanly without circling back to test me. It wasn¡¯t what I expected. It felt like an introduction, not an ambush. But soon I understood the courtesy. It wasn¡¯t because I was likable or the new wife, it was pity. The looks were easy to read once I saw them. The softened eyes, careful voices, a chair pulled an inch closer to the fire as if I might chill faster than the rest. Sister Veris kept refilling my broth without asking. Yara trimmed a thick slice of frostboar and set it on my te herself. I understood the source. They knew Cassian¡¯s record with his brides. They knew what Nightfall had done to me and what I had done back. They knew the north eats the unprepared and that a beast tide was moving. Put all of that together and I looked like amb walked into a ughterhouse with a crown on its head. I let it stand for now and made it useful. Pity tells you who expects you to break, who will step in if you fall, and who is already counting the days. As Grace helped me into my coat, she exined, ¡°Sister Veris once had a wolfless sister. That¡¯s why she traveled so much when she was young. Their parents chased every rumor, anyone who imed they could ¡®give her a wolf¡® and make her a real werewolf.¡± Grace¡¯s mouth tightened, ¡°Nothing worked. Her sister died young, and Veris never married. Briarholt has no legitimate heir now.¡± 78 55 vouchers The gathering had ended. So Grace led me out of the hall. ¡°Your rooms are in the Lord¡¯s wing,¡± she said as we took the stairs. ¡°By custom, the Princess Consort uses the Lord¡¯s chambers unless she asks for her own suite.¡± We turned down a corridor lit by bluenterns. ¡°It is Lord Cassian¡¯s room,¡± she added. ¡°But he barely sleeps in it. He lives in the study or the war tent when he¡¯s in the field.¡± I nodded. It made sense. He had no reason to linger here. The man who killed his previous brides was not a man who practiced domestic life. Grace hesitated. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, I didn¡¯t expect the council to behave like that either. You¡¯re the first bride who¡¯ssted this long. I think no one knows how to act around you.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked. ¡°The previous ones¡­ never made it through the ancestral rites,¡± Grace said just as we reached the door. A guard opened it and stood aside. Inside, the Lord¡¯s chamber was spare and cold in its order. A wide bed stood against the inner wall, sheets tight, nkets folded with a soldier¡¯s corners. No trinkets. No flowers. A rack held a few cloaks and one set of ceremonial armor. On the opposite side, a table wasid out with maps pinned under knives, colored marks showing patrols and supply runs. A sealed stack of dispatches waited beside an inkstand. The hearth wasn¡¯t wood¨Cfed. Instead, a core heater glowed behind an iron grate, throwing a steady, pale warmth. ¡°Tomorrow, we can make some changes and rearrange the bedroom, make it more¡­ decent,¡± Grace said after clearing her throat. She must have been seeing the room for the first time too. ¡°I apologize for not thinking this through.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I said with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m used to it.¡± I wasn¡¯t exactly expecting something luxurious. Perhaps, the servants never thought that I would even reach North alive, so they didn¡¯t make any preparations. That is understandable, of course. Grace gave me a look before she continued. ¡°The bath is through there,¡± Grace said, pointing to a side door. ¡°Closet beyond it. Bell cord by the bed for night staff. Two wardens outside until the beast tide passes. I¡¯ve had a writing desk set for you in the anteroom with the council packets and the ledgers you asked for.¡± I set my gloves on the table and looked the room over again. ¡°He never stays.¡± ¡°Not unless duty pins him here,¡± Grace said. ¡°He prefers the study across the hall when he¡¯s in the manor. The clerk can show you the document chests in the morning.¡± I exhaled. ¡°Fine. This will do.¡± : 78 55 vouchers Grace lingered a step. ¡°One more thing. The others before you¡­ no one ever reached this point. There was never a proper wee or feast. So they were cautious today because they don¡¯t have a pattern to follow. Take the space you¡¯ve been given.¡± ¡°I intend to.¡± Grace bowed and withdrew. I walked to the map table and brushed a finger over the inked lines, roads, towers, mines. Then I set the silver band with the wolf crest down beside the dispatches, opened Grace¡¯s folder of council notes, and began to read. After what felt like hours, I took a bath and theny down on the bed. My body ached from the long travel, but the room was calm and quiet and cold and¡­fortable. Yes, that was the word I was looking for. When was thest time I felt this¡­fortable? I closed my eyes, let the silence settle, and I caught myself smiling. Ìï Brute 60 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°Your Highness¡­ this is where the kids will be staying,¡± Grace pointed at a two story house not too far away from where the soldiers train. ¡°Just as you expected, Aries and Rico passed the assessment and will soon start their training as for Kasumi and the rest, only a few of them passed Physician Mendez¡¯s assessment. They too will start their training under the physician very soon,¡± Grace said as she led me towards Physician Mendez¡¯s infirmary. ¡°Keep them safe for me,¡± I said. ¡°It will be done.¡± Soon enough, we arrived at the Infirmary. Inside the ce wasrge and in. Two long rows of beds with numbered tes at the foot, a central aisle wide enough for stretchers, and screens on hooks that could be pulled for procedures. Along one wall sat boiling kettles and wash basins. Opposite that were shelves of bandages, splints, jars of dried herbs, and boxes of fae cores for the heaters. A board listed today¡¯s roster, triage, burns, fractures, fever, chalked with names and shifts. Stone heaters glowed under the windows to keep the room above freezing. ¡°This is why we keep so many beds,¡± Grace said. ¡°Winter injuries, mine copses, patrol wounds. Physician Mendez takes civilians too, including miners.¡± ¡°Are there other physicians?¡± I asked. Grace nodded, but before she could add names, Mendez came out from a side room with four people at his back. He stopped in front of us. ¡°Princess Consort,¡± he said, then turned to the others. ¡°Introduce yourselves.¡± A woman in gray immediately stepped forward. ¡°Greetings your highness. My name is Annel Briarholt, charge nurse.¡± ¡°Good Morning your highness. I am called Joren Morrow, and I handle apothecary, I led a group of three more people. I will introduce them to you, very soon.¡± Next was a broad¨Cshouldered warden in a medic¡¯s vest. ¡°Greetings your highness. I am Thane Keldar, field medic. I run stretchers, masks, and casualty intake. I led about twenty other medics that are mostly on the borders.¡± Last came a younger woman with a leather kit at her belt. ¡°Greetings your highness. I am 78 55 vouchers Ironsong. I am a ward surgeon. I handle fractures, stitches, and anything that needs a knife.¡± All four bowed to me. Seeing this, Mendez nodded before he flicked two fingers, and they split off to their stations without more words. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving for the border soon,¡± Mendez said to me. ¡°This is part of the beast tide call.¡± protocols. I won¡¯t be here to assist you with every ¡°I understand,¡± I said. He nced at the rows of beds. ¡°You should also know this. The people here are different from what you saw in the south. They hate witches. They also do math. If a method works, they use it. If you can close a wound faster, purge a fever, or neutralize a poison, they won¡¯t argue theology. They will bring you the next patient.¡± I met his eyes. He was telling me to stop hiding what I could do. But how could I? For years I¡¯d treated my ability like a curse. ¡°Everyone hates witches,¡± I said. ¡°They do and they have reasons,¡± Mendez answered. ¡°Most families up here lost someone to a witch¡¯s work. Curses weren¡¯t just stories. They weaponized thend against us.¡± He pointed down the ward. ¡°Beasts first. Witches would mark frostboars so they stopped fearing fire, drive ss¨Cwolves into a frenzy so they hit wards in a crescent, and bait wraiths toward towers when cores were low. A cursed animal doesn¡¯t break off. It keepsing until someone puts it down or it tears itself apart.¡± He moved us past the shelves. ¡°Then the gues. We still teach the names so no one forgets. Ash¨Cfever in the mines, started with a cough, ended with men drowning in their own lungs. Red¨Ceye flux in the children, spread on unboiled milk. Marrow¨Cwaste in winter, looked like hunger but it ate the strength out of people even when they had food. We buried entire streets because a few women thought it was clever to spread rot instead of cast it.¡± He tapped a te listing protocols. ¡°That¡¯s why we boil everything, seal vents, rotate masks, and quarantine fast. That¡¯s why Veris fights for reserve grain and Joren logs every vial. We learned the hard way. And it¡¯s why the ward¨Ctowers burn blue all night during a red moon. If a beast tide rolls and there¡¯s a curse mixed in, every mistake costs double.¡± He looked back at me. ¡°We hate witches, yes. But the North also learned to be practical. If something works and you can show how, we use it. You can close wounds others can¡¯t. You can purge poison faster than our standard brews. Don¡¯t hide it. Write your method. List your doses. Let Joren countersign and put it in the ledger. People here don¡¯t want charms; they want results they can repeat.¡± I nodded. ¡°You¡¯re telling me to show my abilities.¡± ¡­ 78 55 vouchers ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare tell the Princess what to do,¡± Mendez said. The small smile that followed made it clear he wanted me to use my skills. I wasn¡¯t sure how to start without stirring trouble. ¡°All I can say is this,¡± he added. ¡°The Prince and everyone who reports directly to him will protect you. Wardens, medics, and the council liaisons know the chain ofmand. If you act, they¡¯ll back your orders.¡± I frowned. I didn¡¯t know what he was ying. However, before I could say another word, he took a letter from his pocket. ¡°This is something that his highness wanted you to read. He instructed me to give you the letter today.¡± I immediately epted it. ¡°Then, I will excuse myself, your highness. If you need anything else, Lieutenant Grace will handle it.,¡± Mendez gave a quick bow before he left me alone with Grace. I nodded as I examined the letter. If Cassian wanted to tell me something, he could have just said something before he left. What¡¯s with all this dramatics? Without having second thoughts, I opened it and started reading. ¡°My dearest consort, if you¡¯re reading this, it means you¡¯re still alive.¡± Ìï AD Comment Brute 61 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡­ : 78 55 vouchers ¡°So he wanted me to stay because of the curses,¡± I said after reading the letter. ¡°At first I thought he just didn¡¯t want me on the road.¡± Grace nodded. ¡°He wants you here when the red moon pulls things loose.¡± ¡°What do you know about curses?¡± I asked. ¡°They spike before a red moon,¡± she said. ¡°Witches don¡¯t cast them out of thin air. They build them with blood and names. Most need a sacrifice to start. The more people die around it, the stronger it gets. That¡¯s why they go after crowded ces like mine shifts, caravans, feast days. They don¡¯t bring rain or harvest. They bring death.¡± ¡°Can they twist beasts and sickness at the same time?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve done both,¡± Grace said. ¡°We¡¯ve seen marked beasts that don¡¯t break, and we¡¯ve seen diseases seeded in one bunkhouse and spread down a shaft. People here remember. That¡¯s why the north hates them and why we write everything down. If we can track it, we can stop it.¡± ¡°What are the signs you watch for?¡± ¡°Animals acting wrong. Salt lines disturbed. Patterns cut into door lintels that no one admits to carving. In the mines, stone that hums too high, air that feels thin even when the vents are open,mps that won¡¯t hold a me.¡± She met my eyes. ¡°If you suspect a curse, you say so. We lock an area down and follow the book.¡± Before I could answer, a soldier jogged in and bowed. His breath smoked in the air. ¡°Report,¡± Grace said. ¡°Copse at the east shaft of Frostgate Mine,¡± he said. ¡°They¡¯re bringing up the wounded now. First wagons in five minutes. More behind.¡± I turned to Grace. ¡°Set triage here. Four bays. One for breathing trouble and smoke, one for fractures and crush, one for bleeding, one for observation.¡± Grace was already moving. ¡°Find Annel Briarholt,¡± I said. ¡°I want hot water, nkets, and warming stones at every bay. Set screens for privacy. Post a runner at the door to log names and injuries as theye in. No family inside the ward.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡­ : 78 55 vouchers ¡°Send for Joren Morrow,¡± I continued. ¡°Lay out lung tonics, pain doses, and clean saline. Pull the good splints and traction frames. Prep charcoal if we suspect gas. Put the dosing ledger on the center table and countersign every vial.¡± ¡°Done.¡± I added. ¡°Have Petra set the surgical table, mps, tourniquets, and a bone drill. She¡¯ll take crush andpartment cases first. She should already know what to do.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell her.¡± ¡°Thane Keldar handles intake outside,¡± I added. ¡°Set stretchers under the awning. Masks on every medic. Strip wet clothing, brush off dust, and check airways before they cross the threshold. No onees in without a quick wash at the basins.¡± Grace nodded, then paused. ¡°The mine itself?¡± I nodded. ¡°Send word to the guild,¡± I said. ¡°We need timber braces and a winch crew at the mouth now. Ask Ironsong for two carpenters and a saw team. Ask Frostgate for road clearance and escort for the wagons. Tell Keldar to cordon the area and keep onlookers back so the shaft doesn¡¯t shake.¡± I looked at the soldier. ¡°Who¡¯s in charge at the site?¡± ¡°Foreman Pell,¡± he said. ¡°Tell Foreman Pell to stop all shouting and hammering near the shaft,¡± I said. ¡°Hand signals only. One tally board at the entrance with a name roll for every crew. No one re¨Centers without marking in and out. Vent the shaft slow. If themps gutter or the air stings, pull back and report. If anyone sees carved marks or a beast acting wrong, seal the secondary adit and send for me.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± He ran. ¡°Grace,¡± I said. ¡°Move the children out of the main ward and into the side room for now. I don¡¯t want them underfoot. Post one attendant with them and keep the door shut.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle it.¡± ¡°Also call Sister Veris,¡± I added. ¡°We may need extra nkets, broth, and ration chits for families waiting outside. Ask Steward Morrow to release what Petra and Joren request without dy. I¡¯ll sign after.¡± Grace inclined her head. ¡°Right away.¡± ??)) 55 vouchers I tied my hair back. ¡°When the first wagon arrives, send me the worst two from breathing and the worst two from bleeding. We¡¯ll rotate by need, not order of arrival. And get me a te. We¡¯ll record every step.¡± Almost immediately, the ward shifted around us, screens pulled, kettles lifted, carts rolled into ce. Outside, I heard wheels crunching over packed snow. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯re ready.¡± I grabbed an apron, tied it off, and pulled on gloves. Then, Annel suddenly stepped into my path. ¡°Your Highness¡­. what are you doing?¡± she asked. ¡°With respect, we can¡¯t let you¡ª¡± ¡°Is triage set? Heaters on? Ledgers out?¡± I asked, already moving toward the doors. ¡°Yes¨Cyes, but¡ª¡± ¡°Then hold your post,¡± I said. ¡°You run beds and ration lines. I take the ones with the most serious wounds.¡± ¡°But your highness-¡± ¡°Annel, stop,¡± Petra cut in, snapping a tray into ce. ¡°Focus on the wounded.¡± ¡°But¨Cshe¡¯s-¡± ¡°Princess Consort and acting lead,¡± Grace said, stepping beside me. ¡°Chain ofmand is clear.¡± I faced Annel. ¡°Is there any problem?¡± Annel held my gaze. ¡°Permission to speak my mind, Your Highness?¡± ¡°Granted,¡± I said. ¡°I heard the new consort has no infirmary experience,¡± she said. ¡°I thought I was meant to take charge without Physician Mendez.¡± I looked past her to the others. They must have known that I am wolfless and had been treated as an omega by my own pack. ¡°Is that what you think too?¡± It seems that I had been too hasty and eager to prove myself. That thought made me pause. Petra hesitated, then gave a short nod. ¡°It¡¯s what people are saying,¡± she admitted. ¡°But you are the Princess Consort. We follow your lead.¡± I smiled once. ¡°Good. Then here¡¯s my lead.¡± I untied the apron, set it on the table, and pulled 11:18 Wed, Sep 10 ¡­ 78 55 vouchers off the gloves. ¡°I am indeed inexperienced in this field so handle everything. I¡¯m here to observe the processes.¡± Annel blinked. Joren paused with his ink uncapped. Petra¡¯s hands stilled over the tray. Seeing this, I smiled. Did they expect me to exert my authority here? Well, that is not going to happen. ¡°I understand your concern. There¡¯s no need to take this to heart. I¡­ overstepped. However, I will stay here to observe,¡± I said. I¡¯m new. And I know that they run this ward every day. There¡¯s no need for me to prove anything in the first five minutes. So, I decided to take a step back and observe everything. Seeing their hesitant expression, I turned to Grace. ¡°Bring me a chair near the intake table. Tea and something to eat. I¡¯m hungry.¡± B Brute 62 ATASHA¡¯S POV 78 55 vouchers ¡°Your Highness, three patients arrived in critical condition,¡± Grace reported. ¡°Miss Petra stabilized them, and they are now healing. Eight others have minor injuries. Two miners remain inside the shaft, and the crews are shoring the copse and digging toward them.¡± I nodded and stayed at the intake table to observe. Petra set splints, released a crushpartment, and closed two deepcerations without losing pace. Joren measured every dose, logged each vial in the ledger, and rotated fresh saline before anyone had to ask. Annel turned beds quickly, set warm stones, reced dressings, and kept families clear of the aisles so stretchers could pass. Thane managed intake at the door, checked airways, and kept dust masks on every face that crossed the threshold. Runners carried names and times to the te, and bay leads echoed orders back to confirm them. They had clearly handled scenes like this before. Protocol held, the flow stayed steady, and experience carried the ward through the rush. I took notes and let them work. ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± I said. ¡°Indeed,¡± Grace replied. ¡°The north is used to this.¡± ¡°Your Highness.¡± Annel bowed and stepped closer. I met her eyes. Earlier I had been too eager to prove what I could do. It felt pointless now. Why rush to prove anything on the first day? ¡°You did a good job,¡± I said. Annel gave a small smile. ¡°You might not know this, but everyone in this infirmary has worked at the pce before. We all have field time and training.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think Cassian would hire anyone ipetent,¡± I said. At his name, a few nces passed between them. The shift was small, but I saw it. I filed it away forter and stood. ¡°I was right,¡± I added. ¡°Everyone here is very capable.¡± I turned to Grace. ¡°Log a reward for the ward. Hazard pay for today¡¯s shift, hot meals sent to the Maff room, and an extra ration chit for each bay lead. Include the runners.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± She bowed and made a note. We stepped out of the infirmary and headed for the carriage. 78 55 vouchers ¡°Your Highness¡­ may I ask something?¡± Grace said as the driver opened the door. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you intervene more? I expected you to take over.¡± ¡°I¡¯m new,¡± I said as we climbed in. ¡°If I start giving orders without knowing their flow, I¡¯ll be guessing. Guessing gets people hurt.¡± Grace settled opposite me. ¡°You could have led, anyway. They would have followed.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need them to follow me blindly,¡± I said. ¡°I need them to trust that I know when to step in and when to stay out of the way. Today, their process worked. My job was to watch it, measure it, and only cut in if it failed.¡± She nodded slowly. ¡°So you were testing the system.¡± ¡°I was learning it,¡± I said. Making a deal with Cassian meant that I will be staying in the north for a very long time. I have to learn everything. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the mines¡­¡± 66 ¡°But your highness that is dangerous- they haven¡¯t- ¡° ¡°Lets go,¡± I interrupted as I looked outside the carriage. Third Person POV Annel sank onto the stool and rubbed the crease from her mask. ¡°I expected her to storm in and try to run the ward,¡± she said. ¡°Something drastic.¡± ¡°You¡¯re nervous about her,¡± Petra said, stacking mps. ¡°Nervous? A wolfless girl from the south doesn¡¯t scare me,¡± Annel snorted. She nced at the door Atasha had used. ¡°What does is that she¡¯s still alive.¡± Thane folded a stretcher. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one thinking it. Half the city had bets on whether she¡¯d reach the manor.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a rotten habit,¡± Annel said. ¡°But after thest brides, people assumed this one wouldn¡¯t make it through the rites.¡± ¡°She did,¡± Petra said, wiping her hands. ¡°Then she came here, set the n, then stepped back and let us work.¡± Thane nodded, ¡°Everyone heard her. Chain ofmand was clear. Orders were clean. No panic at the door. It felt like she¡¯s seen this before.¡± ¡°I was half expecting her to freeze,¡± Annel admitted. ¡°Do you think the rumors are true¡­ that she¡¯s an omega?¡± 11:19 Wed, Sep 10 : ¡°She has no wolf,¡± Thane said. ¡°I don¡¯t scent one.¡± 78 55 vouchers ¡°Then she was an omega in her own pack,¡± Annel said. ¡°By rank, an omega doesn¡¯t tell a room of beta¨Cblood staff what to do. Most would not try. But she did.¡± ¡°Maybe she worked in an infirmary,¡± Petra said. ¡°Her triageyout was practical. Four bays, clear categories, rotation by need. No fluff.¡± Joren closed the dosing ledger and joined them. ¡°She also asked for countersigns on every vial and for a name log at the door. That is not guesswork. Someone taught her to cover herself on paper.¡± ¡°Perhaps she had seen it in her pack?¡± Annel asked. ¡°That is a possibility too, but you cannot fake confidence, can you?¡± Joren asked. This time, Annel nodded before she folded her arms. ¡°And then she asked for a chair and tea. I thought she was posturing. It looked like she was giving herself distance.¡± ¡°Or keeping a view of the entire room,¡± Thane said. ¡°From that spot she could see intake, bleeding, and fractures in one line. She seemed to know the processes well. That¡¯s a bit surprising, isn¡¯t it?.¡± To be honest, Thane expected her to act offended or use her authority over them. Most people who suddenly held the power would. After all, omega or not, she is still the Princess consort. Petra set a tray back on the shelf. ¡°She did not interfere just to be seen. She stepped in when Thane called heavy bleed and then stepped back again. It does seem like she really knows what she¡¯s doing.¡± Annel nced toward the doors. ¡°People outside still have money on her notsting the season.¡± ¡°People outside are not running this ward,¡± Petra said. ¡°Today she respected the work. That should count, right?¡± Annel let out a breath. ¡°Credit where it¡¯s due. I was ready to pull her out of the way, I did not need to. But why do ¡°she cleared her throat. ¡°Do you think the lord fancies her?¡± ¡°The Lord is busy, Thane said. ¡°The red moon ising. Posts are doubling. Mendez is at the border¡± ¡°You think she¡¯s alive because of that?¡± Annel asked, her eyes widened as she realized that perhaps, the princess consort had been spared because the lord is busy. But what would happen after the beast tide? ATASHA¡¯S POV 78 55 vouchers Brute 63 55 vouchers ¡°A letter from the south,¡± Grace¡¯s words almost felt like a thunder against my ears. I turned and stared at her. The day had run long. After leaving the mines, I returned to the manor to deal with the stack of reports the council had sent. Most were tedious, supply counts, shifts logged,ints from merchants, but I worked through them until thest signature was done. By the time I finally set the quill down, my head ached, and I wanted nothing more than hot water and silence. The bath had done its job. My muscles eased, and for the first time that day, I felt almost light. I slipped into a robe, ready to rest, when the door opened. The bathwater had barely dried from my skin when she entered, a folded parchment in her hands. I frowned, taking it. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°If you need anything else- ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine Grace, I will call you if there¡¯s something that I need.¡± She bowed and left me to it. I sat at the desk, the candlelight flickering across the wax seal. I didn¡¯t need to open it to know who it was from. My fingers broke the seal anyway, and the neat script confirmed it. Celeste. The message was short as expected. Father was in aa. Mother had passed. And Celeste, my dearest younger sister, is now the Alpha of the pack. She demanded soldiers from the north, pressing for aid. 1 read it twice, then held it over the me. The parchment curled, ckened, and fell into ash in the tray. It¡¯s funny that she didn¡¯t even ask me how I am. Did she even wonder if I was able to reach the north alive? Then out of nowhere, the window banged open, thetch mming hard against the wall. Cold night air rushed in, scattering the papers on my desk. I spun at once, my hand closing around the dagger lying beside the inkstand. Steel caught thentern light as I brought it up. I didn¡¯t know where the sudden courage came from, but a part of me was ready to fight. But I ended up freezing when a familiar figure swung through the frame. Rionded with a thud on the carpet, straightening as if climbing through windows was a normal entrance, ¡°Lieutenant?¡± I hissed. ¡°Why the window? What are you doing?¡± 55 voucher 78 ¡°I apologize if I startle you, your highness,¡± He made a quick bow before he straightened, mud clinging to his boots. ¡°Sadly, no one can know I¡¯m here. Physician Mendez asked for you. He¡¯s at the border.¡± My frown deepened. ¡°Why? What happened? Did something happen to Cassian?¡± Rio¡¯s jaw worked before he gave a short nod. That was all I needed. I snatched my cloak from the chair and swung it around my shoulders. Just as I was about to ask him the details, the door opened. Grace stepped in, her gaze flicking between us. ¡°I heard,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll guard this room. No one will know the Lady is gone tonight.¡± Her words confirmed what I suspected. They didn¡¯t want the news to spread. If word leaked that the Lord was wounded, rumors would immediately follow. Spies, perhaps already lurked in these halls. The thought made my chest tighten, but I had no time to dwell on it. I nodded, tugged my hood over my head, and followed Rio. We slipped back through the window and crossed the grounds quickly. A horse was waiting at the rear postern gate. With the hood drawn low, no one looked at us twice as we rode out. The night was cold and by the time we reached the border, the damp air carried the scent of pine, smoke, and iron. The border post stood between two worlds. To the north, thend stretched dark and disciplined, lined with patrol routes and the faint gleam of torches. To the west, the terrain shifted, harsher, less guarded, where raiders and poisons came from. Wooden cabins lined the approach, each one in but solid, their roofs slick with recent rain. Smoke trailed from a few chimneys, proof that soldiers were off duty inside. At the center stood arger house, sturdier, serving as bothmand post and gathering hall. Around it, barracks¨Cstyle cabins sat close, forming a ring where warriors slept in shifts. The sound of movement was constant, boots on packed earth, weapons clinking as guards cycled posts ¡°This isn¡¯t the wall,¡± Rio said as he guided me past the outer cabins. ¡°That lies further north, so there is no need to worry about the tide. The Prince stays here when the threat is closer. He would examine the northern walls from time to time and do a routine check up then today¡­ today¡­¡± I nced at therge cabin, its windows glowing withmplight. ¡°There¡¯s no need to tell me,¡± I answered. : 78 55 vouchers Hearing this, Rio led me up the short steps and rapped once before pushing the door open. Mendez stood inside. His armor was unfastened at the shoulders, blood streaked on his sleeves. The moment he saw me, his expression cased, and he let out a long breath. ¡°Thank the goddess,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± I asked. Mendez shut the door behind us. ¡°The Lord has been shot,¡± he said without wasting a second. I froze. ¡°Shot? You mean by an arrow?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Mendez answered. His face was grim, his brows drawn low. ¡°But before we could pull it out, the arrow vanished. Dissolved. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it.¡± He exhaled hard. ¡°That wasn¡¯t iron or wood. It was witchcraft.¡± My stomach turned. ¡°Where is he?¡± Mendez didn¡¯t hesitate. He turned and led me toward the narrow staircase at the back of the cabin. The wood groaned beneath our steps as we climbed to the second floor. At the top was a single hallway with three doors. Mendez pushed the nearest one open. The room inside was simple. A narrow bed pressed against the wall, hardly big enough for Cassian¡¯s frame. A in dresser stood in the corner, and a singlentern burned on the table, its light stretching across the walls. As if sensing my thoughts, Mendez spoke. ¡°He doesn¡¯t sleep here,¡± he said. ¡°The Lord prefers his study downstairs. He only uses this room when we have no choice.¡± I barely heard him. My eyes were already on the bed. Cassiany stretched across it, the mattress clearly too small for his size. His arm hung partway off the side, palm open, skin pale. His shirt had been cut away at the chest, and bandages¨Calready soaked through¨Cwere wrapped tight around his ribs. I stepped closer. ¡°How long has it been?¡± ¡°Since it happened? Hours,¡± Mendez said. ¡°And the bleeding hasn¡¯t stopped once.¡± He moved to the bedside, pulling back the cloth to show the wound. The gash was ragged, dark veins spreading out from it like roots. ¡°Normally, he heals faster than any of us. But this-¡± his jaw clenched, ¡°this is stopping him from healing. It¡¯s eating away at the wound every time his body tries to close it.¡± The sight twisted something in my chest. Cassian¡¯s breaths were shallow, uneven, sweat ¡­ 78 55 vouchers sticking his hair to his forehead. His lips were pale, his jaw locked even in unconsciousness. Mendez met my eyes. His voice dropped low. ¡°If nothing changes, he won¡¯tst the night.¡± Brute 64 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°For now, he needs rest,¡± I said, and set my palms on his chest. 55 vouchers The wound fought me. Heat pulsed under the gauze, and the edges tried to seal, then tore open again with a wet sound. I pushed past the surface, found the ce where the poison sat, and pulled. It came in threads, fine, dark, and gritty, clinging to the vessels like burrs. I drew them out a strand at a time into the basin Mendez held ready. When thest flecks lifted, the heat dropped. The bleeding slowed to a steady ooze and then to nothing. I closed the vessels and left the skin half¨Cknit so we could watch for any return. Almost immediately, his breathing evened. Color crept back into his lips. He would need hours to finish healing, but the poison was out. Mendez exhaled. ¡°Can you describe it for the record?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I wiped my hands and looked at the basin. The residue had already dulled, like ash in water. ¡°It binds to blood first, then crawls inward. It goes for the organs, heart, liver, lungs, before it worries about skin. When the body tries to heal, it reacts. The more you heal, the harder it eats. That¡¯s why his wound kept reopening. This is highly dangerous for werewolves as we have faster healing abilities.¡± Mendez nodded, already reaching for the ledger. ¡°Delivery?¡± ¡°Arrow head carried it,¡± I said. ¡°Not metal or wood. It dissolved on contact after it did its job. The thing is, I have no idea what is it made out of. The poison held to the vessels and lined the edges of the tear. It felt like fine grit and resin. Bitter taste in the nose, like pine tar and old iron.¡± He wrote fast. ¡°Mechanism?¡± ¡°It rides the healing response,¡± I said. ¡°When tissue starts to knit, it releases heat and eats the new growth. It forces a fresh bleed and drives the damage deeper. If you suppress healing for a short window, you can slow it, but you still have to remove it. It doesn¡¯t wash out on its own.¡± He nced up. ¡°Time to fatality?¡± ¡°Hours,¡± I said. ¡°Less, if the target is ordinary. His body bought him time. Most people wouldn¡¯t have made it to me.¡± Mendez tapped the basin. ¡°Anything else?¡± I hesitated. ¡°When I pulled it, it fought back. Not a reflex, it almost feels like¡­ anger.¡± I met his eyes. ¡°It felt like someone was watching through it. Pushing against me. That pressure stopped 78 55 vouchers when I cut thest threads. I can¡¯t prove it, but I think the poison carried a will tied to whoever made it.¡± ¡°A named curse bound into a toxin,¡± he said, jaw tight. ¡°We¡¯ll treat it like that.¡± ¡°Burn the bandages,¡± I added. ¡°Boil every instrument twice. Seal the waste jar with salt and have Thane carry it to the ash pit himself. No apprentices touch it.¡± ¡°Done.¡± He wrote as I spoke. ¡°He¡¯ll sleep,¡± I said. ¡°When he wakes, keep his intake light. Broth first. If there¡¯s any return of heat or streaking, send for me.¡± Mendez set the ledger aside. ¡°You pulled him back.¡± ¡°I pulled the poison,¡± I said. ¡°He did the rest.¡± Cassian¡¯s body is just different from the rest of us. His healing ability is far more superior. ¡°If it was someone weaker¡­ I wouldn¡¯t¡­ I wouldn¡¯t be able to save them.¡± That was reality. He nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll post Thane at the door and rotate guards. I¡¯ll also alert the ward¨Ctowers. If this came on a dissolving arrow, we have a witch within range. It is gettingte-¡± ¡°I want to stay,¡± I said. ¡°Grace briefed me on curses. This matches one. The way it pushed back felt wrong. Not chemical, but it felt like it was aware. If it fought me, it may still be looking for another host.¡± Mendez frowned, thinking it through. His eyes sharpened. ¡°Contagious?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure,¡± I answered. ¡°But-¡± A voice cut in from the hall. ¡°Physician-¡± Rio staggered through the doorway, dropped to one knee, and clutched his chest. His breath hitched like he¡¯d swallowed smoke. I moved fast, catching his shoulder before he pitched forward. ¡°Did you touch the Lord?¡± I asked, already checking his pulse. Mendez was beside us. ¡°He and Lucas carried Lord Cassian in. Hands under the shoulders and back.¡± ¡°Call for Lucas,¡± I said. ¡°No one else enters. Masks on the door team and let them wait outside, I will check them one by one.¡± Mendez snapped an order down the stairs. Boots immediately thudded as people rushed to follow the order. 78 55 vouchers ¡°Rio, look at me,¡± I said. His pupils were constricted, and sweat beaded at his hairline despite the cool air. A red flush ran across his cheekbones and cars. I set two fingers on his sternum to check for heat and used my other hand to take his carotid pulse. Short bursts of heat rolled under my fingertips every few seconds, and they did not line up with his heartbeat. His pulse was fast but regr, the heat spikes were separate. His breathing was shallow with a faint rasp on the exhale. The skin along his corbone felt oddly gritty, as if fine dust were sitting in the vessels. ¡°There,¡± I said. ¡°It¡¯s riding the vessels again, thin threads, not deep yet.¡± Since I was here when the poison attacked, it didn¡¯t take too long before I was able to remove it out of Rio¡¯s body. I let out a sigh of relief as I watched Rio¡¯splexion be better. Then, a loud thud interrupted my stupor. I turned and found Physician Mendez on the floor, his breathing shallow. I crossed the room and knelt beside him. ¡°Did you handle the Lord¡¯s bandages with bare skin?¡± ¡°I did,¡± he managed. ¡°When we cut the shirt.¡± I checked him the same way, sternum for heat, neck for pulse. His pupils were normal, but a fever flush sat high on his cheeks. Short, separate bursts of heat rolled under the skin along the upper chest and under the jaw. The pattern matched Rio¡¯s, just stronger. What is going on? I frowned as I started healing him. This one feels the same yet different at the same time. I turned towards Cassian and then towards Rio. Something is wrong¡­ Ìï Brute 65 Chapter 65 MATRON YARA IRONSONG¡¯S POV 78 55 vouchers ¡°The princess went to the prince¡¯s cabinst night?¡± Matron Yara asked, her brow furrowing. ¡°And what of it?¡± Maningo shifted ufortably. ¡°That¡¯s all we know. No one saw her leave. The only thing the guards noted was a horse slipping out of the estate well past midnight. Since then, nothing. Perhaps she hasn¡¯t woken yet.¡± Yara gave a harsh snort. ¡°Or perhaps she¡¯s dead.¡± She waved the thought off as if it were obvious. ¡°What about the prince? Any word?¡± ¡°The prince hasn¡¯t stepped out either,¡± Maningo reported quickly. ¡°His cabin remains sealed. No movement since she entered. Physician Mendez instructed everyone to keep their distance from the cabin, not even the servants are allowed to get closer.¡± ¡°Fine. Keep watch,¡± Yara muttered. ¡°If either of them stirs, I want to know before the others.¡± Maningo bowed his head and excused himself, pulling the door shut behind him. For a moment, silence filled the room. Yara leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers against the armrest as her thoughts turned darker. That silence broke when the door opened again. Halden Morrow stepped inside without asking. ¡°You¡¯ve been pacing holes into this floor all morning,¡± Halden said. ¡°What are you up to, Yara?¡± Her lips pressed into a thin smile. ¡°Just curious.¡± ¡°Curious?¡± He stepped in, closing the door behind him. ¡°About what?¡± ¡°Why she¡¯s still alive.¡± Yara¡¯s fingers tapped the armrest of her chair. ¡°Atasha ck. By now, she should¡¯ve been torn apart on the road or strangled in Cassian¡¯s manor. But here we are, weekster, and she¡¯s still breathing. Aren¡¯t you curious too?¡± Halden snorted. ¡°Isn¡¯t that because she¡¯s useless? An omega with no wolf. What could she possibly do? Nobody wastes a de on someone like that.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate the value of symbols,¡± Yara said coldly. ¡°Cassian doesn¡¯t spare the weak. You know that as well as I do. Which is why her survival doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± Halden shrugged, unimpressed. ¡°You expect the Demon Fangs to kill her? Or Cassian to : 78 55 vouchers ughter her the moment the contract was signed? That¡¯s what you were betting on, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yara leaned forward, her gaze narrowing. ¡°Because Nightfall deserves it. That pack spat in the King¡¯s face, broke the ords, and spilled blood they had no right to spill. Byw, they should¡¯ve been culled. Everyst one of them. And what better excuse than the bride? Cassian could¡¯ve cut her down before the ink on the contract dried, and no one would¡¯ve questioned it. It would¡¯ve been the doorway to punishment.¡± Halden¡¯s brows rose, but his smirk remained. ¡°Yet he didn¡¯t. Which makes me wonder¡­ maybe the Tyrant Lord finds her amusing. Maybe she¡¯s just another game piece he can toss aside when he¡¯s bored.¡± ¡°Inwardly,¡± Yara muttered, ignoring his tone, ¡°I thought I knew Cassian well enough to predict him. He doesn¡¯t leave liabilities standing. He doesn¡¯t cradle weakness.¡± Her jaw tightened. ¡°But this time, he did.¡± Halden chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your breath. She¡¯s wolfless. Sooner orter, the north will chew her up and spit her out. And if the beasts don¡¯t, Cassian will. He¡¯s never spared anyone that close to him. You of all people should know that.¡± Yara didn¡¯t answer right away. She let the silence stretch, eyes drifting toward the window where the wind rattled against the shutters. For some reason, she felt like she had missed something important. Halden broke the silence first. ¡°I also heard something else. Word is, the Princess has gone north.¡± Yara tilted her head. ¡°North?¡± She had already heard the same report minutes earlier, but she wasn¡¯t about to admit it. He smirked. ¡°That¡¯s what¡¯s being said. That she slipped out in the night to follow Cassian to the border walls. Do you think it was because she missed him?¡± Her frown deepened, ¡°Who would miss that tyrant?¡± Halden barked a shortugh. ¡°That¡¯s what caught my ear. If she¡¯s running to him with news, I¡¯d like to know what it is.¡± He leaned against the edge of her desk, his eyes glinting. ¡°But what really made me curious was what I heard out of the infirmary.¡± Yara¡¯s brows knitted. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°The mine copsed. Apparently, the Princess issued a series ofmands. Set the n, arranged the bays, even counter¨Csigned the vials. Then, she stepped back and let the staff handle it. No panic, no chaos. They say her orders were precise, clear enough to hold the ward together until things settled.¡± He gave a low chuckle. ¡°Not bad for someone who¡¯s supposed to be useless.¡± 78 55 vouchers Yara sat up straighter. ¡°How would she even know how to do that? An omega girl with no wolf, no training, what experience could she possibly have?¡± ¡°How should I know?¡± Halden shrugged. ¡°All I can say is, her instructions sounded like they came from someone who knew exactly how healing works. It looked like she had practical knowledge. Which doesn¡¯t make sense for someone like her.¡± Yara¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits. She drummed her fingers harder against the armrest. ¡°Do we have reports from the soldiers?¡± ¡°That¡¯s another reason I came here,¡± Halden said, his grin fading into something more serious. ¡°We tried to pull details from the ranks, but it¡¯s nearly impossible. Cassian¡¯s lieutenants, those men would slit their own throats if he ordered it. They don¡¯t bend, don¡¯t answer to anyone but him. And yet¡­¡± His voice dropped. ¡°They seem oddly warm toward the Princess. Weing. Almost protective.¡± Yara stilled. ¡°Protective?¡± Halden nodded. ¡°As if she¡¯s one of their own. They don¡¯t extend that courtesy to anyone else. Not the healers. Not the council. Only her.¡± Her frown deepened, lines carving sharper into her face. Something about that didn¡¯t sit right. Atasha ck wasn¡¯t supposed to matter, not to Cassian, not to his men, and certainly not to the north. Yet here she was, alive, giving orders, and being epted. ¡°That¡¯s dangerous,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Why do you think they act like that around her?¡± Halden asked. ¡°Do you think it has something to do with the Lord¡¯s orders? Perhaps¡­ he¡­ had fallen in love?¡± ¡°Love?¡± Matron Yara snorted. ¡°He is a Valemont. It cannot be love.¡± ¡°Then what is it?¡± Halden asked, his expression turning ugly. ¡°Do you think she is hiding a secret?¡± ¡°Or they are using her to shield one,¡± Matron Yara. ¡°They must be using her to divert the attention of the enemies.¡± ¡°Like a bait?¡± ¡°Exactly, like a bait.¡± Brute 66 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°Mydy, the rumors outside¡­¡± 78 55 vouchers ¡°Don¡¯t mind it, Rio,¡± I cut him off. ¡°They can say what they want. None of it matters. All I care about is that Cassian wakes up.¡± We sat in the living room. The fire in the hearth was low, giving just enough warmth to cut the chill that seeped through the wooden walls. Beyond the door, I could hear faint footsteps, guards changing posts, but inside, it was only the three of us. I rubbed my temple and looked across at Mendez. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s happening. He should be healing. I pulled out the poison. His body has always recovered quickly, faster than any of us. But this time¡­¡± My voice trailed off. ¡°This time, he isn¡¯t waking up.¡± Mendez¡¯s shoulders slumped. He looked tired, his hands stained from hours of work. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve seen something like it,¡± he admitted. ¡°Its been days. His body is stable. Everything from his breathing, pulse, temperature, all steady. But it¡¯s as if something keeps him froming back to full consciousness. Almost like he¡¯s trapped in between.¡± Rio leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, brow furrowed. ¡°Could it be the curse? Maybe the witch who shot him failed to kill him outright. What if the curse didn¡¯t end, just got stuck inside him? Holding him down.¡± The thought made my stomach tighten. I turned to Mendez. ¡°Is that even possible?¡± He hesitated, then gave a grim nod. ¡°It is possible. Curses are dangerous because they don¡¯t follow the naturalws of poison or medicine. As long as a witch sacrifices enough blood, they can forge a curse to do nearly anything, rot the organs, burn the veins, blind the mind. But there¡¯s one rule they all share.¡± ¡°And that is?¡± I pressed. ¡°They only destroy,¡± Mendez said tly. ¡°Curses don¡¯t heal. They can¡¯t give strength, only strip it away. Which means if he isn¡¯t waking, the curse is still clinging to him in some form. Hidden and probably waiting.¡± Silence fell. The only sound was the faint crack of the firewood in the hearth. I exhaled, long and heavy. ¡°Then I¡¯ll stay with him.¡± Mendez looked at me carefully. ¡°Mydy, you don¡¯t have to. You could return to the manor, keep the household steady until we-¡± 78 55 vouchers ¡°No,¡± I cut in. ¡°I came here for one reason, to be his wife. That means I take care of him, not hand him off when it¡¯s inconvenient. The council and the servants can wait. My task is him.¡± For a moment, Mendez simply watched me. Then he gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. I stood and made my way toward the staircase. My steps were heavy, but my decision wasn¡¯t. Reaching the second floor, I paused at the door before pushing it open. The room smelled faintly of smoke and blood, but most of it had been cleaned. Cassiany stretched across the bed, his frame almost toorge for it, his chest rising and falling in shallow rhythm. The bandages had been changed, his skin pale under themplight. I moved closer, pulling the chair to the bedside and lowering myself into it. For a long while, I just looked at him, the man who terrified half the north and who nowy still, unmoving, almost fragile in a way I¡¯d never seen before. I reached out and brushed my fingers across the back of his hand. It was warm, alive, but unresponsive. ¡°I¡¯ll stay,¡± I whispered. ¡°Whether you wake or not, I¡¯ll be here.¡± Despite everything, a part of me still thinks that the Physician is hiding something about Cassian. Mendez sounded reluctant to tell me about it. Slowly, I tightened my hold on his hand and let my energy seep in again. Not the way I normally healed, but something closer to an assessment. I had never tried it on anyone else, not like this, but if there was something hidden inside his body, I wanted to find it. The warmth spread through his chest, down his arms, and into his core. I traced the flow of his blood, the steady beat of his heart, the rhythm of his lungs. Everything was functioning, steady and strong. No poison left. No torn vessels. No foreign threads to cut out. I pushed deeper, searching for anything irregr. Nothing. His body was clean. Normal. Almost too normal for a man who had just fought death. After what felt like forever, I let his hand go. A sigh escaped me, ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with you,¡± I muttered, staring at him. But I didn¡¯t believe it. The memory from the cave still wed at the back of my mind. Cassian¡¯s hand locked around my throat, his eyes glowing red, his voice telling me to leave before he copsed. I hadn¡¯t told anyone about it. How could I? How could I exin something I didn¡¯t understand myself? Even now, the image of his eyes, was burned into me. 78 55 vouchers I looked at him again. His face was calm, lips pale, jaw rxed. He looked like he was only sleeping. But what if it wasn¡¯t sleep? What if something was still inside him, buried where I couldn¡¯t reach? My hand hovered over his chest before I pulled it back. I didn¡¯t know what else to try. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± I whispered, my voice tight. ¡°Why won¡¯t you wake up?¡± And then, his body shifted. His eyelids twitched, then slowly lifted. Relief struck me for half a heartbeat, but it froze instantly when I saw them. Not gray. Not cold steel. Red. Blood red, the same as in the cave. I went rigid in my chair, my breath caught in my throat. Cassian¡¯s gaze locked on me, unblinking, his irises glowing like something alive had taken root behind them. Almost immediately, his hand shot up and mped around my throat. The pressure was strong enough to cut my breath short. I jerked back, the chair scraping hard against the floor, but it was already toote. His grip tightened, dragging me forward until my chest pressed against the edge of the bed. ¡°Cassian-¡± I croaked, wing at his wrist. His strength was steady, unshaken, nothing like a man who had been unconscious moments ago. AD Brute 67 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°Your Highness, are you alright?¡± ¡°Your Highness!¡± : 78 55 vouchers I coughed hard, stumbling back as I clutched my neck. My throat burned, each breath scraping like ss. On the bed, Cassian¡¯s hand dropped limply to his side. His head rolled against the pillow, and his chest rose with shallow, uneven breaths. He had fainted again, just like before. The door burst open. Boots thundered across the floor, and both Mendez and Rio rushed to
  1. me.
