When the Chancellor finally concluded his speech, determination and dread overflowed within me like an empty glass of water being filled with heavy rain.
This was it—the moment we had been preparing for, waiting for. The battle that would determine our pack's future. My future. The meeting was adjourned, and Alpha Zarion and Alpha Brandon exchanged a tense handshake right in front of us pretending to be solemn and diplomatic.
Deep inside, I know he wants to flip his brother over to the floor and stab him in the heart. But the Chancellor is watching. So as other pack leaders and their respective Lunas.
A deep, resonant gong echoed through the room, signaling the end of the gathering. It was a chilling sound, creepy sound. One that seemed to reverberate in my bones. There was no turning back now. The dice had been rolled, and the fate of our pack was sealed.
You can do this, Cassidy. My wolf, Sellene, is indeed reassuring as ever. We can do this.
I know I can. But fear…it is the greatest enemy that lies ahead of me. Not Brandon, not Hestia.
***
Everything is acrid despite the savage snow early in the morning.
And it became colder when I received an unexpected letter coming from someone whom I don’t even freaking know.
“There's no name and address, Luna. We don’t know to whom it came from.”
I shrugged. “We can only guess.”
“Indeed we can.”
When the messenger didn’t budge, I gave her a friendly smile. “Thank you.” I dismissed the handmaiden and tore the white envelope in one motion of the hand.
Red blood was written on it—with my grandmother's name on the very top.
AMARELIS SANTIAGO WILL BE OUR MEAL IF YOU WILL NOT MEET US TODAY. YOU KNOW WHERE SHE IS.
That is everything written. No postscript or whatsoever.
“Great…” I sighed, filling my air with hopelessness. “They’re one step ahead again.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat when I read the message for the second time. The way my hand started shaking as I tore the envelope and threw it in the nearest garbage bin is real.
Alpha Zarion appeared behind me, but my mind is already haywired. His presence just made my heart beat faster.
Damn it! Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!
“Cassidy! What's wrong, love?” He grabs my elbow and puts both of his hands on my cheeks. “What did you read? Is there a problem?”
“Zarion...my grandmother…” I whispered, my mouth shivering. My body is shaking and my throat is as dry as a desert. “My grandmother—”
“What about her?” He eyed me with lethal seriousness.
“They held her captive.” I was panting as if I’m knocked out of my breath. “My grandmother is in danger—I need—need to save her!” I said, my heart ripping out my chest because of anxiety. Fuck this. I don’t like this game, and I don’t like what Brandon and Hestia are brewing. It’s just pure madness!
Alpha Zarion's order to gather the most skilled warriors had sent ripples of tension through our pack. The danger lurking in my grandmother's castle was palpable. I know the risks involved. I know the lives at stake. But I couldn't let my fellow pack members face this danger alone, not when my instincts told me that my presence there was essential.
No. My presence there is what all that matters. Shit.
As I prepared to leave, Zarion held my hand, trying to convince me to stay. Zarion cannot come with me as the Volatile Hounds Pack needs him. This is my own affair, the kind of affair that I must take in my own hands. “Please, Cassidy. This is for your safety. Let me go with you.” His concern for me was touching, yes. But I could not be swayed. I had to face whatever awaited us at the castle alone. I knew that if we both went, the pack would be vulnerable in case of an attack.
And the Volatile Hounds Pack is leaderless—again. And I cannot let that happen, especially when I already learned to care for each of them. All of them. Caleb and Bridgette most especially.
“No. I'll go alone,” I asserted, determined to stand my ground. Then before he could reply, I already shifted on my heel and walked away from Zarion.
“Cassidy!” His voice thundered, filled with frustration and fear. But it didn’t stop me. I continued striding, bigger steps this time. “It's dangerous for you to go out there alone. You are my Luna, the lifeblood of this pack. You are the heart. What if something happens to you on your way?!”
I stopped, glancing at him.
“I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.
“I know you wouldn’t.” His worry made me smile. I appreciated his protectiveness but I needed him to understand that I could handle myself. Especially in hard times like this. “I'm going to be fine, Zarion. Trust me.”
“I trust you!” He wasn't ready to give in. Zarion will argue with me until my own feet will decide to give up. “But I don’t trust them.”
He’s walking to me. I closed my eyes, only to feel the air around me before inhaling it, filling the same air Zarion and I breathing. “I can't sleep in peace nor eat if you leave now.” I opened my eyes and he’s there now, touching me. Caressing my lips as if he will never be able to caress it again. “I will accompany you there,” he added.
“Zarion, you have to respect my decision.” I will reason with him until my last breath. I cannot put myself and Zarion in danger at the same time. He must be safe so that, if something happens to me, Volatile Hounds Pack still has its Alpha—never mind the absence of the Luna. “Besides, one of us must stay with the pack to safeguard them in case of any possible external threats.”
“How about the threats looming before you?” He’s referring to Brandon and Hestia.
“I can handle them,” I sighed.
He looked torn, pitifully torned apart. Struggling between his desire to protect me and his duty as Alpha. I don’t want to see him like this so I interrupted his protests firmly, “No buts, Zarion! I said it already. Let me go, Zarion and face my own threat.”
Frustration painted across his face, but he knew that arguing further would be futile. He took a deep breath and pulled me into a warm embrace. Last gesture of goodbye for now. “Be safe… mind-link me immediately if you find something or someone suspicious. Okay?”
“I don’t need babysitting, Zarion.”
“It’s not babysitting.”
“It’s not?”
I nodded, feeling the weight of his concern. “It’s not.”
With that, he finally let go of me. Reluctantly.
As I was about to leave, my Beta, Bridgette, suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Her determination mirrored in her eyes as she spoke. “I will go with you.”
Caught off guard by her sudden appearance, I bit my lower lip. Torn between wanting her by my side and not wanting anyone else to face the danger—
Torn between saying yes and shaking my head.
She came prepared with a medicine kit and a backpack, ready for the mission. In short, she’s holistically prepared.
Sighing, I considered her offer since I can never say no to Bridgette—the bright young she-wolf who is as jolly as the sun.
Loyal, skilled, and determined—just the type of companion I'd want on a perilous journey. But I couldn't help but worry for her safety too.
After a moment's hesitation, I nodded, unable to deny her the chance to help. “Fine.”’
“Fine?” she squeaked, “Is that a yes, too?”
Bridgette's face brightened with gratitude, and I knew that together, we'd be a formidable team.
I nodded.
She hugged me so tightly that she almost crushed my ribcage. “Fuck, yes!”