" I knew you were wolfless, " he continued , voice as steady as the storm outside . " I didn't know you were mute . " I forced my feet to move forward , but my voice was gone , swallowed by fear . My throat clenched as I stared at him , sweat slicking my palms against my skirt . I wanted to demand , " How did you slip in unseen ? " but all that came out was a ragged hitch in my chest . " My ... My lord , " I lowered my head slightly , careful not to break eye contact too soon . " Please forgive my current state . I was not informed that you would be visiting my humble rooms tonight ." His steps were soundless across the warped floorboards , yet every movement made the walls feel smaller . He didn't pace , he prowled , like something untamed that had wandered too far from its leash . Even when still , he moved . Like the storm , like the wind . Always watching . Always ready to strike . Then he said it , softly , almost idly , like it amused him . " Say ... what do you think will happen if the bride ends her own life before the Prince arrives ? " The words slid like a blade between my ribs . Inside , I froze . Outside , I didn't even flinch . I wasn't stupid . If he wanted me dead , he could do it now . No one would stop him . No one would question it . And something told me he wouldn't even blink . Still , I did my best to control myself . Not too calm , calm would sound practiced . Not too frightened , fear would only feed whatever game this was . " My death would start a war , " I answered . " If I refuse the King's decree , if I die before we wed , my entire pack will be annihilated to punish us for insubordination ." Cassian's storm - lit profile didn't change , but I sensed his gaze sharpen . " He demands a bride for his brother , " I continued , voice steadier now that the truth was out . " If that bride perishes ... the King would see it as treason . He'd give you free rein to cleanse Nightfall . " He made a deliberate pause . Did I pass ? Was that the answer that he wanted to hear ? Then Cassian's lips curved , not kindly , but slowly , like the smile had been earned . " Clever . " His eyes gleamed with something unreadable . Not amusement . Not approval . Something worse . " I wasn't sure what to expect , " he said . " They told me you were quiet . Fragile . Dull . But not stupid . " He stepped closer . The shadows clung to him like smoke , and yet his presence filled the space like fire . I could smell rain on his coat , blood on his past , and something colder beneath it all . 11:00 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 2 My hands stayed still at my sides . Do not tremble . Please , do not tremble . 82 55 vouchers Cassian stood in front of me now , arms loose at his sides . He looked down like he was calculating something - something like how fast he could kill me , or whether it was worth it . " I did not come here to waste my time on an Omega , " he said . " Your father's hiding something . " That threw me off . Just slightly . Not enough to show . " Hiding ... something ? " As the Alpha of one of the strongest packs in Arecor , my father has his own secrets . But what does this have to do with me ? He tilted his head . " Something he doesn't want the King to see . And I want to know what it is ." Thunder boomed directly above us , loud enough to rattle the glass . Still , I didn't look away from him . " I don't know ." His brow twitched . " I'm not lying , " I added quickly . " I was never brought into council . I wasn't allowed in war briefings or strategy meetings . My presence ... was inconvenient . " He made another pause . Almost immediately , the room crackled with tension , like the very walls were listening . Watching . Waiting for him to decide what came next . One step , I thought . That's all it would take . One step and he could crush my throat before I could even scream . And yet - he didn't . His eyes scanned mine . " So useless after all ," his voice seemed lower than before , but he didn't leave . And that - more than anything - terrified me . Why wasn't he leaving ? " Truly , I was never allowed into council meetings . I wasn't even permitted to speak during court visits . They don't tell me anything " I knew he knew . How could they let me join the meetings ? I am weak . Powerless . This man did not come here to ask . He came here to find some random reason to kill his next bride . A snort followed . " What a useless wolf . " He suddenly held my chin and raised my head up . I swallowed as I stared at his eyes . They weren't glowing , nor monstrous , but something about them seemed wrong , off . It was as if something inside him was hungrier than any beast . " How beautifully useless ," he said , rising again . The calm in his tone only made the venom worse . " What a 11:00 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 2 waste . " : : 82 55 vouchers Then he snapped his finger , and a man suddenly entered the room from the windows . " Stage something ... I don't care what . Make sure she dies without feeling any pain ," Cassian said . " Make it clean . And by dawn , burn the Nightfall Pack to ash . Let them learn what happens when they mock a King's decree . " My eyes flew wide . He meant it . They were going to wipe us out ! " Wait ! My lord- ! " He paused mid - step . Then slowly turned . That smile again . " Oh ? Is there something else the little offering wants to say ? " I took a deep breath , " I believe I can serve you . I- I believe ... I can be useful . " The flicker behind his gaze hinted at interest , not belief . So , I stepped forward toward the nearest guard and reached for the dagger at his waist . Immediately , a hand clamped down on my wrist . Hard . " Let me show you something . " He made a sound , somewhere between a scoff and a laugh , then gave a slight nod . The guard let go without saying a word . Then , without hesitation , I dragged the blade across my palm . Blood welled up instantly , dark red and thick , trailing down my fingers and dripping onto the cold wooden floor . Then I turned my hand upward , letting him see it . The blood kept flowing , until it didn't . Slowly , the bleeding began to stop . The edges of the wound pulsed faintly , then started to close . Right there , in front of them . Flesh knitted back together , strand by strand , until the wound disappeared as if it was never there in the first place . I raised my eyes to meet Cassian's again . But before I could say a word , the man beside Cassian drew his sword without hesitation and pointed it straight at my neck . " Stay away witch , or I will slit your throat ! " 55 vouchers Chapter 3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!