¡°Mydy-¡± Rio reached for my arm, but I shook him off. ¡°I can manage,¡± I rasped, straightening. My knees trembled, but I forced them to lock. ¡°Put him back on the bed. Secure him before he hurts himself again.¡± Rio hesitated, clearly torn between me and Cassian, but Mendez didn¡¯t waste time. ¡°Help me with him,¡± he ordered. Together, they lifted Cassian¡¯s limp frame andid him t against the mattress. His weight made the bed creak, his arm sliding limply to the side until Rio pushed it back into ce. Cassian looked like he hadn¡¯t moved at all, like none of it had just happened. My pulse was still hammering. My skin prickled with the memory of his grip. Twice now. He¡¯s tried to kill me twice while he was in the state. ¡°Mendez,¡± I said, my voice raw. ¡°We need to talk.¡± He shot a look at Rio, then nodded. ¡°Leave us,¡± he told him. Rio opened his mouth to argue, but one sharp nce from Mendez silenced him. He gave me a curt bow and stepped out, pulling the door shut behind him. The room felt smaller without him. Mendez turned back to me, his expression grave. ¡°I apologize for what happened, mydy.¡± I shook my head. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. But you do need to exin.¡± My hand pressed against my neck again, the ache pulsing. His grip was strong enough to immediately give me a bruise. Without my healing ability, I too would have fainted then. ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time it¡¯s happened.¡± His frown deepened. ¡°What do you mean?¡± :. 78 E55 vouchers I swallowed hard and forced the words out. ¡°When we went to the cave. Cassian stayed behind while I carried the children out. He stood in that poison miasma the whole time. By the time I came back, he looked unconscious. I thought he¡¯d copsed from exposure. But when I tried to move him, he grabbed me. His eyes-¡± I hesitated, the memory burning fresh. ¡°His eyes were red. Just like tonight.¡± Mendez¡¯s gaze darted to Cassian, then back to me. His jaw tightened. ¡°And afterward?¡± ¡°He fainted. Same as now. He didn¡¯t wake for hours, even though he wasn¡¯t injured. I checked his body over and over again and tried to heal it, thinking¡­ thinking it was the smoke or the miasma. ¡°I crossed my arms, trying to steady myself. ¡°At first I med the miasma. But now¡­ this is different. Something else is happening.¡± Mendez¡¯s face darkened. He looked at Cassian for a long moment before finally asking, ¡°When he attacked you, both times, his eyes were red?¡± I nodded slowly. ¡°Both times. Exactly the same.¡± Mendez inhaled sharply, then gestured toward the chair. ¡°You need to sit.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I said, stiff. ¡°I can heal myself.¡± His tone hardened. ¡°Sit.¡± Something in his voice left no room for argument. For once, I obeyed. I pulled the chair closer and sat down, my palms pressing against my knees. Mendez studied me for a beat, then lowered his voice. ¡°Tell me, mydy¡­ what do you know about the fae?¡± I steadied myself in the chair, my hands still pressed against my knees. ¡°What do I know about the fae?¡± I exhaled slowly. ¡°Not much. Only that they aren¡¯t our enemies. In the south, they¡¯re rare, very, very rare. I¡¯ve never seen one with my own eyes.¡± Mendez gave a single nod. ¡°That¡¯s because they live here. In the north. Their kingdom sits deep in the snow, far past the mountains. They don¡¯t allow visitors inside their borders. Any trade we do with them happens at the outposts. Neutral ground. They are strict about this, ruthlessly so. Even I have never stepped foot inside their territory. There were rumors that Fae¡¯s cannot survive in the south without the snow, but no one could confirm this matter.¡± He leaned back slightly, as though sifting through memory. ¡°Even my own understanding is limited, but I know this much: they harness the elements of nature. Fire, water, earth, wind, raw power. But it alwayses with a price.¡± My brows knit. ¡°A price?¡± 78 55 vouchers ¡°They need fae stones,¡± Mendez exined. ¡°They¡¯re rare minerals that store elemental energy. Long ago, the fac didn¡¯t need them. Their power was free, natural, flowing. But something happened, something even their records don¡¯t exin, and now they rely on the stones as a source. Without them, their strength burns out.¡± I sat forward, listening closely. ¡°And what about their history with us? With werewolves?¡± ¡°Complicated,¡± Mendez admitted. ¡°We were never allies. But not outright enemies either. If a fae and a werewolf crossed paths, they didn¡¯t kill one another. But they didn¡¯t greet each other either. Always divided. That changed with the stones. Once trade began, our King saw opportunity. He sent men north to negotiate alliances, business, the possibility of cooperation.¡± His voice dropped lower. ¡°Then came the beast tide. One of the King¡¯s sons was sent to fight at the border. He was gravely injured¡­ and rescued by a fae. An unknown fae. They say the two fell in love. No one knows the full story, but one day, a child was left at the gates of the North.¡± My eyes widened. ¡°That child¡­ was Cassian?¡± Mendez shook his head firmly. ¡°No. That child was Cassian¡¯s grandmother.¡± The realization hit me like a stone. My mind immediately went back to the ritual. I thought it was a useless tradition that was meant to keep me in the mansion. I was wrong. My chest tightened. I swallowed. ¡°So¡­ a fae and a werewolf can have a child?¡± ¡°Apparently, yes,¡± Mendez said. ¡°But it is rare. Extremely rare. To this day, there are no other recorded cases aside from her. At the time, no one even realized the truth. They only thought she was abandoned and was soon adopted by the Lord of the North. She grew up in his household.¡± He paused, his gaze heavy. ¡°But when the red moon came, they noticed. The girl would turn feral. She attacked anyone in sight, even her family. The Lord feared it was a curse from witches and swore to keep it secret. Whenever the red moon drew near, they sent her away to an outpost until it passed.¡± A chill spread through me. ¡°Cassian¡¯s grandmother,¡± I murmured. ¡°Yes.¡± Mendez¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°And whatever it was, whatever bloodline or power she carried, did not die with her. It was passed down. To her daughter. And now, to Cassian.¡± : 78 55 vouchers I stared at Cassian¡¯s still form, my pulse pounding. His red eyes. The way he¡¯d tried to kill me without recognition. It wasn¡¯t poison or the miasma. It was this. Something in him that he couldn¡¯t control. Something he¡¯d inherited. I turned to him. ¡°He once told me that he¡­ he killed his grandparents.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the truth,¡± Mendez said with a heavy sigh. ¡°During the red moon, his grandmother lost control. She turned on him in her feral state. Cassian fought back, and he was stronger. In the struggle¡­ he killed her with his own hands. It wasn¡¯t intentional, but it happened. A tragedy he never forgot. One he swore he would never let happen again.¡± Brute 68 ATASHA¡¯S POV :. 78 55 vouchers ¡°So, you are saying that he is supposed to proceed to the northern outpost because of the curse but that arrow stopped it?¡± I asked. Mendez nodded, his jaw tight. ¡°The attack happened so suddenly that none of us even saw where the arrow came from. One moment he was issuing orders, the next it struck him square in the chest. By the time we turned, there was nothing there. The shaft dissolved before we could even grab it.¡± I frowned. ¡°No one saw the shooter?¡± ¡°Not a glimpse,¡± Mendez said. ¡°And the worst part wasn¡¯t the arrow itself. The ambush was different. The enemies we faced weren¡¯t just beasts this time. They were weaker, but they moved¡­ unnaturally. Almost like they had a mind of their own. They didn¡¯t charge blindly like ordinary beasts. They avoided swords, shifted back the moment steel swung, as if they understood what could kill them.¡± A cold feeling settled in my stomach. That wasn¡¯t natural. ¡°So they weren¡¯t beasts.¡± ¡°They looked like it,¡± Mendez admitted. ¡°But something was off. It looked like they were too organized. It was enough to throw the men off bnce. That¡¯s why the arrownded. He was surrounded by his lieutenants, yet not one could react in time.¡± My nails dug into my palms. Something about this didn¡¯t sit right. Whoever nned this wasn¡¯t relying on luck. They knew when and where to strike. This must be the reason why Mendez seemed hesitant when I first arrived. I looked back at Cassian¡¯s pale face. What aren¡¯t you telling me? ¡°Tell me,¡± I said, turning back to Mendez. ¡°Has he been going to the northern outpost every red moon?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Mendez said firmly. ¡°Every three years. Each time the red moon rises, he leaves for the northern outpost. Officially, he says it is to lead the defense during the beast tide. But in truth, it is to contain¡­ this.¡± His gaze flicked toward Cassian. ¡°To make sure no one sees him when the changees. He wanted to keep everyone safe.¡± ¡°Did no one ever try to find another way?¡± I asked, leaning back in my chair. ¡°Somece that could hold him. Maybe an underground chamber, reinforced walls, anything that could stop him from breaking out during the red moon?¡± My eyes flicked toward Cassian¡¯s still form on the bed. The beast tide came at exact intervals, every three years without fail. It was the perfect excuse 78 55 vouchers for him to vanish, leading everyone to believe he was only at the front lines. But the question gnawed at me. Why not build something to contain him? Why risk throwing himself into battle when he was at his weakest? ¡°The Lord¡¯s grandmother tried to do this in the past but¡­ in fact, there is a chamber in the northern outpost. It was specifically made to stop them in their feral state but¡­ ¡± ¡°But what?¡± I frowned. ¡°But Lord Cassian is too strong.¡± ¡°Too strong? What does that mean?¡± Mendez drew a slow breath. ¡°It means the chamber wasn¡¯t built for him. Lord Cassian is the previous Alpha King¡¯s son. He carries direct alpha blood, and not diluted. Add what he inherited from his grandmother, and his strength during the red moon spikes beyond anything the ward can contain.¡± I stared at him. ¡°The restraints failed?¡± ¡°We tried everything,¡± Mendez said. ¡°Moonsteel shackles, alpha¨Cbinding sigils etched into bedrock, wolfsbane vapor bled through the vents in measured doses. The first time we tested the chamber on him, six lieutenants and two captains stood ready to hold the line. He broke the shackles in under a minute. The sigils couldn¡¯t keep purchase. The wolfsbane dose we used would drop a warband, it barely slowed him.¡± ¡°He overpowered eight of you?¡± ¡°Not just overpowered,¡± Mendez answered. ¡°He moved through them. They weren¡¯t trying to kill him, only contain him. Even together, they couldn¡¯t. We rotated squads, increased dosage and evenyered a second set of shackles. Same result.¡± I felt the back of my neck tighten. ¡°What about the King?¡± Mendez¡¯s mouth pulled tight. ¡°His Majesty tried once. The day ended with three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder¨Chis. Lord Cassian stopped before any killing blow, but the message was clear. In raw force, the Lord outmatches every wolf in the kingdom, including the current Alpha King himself. Calling for the King again would only expose the truth to more eyes and put more people at risk.¡± ¡°So the chamber is useless.¡± ¡°As a permanent solution, yes,¡± Mendez said. ¡°We can slow him for minutes, not hold him for hours. That¡¯s why he uses the northern outpost when the red moon nears. If he loses control there, the damagends on beasts and empty ice, not inside a city. The lieutenants can steer away from patrol lines and wait it out. It¡¯s the only workable n we¡¯ve had.¡± him : 78 55 vouchers I looked at Cassian¡¯s face. ¡°With all this information¡­ I am wondering if that ambush and the arrow were something nned ahead.¡± ¡°I think so too,¡± Mendez nodded once. ¡°Whoever arranged it knew his schedule and the reason for it. They took the shot to keep him here.¡± ¡°So, every three years, he disappears behind the excuse of the beast tide. Everyone assumes he¡¯s leading the front. In truth, he¡¯s isting himself because no one¨Cnot even the King¨Ccan stop him if the change breaks loose. Then they ambushed him, knowing the signs of the red moon were starting to show¡­¡± I mumbled. Mendez nodded. I pressed my palms together to steady them. ¡°If he wakes like that again, your chamber buys us minutes but not enough to restrain himpletely.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll stage for minutes,¡± Mendez replied. ¡°How many days before the red moon?¡± ¡°A week at most,¡± Mendez said. I nodded. ¡°And how many days would it take for us to transport him to the northern outpost?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only about a day, but¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± I asked. ¡°But this is far too risky,¡± he said. ¡°The closer the red moon gets, the more beasts pour toward the borders. Their numbers increase, their attacks grow wilder, and every post is already stretched thin. Without the Lord¡¯s strength, holding the lines will be close to impossible. Expecting the soldiers to fight both the tide and whatever else lurks out there without him is the same as sending them to their deaths.¡± Brute 69 ATASHA¡¯S POV 78 55 vouchers ¡°Mydy, this is the second messenger the council has sent,¡± Rio said as he handed me a sealed letter. ¡°Each of them insists on seeing the Lord in person.¡± I broke the seal, already knowing what it would contain. The parchment confirmed it, another request for an audience. ¡°They want proof he¡¯s fine,¡± I muttered. It wasn¡¯t difficult to understand why. The council relied on Cassian¡¯s presence to maintain stability. Without him visible, rumors could spread that he was gravely wounded or worse. Doubt like that could fracture their authority, weaken morale among the soldiers, and embolden the enemy. It was logical from their perspective. A leader who failed to appear in front of his council, especially during a time of crisis, invited spection. Spection led to whispers, and whispers led to panic. Unfortunately, Cassian remained in the same state. He was breathing steady, his body strong, but unresponsive, as though locked in a deep sleep. I knew he wasn¡¯t injured anymore. His wounds had closed, his strength hadn¡¯t diminished. Every sign pointed to simple unconsciousness, not death. Yet that distinction would mean little to the council if they couldn¡¯t see him for themselves. Before I could decide what to do with the letter, another knock interrupted my thoughts. The door opened and a woman stepped inside, dressed in a warrior¡¯s garb with leather tes fitted neatly over a dark tunic, a sword strapped to her hip. Her stride was firm, her chin lifted, but what caught my attention first was her face. She was striking, with sharp cheekbones and clear skin that might have belonged to a court beauty rather than a fighter. Yet her hair was cut short, cropped close to her jaw in a style umon for women in the north, giving her a bold and severe air. I frowned the moment her eyesnded on me. ¡°My father sent me to speak with the Lord,¡± she said, her tone clipped. I raised a brow, but before I could say a word, Rio already butted in. ¡°And aren¡¯t you going to introduce yourself to the Lord¡¯s wife¡­ Miss Reina?¡± This finally drew the woman¡¯s attention. Her sharp eyes slid back to me, and she gave a shallow bow that looked more like a mockery of respect than the real thing. 78 55 vouchers ¡°My name is Reina Morrow,¡± she said tly. ¡°Eldest daughter of Halden Morrow and the heiress of the Morrow House. My father tasked me to speak with the Lord about logistics for the uing Beast Tide.¡± ¡°You may leave,¡± I said, my tone firm. ¡°The Lord is not avable to talk to you.¡± Reina¡¯s brow arched high, the corner of her lip twitching into something like amusement. ¡°And who are you to say that?¡± Rio stepped forward immediately, hand resting on the hilt of his sword, but I lifted a hand, stopping him. His jaw tightened, but he obeyed. I rose from my chair. ¡°I am his wife,¡± I said evenly. ¡°His only wife. The Princess Consort.¡± Reina gave a sharp, dismissive snort. Her gaze flicked back to Rio. ¡°Are you really going to draw steel on me over this?¡± Rio¡¯s eyes narrowed. His hand didn¡¯t move from his sword. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t know unless you tried,¡± he said through clenched teeth. Reina rolled her eyes, her posture still unshaken. ¡°Keep yourself in check,¡± she said, her words aimed squarely at me. ¡°You are not the Lady of the North. You are just someone the Lord picked up on his way home. A wolfless omega.¡± Her tone dripped with disdain. ¡°How dare you speak as though you know his affairs?¡± I let out a slow sigh. I had expected this sooner orter. ¡°The Lord is preparing to travel to the northern outpost today,¡± I told her. ¡°He is upied. That is all you need to know.¡± ¡°upied?¡± Reina repeated, her voice sharpening. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving until I see him. My father ordered me to confirm it with my own eyes.¡± My eyes narrowed. ¡°Are you trying to insinuate something?¡± She smirked, lips curling in satisfaction. ¡°It has been days since anyone has seen the Lord leave this cabin. People are starting to wonder. Many are asking if you had something to do with it.¡± My jaw clenched, heat prickling up the back of my neck. Mendez and I agreed to keep Cassian¡¯s state hidden. If word spreads, the enemies will strike. That was the whole point of secrecy, ¡°rify yourself,¡± I said. Reina tilted her head, her smirk widening. ¡°Oh, I can understand why you¡¯re still alive. You¡¯re a beauty, I¡¯ll give you that. And beauty is rare in this part of the world. That must be why the Lord kept you. But no one forgets who you are, Princess Consort. Wolfless and weak. An omega wrapped in a pretty face.¡± I stiffened. The room felt colder. 78 55 vouchers She stepped closer, her boots clicking against the wooden floor. ¡°The Beast Tide is only days. away. Everyone knows the Lord¡¯s presence is vital at the front. Yet he hasn¡¯t been seen. Not in the courtyard. Not at the walls. And when you left the mansion, he vanished with you. Naturally, people are whispering. They say you¡¯ve cursed him with your allure.¡± My hands curled into fists. ¡°Cursed him?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Reina said smoothly. ¡°That you¡¯ve bound him, bewitched him, or drugged him. That you wanted him for yourself and kept him locked away. That¡¯s the only way they can make sense of why the great Tyrant Lord hasn¡¯t shown his face.¡± She nced at Rio then back to me, her voice lowering like she was enjoying every word. ¡°Some even wonder if you¡¯ve poisoned him. A southern witch in a consort¡¯s robe.¡± I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my ears. This was exactly the danger Mendez had warned me about. The longer Cassian stayed hidden, the more people would question his silence, and now Reina stood here, voicing the suspicions I already knew were spreading. Before I realized what I was doing, my handshed out. The crack of my palm against Reina¡¯s cheek rang through the room like a whip. Her head snapped to the side. For the first time, her smirk vanished. The noise must have carried, because the door banged open almost immediately. Two lieutenants stormed in, des drawn. Their movements were sharp, automatic, the steel already pressed against Reina¡¯s neck before she could recover. The room tensed. Reina froze, her chest rising in shallow breaths as the edge of one sword kissed the hollow of her throat. She lifted her hands slowly, palms out, but her eyes still burned with fury. ¡°Stand down,¡± Reina barked just as Rio stepped between us. His jaw was tight, his hand gripping his hilt, ready if she so much as twitched. ¡°What the hell are you doing!? I am Reina Morrow!¡± Just as I expected, the lieutenants didn¡¯t move. Their eyes stayed locked on Reina, their loyalty fixed not on her bloodline but on Cassian and by extension, me. I forced myself to straighten, ignoring the sting in my palm. ¡°She insulted the Lord. She insulted me. And she dared to use me of treachery inside his own hall. Rio¡­ ording to thews of the north, how should she be punished?¡± Brute 70 Chapter 70 ATASHA¡¯S POV 78 55 vouchers Minutester, I sat outside in the courtyard, the cold air brushing against my cheeks as I lifted a cup of tea to my lips. The taste was bitter, but was at least enough to calm me down. Before me, Reina knelt on the ground, her back bared, her voice raw with screams as Lucas brought the cane down again and again. Her cries echoed across the post, each strike sharp enough to silence passing soldiers in their tracks. I didn¡¯t flinch. I had expected the noise and the attention that came with it. The pounding of hooves soon cut through the air. A dark stallion galloped into the yard, its rider hauling the reins hard as the beast slid to a stop. Halden Morrow swung down with surprising speed for a man his age, his cloak snapping behind him. His eyes went straight to his daughter, then to me. ¡°Mydy,¡± he said tightly, though his voice carried a tremor of fury. ¡°I beg you, release her at once.¡± ¡°Lord Morrow¡­ I have been waiting,¡± I said without looking at him. ¡°There must be some misunderstanding here¡­ I- my daughter is harmless. I only wanted her toe to talk about logistics. How could you punish her for only wanting to talk to the Lord?¡± I set my cup down on the table beside me. I can clearly hear the panic and anger in the man¡¯s voice. What I also heard was the meaning behind his words. He wanted to paint me as someone jealous. Someone who just punished his daughter out of nowhere. I snorted. Then finally, I looked at him. ¡°Are you going to ask me what your daughter did first, Lord Morrow?¡± Halden¡¯s face darkened. He turned to Reina. ¡°I did nothing!¡± she spat, seizing the moment. Her voice was ragged,ced with venom. ¡°This bitch just-¡± ¡°It seems that Lady Reina is hell bent on acting like a dog. I will take this moment to treat her like one, Lucas,¡± I said without raising my voice. ¡°Add another ten. Use at least fifty percent of your strength.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡± Lucas¡¯s expression didn¡¯t flicker as he raised the cane again. Reina¡¯s curses dissolved into raw shrieks, and the sound carried over the yard. The crowd thickened. Soldiers who had never seen me before, men who only knew me as a rumor, now stood shoulder to shoulder, watching. Their gazes were strange, weighing me as if 78 55 vouchers trying to decide what kind of woman sat sipping tea while another was punished at her feet. ¡°You- ¡°Halden¡¯s hands curled into fists. ¡°Enough of this¡ª¡± I stood slowly, brushing down the folds of my robe, and met his re. ¡°Do you know what your daughter said to me?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. His eyes shifted to Reina, but she only sobbed, her earlier boldness gone. ¡°She imed that I bewitched the Lord,¡± I said, my voice clear enough for every ear in the yard to hear. ¡°That I drugged him, cursed him, kept him locked away with my allure.¡± I let the words hang, then continued, ¡°Tell me, Lord Morrow, does your daughter truly underestimate him so much? Does she look down on Lord Cassian so openly that she believes a wolfless girl from the south could control his judgment? Or is this something that your house believed as well?¡± ¡°What?¡± Surprise shed on Halden¡¯s face. I took a step forward. ¡°Lord Cassian is the main shield of the North. The one who holds the walls when the beast tidees. He is feared, respected, obeyed. And yet here I stand, mocked, used, as though I were some sorceress strong enough to bend the Tyrant Lord himself.¡± I pressed a hand against my chest. ¡°I cannot even transform. I have no wolf. How could I possibly sway him? I am just a woman he brought home, a woman the council has mocked and doubted since the day I arrived. If your daughter can use me so carelessly, then what does that say of her respect for him? For the shield that protects us all?¡± The murmurs around the yard swelled. Soldiers exchanged looks, some nodding faintly, others whispering. This was exactly the reaction that I expected. Halden¡¯s face hardened, his jaw working as though he wanted to spit back, but his words caught. I know he wasn¡¯t expecting me to appeal to everyone¡¯s emotions. He, along with the other council members, must have thought I was some stupid doll. I watched as his shoulders sank slightly, and though his eyes still burned with swallowed it, pressing it down. I anger, he gave him a small, almost tired smile. ¡°I do not need your daughter¡¯s approval, Lord Morrow, nor do I expect her respect, I know what I am, a wolfless omega the Lord chose to bring into his house, someone the council whispers about and mocks. But there are lines that should never be crossed.¡± I made my voice even louder, making sure that the others could hear my words. ¡°I ask only that the council guard their tongues. Rumors and careless words strike deeper than arrows. They weaken the Lord¡¯s standing, they weaken the North. And if I must remain the pitiful 78 55 vouchers little girl theyugh at, then I will bear it. But what I will not allow¨Cwhat I cannot allow¨Cis for anyone, even the daughter of Halden Morrow, to speak as though Lord Cassian is a man so easily swayed, so easily diminished.¡± Halden finally exhaled through his nose, his voice lower now, his earlier confidence stripped away. ¡°I¡­ see.¡± ¡°Do you have questions?¡± I asked, watching him closely. ¡°N¨CNo,¡± he said, though his jaw was tight. His eyes flicked toward Reina, who was still on the ground, her body trembling. His teeth ground together as if he were barely holding back his anger. ¡°But Reina-¡± ¡°¨Cwill be punished ording to thews of the North,¡± I cut him off. ¡°I already showed her leniency. Instead of rope, I instructed Lieutenant Lucas to use a weaker wood for the caning. That is the only concession she will have.¡± I lowered myself back into my chair, signaling the matter was settled. ¡°Do you have any questions now, Lord Morrow?¡± Halden¡¯s fists clenched at his sides, but when his eyes met mine, he shook his head stiffly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Good. Now, take a seat beside me and enjoy the tea.¡± Again, I turned my attention towards Lucas and Reina. ¡°Continue.¡± Brute 71 HALDEN MORROW¡¯S POV : 78 55 vouchers ¡°Did you see how smug she is?¡± Reina hissed as shey on her stomach, her voice strained with anger and pain. Every twitch of her body betrayed how raw her back was from the punishment, but her fury burned hotter than her wounds. ¡°That was the face of a bully, Father. A bully who wanted to trample our family!¡± Halden pursed his lips, his expression unreadable. ¡°Father, you must teach that woman a lesson!¡± Reina pressed, her fists balling tightly against the mattress. ¡°Do not let her get away with this!¡± Halden folded his arms, his gaze steady. ¡°And how, exactly, do you reckon I teach her a lesson?¡± Reina turned her head sharply, ring at him with disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re asking me that? She humiliated me in front of everyone! She humiliated us. She dared to strike me, then ordered me caned like a criminal. And you just stood there!¡± Halden¡¯s eyes narrowed.. ¡°I warned you before, Reina. Your mouth would bring punishment on you one day. I told you, time and again, that words can cut deeper than des. Today it was the Princess Consort who punished you. Tomorrow, if you¡¯re not careful, it could be someone far less merciful. Are you not going to stop until someone decides to take it on our family?¡± Reina¡¯s eyes widened, her face twisting in shock. ¡°You¡¯re siding with her? With her? Why are you favoring that woman over your own daughter?¡± ¡°I am not favoring her,¡± Halden said, his tone sharp enough to cut through her protest. ¡°I am favoring the North. Do you understand the difference? She is the Lord¡¯s wife. Whether you like it or not, she is the Princess Consort. You insulted her, you insulted the Lord himself. You spoke like a reckless child and used her of witchcraft. You crossed the line, and you paid the price. That is only right.¡± Reina¡¯s lip trembled, her rage boiling back to the surface. ¡°How dare a wolfless woman punish me? How dare someone who cannot even transform into a wolf embarrass our family like this? Are you truly going to allow her to do this? She isn¡¯t even giving us face, Father!¡± Halden¡¯s expression hardened, but he didn¡¯t raise his voice. ¡°You speak of face, yet you gave none to her in the first ce. You walked into her presence with arrogance, challenged her authority, and spat usations at the woman chosen by the King himself. Do you think titles and family name will protect you forever? Do you think your father¡¯s seat will shield you when your actions threaten the stability of the North?¡± ¡­ 78 55 vouchers Reina turned her face back into the pillow, seething. ¡°She wanted to embarrass me. Embarrass us. Everyone saw it. And you did nothing. Do you know how they looked at me? Like I was somemon criminal.¡± ¡°You brought it on yourself,¡± Halden replied bluntly. ¡°I cannot defend you when you are the one who fed the fire.¡± Her fists pounded against the bedding. ¡°So that¡¯s it? You¡¯ll let her trample us? You¡¯ll let her show everyone that the Morrows can be pped and whipped in the courtyard like dogs?¡± Halden leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Careful with your words, Reina. You are not the family. You are one daughter. And the family¡¯s strength does not rise or fall on your pride. The North does not need your tantrums¨Cit needs order.¡± But Reina wasn¡¯t done. She twisted to look at him again, her eyes zing. ¡°Then if you won¡¯t protect me as a father, at least protect the family as its head! If you let this pass, the council will think we are weak. They¡¯ll think we bowed to her. We must file aint to the council. We must demand the Lord himself hear of this. Let them judge if a southerner with no wolf has the right to punish the daughter of Halden Morrow.¡± Halden studied her for a long moment, his jaw tightening. She was trying to light the me of his anger, pushing the weight of the family name against him. He saw it clearly, but he also saw the hungry way she wanted revenge. ¡°The council?¡± he asked tly. ¡°Yes,¡± Reina pressed quickly. ¡°Bring this before them. Force her to answer. She pped me in public, caned me in front of soldiers. If we stay silent, every house will think the Morrows are weak. Let the council decide if that waswful. And if the Lord hears of it, let him judge her actions himself. You cannot let her walk away unscathed, Father.¡± Halden let out a slow breath, the deep lines on his face sharpening as he thought. He didn¡¯t reply immediately. ¡°She clearly wanted to establish her authority,¡± Reina said. ¡°Are you going to allow a bully to do that?¡± Again, Halden let out a sigh. ¡°This time you are in the wrong,¡± Halden said. ¡°I need you to apologize to the Lady once your wound heals.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Kneel if you must but an apology is needed.¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t.¡± 78 55 vouchers ¡°That was not a request, Reina. I, as your father, order you to apologize to the princess Consort once your wounds heal.¡± ¡°Why would I do that!? She- Halden rose from his chair. ¡°Enough. I¡¯ve said what I needed to say. You will do it or I will personally punish you, myself!¡± He walked to the door and opened it. Two guards straightened at once, awaiting hismand. ¡°From this moment, no one enters or leaves this room except the physician,¡± Halden ordered. His voice carried the weight of finality. ¡°Not even Lady Reina herself. She is to remain here until I say otherwise.¡± The guards bowed their heads in unison. ¡°Yes, my lord.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Reina¡¯s voice shot up behind him, shrill with outrage. ¡°Father, why are you doing this? You would lock me in like a prisoner?¡± Halden didn¡¯t turn back. ¡°Even if I exined, you wouldn¡¯t understand,¡± he said tly. Her protests followed him as he stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him, but he didn¡¯t waver. Almost immediately, one of his men approached at a brisk pace. ¡°My lord,¡± the man said, lowering his voice, ¡°There are reports that someone saw the Lord board a carriage headed for the northern outpost.¡± Halden gave a short nod, his expression giving nothing away. ¡°I see.¡± He resumed walking, his boots echoing against the stone corridor. Inwardly, his thoughts shifted. So that¡¯s how it is¡­ That disy in the courtyard, the caning, the lieutenants drawing steel, the soldiers standing silent while the Princess Consort spoke, none of it could have happened without the Lord¡¯s silent approval. Cassian¡¯s lieutenants wouldn¡¯t have moved for her unless they believed their master sanctioned it. And if the Lord had heard the insult himself yet allowed her to carry out the punishment, then the message was clear. She isn¡¯t a temporary ornament. He is letting her act in his name. Halden¡¯s mouth pressed into a hard line. ¡°It seems this one willst longer than the four previous brides,¡± he muttered under his breath. Brute 72 ATASHA¡¯S POV 78 55 vouchers ¡°Your highness, we can manage the travel on our own, I have already made arrangements, the Lord will be transported with security. It would be dangerous mydy. You don¡¯t have to personally-¡± ¡°Do you know why I chose to punish Lady Reina, Mendez?¡± I asked. ¡°I- Isn¡¯t it because you wanted to establish your authority in the north?¡± he asked. ¡°It was partly because of that.¡± I looked outside the carriage. This would be my first time seeing the wall that separates the north from thend of the fae¡¯s. I wonder if it was big. ¡°It¡¯s because I don¡¯t want the rumor to continue as well.¡± Finally I turned at Cassian who was asleep next to me. ¡°It¡¯s because I want time.¡± ¡°Time?¡± ¡°I want to confuse them, make them think Lord Cassian pampers me and is letting me do these things. In that way, they would be reluctant to make a move against me.¡± Mendez stared at me as I added. ¡°I wanted to keep him safe,¡± I said. ¡°The only reason he agreed to let me stay by his side was because of my ability. I see no reason why I shouldn¡¯t use that ability on him.¡± From afar, I began to hear the sh of steel and guttural growls. The sound carried across the cold wind, heavy and violent. I shifted to the window and froze at the sight before me. The northern wall stretched across the horizon like a colossal scar of ck stone. It gleamed faintly under the pale light, not dull but almost metallic, as if every b had been polished to repel whatever tried to break it. The structure loomed impossibly high, the top lined with warriors, werewolves in full armor, their silhouettes sharp against the sky. Some crouched with bows drawn, others leaned against pikes longer than a man¡¯s height, all of them radiating the steady readiness of soldiers used to holding the line. At the center of the wall stood a towering gate, ck and seamless. Even from here, I could see its thickness. The wood was reinforced with iron bands, but it was more than simple metal. It looked unyielding, built to withstand siege after siege. Mendez followed my gaze. ¡°The wall is ck because it is reinforced with fae stones,¡± he exined. ¡°Those stones can absorb and resist the elements. Fire, earthquakes, frost, it doesn¡¯t matter. This wall is a shield that separates two worlds. On one side, us. On the other¡­ everything else.¡± : 78 55 vouchers My eyes traced the perimeter, and I noticed the smaller structures scattered on top of the wall. Watchtowers, bunkhouses, outposts standing like teeth against thend beyond. Growls echoed again, deeper this time.I couldn¡¯t see what was behind that wall but I could see sparks flew as des struck, the ng of weapons biting into flesh and armor filling the air. Mendez¡¯s voice cut through the noise. ¡°Every warrior here uses specialized weapons. Steel forged and reinforced with fae stones. We cannot wield the elements as the fae do, but when their stones are bound to our des, spears, and arrows, they hold greater strength. Stronger, sharper, deadlier. It¡¯s the only way to match the tide.¡± The carriage jolted as it came to a stop. Mendez turned to me immediately. ¡°Stay in the carriage, mydy. It isn¡¯t safe.¡± I shook my head and pushed the door open before he could protest further. ¡°No. I¡¯ming with you.¡± He scowled. ¡°This isn¡¯t a ce for you-¡± ¡°This is exactly where I should be,¡± I cut in. ¡°He is here, and I will not sit behind ss while others fight for him.¡± We got off the carriage and were immediately weed by the thick smell of blood and something else¡­ something I didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°Physician Mendez!¡± A tall man strode toward us, his boots heavy against the stone. His uniform was spattered with fresh stains, a streak of blue blood running down one side of his face. The mark contrasted sharply with the scar that cut across his throat, running dangerously close to his jawline. It looked as though a de had once tried to silence him permanently but failed. His hair was a pale blond, cropped short, and his eyes were a striking blue, so clear they resembled the sea. For a moment his gaze swept over me, unreadable, until Mendez gestured toward my side. ¡°This is the Princess Consort,¡± Mendez said inly. The man stiffened. His back straightened instantly before he bowed at the waist, his arm pressed across his chest. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Mendez gave a short nod. ¡°All of the lieutenants know of her.¡± 78 55 vouchers I inclined my head in acknowledgment, studying him more closely. His presence radiated the same hardened confidence I¡¯d seen in Lucas and Rio, but there was something else in his eyes, a tension that hadn¡¯t left. ¡°This is Lieutenant Sivi,¡± Mendez added. ¡°He did not apany us to the south but he mostly knew everything that happened.¡± Sivi¡¯s gaze flicked toward Cassian¡¯s still form inside the carriage before settling back on Mendez. ¡°We cannot cross right now,¡± he said. ¡°There¡¯s an attack outside the wall. To step beyond the gates now would be suicide. The beasts are going insane. Their numbers rise by the day. No matter how many we cut down, more keeping. Moreover, the soldiers this time encounter some weird sickness.¡± The sounds of the battle beyond the ck gate grew louder, almost as if to underline his words. Growls, the sh of steel, and the distant shouts of men holding the line. Mendez¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Sickness? Exin yourself.¡± Sivi¡¯s jaw flexed. ¡°It started with the younger soldiers stationed on the outermost posts, two days ago. Skin paling, fingertips ckening, lips turning blue. At first, we thought it was frostbite, but the clothing issued is thick enough to withstand colder winds than what we¡¯re facing now. These men were dressed properly, armed properly, and still fell. It doesn¡¯t keep us bedridden, but it keeps us weak.¡± My brow furrowed. ¡°So it isn¡¯t frostbite?¡± ¡°No, Your Highness,¡± Sivi said, shaking his head. ¡°It starts in patches, creeping across the arms and face. They do not copse, but their breath clouds white even indoors, as if something inside them is freezing from within. We suspect it¡¯s something in the air, but we can¡¯t confirm it. None of the healers has seen it before.¡± Mendez¡¯s frown deepened, his mind already moving. ¡°How many cases?¡± Sivi¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Dozens, perhaps more. We¡¯ve pulled them back from the walls and isted them in the outpost chambers, but the number grows every day. And all while the beasts outside swell in greater numbers. It¡¯s as though both the sickness and the attacks are working in tandem.¡± I met Mendez¡¯s eyes, unease settling heavy in my chest. It felt as though every step forward only uncovered another obstacle, one problem stacking on top of thest without end. Brute 73 : 78 55 vouchers ¡°Mydy, there seems to be a problem with the beasts this time,¡± Rio said grimly. ¡°Usually, they attack in batches¨Cten at most, sometimes a scattered group. But not like this.¡± I stepped closer to the ledge of the wall and forced myself to look down. The sight made my stomach twist. Below us, dozens of beasts moved in the darkness, their shapes illuminated by the flickering light of torches from the watchtowers. They were farrger than I had imagined, their shoulders rising taller than any warhorse. Their hides were mottled, a mix of cracked scales and coarse fur. Some had too many limbs, jagged ws scraping against stone as they swarmed, while others dragged tails lined with spines sharp enough to pierce armor. Their faces were the worst, elongated jaws full of uneven teeth, their eyes glowing red as if the moon itself had burned into them. One mmed into the base of the wall, the impact rattling the stone beneath my boots. Its ws screeched against the ck surface but didn¡¯t break through. It lifted its head and let out a guttural roar that echoed in my chest. I gripped the railing tighter without realizing it. ¡°They aren¡¯t supposed to look like this,¡± I whispered. When I was younger, I remember seeing a book about these beasts, but none of them looked like this. ¡°No,¡± Rio agreed, his eyes fixed on the chaos below. ¡°Not usually. Most beasts are crude, animalistic. They¡¯re dangerous, yes, but predictable. During the red moon, though¡­¡± His voice hardened. ¡°They change. They be twisted,rger, more violent, they mutate. They fight without regard for their own survival, like something is driving them mad.¡± Sivi stepped forward, his scar catching the torchlight as he watched the fighting below. ¡°They don¡¯t just change in form, either. Their behavior shifts. Normally, beasts scatter when they sense fire or smell wolfsbane. Now they rush at it, tearing through mes, biting into soldiers. even while their own hides burn.¡± I swallowed, uneasy. ¡°So¡­ they aren¡¯t afraid of fire?¡± ¡°They still are,¡± Sivi corrected. ¡°But under the red moon, it takes much more to push them back. Look.¡± As if on cue, a squad of soldiers hurled ming spears into the tide. The weapons struck, igniting the hides of two beasts, but instead of retreating, the creatures thrashed forward, bowling through the line until swords cut them down. ¡°They fight even when burning alive,¡± Sivi said. ¡°That¡¯s the red moon¡¯s effect. It strips them of fear.¡± ¡°And wolfsbane?¡± I asked quickly. 78 55 vouchers Rio shook his head. ¡°It weakens them, but not enough. Normally, a beast would stagger if it inhaled a dose of wolfsbane mist. Tonight, they tear through it. Their bodies slow, yes, but they don¡¯t stop. The red moon drives them until their hearts give out.¡± Another roar rose from below as a beast the size of a small house lunged from the treeline, its horns curving forward like spears. It mmed into a formation of warriors. I flinched as shields cracked and men were thrown aside, only for others to close ranks immediately, spears stabbing deep into its chest. Even impaled, it writhed, snapping its jaws at anything within reach until Sivi gave a sharp signal and an archer¡¯s arrow, tipped with a faint blue shimmer, pierced its skull. ¡°That shimmer,¡± I muttered. ¡°Is that¡­?¡± ¡°Fae stone,¡± Sivi said. ¡°Bound to the arrowhead. It makes the weapon bite deeper. Without it, the beast might have torn through half that line before it fell.¡± My chest tightened as I gripped the railing harder. Each growl, each crash of ws against the wall, was a reminder of how fragile the bnce here was. ¡°Then what are they afraid of?¡± I asked finally, my voice low. Sivi and Rio exchanged a look before Rio answered. ¡°Pain. Even under the red moon, they still fear overwhelming pain. Fire hot enough to sear, weapons sharp enough to pierce bone, wounds deep enough to cripple. That¡¯s why we reinforce everything with fae stone. Without it, these walls would have fallen long ago.¡± ¡°And sound,¡± Sivi added. ¡°Loud, piercing sound. They hate it. Horns, drums, even the shriek of metal. Sometimes it drives them back for a few breaths. Not enough to win a battle, but enough to breathe.¡± I forced myself to look again at the horde writhing below the wall. Their sheer numbers, their grotesque forms, their mindless drive, it was like staring at a nightmare given shape. ¡°So, you are telling me that once the red moon passes, they also disappear?¡± I asked. Sivi kept his eyes on the horde below. ¡°Disappear? No, mydy. They don¡¯t vanish. They retreat back into the wilds, scatter into the forests, crawl back into whatever holes they came from. But the red moonsts for days, not a single night. Three, sometimes four. And until it passes, the beasts won¡¯t stop pressing the walls.¡± I blinked. ¡°Days?¡± 78 55 vouchers ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed. ¡°Even during daylight, the sky doesn¡¯t return to normal. The sun still rises, but its light is stained crimson. The beasts don¡¯t attack as often under the sun, but they don¡¯t calm either. They circle, they watch, and the moment the night returns, they surge again. That is the rhythm of the tide.¡± My grip tightened on the railing. If the red moonsts for days¡­ Mendez¡¯s words came back to me. ¡°He will wake when the red moon rises, and he will remain in that feral state until it ends.¡± I turned slightly, ncing toward the carriage behind us where Cassian stilly. When I left, he looked like he was only sleeping, his chest rising steadily, but I knew better. This meant that when he opened his eyes again, it would not be as the man I knew. It would be something else¨Cdriven, violent, and barely controlled. If the red moonsted three or four days, then so would his feral state. He would be like this until it ended. My stomach twisted at the thought. Sivi¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts. ¡°In the past, there were red moons thatsted longer,¡± he said grimly. ¡°Weeks, even months. Old records speak of winters when the sky bled for an entire season. During those times, the beasts nearly overran everything. Packs were ughtered, viges erased. We haven¡¯t seen such a red moon in generations¡­ but it isn¡¯t impossible.¡± Rio grunted, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as his gaze swept the battlefield. ¡°If one like thates again, it won¡¯t just be the walls under siege. The whole kingdom would bleed.¡± Sivi nodded. ¡°Which is why every outpost, every garrison, and every soldier trains for this. A few nights are manageable. Weeks¡­¡± He let the thought hang. I drew in a slow breath. ¡°And no one knows how long this one willst?¡± ¡°No,¡± Sivi admitted. ¡°Not until it ends. All we can do is endure until the sky clears.¡± Endure. That was what they all kept saying, endure the beasts, endure the blood, endure the endless nights. My eyes lingered on the carriage again. Cassian would endure too, but not as a man. As something else, bound by whatever bloodline he carried. My hands curled into fists at my side. We needed to get through the walls and reach the northern outpost before Cassian woke. I turned back to Sivi. ¡°Tell me something. The northern outpost lies even farther than these walls, yet it still stands. Why? Is it truly that strong?¡± ¡°The northern outpost¡­ that is a different case,¡± Sivi said with a heavy exhale. ¡°For reasons we still don¡¯t understand, the beasts avoid it. They circle its perimeter, snarl and pace, but they never strike directly. It¡¯s as if the ce doesn¡¯t exist to them.¡± : The roars below pulled my eyes back to the battlefield. ¡°Avoid it? Why?¡± I pressed. 78 55 vouchers ¡°No one can give a certain answer,¡± Sivi admitted. ¡°Some im it¡¯s the soil, others say it¡¯s the terrain, or perhaps something buried deep beneath it. Whatever the reason, it has been that way for centuries. There are rare ces scattered across the North that beasts refuse to touch. The northern outpost is one of them.¡± Brute 74 ATASHA¡¯S POV : : 78 55 vouchers ¡°Mydy, I apologize but we cannot let you cross,¡± Lieutenant Sivi said. ¡°The numbers outside are climbing by the minute. We have to deal with the beasts before letting anyone leave the gate.¡± Rio stepped up beside him. ¡°We¡¯ve already called reinforcements from the mansion. Two squads from the inner posts and a supply team with spare weapons and fae¨Cstone arrows. They should arrive soon.¡± Sivi added, ¡°Even with reinforcements, there¡¯s another problem. The illness is spreading. We still don¡¯t know what it is or how it¡¯s passing between men. They aren¡¯t bedridden, but they¡¯re weaker. Grip strength, reaction time, bnce, it all drops. If this keeps up, we won¡¯t be able to push the beasts back.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Mendez?¡± I asked. ¡°With the Lord,¡± Sivi answered. ¡°He said he¡¯d remain on standby until you call for him.¡± He didn¡¯t look curious, didn¡¯t pry. None of them did. I remembered what Mendez told me. In the north, the Lord sometimes stayed inside the carriage or themand tent for entire nights during the red moon. No questions or exnations. The lieutenants enforced the boundary without being told. I nodded and turned to Rio. ¡°Are the arrangements set?¡± ¡°Yes, mydy,¡± Rio said. ¡°We tagged all men showing symptoms. They¡¯re isted in the east barracks, away from the armory and the mess. I posted guards and sent runners to list names, symptoms, and when they started.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I stood. ¡°Start calling the sick to muster in the tent by the well. Physician Mendez will tend to them one line at a time. Anyone who can still standes first.¡± Sivi nced toward the carriage. ¡°What about the Lord?¡± ¡°He would agree the fighterse first,¡± I said. ¡°Move.¡± Rio peeled off at once, barking orders. Sivi signaled two runners to clear the yard. I left the tent. Soldiers along the walkway paused and bowed. I returned a curt nod and kept moving, boots thudding over the nks as I cut straight to the carriage. Pulling the door open, I stepped in. : 78 55 vouchers Mendez was inside, sleeves rolled, checking Cassian¡¯s pulse with two fingers at the throat. However, the moment the door clicked shut behind me, Cassian¡¯s eyes snapped open¨Cred. His hand shot up and mped around Mendez¡¯s neck. Mendez choked, both hands flying to Cassian¡¯s wrist. He tried to twist out, dropping his weight to break the grip, but Cassian¡¯s arm didn¡¯t budge. The pressure increased. I heard the scrape of Mendez¡¯s boots across the floorboards as he was dragged closer. Seeing this, I crossed the space in two steps. I caught Cassian¡¯s forearm with both hands and drove my shoulder into his bicep, pinning the leverage. With my other hand, I pried at his fingers, no use. ¡°Cassian,¡± I said, my voice low. ¡°Look at me.