The late afternoon sun, filtered through the dusty panes of the rental house, cast long shadows across the room. I leaned against the doorframe, listening to Matt's chatter about the upcoming ball. I couldn't tell if he was excited for the ball, or for the ball to be over so we could head home. I, on the other hand, felt a leaden weight settle in my gut. The ball meant facing David and Josh Blackwater, and not killing them right away.
"You're quiet, Derick," Matt observed, his voice cutting through my thoughts. He was adjusting the collar of his perfectly tailored jacket. "I thought you would be more excited about having a mate?"
"Just… thinking," I replied, my gaze drifting towards the closed door of Cassy's room. The conversation I'd had with her was still echoing in my mind, each word a fresh wave of anger that was just waiting to be released.
The Blackwaters. My gut reaction was to tear them limb from limb for what they did to Cassy. The raw anguish and sadness radiating through our bond were undeniable proof – she couldn't be lying. I'd suspected something was wrong from the moment Josh stepped in front of us, the way she flinched, the unnerving look he gave her.
I ran a shaky hand through my hair, a futile attempt to quell the storm inside. After Matt arrived, I'd changed out of my soiled suit from our earlier encounter, slipping into a fresh one. One part of me ached to simply enter that room, to hold Cassy close and flood her with the reassurance. The other, a darker, more primal urge, craved retribution, a need to descend upon the Alphas' home and rip them all apart.
*Matt,* I projected through the mind-link, catching his surprised gaze. *I need you to do something for me.* His usual playful demeanor instantly vanished, replaced by an unshakeable seriousness.
*What can I do, Alpha?* he asked. This was precisely why Matt was my Beta – his sharp instincts and ability to shift gears to solemnity were invaluable.
*Tonight, at the ball,* I began, *I need you to learn everything you can about Cassy's family.*
*Anything specific, Alpha?* Matt asked, his eyes flicking to the doorway of Cassy's dressing room.
My reply faltered. Cassy had shared so much, placed her trust in me. Navigating what I could divulge while ensuring Matt had the crucial details for his work felt like walking a tightrope.
I tried again. *She was mentally and physically abused by Josh Blackwater. You know the one – the Alpha's son. My gut feeling, Matt, is that he isn't finished with her.*
Matt's eyes went wide, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He'd learned long ago not to doubt my instincts when they were this strong. The shock was fleeting, replaced by an immediate, unwavering seriousness. *You got it, Alpha,* he confirmed. I knew, without a doubt, that he would handle it.
The door to Cassy's room swung open, revealing her standing there. Cassy's hair, now swept back in a bun, lent an air of elegant sophistication, complemented by a form-fitting, pale blue dress adorned with long, intricately laced sleeves. Cassy's makeup was artfully applied, with a smoky eyeshadow accentuating her eyes, and a neckless in the shape of a crescent moon, with an green jewel in the middle hung just above her breast. She was a vision, truly breathtaking. Yet, my gaze was inevitably drawn to the faintly swollen bite mark I had left on her neck.
*Mine.* The thought echoed in my mind, a deep, gravelly voice I knew would become a constant companion. I would have to get used to hearing my wolf from now on.
"You look… incredible, Cassy," I managed, my voice rougher than I intended. The contrast between her outward appearance and the inner turmoil I sensed was a painful testament to what she had endured. My gaze lingered on her, absorbing every detail, committing it to memory. The ball, the Blackwaters, it all seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the singular, overwhelming need to protect this woman, my mate.
We moved towards the door. Matt gave me a quick nod, his hand resting on the doorknob, ready to escort Cassy. As he opened it, stepping out onto the porch, I heard a hushed voice, the Assistant, I presumed, pulling Matt aside. "She has tons of scars on her back, some look recent," the Assistant whispered, her words carrying clearly on the still air. My breath hitched.
Matt's response was a low murmur, too quiet for me to decipher, but I saw him glance back at Cassy, his expression unreadable. He then turned his attention back to the Assistant, nodding. This was precisely why I needed him to be observant. The Blackwaters had done more than just wound Cassy; they had tried to break her. And the Assistant's unwitting revelation confirmed that their cruelty extended beyond what Cassy had initially disclosed.
As Matt held the door open for Cassy, she stepped out, her pale blue dress a stark contrast to the darkness I felt churning within. Her eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, a flicker of apprehension in their green depths, before she lowered her gaze. The leaden weight in my gut intensified, a potent mix of protectiveness and a burning desire for retribution. The chill of the evening air did little to cool the inferno raging within me. My jaw was clenched so tight I feared I'd crack a tooth. Cassy. My Cassy. The thought of what she'd endured, the visible reminder of her pain etched onto her skin…
Matt whistled as he opened the car door, a practiced, casual gesture that felt like a personal affront. His vibrant red hair caught the dim porch light, and his hazel eyes, usually twinkling with amusement, held a flicker of anticipation for the ball. "Ready, Cassy?" Matt asked.
Cassy nodded, offering Matt a small smile. I shot him a glare, but then the realization hit me: my earlier possessiveness had significantly diminished since she'd been marked. Jealousy still pricked at me that he could elicit a smile from her, but the primal urge to rip him limb from limb was gone.
As we piled into the car, a fresh wave of dread washed over me. The Blackwaters. I tried to shove the thought away, but it clung to me like a damp shroud. Matt, ever the attentive Beta, rummaged through the front seat of the car. "Here you go, Alpha," he said, tossing a sleek, black mask towards me. I caught it, the cool metal a familiar weight in my hand.
Cassy, perched in the passenger seat, glanced at it with a puzzled frown. "You still have to wear that?" she asked, her voice a soft question laced with surprise. I offered a grim smile, pulling the mask over my face.
"Until we get back to the Royal pack, I can't risk anyone knowing who I am." I said tying the mask in place.
The drive to the ball was a tense affair. Cassy, wrapped in the elegant blue of her dress, kept stealing nervous glances at me, her hand subconsciously resting on the crescent moon necklace at her throat. I could feel her unease radiating, a subtle tremor that mirrored the unrest within me.
Matt, bless his soul, was so good at feigning normalcy, it was almost admirable. I, on the other hand, felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. The leaden weight in my gut was a constant companion, reminding me of Cassy's pain, the unseen scars Matt had subtly alluded to, and the ever-present threat of the Blackwaters.