Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

WILLOW

S he loved mornings here on the island—the sun cast its warm golden light over the entire place but seemed to focus most on the beach as Willow and Cage walked along the shore, the sound of crashing waves mingling with the cries of seagulls. Cage carried a large basket in one hand and a blanket draped over his arm. There was an easy charm about the man, but Willow had begun to wonder if it wasn't something he put on for her.

There was something dark and predatory about Cage—something that went beyond the usual taciturn and controlled personality that so many professional soldiers had to adopt in order to survive. It was a kind of armor they wore, but not one that was easily removed. When she held him in her arms, or offered him pleasure, she got a sense of the real man, the one who could and would keep her safe, but it was only in those rare moments, right after he came, that she thought he was truly relaxed.

As they reached a quiet spot near the water, he spread out the blanket, smoothing it over the sand with practiced ease. Willow sat down, drawing her knees to her chest as she watched the waves. The ocean had always been a source of solace for her, its vastness a reminder of the world's beauty and the promise of escape.

"I think I could stay here forever," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the surf.

Cage settled beside her, his eyes studying her face. "You've been quiet and restless lately. Are you worried about something?"

Willow was a little surprised he had noticed. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak right away. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and doubt, the impending court date looming like a storm on the horizon. And like many storms, there was another coming in right behind it.

"Yes," she finally admitted. "I am. It's almost all I can think about."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with all that had been left unspoken. Willow knew that Cage understood, that he could see the shadows of her past with Frank Carlyle haunting her every step. She didn't want to burden him, but she needed him to understand the weight she carried.

"You're brave, you know," Cage said, breaking the silence. "Testifying against him takes a lot of courage, but just because you testify doesn't mean they convict him or that his operation will be dismantled."

"Brave?" Willow echoed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Or just crazy? Look at where it's gotten me. Hiding, afraid for my life, not even sure if I'll make it to testify. Is that really bravery? And now you tell me the whole thing might be for nothing?"

Cage reached out, taking her hand in his. His grip was firm, reassuring. "It's more bravery than many soldiers ever display. You're standing up to a monster, trying to do good in the world. That's not something everyone can do."

Willow squeezed his hand, a flicker of resolve igniting within her. "I do want to stop him," she said softly. "Not for what he did to me, but for all the things he did to others, all the horrors his arms visited on others. I can't let him, or the Shadow League, continue hurting people."

Cage stood then, pulling her up with him. His eyes were intense, filled with a determination that mirrored her own. "I'll protect you for as long as I'm breathing," he said, his voice steady. "And if the day comes when someone tries to separate me from you with my death, I will reach beyond the grave to protect you still. I intend to make up for the past you were forced to endure."

Willow looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude and something deeper, something that felt like hope. Cage's words were odd, but they held a promise she desperately needed. As they stood together on the beach, the future didn't seem quite so terrifying. With Cage by her side, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could face whatever came next.

CAGE

Cage felt a heavy weight settle over him as he began gathering up the remains of their picnic. The sun was at the midpoint of the day and had begun casting shadows across the beach. The once serene sound of the waves lapping against the shore had shifted as the surge began to build, and they rushed in, crashing against anything in their way. They now seemed ominous and some kind of portent of what was to come.

Willow took his hand and got to her feet quietly. She seemed lost in thought as she stared out at the relentless ocean. Cage tried not to think too far into the future, mostly because he didn't like what he saw. A heart he had once thought long dead now ached with the thought of what was to come and what it would mean… for both of them.

He hadn't been lying to her when he said that her decision to testify against her ex was both a beacon for others to do the right thing and a looming catastrophe. Cage admired her courage, her determination to seek justice for herself and others. But he was also acutely aware of the dangers she was unwittingly exposing the entire shifter race to. Carlyle's influence and reach were vast, and the last thing they needed was for their world to be thrust into the spotlight. In a perfect world, the Shadow League would see the bastard for the threat he was and remove him, but he didn't hold out much hope for that. He needed to broach the subject with Colby about his moving directly against Carlyle.