¡± Then, I sent a sliver of my healing ability inside him. Just as I expected, there was nothing for me to heal. It almost felt like I poured some water into an endless pit. Yet, this was enough to gain his attention. His gaze tore off Mendez and locked on me. The red burned hotter, focused, but just like before, the strength drained out of his grip. Mendez ripped free and stumbled back, coughing raggedly. Meanwhile Cassian¡¯s eyes fluttered then closed. His head rolled to the side, and then he was out cold. I held his wrist a second longer to make sure the tension was gone, then released him and moved to Mendez. ¡°Sit,¡± I said, guiding him down to the bench. He waved me off and then thought better of it, bracing a hand against the wall until his breath steadied. The skin on his throat was already mottling. ¡°Pulse?¡± I asked. ¡°Fast, but there.¡± He swallowed, winced, and nodded. ¡°No heat spikes. It was just force.¡± I nodded. Since we arrived, this was the second time that Cassian woke up. It was both with Mendez was with him. We went back to Cassian together. I lifted his shoulders while Mendez pulled the nket aside. We shifted him up the mattress, straightened his arm, and tucked the nket to keep him still. Mendez exhaled. ¡°It¡¯s the same pattern,¡± he rasped. ¡°Eye contact breaks it. Then he crashes.¡± I shook my head. ¡°No. That wasn¡¯t it.¡± If it were that simple, then Cassian¡¯s grandmother and previous family members would have noticed something or at least spoken of it. ¡°I sent something inside him, just like the other two times. Then he fainted.¡± Mendez¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°You mean you tried to heal him?¡± ¡°Tried is the wrong word,¡± I sighed. ¡°There was nothing for me to heal. It was the same as 78 55 vouchers before. His body is perfectly healthy. My abilities couldn¡¯t detect any injury, poison, or imbnce. So I pushed my energy into him anyway, and that¡¯s when he lost consciousness.¡± With that, I held his hand and sent a sliver of my ability inside. ¡°He almost felt like a bottomless pit,¡± I said. ¡°By logic, this scene would increase as soon as the red moon nears.¡± Mendez nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± This was the reason why Mendez chose to stay with Cassian despite the state of the soldier¡¯s outside. ¡°With the beast outside, leaving this ce is close to impossible¡­.¡± I mumbled. ¡°But we have to leave as soon as we can.¡± Leaving him here would be dangerous. If Cassian woke in this state with so many men packed into the yard, he could kill half a squad before anyone could restrain him. I couldn¡¯t let that happen. ¡°We can¡¯t keep him here,¡± I said, my eyes still on his face. ¡°If he loses control inside the walls, he¡¯ll endanger everyone. I¡¯ll take him to the outpost. But first, I need to deal with the wounded.¡± Mendez frowned. ¡°You mean to-¡® ¡°¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I cut him off. ¡°And you¡¯reing with me. We¡¯ll use your name as the cover. No one needs to know.¡± He hesitated only for a moment before nodding. ¡°Understood.¡± We stepped out of the carriage. The cold air stung my cheeks, but the noise of battle and the murmur of soldiers waiting pressed harder. Rio was already issuing orders by the yard. ¡°Rio,¡± I called. He turned sharply. ¡°Mydy?¡± ¡°Guard the carriage,¡± I said. ¡°No one is to enter or even approach unless it¡¯s one of us.¡± His eyes flicked toward Cassian¡¯s silhouette through the curtained window, then back to me, He didn¡¯t question it. ¡°Yes, mydy.¡± With hoods covering our faces, Mendez and I walked quickly toward the tent by the well. The space was cramped, the air heavy with sweat and sickness. Soldiers stood in staggered lines, some barely upright, their skin pale and lips darkening at the edges. I swallowed the unease rising in my throat and motioned Mendez forward. He raised his hands, speaking firmly, ¡°Form rows. One line at a time. No one moves until called.¡± They obeyed instantly, their respect for him unquestioned. 78 55 vouchers While they looked to him, I ced a hand on the first soldier¡¯s arm. I let the warmth spread, searching for the creeping cold Sivi described. It was there, patches of numbness spreading under the skin, like frost but without cause. I pushed deeper, burning it out, clearing the veins and lungs. The soldier gasped, color returning to his cheeks. But the soldier didn¡¯t have the time to say his thanks when Mendez stepped in, patting the man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Next.¡± And so it went. One after another, I drew the sickness out. Every time it left me weaker, my breaths shorter, my vision dimmer. By the fifth, my palms shook. By the tenth, my knees threatened to buckle. But the men stood straighter, their eyes sharper, and none of them questioned why Mendez looked so tired after each treatment. By the time thest soldier left the line, I was pale as the snow outside. My hands trembled as I lowered them. ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Mendez muttered, steadying me with a hand at my elbow. ¡°Mydy, you¡¯ve pushed too far.¡± I didn¡¯t argue. My legs moved on instinct as he guided me back toward the carriage. Each step felt heavier, but the relief in the yard was worth it, the soldiers were already gathering weapons again, their strength restored. We reached the door. Mendez immediately pushed it open, letting me climb the step first. But the moment I crossed the threshold, Cassian¡¯s eyes snapped open. And it was red. Brute 75 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers ¡°This has been going on for hours. If we don¡¯t move now, I may not be able to stop him next time,¡± I said, keeping a hand around Cassian¡¯s wrist until thest tremor left his muscles. Ever since I finished healing the soldiers, Cassian has been waking almost every hour. It¡¯s clear now that soon, I may no longer be able to hold him down with my ability. Mendez checked the slit in the curtain, listening. ¡°The numbers outside have dropped, but it¡¯s still ugly. We¡¯ll get openings between surges, not clean, just thinner. I¡¯m afraid going out there-¡® ¡°I know¡­ but do we really have a choice?¡± I pushed myself up from the bench and moved to the wall map pinned beside the storage chest. ¡°If Cassian loses control here, he won¡¯t just hurt the soldiers, he could expose his condition to our enemies. Leaving this ce takes priority. I traced a narrow route along the map, one that ran close to the inner ridge east of the main road. ¡°You told me the beasts avoid this stretch most of the time?¡± ¡°Most of the time,¡± Mendez repeated. ¡°Red moon changes patterns.¡± ¡°It¡¯s still our best chance,¡± I said. ¡°Prep everything. We leave as soon as we¡¯re harnessed.¡± He held my stare for a beat, then nodded once. ¡°Understood.¡± A knock hit the carriage door. ¡°Enter,¡± I said. Grace slipped inside, hood down, cheeks flushed from the cold. ¡°Your Highness. I came as soon as I received your letter.¡± ¡°Perfect timing,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯re leaving now.¡± She didn¡¯t flinch. Mendez had told me earlier that Grace, and a few of the lieutenants knew more than most because their families served under Cassian¡¯s grandmother. That exined the set of her jaw now. ¡°Arms and harness in five,¡± she said, already turning. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch the kit.¡± We climbed down to the yard. Then I saw Sivi cross the boards toward me. ¡°Your Highness.¡± He held out a stoppered sk the color of coal. The liquid clung to the ss like tar. ¡°Take this,¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The blood of a grand alpha¨Cbeast we brought downst tide,¡± he said. ¡°Old stock. There are ¡­ 78 55 vouchers only two sks left in the vaults. We use it to break a chase or scatter weak packs. They hate the scent, turns them cautious.¡± I took the sk. It was heavy and cold. ¡°Thank you.¡± I have read about this somewhere. Apparently, weaker beasts are scared of the really strong ones. So, they tend to avoid its smell. If we could use this to travel through that pathway, then perhaps¡­ the trip would be a bit safer. ¡°Smear it on the wheel hubs and the lead horses,¡± Sivi said. ¡°Not on skin. It¡¯ll burn.¡± I passed it to Grace. ¡°Thin line on the hubs and traces. Keep it off the vents and wear gloves while applying it.¡± ¡°On it,¡± she said, moving. Since Cassian was already secured inside the carriage, the only task left was to reinforce the restraints that Physician Mendez had insisted on. He exined it wasn¡¯t an act of disrespect, but standard protocol. The restraints were padded and fastened tightly, designed to withstand the force of a full shift if Cassian thrashed. I inspected each buckle one by one, making sure nothing was loose, before sliding the inner bar into ce. ¡°Side gate,¡± Sivi called. ¡°Clear the yard!¡± Runners peeled thene open. We moved at a clipped pace toward the secondary exit, a squat, armored portal set into the wall¡¯s base, high enough for a carriage, low enough to be defended from above. Winch teams hauled on chains. Iron teeth withdrew from the stone, and the gate groaned, opening a slit that widened into a ck mouth. Outside, the noise was immediate. The deep roars of beasts carried across the field, mixed with the harsh ng of weapons striking against flesh and bone. From the tower line came the steady roll of war drums, a signal to keep the formations tight and the soldiers alert. Every sound was a reminder that the battle outside the walls hadn¡¯t slowed for even a moment. I stepped onto the running board. ¡°Mendez,¡± I said quietly. ¡°You can stay. The lines need a physician. I can handle him¡± He huffed once, then tugged his cor aside. A pale, ropey scar ran from just under his ear down into his shirt. ¡°A witch put a de there years ago. I was cooling on the ground, dying, when the Lord pulled me back? He straightened the cor. ¡°My work is with him. If he breathes, I¡¯m beside him.¡± I nodded. ¡°Then mount up.¡± : 78 55 vouchers We set our column into formation. There were only ten riders in total, chosen for speed over numbers. Rio took the lead at the front, while Grace held the rear. The others were veteran soldiers, their shields dented from old battles and theirnces tipped with fae stone for maximum impact. Two archers rode along the nks, quivers strapped tight to their saddles, ready to cover us from a distance. The formation wasn¡¯t random. We kept our numbers small on purpose. Arger force would only draw more attention and increase the chance of provoking the beasts. Mendez climbed into the carriage opposite Cassian and I took the board beside the door where I could drop inside in a breath. ¡°Move!¡± Rio barked. The side gate opened to full width. Cold air sted in, carrying the stink of blood, smoke, and something sour from the dead. As our wheels crossed the threshold, a shiver ran up my spine. The wall¡¯s noise cut behind us, reced by the open field¡¯s wider, emptier sound. Weirdly enough, I found myself smiling¨Ctight, not from joy, but from a clean line between fear and perhaps insanity. Weeks ago, I wouldn¡¯t have set foot in the North, much less asked for a seat at its borders. Now I was out in front of its gates with a sleeping lord in my carriage and a n that could get us all killed if I misjudged. But for some reason, the fear I expected never came. My pulse was steady, my breaths even. I knew what should terrify me, Cassian could strangle me the moment his eyes opened, just as he had before. A single mistake could cost me my life. And somewhere out there, outside this carriage, an entire horde of beasts was waiting, strong enough to tear through men twice my size. Any one of them could rip this column apart. This journey was dangerous in every sense, every step we took was shadowed by death. Yet instead of fear, I felt calm, almost stubbornly so. Maybe it was exhaustion, or maybe it was the certainty that if I broke now, everyone else would too. Soon enough, we angled along the ridge line, keeping the wheels on the firmer ground where the ck soil showed through the frost. Grace rode back and forth along the column, checking the smear on the hubs. The beast¨Cblood left a dull sheen and a biting, metallic stink that made the horses toss their heads but kept their pace. We kept to the path that curved toward the northern outpost, the run Sivi had marked as ¡°mostly avoided.¡± Mostly was all we had. I peered through the narrow slit of the carriage. Cassiany as he had before, hisshes unmoving, his mouth drawn in a firm line. He looked no different from a man in deep sleep, but I couldn¡¯t tell if that was truly what it was. Was he resting peacefully, or trapped somewhere inside, struggling to wake? It was a question I had no way of answering. 11:23 Wed, Sep 10 ¡°Beasts!¡± a shout from outside snapped me out of my thoughts. 78 55 vouchers AD Brute 76 Chapter 76 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 78 E55 vouchers I expected the sound of fighting outside to shake me, to freeze my breath and lock my body in fear. But it didn¡¯t. Instead, I sat steady in the carriage, my fingers curled firmly around Cassian¡¯s hand. ¡°Everything will be alright,¡± I whispered, squeezing gently, as if he could hear me through his sleep. Outside, the sh of steel against ws rang sharp, followed by guttural roars and the shouts of men. Through the slit in the carriage, I caught glimpses of chaos. Among them, I caught sight of Mendez, de in hand, fighting with a soldier¡¯s rigor despite being a physician. He moved with an economy of strikes, guarding nks and covering weak spots, his coat streaked with blood and dirt. Then, slowly, the noise subsided. Growls faded, thest beast hit the ground with a heavy thud, and for a moment, silence fell. Only the ragged breaths of men and the restless shifting of horses filled the air. I leaned forward and peered through the slit again. Relief escaped me in a sharp exhale as I saw no fresh waves of beasts breaking from the treeline. ¡°Keep moving!¡± Mendez¡¯s voice rang out, rough but firm. ¡°We¡¯ll treat the wounded while advancing. Don¡¯t stay still. Blood draws more of them.¡± That was my cue. I pushed the carriage door open and climbed down into the cold air. My boots struck the ground, and at once, eyes turned toward me. ¡°Stay with him,¡± I told Mendez, nodding toward the carriage. ¡°He needs you here.¡± Mendez didn¡¯t argue. He only gave a sharp nod, before stepping back inside with Cassian. I crossed to the line of soldiers, swung myself onto a horse, and urged it forward. The men stiffened as I moved past, but I ignored their stares. If we stayed in one ce, the stench of blood would betray us. We had to treat wounds on the move. The first soldier I reached sat slumped in his saddle, his arm hanging uselessly at his side. Ash of a beast¡¯s w had torn through both armor and flesh. It wasn¡¯t deep, but the edges were already ckening, rot creeping outward. I pulled alongside him, and Grace rode up close behind. ¡°Their ws carry poison,¡± she said quickly, her voice low enough for only me to hear. ¡°Usually, it slows men down but doesn¡¯t kill. But during the red moon, it multiplies inside the body. If untreated, it bes fatal.¡± The soldier lifted his head, his face pale and slick with sweat. His eyes flicked to me, then to Grace, uncertain. I reached for his wrist, but he jerked back. 11:23 Wed, Sep 10 ¡°At ease,¡± Grace ordered sharply. ¡°Her Highness is going to heal you.¡± 78 55 vouchers The man¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Around us, the other soldiers murmured, their grips tightening on reins and weapons. He tried to pull away again, but Grace pressed him harder. ¡°Think. If she were a witch, you¡¯d smell it. Rotten air, sulfur on the wind. Do you smell that now?¡± The men hesitated, sniffing the air, their faces tense. ¡°No,¡± Grace continued firmly. ¡°She isn¡¯t a witch. She is wolfless, yes, but still chose to ride with us, to heal us, when she could have stayed behind. You¡¯ll ept her help, or you¡¯ll die from that wound.¡± The soldier swallowed hard. Slowly, he lowered his arm. I didn¡¯t waste another breath. I pressed my palm against the wound. Warmth spread from my hand, seeping into the ckened flesh. The rot resisted at first, like ice clinging to stone, but then it melted away under my power. Color flushed back into his skin, the torn edges of the wound knitting together until only a faint scar remained. The soldier gasped, eyes wide, staring at his arm as if it weren¡¯t his own. His pallor faded to healthy color, and strength returned to his grip. ¡°Mydy, you-¡± He faltered, his words lost as he twisted his arm, searching for pain that was no longer there. Another soldier leaned closer, disbelief in on his face. ¡°It¡¯s healed. Arturo, how do you feel?¡± The man¨CArturo¨Clooked up, his voice shaking. ¡°I¡­ I feel whole. Strong. As if the beast never touched me.¡± Grace nodded toward me. ¡°Cover his arm. His armor¡¯s ruined there.¡± But before Arturo could obey, he swung down from his horse. The sudden movement startled me, but what came next froze me entirely. He dropped to his knees in the mud and pressed his forehead to the ground in a deep bow. His voice carried, rough but steady. ¡°My life is yours, Princess Consort. You saved me from certain death. From this day, I serve you as I serve the North.¡± The surrounding men stiffened, their eyes flicking between him and me. Some looked uneasy, others thoughtful. I stared at Arturo, caught off guard. I hadn¡¯t expected this. ¡°Rise,¡± I said quietly. ¡°Save your vows for Lord Cassian. He is the one who leads you.¡± 11:23 Wed, Sep 10 :. 78 55 vouchers But Arturo shook his head, eyes still lowered. ¡°I swore to the Lord the day I took my shield. Now I swear to you, the one who chose to fight with us instead of hiding. The Princess of the North.¡± I forced myself to stayposed, though my heart was pounding. This was more than healing a wound. This was nting something in the men that I wasn¡¯t sure I was ready for. Grace leaned in close, her tone low but certain. ¡°They¡¯ve seen what you can do. They won¡¯t forget this.¡± I almost asked if that was really a good thing. To be remembered. The thought made me sigh. I wasn¡¯t used to this kind of attention, and part of me wanted to shrink from it. Straightening my shoulders, I forced the hesitation down. ¡°Let¡¯s proceed,¡± I said, making my voice sound firmer than I felt as I moved to the next wounded soldier. This time, there were only two of them. One was Arturo and the other was Joneses, both seasoned warriors. Their wounds weren¡¯t shallow, and mending them had pulled more out of me than I wanted to admit. By the time I finished sealing the gash along Joneses¡¯s ribs, my legs felt like they¡¯d turned to lead. My head throbbed, and my hands shook as though the strength had been drained straight from my bones. Grace rode closer, studying my face with a frown. ¡°Your Highness, you look exhausted.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because I am,¡± I admitted. I swayed slightly in the saddle and exhaled, already turning my mount toward the carriage. ¡°I should rest before I copse.¡± But before I could move far, I noticed motion at the corner of my eye. Both Arturo and Joneses dismounted their horses with heavy thuds, dropping to the ground with surprising swiftness for men their age. Then the other warriors followed. I frowned, pulling on the reins. ¡°What are you doing?¡± They didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, like Arturo had done earlier, they went down on one knee. Their armor clinked as they pressed fists to the earth, lowering their heads in the gesture of sworn loyalty. It startled me. My first instinct was to tell them to get back on their horses before the beasts circled again, but their voices cut through the air before I could speak. ¡°To the Princess Consort,¡± Joneses said firmly. ¡°From this day forward, my de belongs to you.¡± 11:23 Wed, Sep 10 Brute 77 JONESES¡¯S POV Everyone in the escort knew this mission could cost them their lives. Still, they came. Joneses was no different. He was forty¨Ctwo this year, and his body bore the toll of decades of fighting. His knees ached whenever he mounted, and the stiffness in his ribs never fully went away since thest beast tide. Old scarsced his skin like a record of battles survived, but each one reminded him that the years were catching up. What did he have left anyway? His wife and child had abandoned the North three months ago. They hadn¡¯t even said goodbye. Rumors imed she had taken the west road, others swore she went south. Joneses had searched, asked every trader and messenger who passed through, but he never found her. She had begged him countless times to leave, to take their child somewhere safer. She said the North was nothing but graves, that one day it would im him too. But he couldn¡¯t leave. His parents were buried here. His grandparents too. All of them had fought for these walls, had given their lives to hold them. How could he turn his back when their bones were in the same soil he swore to protect? When he told her that, she gave her answer in silence¨Cshe left. A part of him had wanted to chase after her, to drag her back if he had to. But chasing someone who had already made up their mind was pointless. That truth had cut deeper than w. So when the summons came for this escort, Joneses hadn¡¯t hesitated. If death waited beyond the gates, then so be it. any ¡°Joneses?¡± a voice cut into his thoughts. He turned and found Kn at his side. The boy was just twenty¨Cfive, the youngest in their group. He was someone who grew up within the walls, raised by soldiers. Reckless, fearless, but loyal to the bone. ¡°How do you feel?¡± Kn asked, ncing at Joneses¡¯s ribs where the beast¡¯s w had torn earlier. Joneses shifted in the saddle, testing his side. No pain nor stiffness. He lifted the edge of his armor, exposing the skin beneath. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, surprised at the honesty in his own voice. ¡°Better than fine. Look.¡± Kn leaned closer. His eyes widened. ¡°That scar¡­ the one you got at Frostfang Outpost. Where is it?¡± Gone. Every scar on that side of his body, every mark that had stiffened in the cold, had vanished. His skin was smooth, untouched, as though none of it had ever happened. Before he could answer, Arturo rode up, pulling at the cor of his uniform. ¡°It¡¯s the same for me,¡± the man said quickly. He flexed his arm, disbelief in on his face. ¡°The scars I carried for years, they¡¯re gone. I feel younger, stronger. Like I¡¯ve never fought a day in my life.¡± Kn stared between them. ¡°Then¡­ the Princess¡­¡± Joneses fastened his armor again, his mind heavy. ¡°She didn¡¯t just heal today¡¯s wounds,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°She erased what came before.¡± Arturo nodded, still moving his arm as if testing its strength. ¡°We came here ready to die for the Lord. Instead, she gave us more than we thought possible.¡± Joneses fell silent. They had all ridden out prepared to give their lives. Yet instead of death, the Princess had given them something else. A gift none of them had expected, a chance to stand taller, fight harder, live longer. And for a man who thought he had nothing left, it was more than a gift. It was a reason to keep fighting. ¡°She¡¯s not a witch¡­¡± Kn said suddenly, breaking the silence. ¡°If she were, we would have felt it by now.¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong. These men had seen enough witches to know the signs. They had watchedrades die under curses, whole squads burned or bled dry because some witch demanded a price for her magic. Hatred for them was carved into the marrow of every northern soldier. It was instinct, not just belief. ¡°She isn¡¯t,¡± Joneses said firmly. ¡°Witches cannot give without taking something back. That is theirw. Their magic always demands a price. But when she heals, nothing is taken. Only strength returned.¡± His words were enough to silence the ones listening to him. Because that was the truth¨Cthey all saw it. Still, doubt lingered. A man on the left muttered, ¡°Then what about the Lord? People whisper she bewitched him. That she tied him down, made him keep her close.¡± No oneughed. It was a rumor they had all heard, Some even believed it. She was wolfless, an omega raised far from the battlefield, with no im to the North except being chosen by the King himself to be the Lord¡¯s fifth bride. That alone stirred suspicion. Why would a man like Cassian¨Cthe Tyrant Lord who trusted no one¨Csuddenly keep such a woman at his side? Why keep her alive? Arturo shifted in his saddle, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the same thing.¡± However, the rumors didn¡¯t end there. Rumor has it that all Lieutenants, all with Alpha and Beta blood respect her. That earned looks from a few of the others. Respect? For her? Everyone knew the lieutenants were men forged by the Lord himself. Lucas, Rio, Sivi, Grace and the others are stronger than most Alpha¡¯s. They weren¡¯t the sort to bow easily. To many, their loyalty was unquestionable, but their loyalty was always to Cassian, not his bride or even to the council. So why were they treating her differently? Was it because he ordered them to? Was it because they feared crossing him? Joneses looked at Rio who was riding silently at the front. The lieutenants aren¡¯t fools. They wouldn¡¯t risk the North just to appease him. If they respect her, it¡¯s because they¡¯ve seen what they are seeing now. The men fell silent again, each one turning that thought over. The doubts didn¡¯t vanishpletely, years of instinct and rumor couldn¡¯t be undone in a single action, but what they had witnessed was undeniable. A sudden guttural growl ripped through the air, cutting off their thoughts. Instantly, every man froze, hands flying to the hilts of their weapons. For a heartbeat, they braced for another wave of beasts crashing through the trees. But the sound hadn¡¯te from the forest or the road. No¨Cit came from behind them. From inside the carriage. Arturo shifted in his saddle, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the same thing.¡± However, the rumors didn¡¯t end there. Rumor has it that all Lieutenants, all with Alpha and Beta blood respect her. That earned looks from a few of the others. Respect? For her? Everyone knew the lieutenants were men forged by the Lord himself. Lucas, Rio, Sivi, Grace and the others are stronger than most Alpha¡¯s. They weren¡¯t the sort to bow easily. To many, their loyalty was unquestionable, but their loyalty was always to Cassian, not his bride or even to the council. So why were they treating her differently? Was it because he ordered them to? Was it because they feared crossing him? Joneses looked at Rio who was riding silently at the front. The lieutenants aren¡¯t fools. They wouldn¡¯t risk the North just to appease him. If they respect her, it¡¯s because they¡¯ve seen what they are seeing now. The men fell silent again, each one turning that thought over. The doubts didn¡¯t vanishpletely, years of instinct and rumor couldn¡¯t be undone in a single action, but what they had witnessed was undeniable. A sudden guttural growl ripped through the air, cutting off their thoughts. Instantly, every man froze, hands flying to the hilts of their weapons. For a heartbeat, they braced for another wave of beasts crashing through the trees. But the sound hadn¡¯te from the forest or the road. No¨Cit came from behind them. From inside the carriage. Brute 78 ATASHA¡¯S POV 72 5 vouchers We were only halfway through the ride. Another two or three hours stood between us and the northernmost outpost when Cassian¡¯s eyes suddenly snapped open. This time, something was wrong. ¡°Mendez, hold him down,¡± I ordered quickly. The moment his eyes opened, Cassian lunged at Mendez with sudden strength. The carriage rocked from the impact. I grabbed his arm and pushed my ability into him, trying to force his body to calm, to shut down the surge. But instead of weakening, he seemed to grow stronger under my touch. Mendez struggled to restrain him, his arms locked around Cassian¡¯s shoulders. ¡°My Lady¡ª¡± he choked, his breath cut off as Cassian shoved against him, ¡°ugh¡­ I can¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Mendez -¡± I didn¡¯t finish. Cassian¡¯s hand shot up and closed around Mendez¡¯s throat. The carriage lurched as Mendez mmed back onto the bench, boots scraping for leverage. Cassian¡¯s other hand locked on Mendez¡¯s forearm and squeezed. The sudden movement made the wood creaked. ¡°Cassian!¡± I grabbed his wrist with both hands and tried to pry him off. His skin was hot. The tendons under my fingers felt like cables. He didn¡¯t look at me. Instead, he bared his teeth and tightened his grip. Mendez gagged, knees knocking against the trunk under the seat. ¡°Let go!¡± I shouted, bracing one foot against the bench and pulling as hard as I could. Cassian¡¯s arm didn¡¯t budge. Then, without even ncing my way, he swung and backhanded me. The blownded on my shoulder and threw me sideways into the wall. My spine mmed against a support beam, sending a sharp jolt of pain up my back. I grit my teeth, anger cutting through the ache. Pushing off the wall, I lunged back at him and drove my fist into his ribs. It was a clumsy punch, and the impact burned my knuckles more than it hurt him. He didn¡¯t flinch. The only reaction I got was him turning his head toward
  1. me.
He looked at me. His eyes burned an unnatural red like blood spilling fresh. Then slowly, his mouth pulled into a crooked grin, showing teeth that promised nothing good. Then came the sound, a growl, deep in his chest, rough enough that the boards under our boots seemed to carry the vibration. ¡°My Lord-¡± Mendez rasped, his voice strained as he tried to twist out of Cassian¡¯s grip. He : 72 5 vouchers managed to grab Cassian¡¯s wrist, but it was useless. Cassian let go only because he decided to, not because Mendez forced him. He straightened to his full height, his shoulders nearly scraping the roof of the carriage. When he stepped toward me, the space shrank instantly. I backed up until the panel pressed against my legs. There was nowhere else to move. Mendez made another attempt, lunging from the side to grab Cassian around the waist. Cassian swung his arm back and caught him with a hard elbow. The hit knocked Mendez into the opposite bench, the impact strong enough to rattle the carriage frame. Then he came for me. I braced for teeth at my throat, but that wasn¡¯t his aim. His arms locked around my waist, crushing the air from my lungs, and he drove forward with his full weight. The walls of the carriage didn¡¯t stop him. Wood split apart with a sharp crack, the panel exploding into shards and splinters as he forced us through into the night. The cold hit hard across my face, wind tearing at my hood. The carriage was still moving. Hended on the runner, crouched low to keep bnce, thenunched us forward again in one powerful jump. His boot struck the lead horse¡¯s nk, the animal rearing in panic before he shoved us both into the saddle. One arm mped tight across my ribs, holding me in ce, while his other hand tore the reins from the driver¡¯s grasp. The horse screamed, foam at its mouth, and bolted into a dead run. The carriage behind rocked violently, voices shouting after us. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Soldiers¡® cries cut through the chaos. Hooves scrambled on frozen ground, and steel shed as men tried to react. ¡°Do not follow!¡± I shouted over my shoulder, my voice raw against the wind. ¡°Hold the line! Do not follow us!¡± Dragging riders into this would be stupid. Out here, under the red moon, one wrong turn in the snow meant death before an enemy¡¯s de ever found them. Cassian dug his heels into the horse¡¯s sides, driving it into a harder run. Each stride jolted through my spine. Wind cut across my face until my skin stung, and the snow whipped into my eyes, blinding me in bursts. His arm never loosened around my ribs, pinning me against him. I kept waiting for him to shove me off, but he didn¡¯t. We tore through the dark pines, past broken fence posts buried in drifts, the sky pressing low and heavy above us. Time blurred into the pounding of hooves and the ragged sound of the horse forcing its way through the snow. Then, without warning, Cassian jerked the reins. The horse skidded in the powder, hooves 72 B5 vouchers scraping for grip, before mming into a tight turn. Its chest heaved, blowing clouds of steam, before it finally slowed and came to a halt. He had driven us into a shallow cut between two boulders half¨Cburied under snow. The rock walls sheltered us from the wind, the space narrow, shadowed. No torches burned here. No voices chased us. Just the sound of leather straps groaning and our breaths fogging in the air. I forced myself to look up. He was already watching me. The red in his eyes seemed to fill the space between us more than the cold air did. His grin was still fixed, stretched wrong on his face, wrong on any face. Each breath he took came out slowly as if he had all the time in the world to decide what to do next. I froze, lungs locked. He grabbed a fistful of my cloak and hauled me up as if I weighed nothing, then hurled me away from the saddle. I hit the ground shoulder¨Cfirst, snow exploding around me. The cold tore through my clothes as it packed into my cor and burned against my skin. I slid across the drift before I managed to roll and nt a knee down. My hand was already on my belt. Steel shed as I yanked the dagger free and raised it. I knew I didn¡¯t stand a chance against his strength. He was bigger, faster, and I was already sore from the fall. But none of that mattered. I wasn¡¯t about to curl up in the snow and wait for him to finish me. I might be weaker than him, but I sure as hell wasn¡¯t going to die without putting up a fight. My grip tightened on the dagger, and I set my feet, ready to strike the moment he came for me. But Cassian hadn¡¯t moved to follow. He sat twisted in the saddle, his body angled toward me. The horse stamped and tossed its head, agitated by the struggle, but he held the reins with one hand as if it took no effort at all. His other hand hung at his side, fingers flexing slightly, like he was weighing whether to grab me, strike me, or let me make the first move. His head tilted just enough to make it clear he was studying me. To me, he looked exactly like a predator, patient, waiting for the trapped thing in front of him to break. Then suddenly¡­ he smiled. Brute 79 ATASHA¡¯S POV : I thought he would lunge at me like a beast ready to rip me apart. But he didn¡¯t. 72 5 vouchers Cassian¡¯s eyes shifted past me, and in the same second, he kicked out of the saddle and hit the ground with a heavy thud. His hand moved, and a de shed. I didn¡¯t even see where it came from. One moment his hand was empty, the next a sword glinted in the moonlight. Maybe it was left by the soldier who rode this horse earlier, but I hadn¡¯t seen him take it. Only then did I hear the growl behind me. I spun halfway, but Cassian was already moving. The creature darting out of the shadows wasn¡¯t like any wolf I had ever seen. Its body was long, low, and sleek, built for speed. Its spots reminded me of a leopard¡¯s, but its legs were shorter, faster, its tail whipping for bnce as it sprang. Its jaws opened wide, showing two fangs so long they barely fit in its mouth, dripping with a fluid that gave off a sharp, chemical stink. Poison. Cassian met it mid¨Cair. His sword carved across its shoulder, the impact loud enough to make the beast yelp and crash to the ground. It hit the snow, rolled, andunched again with frightening speed. Cassian didn¡¯t back up. He caught it with his free hand by the scruff of its neck and wrenched it up like it weighed nothing. The beast screeched and twisted, ws raking across his arm. He ignored it. His grip tightened until the sound turned to a choking hiss. Then he mmed it down into the snow, hard enough that the ground shook. I staggered back, dagger clutched uselessly in my hand. How is he¡­ so strong? The animal kicked and writhed, but Cassian yanked it back up and flung it sideways, straight into a boulder. The crack of impact was sharp, bones snapping, but he didn¡¯t stop. He hauled it up again and smashed it into the ground, then swung it against the opposite rock. The body whipped back and forth like a rag, each strike spraying more blood across the snow. It wasn¡¯t red. A dark, blue¨Cck liquid burst from its mouth and wounds, sttering across the rocks, across him, across me. The smell was acrid, bitter, and it stung my nose. The beast¡¯s insides were spilling, thick chunks tearing loose as he continued to thrash it against the earth. By the time its body finally hung limp, its shape was almost unrecognizable, just a torn sack of flesh leaking poison into the snow. Cassian let the carcass drop at his feet. His chest rose as he looked down at the mess as if it 12:01 Wed, Sep 10 were nothing more than trash in his way. : 72 5 vouchers The scene before me made me freeze. My throat locked, and my dagger hung useless at my side. I hadn¡¯t even noticed my hands were shaking until I saw the de trembling in my grip. The snow around us was soaked with streaks of that foul blood, steaming in the cold, the stench clinging to my tongue. I had no words. Not one. Then he turned towards me. Was he going to attack me now? My chest tightened. A moment ago, I thought I could fight him. I thought I had at least a chance to put up resistance. But after seeing what he did to that beast, how easily he ripped it apart, I knew better. If he decided to wring my neck, it would be over in an instant. I might not even feel it. Is this how it ends? My grip on the dagger loosened. My arm felt too heavy to lift. I swallowed hard, bracing myself for the strike that would end me. He came closer, boots crunching into the snow with every step. His eyes glowed red, fixed on me, and that grin stayed stered on his face. My chest tightened. Then I realized, I couldn¡¯t hold his stare anymore. I squeezed my eyes shut, shoulders locking up, bracing for the moment his hands would close around me. But nothing happened. The air shifted and I could feel it. He was right there, close enough that I could feel the heat rolling off him. His shadow fell over me, his size blocking everything else, but his hands nevernded. I forced myself to open my eyes. He was standing right in front of me. His size swallowed the space, his broad shoulders blotting out everything else. His eyes still burned red, and that cruel smirk hadn¡¯t left his face. And I¡­ I couldn¡¯t breathe. Then his hand caught my chin. His grip wasn¡¯t crushing, but it left me no choice but to look up at him. My heart mmed so hard against my ribs I swore he could hear it. My lungs refused to draw air, and all I could think was one word. Live. Survive. But how? I was standing in front of Cassian. I was standing in front of a beast! His gaze pinned me in ce. And for a moment, he didn¡¯t blink, didn¡¯t move, just studied me 72 5 vouchers like he was deciding whether I was worth keeping alive. My knees wavered, but I didn¡¯t dare move. Perhaps, pretending to be dead is better than this. For what felt like forever, he held me like that. Then, suddenly, a sound left him. A low, sharp, almost like augh cut short. He snorted, and the smirk deepened. Before I could react, his arm wrapped around my waist. He lifted me clear off feet as if I my weighed nothing. My stomach lurched as I tightened my hold on the dagger in my hand. The next second, I was slung over his shoulder, hanging upside down like I was nothing more than a sack of grain. Heat radiated from him, the hard press of muscle and the solid weight of his frame impossible to ignore. My face burned where it brushed against his back, and even through fear, my body betrayed me with a rush of awareness. His hold seemed unshakable, impossible to escape. I pressed my palms against his back, torn between pushing away and clinging tighter. My heart still pounded against my ribs as he started moving. What is he going to do? My eyes widened as realization hit me. Is he going to¡­ feed me to the beasts? AD mont Send gift No Ads Brute 80 ATASHA¡¯S POV I didn¡¯t know how long he carried me slung over his shoulder. My head swam, the constant jolt of his stride making me dizzy. Just when I thought I might be sick from the motion, he finally stopped. Without warning, he shifted his grip and dumped me onto the snow like I was nothing. The cold punched through my cloak at once, burning against my back as I hit the ground. Snow clung to my clothes and slid down my cor. I pushed up on my elbows, breath catching, and red up at him. Was he not nning to feed me to the beasts? My eyes darted around, and that was when I noticed where we were. The entrance of a cave loomed ahead, narrow and half¨Cburied under snow. My grip on the dagger tightened. Was something waiting inside? Another beast? Was he nning to throw me in and let it finish me off? ¡°Inside¡­¡± Cassian said suddenly. I froze. Since this madness began, he hadn¡¯t spoken a word. Mendez had warned me. Once they turned, their minds slipped, speech became impossible. But now, his voice was sharp and clear. ¡°Now¡­¡± he added. I blinked, stunned. ¡°Cassian, you can¨Cah!¡± The words broke off into a startled cry as his hand mped around my arm. He yanked me up with no effort, then in one motion hurled me straight into the cave. The impact knocked the breath from me, but I forced myself upright, dagger in hand. My eyes darted around the cave, every sense on edge. The space was narrow, the ceiling low, shadows stretching across the rock walls. It was dark, but I half¨Cexpected to see glowing eyes staring back at me from the ck. I crouched low, ready to strike at the first movement. My grip tightened, pulse hammering in my ears. But no beast came. Instead, a long, guttural howl split through the night. I spun toward the entrance just in time to see Cassian colliding with something massive in the snow outside. My breath caught. It looked like a wolf, but bigger, triple the size at least, its body thick with muscle, fur bristling, eyes wide and crazed. It hit Cassian like a boulder, knocking both of them into the snow. Only then did it sink in, he hadn¡¯t thrown me in here to feed me to anything. He had thrown me here to keep me out of the way. He didn¡¯t want me to interfere. Or maybe he thought I¡¯d only drag him down if I tried to fight. I slowly exhaled, my chest loosening for the briefest second. Then, the beast pinned him. Cassian mmed against the snow, the weight of the creature driving into him. His sword arm was trapped. The beast¡¯s jaws snapped inches from his throat, its teeth dripping that same foul, poisonous liquid I had seen before. My hand shot to my mouth before I could stop myself, stifling the sound that tried to escape. If it could overpower him, I had no chance against it. The wolf¨Cbeast lunged again, but Cassian twisted his head aside, teeth raking across his shoulder instead of his neck. Blood spurted hot across the snow, staining him instantly. He snarled through gritted teeth and drove his free elbow up into the beast¡¯s jaw. The strike stunned it just long enough for him to wrench his sword arm free. Steel shed. The de drove deep into its ribs. The beast howled, thrashing, but Cassian didn¡¯t stop. He ripped the sword sideways, tearing flesh and bone apart. ck¨Cblue blood poured out, sttering the snow, coating both of them. The beast still writhed. Cassian let the sword fall into the snow, his hands snapping up to grip the beast¡¯s skull. His fingers dug into its matted fur as he nted a boot on its chest for leverage. The muscles in his arms swelled as he twisted, veins standing out across his forearms. The sound that came next turned my stomach. A wet, grinding crack echoed through the trees, followed by the rip of bone tearing away from sinew. The beast let out onest shudder before its head tore free in his grip. Cassian stood over the body, the severed head still clutched in his hands. The carcass hit the ground with a heavy thud, limbs jerking in useless spasms before finally going still, ck¨Cblue blood soaking into the snow beneath it. His chest heaved as blood slick across his torso and arms. The foul liquid covered him head to toe, soaking into his clothes, dripping from his fingers. The head of the beast was still in his grip, its jaw ck, poison drooling into the snow. And he was smiling. A wide grin, stretching ear to ear was stered on his face, his eyes still burning red. He looked less like a man and more like something that had crawled out of the dark to kill for the sake of it. Then he turned towards the cave. I stumbled backward until the cave wall stopped me. The rock was cold and damp against my spine, seeping through the fabric of my cloak. I pressed myself against it, but there was nowhere else to go. The stench of blood filled the cave, mixed with that bitter poison stink from the beast. It coated the back of my throat, making it hard to breathe. Cassian moved closer. One step was enough to fill the cave with his presence. His size blocked most of the entrance, and the air itself felt heavier with him inside. My grip on the dagger tightened, but the de still trembled in my hand. I couldn¡¯t stop it. Cassian stepped into the cave, his frame filling the narrow space. His boots crunched against the stone floor, each step closer, the blood dripping from him leaving dark streaks behind. I pressed harder against the wall, unsure if I should raise the dagger or drop it. He closed the distance until only a few steps remained between us. My chest tightened, every muscle screaming to move, but I couldn¡¯t. Then he stopped. Without a word, he lifted his arm. The severed head of the beast dangled from his grip, its jaw ck, poison¨Cdark blood still leaking down its torn neck. He held it out toward me, like an offering or a warning. My breath caught. Then he smiled and said, ¡°Food.¡± Brute 81 Chapter 81 ATASHA¡¯S POV The brutality I had braced myself for never came. Instead, Cassian sat at the far end of the cave, his back resting against the stone wall, silent as he watched me prepare some food for us. I worked with what little I had. Earlier, I had gathered dry wood from the cave entrance. Now, I struck two des together until sparks caught. Soon, mes licked at the logs. The warmth spread slowly, pushing back the chill that clung to my skin. Cassian¡¯s eyes were closed, but I knew he wasn¡¯t asleep. His posture was too controlled, his breathing too steady. He was listening, watching, even if he didn¡¯t move. I pulled the beast¡¯s meat away from the bone, my dagger slicing through with effort. Normally, this kind of flesh was too toxic to eat. But I pressed my hand over it, forcing my ability through until the foul taint lifted. The veins of poison bled out like smoke under my touch, leaving the meat clean. Relief loosened my shoulders as I skewered it and set it over the fire. The smell wasn¡¯t pleasant. Without salt, herbs, or anything else to mask it, it was sharp and metallic. But food was food. At least it wouldn¡¯t kill us. While the meat cooked, my gaze kept drifting toward him. At some point, he had cleaned himself. The streaks of dark blood that had coated him earlier were gone, his clothes free of the stains I had seen only moments ago. His skin looked untouched, almost ordinary. Anyone looking from the outside would never believe he had ripped a monster apart with his bare hands. He sat at the far end of the cave, his posture rxed, as though the fight outside hadn¡¯t happened at all. Then his eyes opened. They glowed red, locking directly onto me. I froze. My feet almost tangled as I stepped back, my throat closing up for a moment before I forced myself to speak. Clearing my voice, I raised the skewers in both hands. ¡°The food¡¯s ready,¡± I said, my words stiffer than I meant them to be. ¡°You should eat first.¡± He didn¡¯t answer. I shifted, uneasy. ¡°It¡¯s not poisonous. I¡­ I removed it.¡± For a moment, the fire popped, filling the silence. Finally, he spoke. ¡°Come.¡± I hesitated but then nodded. By now, I understood one thing, if he wanted me dead, I wouldn¡¯t still be breathing. So I stood, gathered the skewers, and walked toward him. I held one out. Instead of reaching for the skewer, his hand shot out and closed around my wrist. The grip was strong, his strength pressing straight through bone and skin. I flinched, unable to hide the reaction, my pulse jumping in an instant. He didn¡¯t nce at the food. His eyes stayed fixed on mine, even as he leaned forward. His mouth closed around the meat, tearing into it while his hand kept me locked in ce. The heat of his breath brushed my skin, close enough that every muscle in my body went stiff. I couldn¡¯t move as the skewer tilted awkwardly in my other hand, forgotten, while he chewed only inches away. My chest tightened. My heartbeat mmed so hard against my ribs it felt like it might break through. Then, just as sudden as he had grabbed me, he tugged. I wasn¡¯t ready for it. My bnce slipped, and the next thing I knew, I was pulled straight onto hisp. 1 stilled instantly, breath caught in my chest. His body was solid beneath me, his framerge enough to swallow my own. His arm stayed hooked around my waist, keeping me from pulling away. He reached past me and took the second skewer from my hand. For a moment, I thought he would eat it himself. Instead, he turned it toward me, holding it close to my mouth. My eyes widened. Was he¡­ trying to feed me? The thought alone made my throat tighten. I wanted to ask, to say something. but no words came out. When I didn¡¯t move, his voice cut through the silence. ¡°Open.¡± Themand left no room to argue. My hand trembled where it rested against his arm. Slowly, I parted my lips, and he pushed the meat forward. The taste hit me at once. I expected nd, bitter flesh, but instead, it burned faintly on my tongue. Not salty, not nd, but sharp, almost spicy. My surprise must have shown, because before I could stop myself, I chewed and swallowed, then leaned forward to take another bite. He watched me closely the entire time. By the time I swallowed the second piece, he pulled back the skewer and pressed it into my hand. ¡°Eat,¡± he said simply. I nodded, uncertain what else to do, and took it. The heat of his body still pressed into me as I shifted slightly in hisp, finishing the meat bit by bit. My thoughts spun with every bite. Should I stand up? Should I stay here? Was it safer not to move at all? The dagger was still within reach, but even I knew I wouldn¡¯t be fast enough if he decided otherwise. When thest piece of meat was gone, I cleared my throat, unsure if I should even speak. ¡°Do you¡­ want more?