Cassie.The morning sun was soft but unforgiving. I sat on the edge of my bed, holding Cam close as he drifted back to sleep after his early morning feed. Watching his peaceful little face felt like torture because all I could think of was how I’d failed him—how I’d stayed here too long, long enough for his life to be threatened in such a manner. I traced a finger along his tiny cheek, his skin so soft, so pure.Gently, I put him down in his cot and moved to the small vanity mirror, staring at my tattered reflection. I looked a mess, and I sure felt like it.My hand drifted to the bruises Selena left on me that night, her words still echoing in my mind like poison."Forty-eight hours. That’s all you get. If I so much as see you in this pack after forty-eight hours, I don’t know what’ll happen to that bastard son of yours.”There’d been no mistaking the hate in her eyes. I couldn’t unsee it, and I couldn’t unhear those words. She meant every bit of her threat. She was relentless. And
Cassie.My heart raced as I exchanged worried glances with Axel. “What was that?” I asked, fear lacing my voice.“Stay here,” Axel ordered in his Alpha tone, his eyes wide and alert as he turned to the door, disappearing into the hallway.“Warren! Gather the warriors! We have a situation!” I heard his voice loud and clear and I froze.It seemed we were under attack.As if the fear that gripped me wasn’t enough, Cam started crying.“Shhhh, my. love you need to stop crying,” I cooed at him, but he didn’t respond, so I carried him to my bed and began feeding him some breast milk to keep him quiet.Instantly Cam hushed, sucking hungrily to let me know it was a hunger tantrum.“I’m so sorry my love,” I passed him an apologetic smile which he ignored because he was too busy sucking. Minutes passed and the pack house seemed quiet, but from behind my locked door, I heard heavy footsteps down the hallway, and they were coming closer.“Where’s the Alpha’s mate and kid?” a heavy voice demanded,
Cassie.It didn’t take any longer for me to realize the intruders were rogues, horrible and viscous ones for that matter.As they dragged me with Cam in my arms through the wreckage that was now our pack estate, I tried to pull back, digging in my heels—anything to slow them down, to escape from their iron grip. “Let go of me!” I shouted, making my words as sharp as I could, desperation clawing out of my throat. “You have the wrong person, I’m not the Alpha’s mate!” The leader, who in better lighting I found had a scar tracing his jaw, sneered and slapped me, his hand coming down hard and fast. My head snapped to the side, pain spreading across my cheek in hot, blinding waves. I could feel the sting right down to my bones, my skin throbbing under the weight of his hand. I clutched the side of my face with one hand, the ache forcing tears into my eyes, my strength spiraling downward with each step they forced me to take. "Shut your mouth," he growled, his voice low, menacing, “Y
Cassie.The silence stretched painfully as Axel drove back to the pack estate, Cam’s cold, fragile body nestled in my arms. His once-warm little face, now pale and empty, lay still against my shoulder. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my chest, replaced by an aching void that grew with each passing tree. I swallowed back the sobs clawing at my throat, gripping my baby tighter as if I could somehow bring him back as if warmth would seep into his skin, induce life back into his tiny form. But it was futile. Deep down, I knew that.Axel didn’t bother saying anything, he didn’t even look over at me, or Cam. He hadn’t looked at Cam’s lifeless face since the moment he came to the cold warehouse, and I hated him greatly for that, but I held back from saying anything.It wasn’t until we arrived at the pack estate, and I stepped into the pack house that every ounce of restraint shattered. My knees weakened, and a raw scream burst from my chest, filling the room with a sound I d
Axel. The pub was quiet enough to hear my pulse pound in my ears. Warren and my cousin, Jake, sat across from me, drinking, but I felt no pull toward the bottle in front of me tonight. I’d come here to forget, but not even Jake’s best whiskey couldn’t blunt the fury boiling inside me. My mind circled back to the rogues. I’d torn through them without a second thought. I’d made it quick, but now? Now, I regretted it. They’d deserved so much worse. If I’d known my son was dead, I’d have made them beg to die. They would’ve paid with blood, their last breaths spent pleading for mercy I would never give. A shift from across the table caught my attention. Jake cleared his throat, darting a glance at Warren. “You know, I… feel bad for her,” he said, a little hesitant but loud enough to break through the silence, “Cassie, I mean. Little Cam… died in her arms.” Warren nudged Jake hard, his glare sharp, a warning without words. His eyes met mine briefly, then flicked back to Jake, urging h
Cassie.I hadn’t expected Cy’s voice not now or ever. I was convinced I’d never hear her voice, and I made peace with it, telling myself I was okay knowing she was with me regardless.“You can speak?” I asked, eyes wide.“Yes. I can,” came her simple response.I was speechless, my fingers brushing against the small bag that held my things.“Since when?” I managed, my voice trembling a little in fear and more in shock.“Since forever,” she replied with a strange calm, “But the stress from the pack put a strain on you and made it difficult for us to communicate,” she paused for a moment before adding;“But now that you’re free, communication will be easy, or at least I hope so. We’re still too weak you know.”For a moment, a shaky, uncertain joy flickered in my chest. I wanted to know more, why things had always felt so muted and stifled. “I have so much I want to ask you, Cy. So much—”“Not now,” Her tone became sharper, urgent. “I don’t know what’s happening but I sense scout wolves
Cassie.My breath hitched as I leaned toward the rolled-down window, squinting through the dim light of the car’s interior to see who was inside.And then my eyes widened in shock.“Jake?” I whispered, barely able to form the word.His expression was unreadable, but I felt the intensity of his gaze. It took me a second to remember how to breathe, and when I did, it was shallow and panicked. I’d been caught.“I—” My voice cracked, and the bags slipped from my hands, heavy and useless against my side.Jake rolled his eyes, his face twisting with impatience, “Get in, Cassie.”I didn’t move, my legs feeling as if they’d been glued to the ground. I’d never said more than a greeting to Jake in my entire life. We weren’t friends, and I assumed he was like the rest of the pack members who didn’t like me.“I can’t,” I mumbled, shifting backward, with my heartbeat hammering louder than my own thoughts. Jake raised an eyebrow.“I’m trying to help you,” he said, his voice a low, hurried whisper.
