What the hell?
For a moment I actually felt bad for the girl for being trapped in a toxic bond with a man like this even though I'm not really in a position to feel empathetic for the people holding me and my mate captive.
Cassian's eyes flashed with anger, his hand twitching as if he was about to grab the gun from Liya's trembling hand. But the rogue's piercing glare froze him in place, a silent warning that kept him restrained - for now.
“I did all this for you and I'm still useless?! I followed you through everything and left all I knew only for you to say that I'm useless?” Liya’s voice tumbled out in a desperate plea but Silas cut her off with a snarl, low and menacing.
“Urgh! Shut the hell up, woman. Eyes on me, Alpha Cassian. I can't wait any longer. I've delayed this long enough. Say your goodbyes to your mate and pup,” The man warned, his voice dripping with so much malice that it made a shiver run down my spine.
“Release my mate, you fucker.” Cassian growled, his voice barely restrained. “I've stayed silent long enough. If you hurt her, the same would happen to your mate,” I could see the struggle in Cassian's eyes, his wolf simmering just beneath the surface, the golden flicker a warning sign that his control was slipping. The air was electric with tension, and I knew we were running out of time.
The rogue huffed, his laughter a cold, mocking sound. “I don't care. I came here to kill or die. Do you think I care about an omega I found a few weeks ago?” he sneered, his eyes gleaming with hatred. Liya flinched at the words and then I saw her face fall, eyes welling up with tears, and I felt a surge of anger on her behalf but it was gone as soon as I remembered she's one of the reasons why my mate and pup are in danger. “My only priority is destroying you, Cassian,” Silas spat, his grin twisted and ruthless. “And I'll savor every moment of your downfall. I'll watch you crumble, beg for mercy, and then grant your wish. Don't worry, I'm not as merciless as you when you killed my brother.”
What? What shit is this idiot spewing?
Cassian's eyes blazed with fury, his growl a low, menacing rumble. “What the hell are you talking about? I don't know you or your brother. Leave my mate alone before I lose my shit. I'm warning you.” Cassian snapped. The air was charged with tension, Cassian's words hanging there like a challenge, and I knew we were on the precipice of something deadly.
Cassian was being recklessly bold and it was no surprise to me. He's known for his alpha pride but who the hell taunts a rogue threatening to kill his mate? If Silas doesn't kill him, I might just do it myself!
He looked like he's seconds away from letting his wolf take over and I couldn't let that happen. Anything reckless will put my pup in danger.
I instinctively tightened my grip around our baby, holding the pup closer to my body so I could use myself as a shield if anything were to happen.
The rogue's guttural growl made my little one stir, lips jutting into a pout as little eyes blinked open in protest at being disturbed. I held my breath, knowing that anything that drew Silas's attention to our pup could be disastrous. I prayed Cassian would keep his mouth shut and not provoke the rogue further unless he had a plan in mind to pull us both from under the sharp knife in seconds.
The rogue's cruel laughter echoed in the room, his grip on my hair tightening like a vice as he yanked my head back, exposing my neck to the cruel edge of his knife. The blade pressed against my already wounded skin, and I felt another warm trickle of blood slide down my throat.
Cassian's eyes immediately flashed golden, his wolf pushing forward and his chest heaving with restrained fury as he coiled himself to strike. “'Let. Her. Go.” His growl was low and menacing. I knew he was on the brink of unleashing his wolf, and I prayed Silas would release me before Cassian lost control completely.
The rogue's sneer was the last thing I saw before his knife bit into my throat, a searing pain shuddering through my already weak body. A gasp escaped my lips as my vision began to blur. “Watch her die—” Silas's taunt was cut short by the door suddenly bursting open and a frantic Ruth charging in.
“Ivy, have you seen Alpha—what the fuck?” Her words trailed off as she took in the scene, her eyes widening in shock before her instincts kicked in. With a swift kick, she sent Liya stumbling back, and Cassian moved like lightning, snatching the gun from her hand.
In one swift motion, he fired at Silas, the rogue's grip on me faltering as he stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock.
The rogue's scream echoed through the room as he crumpled over me, the knife slipping from his grasp when the bullet struck his arm. On pure instinct, I grasped the blade and struck twice, the metal sinking into his shoulder blade with a sickening thud. Before I could deliver a third blow, Cassian was there, hauling the rogue off me with a fierce growl.
I swept my gaze to our pup, who was wailing in distress. I pulled my baby closer to my chest. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I cradled our little one, gratitude washing over me that we were finally safe.
I whispered reassurances to my pup, my voice trembling with exhaustion and relief. “It's okay, love... you're safe now... you're safe with me.” I panted, my chest heaving as I held our pup close. The warmth of our little one's body against mine was a reminder that we'd made it through the nightmare, and that Cassian was by my side to protect us.
My gaze darted to my mate, my heart skipping a beat as I heard his low, menacing growl. Cassian's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as he dragged the rogue out by the hair, his movements swift and deadly. He paused at the door, his gleaming golden eyes locking onto mine.
His wolf was out.
And for a moment, we were the only two in the world. His gaze burned with a primal possessiveness, a silent promise to keep me and our pup safe from harm.