¡± The words came out careful, almost hesitant. He didn¡¯t answer. His eyes stayed locked on me. I took the silence as a yes. Shifting the empty skewer aside, I braced a hand against his shoulder and began to push myself up. My legs were unsteady, but I managed to lift partway before his arm moved. It slid tight around my waist and yanked me back down. The sudden pull forced a sharp breath from my chest. My back hit the solid wall of his body, his arm locking me in ce across my middle. I tried to shift, but the grip left no room for any of it. He wasn¡¯t squeezing hard enough to hurt, but there was no mistaking the strength behind it. If he chose not to let go, I wouldn¡¯t be able to break free. My heartbeat spiked all over again, each thud heavy enough that I swore he could feel it. My muscles went rigid, but I didn¡¯t dare struggle. His body radiated heat through my cloak, pinning me against him until I barely remembered how to breathe. I couldn¡¯t tell what unsettled me more, knowing he could crush me in an instant, or the way the air between us seemed to tighten, charged with something I didn¡¯t understand but couldn¡¯t ignore. Then suddenly, he opened his mouth and said¡­ ¡°Stay.¡± Brute 82 ATASHA¡¯S POV Stay. The word echoed settled in my mind as his arm tightened around me. His hold left no room to slip away as if he¡¯d already decided I wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Well¡­ not that I could if I tried. My body felt locked in ce, every movement restricted. Even breathing took effort, and the thought of struggling against that strength seemed pointless. Then, his head lowered until it rested lightly against mine. The weight of it wasn¡¯t heavy, but steady enough that I felt the warmth of his breath mix with mine. My chest clenched, unsure if I should tense or rx, but for the first time since he dragged me into this cave, his presence didn¡¯t feel like a threat. It felt like he wanted me there. I couldn¡¯t tell who drifted off first. I didn¡¯t even remember shutting my eyes. I knew I had been tired, but I hadn¡¯t nned on falling asleep in Cassian¡¯s arms. Yet when my eyes opened again, the cave was lit by morning light. What surprised me most wasn¡¯t just that I¡¯d slept, it was that I felt rested. The tension I¡¯d carried for days had eased, my body no longer aching the way it had before. I immediately med his warmth. His arms had trapped me close, but somehow they had also kept me still enough to rest. Yes. That had to be the reason. As if sensing that I was already awake, he too opened his eyes. Sadly, it was still as red as blood. For a moment, I didn¡¯t know what to do. Should I greet him? I didn¡¯t know what to do. His eyes were still blood¨Cred, fixed on me. I cleared my throat, forcing words out before my nerves stopped me altogether. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to sleep,¡± I blurted. ¡°I was just too tired, and¡ª¡± Before I could finish, Cassian suddenly pushed up to his feet. His arm left me so fast that I toppled forward,nding on the cave floor with a hard thud. ¡°Ah-!¡± The sound escaped before I could stop it. My palms pped the cold stone as I scrambled upright, stunned. I blinked at the empty space in front of me where he had been. He didn¡¯t look back. He didn¡¯t say a word. Cassian¡¯s broad frame filled the cave¡¯s mouth for a moment, and then he was gone, rushing out into the snow. I sat on the floor,pletely speechless, trying to make sense of what had just happened. The words I¡¯d started earlier still clung to my tongue, unfinished and pointless. My mouth opened, but nothing came out, so I shut it again. What was I even supposed to say now? Had I offended him somehow? Should I have just kept quiet? Or maybe I should have simply thanked him, for letting me sleep in hisp instead of tossing me into the snow. Then I heard it. A growl rolled in from outside, deep and jagged, followed by another and another. Not wolves, not anything I recognized, but close enough. The sounds ovepped, part snarl, part howl. My stomach dropped. I scrambled to my feet and ran to the cave entrance. The cold air pped my face as I peered out. Cassian was already in motion. Beasts prowled the snowfield, their bodies low and lean, their shoulders bunched with muscle under patchy coats of dark fur. Their eyes burned bright in the dim morning light as they circled him, their paws tearing up chunks of ice with every step. There were at least six of them, maybe more shifting at the edges. Cassian didn¡¯t hesitate. Sword in hand, he met the first one head¨Con. The creature lunged, jaws wide, and he swung in a hard arc. Steel cut through its skull with a crack, ck¨Cblue blood spraying across the snow. The body dropped before its legs even folded. Another came from the side. He pivoted, driving his elbow into its chest before stabbing straight through its ribs. It shrieked as he ripped the de free, tossing the carcass aside like it weighed nothing. The others pressed in, two at once, snapping for his arms and legs. He twisted, grabbed one by the neck, and mmed it into the other, both bodies rolling through the snow in a tangled mess. He was already moving again, boot stomping down to crush one¡¯s spine as his sword tore into the other¡¯s throat. The growls around him rose higher, echoing through the air. The beasts weren¡¯t retreating. They were drawn in, circling, waiting for an opening. I gripped the wall of the cave, frozen where I stood. Then something else caught my eye. The snow. It wasn¡¯t white anymore. The powder around Cassian¡¯s boots looked tinted, streaked with red that wasn¡¯t only from blood. I looked up, squinting at the light breaking across the sky. The sun itself looked wrong, its pale gold washed out, shifting to a strange reddish glow. The realization hit me like ice in my veins. The red moon. It was tonight. And it was already starting. My attention snapped back to Cassian as three more beasts lunged at him at once. One went for his throat. another for his legs, the third circling wide, snapping at his side. His sword shed, cutting across the first beast¡¯s muzzle and splitting it from jaw to eye. The second one mped onto his leg, but Cassian¡¯s boot drove down, crushing its skull into the snow with a sickening crunch. The third tried to leap onto his back, but he twisted, grabbing it mid¨Cair by its hind leg. With one violent swing, he smashed it into the ground hard enough that the snow sprayed up in chunks. I sucked in a breath, my dagger clutched close to my chest. The hilt dug into my palm as I held it tight, trying to steady my hands. Mendez¡¯s warning cut through my mind. Once the red moon began, everything changed. He¡¯d said logic itself would bend, that beasts considered weak and inferior would grow stronger than even trained werewolves could handle. And it was already happening. I forced my focus on Cassian. Blood and ck ichor streaked across him as he tore through another beast. His eyes glowed that same unnatural red, his movements faster and harsher than I had ever seen. Feral or not, he was the only thing standing between me and those creatures. Only Cassian stood between me and death. The sh outside raged on, Cassian¡¯s de cutting down another beast, his roar blending with theirs. My grip on the dagger tightened, my focus locked on him, until a sound pricked at the edge of my hearing. A growl rumbled through the cave. Not from outside. Behind me. The sound froze me in ce. My stomach dropped, and I turned, my chest rising too fast with each breath. Something hunched near the far wall. It wasn¡¯t like the wolves outside. This thing was smaller, its body bent and crooked, its limbs too long for its frame. Its eyes glowed a dull, sickly yellow that fixed directly on me. From its mouth hung two oversized fangs that jutted past its lips, wet with saliva. Strings of drool slid down its chin as its wed hands scratched at the stone floor, leaving faint marks in the rock. It looked like a monkey, but twisted, feral, wrong. Its back arched as it bared those fangs, ready to spring. My dagger shook in my hand. Before I could raise it, the beast shrieked andunched itself straight at me. Brute 83 Chapter 83 The beast lunged. I barely got my dagger up before its weight mmed into me. My back hit the cave floor hard, the air rushing from my lungs. ws tore at my arm, its jaws snapping for my face. I shoved up with both hands, de between us, but its strength was more than I expected. Then pain ripped through me. A curse left my lips. Its fangs sank deep into my shoulder. Hot fire spread under my skin almost instantly, a sharp burn racing down my arm and across my chest. Poison. My body stiffened, vision swimming, the taste of blood sharp on my tongue. No. Not here. Not like this. I forced my ability over the wound. My ability surged, burning hotter than the venom. I felt it shift, the foul taint breaking apart under my touch. My blood cleared, the poison expelled in ck streaks that oozed from the bite. My shoulder still throbbed, but the dizziness faded. The beast snarled, jerking its head back to bite again. I didn¡¯t give it the chance. I shoved upward with every bit of strength I had. The dagger punched into its throat, scraping bone. It screeched, thrashing, ws raking across my side. My grip slipped on the hilt, but I gritted my teeth and drove it deeper until the hilt hit flesh. Its hot breath sted against my face as it writhed. I twisted the de and ripped it sideways, tearing the wound wide. Blood poured over my hand, thick and ck, coating the stone under us. The beast jerked once, then finally sagged. But I wasn¡¯t done. Adrenaline carried me. I rolled, straddling its twitching body, and yanked the de free. With both hands, I raised it high, then brought it down in a brutal arc. The steel cut through fur, skin, and bone. Once. Twice. The third strike split throughpletely. The head rolled across the floor, fangs ttering against stone. The body kicked weakly, then went still. My chest heaved as I dropped to my knees beside it, blood and spit smeared across my arm. My dagger dripped with its poison¨Ctainted blood, the smell sharp in the back of my throat. I was alive. But only because my healing had kept the venom from finishing me. I nced down at my shoulder. The bite marks were already closing, threads of flesh knitting together as thick, ck blood oozed out and dripped down my arm. The sight made my stomach twist, but at least the poison was gone. I flexed my fingers, steadying the shake in my hand, then drew in a long breath. Cassian. I scrambled to my feet and sprinted to the cave entrance. The cold air hit me as I broke into the open, and my heart seized at the sight before me. unmoving at the foot of my bed. For a long, tense moment, the room fell silent as his burnished¨Csteel eyes felt like ice against my bones, yet I could not look away. I had seen him before, once beside the King during a coronation, once on a blood¨Csoaked battlefield. But this was different. This was not a man glimpsed from a distance. This was the tyrant lord standing in my room. In my silence. The Cassian Valemont. The one mothers warned their children about. And now he was here as if this night¨Cthis storm¨Cbelonged to him. Then he smiled. ¡°You signed your name like amb. It makes me curious¡­¡± his gaze slid to yourst scream sound like a wolf¡¯s roar or amb¡¯s bleat?¡± Brute 84 Chapter 84 ATASHA¡¯S POV 82 55 Vouchers ¡°This ce looks safe enough,¡± I muttered, keeping my eyes fixed on the cave walls instead of him. Ever since we stepped inside, Cassian hadn¡¯t stopped staring at me. The weight of it sat heavy on my skin, making it hard to think straight. Maybe there was dirt on my face. Maybe blood. I almost raised a hand to check but stopped myself. Asking him would mean meeting his eyes, and I wasn¡¯t ready for that. ¡°We should stay here for the night or at least until¡­ the red moon passes.¡± My face felt hot. Too hot. I pressed the back of my hand against my cheek. The air inside this cave was freezing, my breath still puffing white in front of me. There was no reason for my skin to burn like this, unless I was blushing. Goddess, why? I forced myself to look away, pretending to study our surroundings. This cave wasn¡¯t like the first one. The entrance was narrow and low, just enough to squeeze through. But once inside, the space opened into a clearing bigger than I expected. The walls stretched high, rough stone rising straight up. And there, lodged at the very top, was something glowing. A pearl or at least something that looked like one. Its pale light filled the cavern, bright enough to keep the shadows back. I cleared my throat, trying to sound casual. ¡°Hey¡­ do you think you can get that pearl for me?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t say a word. He didn¡¯t even nce at me. He just bent his knees, pushed off the ground, and leapt. In one clean motion, he caught the stone from the wall, ripped it free, andnded without losing bnce. My mouth fell open. That was not what I expected. Still, when he extended his hand, I took the pearl carefully. ¡°Uh¡­ thanks.¡± It was heavier than I thought, cool against my palm. The shape wasn¡¯t perfect, not a smooth orb, but an uneven, fist¨Csized stone that glowed from within. I turned it over, the light washing across my fingers. ¡°The red moon couldst for days,¡± I said, more to fill the silence than anything else. ¡°We don¡¯t know when we¡¯ll be able to leave this ce. We¡¯ll need light if we¡¯re stuck in here.¡± The glow pulsed faintly, almost alive. My chest tightened when recognition clicked. ¡°This isn¡¯t a pearl¡­ it¡¯s a fae stone.¡± I gripped it tighter, staring at its jagged surface. The warmth it gave off wasn¡¯t natural. Whoever left this here had carved it deliberately, and now it was in my hands. ¡°We should probably get some food,¡± I said, breaking the silence. To my surprise, he actually answered. ¡°Stay.¡± I froze, then gave a small nod. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was still more than nothing. Since the red moon started, he¡¯d only spoken in single words, shortmands at best. Still, it was better than him opening his eyes and immediately trying to strangle me like before. At least now, he was talking instead of treating me like an enemy every time he woke. 9:25 Fri, Sep 12 82 55 vouchers While he was outside, I used the pearl to examine the cave. The clearing wasrger than the one before, big enough that at least ten people could fit inside without crowding. I¡¯d seen maps of the north before, but even Mendez told me this part was still nk. It¡¯s too big and too dangerous. The beasts make real expeditions pointless. I had no idea which sector we were in now. What bothered me more was how sure Cassian moved out there. He knew where to put his feet, where a ledge would hold, where a drift would hide rock. Had he been here before? The red moones every few years, and he always heads for the northern outpost when it starts. Maybe this route is routine for him. I lifted the fae stone and kept checking the cave. The tunnel opened into a wide chamber that could fit ten people if they slept close. I found dry sticks jammed into crevices, older splinters along the wall, and a few thicker branches wedged behind a fallen b. I dragged everything to a t corner that looked best for a fire and sleeping. Cassian came back sooner than I expected. He had a b of fresh meat over one shoulder and an armful of wood. He didn¡¯t speak. He dropped the wood, stacked it, and started a me like he¡¯d done it a thousand times. I took the meat, pressed my hand to it, and purged the poison. Veins darkened, bled out, and cleared under my palm. I cut it into strips and skewered them. With no pots or pans, this was the only way. While I worked, I watched him as hey the tinder, feed the me, set therger pieces and angle them for draw. No wasted movement. It was the kind of rhythm you get when you¡¯ve done the same thing in the same kind of ce many times. Then I noticed the hitch in his breath. I stood. He stopped before I even reached him and looked up, eyes red and steady. ¡°You¡¯re wounded,¡± I said. ¡°Let me heal it.¡± He wasn¡¯t bleeding when he left. Whatever hit him did it outside. He didn¡¯t argue. He unsped his cloak and let it fall. Then he pulled his shirt over his head in one motion. ¡°Wait¨Cyou don¡¯t have to-¡± I started, but his shirt was already off. Three new marks cut across his side and shoulder. One deep rake along the ribs, a puncture under the corbone, and a long slice over his back where a fang had scraped. Fresh blood tracked down, mixing with older, dried stains. I stepped closer and raised my hand. I reached out and ced my hand gently on his shoulder. Before I could push my ability into the wound, his fingers mped around my wrist. My breath caught. He pulled suddenly, and my body tipped forward. I stumbled, off bnce, stopping only when my face was just inches from his. I blinked hard, startled at the nearness, at the heat of his skin still radiating through the cold cave air. 9:25 Fri, Sep 12 82 55 vouchers Without a word, he shifted my hand and pressed it against his chest. Right over his heart. The beat was strong, thudding against my palm. The contact froze me in ce. I had meant to heal the gashes across his ribs and shoulder, but instead my hand was trapped there, pinned by his own. His eyes didn¡¯t leave mine, holding me still. As I started healing him, my pulse raced so fast it almost drowned out the sound of his heart under my hand. Facebook: Brey Mitchylle with Cat Profile Brute 85 ATASHA¡¯S POV be vouchers ¡°How are you so familiar with this cave?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but ask once we finished eating. He didn¡¯t answer me. Instead, his hand suddenly closed around mine, and he pulled me toward the far end of the cavern. At first, I didn¡¯t notice anything unusual, but then he stopped in front of what looked like an uneven pile of rock. When he moved aside a loose boulder, a narrow crevice revealed itself, hidden in the shadows. Without hesitation, he stepped into it, still holding my hand. The space was so tight that he had to turn sideways to fit. The walls pressed close against my shoulders, rough stone scraping the edges of my cloak as we shuffled through. The ground sloped slightly, and the air grew cooler the deeper we went. His grip never loosened, guiding me forward each time the passage narrowed. I should have been nervous, but instead, a strangefort settled over me. His hand, somehow made me feel¡­ secure. I didn¡¯t know how to exin it. Cute wasn¡¯t a word I would normally use for Cassian, yet something about the simple act of him not letting go kept me calm. After what felt like minutes of squeezing through stone and ducking under jagged edges, the tunnel began to widen. My shoulders had room again, and the ceiling lifted just enough to let me straighten fully. Then we stepped into a new clearing. This chamber was smaller than thest, the ceiling lower, but it held something I hadn¡¯t expected. At the center was a pool of water, not perfectly round but close, its edges uneven like nature had carved it over years. The surface glowed with a bluish hue, reflecting a soft light that came from above. I tilted my head back and saw it¡ªanother fae stone embedded high in the rock, its light feeding the pool and making it shimmer. The water wasn¡¯t wide, mayberge enough for three people at most, but the color was mesmerizing. Blue so clear it almost looked like ss, shifting faintly as the light touched it. I turned to him quickly, only to find his eyes already on me. His red gaze never wavered. ¡°Hot,¡± he said. I blinked, frowning. I nced back at the pool. There was no steam rising from it, no mist in the air. It looked cold, like any other mountain spring. But his word told me otherwise. Then he spoke again. ¡°Drink.¡± I stared at him, confused. ¡°I can drink it?¡± I asked. This time, he gave a single nod. It hit me then, we had been traveling without a real source of water. My throat felt dry just thinking about it. I didn¡¯t waste time questioning him further. Even if the water carried poison, my body was built to neutralize it. That was one thing I didn¡¯t fear. I crouched by the edge of the pool and scooped some up with both hands. The water was not really hot but warm against my palms, glowing faintly from the light within. I brought it to my mouth and drank deeply. Relief spread through me almost instantly. I hadn¡¯t realized how dry my throat had be, how empty my body felt, until the water slid down and eased the ache. My shoulders rxed as if the tension had been waiting for this exact moment to let go. I immediately turned toward him. ¡°There¡¯s no poison. You should have some too,¡± I said, wiping the back of my wet hand across my mouth. He didn¡¯t answer, but he stepped closer to the pool. Without hesitation, he crouched down, lowered his hand into the glowing water, and scooped some up for himself. The bluish light ran off his fingers as he raised it to his mouth and drank. At this point, I was almost certain, Cassian had been here before. The way he moved, the way he seemed to know exactly what to do, it wasn¡¯t by chance. He knew this ce too well. I looked back at the pool, the water shimmering under the fae stone¡¯s glow, and a thought struck me. I perked up, my voice breaking the silence. ¡°Do you think¡­ I can take a bath too?¡± His gaze shifted to me, sharp as always, but this time he looked almost surprised. Still, he gave a small nod. That was enough to make me smile. ¡°Our clothes are filthy,¡± I said, ncing down at my own. ¡°Bloody, torn, and probably covered in poison. It would be good to wash them.¡± Another thought hit me, and I frowned at the water. ¡°Wait. Has this been sitting here all this time? Stagnant water usually carries something harmful, but¡­ I don¡¯t sense anything.¡± He shook his head and pointed to a corner I hadn¡¯t noticed. Following his finger, I saw it. A small stream trickling out of the pool, cutting through the ground before disappearing into the stone floor. So the water was flowing, not trapped. That exined why it felt clean. I nodded at him. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wash our clothes,¡± I said firmly. His expression shifted, almost as if he didn¡¯t like the sound of that. I raised both hands quickly. ¡°We can¡¯t wear them as they are. They¡¯re soaked in poison and blood. If we put them back on, it¡¯ll just spread more infection. We¡¯ll wash them here and let them dry next to a fire.¡± I nced down at myself again, biting my lip. ¡°I just¡­ I would have to do it alone.¡± He gave a short nod. That seemed enough for him. Then, without a word, he stood and left the chamber, disappearing back through the narrow tunnel. I stared after him, blinking. For a moment, I wondered if he had just walked out on me. But no¨Che wasn¡¯t the type to run from something like this. My best guess? He knew I wanted privacy. Even in his feral state, he still seemed to understand things like that. We might be married, but that didn¡¯t mean I wanted him watching me bathe. The thought brought an unexpected smile to my lips. I pulled at the ties of my cloak, stripped off theyers, andid everything neatly to one side. The cold air stung instantly against my skin, goosebumps rising across my arms. I didn¡¯t let myself hesitate. One step at a time, I lowered myself into the pool. The water wrapped around me. It was warmer than I expected. Heat soaked into my skin, chasing away the sting of the cave air. For the first time in days, I felt clean water on me instead of blood, sweat, and grime. I let out a slow breath and dipped lower, until the pool covered mepletely. I dipped under once, letting the water wash over my head, and came back up with a sharp gasp. The warmth clung to me, loosening the stiffness in my muscles. I wiped the water from my eyes, pushing my hair back, then froze. He was there. Cassian stood at the narrow pathway, half in the shadows, his broad frame blocking part of the light from the fae stone above. His red eyes were locked on me, unblinking. A startled yelp escaped before I could stop it. I twisted in the water, arms crossing over my chest. Heat rushed to my face so fast I thought the pool itself had turned hotter. ¡°Howe you are back?¡± I asked, voice higher than I meant it to be. Brute 86 Chapter 86 ATASHA¡¯S POV 67 55 vouchers When he said nothing, I wasn¡¯t surprised. Still, the silence stretched until I couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. My throat tightened, but I forced myself to speak. ¡°Lord Cassian¡­¡± I blurted, then immediately regretted it. ¡°I believe this isn¡¯t the best ce for that.¡± The words came out too fast, too awkward, and the moment they left my mouth, I wanted to sink under the water and nevere back up. My face burned hotter than before. Married or not, I couldn¡¯t believe I had just said that. For once, even Cassian looked surprised. His brows shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing, not in anger, but as if he was trying to process what I¡¯d just implied. But he ignored me. Instead, he stepped forward, the sound of his boots scraping lightly against stone as he moved closer to the pool. His cloak came off in one fluid motion, falling over a rock nearby. My heart jumped into my throat. Oh no. He wasn¡¯t- The moment his hands went to his shirt, I squeezed my eyes shut. Heat spread through me all over again. If he was about to strip down and climb in here with me, I didn¡¯t know if I¡¯d scream or drown myself first. But the ssh never came. Slowly, I opened my eyes again, confused. He wasn¡¯t in the pool. Instead, Cassian was crouched near the edge, holding a long, thin branch. He rubbed the end of it against the stone until a strange, sticky liquid oozed out. He gathered it quickly with his hands, then stood and leaned toward me. Before I could ask what he was doing, his hand came down, and he pressed the substance into my hair. I froze,pletely still. When I touched my hair, my fingers slipped through the thick paste and bubbles formed. My mouth dropped open. Soap? No, not exactly. But itthered, foaming as if he¡¯d done this before. Then he moved. Without a word, he stepped into the pool and came up behind me. His hand slid into my hair, spreading the mixture evenly, his fingers massaging my scalp with slow movements. I sat rigid, the water warm around me, my pulse hammering in my ears. I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to speak. Cassian, the man who had ripped beasts apart with his bare hands, who had nearly strangled Mendez in a frenzy, who had stared at me with blood¨Cred eyes and a feral grin, was washing my hair. The absurdity of it left mepletely speechless. E55 vouchers. I sat stiff as his fingers working through my hair, bubbles running down into the water. The silence was unbearable. Then my mouth moved before I could stop it. ¡°H¨Chow do you even know about this nt? Is thismon in the North?¡± My voice cracked halfway, and I winced at myself. I sounded like an idiot. Of course, he didn¡¯t answer. He just kept rubbing the foam into my hair like this was normal. I cleared my throat, desperate to fill the silence. ¡°We¡­ We have something like this in the south too. Well, not exactly the same. But close.¡± Still nothing. I kept talking anyway, the words spilling out. ¡°I found it once. I was out gathering firewood, and it started raining. Hard. I was still new as an omega then, and I didn¡¯t know the forest well. I got lost and ended up near the border of the west. I panicked and hid under a boulder until the storm passed.¡± My cheeks burned hotter just remembering it. ¡°I hadn¡¯t eaten dinner that night, and I was starving. So I caught a frog. Don¡¯t look at me like that, I was desperate. But I didn¡¯t even know how to cook it. Or clean it. I just¡­ tried.¡± I grimaced at the memory. ¡°It tasted awful, and I smelled like mud for the rest of the night.¡± His hand paused briefly, then kept moving, the bubbles thickening at the crown of my head. ¡°My father was very particr about cleanliness,¡± I muttered. ¡°He didn¡¯t allow anyone into the mansion if they came back filthy. So I couldn¡¯t just sneak in. I was too scared he¡¯d find out I¡¯d gotten lost. So¡­¡± I swallowed.¡± So, I bathed outside. Alone. And I found a nt thatthered like this one.¡± I raised a hand, feeling the foam between my fingers. ¡°I thought I was lucky.¡± I let out a short, humorlessugh. ¡°Turns out it was poisonous. It burned my skin almost immediately. But I fixed it with my ability before it spread too far. If I hadn¡¯t¡­ well, let¡¯s just say I learned not everything that bubbles is safe to use.¡± My ears burned. I mped my mouth shut after that. Goddess, what was I even saying? Eating frogs, bathing with poisonous nts¨Cwhy would I ever admit things like that? My stomach twisted with embarrassment, and I forced myself to stay quiet. Cassian didn¡¯tment. He just finished what he was doing, his fingers rinsing through my hair until the bubbles were gone. When his hands finally left, I let out a breath I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d been holding. ¡°¡­Thank you,¡± I muttered, still not daring to turn around. He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, I heard the sound of fabric shifting. I stiffened, then whipped my head around in time to see him pulling his shirt off. My eyes widened, and I quickly turned my back to him. ¡°Wait¨CI didn¡¯t mean-¡°I mped my eyes shut. Why did I even think logic would work on him? Reasoning with Cassian was pointless. 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 67 55 vouchers The next sound was water moving. My whole body went tense as I realized he was entering the pool. Slowly, I cracked one eye open, hesitant. He was there, not far from me. But to my surprise, he wasn¡¯t looking my way. He leaned against the side of the pool, one arm propped on the stone edge, his head tilted back slightly. His eyes were shut, his chest rising and falling steadily as if he were¡­ rxing. I stared, dumbfounded. Cassian now sat in the same water as me, looking almost calm. What about the red moon? Was he not supposed to turn feral from it? I swallowed hard, hugging my arms around myself under the water. ? Brute 87 RIO¡¯S POV : 55 vouchers Rio stood at the palisade, his eyes fixed on the snow. It wasn¡¯t white anymore. The light reflected off it carried a red tint, even though the sun was still up. The outpost was too quiet. No distant howls nor beating wings. Even the ravens had abandoned the watchpoles. The veterans called this silence the lull. It was when everything pulled back before the first night. It never meant safety. It meant the opposite. They had arrived at the northern outpost hours ago without Lord Cassian or Lady Atasha. The gates were sealed, braziers burned along the walls, and crews rotated every half hour to keep numb hands from dropping spears. Men whispered and nced at the sky. No one said it aloud, but it showed on their faces, this was not how the first night usually looked. Rio nced at Mendez. ¡°Are you certain the Lord wille back safe?¡± ¡°Worry less about him,¡± Mendez said, his gaze fixed through the slit window of the palisade. ¡°The red moon doesn¡¯t weaken him. It fuels him, makes him stronger.¡± He exhaled, eyes shifting to the endless in where the snow stretched without end. ¡°The Lady, though¡­¡± He fell silent. The snow beyond glowed faintly red under the fading sun. His hand pressed against the sill as he let out a quiet sigh. ¡°We can only hope she survives it. May the goddess watch her.¡± Rio rubbed his jaw, then nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll set the men. Double arrows on the towers. Nets ready. Boil the pitch.¡± ¡°Do it,¡± Mendez said. Rio hesitated at the door. ¡°Can we survive this tide without him?¡± The thought wed at him. Every red moon in the past, Lord Cassian had been just outside the walls, fighting. He pulled the strongest packs away from the outpost, broke the beasts before they ever reached the gates. The men believed the walls held because the Lord held the field. This time, the field was empty. Mendez finally looked up at the red¨Cstained sun. ¡°We have to,¡± he said. ¡°There¡¯s no choice.¡± Then, quieter, he bowed his head. ¡°Coddess, bless His Lordship and Her Ladyship. Keep them safe.¡± Rio nodded, then stepped out. Outside, the yard was already moving. Runners hauled sand buckets to the towers. Shield crews checked their grips. The ballista team cranked cords and greased the slides. Rio climbed the main walk and barked assignments. Men obeyed quickly, boots thudding against the timber. The silence beyond the wall pressed heavier with each passing minute. A horn hung beside the gatedder. Rio palmed the cold metal, ncing at the sky onest time. The sun dipped lower, the red deepening around them. Moonrise woulde soon, and with it, the first wave. 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 ¡°Shutters ready,¡± he called down. ¡°No one breaks formation. We will stick to the n.¡± E55 vouchers Mendez climbed the walk beside him, cloak tugged by the wind. He didn¡¯t speak. He didn¡¯t need to. The lull ended with a single, distant cry from the tree line, high, drawn¨Cout, and nothing like any wolf Rio knew. He raised the horn to his lips and blew. ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°Howe it¡¯s too quiet?¡± I asked, ncing at Cassian. The cloaks were already washed andid out on the rocks to dry. Once they were ready, I nned to do the same with our clothes, using the cloaks to cover ourselves in the meantime. It wasn¡¯t ideal, but at least it was something. The fire crackled in front of us, mes licking at the skewered meat bnced across t stones. Smoke curled toward the ceiling, carrying the sharp smell of cooked flesh. We sat near the heat, close enough that our shoulders almost brushed, though we weren¡¯t actually touching. I kept my gaze on the fire at first, watching fat drip from the meat and sizzle as it hit the coals. The steady sound made the silence feel less heavy. This inner part of the cave had be our refuge, the water pool in the back, the narrow entrance sealing us in. Norger beast would be able to force its way through the gap. That thought gave me somefort. Eventually, my eyes wandered. I turned toward Cassian. His side profile was sharp in the glow, the red in his eyes muted by the light. He didn¡¯t look as ruthless as he had before. Something about him felt different, though I couldn¡¯t ce why. Was it because he¡¯d helped me wash? That thought alone made my face heat. The memory of his hand in my hair shed across my mind, and I quickly turned back toward the fire. My cheeks burned hotter than the mes. I picked up one of the skewers, d to distract myself. ¡°This one¡¯s done,¡± I said, trying to keep my voice calm. I held it out toward him. Only then did he finally turn his head, his gaze shifting to me. For a moment, I froze, not sure what to do with his attention locked on me like that. My lips twitched before I realized I was smiling. An awkward, nervous grin spread across my face. The second it happened, irritation spiked inside me. Why was I smiling? What the hell was wrong with me? I quickly shoved the skewer closer to him, hoping he hadn¡¯t noticed. Thankfully, he took the skewer. My breath slipped out in a quiet sigh, the tension in my shoulders easing as I grabbed another for myself. I bit into it, the meat chewy but edible, and kept my eyes on the fire. Why hadn¡¯t he attacked me yet? The red moon had started, I could feel it in the air. The silence outside wasn¡¯t normal, it was the kind that came before chaos. Mendez had said Cassian would turnpletely feral, that he¡¯d be impossible to reason with. Was Mendez exaggerating? Or had something changed? I chewed slower, sneaking another nce at him. His eyes were still red, but he wasn¡¯t baring his teeth or lunging for me. He just sat there, eating the meat I handed him like it was nothing. Then his hand moved 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 67 B55 vouchers Fingers brushed against the corner of my mouth. I froze, the half¨Cchewed bite caught in my throat. His touch was surprisingly careful, wiping at something I hadn¡¯t noticed was there. ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± I muttered, stiff as a board. My voice cracked at the end, and I cursed myself for sounding so awkward. That was when I noticed it. A smudge at the side of his mouth. Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and lifted my hand. ¡°You have something¨Cjust there,¡± I said quickly, my thumb brushing against his lips. The contact snapped something in the air. His eyes widened a fraction, surprise shing across them. Then, in one sharp motion, his hand shot up and caught my wrist. The sudden grip jolted me off bnce. I gasped, the skewer dropping from my other hand, and before I knew what was happening, he shifted to steady me. Instead of helping, the movement tipped us both sideways. We went down hard. 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 Brute 88 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 67 55 vouchers The world tilted, and Inded squarely on top of him, my palms braced against his chest. His body was solid beneath mine, heat radiating through his skin even with the thinyer of his shirt between us. My breath caught as his arm curled reflexively around my waist, holding me there. For a long moment, neither of us moved. His red eyes locked onto mine, the firelight flickering across them, and I realized just how close we were, my face barely inches from his. My heart hammered so loudly I was sure he could feel it against his chest. His arm stayed firm around my waist, as if letting me go wasn¡¯t an option. Right then and there, I knew I should have moved, push him away. The thought kept repeating in my head, but my body refused to listen. But his eyes held me still. That sharp red glow wasn¡¯t just feral, it was maic. My breath hitched every time he blinked, every time his gaze dipped from my eyes to my mouth and back again. ¡°Move,¡± a part of me screamed. ¡°Get up. Now.¡± But I didn¡¯t. Because in his arms, I wasn¡¯t afraid. I was warm. I was¡­ secure. And that was more terrifying than his strength. My chest rose and fell too fast, brushing lightly against his. His scent clung to me, a mix of smoke, blood, and something uniquely his. My throat tightened, heat crawling up my neck and into my face. I couldn¡¯t tell who leaned in first, me or him. It didn¡¯t matter. The space between us vanished in an instant. Our lips met. It wasn¡¯t soft. It wasn¡¯t gentle. The first touch was heated, pressing, almost rough. My pulse roared in my ears as my body shivered all the way down my spine. The kiss deepened before I could think. His grip on my waist pulled me closer, locking me flush against him. My hand, meant to push him away, slid higher on his chest instead, feeling the thrum of his heartbeat under my palm. I parted my lips without meaning to, and his mouth moved against mine, hungry and unrelenting. It wasn¡¯t a romantic kiss. It was raw, urgent, something that felt stolen, something neither of us had asked for but both of us needed in that moment. My mind screamed at me to stop, to remember who he was, what he was, but my body betrayed me. I couldn¡¯t pull back. Couldn¡¯t breathe without wanting more. The fire crackled beside us, but the heat I felt had nothing to do with it. And before I realized it, Cassian shifted beneath me. In one motion, he rolled, his strength overwhelming mine with ease. The ground came up against my back, cold stone pressing into me, but I barely felt it. 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 : 67 55 vouchers His weight pinned me. One arm slid under my head, cushioning it from the hard floor. The gesture was unexpected, almost jarring. Cassian¨Cgentle? The thought barely had time to register before his mouth was on mine again. This time it was firmer, hungrier. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. My arm lifted, circling the back of his neck. I pulled him closer, holding onto him as if letting go would leave me gasping for air. His hair brushed against my knuckles, damp and coarse, and the heat radiating from him seeped into every part of me. The rough scrape of his shirt brushed against my chest with each movement, his torso pressing down against mine. My legs shifted, tensing, but I didn¡¯t push him away. I couldn¡¯t. His lips parted mine again, deeper this time, the taste of smoke and iron clinging to his mouth. My pulse hammered, my breath tangled with his. Every nerve in me screamed to remember who he was but all I felt was the heat, the press of his body over mine, and the way his hand stayed steady beneath my head, protecting me even as he consumed me. Just as my thoughts blurred into the heat of it all, he broke away. The sudden loss shocked me. One moment his mouth was on mine, his weight solid, his heat burning into me and the next, it was gone. My lips parted against nothing, my chest rising too fast as I blinked at the ceiling above us. Empty. The word rang in my head as Iy there, the cold stone beneath me suddenly too sharp, too real. Why did I feel¡­ disappointed? Before I could think, a harsh sound ripped through the chamber. ¡°ACK-¡± I shot upright. Cassian was a few feet away, on his knees, clutching his chest with both hands. His head hung low, his shoulders jerking with every ragged breath. ¡°Cassian?¡± My voice cracked. He didn¡¯t answer. The veins along his neck and arms bulged, his muscles straining as if tearing against themselves. A growl rattled out of his throat, his body trembling violently. His nails, no, ws, split through skin, ckened and jagged. His back arched, bones shifting under his flesh, the sound of joints popping and cracking filling the Cave. I scrambled toward him, hand outstretched. ¡°Cassian, what¡¯s happening-¡± He whipped a hand out, shoving me back with more force than I expected. I hit the stone hard, air rushing from my lungs. I froze where Inded, stunned, but not enough to miss what happened next. He lifted his head. And our eyes met. 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 Chapter SS 67 55 vouchers For just a second, barely more than a blink, I saw something in them. Not the glowing red, not the feral hunger. Something human. Something that belonged to the man, not the monster. ¡°Cassian?¡± I called again, softer this time. His chest expanded with a violent breath. Then his lips peeled back, and a guttural growl ripped free, so loud it echoed off the walls and sent ripples across the water pool behind me. The sound shook me to my core. He staggered, then spun, his ws scraping against the stone as he bolted toward the narrow entrance. ¡°Wait-!¡± I scrambled to my feet, snatching my dagger from the pile of clothes near the fire. My hand clenched around the hilt as I raced after him. The passage swallowed his figure fast, his growls bouncing off the walls as he tore deeper into the cave system. My heart mmed against my ribs. ¡°Cassian!¡± I shouted, voice cracking as I plunged into the tunnel after him. Brute 89 ATASHA¡¯S POV : ??)) 67 55 vouchers ¡°Cassian!¡± My voice cracked against the stone walls as I chased the sound of ws tearing into rock. The tunnel stretched ahead, narrow and suffocating, every twist filled with his guttural growls. My dagger shook in my hand as I forced myself to keep moving, the scrape of stone catching my shoulder as I shoved through. Then the passage widened, spilling me into therger clearing. I skidded to a stop, my chest heaving. And froze. Cassian was in the center of it. His body convulsed, jerking in violent spasms as if his bones were trying to rip free of his skin. The sound of it, his bones snapping, muscles tearing and reforming, echoed through the chamber until it felt like the air itself was breaking apart. His back arched so hard it looked inhuman, his hands twisting into ws that raked deep gouges into the stone floor. His jaw cracked wider, reshaping, his teeth lengthening into fangs that jutted past his lips. My breath caught. The red moon. Mendez had warned me about its power, about how it twisted beasts, but he had never said Cassian would transform into his wolf. I should have expected it. Every werewolf with a wolf inside could shift. It was natural. But for those with Alpha blood, the transformation was different, sharper, harsher, so much more brutal. The stronger the bloodline, the more agonizing the shift. And Cassian¡­ Cassian was drenched in Alpha blood. I stood there, rooted to the floor, as the truth sank into me. He was enduring a torment that would shred any ordinary wolf to pieces. The red moon was pulling his beast forward, and it was tearing him apart. His scream split into a howl, shaking the surrounding walls. The sound hit me like a hammer, vibrating through my ribs until my knees buckled. Dust rained from the ceiling. The air itself seemed to tremble. Then his head snapped toward me. My blood went cold. His wolf eyes locked onto mine, glowing like fire, stripped of all reason. ¡°Cassian,¡± I whispered, but the word barely made it past my lips. He moved. One moment he was crouched, the next he lunged, massive, monstrous, his body three times the size it had been only moments ago. The floor cracked under the force of his paws as he barreled straight toward me. 8:13 Mon, Sep 15 67 E55 vouchers A strangled cry escaped me as I stumbled backward. My back hit the narrow tunnel¡¯s mouth just in time. I shoved myself inside, scraping my arms against jagged stone as I fell hard onto the floor. The breath left my lungs in a painful rush. He hit the entrance a secondter. The stone shook from the impact. His ws shed at the edges of the gap, sending chunks of rock scattering across the floor. His head jammed against the opening, jaws snapping, fangs shing only inches from my face. His hot breath sted across me, thick with the stench of blood and fury. But he couldn¡¯t get in. He was too big now. His massive frame jammed against the narrow entrance, his shoulders and ribs straining against the rock. I scrambled backward on my hands and heels, heart hammering so violently it hurt. ¡°Cassian!¡± My voice cracked. ¡°It¡¯s me! Stop!¡± But he didn¡¯t. His ws raked uselessly at the stone, gouging deep scars into it. His jaws mped down on nothing, teeth gnashing against the edge of the wall as if he could bite his way through to me. His eyes glowed brighter, and for a moment I thought there was recognition, something human flickering in them again. But then it was gone, swallowed by the feral hunger. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. My dagger shook in my grip, but I couldn¡¯t lift it. Not against him. ¡°Please,¡± I whispered, my chest aching so badly I could barely breathe. The man who had held me only moments ago, who had kissed me, who had washed my hair with his own hands, was gone. In his ce was the beast, fighting with everything in him to reach me. And all I could do was sit there, my heart breaking, as I realized he didn¡¯t even know who I was. For what felt like forever, I stayed frozen, every muscle locked as his massive body heaved against the stone. His ws tore onest line into the entrance, sparks spitting from the rock. My lungs burned, my dagger slick in my grip, but I couldn¡¯t raise it. Then, just as suddenly as the frenzy had started, it stopped. Cassian¡¯s movements slowed. His snarls dropped to a low, guttural rumble that made the stone vibrate beneath me. He pulled his head back from the gap, shoulders rolling as if the fight drained from him all at once. His breath came in ragged bursts, steam pouring from his muzzle. I didn¡¯t dare move. He lingered at the opening, eyes glowing like embers in the dark. For a heartbeat, I thought he might lunge again. But instead, he shifted his weight back, massive paws scraping against the floor. Then he howled. 8:14 Mon, Sep 15 67 E55 vouchers The sound ripped through the cavern, louder, deeper than before. It shook the walls, dust raining down in thin streams. My chest clenched so hard it hurt, my heart twisting at the raw agony in it. This wasn¡¯t just rage, it was pain, the kind I couldn¡¯t touch or heal. Before I could call out his name again, he spun and bolted. The sound of his ws pounded against stone, then faded into the distance as he tore through the outer clearing and vanished into the night beyond. I sat there in the tunnel, dagger trembling in my hands, my whole body shaking with the echo of his howl still rattling through me. My breath came in broken bursts. The cave felt empty without him. Too empty. But the silence didn¡¯tst. Suddenly, a weight pressed into the air, settling over the cave like a shroud. My lungs fought against it, every breath harder than thest. The dagger trembled in my hand, but I clenched it tighter until my knuckles ached. The aura wasn¡¯t Cassian¡¯s. I knew that much. This was different, darker, colder, a pressure that crawled under my skin and made every instinct in me scream to run. My legs stiffened, but I forced them to move. ¡°Cassian¡­¡± I whispered, but I didn¡¯t stop to pray. I shoved myself through the narrow tunnel. My chest burned with every step, the weight of the aura pressing tighter the further I pushed myself forward. The passage spat me out into therger chamber, but I didn¡¯t stop. Cassian had run this way. I had to follow. The exit loomed ahead, a jagged tear in the stone where faint night air seeped through. The aura thickened with every stride, pressing down on me until it was hard to breathe. My grip tightened on the dagger. ¡°Cassian!¡± I shouted, my voice echoing hard against the walls. I didn¡¯t know what I was thinking then. I reached the outer tunnel, shoved myself through the narrow opening, and stumbled into the open air. The red moon had climbed higher, staining the snow in deeper crimson. My breath fogged white in front of me as I searched the clearing. His tracks cut deep into the snow, a trail leading away from the cave and into the waiting forest. