Caelia’s POV
The moment Cassian’s car crossed into his territory, my chest grew tight. The trees here whispered with an energy different from the woods I knew in Nightborne. The air smelled richer, like pine needles after a storm, but beneath it lingered something sharper, something that reminded me of history written in blood.
I saw the large signage: Wind Shadow Pack.
The very name made my wolf stir uneasily. They were the pack that had defeated Nightborne years ago, leaving scars that had never truly healed. I had grown up hearing stories of their cruelty, their strength, their merciless way of fighting. And now—here I was, willingly stepping into their land, carried by the Alpha himself.
Cassian parked outside a wide stone hall, the heart of his pack. My throat dried as wolves came forward, strong, broad-shouldered, some with eyes flashing gold, others gray. I braced myself for hostility, but to my surprise… smiles greeted me. A woman with auburn hair approached, cradling a basket of herbs.
“Alpha Cassian,” she said warmly before her gaze settled on me. “And who is this?”
His hand lingered at the small of my back. “An old friend. She’s under my protection.”
Her smile deepened, and she dipped her head toward me. “Welcome to Wind Shadow, sister. You’re safe here.”
Safe. The word felt foreign, like something spoken in a language I no longer trusted. Yet there was warmth in their voices, a kind of pack spirit I hadn’t felt in Nightborne for years. In Nightborne, every day had been heavy with suspicion, hierarchy, and silence. Here, laughter spilled through the halls. I saw pups darting between the legs of warriors, women chatting in groups as they prepared meals, warriors sparring but grinning even as they fought.
It unsettled me. Could the enemy of Nightborne truly be this… human?
Cassian led me through the corridors until we reached an office at the far end. The door shut behind us, and suddenly the weight of everything crashed down.
I turned on him. “Why are you doing this?” My voice cracked more than I wanted it to. “What do you want from me?”
His brows furrowed, and for a long moment, he didn’t answer. He just stood there, his broad frame leaning against the desk, his eyes studying me the way one studies a puzzle.
“You never asked that before,” he said finally, voice deep and measured.
“Because I had so much in my plate.” I wrapped my arms around myself, holding in the ache of what Nightborne had stripped from me. “I was too busy drowning in my own misery. But now I need to know. Why me, Cassian? Why take me out of Nightborne? You didn’t just stumble across me—you sought me out.”
His jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring slightly. “You think I dragged you here for some scheme?”
“Didn’t you?”
Silence stretched. His eyes softened in a way I hadn’t expected.
“Caelia,” he said quietly, “you were my childhood friend. Did you forget? We used to race down the riverbanks, train under your Alpha father. I know you can remember me, even at the hospital.”
I knew. I had forgotten some of those days—buried them beneath wars and betrayals. But yes… I did remember a boy with dark hair and mischievous eyes who used to call me ‘Fox’ because I was quick on my feet.
“I never forgot you,” he continued, stepping closer. “When I saw you at the hospital, broken and used, it burned me alive. That was not the life I imagined for you. You should have been happy, strong, free. Not…” He stopped himself, eyes darkening. “Not that shadow of yourself.”
I swallowed hard, my defenses threatening to crack. “So why bring me here? Pity?”
“No.” His voice hardened. “Because I need you. And because I can’t stand watching you suffer.”
My heart stuttered. “Need me? For what?”
But before he could answer, the office door burst open. Small footsteps pitter-pattered against the wooden floor, followed by giggles.
Two pups ran in, tumbling over each other. A boy and a girl, maybe no older than four, their cheeks flushed from play.
“Papa!” the girl squealed, her dark curls bouncing as she launched herself into Cassian’s arms.
Papa.
The word froze me.
Cassian bent to scoop her up easily, his large hands gentle against her tiny frame. The boy clung to his leg, eyes sparkling with the same gray flecks Cassian’s eyes held. The scent hit me then—warm, earthy, threaded with his wolf’s distinct power.
They smelled like him.
My breath caught. “Alpha…” I whispered, the air suddenly heavy around me. “You… you have children?”
He turned toward me, his expression unreadable as the little girl clung to his neck.
“Yes,” he said simply.
The room spun. My heart thudded in my chest, too fast, too loud. Of all the things I had expected—demands, manipulation, even betrayal—this, I hadn’t seen coming.