Cassie.Three Years Later“Cassie! The party of four just left. Go, go, go!” my manager, Eric, a kind middle-aged human with freckles and red hair, called after me, pointing towards the empty table with left-over food and some empty plates on it. I nodded and grabbed my cleaning spray and napkins, moving towards the table in question, swiftly.Three years had passed since I made the bold decision to leave Red Hollow Pack, but the memories of that day still clung to me, so vivid in my mind as though it happened yesterday.When morning came after the traumatic day, I had wasted no time in taking Jake’s advice. I took every back road and hitched rides with strangers until I reached the next state, all because I didn’t want the scouts to find me. The whole journey, I was fueled by one thing: survival. But survival hadn’t been easy.At first, I holed up in a motel, still rich with the money I’d stolen. But on my third night there, two humans crept into my room while I was sleeping, demand
Axel.The morning air was light and cold. It was the kind of weather I usually found soothing, but today, it grated on my nerves. Every breath I took felt heavier than it should, as though the weight of the world pressed against my chest. My knuckles cracked audibly as I clenched and unclenched my fists, the movement both a habit and an outlet for the frustration boiling beneath my skin.I hadn’t slept. How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Cassie bruised, bandaged, and hiding her pain like it was a secret she couldn’t trust me with. That image had burned itself into my mind, each detail fueling an anger so fierce it kept me pacing my room through the rest of the night.By the time the sun began to rise, I knew I wouldn’t make it through the day without taking action. I summoned Warren and Jake through mind link as the first light pierced through the fog.“We need to figure out what happened to Cassie,” I said sharply, my tone leaving no room for argument.I tasked Warren wi
Axel.The moment Cassie returned home that day, something felt off. I couldn’t quite place it at first, but I knew something was wrong. She walked through the door, limping slightly, and I froze in place. I noticed her clothes were different from the ones she had worn earlier in the day. She was wearing something more casual, and her hair was down, completely covering her face.What bothered me the most, though, was the way she was avoiding me. She wasn’t meeting my gaze—she was just rushing to her room as if she couldn’t get away from me fast enough. My heart sank. I didn’t need to be a genius to figure out that something had happened. She was hiding something from me, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to know what it was.I stood there for a moment, just staring at the door she had disappeared behind. Then the worry set in. What happened to her?That night, I found myself replaying the day in my head over and over again. How did she go from being so excited to go to school in the mo
Cassie.The moment Mr. Pierson’s words left his lips, Violet and I exchanged confused looks, our eyes darting between each other and Mr. Pierson. My heart sank as his gaze settled firmly on me. A lump formed in my throat, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly.“Me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Mr. Pierson’s smile didn’t waver—it was polite, calm, but somehow intimidating. “Is there another Cassie standing here right now?” he replied, tilting his head slightly.I felt a few students slow their pace as they walked past us, curiosity etched on their faces. Though no one stopped, their glances lingered for far too long, making my skin prickle. I resisted the urge to shrink under the weight of their stares. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.I glanced at Violet, hoping for some reassurance. She shrugged and gave me a small smile. “I’ll wait for you at the cafeteria,” she said casually, though I could see a flicker of concern in her eyes. Her response
Cassie.When I woke up the next morning, something felt… off. It wasn’t like the typical tiredness from a restless night, though that was part of it. It was as if I’d forgotten something important that should have been impossible to overlook.Was it someone’s birthday? An anniversary? I wracked my brain, but nothing came to mind. Still, the unease lingered.Closing my eyes, I saw a hazy vision of Axel sitting on my bed, his hands reaching out to touch me. My heart quickened at the image, but I shook my head. No. That was impossible, I’d barely slept, and when I finally did, I was all alone in my room. It must’ve been a figment of my imagination, surely. The product of exhaustion, or maybe a bizarre dream. I pushed the thought away, forcing myself to focus on the day ahead.I dressed in the pair of jeans that nearly cost me my legs, that day at the mall and a plain black top to match. I rolled my hair into a bun, grabbed a banana on my way out of the kitchen, and headed out the doo