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I ran after him. Brute 90 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers I knew it was crazy. Maybe I had lost my mind a long time ago, maybe it was instinct, or maybe it was just in stupidity. I wasn¡¯t sure anymore. All I knew was that I was running after him, chasing Cassian through the snow like my life depended on it. The cold bit into my skin, the red moon casting everything in a bloody glow, but none of it mattered. The only thing in my head was him, his massive form, his ws tearing through the snow as he disappeared into the night. Then it happened. Something dropped from the sky like a blur, mming into Cassian and driving him into the ground. The impact cracked through the clearing, spraying snow in all directions. I froze, my lungs locking as I finally saw it. The creature wasn¡¯t a wolf. It wasn¡¯t even like the other beasts. It had wings, enormous, leathery things that stretched wider than any banner I had ever seen, snapping the air with each violent movement. Its body was bloated, swollen with veins that pulsed a sickly green, the skin stretched so thin it looked ready to split. Its head was a warped nightmare of a bat, ears jutting like knives, its snout twisted and elongated with rows of jagged teeth jutting out at every angle. Its eyes bulged red and yellow, rolling madly in their sockets, and each exhale carried a stench so foul it coated my throat with bile. Poison. I could smell it from here, sharp and rotting, like something dead left out in the sun for too long. This¡­ aura. The suffocating weight crushing the air, it wasing from this thing. It screeched, a sound that made the snow shiver, and then it bit at Cassian, its fangs sinking into his shoulder. Cassian roared, his massive wolf body twisting, ws raking across its gut. The bat shrieked again, but instead of fleeing, it pressed harder, wings thrashing as it tried to hold him down. I stumbled back against a tree, heart hammering, and ducked behind it. My fingers gripped the bark so it dug splinters into my skin. I dared a nce around the trunk. tightly That was when I noticed it. The forest was empty. No glowing eyes in the shadows. No low growls from the treeline. There was nothing around me. The weaker beasts had fled. They always did when something stronger imed the ground. Relief pricked through my chest, at least nothing else woulde for me here. But the price of that was standing right in front of me, tearing into Cassian. He was already bleeding. Long gashes streaked across his sides, ck¨Cred blood dripping into the snow, steaming in the cold. But he didn¡¯t fight like a man wounded. He didn¡¯t even seem to notice. He fought like a beast, savage and relentless, his ws slicing open chunks of the bat¡¯s hide, his fangs ripping through its flesh. He tore and bit as though pain meant nothing, as though nothing existed but the kill. 8:14 Mon, Sep 15 67 55 vouchers The bat shrieked again and surged forward, wings beating hard enough to knock snow from the trees. Itshed its head low and rammed into Cassian¡¯s legs. He staggered, ws slipping in the churned snow. Before he could regain his bnce, the bat lunged again, its teeth snapping shut on his hind leg, dragging him down. My hands flew to my mouth, mping shut around the gasp wing up my throat. I couldn¡¯t make a sound. I couldn¡¯t distract him. Cassian ripped free with a savage twist, but blood sprayed across the snow. He dropped to one knee, massive chest heaving, and the bat didn¡¯t wait, itshed out again, ws raking across his nk. He didn¡¯t dodge. He didn¡¯t even try. He threw himself back at it, snarling like a wild animal, ignoring the way the wounds opened wider, ignoring the blood pouring down his fur. What is he doing? Can he not think? Why was he acting like¡­ like a real beast? My heart pounded so hard I thought it would break. The bat was on him again, mming into his side, biting, wing. Each strikended heavy, shaking the ground beneath them. Cassian was staggering now, his massive frame shuddering under the weight of each blow. His ws still shed, his fangs still tore, but his movements weren¡¯t as sharp as before. Blood streaked his fur, dripping into the snow in thick lines that marked every step he took. The bat pressed harder, its wings hammering against him, forcing him back with every strike. My dagger shook in my hand, but I couldn¡¯t make myself move. I stayed crouched there, pressed against the tree, trembling as I watched him bleed like a damn coward. No. This wasn¡¯t right. I couldn¡¯t just sit here while he was being ripped apart. My teeth sank into my lower lip until I tasted blood. I had to decide right now. Either keep hiding like a coward or step out and do something before it was toote. I bit down hard, the taste of iron flooding my mouth as I sank my teeth into my lip. My body shook, my dagger slipped in my sweaty grip, but I forced my legs to move. Then I stepped out from behind the tree. ¡°Hey!¡± My voice cracked, but I pushed it louder. ¡°Hey, Ugly! Come fight me instead!¡± Both Cassian and the bat snapped their heads toward me. Their eyes locked on me at the same time. My heart nearly gave out, but I didn¡¯t wait. I turned and bolted for the cave. The snow crunched under my boots. My thoughts were a blur, but the logic was simple. If the bat came for me, Cassian would have a chance. He could heal, he could recover, he could survive. Me? I could take it. My body was made to mend. Even if it tore me apart, I¡¯d live. The air shuddered with the beat of massive wings. I didn¡¯t need to look back to know the bat was following. Its screech pierced the night, the kind of sound that made your skin crawl. I pushed my legs harder, knowing full well I was slower, but every second I dragged it with me was another second Cassian had to pull himself together. The impact came fast. A felt a rush of air behind me. I spun, dagger raised. My first swing missed, slicing 8:14 Mon, Sep 15 : 67 55 vouchers through nothing but air. The secondnded, biting into the side of its leathery wing. The bat screeched, flinching back. Sadly, it wasn¡¯t enough. The wing mmed against me, harder than any strike I¡¯d ever felt. The world spun, snow exploding around me as I was hurled backward. My body skidded across ice, bones rattling, until I mmed against a jagged stone. The blow knocked the air clean out of me, stars bursting in my vision. For a moment, everything was numb. Then pain came rushing back, but already I felt it. My veins lit up, my ability working without permission, stitching flesh, forcing ribs back into ce. My chest burned, but my body was already mending itself. I scrambled onto my hands and knees, then pushed to my feet, staggering but upright. The bat shrieked, its wings ring wide as it swooped down again, fury dripping off every jagged movement. And then- A massive shadow dropped in front of me, blocking the bat¡¯s path. I gasped, stumbling back, my hand instinctively reaching forward. My fingers brushed coarse fur, hot and damp with blood. Recognition hit me in a rush, my throat tightening. Cassian. He was standing between me and the beast, his massive wolf form braced against the snow. His back faced the bat, his broad frame covering mepletely. He didn¡¯t move to attack right away. Instead, he turned his head, just enough that his zing eyes met mine. My breath caught, frozen in my chest. Without thinking, I pressed my palm harder against him, shoving my ability into his body. Warmth spread under my hand, mending the gashes, knitting torn flesh even as blood still poured down his fur. Behind him, the bat let out another screech, the kind that rattled stone and sent snow crashing from the treetops. But I didn¡¯t look at it. I only stared at him. And he only stared back. Brute 91 ATASHA¡¯S POV I couldn¡¯t decide what was more insane, letting the monster who nearly tore me apart shield me, or pouring my strength into healing him and praying he¡¯d save me from something even worse. For what felt like forever, I stared at him. Then another shriek ripped through the clearing. Cassian¡¯s head snapped toward the sound, and in the next instant, he lunged. The bat tried to rise, wings ring, but this time Cassian was faster. His wounds no longer slowed him. My healing still pulsed through his body, sealing torn muscle, closing every gash that had nearly crippled him before. His ws hooked into the bat¡¯s side, dragging it down. Snow exploded around them as his fangs ripped into its neck. The bat screeched,shing out, its wings beating against him with enough force to shake the trees. But Cassian held on, snapping his jaws across the base of one leathery wing. The sound was sickening, a tear like fabric ripping, only wetter, blood spraying as the wing crumpled uselessly to the ground. I stumbled back a step, my hands shaking, my body pressing closer to the wall of the cave. I could¡¯ve run inside, hidden where he couldn¡¯t reach me. That would¡¯ve been the smart choice. But I didn¡¯t move. Goddess, I was an idiot. Instead, I stood there, pinned between fear and something else I couldn¡¯t name, watching him fight. The bat swung its remaining wing. It was a wild desperate strike, but Cassian ducked under it and shed upwards. His ws ripped through the second wing, tearing it apart until the creature shrieked and crashed into the snow, grounded. Cassian didn¡¯t stop. His massive wolf form bore down on it, ws pinning its chest. His jaws opened wide and, with one brutal bite, he tore through its throat. Blood sprayed, hot against the snow, steaming in the cold. Then, with another wrench of his head, he ripped the creature¡¯s skull free from its body. The bat¡¯s shriek died instantly, its headless corpse twitching once before falling still. The clearing fell silent, except for my ragged breathing. Then Cassian turned. His glowing red eyes locked on me, unblinking. My back was already pressed against the cave wall, but I swore my body tried to press even further, every nerve on edge. And then¡­ he jumped. In one damn movement he was there, towering over me. I froze so hard my lungs forgot to work. His ws lifted, and for a terrifying moment I thought he would tear my throat open. But instead, the tips brushed against my cheek. I shut my eyes, my breath stuck in my chest. His touch was cold and warm at the same time, the sharp edge of ws pressing but not breaking skin. Then¡­ out of nowhere, I heard the sound of bone cracking. My eyes snapped open. Right in front of me, his body twisted again. Bones shifting, skin stretching, fur receding. The massive wolf 55 vouchers shrank, limbs folding, his chest heaving as if the transformation itself was ripping him apart. ws shortened into hands. His fangs retracted. His snout shrank into a jaw, blood dripping down his bare skin. And then he was there, Cassian, standing in his human form, bare¨Cchested, sweat and blood streaking his body. His hair stuck to his face, his chest rising and falling as he stared at me with those same red eyes, only softer now. He let out a short snort, almost like augh. ¡°Foolish,¡± he muttered. I blinked at him, stunned. The word barely made sense before his body tilted. His knees buckled, and he copsed forward. ¡°Cassian!¡± I lunged, catching his naked form against me. His weight was crushing, my knees nearly giving out, but I held him. He was unconscious, his breath ragged, but alive. I hooked an arm under his shoulder and dragged him toward the cave. Each step was a fight. His body was too heavy, my arms trembling, but I refused to let him drop. Inch by inch, I pulled him inside, through the narrow tunnel, scraping my back against stone with every shove. By the time I reached the clearing with the pool, my arms burned, my body shaking so badly I nearly copsed. But I didn¡¯t let go. I lowered him down near the water¡¯s edge, chest heaving. I stared at him, his body sprawled across the stone, unconscious but alive. My throat tightened as I sat on the cold floor. My arms felt like they¡¯d been ripped from their sockets, my whole body trembling from the effort of dragging him back. I didn¡¯t think I would live through that. Cassian was right. I was foolish. Completely reckless. What was I even thinking, stepping out from behind that tree and trying to lure that monster toward me? I pressed a shaky hand to my face, teeth digging into my lip. If he hadn¡¯t¡­ if he hadn¡¯t been there, I wouldn¡¯t even have bones left to bury. My head tipped back, eyes closing as exhaustion pulled at me. Every muscle ached, my thoughts swimming, but I forced myself not to sink into it. The faint glow of the fire pulled me back. It was still burning, barely, embers clinging to life. I crawled toward it and grabbed the pile of wood Cassian had brought earlier. My fingers fumbled as I fed the me, stacking branches until it caught and grew steady again. The warmth pushed back the chill, just enough to keep the cold from wing too deep into my bones. I turned back to him. Cassiany sprawled where I had lowered him, his body bare except for blood drying in streaks along his skin. His face looked almost¡­ calm, as if none of what just happened had touched him. I tugged one of the cloaks off the rock where I had left it earlier and draped it over his body. My hand lingered on his chest for a moment. I pushed a little of my healing into him, checking, mending what I could. The wounds were already gone, sealedpletely. His body was strong enough on its own, but still, I felt better knowing. 8:14 Mon, Sep 15 ¡­ : 66 55 vouchers I sat back, knees pulled up, the dagger resting across myp. My eyes stayed on him, trying to make sense of what I had seen. One moment, he was gone, lost, consumed by the beast. The next, he was shielding me, fighting for me, touching my face with hands that could have killed me in an instant. Why? What changed? I didn¡¯t know. I couldn¡¯t understand. There were too many things in this world I couldn¡¯t exin. My gaze drifted back to his face. He looked like he was only sleeping now. No trace of that feral rage remained, no sign of the monster that had howled and wed at me. Just Cassian, the man I barely knew, the man I was supposed to fear more than anyone. I pulled my other cloak around myself, curling into it as the firelight flickered against the stone walls. Outside, the red moon still hung high, its glow spilling through the cracks of the cave, bathing the night in its bloody light. I sat there, watching him, waiting, uncertain of what tomorrow might bring. Soon enough my eyelids grew heavy, the weight of exhaustion finally dragging at me. Just as I thought I could steal the rest my body so desperately needed, the ground trembled beneath me. Brute 92 Brut Chapter 92 5 vouchers ATASHA¡¯S POV When the ground started shaking, I ducked low and threw my arms around Cassian¡¯s body as if I could shield him. It was ridiculous. I knew even unconscious, one falling stone wouldn¡¯t take him down, but in that moment, instinct overruled logic. I pressed my body against his, waiting for the ceiling to copse. Nothing did. The shaking passed, leaving only the sound of my own ragged breathing. My arms refused to let of him. Somewhere between fear and exhaustion, I drifted off like that, curled against his bare chest. go When I woke, the first thing I noticed was the emptiness. My arms clutched nothing but stone. My eyes snapped open. Cassian was gone. I shot upright. The cloak I¡¯d draped over him was missing too. My chest squeezed, panic sparking hot in my ribs. But then I noticed the fire. It was burning brighter than before, fresh wood stacked neatly around the embers. My lips parted. He¡¯d woken. He¡¯d seen me sleeping against him, tended the fire¡­ and left. Scrambling to my feet, I scanned the chamber. There were no traces of him. My legs carried me toward the narrow tunnel before my mind could catch up. I pressed my hand against the stone, forcing myself forward until the tunnel spat me out into therger passage. Still no sign of him. I moved carefully, my dagger drawn, until I reached the cave entrance. Cold air rushed against me. I braced a hand against the wall and peeked outside. The forest was gone. Or at least, it looked that way. Treesy splintered and ttened in every direction, their trunks broken like sticks. Snow was churned up, dark patches staining the ground where beasts must have been crushed. My throat tightened. This wasn¡¯t a battle. It was carnage. This was the first night of the Beast Tide. I tilted my head up. The sun still hung low on the horizon, staining the snow a reddish tint, and above it the red moon bled across the sky. I frowned, my stomach knotting. How long would itst this time? Days? A week? Longer? I swallowed and scanned the clearing again. No sign of Cassian. My fingers tightened around the dagger hilt. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me he¡­ left me here?¡± The words slipped out before I could stop them. The thought stung. My jaw clenched. Of all things, why would he abandon me now? Was he still a beast? Did he lose himself again? Or worse, did he choose to leave me? A deep growl split through the silence, cutting my thoughts short. My heart jumped into my throat. I ducked back, retreating into the cave. My body pressed against the wall as another growl rumbled outside, closer this time. My knees bent, and I crouched low, peering toward the entrance. Was it him? Was Cassian the one growling? Was he out there, guarding the cave like some feral sentinel? Another louder growl came. 5 vouchers Before I could react, a hand mped over my mouth. My entire body jolted. I twisted my head and froze. Cassian. He stood behind me, red eyes locked on mine, his finger pressed against his lips in a silentmand. My eyes widened, but I forced myself to nod. The growling outside dragged on for several more beats, vibrating through the stone floor. My lungs screamed for air under his hand, but I didn¡¯t fight him. Finally, the sound faded, echoing away into the distance. Cassian¡¯s grip loosened. He pulled his hand back. I gasped softly, dragging in a shaky breath. Relief poured out of me. Then his voice came. ¡°You really are foolish, aren¡¯t you?¡± My mouth dropped open. I stuttered, the words tripping out of me. ¡°You¨Cyou spoke-¡± Not just a word. He actually spoke a full sentence. Those were actual words! My heart pounded harder than it had when the beast growled. ¡°Inside,¡± he ordered. ¡°Eh?¡± I blinked, still stunned. His eyes narrowed. I let out an awkwardugh, rubbing the back of my neck. ¡°Right. Inside. Of course.¡± I turned and scurried back into the inner chamber. My boots scraped against the stone, my cloak dragging behind me. Cassian followed close. I nced at him, trying to catch his eyes, but he gave nothing away. And I didn¡¯t dare ask where he had gone, or what he had faced outside. We reached the pool just like that. When I turned, I found him holding a piece of meat. ¡°Do you want me to- ¡± I wasn¡¯t able toplete my words when he shook his head. Cassian didn¡¯t sit. He looked at me, then pointed to the ground near the fire. ¡°Stay.¡± I nodded fast and dropped beside the mes, pulling my cloak tighter around me. The warmth helped, but not nearly enough to settle the way my stomach twisted. He turned his attention to the b of meat in his hand. With precise movements, he pulled out a dagger, a new one I hadn¡¯t seen before, and sliced through the flesh with clean cuts. That was when I noticed it. Clothes. He was wearing clothes now. A dark tunic, rough but intact, hanging over his shoulders as if it had always been there. My mouth opened, but the words caught in my throat. Where had he gotten them? When? The urge to ask nearly burned out of me, but I shut it down quick. I didn¡¯t dare. Not when I didn¡¯t know how he¡¯d respond. So, I just sat there, hugging my knees and watching him. 12:02 Mon, Sep 15 : To my shock, he pulled something else from his pocket, a small, round container. He twisted it pinched the contents between his fingers, sprinkling it carefully over the cuts of meat. My jaw dropped. ¡°Is that¡­ salt?¡± His eyes flicked up at me, then he gave a short nod. 45 5 vouchers open and I blinked and bit my tongue, pressing my lips shut before more questions slipped out. How did he have salt? Why was he carrying it? Why did he even think to use it? Hold on¡­ why does it look like the meat itself wasn¡¯t poisonous? None of it made sense. He fashioned a few skewers from nearby branches, then slid the pieces of meat onto them. The smell hit me when he set them over the fire, smoke curling upward. When the first skewer was done, Cassian pulled it from the fire, checked the meat, then turned to me. My body went rigid when he extended it in my direction. For a moment, I just stared at the food, blinking like an idiot. My braingged behind my body. Finally, I reached out and took it from him. ¡°Thank you,¡± I muttered, voice softer than I meant. He gave me a nod in response. I blinked again, caught off guard. My heart gave an odd twist. Was this the normal Cassian? The thought ran circles in my head as I sat there with the skewer in my hand. I kept sneaking nces at him, trying to piece together which side of him I was looking at now. Was it the man or the beast? Then, his voice broke the silence. ¡°Prepare yourself. We leave for the northern outpost after we finish our meal.¡± I froze with the meat halfway to my mouth. ¡°We¡¯re going back?¡± I asked slowly, my eyes fixed on his face, searching for any trace of the wildness that had consumed him before. My chest squeezed as I waited for some kind of answer in his expression. Did this mean he was himself again? Was he truly back in control? But his eyes were still red. This was not what Mendez told me. If Cassian was speaking, thinking, making decisions¡­ then why hadn¡¯t his eyes changed back? 12:02 Mon, Sep 15 Brute 93 Chapter 93 : MATRON YARA IRONSONG (IRONSONG MANSION) ??)) 45 5 vouchers Yara rubbed grit from her eyes and forced herself back to the stack of reports. Her armor still smelled of pitch and smoke from the night watch. The first wave had been heavier than thest cycle, more bodies at the walls, more pressure at the south gate, and two breaches in the market barricade before the ballista crews could clear thenes. No deaths on their side, but plenty of torn hands, cracked ribs, and a dozen men who¡¯d wake shaking for a week. Requests piled up on her desk: arrow shafts, spearheads, recement shields, fresh cord for the torsion arms, oil, bandages, clean water. Quartermasters demanded signatures, healers wanted runners, captains pressed for answers. She hadn¡¯t slept since yesterday, and the pounding behind her eyes made it harder to think straight. A sharp knock rattled the door. Before she could answer, it swung open. ¡°Matron, forgive my disrespect,¡± Maningo said, dropping to one knee. His head was bowed. ¡°I received news.¡± ¡°Speak,¡± Yara replied, hiding her exhaustion. ¡°Lord Cassian and Lady Atasha were not spotted at the northern outpost.¡± Yara frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She knew that Lord Cassian and the Lady left for the Northern Outpost just the other day. Their goal is to reach the outpost before the red moon starts. ¡°I¡¯ve had word from our lookouts. Lord Cassian did not arrive with Mendez and the others. And the Lady was not with them either. The carriage reached the outpost, but it was broken, as if attacked. None of the men who arrived were wounded.¡± Yara pushed back from the desk. ¡°Cassian often leaves the outpost when the red moon rises. He fights outside.¡± ¡°Yes, Matron,¡± Maningo said carefully. ¡°But they say he never came in with the column at all. Neither did the Lady.¡± Her jaw set. ¡°Saddle my horse.¡± She didn¡¯t waste another word. Minutester she was in the yard, swinging into the saddle. The center was still in triage, runners pounding along thenes, smithies hammering, healers dragging cots, but she threaded through it at a hard canter and took the east road without slowing. The Morrow household guard moved to announce her. She didn¡¯t give them time. She pushed through the doors and strode straight to Halden Morrow¡¯s study. ¡°Don¡¯t treat my mansion as your own,¡± Halden said without looking up. Yara crossed to his sideboard, uncorked a bottle, and poured herself a short ss. It burned on the way down, which helped. She poured herself a second ss and met his eyes. ¡°Have you heard the news?¡± 5 vouchers Yara dropped into the chair near the firece, the stem of the ss pinched between her fingers. The red liquid caught themplight, dark as blood. ¡°The Lady and the Lord were not spotted at the northern outpost,¡± she said. That pulled Halden¡¯s attention up from his desk. His eyes narrowed. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She swirled the wine, watching the surface tilt. ¡°I mean, Lord Cassian did not arrive in the North.¡± Halden¡¯s frown deepened. His jaw twitched. ¡°The Lord- ¡± ¡°I know Halden, you don¡¯t have to say it. For years, the Lord would always fight outside of the outpost. But why would he bring the Lady with him? Fighting with a wolfless woman would be¡­ suicide. The fact that she did not arrive with him does not make any sense.¡± Yara could see Halden processing what he just said. ¡°Did you see him leave?¡± she asked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Did you see him leave the gates of the north? Him¡­ Lord Cassian himself walked out of that gate.¡± Halden¡¯s expression hardened, lines cutting deep across his face. He didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°I knew about what happened with Reina,¡± Yara said. ¡°Everyone knew. So I¡¯ll ask again, did you see Lord Cassian leave?¡± It wasn¡¯t something she could ignore. Halden¡¯s daughter had been punished by Atasha herself, and the matter hadn¡¯t been forgotten. What made it worse was that the lieutenants hadn¡¯t hesitated to carry out Atasha¡¯s orders. That single act had been enough to stir suspicion and unease among the rest of the council members. How could someone who had only just arrived in the North hold such authority over Cassian¡¯s lieutenants, men who didn¡¯t even respect the council¡¯s power? Cassianmanded many lieutenants, and any one of them would carry out his order without hesitation, even if it meant ending the life of a council member. And now, out of nowhere, those same dangerous men were obeying a wolfless woman? It was absurd. His mouth pressed thin before he muttered, ¡°No. But Lady Atasha-¡± Yara cut him off with a snort. ¡°So Lady Atasha said something, and you just believed her without proof?¡± Halden straightened, anger shing in his eyes. ¡°Are you doubting Lady Atasha? How could you doubt someone so weak?¡± Yara leaned back, lips curling into something close to disdain. ¡°Weak or not, words are cheap. You put your faith in them, that makes you naive.¡± ¡°You¡¯re exhausted, Matron,¡± Halden snapped. ¡°You should get yourself some rest before your tongue sharpens itself any further.¡± Yara¡¯sugh was short and dry. ¡°Exhausted, yes. Blind, no. And if you keep treating every im as gospel, you¡¯ll wake up one day with a knife in your ribs.¡± ¡­ 45 B5 vouchers Yara tipped the ss back and drained what was left. The burn steadied her. Setting it down with a sharp clink, she stood, smoothing her cloak across her shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ll be seeing you tonight,¡± she said. Without waiting for his reply, she turned on her heel and left the study. The door closed, and silence settled over the room. Halden stayed seated, his eyes fixed on the fire in the hearth. The mes snapped and shifted, the shadows crawling across the walls. His family, like the Ironsongs, had served the North for generations. That service had never been in question. And in all those centuries, the line had been clear. Cassian¡¯s lieutenants answered to the head of the North, and no one else. That bnce was what kept the council from being swallowed whole. If those men were now listening to a wolfless woman¡­ then something had already shifted. The thought gnawed at him as the door mmed open. ¡°Father!¡± Reina swept in, skirts brushing the floor as she stormed into the study. Halden looked up, his jaw tightening. ¡°What now?¡± She didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I want to go to the northern outpost.¡± Facebook: Brey Mitchylle with Cat profile pic. Brute 94 ATASHA¡¯S POV 5 vouchers Cassian had warned me that the journey would take at least a full day. The statement caught me off guard. How could traveling to a northern outpost take so long? Were we already that deep into the northernnds without my realizing it? I didn¡¯t ask him any of these questions. If he thought I needed an exnation, he would give one. Instead, I simply followed him, my steps a little uncertain at first. We had no carriage, no supplies beyond the clothes on our backs and a few weapons. It didn¡¯t take long for me to understand what he meant. Moving through the endless snow, each step sinking into the drifts, made progress painfully slow. The cold air bit at my skin, and even with constant movement, the chill settled into my bones. Thend itself seemed determined to test every ounce of strength I had. I lowered my head and forced myself forward, eyes fixed on the ground. The snow crunched beneath my boots. I didn¡¯t even realize he had stopped until I walked straight into his back. I jerked my head up, startled. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t answer right away. His gaze swept the trees, sharp and restless. Then he muttered, ¡°You are too slow.¡± I blinked at him. ¡°Too slow?¡± I barely had time to process the word before he moved. He spun around so fast the air shifted with him, and I stumbled back a step. My shoes slipped against the packed snow, bnce tipping. Before I could fall, his arm shot out, hauling me in until I hit his chest. The impact knocked the breath from me. He was holding me, one arm wrapped around me as if he had no intention of letting go. I froze, wide¨Ceyed. His face was closer than it had ever been. Those eyes, deep crimson, unnervingly bright against the white of the snow, held me in ce. And I realized then that his eyes pulled me in, holding me longer than I should have let them. There was something in them that unsettled me, a mix of danger and certainty that made it hard to look away. My throat tightened. I cleared it, forcing my voice out. ¡°Let go.¡± His gaze flicked lower,nding on my mouth. His grip didn¡¯t loosen. ¡°If I do,¡± he said evenly. ¡°You¡¯ll fall.¡± The words sank in. He wasn¡¯t wrong. I had no footing, no bnce. If he released me now, I would hit the ground. I swallowed hard and gave a short nod. ¡°Fine. I get it.¡± Only then did he straighten me, pulling me back onto steady feet. My legs still felt unsteady, like they hadn¡¯t caught up with the rest of me. ¡°Thank you,¡± I managed, trying to soundposed. But he wasn¡¯t done. His arms shifted, and before I could guess his intention, he lifted me clean off the ground. I gasped, my hands flying to his shoulders. My entire body stiffened as I looked down, realizing my boots 12:02 Mon, Sep were no longer touching snow. ¡°Cassian-¡± 5 vouchers He didn¡¯t react to my protest. His arms were solid beneath me, holding me as if I weighed nothing. The set of his jaw was calm, unbothered, but his eyes hadn¡¯t softened. They stayed locked on me, unreadable and definitely too steady forfort. My chest tightened. Being this close was too much. The warmth of his body bled through theyers of clothing, the strength in his grip making it clear I had no chance of slipping free even if I wanted to. ¡°Put me down,¡± I said quickly. He tilted his head slightly, studying me. ¡°You¡¯ll only fall again.¡± The answer made my pulse jump. He wasn¡¯t mocking me. He wasn¡¯t even smiling. He was just stating it like fact, as if carrying me was the only logical option. I pressed my lips together, realizing anything else I said would sound weak. My breath came faster than it should have, and I hated that he noticed. His hold didn¡¯t falter. If anything, he pulled me closer, as though testing how much space I would demand, or how much I would tolerate. Yet, I said nothing. To my surprise, I feltfortable in his arms. It was unsettling how natural it seemed, as if my body had already decided it trusted the hold. Against my will, I drew in a breath. He smelled of blood, steel, and something I couldn¡¯t name, an undercurrent that was sharp but strangely grounding. There was something enigmatic about it that made my thoughts drift. I scolded myself silently. What was I doing, thinking about how he smelled? We were trudging through enemynds, surrounded by threats, and I was distracted by something so useless. I forced my mind to focus, but before I could, a sudden sound snapped me back. The air carried the ring of shing swords. Growls followed, the unmistakable sound of beasts locked in a fight. Cassian¡¯s arms tensed, and before I could say anything, he bent his knees and leapt. The ground blurred away in an instant. My stomach lurched as wended on a tree branch high above. The wood shook under the impact but held. I shut my eyes tight, pulse hammering. When he set me down, my boots found the branch, narrow and uneven. The wind felt sharper here, colder, and the ground seemed impossibly far below. My knees weakened, and without realizing it, I clutched his arm, holding on as if it were the only stable thing keeping me from falling. It was more of a hug than a grip, and I hated that I noticed it. ¡°Look,¡± Cassian said. I forced my eyes open. Not far ahead, through breaks in the trees, I saw them, figures moving in formation. They were lean, tall, their limbs longer than normal men. Their movements were too fluid, too strange, as if their bones bent differently. They fought beasts I couldn¡¯t name, striking with weapons that gleamed faintly even during the day. It wasn¡¯t just a skirmish, it looked like a group traveling while hacking through anything that blocked their ¡­ D: 45 5 vouchers path. Sadly, they were clearly not winning. I blinked hard, unable to make sense of it. My mouth opened, questions rushing up, but Cassian cut them off before I spoke. ¡°Stay here.¡± His hand pressed lightly against my shoulder, moving me to his other side, away from the edge. I barely had time to react before he pushed off the branch and dropped straight down into the snow below. I froze, stunned, staring at the space he left behind. My fingers clenched against the bark. The world tilted slightly, my bnce screaming at me not to move. I cursed him under my breath. Of all the things he could have done, he left me perched in a tree like a fool while he went to face whatever those creatures were. Brute 95 ATASHA¡¯S POV 68 E55 vouchers The only time I ever saw Cassian struggle was when his humanity slipped. This time, there was none of that. When hended in the snow, the ground seemed to quake under his weight. The beasts lunged at him first, thick jaws snapping, ws raking the air. He didn¡¯t draw his sword. He didn¡¯t even reach for the dagger strapped to his belt. Instead, he met them head¨Con with his bare hands. The first creature charged. Cassian caught it by the throat, fingers digging deep into the hide. A crunch followed as he twisted hard, snapping its neck in a single violent motion. Before the body even dropped, another beast lunged from the side. Cassian swung the corpse like a shield, bones breaking under the impact, then hurled it into the snow with a wet crack. Blood sprayed across his cloak and face. It only made him look more like what he truly was, something built to kill. A third beast wed at his back. He turned fast, faster than it could retreat, and drove his fist straight through its jaw. The sound of bone giving way echoed across the clearing, followed by a screech that cut short when Cassian ripped its head free from its shoulders. He tossed it aside as if it were nothing but trash. The remaining beasts hesitated. Even they seemed to know what they were up against. But hesitation didn¡¯t save them. Cassian was already moving. He tore into them with an efficiency that was sickening to watch. Soon enough, his bare hands started breaking bones, ripping limbs, smashing skulls against the frozen ground until the snow was more red than white. It ended as quickly as it began. Cassian stood in the middle of it all, chest rising and falling steadily. His cloak dripped blood, his hands stained past the wrist. Around him, the bodies of the beastsy broken, piled in heaps that looked less like corpses and more like butchery. The lean, tall figures he had stepped in to help had gonepletely still. They stared at him, weapons still in hand, but none of them moved closer. Their strange faces showed a mix of awe and dread. Even though Cassian had just saved them, they kept their distance, like one wrong move might put them next on the ground. Silence stretched. Then, one of them turned. His eyes didn¡¯t go back to Cassian. They went upward, straight to where I was. I stiffened, my hand tightening around the bark of the branch. His gaze locked on me, and I immediately felt the prickle of unease run down my spine. ¡°Thank you for saving us, your excellency,¡± one of them spoke. Unlike the other one, he was looking at Cassian before he gave Cassian a shallow bow. I frowned. Why could I hear the man¡¯s voice so clearly? He was at least ten meters away. That wasn¡¯t far, but for some reason, It almost felt like he was speaking right next to me. It felt as if he had leaned close and spoken directly into my ear. 9:41 Tue, Sep 16 : 68 55 vouchers I studied them more carefully. At first nce, they almost looked normal, but not quite. They were tall, lean, their frames stretched in a way that made them stand out. Human enough to pass, but different enough to unsettle me. Cassian gave no reaction to their thanks. He only nodded, then turned his back on them. He crouched low over one of the broken beasts, drew his dagger, and began cutting into its side. I knew what he was doing, he wanted meat. We had nothing with us, no supplies. We needed to hunt if we wanted to eat. But the strangers didn¡¯t see it that way. The man who had spoken earlier stiffened. His grip on his weapon tightened, and he stepped back like he had just realized what kind of predator was in front of him. ¡°Your Excellency¡­ may I know what you are doing?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t answer right away. He stilled, his de half¨Cburied in muscle. Then he turned his head toward them. ¡°You may leave.¡± The air shifted. Shock rippled across their faces. The younger one, the same one who had looked at me first, took a step forward. ¡°How dare you order us. Do you- ¡± He wasn¡¯t able to finish his words when the older man p his shoulder. Cassian¡¯s expression darkened instantly. The weight of it was enough to send a chill down my spine even from where I stood. Before the tension could snap, the older man from earlier quickly raised a hand. His shoulders stiffened as he spoke, ¡°Forgive him. My grandson is hot¨Cheaded. We have been traveling for days, and this is the first time we havee across someone like us. We are wary¡­ and desperate for rest.¡± Cassian said nothing. He just watched them, blood still dripping from his hand, the dagger steady in his grip. The silence stretched until it became unbearable. I shifted slightly, unsure if I should say something, but the look on his face kept me still. The old man cleared his throat again, this time with a trace of awkwardness. ¡°If you do not mind¡­ can you help us with something else?¡± Cassian didn¡¯t reply. His stare pinned them in ce. So the old man pressed on. ¡°Can you point us to the direction of the Northern Outpost?¡± Cassian only frowned at the question, the lines around his mouth sharp. The old man didn¡¯t stop. He stepped forward half a pace, bowing his head just enough to show restraint. ¡°Please do not take this the wrong way. We are¡­ travelers. We have been trying to reach the northern outpost, but the tide caught us by surprise. A beast horde broke through our path. We lost most of our belongings. We were fortunate to survive, but most of ourpany did not. The outpost is the only chance we have left. If we can get there before the beast tide finishes, we may live. Without it, we won¡¯t.¡± I narrowed my eyes. His words rolled too easily from his mouth. But who did he think he was fooling? Travelers? In this part of the north? No one came here by ident. Thend itself was enough to kill most men, and yet he wanted us to believe they had simply wandered into a beast tide and survived it? Did they think we were that blind? 9:41 Tue, Sep 16 ¡­ : 68 55 vouchers ¡°Of course, if you help us, we can¡­ pay you,¡± the man said. ¡°Fae stones¡­ we have fae stones. If you do not know, we are going to visit the Lord of the North. He could- He would surely reward you for helping us.¡± I looked at Cassian, expecting him to cut the old man off. To my shock, he said, ¡°I will lead you to the outpost.¡± Brute 96 ATASHA¡¯S POV 68 55 vouchers I looked at Cassian, struggling to understand his decision. Lead them? For what reason? These people didn¡¯t belong here, and their story didn¡¯t add up. Yet he had given them exactly what they wanted. Another question pressed inside my head. If they truly knew the Lord of the North, why hadn¡¯t they recognized Cassian on sight? Was it because his cloak and face were still drenched in blood? ¡°Then, as a way to thank you, allow us to offer this illuminating fae stone,¡± the older man said with a practiced smile. ¡°My name is Agape. This is my grandson, Kae,¡± he pointed at the younger man. Then towards the two other people behind him. ¡°This is Eron and that is Lani. The one behind them is called Zeryn. It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency.¡± Cassian made a low sound, a nomittal ¡°Hmm.¡± Hearing this, Agape drew out a pearl like stone and tossed it toward him. Cassian caught it easily with one hand, his eyes narrowing slightly as he examined it. I immediately noticed that it was the same stone that we found in the cave. I quickly reached towards my pocket and made sure that still had possession of that stone. Finally, Cassian went back to what he was doing. He didn¡¯t bother saying another word. ¡°Your Excellency¡­ may i know what you are doing?¡± Agape asked. ¡°Meat,¡± Cassian said. ¡°Are you saying you are going to consume the meat of those nasty beasts?¡± the younger man named Kae said. ¡°Do you not know that those are poisonous,¡± Eron blurted. ¡°Besides, only another beast could consume their own kind.¡± The others began speaking over one another. ¡°Beasts are filled with toxins,¡± Lani said. ¡°Their flesh can burn skin if handled too long.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Zeryn added, shaking his head. ¡°Even the smoke from their meat can poison the lungs.¡± Their words piled on, each description worse than thest, I froze as the memory struck me. This morning, when Cassian had prepared the meat for me, I hadn¡¯t touched it beforehand. There had been no sign of poison at all. The flesh was safe, clean, and edible. How had he managed that? What method had he used to strip the poison away? Cassian didn¡¯t answer their usations. He didn¡¯t even look at them or acknowledge their words. Agape gave an awkward chuckle, raising a hand as if to calm them. ¡°The world is wide, children. There are methods beyond what we know. Techniques to clean even the most dangerous flesh. Do not assume what you have not seen,¡± Kae scowled. ¡°But only those-¡± 9:42 Tue, Sep 16 68 55 vouchers ¡°Enough,¡± Agape cut in. ¡°Observe and learn. There are many things here we have yet to understand.¡± The group fell quiet, though their unease lingered. All eyes turned back to Cassian. He worked without hesitation, his dagger carving the meat expertly. He stripped the meat away from bone, discarding what was useless and keeping what wouldst. Once done, he crouched low, scooped up handfuls of snow, and rubbed it across the cuts of meat until the blood ran clear. He did the same to his own hands, the cold water dripping down his wrists. Then he wiped the snow across his face, clearing away the dried blood. When his skin showed again, their stares changed. Even hardened men like Eron faltered. I couldn¡¯t me them. Without his red eyes, Cassian already looked like something carved from stone. But when those crimson eyes gleamed against his now, clean face, the sight was just different. Dangerous and beautiful in a way that left them staring longer than they should have. Cassian paid them no mind. He wrapped the meat in cloth, then turned his gaze upward, toward me. Before I could react, he moved. In a single leap, hended on the branch, his hand firm around my waist. My stomach lurched as the ground rushed back into view. Then, just as quickly, he jumped again, carrying me with him. We hit the snow below in one smoothnding. The strangers¡® heads snapped toward us, their eyes narrowing, not just at Cassian, but at me. ¡°Your Excellency this is¡­¡± Agape smiled. I expected Cassian to brush them off, maybe call me apanion at most. But instead, the words came without hesitation. ¡°My wife.¡± I froze. Warmth spread through me, but I forced my face to stay still. I nodded stiffly, hoping it looked natural, while inside I had to bite back the urge to smile. Smile? Why would I smile? I scolded myself instantly. What was the point of hiding it? I was his wife. And yet, it felt strange hearing him im it so openly. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Agape¡¯s eyes flicked toward me. He reached into his pocket without pause and pulled out a small stone, faintly glowing red. ¡°Please forgive me, this is all I have that would suit ady. A red fae stone. It can be used to heal wounds and cuts, small ones. It will even prevent scars. But you can only use it three times.¡± I blinked but epted it with both hands. ¡°Thank you.¡± The moment his hand brushed mine, something strange rushed through me. It wasn¡¯t fire or pain, but a sudden jolt that shot across my skin, sharp enough to make me flinch. My breath caught, and before I knew it, I had pulled back, the stone slipping from my grasp and falling into the snow. Seeing this, Cassian moved instantly. Steel shed as Cassian¡¯s dagger came free. In less than a breath, he was on Agape. One hand seized the old man¡¯s cor, the other drove the de against his throat. The sudden movement sent the others into a frenzy. Kae and the others immediately reached for their 9:42 Tue, Sep 16 68 55 vouchers weapons, but it was already toote. Cassian had Agape pinned, his crimson eyes fixed, and one wrong move would end the man¡¯s life. ¡°Stop!¡± I shouted, panic rising in my chest. I took a quick step forward, my hand half¨Craised. ¡°Cas¨CHusband, stop!¡± The word slipped out before I could stop myself. I wasn¡¯t sure why I said it. Maybe because using his name in front of strangers would expose his identity. Or maybe because, in that moment, it was the only thing I could think of to make him stop. As soon as the word left my mouth, Cassian¡¯s head turned toward me. His crimson eyes narrowed. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he asked. Brute 97 Chapter 97 ATASHA¡¯S POV 39 55 vouchers ¡°I-¡°I cursed myself inside. What was I doing, stopping him? ¡°I mean¡­ he didn¡¯t mean to do that.¡± I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the others tightening their grips on their weapons, spreading out as if preparing to strike. My body tensed, ready for the sh. But Cassian¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Do you think you can stop me?¡± For a second, I thought those words were aimed at me. Then I realized his eyes weren¡¯t on me at all. He was looking at them. A smirk spread across his face. ¡°Think again.¡± He moved before anyone could blink. Agape was wrenched upward as though he weighed nothing, Cassian lifting him clean off the ground with one arm. He shoved the old man forward, using his body as a shield, dagger pressed so close to his neck that a thin line of blood already trickled down. The others froze at the sight, though Kae shouted and charged anyway. Cassian didn¡¯t even flinch. His bootshed out, catching Kae squarely in the chest. The younger man was thrown back,nding hard in the snow. The rest rushed toward him, helping him up. From the way they moved around him, shielding him on both sides, it was obvious now, Kae wasn¡¯t just a hot¨Cheaded youth. They were his guards. Lani took a step forward, her weapon raised, but Agape¡¯s voice rang out sharply. ¡°Wait! Do not move!¡± She hesitated, her de still raised, but the rest stopped. Cassian pressed the dagger harder against Agape¡¯s throat. ¡°If I wanted him dead, none of you could stop me. Not even if you all came at once.¡± Agape winced as the steel cut deeper, blood dripping into his cor. ¡°He- He is telling the truth. None of us would be his match.¡± ¡°The Lord of the North knows we areing,¡± Kae spat out. Clearly, the man was trying his best to intimidate Cassian. ¡°If we do not arrive on time, he will hunt you down himself. In thisnd, the Lord of the North is as good as a king. He rules everything here.¡± I blinked, confused by his arrogance. Slowly, I looked at Cassian. His face gave nothing away. 10:40 Wed, Sep 17 Cassian gave a short snort. ¡°What did you do?¡± 39 55 vouchers Agape¡¯s eyes widened. He struggled in Cassian¡¯s grip, blood flowing faster down his neck. ¡°W- what does my lord mean?¡± Cassian¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Why did you hurt my wife?¡± Agape stammered. ¡°I didn¡¯t-¡± The de pressed tighter. ¡°Try again.¡± Agape grimaced, his words spilling out fast. ¡°I truly didn¡¯t harm the Lady. However¡­ that sudden jolt she felt, it only happens when a fae stone reacts to someone who can harness its ability.¡± Cassian frowned. ¡°Harness its ability?¡± Agape nodded quickly, wincing as the de stayed firm against his throat. ¡°Yes. It seems the Lady can use fae stones.¡± Cassian¡¯s face darkened. ¡°She¡¯s not fae.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Agape answered. ¡°But there are those with special constitutions who can channel fae stones. You don¡¯t have to be born a fae to do it.¡± Cassian said nothing. His eyes stayed locked on the old man. Agape rushed to continue. ¡°I am not lying. Ask the Lady to pick up the stone again. If she does, nothing will happen this time. What she felt earlier was a normal reaction to an active fae stone when it first connects to someone who can use it.¡± My brows drew together. Active fae stone? I remembered what Grace once told me. Active fae stones were different. They held multiple uses depending on the stone. The red one, for example, could heal small wounds and prevent scars, but only three times or sometimes more before losing its power. That was why they were rare and expensive. By contrast, passive fae stones were simple. They did only one thing. The light fae stone gave off illumination when the sun was gone. A warmth stone kept heat steady during winter nights. A rity stone sharpened vision, but only for reading or seeing in dim light. They were useful, yes, but predictable and limited. Active fae stones could be far more dangerous. Grace had warned me that some were tied to fire, others to water, even air and earth. She had once mentioned a storm stone that could summon lightning once before burning out, and another that could drain poison from the body at a terrible cost to the user¡¯s strength. 39 55 vouchers She said these were really rare and a fae would pay an enormous price to get one of them. That was why they were valued more than gold. They were weapons and tools, their worth beyond measure. I nced at the red stone lying in the snow between us. ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± I said. ¡°I wasn¡¯t hurt.¡± I lifted my hand to show Cassian. My body always reacted on its own whenever something harmful entered it. A small cut or poison would be dealt with immediately. That was why poisons never worked on me. Cassian knew this. He knew I was immune, so even if Agape had tried to harm me, it wouldn¡¯t have done anything. So why was he acting this way? Cassian wasn¡¯t in his feral state anymore. That meant he had a reason for what he was doing, even if I couldn¡¯t see it yet. The others stared at me as I lowered myself and picked up the stone. ¡°See?