Chapter 3 " Put it down . " " Be careful , My lord , " the man said , eyes still locked on me . " She's a witch . Witches can hide their appearance and easily trick you . They must be killed . " Cassian frowned . He glanced at the man . " Do you smell sulfur ? " The man blinked , confused . " No , my lord . " smell anything rotten ? " " Do you smell " ... No . " Cassian looked back at me , then smiled faintly . " Then she's not a witch . Just a helpless Omega ." The man's grip didn't ease . His eyes flicked toward Cassian like he was debating whether to obey . " Don't make me repeat myself . " Cassian's voice didn't rise . It didn't need to . The pressure in the room immediately shifted . The kind of stillness that came before blood was spilled . Finally , the blade lowered . A sting lit across my throat , just a thin line , shallow , but it burned . The bastard glared at me like I'd caused it . Cassian didn't look at me . " Leave ." The man didn't move . Cassian's gaze sharpened . " I said , leave and go to the penitentiary hall for a week . " There was tension in the air for a beat too long . Then the man bowed stiffly and turned on his heel . The door closed behind him . A sigh of relief escaped my lips . My hand hovered near my neck . Just like the cut on my hand , the wound on my neck was now gone . I swallowed and looked back at Cassian . " Does anyone else know about this ? " he asked . I let out a short breath and shook my head . " You saw how your man reacted . What do you think my father would do ? " A bitter laugh escaped before I could stop it . " He wouldn't need a sword . He'd hand me over to the Council himself . " Killing a witch is an honor . But handing a witch to the council would give them merit . " Not even your lovely little sister ? " he asked . I shook my head . " I didn't want to expose her to anything or force her to hide this secret for me . It was a burden . " That was an honest answer . How could I let Celeste carry this burden with me ? Working with someone that they considered a witch is punishable by death . Chapter 3 Cassian said nothing . Instead , he stepped forward and took my hand , the one I had cut . I flinched . " What are you- ? " He brought it to his nose , inhaling slowly like he was memorizing the scent . I tried to pull away , but his grip didn't budge . 55 vouchers " What are you doing ? " I asked , my heart starting to race . He didn't answer . Then he stepped closer . In one clean motion , his other hand slid behind me . Without saying a word , he pressed his face against the side of my neck . I froze . The heat of his breath skimmed my skin . His grip on my hand remained firm . I could feel the solid weight of him , the cold dampness of his coat , the quiet threat wrapped around every inch of his stillness . My heart slammed against my ribs - loud , fast , out of control . He didn't move . Not right away . Just stood there , breathing me in like a predator cataloging its prey . When he finally pulled back , his eyes met mine with a sharpness that pinned me to the floor . " You don't smell like blood , " he said . My face burned . " No ... my lord . " What was I even thinking ? Of course, he was trying to see how good my ability was . " And your wounds are healed . No scars or any signs that it has been there . " " Yes . " Without hesitation , he took the dagger from my hand and dragged it across his own palm . My eyes widened . " What are you- " Heal it . " It was an order I cannot refuse . I stared at him . Lunatic ! This man is crazy ! Yet I took his calloused hand without asking questions . My fingers touched the wound . And just like before , it vanished . The torn skin pulled together seamlessly . No blood , no scar , not even a mark . Like it had never been there at all . I then quickly pulled my hand away . 11:01 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 3 : 81 55 vouchers This wasn't normal . Even among wolves , even with fast healing , this wasn't that . This was something else . Something dangerous . Cassian looked at his palm , then chuckled . " So ... you're not a witch . " I said nothing . My hands stayed at my sides , steady only because I forced them to be . Everyone knew how witches were marked . Their rituals left a lingering stench of sulfur on their skin . No magic could hide it . Even the finest glimmering glamours decayed in time . Witches depended on elaborate spells and careful preparations . None of them could heal with a single touch . Something always had to be given back . " I am not , " I answered . Cassian studied me a second longer , then dropped his hand . " I can be useful , " I said quietly . " If you spare my family ... I'll serve you . I'll owe you my life . I'll bind myself to your name . " His sneer was immediate . He turned to face me fully . " And what made you think you had the upper hand ? " His voice was cold , amused . " What gave you the idea that you were in a position to offer terms ? " Words caught in my throat . My knees weakened beneath me . " I could force you to serve me , " he said , stepping closer . " And not even the King would object . I could make you my little pet , and no one would dare ask questions ." My mouth opened , but no sound came . Shame heated my face as I dropped my gaze . He was right . He could just force me to do his bidding , and I would be powerless . Weak . " Please ... " I whispered . " Spare them . Whatever happens to me ... just don't hurt them ." He was quiet for a moment . Then suddenly his arm shot out and grabbed me . " Hey ! " He didn't answer . One arm locked around my waist , jerking me forward so fast I hit his chest . The wind knocked out of me . " What are you- " My words choked off . He leaned close . " So naive , " he muttered . " Let me show you how great your family really is ." And then he moved . 11:01 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 3 : 81 55 vouchers There was no time to struggle . No time to think . He lifted me like I weighed nothing , one arm beneath my legs , the other across my back . The window slammed open behind us . Cold air and rain swallowed us whole as he jumped from the roof to a familiar balcony . He moved like he belonged here , like this had always been his home . Before I could catch my breath , soft laughter filtered through the door of the balcony . I froze . " See , Celeste ? It worked , " my mother's voice echoed against my ears . " All those years of pretending , of treating her like one of our own . It paid off ." My heart stopped . Pretending ? What are they talking about ? " She signed that treaty herself . Walked straight into it ." I stiffened . They were talking about me ? " You were right ," Mother said , her voice swelling with pride . " Convincing her that you were the only one she could trust ... it was enough . She sacrificed herself without question . I knew keeping her around would be useful . In the end , I was right . " " Mother ," Celeste said lightly . " You can't say that . You've treated her like your daughter for years ... you at least feel a little bad , right ? " should " Feel bad ? Are you jesting ? " Mother scoffed . " She's not my blood . Not your father's either . She's leeched off us long enough . We fed her , clothed her , raised her , even though she's the daughter of a savage . And now ? She's done the one thing she was born to , die for you ." A sharp ache bloomed in my chest . What are they talking about ? Celeste's voice came again , softer now , almost wistful . " I guess ... knowing she agreed without us forcing her makes me feel less guilty ." Her sweet voice drifted towards me . How could she say that ? How could- A tight grip on my wrist reminded me not to make a sound . I looked at Cassian . He was smiling , pleased with whatever it was he was hearing . " Don't ," Mother replied . " This was your idea . And it worked . You've secured your future , our pack's alliance , and you didn't have to lift a finger . And for that ... you deserve a reward for all the hardwork . " I didn't breathe . What is this ? What are they saying ? My hands curled into fists , nails digging into my palms . " What is this ? " Celeste asked . " A gift , " she said . " You deserve it . You're the reason this worked ." " We shouldn't celebrate yet ," Celeste said . " The Tyrant Lord hasn't taken her . Until she leaves with him ... nothing is guaranteed ." 11:01 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 3 : 81 55 vouchers " Stop worrying , " my mother said with a laugh . " Atasha is nothing but your pet . Once the Tyrant Lord takes her , then her life is sealed ... " And just like that ... Everything inside me broke . AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!