Chapter 10 Chapter 10 ATASHA'S POV " How is she ? " E55 vouchers " I told you , " I murmured , the taste of iron still thick in my throat , " I'm fine . " I eyed the body of the maid . " I think we should find out who sent her . I mean- she just- she just made me think it was you who wanted me dead . " Cassian didn't respond . He didn't even glance my way . Instead , he turned to the doctor kneeling beside me , a graying man with a worn leather bag and eyes that flicked between my face and the blood - drenched floor . His fingers pressed gently against my arm , then my ribs , checking for damage that wasn't there . His eyes were sharp , clinical , the kind that had seen too much to flinch at spilled blood . He wore the same black and crimson that marked Cassian's men , but something about him felt colder , like he had long since traded empathy for efficiency . His fingers prodded at my ribs and arm , methodical and detached , as if I were just another body on a battlefield . Cassian's silence pressed on me heavier than the girl's corpse . My gaze dropped , heat creeping up my neck as doubt swirled in my chest . Had I overstepped ? Was I too bold ? Too reckless ? The words echoed in my head , and suddenly , I couldn't tell if I should apologize or stay silent . Every second of his silence made the air feel tighter . What if he thought I was a burden now ? What if he realized someone out there wanted me gone and decided I wasn't worth the risk ? Would he leave me behind ? The thought coiled around my ribs like a vice . I didn't know the rules here . I didn't know him . And in this place , one wrong step could cost everything . After a long moment , the pack doctor exhaled sharply through his nose and rose to his feet . " She's not wounded , " he said , with the kind of disbelief only years of experience could wear thin . " Her clothes are torn , and there's blood everywhere , but there's not a scratch on her body . " Cassian's eyes never left me . " Then tell everyone , " he said , voice low , cold . " That my bride is mortally wounded . Say she's unconscious . Fading . I don't care how you spin it . Just make sure no one suspects she survived . " " What ? " I shot up , heart lurching , " Why would you - Cassian , what are you doing ? " I wasn't even wounded ! Why would he want everyone to know that I was dying ? He didn't answer . Instead , he turned to the guards at the door , who hadn't moved since 11:03 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 10 : 81 55 vouchers entering . " No one enters this room , " he ordered . " Not until I say otherwise . Tell them we have done our best to help her and call Lucas , I need him here . " " Cassian ! " I stepped forward as his men started moving out . " I'm fine . The Demon Fang are attacking , we don't have time for this . Why are you acting like- " " Foolish girl , " he cut in sharply , his tone slicing through my words like a blade . " Do you think I care about the Demon Fangs and your pack ? " he snorted . I flinched , words dying in my throat . He stepped toward me , not rushing , but with a kind of coiled intensity that made me instinctively retreat . There was heat in him now , not the kind that warmed . His anger wasn't loud , but it was clear , like standing too close to molten steel . It radiated from him in waves , and my feet backed up before I could think better . " I - I'm sorry , " I stammered . My hands curled into the shredded hem of my tunic . " I didn't mean to question you . I didn't mean to offend- " He said nothing , but kept moving until the space between us was narrow enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze . I tried to say more , to fill the silence that pressed between us , but my throat closed . " I didn't mean to say anything at all ," I whispered instead , the words tumbling out . " I swear , I won't speak out of turn again- " His hand lifted , and I closed my eyes , bracing instinctively , but he didn't strike . Instead , his fingers slid under my chin and tilted my face upward . " Open your eyes , " he ordered and I immediately complied . His gray eyes now burned with something more volatile as he met my eyes . Fury yes , but also urgency . " Someone wants you dead , " he said . His voice sounded like a low snarl against my skin , as if speaking louder would ruin the fragile control he held over himself . " You killed an assassin . And you healed like a cursed thing . Flesh sealing where it should've split . Blood pulling itself back into your veins like it obeyed you ." " You are not fine ," he growled . " You exposed yourself , you're marked . Someone wanted everyone to think that once again ... I killed my bride on my wedding night . " What does that mean ? Did he not killed his previous bride ? I tried to pull back . He didn't let me , " Someone wanted to use you , but you lived , " he snorted . " If someone finds out how you lived after being attacked by someone stronger than you , then they'll cage you and use you . Break you open piece by piece until there's nothing left but screaming and science . They'll turn you into a relic maybe a weapon . Or a myth that bleeds on command . " 11:03 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 10 : I shuddered , breath catching . But he wasn't finished . " I won't allow that . " eyes 81 55 vouchers His darkened , shadows flickering like flame behind gray steel . " You belong to me now , Atasha . You signed your life away the moment you bled for that contract . Your name , your body , your pain . You are mine . And no one touches what's mine . No one uses what's mine . No one even looks unless I allow it ." He stepped in closer . I took a step back , but he followed , like a predator who knew the kill was already his . " The only way to protect you is to make them believe you're dying ," he said . " Because if they think you're strong , they'll come . They always do . Power draws vultures ." I swallowed , my throat dry . My knees felt weak , not from fear but from how easily he made the rest of the world fall away . " So play the part , little bride , " he murmured , thumb dragging along my bottom lip like he couldn't decide if he wanted to kiss it or rip it open . " Look fragile , look broken , let them lower their guard ." He leaned in , eyes gleaming with something unholy . " But when the time comes ... you fight . You claw , you bleed , you kill . Because no one's coming to save you , not me , not fate . In this world , the only thing that keeps you breathing is your will to tear it apart first ." His hand curled under my jaw , forcing my face up to his . " Let them think you're weak . And then remind them , monsters don't need saving . " Then , without warning , a sharp knock rattled the window . I jolted . A man burst through the frame a second later , clad in the same crimson and black uniform as the others . His boots hit the floor with a thud . " My lord , " he said breathlessly . " The Demon Fangs ... they've started using poison . It's laced with silver and wolfsbane . " His voice cracked . " Our men ... our men are falling . " If you want strong female lead , Check out my new novel : His Dangerous Bride 11:03 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 11 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!