¡± I met Cassian¡¯s crimson eyes. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± In response, Cassian narrowed his eyes. ¡°The Lady¡­ she is fine,¡± Agape said, his voice carrying a clear note of relief. ¡°I am,¡± I said, keeping my eyes fixed on Cassian. ¡°Please, let him go.¡± Cassian¡¯s gaze sharpened. He studied me closely, his expression tightening as though he was trying to decide if I was telling the truth. But Cassian didn¡¯t move. His dagger stayed against Agape¡¯s throat, the blood still dripping. The others stood frozen, weapons half¨Craised, waiting to see what he would do. And I¡­ I kept my gaze on him, refusing to look away. ¡°Please. Let him go.¡± For a long moment, nothing happened. Then Cassian finally released his grip. Agape dropped forward, coughing, his hand clutching the cut at his throat. The others rushed toward him, but none dared take another step closer to Cassian. Then Cassian slid the dagger back into its sheath but didn¡¯t rx. His eyes swept across the group, thennded on me again, as if he wasn¡¯t satisfied with what he saw. Agape raised a hand, stopping the others from saying anything. ¡°Your Excellency¡­ we meant no offense.¡± His voice was hoarse, strained. : Cassian gave no reply. Instead, he turned away, his expression unreadable. 39 55 vouchers My fingers tightened around the red stone in my palm as I thought about what Agape had said. Special constitutions. People who could use fae stones without being fae. Was that really what I was? Before I could think further, a sound tore through the stillness. A low, guttural growl carried on the wind. Brute 98 Chapter 98 AGAPE¡¯S POV Agape sat near the fire, but not for its warmth. The mes were a reminder, a signal to himself that he needed to hold on to the same fire inside, to not lose hope no matter how desperate things became. The fight earlier had drained them all. His body ached, his breathing was still uneven, and his thoughts were heavier than he wanted to admit. Without His Excellency Cas and the woman he called his wife, they would not have survived the beast tide. They were now inside a cave, its stone walls blocking out the biting wind. Cas had led them there after the battle, moving through the narrow paths with the confidence of someone who knew the terrain well. He hadn¡¯t faltered once, as if he had crossed the same route many times before. Finding this safe shelter was proof enough that he and his wife were familiar with this part of the north. ¡°Can we trust them?¡± Lani asked, breaking Agape¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Do we have a choice?¡± Agape replied. ¡°Even if we tried to fight, none of us could stand against him.¡± Their strength was already drained from hunger and from constantly running from predators. ¡°But we have to hurry,¡± Lani said. ¡°If they catch us here¡­¡± ¡°The night is upon us, Lani, walking at this time of the day would be akin to killing ourselves,¡± Eron said. Everyone knew that the north would be deadlier at night during the red moon. ¡°Our ns had been dyed for too long,¡± Lani said. ¡°We need to reach the northern outpost as soon as we can to meet the Northern Lord.¡± ¡°You talk as if you¡¯re the only one who wants to leave this ce,¡± Kae muttered. ¡°The fight earlier already dyed us, and we¡¯ve been battling nonstop since we crossed the border. If we keep pushing forward without rest, it won¡¯t be the fangs of those filthy creatures that kill us, it will be exhaustion.¡± Agape said nothing. Instead, he turned towards where His Excellency Cas and his wife Tasha were staying. Unlike them, the two were eating without hesitation. His Excellency Cas and the woman named Tasha sat near their fire, calmly consuming the meat he had carved earlier as if it were 10:40 Wed, Sep 17 no different from venison or boar. 55 vouchers Agape¡¯s jaw tightened. If they had not been forced to flee, if they had been able to prepare properly, they would have carried enough food for the journey. But preparation had not been an option. Someone wanted them dead, and only by escaping into the northern lord¡¯s territory did they stand a chance of surviving. Sadly, he had underestimated the red moon. They had known it would be dangerous, but none of them expected the beasts near the borders to be this strong. To get this far, they had already been forced to sacrifice several of their own and leave a few of their things behind. He turned his gaze toward Kae or Prince Kaelith. The boy sat stiffly, but Agape caught the way his eyes lingered on the meat roasting over Cassian¡¯s fire. Agape didn¡¯t need to ask. Hunger was in enough. The prince had gone nearly two days without food, and even the strongest willpower had its limits. As if sensing Agape¡¯s thoughts, Kae finally spoke. ¡°They are eating the meat of the beast.¡± Eron grunted, watching the pair. ¡°And it looks like they¡¯re enjoying it.¡± ¡°How could someone enjoy those filthy things?¡± Kae asked. ¡°People who survive in this part of the world don¡¯t care about what kind of food they eat,¡± Agape exined. If his guess was correct, both Cas and Tasha had lived here long enough that their bodies had already adapted to the poison. That would exin why they could consume the meat without issue and why they were able to fight the beasts without faltering. ¡°I would never consume those lowly creatures,¡± Lani said without hiding the disgust in her voice. Agape exhaled. ¡°It has been almost two days since any of usst ate. Eating this meat would not be an offense to our God.¡± ¡°I would rather die than taint my blood with the flesh of beasts,¡± Lani shot back. Kae lifted his chin, echoing her words. ¡°I will never consume one either.¡± Agape only sighed. He had heard stubbornness before, but it weighed more heavily when paired with hunger and exhaustion. From the edge of the group, Zeryn finally spoke. The boy had been quiet the entire time, his sharp eyes taking in everything. ¡°Agape¡­ what do you think they are?¡± Agape turned his head. Among the younger generation, Zeryn¡¯s observations were often the most urate. ¡°I can sense a wolf,¡± Agape said slowly. ¡°But the other has none.¡± 39 55 vouchers Eron leaned closer. ¡°But her body reacted to the stone. Doesn¡¯t that mean she¡¯s one of them?¡± ¡°She seemed unaware,¡± Lani added. Agape gave a single nod. ¡°Yes, that much is clear.¡± He exhaled heavily. ¡°No one stays in this of the world unless they have no other choice. Each of us came here out of desperation, and I suspect her reason is no different from ours.¡± part ¡°Do you think¡­ they¡¯re hunting her too?¡± Zeryn asked. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of any mention of a woman. I thought they were only after Kae. And the other tribes-¡± ¡°It¡¯s better if we stop thinking about it,¡± Agape interrupted. ¡°Forget what happened earlier. His Excellency saved us, and she stopped him from harming me. The least we can do is avoid asking questions that don¡¯t concern us.¡± Agape wasn¡¯t concerned about them overhearing their conversation. He had activated a fae stone earlier, one that muffled sound within their circle. As far as he knew, neither Cas nor the woman could hear a word. ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Agape said, lowering his voice. ¡°We will reach the northern outpost. Save your strength. Rest now while you can.¡± Kae frowned. ¡°What about food?¡± Agape¡¯s eyes went to the half¨Cburned corpses of the in beasts still littering the snow outside the cave. ¡°In this part of the north, the only thing we can eat is them.¡± The words left the group in silence. None of them spoke again. Pride and disgust kept their mouths shut. Ìï Brute 99 RIO¡¯S POV : 39 55 vouchers ¡°HOLD THE LINE!¡± Rio¡¯s voice strained against the roar of battle. His throat was raw, but he shouted again, forcing strength into his words. ¡°THE NIGHT IS ABOUT TO END! HOLD THE LINE!¡± The second night of the beast tide was worse than the first. Dawn was breaking, yet the creatures had only grown wilder. Their eyes burned with frenzy, their ws and teeth cutting through steel as if the armor meant nothing. Soldiers shed with them at the barricades, the air thick with the smell of blood, smoke, and rot. ¡°Joneses!¡± Rio barked, spotting the veteran stagger as he swung his axe. ¡°Assist Mendez! Now!¡± Mendez was helping a soldier who was on his knees, his arm shed open, blood pouring down his side. Two men rushed to drag the wounded back, but another beast barreled toward them. Joneses leapt forward, axe mming into the creature¡¯s skull before it could finish them. The impact split the ground with a wet crack. More wounded were carried into the back lines every minute, healers scrambling with bandages and poultices, their faces pale from exhaustion. Men bled into the snow, some groaning, others silent, their weapons ttering uselessly to the ground. Then came the worst of it, the flying beasts. Their wings cut across the sky, blocking out what little light was left. They dove straight into the ranks, ws hooking soldiers off the walls and dragging them screaming into the air. One crashed into the barricade, tearing apart the palisade as men scrambled to push it back. ¡°Archers! Bring it down!¡± Rio shouted, pointing his de upward. Arrows hissed through the air, piercing wings, but the creatures didn¡¯t fall fast enough. Another swooped, grabbing a young soldier and flinging him across the yard like a broken doll. Chaos ruled the field. Even the most disciplined lines bent under the assault. The beasts seemed endless, their numbers pressing from every direction. Just as despair threatened to sink in, a sound split the air. A sharp, piercing screech, louder than the rest. The beasts faltered, their wings beating erratically. Rio froze, his brow furrowing. The sun was rising, by instinct, the beasts should retreat. But instead of pulling back, they grew frantic, mming harder into their defenses. Could they even survive another wave? Another screech tore through the sky. ¡°Look!¡± someone shouted, pointing beyond the barricades. 10:41 Wed, Sep 17 39 55 vouchers Rio turned. His eyes widened. From the treeline behind the horde, a surge of force erupted, like water bursting from a broken fountain, except it wasn¡¯t water. It was a wave of blood and steel, beasts torn apart and hurled into the air as something cut straight through them. Grace who had been standing at Rio¡¯s side with her de slick with gore, gasped and then shouted with all the breath she had left. ¡°The Lord is back! Lord Cassian is back!¡± ¡°The Lord is back!¡± Rio shouted, his voice breaking but strong enough for the men closest to him to hear. Now it made sense. Why the beasts seemed more desperate, why their attacks had grown wild and reckless. They weren¡¯t pressing harder because they thought victory was close. They were running from what was behind them. From him. Lord Cassian. From this distance, Rio couldn¡¯t see clearly. All he could make out was the spray of blood and the way beasts were flung aside like broken kindling. He squinted, searching, but he couldn¡¯t spot the Lady. Only the endless blur of violence that followed Cassian wherever he went. Then Rio noticed something else. Shapes moving near Cassian. Not soldiers from the outpost, not familiar men. Company. The Lord had brought others? Rio narrowed his eyes, confusion cutting through the chaos, but there was no time to think. ¡°Rio!¡± Grace¡¯s cry tore his focus back. A flying beast had hooked her from the side, ws sinking into her shoulder as it dragged her up into the sky. ¡°GRACE!¡± Rio sprinted, boots pounding the blood¨Csoaked ground. He drove his sword into the dirt, used it as leverage, andunched himself upward. His de ripped free as he rose, the sudden burst of strength fueled by fury. The beast screeched, twisting mid¨Cair, but Rio mmed his sword into its wing joint. Bone cracked, flesh split, and the monster faltered. Grace kicked hard, her own de stabbing upward into the beast¡¯s neck. ck blood sprayed across both of them as the creature convulsed. Rio twisted his weapon free, and together they wrenched themselves loose. The beast crashed into the ground a momentter, thrashing once before going still. Rio and Grace hit the snow, rolling hard but alive. He pulled her up immediately. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Grace, pale and bleeding from her shoulder, nodded with gritted teeth. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Keep moving.¡± They rose together, des ready, and rejoined the line. The soldiers around them let out a roar, morale rising at the sight of them standing again. : 55 vouchers The tide of beasts still pressed in, but something was different now. The air itself felt charged. The men fought harder, the archers shot faster, and every swing carried new strength. Because the Lord was back. The night was almost over, dawn was breaking, and Lord Cassian had returned. They are going to survive! They will live! Grace shed another beast across the throat, then leaned toward Rio, her eyes narrowing as she nced past the barricade. ¡°Rio¡­ the Lord seemed to have somepany.¡± It didn¡¯t take long before the sun broke over the horizon, light spreading across the battlefield. As Rio had expected, some of the beasts began to pull back, their frenzy weakening under the daylight. But not all of them retreated fast enough. Lord Cassian and thepany with him cut them down without hesitation, clearing the stragglers as if they were nothing more than obstacles in their path. Rio and Grace moved fast, cutting down thest of the beasts that clung to the barricades. With the tide breaking apart and the sun finally burning through the clouds, the soldiers let out ragged cheers. ¡°Come on,¡± Rio said, already making his way down from the wall. Grace followed, clutching her wounded shoulder but refusing to slow. Together they pushed through the exhausted men toward the main gates. The gatekeepers looked to Rio for confirmation. He gave a firm nod. ¡°Open it!¡± The gears groaned as the tall gates shifted, the heavy wood and iron straining as the locks disengaged. Chains rattled, and slowly, the gates swung open. The morning light spilled through the gap, carrying with it the sight of blood, corpses, and the figure that had carved his way across the battlefield, Lord Cassian, crimson¨Ceyed, soaked his presence alone enough to silence the yard. Next to him was Lady Atasha. in gore, Seeing the two alive and safe, Rio let out a sigh of relief. But before Rio or Grace could speak, someone else rushed forward. A younger man, lean and tall, his clothes torn from travel, broke past the stragglers and held something out in both hands. ¡°Wait-¡± Rio started, his sword half¨Craised. The young man stopped short, keeping his arms extended. In his palms rested a carved token, its surface etched with a pattern that glimmered faintly in the sunlight. It looked like jade, : 39 55 vouchers though rougher, older. ¡°Ie from the Shadowfen Tribe,¡± the man said quickly, his voice carrying urgency. ¡°By order of my elders, I must see the Lord of the North.¡± Brute 100 55 vouchers Chapter 100 ¡°Your Excellency¡­¡± Agape looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him. ¡°We- we would like to apologize again. We just¡­ we didn¡¯t know and that is not an excuse.¡± The room fell into an awkward silence. Chairs scraped faintly against the floor. Boots shifted, but no one dared to lift their head or meet Cassian¡¯s eyes. This was not the first time that Agape had asked for Cassian¡¯s forgiveness. In fact, he immediately asked Cassian to forgive them while we were still at the gates. But Cassian maintained his silence. Now, inside the safety of the Cabin, Agape bowed lower, again. ¡°I must beg your forgiveness again. We have been traveling too long without proper food or rest. Our minds were dulled, our bodies weak, and in that state, we failed to recognize you. It was never our intention to be disrespectful. We were blind, and for that, I am deeply ashamed.¡± He paused, swallowing hard before speaking again. ¡°We owe you our lives. Had you not intervened during the beast tide, none of us would be standing here. For that, we are grateful beyond words.¡± Behind him, the others shifted uneasily. One after another, they murmured their own apologies. Eron bowed stiffly. Lani lowered her head and muttered about speaking out of turn. Even Zeryn, who had barely said a word since we met, mumbled his regret. Kae was the only one who stayed silent. He stood rigid, jaw clenched, his eyes fixed anywhere but on Cassian -or me. Agape forced himself to continue. ¡°We had heard stories of the Northern Lord, but none of us had ever seen you in person. Rumors painted you asrger than life, as if no man could truly be what was described. We thought¡­ perhaps the stories were exaggerated.¡± He hesitated, his face tight with shame. ¡°Now we see how foolish that was.¡± I nced at Cassian, but his expression didn¡¯t change. Seeing that Cassian didn¡¯t seem very interested in speaking, he straightened slightly, smoothing his robe as though to gather himself. ¡°Allow me to give proper introductions, Your Excellency. I am Agape Approvan, Elder of the Shadowfen Tribe of the North.¡± His hand gestured toward the young man lingering near the wall. ¡°This is Prince Kaelith Fen, the youngest son of the Fen Royalty, our ruling line.¡± At that, the others bowed their heads. Agape went on. ¡°With him are his personal guard. Eron Malvek, Lani Dros, and Zeryn Talvek. We are all sworn to his protection.¡± One by one, the guards inclined their heads, their faces stiff but respectful. Yet Kae or Prince Kaelith, did not move. The room fell into a heavy silence. And I found myself wondering if Cassian meant to crush them with it. How could he keep the tension this high without saying a word? Why wasn¡¯t he speaking at all? Soon enough, Agape looked torn between kneeling and pressing his forehead to the floor. In the end, he bowed again. ¡°We were weary, starved, and careless. In our exhaustion, we failed to recognize you for who you are. For that, I beg forgiveness. We owe you our lives. Without your intervention, the beast tide would have ended us. For that, we are grateful.¡± He stayed bent and repeated, softer, ¡°We are grateful.¡± A 55 vouchers Cassian still said nothing. And I watched Agape tremble and the others shift behind him, waiting for any sign from Cassian that wouldn¡¯te. When it became clear he wasn¡¯t going to respond, Mendez finally cleared his throat. ¡°Then may we proceed to the real reason you came here?¡± Agape nced between Mendez, Cassian, and then me. His fingers flexed against his robe. ¡°If permitted, I would prefer to speak with the Lord alone.¡± Still Cassian said nothing. Why wasn¡¯t he speaking? Did he enjoy watching them squirm? Then, Cassian lifted a hand. The gesture was slight, but everyone in the room, including me, stiffened. This time, I didn¡¯t hesitate, and I pushed my chair back to rise. Just like me, Mendez had already stood and was heading toward the door when Cassian spoke. ¡°You stay.¡± I froze and turned. His red eyes were fixed on me. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°You are the Lady of the North. The Northern Consort.¡± The words struck harder than I expected. The others reacted before I had a chance to respond. Agape gaped, then bent forward so quickly his forehead nearly touched the floor. ¡°Forgive me, mydy,¡± he said, voice uneven. ¡°I spoke out of ignorance. I did not mean to diminish your position. I beg your pardon. I beg it again.¡± He bowed once more, his movements rushed. ¡°I have no excuse.¡± Surprised, I looked at Agape. Why was he acting like this? Was apologizing like this necessary? Yet, I kept my face steady and gave him a curt nod while Mendez left. ¡°Understood,¡± I said as I sat back down beside Cassian. His arm brushed mine as I settled, and he made no effort to move away. Agape straightened slowly, his face still flushed with embarrassment. Then he turned to hispanions. ¡°Outside.¡± They obeyed without hesitation. Lani left first, Eron and Zeryn close behind. The door closed on the muffled noise of soldiers in the hall. Only Prince Kaelith remained, nted by the wall with his arms locked across his chest. Agape frowned. ¡°Your Highness Kaelith-¡± ¡°I¡¯m staying,¡± the boy said sharply. Cassian studied the prince in silence, the crackle of the hearth the only sound filling the pause. Almost immediately, Kae dropped into a chair, jaw clenched tight. Agape¡¯s shoulders eased just slightly before he turned back to us. ¡°We came for sanctuary,¡± Agape said. ¡°And for aid.¡± His eyes flicked toward the door, then back to Cassian. ¡°Someone wants the prince dead. We lost most of our people on the road. What the assassins started, the ¡°Sit,¡± Cassian said atst. 7:44 Thu, Sep 18 beast tide nearly finished. Without you saving us¡­ we ¡­ we would have¡­¡± 93 55 vouchers Cassian cut through his pause. ¡°Speak inly. You asked to see the Lord of the North. You have him.¡± Agape wet his lips, then nodded. ¡°Currently, the Kingdom of the Frozen North is¡­ in chaos.¡± Kingdom of the Frozen North? I remember hearing that word before. Seeing my confusion, Agape looked at me. ¡°If the Lady doesn¡¯t know, the Kingdom of the Frozen North is¡­ the Kingdom of Fae¡¯s.¡± Fae¡¯s? I immediately lifted an eyebrow. Brute 101 Chapter 101 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers Cassian said he would think about it. For now, he allowed them to rest, recover, and remain in the outpost while he decided what to do with them. What I didn¡¯t understand was why I was still in his study with him. I could have used the time to go outside and tend to the wounded. That would have made sense. But then the truth settled in. My ability wasn¡¯t mine to use freely. Cassian controlled it. It was his decision who I would heal and who I would not. I swallowed and nced at Mendez, who was seated across from me. Neither he nor Cassian had spoken for some time, and the silence made me wonder if they had some way ofmunicating without words. ¡°My Lady, is there something you wish to ask?¡± Mendez said, almost as though he had read my thoughts. ¡°I-¡± My eyes shifted to Cassian. He was still staring at the untouched cup of coffee in front of him, giving me no sign. I drew a breath and continued. ¡°The Fae. What do you know about them?¡± ¡°Fae¡¯s¡­.¡± Mendez nced at Cassian too. ¡°Undeniably, I know more about them than the rest of the soldiers but that is only because I used to work in the Royal hospital.¡± I nodded. Yes, Mendez indeed worked with the previous King in the past. ¡°Contrary to what normal people know, Fae¡¯s have more simrities to us than most think¡­¡± Mendez paused, choosing his words. ¡°They have royals, courts, andws. They live in kingdoms under a crown. And like our packs, they¡¯re divided into tribes.¡± ¡°Tribes?¡± I asked. He nodded. ¡°Each tribe owes tribute to the King, the one strong enough to keep them in line and protect them from what lives in the North. The tribute can be stones,bor, warriors, or knowledge. In return, the King keeps the roads clear, settles disputes, and answers when something worse than beasts starts, hunting. He protects them from the dangers of the North.¡± ¡°Dangers of the North?¡± I pressed. ¡°Yes, mydy. The weather is only one part of it. There are older creatures in the wastes, and enemies that don¡¯t rush at walls. Some hide behind bargains. Some use lures. Witches are counted among the Fae¡¯s enemies.¡± He hesitated, then added, ¡°Witches take children when they can. They drain blood for power. Any supernatural blood can feed their work, but Fae blood carries more force, likely because of their tie to living things and stone.¡± My jaw tightened. ¡°Then why do Agape and the rest look¡­ normal?¡± I left the rest of the thought hanging. Mendez gave a short chuckle. ¡°Most people picture Fae with polished features, long hair, pointed ears, and eyes that shine. Some do look like that. But they can hide it. mour, banding, bindings, call it what you want. Ears can be ttened, color dulled, marks covered. If they¡¯re on the run, they won¡¯t advertise what they are.¡± ¡°You¡¯re saying they¡¯re hiding their actual appearance?¡± 55 vouchers ¡°Yes. At least the parts that give them away. If you saw them at a Fae court, you¡¯d notice the differences. Here, they¡¯ll pass until they choose not to.¡± I thought of Kae¡¯s posture and Agape¡¯s formal bow. ¡°Do you know anything about this Fae King, the one changing the Frozen North?¡± ¡°Unfortunately, no,¡± Mendez said. He nced at Cassian and then back to me. ¡°Fae¡¯s avoid other supernaturals. Outside of trade, they share little. They keep their maps, theirws, and their bloodlines to themselves. But¡­¡± His eyes shifted to the door. ¡°We can use Agape and the others to learn how their kingdom is structured. Which tribes pay what, who sits on which council, and how their oaths work. It would help us n.¡± I nodded. ¡°Then we should start soon.¡± Across from us, Cassian lifted his hand. Mendez stood at once. ¡°That will be all,¡± Cassian said. Mendez dipped his head to him, then to me. ¡°Mydy.¡± He turned and left, pulling the door closed behind him. I rose as well, but Cassian¡¯s fingers wrapped around my wrist. Heat pulsed where his hand touched my skin. I met his eyes and gave a brief nod. Inwardly, I was still trying to find my ce in all of this. I could be out there with the healers, stopping bleeding, setting bones, doing something useful. Instead I was here, in his study, staring at the same walls and the same cup of coffee he hadn¡¯t touched. If he wanted me at his side, fine, but what did he expect me to do other than sit and wait? I stayed quiet, waiting for him to speak first. When nothing came, I turned my head. Cassian¡¯s crimson eyes were already on me. ¡°Is¡­ is there something?¡± I asked. Mendez didn¡¯t look shocked to see Cassian return. What unsettled him more was me, sitting here beside Cassian, alive and unharmed. Maybe he had expected me to be gone by now, or assumed Cassian would have ended me himself. If Mendez was surprised, then he might know more about Cassian¡¯s state than I did. And I intended to use this chance to ask. Before I could say anything else, Cassian¡¯s hand tightened around my wrist and, with no warning, he pulled me forward. I let out a sharp gasp as I stumbled andnded on hisp. ¡°Cassian-¡°The name barely escaped before his arm came around me. He hugged me from behind, his chest solid against my back, his hand firm across my waist. His head lowered until his forehead rested against the back of mine. I froze, every muscle stiff, my pulse hammering far too fast. 7:44 Thu, Sep 18 : ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that,¡± he said, his voice low near my ear. I blinked, struggling to steady myself. ¡°P¨Cpardon?¡± ¡°Put yourself in danger,¡± he rified. ¡°Just to save me.¡± 93 55 vouchers Save him? I did not have a choice! My mouth opened before I could stop myself. ¡°It was you who took me to that cave.¡± The words slipped out, unguarded, and I silently scolded myself the moment they left my lips. And why the hell was he talking about this and not about¡­ the Fae¡¯s? There are more pressing matters than what happened out there! Still, I tried to recover. ¡°Only you can take me back,¡± I added awkwardly, the words sounding far too clumsy once spoken aloud. That seemed to catch his attention. His chest rumbled against my back as he gave a short chuckle. I froze again, heat rushing up my neck. What was this man doing? Why was he holding me like this,ughing, of all things, as if any of this was normal? Then, just as I was about to say something, a knock interrupted us. ¡°My Lord, My Lady, Miss Reina Morrow is here with Council Member Halden Morrow. They wish to speak with you.¡± Brute 102 ATASHA¡¯S POV Reina Morrow sat across from Cassian and me. Given her usual animosity, I expected her to re or throw a cutting remark in my direction. Instead, she sat unusually calm, her attention fixed not on me but on my husband. Husband. That word did not sound right. Halden cleared his throat. ¡°My Lord, the beasts are wilder this time. In only two nights, we have lost more than we ever have before. Families have been torn apart. Houses burned. We-¡± Cassian leaned back in his chair, cutting him off. ¡°Is this the reason you came here? You risked your life, dragged your guards, just to tell me that beasts grow violent during a beast tide?¡± Halden¡¯s expression soured, his jaw tightening as if he had swallowed something bitter. I couldn¡¯t help myself. Inwardly, I smiled. There was something deeply satisfying about Cassian¡¯s sarcasm, the way he could cut someone down without lifting a de. Especially with the council. They had been whispering since his disappearance, wondering if I had done something to him. Some even believed I had cursed him or bewitched him. The fact that he didn¡¯t arrive with Mendez and the others must have reached their ears. So, they wanted to confirm if he was in the outpost. And now, seeing their faces when Cassian walked in alive, crimson¨Ceyed and standing tall, was something I would remember for days. Halden shifted in his seat, hisposure cracking. ¡°My Lord¡­ I would like to speak with you alone.¡± Cassian gave a single nod. Finally, my chance to leave. I stood, smoothing my robe, and stepped out into the hall. Reina followed close behind, her footsteps sharp against the floor. I ignored her at first, for some reason, she didn¡¯t seem that interested in ignoring me. ¡°Lady Atasha,¡± she called. I turned, my brow lifting. ¡°Is there something you need?¡± Her expression softened in a way I had never seen before. ¡°I know we got off on the wrong foot. I wish to apologize for disrespecting you.¡± I blinked, caught off guard. Reina, of all people, apologizing? When we first met, she had looked at me like I was nothing. She had been one of those who expected me to die quickly. Was this sudden politeness the result of punishment? Or was she chasing something else? Despite my thoughts, I kept my tone even. I smiled faintly. ¡°That¡¯s fine. Let the past stay in the past. Just¡­ be careful next time. Not everyone is as forgiving as I am.¡± 7:44 Thu, Sep 18 Her face cracked, just a little. A flicker, quickly hidden, but I saw it. My words had struck. Yes, she had an agenda. Both she and her father did. ¡°I have been with the Lord for days, outside the gates,¡± I added. ¡°I need rest. If you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± Reina bowed her head. ¡°Of course.¡± 93 55 vouchers I left her standing there and made my way down the hall. I didn¡¯t know what game the Morrows were ying, but I didn¡¯t need to waste more energy on them. There were people outside who needed my healing, and that was where I belonged. I moved quickly. I went to our room, washed, changed, and stepped back into the hall. By then, the sun was already leaning west. Soon it would set, and the beasts would return. The infirmary was my goal. Mendez would need help, and every healer¡¯s hands mattered if we wanted to stand through another night. Before I could reach the stairs, someone blocked the way. Eron. ¡°Mydy,¡± he said, bowing slightly. ¡°Forgive me, but Elder Agape asks to speak with you.¡± ¡°Whatever he wants to say, he can say to the Lord,¡± I replied, stepping aside to pass him. Eron mirrored the move, blocking me again. His tone dropped. ¡°This is different. There is something you must hear. It may help with tonight¡¯s tide.¡± I frowned. Cassian had ced the Fae in one of the outer cabins, away from the barracks, to avoid questions and suspicion. They had been given food, water, clothing, and fire for recovery, but kept apart. I let out a sigh as I remembered Agape¡¯s earlier words about me having a strange constitution, and curiosity tugged at me. If there were answers in what he wanted to say, perhaps I needed to hear them. ¡°Fine,¡± I said. ¡°Lead the way.¡± The cabin was modest, smoke from the hearth carrying the faint scent of herbs and charred wood. Agape paced the narrow living space, his robe brushing the worn floorboards. Lani, Zeryn, and Prince Kaelith sat by the fire. They looked better than before, but the exhaustion of travel and hunger still clung to them. I stopped just inside the doorway. ¡°Why call for me instead of Lord Cassian? He¡¯s the one who saved you.¡± Agape bowed, the movement deep but not desperate. ¡°I apologize-¡± ¡°Stop apologizing,¡± I cut him off. This man seemed to be addicted to apologies. ¡°Tell me why.¡± He gestured toward a side room. ¡°Please sit.¡± I followed him into a small dining space, where a single wooden table sat between us. Agape nodded once at Eron. Eron pulled a small, dull¨Cgray stone from his pocket and pressed it t against the wall. It glowed faintly, and 7:44 Thu, Sep 18 a thin pressure hummed in the air. My cars rang for a moment. My brow furrowed. 93 165 vouchers ¡°It¡¯s not to harm you,¡± Agape exined quickly. ¡°It prevents eavesdropping. What is said here stays here.¡± I gave a short nod. ¡°Then speak.¡± Agape folded his hands. His face, usually calm, carried a trace of unease. ¡°This outpost was built in a blind zone. The ground, the rivers, the ley lines, by nature, beasts avoid ces like this. It should draw fewer attacks than smaller camps, even during a tide. But when we crossed into your walls, we felt something wrong.¡± I leaned forward. ¡°What kind of wrong?¡± He touched his chest with two fingers. ¡°A pull. A lure. Something here is calling to the beasts, bending their path. Not strong enough to summon every pack in the North, but enough to keep them circling and pressing harder than they should. That is why you are seeing more attacks than expected.¡± ¡°What do you mean calling the beasts in?¡± I pressed. Agape¡¯s fingers tightened together. His voice dropped. ¡°There is something buried here, or ced here, that twists the tide. A stone, but not one we carry. A corrupted Fae stone, or something fashioned from it. And it¡­ it was calling the beasts towards it.¡± Brute 103 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers His words made my stomach turn. ¡°A Fae stone? You mean¡­ like the one Eron used just now?¡± ¡°No.¡± Agape shook his head sharply. ¡°That one shields. It silences. This other one does the opposite. It calls. It hums into the ground, into the air, into every living thing nearby. The beasts hear it, feel it, and it drives them mad. Stronger. Faster. They should fear your walls, but instead, they crash against them without hesitation.¡± The words sank deep. I thought of thest two nights, of ws raking stone, of men being dragged into the air, of the frenzy that never seemed to break even when dawn came. ¡°You¡¯re telling me something inside this outpost is making them fearless?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± His eyes locked on mine. ¡°And if it is not destroyed, every wave will be worse than thest. Until nothing you build here stands.¡± The faint glow from the small stone on the wall dimmed, leaving only the firelight between us. For the first time. I realized my hands had curled into fists against myp. A lure. Hidden inside the outpost. Drawing death closer every hour. I swallowed, my throat dry. ¡°Where is it?¡± Agape didn¡¯t answer immediately. His silence stretched, heavy. Then his gaze flicked toward the stone walls of the cabin itself, as though he already suspected. ¡°It is here,¡± he said atst. ¡°Somewhere on these grounds. And whoever ced it did not want you to survive the tide.¡± ¡°Can you point out the exact location?¡± I asked. Agape shook his head. ¡°If the soldiers saw us wandering the outpost, the strangers rescued by the Lord himself, they would start asking questions. Suspicion would follow, and that would only make matters worse.¡± The meaning hit me quickly. ¡°That¡¯s why you told me instead.¡± He shook his head again. ¡°No. I could have just reported this to the Lord himself but that would be useless. The reason I chose to speak with you is because¡­ you should be able to sense where it is. And you should be able to destroy it. This is something that only you can do.¡± I stepped out of the cabin still trying to make sense of what Agape had said. ording to him, I should be able to sense the stone¡¯s presence myself. He described it as something heavy, suffocating, pressing down like a weight in the air. He believed that if I focused, I would feel it drawing me toward its location. What unsettled me more was his certainty about where it was. He imed the source was somewhere on the western side of the outpost. Grace¡¯s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. ¡°I¡¯m d to see you doing well, mydy.¡± 7:44 Thu, Sep 18 93 55 vouchers I nodded, then my eyes caught the heavy bandage wrapped around her arm. The cloth was darkened, spots of wetness showing through. Without saying a word, I turned and gestured for her to follow. ¡°Come with me to the infirmary.¡± She didn¡¯t argue. Grace knew about my ability, so she must have already guessed what I intended to do. Quietly, she fell in step behind me. The infirmary was smallpared to the one in the northern territory, but busy. Two assistants moved between beds, tending to wounds, while Mendez worked over a soldier with a blood¨Csoaked shoulder. When he saw me, he immediately stopped and bowed. ¡°My Lady,¡± Mendez said. ¡°These are the physicians here, Katya and Ramona.¡± The two women gave me a low bow in response. Katya had clear blue eyes and shoulder¨Clength brown hair tied back in a loose braid. Ramona, standing slightly behind her, had freckles scattered across her cheeks and nose. Both looked to be in their thirties, worn from long hours of tending wounds but steady on their feet. I gave them both a brief nod before looking back to Mendez. ¡°Take us to your study.¡± He didn¡¯t question me. ¡°Katya, Ramona, with me,¡± he said instead. They followed us into the adjoining room, a cramped space with shelves of jars and a table pushed against the wall. When the door shut, I turned to Grace. ¡°Remove the bandages.¡± ¡°Mydy, it¡¯s not wise,¡± Ramona spoke quickly. ¡°The wound is poisoned. We¡¯ve kept it wrapped to stop it from spreading to others. If it¡¯s opened-¡± Grace had already pulled at the cloth, ignoring her. The bandage fell away, and the wound beneath was worse than I expected. The gash was swollen and angry, skin red and torn. ck blood seeped out around the edges, mixed with pus that carried a sharp, sour stench. Both women recoiled. Katya covered her mouth while Ramona muttered a curse under her breath. Ignoring their reactions, I looked at them directly. ¡°The fact that Physician Mendez brought you into this room means we can trust you. What you see here doesn¡¯t leave these walls. What I¡¯m about to do, only a few people know.¡± Before they could respond, I reached forward and pressed my hand lightly against Grace¡¯s chest, close to the wound. Grace hissed as the skin under my touch warmed. The poison in her body began to react. Pus and ckened blood welled out of the wound, running down her arm. Grace¡¯s teeth clenched as the pain surged. ¡°It¡¯s going to hurt,¡± I told her firmly. ¡°Your body is pushing the poison out. Bear with it.¡± She gave one sharp nod, sweat gathering at her brow. The others watched in stunned silence as the wound began to close from the inside out. Almost immediately, the angry swelling receded, the edges knitting together. More ckened blood spilled until suddenly, there was none left. The skin smoothed over, pink at first, then fading into nothing at all. 7:45 Thu, Sep 18 93 55 vouchers When I lifted my hand, Grace¡¯s arm was whole. No scar or any trace of the wound that had nearly imed her life. Grace exhaled sharply, steadying herself, and murmured, ¡°Thank you, mydy.¡± I nodded. ¡°You¡ª ¡°Ramona stared openly, freckles stark against her pale skin. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Meanwhile, Katya¡¯s blue eyes went wide, her hand still pressed over her mouth as if she needed to keep herself from gasping too loudly. Both of them were frozen, caught between disbelief and shock. Seeing their reaction, Mendez finally broke the silence. ¡°They¡¯ve lived in the North for more than ten years, mydy,¡± he said as though he meant to reassure me that their shock was expected. ¡°In that time, they¡¯ve seen things most people wouldn¡¯t believe. Witches and the curses they leave behind. The way they twist blood and bone into their tricks. They know the signs when they see them.¡± ¡°But-¡°Ramona finally spoke, never taking her eyes off me. ¡°She isn¡¯t a witch.¡± Mendez nodded once. ¡°No. She isn¡¯t.¡± Katya lowered her hand slowly, still staring at Grace¡¯s healed arm. Then her expression shifted, relief mixed with something almost desperate. ¡°She¨Cshe could save them,¡± she whispered. Her voice rose, carrying more strength the second time. ¡°She could save them! Did you see that, Ramona? She could definitely save them!¡± The sudden joy in her tone startled me. She looked at me not with fear, but with something close to hope, her blue eyes shining in a way that made my chest tighten. Ìï Brute 104 ATASHA¡¯S POV E55 vouchers I had been hiding my ability ever since I first discovered it by ident years ago. I always believed that if anyone ever found out, I would be persecuted, feared, or worse, decapitated. I never expected that one day, someone would actually be relieved, happy even, to know that I could heal. It made me wonder if they had ever questioned how I came to have such an ability in the first ce. It didn¡¯t take long to understand the source of their reaction. ¡°My husband¡­¡± Katya said, her voice strained. ¡°On the first night of the tide, a bat¨Clike creature bit him. After that, his body began rotting from the inside.¡± Ramona quickly added, ¡°But that wasn¡¯t the only problem. Somehow, whatever he had spread to others. Within a short time, more men showed the same signs of infection.¡± Ramona continued. ¡°We tried to iste him,¡± she said, her hands twisting in front of her. ¡°But it was toote. Within hours, three more soldiers showed the same symptoms. It started with a single wound, norger than a coin. By the next night, the infection had spread over their entire bodies.¡± They pulled back the nket covering one of the men. The smell hit first. It was rancid, like spoiled meat left in the sun. The wound itself was worse. The skin around the bite had ckened, split open in jagged lines, and thick pus oozed from the cracks. Patches of flesh sloughed off with the slightest movement, wet and stringy, sticking to the fabric beneath him. His veins stood out, dark and swollen, webbing up his arms and neck like they were filled with tar. Where the rot had reached his chest, the skin bubbled and sagged, as if it was melting from the inside. I fought the urge to recoil and looked at Mendez. ¡°I¡¯ve tried everything,¡± he admitted, his voice tight. ¡°Salves, fire to sear the wound, herbs for infection. Nothing slowed it. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this. It¡¯s not a normal rot, it spreads as if it¡¯s feeding off them. And this tide¡­¡± His jaw tightened. ¡°This tide isn¡¯t like thest. Everything is worse. The bites arerger, tearing out chunks of flesh instead of piercing. The beasts move faster, hit harder. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve been strengthened somehow.¡± He shook his head, frustration etched into his features. ¡°We were prepared for what the tide usually brings, but this, this is something new. Something we don¡¯t have the tools to fight.¡± I nodded then I approached Katya¡¯s husband. Katya¡¯s husbandy propped against a bundle of furs, but calling him a man felt wrong. The infection had changed him so much he hardly looked human anymore. His skin was gray and sagging, eaten away in patches where the rot had consumed the muscle beneath. One eye was swollen shut, the other clouded with a yellow film that made it look lifeless. His lips were cracked, the flesh around them peeling. The stench of decay clung to him, heavy enough to sting the back of my throat. But he wasn¡¯t dead, I knelt beside him and pressed my palm against his chest. His ribs shifted under my touch, brittle and uneven, as if his bones themselves were starting to give way. Closing my eyes, I let my focus sink beneath the surface. Almost immediately, I felt it. The bite hadn¡¯t just injured him, it had delivered something alive. The poison E55 vouchers was active, threading through his blood, spreading like roots, forcing the body to rot and carry the infection further. Its goal wasn¡¯t to kill quickly. It wanted to multiply. To use him to create more like it. I drew in a steady breath and pushed my healing into him. At first, it resisted, thrashing against me like something trying to hold its ground. But the harder it fought, the deeper I pressed, burning through the corruption piece by piece until it broke apart. Under my hand, the change was instant. The ckened veins began to lighten, the swelling around his throat eased, and the bubbling rot across his chest smoothed over with new flesh. The pus dried, the cracks sealed, and the sagging skin tightened until color slowly returned. By the time I lifted my hand, only scars remained where the wounds had been. Katya¡¯s gasp was sharp enough to echo in the room. Her eyes filled with tears as she pressed both hands to her mouth, unable to believe what she was seeing. Ramona stumbled back a step, her eyes wide, ncing between me and the healed man like she couldn¡¯t decide if she was dreaming. Then Katya dropped to her knees, clutching her husband¡¯s arm. ¡°He¨Che¡¯s warm,¡± she said, her voice shaking. ¡°He¡¯s breathing normally.¡± Her husband groaned faintly, his one good eye fluttering open. It wasn¡¯t clouded anymore. He looked exhausted, but alive. Alive when just moments ago, he had looked like a corpse rotting from the inside out. Tears spilled down Katya¡¯s face as she held him close, whispering his name over and over while Ramona pressed a hand to her chest, her face breaking into a smile that carried both shock and relief. Even Mendez, who had seen enough horrors to be hardened, looked stunned. His lips parted as he muttered under his breath, ¡°By the Goddess¡­ it¡¯s gone.¡± I moved from one soldier to the next, repeating the same process. Each body carried the same poison, the same spreading rot that fought against me like it wanted to survive. One by one, I burned it out, sealing wounds that had eaten too deep, smoothing flesh back over bones that should have been exposed. Their breathing steadied, their skin regained color, and the hopelessness in the room slowly shifted into stunned relief. By the time I reached thest man, sweat was sliding down my back and my hands were trembling. Still, I pressed my palm against his chest and forced my focus into him. The poison here was stronger, as though it had been feeding longer, but I pushed harder until it broke apart just the same. His body stilled, his rattled breathing eased, and thest trace of rot faded into scars. The moment it ended, something else struck me. A weight pressed down on me without warning. It wasn¡¯t the usual drain of healing. This was heavier, darker, like something unseen had reached out and hooked itself into me, tugging at my chest. My lungs struggled to draw air. My vision blurred. I didn¡¯t realize my eyes had watered until a tear slid down my cheek. I opened my eyes too fast, the room tilting as the floor seemed to shift under me. My knees gave way, but before I hit the ground, a firm grip caught me. Strong arms steadied me, pulling me against a chest that radiated heat. Cassian. 8:17 Fri, Sep 19 ¡­ 92 55 vouchers I hadn¡¯t even heard him enter. I didn¡¯t know how long he had been standing there, watching. None of it mattered because the heaviness in my chest grew worse. My body refused to listen, and to my own shock, more tears slipped free, spilling down my face unchecked. It was as if something inside me had been stirred, something I couldn¡¯t control or push back. My breaths came uneven, and the harder I tried to stop it, the more the tears came. Seeing this, Cassian¡¯s arm tightened around me. What in the goddess¡¯s name is happening to me? Brute 105 ATASHA¡¯S POV 55 vouchers? ¡°Don¡¯t get up. You have a fever.¡± Cassian¡¯s voice stopped me before I could push myself upright. I turned toward him, only then realizing I was lying in a bed I didn¡¯t recognize at first. No, this wasn¡¯t unfamiliar. I had been here before, when I was given clean clothes. This was our room. Wait¡­ ¡°A fever?¡± I frowned, the words pulling me back to what happened earlier in the infirmary. That heavy, suffocating sensation. ¡°That feeling¡­¡± Then I recalled what Agape told me. I jolted upright, but the movement made the room spin. My head swam, and I had to grip the sheets to steady myself. ¡°It¡¯s impossible,¡± I muttered, shaking my head. ¡°I don¡¯t get sick. I¡¯ve never been sick.¡± Ignoring the dizziness, I ced my hand over my chest, trying to summon the same force I used on others. But nothing happened. No warmth, no pull, no rush of energy. It was as if my ability had been cut off entirely. Panic red in my chest, sharper than the fever burning under my skin. My eyes darted to Cassian. ¡°I- I can¡¯t heal myself. What is happening to me?¡± He stood near the bed, his expression unreadable. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted. ¡°But you should rest.¡± Before I could argue, the sound of screeching ripped through the night. The familiar cry of beasts echoed from beyond the walls. My blood ran cold. ¡°It¡¯s night,¡± I whispered, my chest tightening. ¡°They¡¯re here.¡± What about the soldiers that I hadn¡¯t healed? I tried to push myself up, but Cassian¡¯s hand pressed firmly against my shoulder, forcing me back down. ¡°Stay. They can handle this.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± I said, gripping his wrist. ¡°There¡¯s something I have to do.¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°Foolish,¡± he snapped. ¡°If I don¡¯t help, this tide might kill them.¡± My voice cracked under the weight of it. ¡°It might kill us.¡± Cassian¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°They can handle the beasts.¡± I shook my head, fighting through the dizziness. ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand. Something is luring them here. That feeling I had earlier, it wasn¡¯t just sickness. It was pulling at me. I need to find it.¡± His brows drew together, but when I tried again to rise, he caught me by the arm and steadied me. Slowly, he pulled me to my feet. His grip lingered, strong enough to keep me upright. ¡°You don¡¯t know when to stop, do you?¡± he said, almost amused. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could be this stubborn.¡± I blinked at him, startled by the faint curve at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Why are you smiling?