Cage packed the empty containers back into the basket, his mind racing. Willow was having a difficult time understanding the full extent of the danger she was putting everyone in—mostly because she was unaware of it. She was human and had no knowledge that shifters even existed. The shifter community had remained hidden for centuries, and one slip could unravel everything. Yet, after hearing the horrors Carlyle had inflicted on her, Cage found it impossible to blame her for wanting her ex brought to justice. He would want the same.

Despite his reassurances that the Resistance would ensure her safety, that they would put Carlyle out of commission, Cage knew it was hard for Willow to trust anything beyond the legal system she had been raised to believe in. How could she trust people and a society she knew nothing about? The human world operated on rules and laws, on evidence and courtrooms. The shifter world, however, was governed by a different set of principles, ones where justice was swift and often brutal. If Cage had his way, in Carlyle's case it would be fatal.

As he folded the blanket, Cage's thoughts turned darker. What was the best course of action? He could turn her, making her a shifter. That would bind her to their world, their rules, and offer a layer of protection she couldn't get as a human. But the consequences of such a decision were immense. Willow might never forgive him if he turned her without her consent. But how was he supposed to get consent if he didn't explain who and what shifters were? The transformation was irreversible, and he couldn't bear the thought of her hating him for the rest of their lives.

The alternative wasn't much better. Allowing her to remain human meant she would continue to be a target, isolated and vulnerable. Colby and the others could keep her safe for now, but how long could they maintain that? And at what cost to their own security? The thought of neutralizing her, of taking away her freedom, was abhorrent. Cage couldn't stomach the idea of treating Willow as a mere pawn in their game of survival.

His hands trembled as he tied the basket shut. Willow's voice broke through his turmoil. "What's wrong?" she asked, her gaze piercing through his feigned composure.

He shook his head, forcing a smile. "Nothing."

But it was far from nothing. It was everything. Cage could feel the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, the need to protect Willow conflicting with the necessity to safeguard his own kind. The dilemma tore at him, each option more harrowing than the last.

Willow stood and walked over to him, her eyes searching his face. "I know something's bothering you. Please, talk to me."

Cage sighed before leaning down to kiss her with a fierce, seductive sweetness he knew she couldn't resist. "It's just... complicated, Willow. I want to protect you, but there's so much at stake."

She bit her lip, looking down at the sand. "I know this is dangerous. I know I'm putting you and your people at risk. But I can't just let him get away with everything he's done. I need to do this."

He took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "I understand. And I want to see him brought to justice, too. But justice isn't always meted out in a courtroom. There are things going on behind the scenes that depend on secrecy. Exposing ourselves could lead to disaster."

Willow's eyes filled with determination. "Then help me find a way to do this without putting everyone in danger. There has to be a way."

Cage wished he could offer her a simple solution, but nothing about their situation was simple. He could see the pain and fear in her eyes, the struggle to balance her need for justice with the reality of the peril they all faced. She was brave, but she was also human, and that made her vulnerable in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.

As they walked up the path that led to the castle, Cage's mind continued to churn. Turning her was a drastic measure, one he wasn't ready to take without her consent. But leaving her human, with all the risks that entailed, felt equally reckless. He had to find another way, a path that didn't force Willow into a corner or compromise the safety of his people.

The return to the main keep was quiet, the tension between them palpable. Willow wrapped her arms around one of his, resting her head against his muscled bicep, her thoughts seemingly miles away. Cage glanced at her, wishing he could ease her burden, take away the fear and uncertainty that haunted her. But he knew that until Carlyle and the League were dealt with once and for all, those shadows would remain.

Back at the castle, Willow retreated to the library, curling up with a book and leaving Cage to his thoughts. He sat in his office, assigning Jones to watch over her, staring at the blank screen in front of him. He needed to talk to Colby, to find out if there were other options they hadn't considered.

Cage logged on to his secure line and contacted Colby.

"Cage. Everything okay?"

"Not really," Cage admitted. "We need to talk about Willow. I'm worried about the risks she's facing, and I'm not sure what the best course of action is."

