Bab 10: He already has a mate
Cassian stormed off to his room. Elowen, though shaken by his coldness, turned her attention to Darius and Theo.
She offered a genuine smile to Darius. "Thank you," she said softly.
Darius chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he looked down at Theo. "This little guy was pretty brave, weren't you?" He pinched Theo's cheek gently, and Theo giggled, flashing a shy but happy smile.
Theo hugged Elowen tightly, and she felt warmth spreading through her heart. Luna stepped forward, kneeling down so she could see Theo eye to eye. "Well, aren't you the bravest boy?" she said with a kind smile, ruffling his hair. Theo, still a bit shy, nodded and blushed under the attention.
Darius added, "He was scared at first, but once I told him that we are going to meet you, he calmed right down."
Luna's soft laugh filled the room. "It's hard not to love such a sweet boy," she said, giving Elowen a reassuring glance.
Elowen's chest tightened. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of warmth, not just from her brother but from the kindness of those around her. Darius, Luna, even the way Theo had been taken care of—it all softened the edge of the harsh world she had grown used to.
Theo tugged on her sleeve. "I'm hungry," he whispered, looking up at her with wide eyes.
Luna stood up and clapped her hands. "Well then, let's get you something to eat, little hero," she said warmly. Elowen smiled faintly, grateful for Luna's generosity.
As they headed toward the dining room, Elowen couldn't help but glance toward the direction where Cassian had gone. A strange mixture of guilt and resentment tugged at her heart. He had saved her brother, but his cruelty, his coldness, made it impossible for her to reconcile her feelings.
No matter what Luna said, Cassian remained a puzzle she couldn't solve—a dangerous and distant figure who stirred conflicting emotions within her.
"Who dared to enter my room?!"
Cassian stormed down the hallway, his footsteps heavy and ominous. Elowen felt her heart rate quicken as the oppressive energy filled the room. She flinched, and even the servants stiffened, their movements faltering as his presence consumed the space.
Luna sighed inwardly, though her heart was heavy with disappointment. She had known this would happen. Cassian had always been this way—dark, brooding, and fiercely protective of his space.
She had hoped, though, that with time, her son might learn to change, to soften, to let others in. But every time she tried to reach him, it was like speaking to a storm. Deep down, Liora wished Cassian could open up, even just a little, and break free from the chains of his own bitterness and pain.
Cassian came to a stop in front of Luna, his gaze sharp and filled with fury. His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "Who entered my room?"
Elowen flinched at the sound of his voice. She was scared for herself. Even the servants stood frozen, eyes wide with fear.
Luna took a deep breath and calmly met her son's gaze. "Elowen needed a place to rest," she explained. "She was exhausted, and you weren't here. It was the only—"
Cassian cut her off, his voice rising in a furious roar. "How dare you let someone like her enter my room!" His eyes blazed with anger as they flickered over to Elowen, who stood there trembling. His gaze made her feel small, insignificant, like she didn't belong there.
Theo, frightened by Cassian's rage, quickly hid behind Elowen, clutching her dress tightly. Elowen could feel the shame burning through her. She wished she could disappear, wished that the ground would swallow her whole. All the servants were there, watching her, witnessing her humiliation. Her own mate, the one meant to protect and cherish her, was the one tearing her apart in front of everyone.
Luna's face hardened, her patience worn thin. "Cassian, enough," she scolded him firmly. "You may not care for her, but she is still your mate. Treat her with at least an ounce of respect."
Cassian's eyes flicked toward Darius, his expression twisted. "Bring Eyra," he ordered coldly, "and get rid of that disgusting scent from my room."
Darius hesitated for a split second, casting a worried glance at Elowen, but quickly nodded. "Yes, Alpha."
Elowen felt her eyes begin to water, her throat tight with emotion. She shouldn't have entered his room. She should have known better. She should have stayed away so that her "disgusting scent" wouldn't taint his territory.
She bit her lip, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. All she wanted was to feel safe, to find some comfort in this harsh world. But instead, she was made to feel dirty, worthless in the eyes of her mate.
Luna watched the interaction with a deep sadness in her heart. She placed a comforting hand on Elowen's shoulder, trying to silently convey that this was not her fault, that Cassian's cruelty had nothing to do with her worth. But Elowen could barely feel the gesture, her mind consumed by the sting of Cassian's words.
Luna's voice cut through the tension, sharp and scolding. "Cassian, stop scaring the little child and everyone else. Look at him, he's terrified." Her words were full of frustration and disappointment.
Cassian glared at her but couldn't muster the defiance to argue back. He clenched his jaw, simmering with suppressed rage.
"Cas!" Suddenly, a sweet, melodic voice called out his name, and his entire demeanor shifted.
His eyes widened in recognition, and he turned around, his usual coldness melting away in an instant.
Standing at the entrance was a stunningly beautiful girl. Her skin was fair and flawless, glowing with the kind of ethereal beauty that made it seem like she belonged to another world. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, framing a delicate face with wide, sparkling eyes of deep violet that seemed to hold the stars themselves. Her lips were full and pink, curved into a smile so sweet it could melt the iciest of hearts.
Elowen and the others turned to look at her too. Confusion clouded Elowen's mind as she glanced back at Cassian, and her heart skipped a beat. What she saw nearly made her stop breathing. Cassian—the cruel, brooding wolf who had never smiled at her—was now smiling at this girl with warmth and affection.
The sight of it sent a sharp, stabbing pain through her chest.
She didn't understand why it hurt so much, but she hated it. She hated the way her heart twisted inside her, hated the way her throat tightened and the way her stomach churned with jealousy. This was her mate, the one who should cherish her above all else. But here he was, smiling at another woman, while he despised even the scent of Elowen.
She felt a wave of anger and sadness wash over her, and for the first time, she wondered if this bond she had with Cassian was a curse rather than a sacrifice.
The girl giggled sweetly and rushed toward Cassian, throwing herself into his arms. Cassian caught her effortlessly, his hands resting on her waist as he held her close. "When did you get back?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
"Just now," she beamed up at him. "I came straight here from the airport. I missed you so much, Cassian."
His smile deepened as he gazed down at her. "You should have called me. I would've picked you up," he said, his arms still wrapped protectively around her. They looked like they belonged together—Cassian, tall and strong, and the girl, delicate yet strong and beautiful.
Elowen could hardly stand to look at them. She turned her head away, her expression filled with sadness. The pain in her chest grew unbearable. She knew it was foolish to hope for anything from Cassian, but seeing him like this—with someone else—made her feel more unwanted than ever.
Luna had been watching the entire scene unfold, her eyes narrowing slightly. She cleared her throat loudly, and Cassian reluctantly let go of the girl. The girl turned toward Luna with a bright smile. "Luna!" she greeted warmly.
But Luna's expression remained cool. "You shouldn't be hugging Cassian like that now," Luna said, her tone firm.
The girl's smile faltered, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Why?" she asked, turning her gaze toward Cassian for an explanation.
Before Cassian could speak, Luna stepped forward and grabbed Elowen's wrist, pulling her closer. "Because Cassian already has a mate now," she announced, her voice carrying through the room like a final verdict.
The room fell silent. The girl's eyes widened in shock, and she looked between Luna, Cassian, and Elowen.
And her face paled.
Hadiah
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