Cassie.Dinner was quieter than I had expected, though the sound of Mirabel cleaning the counters filled the space. She had prepared something simple—grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables—and as I sat there eating, I could feel her eyes flicker toward me every now and then, though she said nothing at first.As she continued wiping down the counters, her voice broke the silence. “It seems like no one ever sees you around anymore,” she said, her tone polite but formal, as it always. “You’ve been coming in late and leaving early, so much that when you’re here it feels like you really aren’t.”I glanced up, startled by the observation but masking my reaction quickly. It wasn’t like Mirabel to comment on my comings and goings.“I didn’t realize anyone cared,” I said lightly, trying to keep the conversation from veering into anything too personal.Mirabel shrugged, her expression neutral. “I only mention it because it’s noticeable. Makes things feel different around he
Cassie.By lunch, the rumors had spiraled into full-blown scandal material. More detailed information about the affair surfaced. It sounded absurd but that didn’t stop anyone from entertaining the idea. It was scandalous, and scandals were irresistible. Even though no one had mentioned any names yet, I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease settling in my chest. Every look in my direction felt like it lingered too long, every laugh like it was aimed at me.I sat alone at a corner table in the cafeteria, poking at the pasta on my tray, as snippets of conversation floated toward me.“Do you really think it’s true?” one girl whispered to her friend at the table next to mine.“It has to be,” the other replied, her voice brimming with excitement. “Why else would a lecturer pay that much attention to a freshman?”My stomach churned. I knew better than to listen, but their words clung to me, each one sinking deeper than the last. It was just talk, I told myself. Nothing more than mindless goss
Cassie.I woke up earlier than I had the day before, my body fueled by a restless energy that wouldn’t let me sleep in.The sun was just beginning to settle when I dressed hurriedly, slipping into a red long-sleeved shirt and jeans. My goal was simple: leave before Axel woke up. The idea of running into him again, with his sharp gaze that always seemed to pry secrets from me, made my chest tighten.I needed quiet, enough quiet to make decisions for myself without his intrusion.“No, what you need is to tell him about what happened to you, and have them catch those perpetrators. Those girls deserve hell!” Cy countered, but I couldn’t do that, so I shut her out because I knew it would only be a series of the same talk.By the time I arrived on campus, the morning air carried a strange buzz. Whispers floated around, pulling everyone’s attention toward some unseen source. Students clustered in groups, talking in hushed voices, but their expressions weren’t subtle. There was excitement,
Cassie.Lectures ended earlier than I expected, though not by my choice or normal situation. I was halfway to my next class when I heard my name being called, loud enough to stop me in my tracks. I turned around to see Mr. Pierson jogging toward me, holding a small white rectangular card in his hand.“What’s this?” I asked, staring at the card as if it might bite me, not looking down at it.“It’s a sick pass,” he replied, somewhat out of breath. “You’ve been excused for the rest of the day.”I stared at him, unsure of how to feel about it. “I’m fine,” I said. “I can still make it through the rest of the day.”He tilted his head, his gaze dropping briefly to the faint bruise forming on my wrist. His voice softened, though the sternness remained. “You’ve been through enough today. Don’t push yourself.”Slowly, I reached out and took the card, even though I hated the thought of leaving early. This wasn’t the way I’d imagined my first day of college going. I wanted to stay and prove to
Cassie. The man carried me up several flights of stairs, his strong arms steady and unyielding as I sagged against him. Each step sent jolts of pain through my battered body, but I bit my lip and stayed silent. When we stopped in front of a polished wooden door, he shifted me slightly in his arms and pushed it open. The office was spacious, with bookshelves lining one wall, a sleek desk on the other, and a plush, three-seater couch near the window. He strode over to the couch and gently laid me down. My whole body felt heavy, the weight of the attack sinking in now that I wasn’t in immediate danger. He took a step back, adjusting his sleeves before placing a hand on his chest in a formal gesture. “I’m Jon Pierson, but you can call me Jon. I’m a lecturer in the Psychology department,” he said, his tone professional but tinged with concern. “I’m sorry about what happened to you. It’s unacceptable.” I blinked at him, still trying to process everything. My throat felt dry, so