Chapter 31: Back to the Pack
“I am seeking help from you. And you are helping me.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Both of them shared a knowing look that I didn’t understand.
Elliot unravels the ties around Zarion’s body, letting him sit on the cold kitchen table. He tilted his head to the side and massaged his fingers. “I’m fine. Thanks, man.”
“Cassidy, he is not fine.” Elliot is right, Zarion is not fine. “You can change his mind.”
“I don’t know what you two are talking about!” I unexpectedly burst out my emotions. Elliot sighed and the three of us went silent for eternity I guess. Elliot drags the high stool and sits on it before speaking. “Earlier—” he paused for emphasis, “When I collapsed, I saw something in my vision.”
Zarion’s forehead creased and immediately whipped his head to us. “What did you see?”
“It was Cassidy and you. I don’t know what it was all about, man, but I think wherever you go, you have to bring Cassy.”
I had no energy left to ask about what his vision was all about. Judging from Elliot’s face, it wasn’t good. Looking at Zarion, I saw his jaw tensing relentlessly. He doesn’t like where this conversation is going.
***
Darkness looms overhead as we traverse the way towards Zarion’s former home.
He agreed that I go with him to the Madfur Claws Pack. His only condition? Whatever it cost, I must never leave his side. Even when unicorns and dragons appeared, he says.
The pack is dangerous according to him, as is the road that leads to it. At the same time, my safety net is on a rough edge. He explained that since everyone knows I’m Brandon Style’s mate, no one would dare hurt me. It is on their werewolf-ish rules that the pack will protect the mate no matter what it takes. However, given the situation between me and Brandon…
“I don’t think my mate’s pack will not hurt me.”
“Just shut up, Cass. Sometimes silence would save you more than opening your mouth.”
The whole time Zarion and I went on an adventure to his former pack’s village, I was quiet, keenly observing my surroundings. I may not have Zarion’s sheer sight and hearing or Brandon’s unimaginable strength and endurance, but at least I know to be aware of the place where I am.
When we arrived, I noticed a three-year-old kid—probably in his human form. He was wearing blue jeans without a sheer piece of clothing on his upper body—a default appearance, like the rest of them when they are in their human form. Our eyes met in a split second, and I saw how he suddenly shifted into his wolf form upon realizing that I was different. His friend looks taken aback that he started running away from him. And perhaps from me, too.
Though I propelled myself not to gasp, surprise still took me by the throat. Zarion must’ve noticed it and started speaking. “That happens when there’s a human in a pack.”
“What do you mean?”
“They shift into their wolf form even though it’s not a full moon yet. And that boy you saw, it was too early for him to shift. It’s more like a form of self-defense or just a random act of astonishment.”
“So it’s my fault, then…”
“No, that’s not what I’m trying to say—”
“I understand that it’s my fault, Zarion.” I cast him an exasperated glance. “We should do this quickly whatever your purpose here.” That poor boy has taken responsibility at an early stage of his life when he should be enjoying it. Zarion, though surprised by my reply, remained calm and silent.
The castle-like establishment loomed before us, which I hadn't seen the first time I was here, beckoned us to inch closer. It was beautiful, honestly gorgeous in its raw figure despite the wintry weather.
“We’re here.” As soon as we stepped foot inside, I could feel the different aura. It made me feel things—things I haven’t felt before. It screams an alluring fragrance, an enthralling scenery with its gold and silver and black and red. As we took a turn by the corner, a woman in her full-on white dress, like a fairy in wonderland, appeared in our sight. Her hazelnut eyes were beautiful. She’s too beautiful and stunning to be human.
But when Brandon popped beside her…I took every beautiful thing I said, and shook my head in dismay.
It registered in my mind that she looks familiar. Right, she was Brandon’s girlfriend, or rather, fiancee. I never had the chance to look at her carefully, but now that we’re this close—only a breath away, I could think of all the nasty words to describe her in an instant.
She eyed me from head to toe, studying my every feature. From the looks of it, I know she could be dangerous. And in a swift blink of an eye, her fingers were now wrapped around my delicate neck. She was fast, too fast, and moved with silent deadliness. Zarion, on the other hand, is now wrestling with his step-brother, Brandon.
My heart beats to the tune of dread against my chest, her hands desperate to take my breath away. Literally. “You know…” her voice is a venom to my system, utterly despicable. “Killing you right now is no fun. I’d like to see each drop of blood trickle down your eyes, lips, and skin.”
I tried to fight back against her hold, but I was too weak for that. Too human. I groaned when her fingers dug deeper into my collarbone. “You’re just a human after all,” her dark chuckle goes smoothly with her words, “and it is absolutely ridiculous that you’re my fiance’s mate!”
“I am…not… his… mate…” I whispered the words too weakly for her to hear, only the wind could distinguish my frail voice.
“Yeah, yeah, I refuse to accept that though. Anyways, we could kill you if it weren’t for Zarion.” She then locked eyes with Zarion from the other side of the hallway. In my peripheral view, I saw Zarion and Brandon clawing at each other fiercely, both eager to rend each other’s heart from their breathing chest. And in that split second, I took my chance and pushed Hestia with all the might left in my control, slapping her in the face and kicking her breasts. Hard.The sound of a vase breaking into a myriad of pieces reverberated after that. It shattered the silence and splintered the focus of the two powerful males.
“How dare you!” Hestia bellowed with a magnificent voice, grabbing me by the hair and stomping her foot on my stomach. My body was thrown against the hard wall so hard that I spat blood, the vibrant liquid dripping from my once trembling lips.
A smirk split Hestia’s face into joy while looking down at me. Her white dress was tainted with bright crimson and I smiled at that. She followed my gaze, and when she realized what I had done to her precious white dress, she lunged for me again. Without remorse, Hestia seized my shoulder and tossed me on the concrete floor where I thought my skull would be fractured into two.
My cry pierced hard, bouncing in each wall as I held my shoulder in pain, desperately searching for something to hold onto, hoping that it would release this bitter soreness.
“Ah, what a fragile little being.” Hestia laughed, an evil woman indeed. She flicked her colored nails and flexed it to the air, “This is why I hate humans.”
“Cassidy!” Zarion called, rushing after me. The sound was distant in my ears, though I knew Brandon and Hestia rolled their eyes without me taking a look.
Hestia kneels beside me, her forefinger grabbing my chin painfully to make me look up at her. “You have the nerve to glare at me, huh?”
“Fuck you!”
She slapped me so violently that it ringed my ears. “Repeat that again?” It was sarcastic, yes. The blood on my mouth splurted, but I couldn’t help but grin like a Cheshire cat towards her. “I said… your fiance fucked me in his dreams.”
“What the hell did you say?!” It just felt satisfying to get even with Hestia. “And it wasn’t only that,” I purred, still smirking. “He was wild and satisfied, something he couldn’t do with you.”
“This girl…” she whispered and was about to slap me again when Zarion stopped her hand mid-air. “Just admit to yourself that you’re jealous, Hestia. I was born to be mated with him, and you can’t change that thing about your fiance…even if you’re the betrothed one.” I stuck out my tongue and it was my turn to chuckle.
Hestia grinned—the smile of an adder, curling his fingers to a fist. “He was born to die with me.”
“Shall we find out?” I swear, even my own voice sent bile rising up my throat.
I don’t know what kind of spirit of bravery possessed me.