¡± I demanded. Then it hit me. He already knew. ¡°You knew,¡± I whispered, my eyes narrowing. 8:17 Fri, Sep 19 Cassian¡¯s smirk deepened, but his gaze was sharp. ¡°I could sense it too. It¡¯s calling to me.¡± A chill crawled down my spine. ¡°Agape said it¡¯s what¡¯s luring the beasts here.¡± 92 55 vouchers At the mention of the name, Cassian¡¯s expression shifted. His eyebrow lifted, but there was no humor in his eyes. Only anger, faint but clear. ¡°Agape?¡± he repeated, voice low. I swallowed. ¡°I¡¯ll exinter. But right now, we need to hurry. If the beasts keep pouring in¡­¡± My breath caught, and I forced the words out. ¡°This night might be ourst.¡± Cassian steadied me with one arm and guided me back onto the bed. I sat there, still gripping his sleeve. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you afraid?¡± I asked, my voice sharper than I meant. ¡°That lure will keep drawing the beasts in. You can¡¯t fight them all. And I-¡± My throat closed up. ¡°I can¡¯t even heal.¡± The thought hit me hard. Had I lost my ability? The idea horrified me. Without it¡­ what was left of me? ¡°Calm down,¡± he said simply. The words struck harder than I expected. I froze, realizing just how panicked I sounded. My chest rose and fell too quickly, and I forced myself to steady it. In, out. Slowly, my heartbeat eased from its frantic pace. After what felt like a long silence, I finally asked, ¡°Are you nning to remove that stone?¡± His gaze locked on mine. ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± I swallowed hard. Why? The question on the tip of my tongue and it stayed unspoken. If he was this confident, it meant he already had something in mind. He wasn¡¯t ignoring the danger. He had a n. Yes, Cassian should have something¡­ a hidden card. 1 I stared at him, searching for cracks in hisposure, but there were none. And that was when I caught myself. Since when did I start trusting him like this? ¡°But you will,¡± Cassian said suddenly. I froze, staring at him. His crimson eyes locked onto mine as if the words were not a suggestion but a certainty. Now that I thought about it, this was the first time he had spoken to me like this, not as a tyrant, not as a threat, but as if he were speaking inly, like we were¡­ equals. I swallowed hard. ¡°You¡¯re going out there to fight?¡± I asked. He gave a short nod. ¡°But I don¡¯t even know how to destroy it,¡± I admitted, my voice dropping, ¡°You will,¡± he said again, without hesitation. I had no answer to that. My chest tightened, my thoughts twisting. Why was he so sure? My gaze flicked over him, searching for something I couldn¡¯t name, but all I found was a calm, unshakable certainty that left me unsettled. 8:17 Fri, Sep 19 ¡­ 92 Silence stretched between us until he finally spoke. ¡°They¡¯re here.¡± E55 vouchers As if the words had summoned it, a thunderous sound rolled across the walls. The ground trembled beneath us. That suffocating weight returned, heavier than before, pressing down on my chest until I gasped. My head spun, pain stabbing behind my eyes. I clutched at my temple, the dizziness surging until I almost lost my bnce. I tried again to summon my healing, forcing everything I had inward, but nothing came. The emptiness terrified me. Before I could get a word out, Cassian stood. ¡°I have to go.¡± I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the way my knees threatened to give. My headache throbbed with every movement, but I couldn¡¯t just sit still. He looked at me then, and for a moment, his expression shifted. It wasn¡¯t cold calction or that mocking calm I had grown used to. It was hesitation, reluctance, almost. His crimson gaze lingered on me, and then, to my shock, he leaned in. His mouth pressed against mine. I stiffened, startled. The kiss wasn¡¯t drawn out, but the force of it sent my thoughts scattering. By the time I registered what had happened, he had already pulled back. A sharp knock hit the door. ¡°My Lord, it is time,¡± Mendez¡¯s voice called. Cassian leaned back fully now. His crimson eyes glinted in the dim light. The intent radiating from him was unmistakable. Killing Intent. I had a feeling¡­ he was going to kill them all. AD Brute 106 Chapter 106 55 vouchers ATASHA¡¯S POV Just as I expected, the infirmary was in chaos. Soldiers were dragging in the wounded, some screaming, others limp and pale, their armor slick with blood. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, iron, and damp bandages. Mendez barked orders from one side, his sleeves rolled up, while Katya and Ramona rushed between beds, hands stained red as they tried to keep up. Grace pushed through the noise and came to my side, her face tense. ¡°My Lady, you¡¯re burning up,¡± she said, pressing a hand lightly to my forehead. ¡°Are you certain you needed toe here? A rest would do you more good than this.¡± I didn¡¯t answer. Instead, I closed my eyes, leaning against her arm for support. That feeling again, pressing down on me. It felt suffocating, clinging to me like a shadow. At first nce, it could be exined away as the misery of the infirmary, but I knew better. It was stronger here. ¡°Take me to the back tent,¡± I whispered. ¡°Where the infected were kept.¡± Grace looked at me in rm. ¡°But¡­ My Lady, Katya¡¯s husband and the others recovered. They¡¯ve already returned to fight. There shouldn¡¯t be anyone in there.¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s empty. Good,¡± I tried to keep my voice as firm as possible. I failed. ¡°Take me.¡± She hesitated, but finally nodded, slipping her arm around me to steady my steps. Together we crossed the chaotic infirmary, slipping past the noise and the rush, until the sounds of shouting and ttering armor faded behind us. The back tent loomed ahead, its canvas edges stiff with dried blood. Grace held the p aside, her voice low. ¡°Are you certain you want to go in?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I said, without hesitation. She guided me inside. The air hit me first. It was stale, thick with the lingering stench of rot. Even with the beds stripped bare, the smell of decay clung to the fabric and the ground beneath. The metallic tang of blood was still heavy in the air, mixing with the damp, sour stench of infection. I could barely keep my footing. The moment I stepped deeper into the tent, that heaviness pressed harder against my chest. Each step felt like dragging myself through mud. My knees buckled slightly, and I had to clutch the edge of one of the empty cots to stay upright. Grace looked at me with wide eyes, but I ignored her. I lowered myself onto one of the beds and shut my eyes. The pressure was strongest here. It felt like there was an invisible weight that squeezed the air from my lungs until breathing itself was a struggle. My body wanted to copse under it, but I forced myself to stay still, to focus. I reached outward with what strength I had left. The heaviness seeped through me, surrounding me, wrapping the tent in a suffocating presence. Every breath felt like pulling in smoke. Whatever was luring the beasts¡­ it was close. Too close. 55 vouchers The thought wed at me, was it buried here? The pull was too strong, too focused. I forced my voice steady. ¡°Grace¡­ dig here.¡± She didn¡¯t question me. With a curt nod, she grabbed what looked like a long spear left against the cot and drove the point into the packed earth. Each strike cut through the stale silence, breaking clumps of dirt loose. I stood off to the side, eyes closed, bracing against the cot for bnce. The heaviness pressed harder the deeper she dug. But there was more to it now. This wasn¡¯t just suffocation, it was grief. It washed over me in waves, so raw it made my chest ache. It felt like something inside me had been torn apart, leaving only emptiness. I blinked hard as the sting of tears returned. Why sadness? Why loneliness? I expected rage, something that would rile me up the same way it lured the beasts. But instead, it hollowed me. ¡°My Lady!¡± Grace¡¯s sharp whisper jolted me. ¡°I found something!¡± The spear struck with a sharp click against metal. Dropping it, Grace crouched and wed at the dirt with her hands until she pulled out a box. Caked in mud, the edges still glinted faintly beneath the grime. The moment my eyesnded on it, my knees buckled. The weight in the air doubled, crashing over me. I staggered back, barely catching myself on the cot frame. My pulse raced, my chest heaving as if the box itself was bleeding sorrow into me. Grace straightened, cradling it in both hands. She turned toward me. ¡°My Lady, be careful-¡± ¡°I knew you were up to something,¡± a voice cut through the air. Both of us spun toward the p. Reina stood in the entrance, arms folded, her eyes fixed on us. Two soldiers nked her, blocking the exit. Grace immediately snapped. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, barging in here and not greeting the Consort properly?¡± Reina let out a short, scornfulugh. ¡°Consort?¡± Her gaze slid over me like a de. ¡°Don¡¯t make meugh. I¡¯ve known from the start¨Cyou¡¯ve bewitched them all. Lord Cassian. His lieutenants. Even the healers in this ce. And now¡­¡± Her eyes dropped to the mud¨Cstained box in Grace¡¯s hands, narrowing with greedy suspicion. ¡°Now I know why.¡± Grace¡¯s face went white, then hard. ¡°How dare you use the Consort of witchcraft?¡± she snapped, stepping in front of me so fast the box shifted in her arms. But Reina was the least of my concern as heat red behind my eyes. The headache spiked so sharp I started to shake. My could feel my skin losing its color, my knees threatened to fold. I gripped the cot edge to keep from falling. Reina only snorted. ¡°Lieutenant Grace,¡± she said. ¡°This woman is a witch. I recognize witchcraft when I see it. Hand it¡­ hand her over, or you will regret it.¡± Her soldiers shifted their weight forward, metal whispering as their hands moved closer to spears. Grace¡¯s jaw clenched. For a moment everything hung on the edge of her next breath. Then she straightened, 8:18 Fri, Sep 19 92 55 vouchers pressing the mud¨Csmeared box toward me with both hands. ¡°How dare you,¡± she whispered. Her eyes shed to the soldiers as she grabbed her sword and pointed it towards Reina. ¡°Tell your men to stand down. Back away from her now, or I will show no mercy.¡± Brute 107 ATASHA¡¯S POV E56 vouchers I heard one of Reina¡¯s soldiers bark augh, but the pain drowned it out. My hands shook as I slid my fingers under the lid and lifted. The box opened with a dull scrape. Pressure exploded outward. It hit me so hard my vision went white. My stomach lurched, my legs buckled. I clung to the cot to keep from dropping the box. The air thickened as if the tent had lost all its air in a heartbeat. But I wasn¡¯t the only one who felt it this time. Gasps snapped around me, Reina¡¯s, the soldiers¡®, even Grace¡¯s. I wasn¡¯t the only one who felt it. The weight pressed on all of us. I heard someone swore. Another muffled a cry. Grace moved, but she didn¡¯t step aside. She nted herself between me and the door, sword raised, chest heaving against the invisible crush. ¡°Stay back,¡± she warned. I was already having a hard time breathing. ¡°She¡¯s doing it!¡± Reina shouted, pointing at me. ¡°Whatever she¡¯s doing, she¡¯s trying to kill us all!¡± Boots pounded outside. More soldiers pushed through the p, spears lifted, eyes wide and unfocused as the pressure rolled over them too. Reina let out a harshugh and lifted her chin. ¡°Even if you¡¯re a strong wolf, Lieutenant, you can¡¯t hold all of us. Hand her over.¡± ¡°Councilman Halden!¡± Grace shouted, cutting across her. ¡°You-¡± ¡°I came as soon as I could,¡± Halden called, forcing his way into the tent with two guards at his back. He blinked, fighting the same weight pinning the rest of us. ¡°What is going on?¡± Reina didn¡¯t wait. She jabbed a finger at me. ¡°Can¡¯t you see? That woman is a witch! She¡¯s killing us!¡± Halden¡¯s eyes snapped to her. ¡°What are you doing, Reina? That is the Consort.¡± He looked straight through the pulsing haze and frowned as if the opened box weren¡¯t there at all. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, she¡¯s not a witch. Stop this. Now.¡± ¡°Father, can¡¯t you see?¡± Reina¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°Matron Yara was right, this woman is hiding something.¡± Halden¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Matron Yara?¡± His gaze sharpened. ¡°Is that why you insisted oning here? You put everyone in danger because the Matron told you the Consort is a witch?¡± ¡°Wake up!¡± Reina snapped, stepping closer. ¡°Have you been bewitched too?¡± She didn¡¯t wait for his answer. In one fast motion she drew a thin de from her sleeve and drove it into Halden¡¯s forearm. He staggered, eyes going wide as the steel punched through flesh. For a heartbeat he only stared at her, stunned. Blood ran in a steady line down his wrist and dripped from his fingertips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Reina said, voice icy. ¡°It will heal. But the pain should be enough to clear your head.¡± ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Halden snarled, clutching his arm. ¡°She is not a witch!¡± 9:59 Sat, Sep 20 83 55 vouchers Around us, the tent tightened with panic. I could feel soldiers shifting, knuckles whitening on spear shafts, eyes cutting between Reina¡¯s de and Grace¡¯s dagger. The pressure from the box surged again, a heavy throb that made my ears ring. I forced my gaze down. Inside the boxy a stone the size of a fist, slick with mud and scored with thin lines that crawled across its surface like veins. The closer my hands came, the stronger the ache behind my eyes grew. ¡°Put it down,¡± Reina ordered, edging past her soldiers. ¡°Now.¡± Grace shifted to block her path. ¡°One more step,¡± she warned. ¡°And you bleed before you breathe.¡± Reina smiled without warmth. ¡°You¡¯d draw on me, Lieutenant?¡± ¡°If you threaten the Consort, yes,¡± Grace said. Halden¡¯s guards raised their palms, trying to calm both sides, but no one lowered their weapons. I saw blood dripped from Halden¡¯s arm to the dirt with soft taps but he seemed to be ignoring it. ¡°Father, give the order,¡± Reina said through her teeth. ¡°Seize her.¡± ¡°No,¡± Halden snapped. ¡°Stand down.¡± No one moved. Just as I struggled to touched it, the stone pulsed again. A cold wave rolled out, and the tent ropes creaked as if the canvas itself reacted. Someone gagged near the p. Another soldier stumbled to one knee. My fingers tightened around the box rim. Every instinct screamed to shut it, to smother the thing, but something in me knew that would make it worse. I swallowed hard, tasted metal, and dragged in a breath that didn¡¯t feel like air. The stone pulsed again, and my body shook so hard I thought my bones might splinter. It was calling me. Every instinct screamed to keep my hands away, but the pressure pushed back, forcing me closer. My chest burned, my head splitting with pain, as if I were about to burst from the inside. Reina snorted. ¡°Enough of this. Surround them. Grab the Consort.¡± The soldiers obeyed, spreading out in a half circle. Spears angled toward me and Grace, their boots crunching on the dirt floor. Halden staggered forward, trying to raise his good arm, but then his body locked stiff. His eyes went wide. ¡°Reina¡­ what did you do to me?¡± She didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°Temporary paralysis,¡± she said coolly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Father. You¡¯ll move again once I¡¯m finished showing you how wrong you¡¯ve been.¡± Her de shed as she lunged at us. Grace shifted instantly, shoving me back with one hand and raising her dagger with the other. My heart lurched. There were too many. Even if she fought, she couldn¡¯t hold them all. 9:59 Sat, Sep 20 ¡­ 83 55 vouchers Just as Reina closed the distance, a sharp twang split the air. An arrow hissed past, embedding itself in the ground inches from her boot. She froze mid¨Cstep, eyes wide. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± she barked, spinning toward the shadows beyond the tent p. ¡°Show yourself!¡± Boots crunched over gravel outside. From the dark, a tall figure stepped into the torchlight. His cloak shifted with the breeze, silver sp glinting against ck fabric. His face, pale as frost, caught the dim light and his crimson eyes swept the tent with a sharp calm that silenced the soldiers. Prince Kaelith. And behind him, was Agape. His face was as unreadable as ever, but his gaze flicked once toward me before narrowing on the stone in my hands. Reina stiffened, her jaw tightening. ¡°Who are you?¡± she demanded, though her voice faltered as the air seemed to thicken around him. The question went unanswered. Because at that moment, the stone pulsed again. This time, it was harder, louder and I couldn¡¯t stop myself. My hands jerked, closing around it. The instant my fingers touched its surface, the world copsed inward. Brute 108 Chapter 108 ATASHA¡¯S POV Have you ever felt a pain that teaches you the shape of death? B 55 55 vouchers I asked myself that as the pressure wed through my ribs. I tried to breathe around it and found it impossible. For a moment I wondered if anyone had ever felt this and survived. The answer arrived as heat and shock. It began deep inside my chest and raced outward like something burning through me from the core. It was not a single ache but a series of blows, each one sharper than thest. My lungs seized as if someone had wrapped iron bands around them. My head felt hollowed, and the world narrowed to a tunnel of white pain. Muscles clenched until they trembled. I tasted copper, then nothing but a dry mouth and the metallic sting of blood somewhere at the back of my throat. Heat red across my skin so fast I thought I would blister, then cold followed. My vision trembled, then blurred. Shapes stretched and folded. The tent, the faces, the spears, all of it bent away until the only real point left was the burn, and the box, and the sound of my own ragged breath. I tried to move. My hands wanted to drop the box, to shove it away and crush it into the dirt, but my arms felt like lead. My limbs did not obey. I pressed my teeth together until the pain shifted to my jaw instead. An animal sound rose somewhere in the tent, a scream that might have been a person or might have been the world itself tearing, but even that was muffled under the roar in my skull. Colors slipped away. The torchlight thinned to ash. The faces near me broke up into blurs and mouths that moved without sound. When the ck began to im me, a fresh noise sliced through. ¡°Witch!¡± someone yelled. The word echoed, multiplied, a dozen throats joining in. The sound was close and then far. I heard Reina¡¯s voice and other voices answering, some with fear, some with hate. The single syble kept repeating until it hammered into thest clear ce in my head. Witch. I asked it back to myself, Witch? The mind that was left searched for meaning like groping for amp in fog. What is a witch? I tried to pull at the memory of the lessons, of stories told in cold kitchens, of crackling fires and old women¡¯s faces, but everything had narrowed to the single, impossible feel of the box and the burning in my veins. How could I be a witch? I had never wanted to be anything but someone who kept her mouth shut and her hands to herself. I had used what I had when people needed it and hid it when they did not. Witch. The word felt foreign and sudden and very precise. It fitted something I could not name. My thoughts slipped, trying to make sense of usation and fear and the way the stone screamed at me. A 55 vouchers The darkness pushed harder. Thest thing I registered before the world swallowed the edges of me was the feel of my own fingers closing tighter around the stone, as if it were the only thing left to hold on to. CASSIAN VALEMONT¡¯S POV (Third Person) The stink, the screams, the weight of bodies piling under his boots, this was where he thrived. Cassian split a beast from jaw to spine, the de crunching through bone, and used its falling body as a step to vault higher onto the parapet. Another lunged over the rubble, but he met it in the air and drove his sword down its throat until the skull cracked apart. Hot blood sprayed across his face, and he weed it. This was where he belonged. An officer shouted for the line to hold, but Cassian barely registered the words. All he heard was the tear of flesh, the snap of bone, and the wet rattle of dying throats. He kept moving, faster than the men beside him. Blood slicked the stones, making the wall a death trap for the beasts, but he relished the slide beneath his heels. It fed him, sharpened him. He wanted them to keeping, wanted the wall buried in carcasses until no stone was left visible. The more they poured in, the more he wanted to carve them down. Cassian hunted, and every beast that came at him was nothing more than prey to be ughtered. The fight had been a rhythm when the pressure hit. It crashed into him suddenly, heavy enough to steal his breath. It felt like a fistpressing his chest. Cassian staggered a step, teeth clenched against the shock. The weight was not random, it pulled toward the west. He turned and the world narrowed. Suddenly, the beast under his skin, the thing he kept caged and fed in private, lifted its head and pushed at the inside of his flesh. Everything around him lost shape. The sh of steel, the screams, even the beasts wing over the wall became meaningless shadows. All that remained sharp was the pulse of blood and the gnawing need in his hands to rip something apart. It no longer mattered whether it was beast or man. The hunger didn¡¯t discriminate. Then one thought cut through like a de. Atasha. Her name mmed into him with such force that his bnce returned for a breath. He needed to reach her. The killer in him resisted, furious at the thought of leaving the ughter, but Cassian forced the drive into a single direction. He tore a dagger free and buried it in his thigh. The jolt of pain exploded up his spine, snapping his vision clear long enough for him to pull the de free and stab the other leg. The shock was sharp enough to make the beast inside him recoil. That hesitation was the break he needed. He shoved past a spearman, vaulted over the merlon, and dropped into the courtyard. His body was already moving west. Each step fed the thing inside him, and it fought harder, wing at his bones, begging to be unleashed. His nails bit into his palms. His teeth throbbed with pressure. The man in him shrank, leaving only a narrow thread of willpower, strung tight by rage and hatred. The pull worsened with every stride. It wasn¡¯t just weight anymore. It was a hook driven deep into his ribs, 55 55 vouchers yanking him forward, urging him to drop to all fours and tear apart anything that stood in his way. Cassian forced his legs to keep their pace just as the west edge of camp broke into view. He was almost there. Then he saw her. Bodiesy scattered across the ground like discarded armor. Atasha stood at the center of the wreckage, clutching a stone tightly in both hands. The canvas of a tent behind her sagged where a pole had snapped. The air around her did not look right. It shimmered in a way that felt colder against his skin. How could a beast like him feel the cold? Cassian did not check who on those bodies still breathed. He ran until his boots hit the dirt and did not slow. He shouted her name. In response, she lifted her head and for a second she looked like someone who might answer. Then, ck blood poured from her eyes. It was thick and slow, carving lines down her cheeks and dripping from her jaw onto the ground. The sight hit Cassian harder than any blow had all night. He closed thest distance at a run. Then her eyes found his. They were empty and ssy at first, and something in his gut went cold. There was no fear in her look. There was no recognition at first. But he didn¡¯t hesitate as he reached for her wrists and said one direct thing: let it go. She turned her head as the stone pulsed between them. Almost immediately, the animal inside him snapped its jaws. Then her pale lips moved. ¡°It¡¯s you,¡± she said. Then she smiled a smile that did not belong on her face. C FR Brute 109 Chapter 109 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 43 55 vouchers I didn¡¯t remember fainting. What I remember was being held in Cassian¡¯s arms. It felt like I had been there for a long time, pressed against him while everything else slipped away. Something inside me stirred, a pull I couldn¡¯t exin, as if my body recognized him before my mind did. Then, I lifted my gaze and met his crimson eyes. The sight jolted me. My chest, which had been calm and empty, suddenly thudded with life. The grief that had been eating me from the inside began to thin, slipping away bit by bit, reced by the sound of my own heartbeat. It looked like the sudden pressure that threw the others off earlier also disappeared. I immediately found myself looking at my empty hands. The stone¡­ was nowhere to be found. Then I stared up at Cassian and saw it, the red in his eyes had deepened, darker, almost like blood itself was flooding them. I didn¡¯t need to ask. I knew what it meant. He was angry. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Reina¡¯s shrill voice cut through the moment. ¡°You saw it yourself. Hand over the witch! She caused this tide. She¡¯s luring the beasts here!¡± She pointed at me as if her finger alone could condemn me. Her soldiers moved with unease, their spears lifting. Before I could even breathe a response, Cassian pulled me hard into his chest, one arm locking around me as if I were something someone might actually dare to take. His free hand snapped a sword up from the ground, steel catching the torchlight. His voice dropped. ¡°I dare you to try.¡± The soldiers froze, and so did Reina. For a moment she looked shocked, but then her lip curled and she found her voice again. ¡°Don¡¯t you see? He¡¯s bewitched! The Tyrant Lord himself has fallen to her tricks!¡± Cassian snorted. His grip on me tightened as his gaze cut across them. ¡°Touch her,¡± he said, the words low enough that it made the air heavier. ¡°And you answer to me.¡± This time, no one moved. Everyone knew how strong Cassian is. Fighting him head on would be foolish. Then, a sound ripped across the night. The bell tolled, a sound so deep it seemed to crawl up from the bones of the earth itself. Each strike rolled through the night, heavy and unrelenting, until the very ground trembled beneath our feet. I froze where I stood. The hollow in my chest widened with every echo, as if the sound had carved it out of me. Around us, voices faltered, movements stilled. We all knew what that bell meant. It was never rung for the tide nor for the swarms. That bell marked something greater, something vast and terrible, a beast far beyond the monsters wing at our walls. Something that should not havee this close. 43 55 vouchers Hearing this, Reina¡¯s voice rose even higher. It sounded frantic but somehow twisted with triumph. ¡°You hear it! You all hear it! This is her doing! Kill her now, or the next wave will destroy us all!¡± The men stirred uneasily. Their hands tightened on their weapons, some ncing toward Cassian, others at Reina. Doubt flickered in their eyes. I frowned. I wanted to tell her to stop this nonsense, but I couldn¡¯t speak. My tongue felt stuck, my throat dry. I didn¡¯t know what words would even matter to someone who had already lost their reasoning. ¡°Enough!¡± Halden¡¯s voice thundered from where he struggled on one knee, still clutching his wounded arm. His face was pale, but his eyes burned at his daughter. ¡°Reina, you¡¯ve gone mad! Stop this insanity!¡± She red at him, her jaw clenched. Then Halden continued, ¡°My Lord,¡± he called to Cassian. ¡°I will deal with my daughter. Bring the Consort to safety.¡± As if on cue, Grace stood beside Halden, her sword ready. Cassian didn¡¯t waste words. He gave only a single sharp nod, then in the next breath, his arm hooked tighter around me and we were airborne. The world blurred as he leapt. Soldiers shouted behind us, but their voices fell away with the rush of wind. I pressed against him, the warmth of his chest against me, but inside, it was different. Something had started to spread through me, something I couldn¡¯t fight. It was warm at first, then the warmth turned sharp, twisting into a dreaded cold that seeped into my veins. My stomach lurched. I pressed a hand over my mouth, and blood spilled past my fingers. Cassian stopped instantly. My eyes opened as I realized where we were. The cabin. ¡°Stay here. I wille back.¡± Almost immediately, I shook my head, clutching his armor with trembling hands. ¡°No.¡± My voice cracked, but I forced the word out. There was something wrong inside me, twisting and burning like it wanted to tear through my body, but I knew I can¡¯t stay inside this cabin. ¡°I go where you go.¡± His crimson eyes widened just slightly, caught off guard. For once, he didn¡¯t argue. He said nothing, just pulled me back into his arms and held me as if the matter was settled. Then he jumped again. The cold air hit us as he moved with inhuman speed. My head pressed against him, and through the blur of trees and torches, I saw it, the tall gates of the outpost looming ahead, their shadow stretched long in the night. That was where we were going. Cassiannded on the wall with me still in his arms. The stones shook under the weight of his boots. The moment my feet touched the ground, my stomach twisted. Blood rushed up my throat, and I bent forward, vomiting red onto the stones. Cassian¡¯s arm was around me instantly. ¡°Atasha- ¡± 43 55 vouchers 1 shook my head hard, forcing words through the burn in my chest. ¡°No. I can handle myself.¡± My hands. pressed against his chest, shoving him back even as my knees buckled. Something¡­ Something inside me, something I failed to understand, threatened to wreak havoc inside my body but I cannot let this dy Cassian from saving the north. I staggered, nearly falling, but another pair of hands caught me. Rio¡¯s voice was sharp at my side. ¡°Easy, My Lady.¡± He shifted me upright, keeping me steady. I gripped his arm, forcing myself to breathe through the ache tearing through me. My gaze shot forward, past the edge of the wall, to the field beyond. That was when I saw it. The beast was massive. Taller than the wall itself, its shoulders broad enough to blot out the torches below. Its skin was dark and ridged, gleaming in the firelight. Each step it took left cracks in the ground. Then, it lifted its head. Its eyes caught mine across the distance. My chest tightened. The thing then opened its jaws and let out a roar so loud it drowned the world. The stones beneath my boots rattled. Men shouted as weapons slipped in their grip. My ears rang, and my heart mmed against my ribs. The sound didn¡¯t just echo, it pressed, like a wave trying to shove us all off the wall. I clutched Rio¡¯s sleeve, forcing my eyes to stay on it. ¡°Cassian,¡± I said, my voice hoarse. ¡°Go.¡± 20:00 Wed, Sep 24 Brute 110 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 43 55 vouchers ¡°My Lady.¡± Rio¡¯s voice cut through my haze, pulling me back. I turned my head toward him, struggling to focus. ¡°Take me to the infirmary,¡± I managed. The words scraped out of me, but even speaking them seemed to steady the storm building inside. The pressure in my chest swelled, wing at my lungs until every breath felt shallow, stolen. It wasn¡¯t just pain anymore¡ªit was energy, raw and restless, flooding my veins. My body shook with it, and I pressed a hand hard against my ribs as if that alone could hold it in. Rio¡¯s eyes darkened with worry, but I didn¡¯t give him the chance to argue. ¡°Now.¡± As he slipped his arm around me and guided me forward, I realized the sensation wasn¡¯t pulling me apart aimlessly. It had direction. Each step made the burn inside me shift, not easing, but straining toward something ahead. My legs trembled, yet I kept moving because I could feel it, the energy was pointing me. Leading me. And where it led was clear¡­ to the wounded. The cries from the infirmary grew louder as we approached, the scent of iron and herbs mixing thick in the air. My chest tightened further, and the pressure twisted sharp enough to bring bile to my throat. I knew if I didn¡¯t release it, it would tear me from the inside out. Rio held me steady as we crossed the threshold. Despite this, all I could think was that I needed to reach them, the broken bodies scattered on those cots. The thing inside me demanded it. He supported me firmly and guided me into the small infirmary, where healers were already rushing between the wounded. The air was thick with the smell of blood and herbs. ¡°My Lady¡­¡± Mendez¡¯s eyes widened the moment he saw me. ¡°Are you alright? You look-¡± ¡°Take me to the one with the worst wounds,¡± I cut him off. My voice was rough but steady enough to leave no room for doubt. Mendez didn¡¯t hesitate. He nodded and quickly led me toward the far side of the infirmary, where the most critically injured soldiers had been ced. There were people everywhere, soldiers being carried in, healers rushing with bowls of water and bundles of herbs, attendants running with bandages. The chaos pressed in from all sides, but I didn¡¯t care. My body screamed at me to move faster, to find someone, anyone, to heal. ¡°My Lady¡­ this ce-¡± Mendez started, his voice uncertain as if he wanted to warn me. ¡°I know, Mendez.¡± I pressed a hand over my mouth for a moment, fighting the urge to vomit blood, then forced myself to bend over the soldier sprawled on the cot in front of me. His chest barely rose. ¡­ 43 55 vouchers Without another word, I pressed my palm to his chest and let it out. The pull, the thing inside me that had been thrashing, spilled forward. Relief hit me instantly. The pressure eased, the raw urge that had been tearing at my insides loosened its grip. The pain vanished almost as quickly as it hade, leaving me trembling. Almost immediately, gasps rippled through the room. Whispers followed, but I ignored every single one of them. All I felt was the soldier¡¯s body reacting under my hand. The ckened wound across his side lightened, his breathing deepened, and color pushed back into his face. His eyelids fluttered, and then he opened his eyes, staring at me in shock. I pulled my hand away. But for some reason, my body demanded more. I moved to the next cot, a man choking on his own blood, and pressed my hand to him. The coldness inside me bled out with each burst of healing, leaving warmth in its ce. One after another, the soldiers shifted from near death to waking, coughing, alive. The room went quiet, too quiet. The frantic shouts and footsteps slowed, then stopped altogether. It was as if the entire infirmary was holding its breath. I could feel dozens of eyes were on me, but no one raised their voice against me. No one shouted ¡°witch.¡± When I finally lifted my gaze, I realized they were all staring. I couldn¡¯t tell who started it, whether it was one of the healers, or a soldier I had just saved, but someone dropped to a knee and said clearly, ¡°Greetings to the Northern Consort.¡± The words carried echoed inside the small infirmary and the others followed. One by one, voices rose, men bowing their heads, women lowering their gazes. ¡°Greetings to the Northern Consort.¡± The silence broke, not with condemnation, but with recognition. And for the first time, I stood in front of them with no way to hide what I was. But I knew better than to stop moving. ¡°Lord Cassian is¡­ fighting outside of this walls,¡± I said. ¡°My Lady¡­¡± Mendez¡¯s voice faltered, but I didn¡¯t give him the chance to finish. ¡°Lord Cassian is fighting outside these walls,¡± I repeated, my voice carrying further than I expected. The soldiers and healers stilled, their eyes fixed on me. ¡°The North needs everyone of you. We cannot break now. We must stand together, fight together, or we will lose everything.¡± I forced myself upright, even though my body still trembled from the strain. My eyes swept the room, meeting as many gazes as I could. ¡°As the wife of the Northern Lord, I will not hide. I will stand by him. I will stand by all of you.¡± For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then a soldier I had just healed pushed himself upright on his cot. ¡°Fight for the North!¡± he shouted. Another answered. ¡°Fight for Lord Cassian!¡± The words spread, shouted louder each time until the entire infirmary shook with the echo of their voices. Relief poured through me. I didn¡¯t know where my courage to reveal myself hade from, but it was either this or let the thing inside me tear me apart. Cassian might be furious when he found out, but I couldn¡¯t regret it. Not when these men needed hope. Not 43 E55 vouchers when I could actually give them a chance to live through this night. Not when all I wanted was to survive. My eyes fell on Mendez. He stood frozen, staring at me as if he didn¡¯t know who I was anymore. I steadied myself and spoke to him directly. ¡°Let¡¯s gather every soldier who still has breath in them. Anyone I can heal, bring them to me.¡± ¡°But, my Lady¡ª¡± he started, hesitation in in his voice. I shook my head sharply. ¡°This is the only thing I know, Mendez. If I stop, I¡¯ll break. If I keep going, we all have a chance. We will survive this night. No matter what.¡± Mendez¡¯s lips pressed into a line before he nodded. ¡°Yes, my Lady.¡± The healers moved faster, soldiers were carried in one after another, and I ced my hands on them, letting the strange new power flow until my body ached. Brute 111 55 vouchers The chamber was dim, lit only by the blue glow of the sconces embedded in the stone walls. The muffled thud of distant bells and the faint sh of steel outside the keep were a reminder of what waited beyond these walls. Yet Matron Yara had called them here, and one by one, the councilors hade. Ilya Keldar¡¯s sharp voice cut through the uneasy silence first. ¡°Why summon us now, Matron? In the middle of the tide? Men are dying on the walls, and you think we have the luxury of council meetings?¡± His silvered beard bristled as he leaned forward. ¡°This is uncalled for, Yara,¡± Sister Veris folded her arms. ¡°The third night is always the worst. Every capable leader should be at the wall, not locked in here.¡± Even Oren Frostgate, who normally held his tongue said, ¡°You drag us away from the defense to sit in this chamber? What could possibly be worth abandoning our posts?¡± Matron Yara let them have their outrage. She sat at the head of the long table, hands folded neatly, her expression unreadable. When thest of theirints died down, she finally said. ¡°Because I have discovered something that changes everything.¡± That silenced them. Their eyes turned toward her. Yara tilted her head slightly, as if savoring the moment, then let her lips curl into the faintest smile. ¡°Tell me, esteemed councilors¡­ how much would you sacrifice if I told you the root of the tide has already been found?¡± The room stilled. Ilya¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What are you implying? The Beast tide was caused by the red moon.¡± It has been like this for centuries. Yara¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°I am implying that the Consort, Atasha ck, is not a gift to the North. She is its curse.¡± Gasps and murmurs broke out around the table. Sister Veris¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°You dare? We all know what you¡¯ve been whispering, Yara. Spreading doubts, twisting facts, setting father against daughter. You think no one sees you, but I do. How could you bully someone without a wolf?¡± Matron Yara didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she offered Veris a smile. ¡°You see what you wish, Sister. But the evidence speaks louder than whispers. Beasts don¡¯te in greater waves without reason. And who appeared in the North just before the tide began to change? It was the woman who had bewitched the Lord?¡± Her words spread like smoke, curling into every doubtful heart in the room. ¡°Bewitched the lord?¡± Sister Veris¡¯s expression turned ugly. ¡°The Lord is the strongest among us and yet you dare to say that the consort bewitched him?¡± Yara only smiled in response, 20:31 Wed, Sep 24 :.. : 43 55 vouchers ¡°There are things that you must¡­ understand Sister,¡± Matron Yara said. ¡°The witches are getting stronger everyday. They have discovered ways to bewitched people and I believe that the consort is¡­ one of them.¡± ¡°One of them?¡± Oren repeated, his brows knitting tightly. ¡°Matron, do you even hear yourself? She is wolfless. A woman with no beast to her name. How could you use her of something like this?¡± He shook his head, incredulous. ¡°Atasha ck is the only one who hassted this long in the North. Everyone here knows the fate of the Lord¡¯s previous brides. Yet she has endured weeks under his roof. No one understands how, but to twist that into witchcraft is absurd.¡± His gaze swept the table, looking for support before snapping back to Yara. ¡°And tell me this, where is Halden? Why hold a council without him if your ims are so urgent?¡± Yara¡¯s smile widened just a fraction, her hands never leaving their calm fold on the table. ¡°Because Halden ispromised. He and his daughter had been bewitched.¡± ¡°Bewitched?¡± ¡°They have left the gates and you can confirm this with your men. They secretly left and traveled to the northern outpost. He left¡­ in the middle of the tide just to assist the witch.¡± The silence that followed was thick. Yara leaned back in her chair.¡°I called you here because the North needs rity, not weakness. The tide will not wait for us to make excuses. The girl is dangerous, and if we do not act now, we may not live to regret it.¡± Her smile lingered, as if she could already see the cracks forming in their resolve. Sister Veris broke the silence first. ¡°Why? Why do you think the Consort is the reason for the increase in beasts? The tide has always risen and fallen with the red moon. What proof do you have that ties her to it?¡± Matron Yara¡¯s smile sharpened, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. ¡°Proof?¡± she repeated softly, as though savoring the word. ¡°We found evidence that the Consort¡¯s family, the cks, have long worked with witches from the west. And you all know what the western witches are known for. Poison. Potions. Blood rituals. They have been dangerous for generations.¡± A ripple of unease passed through the chamber. Even Ilya, who had scoffed at her earlier, finally had some reaction. Yara smiled inwardly. Yara continued, ¡°This was the very reason the King sent the Northern Lord to the south. You remember it well. The cks were entangled in affairs that could not be ignored. It was not merely politics, it was control. Containment.¡± She lifted a hand. As if waiting for her cue, the chamber doors opened and Maningo entered, his arms full of rolled parchment and sealed packets. He bowed low before handing the documents to the waiting councilors. ¡°See for yourselves,¡± Yara said smoothly, gesturing for them to open the records. ¡°These are reports and ledgers collected over the past months. The south has beenpromised. They trafficked for the witches, sold humans and even werewolves into their hands. And worse, they bought from them. Poison. Powders. Potions. Tools meant only for corruption.¡± Gasps spread around the table as parchment rustled, eyes scanning the damning ink. ¡°You know me,¡± Yara said. ¡°I abhor witches. I have devoted my life to ensuring they never spread unchecked. 43 55 vouchers So I did what no one else dared. I investigated. And what I uncovered makes it in, the ck family has dirtied their hands with witches for years. They profited from it. They survived from it.¡± Sister Veris¡¯s lips tightened, though she said nothing this time. ¡°Now consider Atasha ck. Think carefully. She arrives here, wolfless, fragile, nothing but a liability. And yet somehow, she has not only survived the Northern Lord¡¯s hand but managed to turn his ear. Why? How? The answer is simple. She used what her family always used. A potion or perhaps poison. Some craft learned from their witch dealings. And now the Tyrant Lord listens to her above all else.¡± ¡°In short,¡± Yara added, her smile akin to a de hidden in silk. ¡°Atasha ck is not simply his consort. She has be the leader of the North. And every beast wing at our walls is the price of her deceit.¡± Brute 112 MATRON YARA¡¯S POV : 43 55 vouchers ¡°What do you think, Maningo?¡± Yara asked, her smile lingering as the chamber door closed. Sister Veris and the others were gone. Only she and Maningo remained. ¡°Permission to speak freely, Matron,¡± he said. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°They looked like they weren¡¯t convinced,¡± Maningo replied. ¡°If anything, they seemed angry.¡± Yara¡¯s smile widened at that. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if they believe me now. Convincing them outright was never the point.¡± She folded her hands on the table. ¡°The meeting was to nt the seed, that I know Atasha ck¡¯s true background. Once the northern outpost falls, they won¡¯t have the luxury of doubt. They¡¯ll believe whatever I tell them.¡± This was just the start of her ns. She leaned back, the corners of her mouth curling again. ¡°And when that timees, all of this will be mine to shape.¡± ¡°Is everything in order?¡± she asked after a few seconds of silence. ¡°Yes, Matron. The beasts will sweep across the northern outpost tonight.¡± ¡°Good!¡± Matron Yara got up. ¡°We will proceed to the outpost once the sun is up. Prepare everything.¡± She would be there to witness this grand event. ¡°Yes, Matron.¡± Matron Yara finally rose from her seat, her robes brushing against the stone floor as she walked out of the chamber. The muffled tolling of the bell carried through the halls, but she ignored it. Fighting was for others, not for her. Strategy, words, and timing, that was her battlefield. She made her way through the winding corridors until she reached her private study. The door shut behind her with a firm click, and she locked it, sealing herself away from the chaos outside. The space was quiet, lined with shelves of books and scrolls, the scent of parchment and candle wax lingering in the air. Her steps carried her straight to the bar along the far wall. She poured herself a generous ss of wine, the dark liquid catching the lowmplight. She swirled it once before taking a slow sip, letting the warmth slide down her throat. A long exhale followed, as if the world beyond the stone walls was a distant problem. Then, without warning, a draft swept through the room. The mes in the sconces wavered, and the pages of an open book on her desk rustled as if caught in a sudden gust. Yara¡¯s eyes narrowed. The door was still shut, locked, yet the wind moved as if the night itself had slipped inside. Her gaze shifted toward the corner of the room. A shadow lingered there, darker than it should have been, stretching unnaturally against the wall. But this didn¡¯t startle her. Instead, her lips curved into a slow smile. She raised her ss slightly, as though in greeting. ¡°You are early,¡± she said, her voice calm, almost weing. 43 55 vouchers The shadow shifted, lengthening against the wall. Then came a voice that sounded low and distorted,yered as though two or three people spoke at once. ¡°For someone so well respected¡­ how can you sit infort while your people die at the walls?¡± the voice asked. The sound filled every corner of the study, pressing close, but Yara didn¡¯t flinch. She swirled the wine in her ss once, letting the liquid catch themplight before answering. ¡°They are but a small sacrifice for the greater goal,¡± she said. Her tone was smooth, almost casual. ¡°Their souls will understand. The goddess will understand. This tide, this loss, it is her will.¡± She took another sip, savoring the warmth in her throat. Inside her mind, the thoughts lined up with precision. For centuries, Cassian¡¯s family had held the North in their bloody fists. A cursed line, marked by savagery, no better than the monsters they fought. He couldn¡¯t even tell the difference between enemy and ally, drowning everything in violence and rage. Was this the kind of ruler who could lead the North into survival? Into prosperity? No. His bloodline was a disease. A remnant of beasts. She let her smile linger as the voice rippled around her again. They questioned her absence from the walls, herck of sword in hand, but what did steel matterpared to vision? In her mind¡¯s eye, she saw it already. The North bent and reshaped, not as a fractured territory under the King¡¯s heel but as something new. Separate and whole. A kingdom cut from the frozen bones of the old world. Her kingdom. She would unify it, not through fear and ws, but through order, through faith. The riches of the mines, the trade routes through the passes, the unmatched resilience of the people, all of it gathered under her hand. No longer would the North be treated as the wild frontier, a graveyard for exiles and tyrants. It would be the center. The greatest kingdom the world had seen. And she would sit at its head. She pictured the council bowing. The packs swearing allegiance. Soldiers chanting her name. The walls not as lines of desperation but as monuments of strength. All of them serving her. All of them seeing her not as Matron Yara, but as their queen. Her lips curved, her eyes glinting in the low light. ¡°Cassian¡¯s time is over,¡± she thought, the words never leaving her mouth. ¡°The goddess has chosen me. And soon, the North will too.¡± She held her ss up, watching the wine circle its rim like blood drawn into order. The predictions had been clear. A woman woulde, one strong enough to bind the scattered North together. The others thought it was myth, but she knew it was foresight. : 43 55 vouchers The signs were all here, aligning with her rise. Soon, she would be the beacon to lead them, the first woman to unify the North. Not through chaos, not through fear, but through vision. She would shape the North into something greater than a fracturednd of wolves, something worthy of its strength. ¡°The corrupted stone will soon swallow the northern outpost,¡± the voice said. ¡°The northern lord will fall.¡± This made the Matron smile. ¡°Yes, the northern lord will fall.¡± Then, the north will be hers. Brute 113 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°You are wounded¡­¡± 43 55 vouchers Cassian looked like hell. And that was an understatement. He stood before me, his armor was split in several ces, the metal dented and streaked with dried blood. Cuts lined his gauntlets, and his boots left dark stains on the floor with every step. His shoulders were stiff, his movements heavy, but his eyes, those crimson eyes, still burned with unshaken fire. The healers had barely whispered of his return when I ran out of the infirmary, pushing through the crowd until I saw him. Dawn was breaking, pale light creeping past the walls, signaling that the third night had ended. We had survived. But seeing him now made it clear survival hade at a price. He didn¡¯t speak. