Chapter 6:- Unravelling Threads

Chapter 6: Unraveling Threads

The air was still thick with the remnants of the bonfire’s smoke, a faint scent lingering in the woods as Cassia stood by the edge of the clearing, staring into the dense trees. The celebrations had ended, but the peace of the moment felt fragile, as though it could shatter with the slightest breeze.

She’d stood there for what felt like hours, watching the embers of the bonfire slowly die, each flicker of flame mirroring the growing unease inside her. She should’ve felt victorious—she had fought hard, outmatched every challenger—but instead, all she felt was exhaustion, an emptiness that refused to fade.

Was this it? Was this all I’d ever be?

Her chest tightened at the thought. The pack still saw her as an outsider. They’d watched her fight, but it wasn’t enough. They still saw the wolf who had lost her family, the wolf whose bloodline was marked with dishonor. Cassia clenched her fists until her nails dug into the palms of her hands, the pain grounding her, but even that wasn’t enough to dull the ache in her chest.

You’re not a broken wolf. You just need to prove you belong.

Her own words whispered back to her from earlier in the night, but they didn’t bring the comfort she hoped for. Instead, they felt hollow.

"Cassia."

The voice was low, smooth, and warm—a contrast to the cold wind that whispered through the trees. Cassia stiffened but didn’t turn around. She didn’t need to. She knew who it was.

Lucian.

She had never been able to resist the way his presence calmed her, even when she didn’t want it to. He always seemed to know what to say, how to make everything feel… bearable. But today, something was different in the way he spoke, something guarded in his tone.

"Lucian, you don’t have to follow me around," she said, forcing herself to sound casual, though her words fell flat in the quiet air. "I’m fine."

She could feel him moving closer, could hear the crunch of the leaves beneath his boots. His breath was steady behind her, his presence radiating calm and confidence. She wanted to feel it too, but instead, it only made her feel more… exposed. Vulnerable.

"I’m not following you," he replied softly, but there was an edge to his voice. "I’m making sure you’re alright."

Cassia’s chest tightened even further. She didn’t want to lean on anyone, didn’t want to admit that she was struggling. She was strong. She had to be strong. But even as she told herself this, her throat burned, the familiar sting of unshed tears threatening to spill. She could feel the moisture gathering in her eyes, but she refused to let it fall.

Not now. Not when I’m so close to breaking through.

She turned to face him, forcing a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I appreciate it, but I don’t need anyone’s help."

His eyes softened, but there was a fire behind them that made her heart beat faster than it should have. "I think you do. You’ve been carrying this weight for too long. Let someone else carry it for a while."

For a moment, she thought she saw something in his eyes—a depth she didn’t understand. But then he stepped back, giving her space, and the moment passed, leaving her wondering if it had ever been real.

Before she could speak, a loud, guttural roar split the stillness of the night. It was distant at first, but it carried with it an unmistakable tone of panic.

Cassia’s heart leapt into her throat, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. It wasn’t the usual sound of the pack’s training or the wild hunts. This was something far worse. Something that could shatter the fragile calm they had all been clinging to.

"What was that?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper, even though her entire body was tense, coiled like a spring ready to snap.

Lucian’s face hardened, his jaw clenching. Without another word, he turned, pulling her along with him. "Stay close," he muttered, urgency in his voice now. "We need to find out."

The two of them moved quickly, their steps silent as they navigated through the woods toward the center of the compound. The roar echoed again, this time louder, closer, and filled with a sense of terror that had Cassia’s heart racing.

By the time they reached the clearing, the pack was already gathering near the king’s quarters. The mood was thick with dread, the heavy scent of fear mixing with the smoke from the bonfire. Cassia’s throat went dry. She had never seen the pack like this before—always strong, always in control. But now, they were trembling.

Lucian's grip tightened on her arm, and she turned to look at him, her heart pounding as she saw the anxiety etched into his features. "What’s happening?" she asked, but he didn’t respond. His gaze was fixed ahead, and Cassia followed it.

Inside the king’s quarters, the sight that greeted them was something out of a nightmare. The king, once a towering figure of strength, was now crumpled on the stone floor, his body unnaturally still. His skin was pale, lips tinged with an unnatural shade of blue that seemed to reflect the death in his eyes. His once-pristine robes were stained with dark marks, a twisted symbol of the poison that had claimed his life.

Cassia’s stomach turned, the sight of the king’s death sinking in like a cold, suffocating weight. But what took her breath away wasn’t just the king’s death—it was the look in the healer’s eyes when she saw Cassia.

"You," the healer whispered, her voice cracking with fear. "Cassia…"

The world seemed to slow, the words sinking deep into Cassia’s bones, freezing her in place.

"She was the last one to speak to him," another voice from the crowd said, this one male, filled with accusation. "And there’s evidence. Wine. The king drank from the cup she gave him."

Cassia’s head spun as the words struck her like a physical blow. Wine. She had spoken to the king the night before, yes, but it had been an innocent exchange. She’d never poisoned him. She couldn’t have poisoned him.

But the evidence was damning. The poison had been mixed into the wine, and she had handed it to him.

Her knees buckled, and she would have collapsed to the ground if Lucian hadn’t caught her. His grip was firm, but there was a hesitation in his touch, a lingering doubt she could feel through the tension in his arms.

"No," Cassia whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. "No, I didn’t—"

Lucian turned to the healer. "You’re sure of this?" he demanded, his voice cold, but the flicker of fear was unmistakable in his eyes.

The healer stepped back, her hands trembling. "I’m sorry, Lucian, but the evidence is clear. Everything points to her."

Cassia’s heart hammered in her chest, and she could feel her breath quickening, the panic rising like a tidal wave. The pack was starting to murmur, their eyes now filled with suspicion. She could feel their eyes on her, cold and accusatory, and the weight of their judgment pressed down on her chest.

"Lucian," she choked out, her voice breaking as tears began to sting her eyes. "I didn’t do this. I swear."

But Lucian’s face was unreadable as he stepped away from her. The doubt in his eyes—the very doubt she had feared—was now glaringly clear.

"Then who?" he asked, his voice low and harsh, almost accusatory. "Who would want to frame you for this?"

As the murmurs grew louder, a cold voice from the back of the room cut through the tension. "Perhaps someone who knows just how to play the game."

Cassia whipped around to see Morwenna stepping forward, her expression twisted with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "It’s a shame, really. You almost had them all fooled."

Cassia’s heart sank. Morwenna had always been a thorn in her side, but this—this was something darker.

The hunt had begun. And Cassia was the prey.