17: Iris
We reached the Alpha’s castle by first light. Nobody had spoken throughout the journey but I could feel the deathly stares of that Lycans on me. For reasons beyond me, I stuck close to Cassian who remained inscrutable
“Take him and freshen him up, Cassian orders a maid to take Abel, and reluctantly lets him go. I knew well that it would be better if he wasn’t around to witness what was aboun to happen.
My mother–in–law was the first to meet up with Lycan guards at her anxious heel. “We heard the news,” She exclaimed before turning her sights on Tone. She walked over to her daughter and raised her hand to strike.
“Mother,” Cassian stopped her with a single word.
“Don’t try and let her go scot–free, the whole fiasco was her fault. She was the one who suggested the maggot go with them to the hunt.”
“That is all irrelevant now,” Cassian said in a long sigh. “I have brought her back with me now,”
“I would disagree with that sentiment. Alpha” An unfamiliar voice said.
Inoticed Cassian roll his eyes as he turned around. “What are you doing here, elders?”
The old men with white beards and bald heads all shook their heads in disapproval. “Might we ask for the respect we deserve?”
“Since you were not invited..” Cassian began to counter
“I invited them,” his mother interjected.
Cassian turned his gaze to her, tired and wanting to get it all over with “Why would you do that, mother!” He asked, his frustration barely reigned.
“The Zeta elders have always represented wisdom in our great pack. And with a new situation getting out of hand because of a particular…woman, it would be wiser if we asked for their counsel.”
Cassian sighed deeply. “What would you prefer we do then, elders?”
The old men’s menacing gaze found me and I squirmed and moved closer to Cassian. The tension in the air could have been cut with a knife
“Lock up the maggot, impregnate her and be done with her.” One of them spat, each word sending a chill down my spine.
“Yes, her kind do not deserve our mercy, another one piped up. “You showed her mercy, and how does she repay you? She tries to run off to another man who is not her mate.”
“She is nothing but a maggot whore!” A Zeta spat. “She should be treated as one.”
“Oh really?” Cassian remarked coolly. Then would you be so kind as to show me how to treat her as she deserves, elder!”
“I would not mind one bit,” the elder said, moving towards me. My heart lunged at my chest, as fear look over my body, “I will show you maggol…” But the elder never got to take another step, as Cassin’s hand clasped his shoulder.
It happened in the blink of an eye. One second, the elder was alive and the next his body hit the ground with a thud. It was gray and instantly began to stink as though he had been dead for more than a minute.
A collective gasp filled the castle as everyone witnessed in horror. The other elders took cautionary steps back, finally realizing the power that the Alpha before them had.
“What have…you done? My mother–in–law demanded, her voice trembling with shock and fury.
Cassin stood over the elder’s lifeless body, his eyes cold and unyielding. I will not tolerate disrespect or cruelty towards my mate,” he declared, his voice echoing through the grand hall. “No one, not even the Zeta elders, will be allowed to harm her,”
The other elders exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unnerved by Cassian’s display of power. One of them, bolder than the rest, stepped forward cautiously. “Alpha Cassian, we understand your bond, but such actions-
“Enough” Cassian interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. “The pack’s unity and strength come from respect and protection of all its members. Including my wife. This woman is under my protection, and anyone who challenges that will face the same fate.”
His mother’s face twisted with a mix of fear and anger. “Cassian, you cannot just kill an ekler. There will be consequences.”
Cassian turned his piercing gaze on her. “And there are also consequences of disrespecting and threatening to hurt the Alpha’s wife in his presence.”
“But she attempted to escape…” One of the guards that had been appointed to me bhirted out but was promptly interrupted
“To save her family. Or were you not present Cassian deadpannel “Answer me? He demanded.
“I was present, Alpha,” the guard stammered, clearly intimidated by Cassian’s unwavering authority.
Cassian noided sharply. “Then you should understand.”
The tension in the room was palpable, the silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. Cassian’s mother looked ready to argue further, but the bolder elder who had spoken up earlier raised his hand to calm her.
“Alpha Cassian,” the elder began his tone more measured now, “we acknowledge your point. However, there a boundaries and the consequences of overstepping them”
must be a clear understanding of
Cassian nodded, his gaze still hard. “Agreed. Calling my wife a slur is a boundary that must not be crossed. The consequence of calling her that demeaning word, is death by my hand. Have I made myself clear!”
13: tris
The elder swallowed hand, his resolve visibly shaken. “Yes, Alphia. It is dear.”
Lassan’s exprision remained stern as he looked over the gathered Lycans and elders. “Good. Let this be a lemon to all. We will protect and respect our own, and there will be no tolerance for abuse or slander within this park”
My mother in law, still visibly shaken, struggled with her next words. “Cassian, we only want what’s best for the park. But such harsh measures “Are necessary,” Cassian finished for her. “To maintain order and justice. Now, I suggest everyone return to their duties. This matter is closed”
Without waiting. Cassim tumed to me, his expression readable once more, “Follow me,” he ordered, and began to walk ahead of me. I raised my foot to do as he had ondered when a horrible sharp pain suddenly shot through my body.
Iseemed in agony, chunching my side as I nearly collapsed to the ground. The pain was overwhelming, radiating through every nerve, and I felt as if I was being torn apart from the inside.
Cassian spun around instantly, his eyes wide with alarm. “Iris” he shouted, nishing back to me and catching me just before I hit the floor. “What is it? What’s happening?”
I couldn’t answer, the pain too intense to form words. I gasped for breath, tears streaming down my face. Cassian’s grip tightened around me as he looked around frantically, trying to understand what was happening
“Get a delta, now he barked at the nearest guaril. The guard hesitated for only a moment before bolting to carry out the command.
I saw lone come forward before my whole world went white with agony.