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but I knew him well enough to recognize the fury simmering beneath his silence. Before I could say anything, he closed the distance between us and pulled me into his arms. The suddenness of it drew a gasp from me, and then his legs coiled,unching us away from the infirmary in a single powerful leap. I didn¡¯t fight it. I wasn¡¯t even surprised when the blur of ground and trees brought us back to the cabin. Outside, I caught sight of Grace and Halden waiting near the entrance, but Cassian didn¡¯t so much as nce at them. He carried me straight inside and shut the door with a hard thud. The silence weighed heavy as he set me down. My fingers twitched uselessly at my sides, my mind in shambles. We had a deal. I signed that paper and agreed that my ability belonged to him. He decided when and where I used it. I wasn¡¯t supposed to reveal it unless hemanded me. Yet I had, in front of everyone. My voice came out unsteady before I could stop it. ¡°I¡­ I apologize. I didn¡¯t mean to. I wasn¡¯t supposed to show them.¡± I swallowed hard, heat stinging my throat. ¡°But something inside me-¡± The words broke, catching against the tightness in my chest, I didn¡¯t even understand why I was exining myself. He didn¡¯t need excuses. Still, the way his silence pressed down on me, made something in me want to reach for him, to close the space, to calm him, ¡°It was killing me, My Lord,¡± I forced out, my voice raw. ¡°I had to release it, or it would have torn me apart. And the soldiers¡­ they needed me. I know I should have asked you first. I know it was against your orders. But I couldn¡¯t stop.¡± ¡°Do you even understand what you¡¯ve done?¡± His voice was sharp, cold, the kind of tone that cut through excuses before they could form. I flinched, my throat tightening. ¡°I-¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t thinking,¡± he growled, taking a step toward me. The boards under his boots creaked with the weight of him. ¡°You acted on impulse. As always, you were careless. Do you think the North forgives that?¡± My lips parted, but the words felt brittle in my mouth. ¡°They needed me-¡± 20:32 Wed, Sep 24 43 55 vouchers ¡°They need a Lord who can keep them alive,¡± Cassian snapped. His eyes burned brighter. He closed the distance until I had no choice but to tilt my head back to meet them. ¡°And now they¡¯ve seen you. All of you. You¡¯ve revealed your hand. Do you know what that means?¡± I swallowed hard, my voice barely steady. ¡°They won¡¯t condemn me. They¡ª¡± ¡°They¡¯ll praise you,¡± he cut in, his mouth curling into something that wasn¡¯t a smile. ¡°They¡¯ll fall to their knees and call you goddess, saint, savior. They¡¯ll sing your name louder and louder. And while they praise you, my enemies will sharpen their des. You will not have peace again. Not one moment.¡± His hand lifted, fingers curling around my chin, tilting my face up. His grip wasn¡¯t painful, but the weight of it told me I wasn¡¯t going anywhere until he was finished. ¡°From this day forward, every step you take, you¡¯ll be watched. Every time you close your eyes, you¡¯ll wonder if someone is standing behind you with a knife. You¡¯ve made yourself a target, Atasha. You¡¯ve painted your own back red.¡± His voice dropped lower, rough with an edge that made my stomach twist. I wanted to breathe, but his words pressed down heavier than his hand. ¡°I only wanted to help,¡± I whispered. I only wanted to live, to survive. His jaw tightened. ¡°Help?¡± He leaned closer, his breath brushing my cheek. ¡°You want to help? Then you obey. You don¡¯t move unless I tell you. You don¡¯t heal unless I say it¡¯s safe. Because now it isn¡¯t just my enemies, you need to fear. It¡¯s yours. And they will never stop hunting something as valuable as you.¡± Cassian had enemies. Human, werewolves and witches that wanted him dead. The reminder sent a cold shiver through me. I hadn¡¯t thought of it before, not fully, but now it was impossible to ignore. If word of my ability reached the wrong hands, I wouldn¡¯t just be his consort anymore, I¡¯d be an asset, something that would give Cassian an advantage against his enemies. That also meant that killing me would be the fastest way to weaken him. My existence alone would give his enemies another weapon, and that realization made his anger feel sharper. It was about survival, his and mine both. His thumb dragged against my jaw. ¡°You think you saved lives tonight? What you did was buy yourself a lifetime of danger. And I-¡± His eyes locked onto mine, unblinking. ¡°I¡¯m the only thing standing between you and the de that will eventually find you.¡± I held my breath, his words digging deeper than any wound. Freedom. That was what I had wanted all along. The right to choose, to stand on my own. But what was I even thinking? By revealing my ability, I had chained myself tighter to him than before. I wasn¡¯t free, I had made myself the bait. Now, I wasn¡¯t just Atasha ck, the wolfless girl who had been thrown into the North. I was the Consort who had shown the world a power they would kill to control or destroy. If Cassian¡¯s enemies learned of this, I would be their prize. And if they couldn¡¯t take me, then killing me would be their way to cut him down. Perhaps the freedom I wanted¡­ would never be mine. The heaviness in my chest deepened. I didn¡¯t even realize the burn in my eyes until hot tears blurred my vision. They pooled, traitorous, and I blinked hard, forcing them back before they could fall. I wouldn¡¯t cry, not in front of him, not now. When I finally lifted my gaze, his expression had shifted. The fury was still there, but it wasn¡¯t sharp anymore. 43 55 vouchers His crimson eyes, once burning with anger, seemed to catch on something else when they met mine. For the first time since he carried me into the cabin, his face softened. But before I could understand it, Cassian¡¯s body lurched. His shoulders dipped, his hand falling from my chin. The sound of his breath hitched, rough and uneven, and then he staggered back a step, his boots dragging against the floor. ¡°Cassian-¡± The name tore out of me, panic wing up my throat. The Northern Lord, the man who never faltered on the battlefield, suddenly looked like he was about to copse right in front of me. 20:32 Wed, Sep 24 Brute 114 Chapter 114 ATASHA¡¯S POV He took a step back, giving me the space that I so desperately needed. 43 E55 vouchers Then without saying another word, he unsped the ruined armor piece by piece, letting it crash onto the floor until nothing shielded him but the blood¨Csoaked tunic beneath. My breath caught as he grabbed the fabric and tore it open with one swift motion. I hissed at the sight, my hand flying to my mouth. His body was drenched, streaked with red, but as my gaze searched his chest, my stomach lurched. There were no wounds. No cuts. Not even bruises. That wasn¡¯t his blood. I froze. If it wasn¡¯t his, then whose was it? ¡°Cassian-¡± Before I could finish my question, his head turned sharply, those crimson eyes pinning me where I stood. I froze. Something inside me screamed to run, to put distance between us, but my feet wouldn¡¯t move. This wasn¡¯t the Cassian who had shielded me from the stone, the one who carried me away from the outpost as though nothing else mattered. The man in front of me felt different, heavier, darker, almost dangerous in a way that pulled at me instead of pushing me back. I barely had time to think before his hand shot out. His palm closed around my throat, not tight enough to strangle, but firm, controlling, forcing me back until my shoulders hit the wall. The impact stole my breath. My hands twitched at my sides, torn between pushing him away and clinging to him. His face was close. Too close. His eyes burned crimson, staring at me like I was the only thing in existence. He leaned in, his nose brushing my skin, inhaling slowly, deeply, like he was memorizing every part of my scent. My stomach twisted, my body going hot and cold all at once. The sound of his breathing was ragged, and every exhale ghosted against my jaw. Fear pounded in my chest, but it wasn¡¯t clean. It tangled with something else, something that made my pulse race faster. I hated the way my body responded, the way my lips parted without permission, the way my skin lit up under his touch as though it had been waiting for it. ¡°Cassian¡­¡± My voice came out broken. But it sounded more like a plea than protest. He didn¡¯t answer. His grip stayed at my throat like a steady pressure that held me in ce, iming me without words. Then his gaze dropped to my mouth, then back to my eyes. And I couldn¡¯t look away. Every part of me tensed as he leaned closer, so close I felt the heat of him against my lips. My chest rose and fell in shallow bursts, my mind screaming at me to pull away, but my body betraying me, leaning into him instead. Then his mouth crushed against mine. 20:32 Wed, Sep 24 43 55 vouchers It wasn¡¯t gentle. It wasn¡¯t careful. It was desperate, consuming, like he was trying to brand me as his. My hands finally moved, pressing against his chest, not to push him away but to hold onto something solid because my knees were weak. His kiss was rough, but my body responded with a hunger that terrified me. My lips parted beneath his without thought, without reason, letting him in because the alternative felt like breaking apart. I should have been afraid, and I was. But more than that, I was alive in his arms, every nerve burning with the weight of him against me, every thought drowned under the truth that I wanted more even as fear wed at
  1. me.
I wasn¡¯t supposed to like this. I wasn¡¯t supposed to feel anything but fear for the monster I had married. That was what I had told myself from the very beginning. But standing here, pinned to the wall with his mouth iming mine, there was no fear left. What I felt was heat. A rush of warmth that spread through me until it drowned everything else. My chest ached, not from terror, but from need. The kind that wed at me, demanding more. I didn¡¯t know where the courage came from. Maybe it wasn¡¯t courage at all, maybe it was madness. But my arms moved on their own, sliding up his chest until they locked around his neck. The moment I pulled him down, his body pressed harder against mine. The wall at my back and his weight in front of me left no escape. My legs shifted, curling around his waist. The motion dragged him even closer, forcing every line of his body against mine. The air caught in my throat, my skin burning under the contact. I didn¡¯t stop to think about what I was doing, or why. I only knew that in his embrace, the emptiness inside me finally shut up. His kiss deepened, rougher now, his grip on my throat tightening just enough to remind me who held control. My body trembled, but it wasn¡¯t from fear. It was from the way he consumed me and the way I gave in without realizing it. Then, as sudden as it began, he broke the kiss. His lips left mine, but his breath still ghosted against my skin. His forehead pressed to mine for a second, his chest rising and falling fast. When he finally spoke, his voice was raw, edged with something I couldn¡¯t name. ¡°What have you done to me?¡± The wordsnded heavier than his grip, rough and using, but not cold. My head tipped back enough to meet his eyes. His eyes locked on mine. The intensity of it made my chest tighten, and before I could stop myself, heat flooded my face. Shame burned at the edges of my thoughts, but it tangled with something else I couldn¡¯t control, something heavier, hotter. It twisted low in my stomach and refused to let go. Part of me wanted to disappear, to erase the reckless thing I had just done. But another part, the other part that was louder and hungrier, wanted him toe back to me, to close the distance again and not stop. And I hated that I didn¡¯t know which part of me was winning. Brute 115 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 43 55 vouchers If the ground could open and swallow me whole, I would dly let it. Better that than standing here, pretending I wasn¡¯t reying thest few minutes in my head like some kind of shameless fool. Cassian¡¯s mouth, the weight of him, the way my legs had wrapped around his waist, goddess, I wanted to dig a hole in the cabin floor and bury myself in it. I should have been focusing on Halden and Grace, who were talking with Cassian just a few steps away, but I couldn¡¯t. My ears rang with their words, yet all I could hear was my own heartbeat. He had asked me, what have you done to me? And then he kissed me again. Not once or twice but over and over again until my body felt like it had forgotten how to breathe without him pressed against me. And if that wasn¡¯t enough to ruin me, there was the hard press I¡¯d felt against my waist. I nearly covered my face at the memory. Married or not, nothing had prepared me for that. The thought of it made me want tobust from sheer embarrassment. I wasn¡¯t ready. At least, that¡¯s what my mind insisted. My body, however, hadn¡¯t seemed to care. ¡°Are you certain it was Matron Yara?¡± Cassian¡¯s voice cut through my stupor, low and sharp, pulling me back to the present. I forced my gaze away from him, away from the memory of his lips, and toward Halden. His face was pale, his arm still bound from Reina¡¯s de, but his eyes were steady when they flicked to me before settling back on Cassian. Halden nodded. ¡°It was her. The Matron persuaded Reina toe here, even knowing the danger. My daughter spoke her name before she turned her de against me. But beyond that, she refuses to say more.¡± I turned toward Grace, hoping for something else, some detail that would make this make sense. She looked grim, her hand still resting on the hilt of her sword as if she didn¡¯t trust the quiet. ¡°Reina won¡¯t speak another word. She¡¯s either too afraid¡­ or too far gone under Yara¡¯s influence.¡± I tightened my grip on my own hands, my embarrassment giving way to something heavier. Matron Yara. The name alone made the air feel colder. And for the first time since Cassian kissed me, I managed to push away the heat and shame twisting inside me. Something darker was brewing outside these walls. Then, Cassian stood suddenly, the chair scraping against the floor as his voice cut through the room. ¡°Follow me.¡± I rose quickly, my body reacting before my mind caught up. But before I stepped after him, my gaze slid back to Halden. His expression was drawn, worn down by exhaustion and pain, yet steady in its restraint. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said softly. ¡°For trying to stop your daughter.¡± Halden blinked, as though my words caught him off guard. He hesitated, then pushed himself up to bow stiffly. The gesture looked wrong. On impulse, I reached out and caught his shoulder before he could lower fully. 20:32 Wed, Sep 24 : 43 55 vouchers. The contact froze him. His eyes widened when heat seeped from my hand into his arm, sliding into his wound. The torn flesh under the bandage knit back together in a slow ripple, his skin smoothing until the injury was gone. His lips parted. ¡°You-¡± I nced at Cassian, then back to Halden. ¡°Almost everyone knows by now that I can heal. There¡¯s no point in letting someone suffer when I can stop it.¡± I let my hand fall away. ¡°Recover well.¡± Halden looked at me as if he wasn¡¯t sure whether to thank me or kneel again, but I didn¡¯t give him the chance. Cassian¡¯s silence was heavy, his eyes unreadable, and then he turned on his heel. ¡°Follow me.¡± I didn¡¯t argue this time. I moved after him. The moment we stepped outside, a small cluster of soldiers was waiting. They bowed the instant they saw us. Their voices were subdued, their eyes flicking between Cassian and me with something like awe. I gave the smallest nod in return, my stomach tight, and kept pace behind Cassian. He led me across the yard, past the barracks, toward the heavy iron door sunk into the earth at the far edge of thepound. Two guards pulled it open, and the stench hit me before we even started down the steps. The dungeon was underground, the air damp and suffocating. The stone steps were slick, worn smooth by years of use, and each one carried us deeper until the faint light from the door above was gone. Torches guttered along the walls, but they did little to fight back the shadows. The smell grew worse with every step. Sweat, old blood, and rot mixed into a foul heaviness that clung to the back of my throat. And beneath it all was another stench, human waste, acrid and overwhelming. My stomach churned. At the bottom, the corridor stretched in both directions, narrow and lined with cells. Rusted bars caged in the darkness, and from inside came the sounds of chains scraping against stone and the asional groan of the prisoners. Water dripped somewhere, echoing down the hall. Every surface was damp, slick with grime, and the floor was coated with filth that made me want to lift my skirts higher. It reeked of misery, and of lives left to rot. Cassian didn¡¯t slow, his stride steady and unbothered as though the dungeon was nothing new to him. I forced myself to keep up, my hands tightening at my sides to stop the tremor that tried to take hold. Cassian stopped at a reinforced door halfway down the hall and worked the irontch. The hinges protested as he hauled it open. The cell was small and wet. A single torch threw light across the far wall where Reina hung in chains. Her arms were stretched wide, wrists cuffed and rubbed raw. Blood had dried in dark lines down her forearms. One eye was swollen, her lip split, hair matted against her cheeks. The stink of fear and old sweat clung to her. Her gaze snapped to us. For a heartbeat she looked ready to spit, but the expression broke when she saw who stood beside me. Her eyes widened. Cassian stepped inside without a word. He didn¡¯t ask questions. Instead, he drew a dagger from his belt and drove the point through the meat of her forearm, clean between the bones. Reina screamed. The chains rattled hard enough to shake dust from the ceiling. Blood welled fast and ran over his knuckles before he pulled the de free. Then, he turned to me. ¡°Heal her.¡± Brute 116 Chapter 116 ATASHA¡¯S POV : 55 vouchers My stomach twisted, but I kept quiet. Cassian didn¡¯t exin himself, didn¡¯t even look at me, he just waited, the dagger still wet in his hand. Just as he instructed, I stepped closer to Reina. Almost immediately, she flinched, chains rattling as she tried to jerk away. ¡°No! Don¡¯t touch me!¡± she screamed, her voice hoarse. But bound as she was, she couldn¡¯t stop me. I pressed my palm to the wound. Heat surged out of me, rushing into her arm until the torn flesh knit back together. In seconds, the blood stopped, the skin smoothed, and there was no trace of what he had done. I pulled back quickly, my stomach heavy with dread. ¡°You- Witch! I was right! You are a witch!¡± I ignored her. Without saying a word, Cassian drew his sword. The de whistled once through the air before it struck. The sound of steel against flesh cracked through the cell, followed by Reina¡¯s scream as the chains rattled violently. I froze, my breath caught in my throat. Cassian¡¯s silence said everything, this was what he wanted. He would cut, and I would heal. And it would go on until Reina finally broke. I watched as Cassian moved with the same calmness as if he were sharpening a de, not carving into flesh. His sword rose again, and this time it came down across Reina¡¯s thigh. The cut was deep, slicing muscle until the steel rang against bone. Her scream tore through the small cell, shrill enough to scrape at my skull. She bucked against the chains, but there was no escape, only the sound of her rattling cuffs and the gush of blood spilling onto the filthy floor. ¡°Monster!¡± she spat between cries, foam and blood flecking her lips. ¡°You¡¯ll burn for this! Both of you! You-¡± her wild eyes snapped to me. ¡°You¡¯re no consort, you¡¯re a cursed witch! Everyone will see you for what you are!¡± The words were sharp and ugly, but Cassian didn¡¯t react. He only turned his head toward me, his expression t as he ordered. ¡°Heal her.¡± My hands trembled as I stepped forward and stared at the wound. The gash was brutal, raw meatid bare, blood pooling so fast it coated my fingers the moment I touched her skin. I knew Reina did something with the intention of hurting me, but seeing her like this made my stomach roll, bile rising in my throat, but I pushed down the nausea and forced the warmth out of me. The wound slowly knit back together under my palm, muscle pulling taut, skin stretching until the blood ceased and nothing remained but a slick smear over her leg. She let out a ragged gasp, her chest heaving. ¡°Demon¡­ you¡¯re both demons¡­¡± Despite this, the anger in her eyes didn¡¯t disappear. She looked like she was hoping that somehow, the chains would break so she could 20:33 Wed, Sep 24 strangle me. 42 55 vouchers Still, Cassian didn¡¯t respond. He shifted his grip on the sword, then swung again, this time across her abdomen. The steel bit deep, opening her from hip to hip. The sound was worse than the sight, a wet tearing noise followed by the heavy p of her entrails pressing against the gap. I couldn¡¯t hold back the gag that rose in my throat. The smell of iron and bile filled my nose, thick and suffocating. My knees threatened to give, but Cassian¡¯s voice cut through the haze. ¡°Heal her.¡± My breath shook as I pressed my hands to her stomach. Warm, slick blood gushed between my fingers, hot enough to scald. The gaping wound pulsed under my palms, her body convulsing with every cry. I forced myself to close my eyes, not to see the way her insides strained against the cut. The energy poured out of me, stronger than before, flooding her broken flesh. Slowly, impossibly, the skin drew back together. But just like earlier, the torn muscle stitched, the blood flow stopped. When I finally pulled my hands away, her stomach was whole again, unmarred except for the stains coating my arms. Reina slumped against her chains, her voice breaking into hoarse sobs. ¡°Kill me,¡± she begged. ¡°Kill me now¡­¡± I staggered back, chest heaving, my hands sticky with blood that wasn¡¯t mine. My stomach clenched hard enough to hurt. But part of me was not surprised when Cassian only let out a snort. Then he approached her again. Cassian¡¯s boots scraped against the filthy stone as he closed in on Reina. His shadow fell across her, and for a moment she stopped struggling, frozen like an animal that knew the predator was too close. He didn¡¯t rush. He tilted his head, almost studying her face, then without warning, he dragged the edge of his sword down her cheek. The steel cut from her temple to her jaw, leaving a raw, gaping line that instantly flooded with blood. Her scream split the air, higher and sharper than before. The chains ttered wildly as she writhed, her head jerking from side to side as if she could shake the pain away. Blood poured down her neck, dripping to the floor in steady streaks. My body jolted forward on instinct, my hand already lifting, ready to stop the bleeding, to knit the skin back together before she drowned in it. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Cassian¡¯s voice cut through the noise, sharp and final. I froze, my hand hovering uselessly in the air. My chest tightened. ¡°But-¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± His eyes didn¡¯t even flick to me. They stayed locked on Reina, and there was no anger in them, no satisfaction. Just calction. As if she wasn¡¯t even human, just another problem to solve with a de. ¡°No one gets to harm you and not suffer from it,¡± his words sent chills down my spine, 46 You¡¯re mad-¡± Reina¡¯s shrieks cracked into sobs, blood bubbling at her lips. ¡°You¡¯re both mad, kill me already!¡± Cassian almost smirked. ¡°Not until you¡¯re useful.¡± He raised the sword again, and this time he didn¡¯t aim for her face. The t of the de mmed down across her thigh with brutal force. The crunch of impact echoed, followed by her strangled cry. Her legs : convulsed, the cuffs biting into her ankles as she thrashed. 42 E55 vouchers I thought she¡¯d pass out then, her eyes rolling back, her body sagging against the chains. But Cassian¡¯s head turned toward me, his voice calm, almost amused. ¡°Now. Heal her.¡± My stomach dropped. He was breaking her apart piece by piece, and I was the one keeping her alive long enough for him to do it again. I stepped forward with shaking hands. The wound on her leg was grotesque, the skin split open, the muscle beneath swollen and already purpling from the blow. Blood oozed thick and hot. I pressed my palm against it, forcing myself not to recoil at the slick heat under my fingers. Energy pushed through me, rushing into her flesh, and the wound sealed slowly, the skin smoothing, the bone knitting. Soon enough, her sobs turned into gasps as the pain eased, but her eyes stayed wide and wild. I looked at Cassian and I immediately knew¡­ he was far from being done. Brute 117 ATASHA¡¯S POV ¡°I swear¡­ it was Matron Yara who told me toe here,¡± Reina rasped, her voice shaking between sobs and ragged breaths. Blood still streaked down her face where Cassian had cut her, though the wound was already clotting. Since he didn¡¯t asked me to heal her, I didn¡¯t move and just listen to Reina¡¯s words. ¡°She told me the consort is working with witches. She said, the ck Family is loyal to the west and doesn¡¯t serve the werewolf king. She said nothing about the consort being a witch!¡± Her swollen eyes red past me, fixed on Cassian with hatred. ¡°Now kill me!¡± Cassian didn¡¯t move. His sword hung loosely at his side, his face unreadable. He looked at her as if her words meant nothing, as if she was already less than a person to him. Reina sucked in a shaky breath and pushed on, her chains rattling. ¡°Yara said the witches were behind all of this¡­ that they had infiltrated the North. She told me the consort was one of them. That if I came here, I would see it myself. She promised it was the only way to protect the North.¡± Her voice broke, and for the first time, I saw something other than hatred in her eyes. Grief. ¡°My sister,¡± she whispered. ¡°The witches killed my little sister. She wasn¡¯t even twelve¡­ they took her from our home, used her in their curses, left what was left of her body in the river. Tell me how anyone is supposed to forgive that? Tell me why they shouldn¡¯t burn for it?¡± She coughed, her breath uneven. ¡°Matron Yara said witches should be punished. Everyst one. That if I followed her guidance, the North would finally be free of them.¡± Her head sagged against the wall, chains digging deeper into her raw wrists. Cassian exhaled as though none of this surprised him. Then he finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯ve been used.¡± Reina¡¯s head snapped up, her face twisted with confusion and fury. ¡°What do you mean used? I followed the Matron¡¯s orders! She showed me who the real danger was!¡± Before Cassian could answer, the words tore out of me. ¡°The stone,¡± I said, my voice hoarse. My gaze locked on hers. ¡°The one you saw¡­ the one that brought the beasts here. That wasn¡¯t mine. Lord Cassian asked me to find it and destroy it. That¡¯s what I was doing.¡± Her body jolted, a harshugh bursting from her throat. ¡°That¡¯s impossible! It was you¨CI saw it! You were using it!¡± I shook my head. ¡°No. Matron Yara wanted you toe because she knew your father would follow you. She used you, Reina. She knew Halden Morrow would never let his daughter walk into danger alone. She wanted both of you here. And when the beasts overran this ce, she would have wiped her hands clean and called it fate. She wanted you dead. Both of you.¡± Her eyes went wide, disbelief splintering her face. ¡°No¡­ that can¡¯t be true. Matron Yara cares about the North. She cares more than anyone!¡± I said nothing this time. Maybe because I could see in Reina¡¯s face what I didn¡¯t want to admit out loud, that 10:04 Thu, Sep 25 ¡­ she was clinging to the only thing left that made her feel justified. Cassian said nothing either. ¡°Impossible,¡± Reina¡¯s eyes went wild. ¡°How dare you lie to me! Why don¡¯t you just kill me, instead?¡± she rasped, voice raw. ¡°I¡¯ve said everything. Just end this. I don¡¯t want to feel anymore. I would rather die than hear your lies!¡± Her plea staggered the small room. The chains clinked as she huddled inward, body shaking. She bared her teeth in a broken, animal half¨Csmile and spat, ¡°I don¡¯t want to wake up to this. I don¡¯t want another day of this. Do it. End it. Take your satisfaction and be done.¡± I watched Cassian for a long second, expecting him to answer the mercy she begged for. He didn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t move toward her with a de ready to finish it. Instead he looked at me, his face unreadable in the torchlight. ¡°Heal her,¡± he said simply. Panic mmed into Reina like a physical force. Her head whipped to me, eyes huge with terror. ¡°No¨Cno, please! Don¡¯t touch me! If you heal me, you¡¯re prolonging it. Kill me! Do you hear me? Kill me now! I¡¯d rather die than feel whates next. Please, please-¡± She began to beg in a rush, words stumbling over one another, voice breaking into a sob. Her hands wed uselessly at the chains as if she could tear them free. I stood frozen a second, my hands slick with blood, the memory of stitching her wounds fresh and hot under my palms. Part of me wanted to throw up, part of me wanted to run. Another part, the darker and more helpless part, knew what Cassian expected. He wanted me to keep her alive. To make the punishmentst. To have control. My voice was small when it came. ¡°You don¡¯t have to-¡± I started, then stopped as I looked at Cassian. I didn¡¯t know the exact reason why he was doing this but I knew that part of it was because Reina tried to harm me. Cassian¡¯s jaw tightened. He didn¡¯t give me time to decide. ¡°Heal her,¡± he repeated, but this time there was steel. under the calm. It wasn¡¯t a request. It was an order. I swallowed, every instinct screaming against it, and stepped forward. Reina¡¯s pleading redoubled. She pleaded for release, for oblivion, for death, with a steadiness only someone who had already walked past the brink could find. Her face was streaked with blood and tears, and there was no dignity left in her voice, only the animal need to stop the pain. I pressed my hand to the fresh cut Cassian had just made. The world narrowed. I let the warmth go, forcing the pull outward even while my hands shook. The wound sealed beneath my palm, skin knitting, blood ceasing. Reina¡¯s body stilled, her sobs turning into hups. She sagged as the blood stopped, haggard and furious and deeply, deeply haunted. When I finally stepped back, Cassian watched me with the same steady expression as before. Reina gasped, hatred and gratitude and fear tangled together. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for this,¡± she choked out toward me and Cassian both. ¡°You¡¯ll be cursed for what you do.¡± Cassian said nothing. He wiped the de and set it aside. Reina¡¯s pleading had ended; only the residual ragged breaths and the drip of dark water somewhere in the dungeon filled the space. I remained where I was and for the first time in a long while I understood exactly what Cassian had warned me about: what it meant to be visible, useful, and hated all at once. 10:04 Thu, Sep 25 M¡­ The air in the dungeon cell still clung to me, but Cassian was already moving. Without a word, he pushed the door open and stepped out. I hesitated, casting onest look at Reina slumped in her chains, then followed. Rio was waiting just outside, his hand already on the hilt of his sword. Cassian didn¡¯t slow. ¡°Keep her alive,¡± he said. ¡°Yes, my Lord.¡± And just like that, the matter was closed. I stayed close to Cassian as we left the narrow hall, our steps carrying us back up the slick stone stairs. The stench of the dungeon slowly faded, reced by the cold bite of air seeping in from above. My chest tightened with relief when the door finally opened, but the brightness made me squint. After so long underground, the daylight felt blinding. I raised a hand against the re, blinking until my eyes adjusted. And then I froze. The yard outside wasn¡¯t empty. Rows of soldiers stood waiting, their armor dulled by exhaustion but their postures straight, their gazes locked on us. Their silence was heavier than the dungeon walls. I instinctively moved closer to Cassian, the weight of so many eyes pressing down on me, until I was almost behind him. Then, from the front line, one voice rose clear and steady. ¡°Honor to the Lord of the North and his Consort. May your strength guard our walls, and may your light never fade.¡± The words rippled outward like amand, and the rest followed, bowing their heads in unison. ¡°Honor to the Lord and Lady of the North. May your strength guard our walls, and may your light never fade.¡± END OF BOOK 2 AD Brute 118 Chapter 118 ATASHA¡¯S POV I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that from this point on, peace was no longer mine to have. Half a day had passed since the soldiers at the Northern Outpost had bowed to me, their voices raised in greeting, their thanks spilling out as though I had saved them all. But somehow, it already felt like forever ago. The weight of their stares lingered, heavier than the dungeon air I had left behind. My heart wasn¡¯t at peace. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going outside?¡± Grace asked as she handed me a ss of water. I took the cup, drank, and handed it back before leaning into the headboard. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Cassian had told me to stay inside the cabin until he returned, and for once, I didn¡¯t argue. He had warned me that once they saw what I could do, nothing would ever be the same. And he was right. No one called me a witch. No one spat at me. Instead, they bowed, they thanked me, some even looked at me with tears in their eyes. But their eyes unsettled me more than their hatred ever did. They no longer looked at me as a woman. They looked at me as something else. This should have felt like safety. It didn¡¯t. Their eyes had changed. Some looked at me like I was a blessing. Others like I was a tool. A few stared too long, measuring me the way men measure weapons. I hated that part most. ¡°What did Lord Halden decide?¡± I asked, pulling myself out of it. Grace set the empty cup on the small table. ¡°Reina is still his heir, for now,¡± she said. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t make her his only child.¡± I met her eyes. She was reminding me of the obvious without stabbing at it. I nodded. I knew that Reina still had siblings. In the north, death is a normal thing. It would not surprise me if Halden Morrow would decide to kill his own daughter. Cassian had left the choice to Halden. He didn¡¯t give him any orders. Just a look that said, decide and live with it. In the end, Halden chose to keep Reina imprisoned in the outpost until she learned her lesson. Too soft for what she¡¯d done, maybe. But I understood why Cassian didn¡¯t push for worse. The North was held together with fraying rope. One more cut in the wrong ce would make it snap. ¡°Agape and Prince Kaelith are downstairs,¡± Grace added. ¡°They asked to see you.¡± My stomach dipped. Cassian was gone again. He left without leaving a note. A small, stupid part of me wanted him here, if only to take the weight off for a breath. But this was mine. If I was going to wear the title they¡¯d handed me, I couldn¡¯t hide every time the room felt heavy. ¡°I¡¯lle,¡± I said. Grace led me down the short hall and the stairs to the main floor. The cabin smelled like smoke and metal. Voices carried low from the sitting room. We turned the corner. Agape rose at once. His hair was braided back, her sleeves rolled up. Prince Kaelith stood beside him, cleaner than most men in the outpost but with a new cut along his jaw and old blood along the hem of his coat. He 55 vouchers ATASHA¡¯S POV I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that from this point on, peace was no longer mine to have. Half a day had passed since the soldiers at the Northern Outpost had bowed to me, their voices raised in greeting, their thanks spilling out as though I had saved them all. But somehow, it already felt like forever ago. The weight of their stares lingered, heavier than the dungeon air I had left behind. My heart wasn¡¯t at peace. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going outside?¡± Grace asked as she handed me a ss of water. I took the cup, drank, and handed it back before leaning into the headboard. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Cassian had told me to stay inside the cabin until he returned, and for once, I didn¡¯t argue. He had warned me that once they saw what I could do, nothing would ever be the same. And he was right. No one called me a witch. No one spat at me. Instead, they bowed, they thanked me, some even looked at me with tears in their eyes. But their eyes unsettled me more than their hatred ever did. They no longer looked at me as a woman. They looked at me as something else. This should have felt like safety. It didn¡¯t. Their eyes had changed. Some looked at me like I was a blessing. Others like I was a tool. A few stared too long, measuring me the way men measure weapons. I hated that part most. ¡°What did Lord Halden decide?¡± I asked, pulling myself out of it. Grace set the empty cup on the small table. ¡°Reina is still his heir, for now,¡± she said. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t make her his only child.¡± I met her eyes. She was reminding me of the obvious without stabbing at it. I nodded. I knew that Reina still had siblings. In the north, death is a normal thing. It would not surprise me if Halden Morrow would decide to kill his own daughter. Cassian had left the choice to Halden. He didn¡¯t give him any orders. Just a look that said, decide and live with it. In the end, Halden chose to keep Reina imprisoned in the outpost until she learned her lesson. Too soft for what she¡¯d done, maybe. But I understood why Cassian didn¡¯t push for worse. The North was held together with fraying rope. One more cut in the wrong ce would make it snap. ¡°Agape and Prince Kaelith are downstairs,¡± Grace added. ¡°They asked to see you.¡± My stomach dipped. Cassian was gone again. He left without leaving a note. A small, stupid part of me wanted him here, if only to take the weight off for a breath. But this was mine. If I was going to wear the title they¡¯d handed me, I couldn¡¯t hide every time the room felt heavy. ¡°I¡¯lle,¡± I said. Grace led me down the short hall and the stairs to the main floor. The cabin smelled like smoke and metal. Voices carried low from the sitting room. We turned the corner. Agape rose at once. His hair was braided back, her sleeves rolled up. Prince Kaelith stood beside him, cleaner than most men in the outpost but with a new cut along his jaw and old blood along the hem of his coat. He inclined his head to me, formal but not stiff. ¡°My Lady,¡± Agape said, relief softening her features. ¡°You¡¯re steady on your feet?¡± 55 voucherS ¡°For now.¡± I took the chair opposite them while Grace stayed by the door. ¡°Thank you foring here on such short notice,¡± I said. Agape¡¯s eyes swept over me, lingering just long enough to make me uneasy before he spoke. ¡°I can see that you¡¯ve revealed your ability. A good one, at that. Healing is rare.¡± I gave him a thin smile, cold enough to hide the twist in my stomach. I couldn¡¯t tell if he was being sarcastic or genuinely supportive, and I didn¡¯t have the energy to unravel it. Instead, I chose the safer route. ¡°Thank you foring to my aid.¡± Kaelith leaned forward. ¡°Just to be clear, we didn¡¯te to help you. It was the stone. We thought you couldn¡¯t handle it. If the Lord of the North hadn¡¯t arrived when he did, it would have consumed you. You would have-¡± ¡°Kaelith,¡± Agape cut in, his voice low. ¡°Take a breather. You can wait outside if you wish.¡± The prince ignored him, his jaw tight, eyes still on me. Agape sighed, then turned back to me with a weary expression. ¡°Please don¡¯t mind him. The prince can be blunt.¡± I shook my head. ¡°I needed it. The truth.¡± That made Agape pause, then nod slowly. ¡°As he said, we came because we feared the stone would corrupt you. We underestimated what it would do once you touched it.¡± My fingers curled against my knees. ¡°Corrupt me? What do you mean?¡± Agape studied me as though weighing how much to reveal. ¡°Our kind¡­ people like myself, and others, we are vulnerable to corrupted stones. If we touch them, the rot seeps in. It twists us. That stone you held, it was worse than most. It was made to poison. I honestly thought it would not affect you at all.¡± His words tightened something inside me. ¡°You¡¯re telling me there was a chance I would be corrupted by it. And yet, when you told me about the stone, you left that part out?¡± Agape shook his head and offered a small, almost apologetic smile. ¡°Not left out. Dyed. I did not expect you to have that reaction after touching the stone. It was already rare for werewolves to react that way. And wolfless werewolf such as yourself¡­ should not be able to have that reaction at all.¡± His gaze flicked briefly toward Grace, then back to me. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, Lady Grace, could we speak alone?¡± I nced at Grace. She met my eyes, searching for a sign. I gave her a nod. She hesitated, then stepped out, the door closing softly behind her. Almost immediately, the room grew heavier. Agape leaned forward. ¡°Our kind will always suffer if we touch corrupted fae stones. Always. The corruption spreads, tearing at body and mind until nothing remains but madness. That¡¯s why Kaelith and I came. We thought you would break the moment your hand closed around 8:38 Fri, Sep 26 it.¡± I frowned. ¡°Are you saying that-¡± A ¡°Yes.¡± Agape¡¯s gaze was steady, almost gentle. ¡°I believe you are one of us. Someone born from a line touched by fae blood. That is the only reason you survived it. The only reason you could wield it without falling apart. My breath caught. ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s wrong. It was Cassian¡¯s grandmother who¡­¡± The words stumbled out before I could stop them. My thoughts tangled as I blinked, trying to piece them together. ¡°I can¡¯t be.¡± My voice cracked as I forced the denial out. ¡°How could I have fae blood? That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s impossible.¡± ¡°Believe me,¡± Agape inclined his head. ¡°There are many things in this world that are difficult to ept, My Lady. But I assure you, only those with fae blood would react the way you did. Still¡­ there is a more urgent matter we must speak of.¡± My stomach sank. ¡°More urgent than finding out I might have fae blood in my veins?¡± He nodded at that. ¡°Lord Cassian. Has he¡­ behaved as he usually does around you?¡± I froze. ¡°What?¡± As he usually does around me? The word echoed in my head, pulling me back to the memory of his mouth on mine, the heat of it still burning through me. ¡°What exactly do you mean by that?¡± However, before Agape could answer me, a sudden knock echoed. Grace then walked in. ¡°My Lady¡­ Matron Yara has been spotted outside of the gates.¡± Fb page: Brey Mitchylle with cat profile pic AD Comment Send gift No Ads Brute 119 Chapter 119 ATASHA¡¯S POV : & 15 vouchers ¡°The beast inside him has been awakened?¡± I frowned. ¡°Elder Agape, what are you talking about?¡± ¡°As you may have already noticed¡­ Lord Cassian is not an ordinary werewolf. He intervened when the stone tried to take you. He seeded, but I do not know what that cost him,¡± Agape had said before he left to deal with the new problem outside the gates. Matron Yara. Now the cabin was crowded and tense. I forced myself to focus, stop thinking about Cassian, but I couldn¡¯t. I shouldn¡¯t think about him right now. Not when Matron Yara just arrived at the northern outpost. I looked at Halden as he stood near the table. I knew Grace was outside these doors so I wasn¡¯t scared that the Matron would do something unimaginable. Then, I finally looked at Matron Yara, behind her was her assistant called Maningo. He lingered a step behind Matron Yara, who sat with perfect posture, hands folded, eyes calm in a way that set my teeth on edge. Why was she here? Halden broke the silence first. ¡°Why do you look surprised, Matron?¡± ¡°Surprised?¡± Yara¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Relieved, is the word that I would use councilor. We heard that the northern outpost was nearly overrun. I¡¯m d to see you still standing. I am relieved to see you still alive.¡± I met her gaze. ¡°What do you mean ¡®we heard¡®? Who told you anything about our situation? We have Lord Cassian guarding this outpost. The beasts would find it hard to breach our defences.¡± Yara¡¯s eyes shifted to me as if weighing whether to scold a child. She didn¡¯t. She arranged her expression into something soft, something that almost made me sick to my stomach.¡±Child, I¡¯m merely concerned. The Lord just married. A new bride so far from home, of course I came. I brought physicians to support your healers.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t need physicians,¡± Halden said tly. ¡°Physician Mendez is enough.¡± Yara blinked as if offended on behalf of her entourage. ¡°How could that be?¡± ¡°How could what be?¡± I asked. ¡°That our healers are capable of treating the wounded? Or that you only arrived with extra hands after the third night had already passed? Matron Yara, you were born and raised in the North. You knew better than anyone that surviving the third night is nothing unusual. So tell me, why did you feel the need to leave the safety of the gates, where you¡¯re most needed, toe here now?¡± A small crack showed in her smile. ¡°It is disappointing to be greeted with suspicion when Ie to serve.¡± I ignored that fake facade on her beautiful face. All I wanted was to leave this cabin as soon as I could. I wasn¡¯t in the mood to fake pleasantries. ¡°You said you ¡®heard¡® we were almost overrun,¡± I said. ¡°From whom? No runner was sent. And if you truly believe the outpost was at risk, whye with just physicians and not more soldiers? The Lord is powerful. A tide like this would not make the North fall.¡± 12:53 Sat, Sep 27 68 5 vouchers Almost immediately, her smile vanished. Yara¡¯s palm mmed the table. ¡°How dare you be ungrateful?¡± Her voice carried through the small room. ¡°I leave the safety of the keep to bring aid, and this is how I¡¯m received?¡± I bit back my words, choosing silence instead. Halden stayed quiet as well. From everything we had learned, it was clear the Matron had pushed Reina intoing here and fed poison into Halden¡¯s ear too. Her true purpose was still hidden from me, but one thing was certain, whatever she was after, it wasn¡¯t for the good of the North. Yara looked between us, waiting for someone to retreat. When no one did, she drew a slow breath and straightened. ¡°If our presence is not wanted, we will leave.¡± ¡°Matron,¡± Maningo stepped in smoothly. ¡°We can depart at first light. The sun will set in a few hours. The roads will close, and the passes are unsafe at night.¡± Yara shot him a look, then lifted her chin. ¡°Fine. We leave at dawn.¡± She turned toward the door, paused long enough to let the silence stretch, then swept out. Maningo dipped his head to the room and followed. The door shut behind them. Seeing this, Halden immediately looked at me. ¡°What do you want us to do?¡± ¡°We keep going,¡± I said. ¡°Nothing changes. You hold the walls. I¡¯ll be in the infirmary.¡± He nodded as I stood and walked out of the cabin. ¡°Grace.¡± She stepped to my side. ¡°My Lady?¡± ¡°Do you know where Cassian is?¡± ¡°He left early this morning,¡± she said. ¡°No one¡¯s seen him since. Scouts didn¡¯t track him, they assumed it was Lord¡¯s business.¡± I pressed my lips together and nodded. ¡°All right.¡± I was already expecting this answer, yet a part of me still hoped that they somehow knew where he was. I stepped out into the cold. A few soldiers passing by paused to bow their heads, murmuring greetings. I forced myself to nod back, even managed a faint smile. Pulling my cloak tighter, I raised the hood over my head, hoping it would hide me from more eyes. The yard buzzed with tired movement, armor being patched, arrows bundled, cauldrons boiling over open fires. I crossed to the wall stairs and climbed. The stone steps were uneven and iced at the edges, my breath fogging as I went. I asked Grace not to follow me as I took the narrow walkway to the highest tower. From there, the North stretched out in every direction. Endless snowfieldsy beyond the outer trenches, broken by dark stands of dead pines and the jagged lines of half¨Cburied rock. The drifts were piled high where the wind had been strongest. Old battle scars marked the ground below, ckened scorch lines where oil had burned, churned earth where beasts had wed, frozen blood staining the snow near the base of the wall. A C6), 5 vouchers Closer in, the outpost looked small against the expanse, towers like blunt teeth, parapets patched with fresh timber, ropes of frost hanging from the crions. Thin streams of smoke rose from chimneys inside the yard. Beyond that, nothing moved, no caravans, no travelers, only wind cutting across the snow and the asional groan of shifting ice. It was a harsh view. I wrapped my cloak tighter around me and stared out over the white, willing my heartbeat to steady and my thoughts to fall in order. Just where in the goddess¡¯s name is Cassian and why did he leave? Does it have something to do with what Agape just told me? Suddenly, a heavy thudnded behind me. I spun, my cloak whipping in the wind. Then my eyes widened. Cassian stood a few paces away, snow clinging to his boots, his coat dusted white as if he¡¯d walked straight out of the storm. His face was the same unreadable mask as always, but the sight of him hit me harder than the cold wind. ¡°Cassian,¡± I blurted before I could stop myself. The name came out rough, carried by a rush of relief I didn¡¯t expect. My body moved before my thoughts caught up, I crossed the distance and threw my arms around him. His chest was solid against me, his coat stiff with frost, but he didn¡¯t push me away. For a moment I stayed there, gripping the fabric at his back, breathing in the sharp smell of snow and steel. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re all right,¡± I said, my voice muffled against him. Then I stilled. Why in the goddess¡¯s name did I hug him? The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!