Colby sighed. "I've been thinking about that, too. We need to neutralize Carlyle and his influence before she testifies. It's the only way to keep both her and our community safe. I had thought maybe the League would take care of him, but they seem more focused on Willow."

"I know," Cage said, frustration creeping into his voice. "The situation as is, is untenable. But every time I come up with a solution, I feel like I'm chasing my tail."

"And as a bear, yours is so short," drawled Colby. "Must be difficult to do."

Cage snorted a laugh. Only Colby had the ability to make him laugh at times like this. "Every move we make has to be careful, calculated. One wrong step and we could expose ourselves."

"We'll find a way," Colby said firmly. "We have to."

After ending the call, Cage leaned back in his chair, exhaustion washing over him. The stakes were incredibly high, and every decision felt like a precarious balancing act. He closed his eyes, wishing for a moment of clarity, a solution that wouldn't tear him apart inside.

A soft knock at the door broke his reverie. Willow stood in the doorway, her expression a mixture of apprehension and resolve.

"I couldn't focus," she said softly, stepping into the room. "Jones said he thought it would be okay."

He held his hand out to her. "My team knows you are integral to my well-being."

"Because I give blowjobs on demand and let you fuck me stupid each night?"

"Well, it's a tough job… but seriously, they see what you do to help keep me on an even keel, and don't think everyone hasn't noticed how you're looking after them, as well."

"I just keep thinking about what you said, about the dangers. I don't want to put you all at risk."

Cage walked backwards to his chair, drawing her with him and pulling her into his lap, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. "We'll find a way, Willow. We'll make sure Carlyle is dealt with, and we'll keep you safe."

She nodded, but he could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. "I trust you, Cage. I just... I'm scared."

He pulled her into a gentle embrace, wishing he could shield her from the darkness that threatened to engulf them both. "I know, baby. I have to admit there are times the whole thing feels like a very scary balancing act, but keeping you safe is the only job as far as I and the team are concerned. We'll get through this. I promise."

She leaned against him, curled up, nestling into his body. As they sat there, holding on to each other, Cage felt a flicker of hope. It was a fragile thing, easily shattered, but it was enough to keep him going. He would find a way to protect Willow, to bring Carlyle to justice, to serve a fatal blow to the Shadow League, and to ensure the safety of his people. He had to.

He could tell Willow was about to press the point when Jones threw open the door.

"Cage? It's the League. They're hitting our beaches. We're surrounded."

Cage stood and shoved Willow at Jones. "Get her to safety now."

"I want to stand with you," she pleaded.

"Willow, you go with Jones and do what he tells you," growled Cage. She had picked the wrong time to get all noble and shit.

"It's me they want, Cage. Let them have me, and all of you can get away. I'm not letting anyone die for me."

Cage groaned. Why couldn't his mate be one of those women who cowered and wailed? Why did she have to be so brave and fearless? "Not your choice. If you're a part of this team that means you take orders from me, and I'm ordering you to go with Jones and get to safety. I can't think straight with you in danger." That wasn't necessarily true, as he was damn good at compartmentalizing, but he knew he needed to give her a reason to go.

"Jones, your boss isn't thinking straight. Make a deal with them," said Willow in an all-too reasonable tone.

Why did Jones look like he was enjoying this?

"Jones, if you do what she says, I'll snap your spine like a twig and toss you into the ocean to drown and be food for the sharks," he growled. That took the smile off Jones's face. "As for you, Willow, if you don't stand down and go with Jones, I'll make sure you never sit down comfortably again. Do you understand me?" She gulped and nodded. "Good. Then move it. Both of you."

Willow stood beside him, her face a mask of determination. Cage turned to her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Stay close to Jones. He'll get you to the safe room."

Willow looked as if she was going to argue and then relented, nodding, her eyes locking onto his. "Be careful, Cage."

He offered her a tight smile. "You, too." He nodded to Jones. "Keep her safe."

With a final squeeze of her hand, he watched as she and Jones hurried towards the keep, disappearing into its shadowy depths.