Chapter 10 - Articus

Articus paced the dimly lit room, the flickering lamp casting a shadow on his face. The plush carpets muffled his steps as he walked across the study and came to a stop next to the footboard. He roughly ran his hands over his face, his agitation evident.

He tried to keep his emotions in check while he waited for Cassius to return home, but he failed. He was still fuming when his cousin got back. The weight of his frustrations pressed heavily on his shoulders while his mind churned with irritation and disappointment.

The smell of cinnamon and apple cider vinegar filled the room, barely calming his senses. Cassius sat in the corner of this study and smoked his pipe, keeping his eyes on Articus.

When he came back and met Articus looking royally pissed, he immediately sprang into action and led him into the study, away from the bustle of the main house, so he could freely pour out his grievances, his voice tinged with frustration and anger.

“She doesn’t seem to appreciate anything I’ve done for her,” Articus said, his tone sharp. “I mean, she should be grateful, right? I saved her from being sold to someone who might have had sinister plans, yet she’s been nothing but difficult.”

It confounded Articus how she could be so ungrateful after all he had done. The very thought of it stung deeply. He had gone far out of his way, spending a small fortune to buy her freedom from slavery, and yet she remained resentful and distant.

He saved her from being auctioned off to the worst bidder in the room, but all he got in return was her wrath and distrust. The irony surely wasn’t lost on him. Anger and confusion churned within him, making his insides feel like a stormy sea.

A little thanks wouldn’t hurt.

Cassius leaned back in his leather chair, his eyes thoughtful. “Have you considered her perspective? She’s been through a lot, more than you might imagine. She’s likely struggling with feelings of fear and betrayal. It’s not as simple for her as it is for you.”

Articus sighed, running a hand through his hair. Cassius was right. Despite how upset he was at her ingratitude, he knew it wouldn’t be that easy for her to trust anyone else, which was why he was trying so hard to cut her some slack, but he had never met someone who was inherently difficult.

The nerve.

It was like she had made it her lifelong mission to frustrate the life out of him. His body coiled up with so much anger that he could feel his body tremble lightly. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had gotten such a huge rise out of him. It was annoying and unsettling.

“I must say, married life isn’t treating you so well,” Cassius teased, pouring himself a glass of wine, a smile lightly grazing his lips.

Married man. Him?

Did he really get married to a stranger he just met? He couldn’t believe it. It had all happened so fast—an impulsive decision fueled by the heat of the moment.

Now, with the adrenaline fading and the room’s oppressive silence settling in, the reality of his situation hit him with full force—Articus couldn’t believe he was now a married man, fully bound to someone he barely knew.

He had never been married before. He didn’t know what to do with this newly acquired status.

“Articus,” Cassius’s voice cut through the tense silence of the room. “You should take her over the mountain.”

Articus scoffed. A sound that was more about his frustration than disbelief. He had always prided himself on being calm and level-headed, but tonight, he found himself in a state of unrest and anger.

“Articus, you know I’m right,” Cassius pointed out, referring to his earlier suggestion. “She won’t be safe here.”

Articus groaned loudly, tipping his head backward and placing his hands behind his neck, massaging the taut muscles there. His eyebrows furrowed as resentment built inside him as he fought to keep his temper in check.

“She hates my guts. What makes you think she’ll agree to come with me?”

“She will, once she knows she might be captured once again,” Cassius replied, his voice taking on a cold and calculating edge.

Articus stopped pacing and stared at Cassius with a blend of curiosity and confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked, trying to mask his frustration.

“Listen,” Cassius continued, swirling the wine in the red Bordeaux glass. “If you leave her here, they’ll find her again. The slavers have tracking magic. They use it to keep tabs on runaway slaves so they can reclaim their ‘merchandise’ if it gets too far from the buyer. They’ll be alerted if she’s beyond a certain distance.”

Cassius was always so smart, so analytical, and acted like everything was tit for tat. And Articus knew he was right. She could only survive if he took her over the mountains.

Articus clenched his jaw, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. He had hoped for a simpler resolution, but the reality was stark and unforgiving. Cassius’s pragmatic approach was a reminder of the cruel world they lived in.

“So you think taking her over the mountain is the best option?” Articus asked.

Cassius nodded. “It’s the safest choice, at least.”

Articus ran his fingers through his hair, the magnitude of the entire situation falling on his shoulder. He had never imagined his marriage would be one that came with formality and huge responsibilities.

He had married Wren out of sheer goodwill and convenience to save her from a terrible fate, and now he had to deal with the consequences.

And I still haven’t gotten a THANK YOU! Perhaps I should’ve left the pest to suffer.

“Fine,” Articus said, his voice resigned. “We’ll go over the mountains tomorrow. Hopefully, she’ll be in a better mood after some sleep,” his words hung in the air, bitter and frustrated.

Articus paused, frustration clear in his voice, but then something shifted in his expression. His anger, while justified, began to waver under the weight of a deeper concern.

He turned to Cassius, his voice lower, more measured. “But you know, it’s not just about her. This whole situation is messed up, Cassius. Rogue wolves being kidnapped like this... it’s unacceptable. There are others out there—wolves who are being snatched up, treated like property. It’s wrong.”

Cassius looked at Articus, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he listened.

“This needs to stop. Cassius, talk to the other Alphas. We need to make a plan,” Articus continued.

“We can’t just let this keep happening. We should be protecting all wolves, not just those in packs. The rogues—especially those who are rogues by birth, not by choice—deserve a chance. They didn’t do anything wrong; they’re just... victims of circumstance.”

Cassius leaned forward, his attention fully captured. “You’re right. The Dark Side has always been a tough place, but we’ve been neglecting our own kind for too long. We should be paying more attention to wolf-kind in general, not just our packs. It’s time we set up communities for the wolves who are rogues by birth. They shouldn’t have to live in fear, constantly on the run or at risk of being taken.”

Articus nodded, his earlier frustration giving way to determination. “We need to put procedures in place, something to prevent these snatchings. If we can’t protect our own, what kind of Alphas are we?”

“I’ll talk to the others,” Cassius agreed. “It won’t be easy, but you’re right. The ways of the past and my father and his father before him were too focused on the packs and our own problems. It’s time we started thinking about the bigger picture. We’ll figure out a way to bring them into the fold, to give them the protection they deserve.”

Articus let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Good. Because I don’t want to see another wolf go through what she’s been through. It’s not fair to any of them.”

Cassius gave a solemn nod, understanding the weight of what Articus was asking. "It’s the right thing to do; I will do my best to make it work with the other Alphas on this side. Any help we can get on your side will also be appreciated.”

"You only have to ask," Articus said, his anger cooling into a quiet resolve. “I just hope it’s enough.”

Cassius sighed, a sound of quiet exasperation, and clasped Articus’ shoulder as they made their way out of the room. “Get some rest. You have a long way to go tomorrow,” he said, shutting the door.

Articus went back to the guest room Abigail had shown him after his meal, still thinking about Cassius’ suggestion to take Wren to his pack. And once she’s over there, Juniper might be able to remove the enchantment.

It’s not the worst idea.

As he settled on a chair, he decided to make a call to Rowan, hoping for some clarity. Reaching for his phone, he dialed his best friend’s number. Without the high-tech phone Rowan had custom-made for them, he doubted a call from the Dark Side would be possible.

The elders had gotten the message of the death of Cassius’ father through one of their ancient means. He made a mental note to leave a phone for Cassius when he was leaving.

The connection crackled before Rowan’s familiar voice came through. “Articus? What’s going on?”

“I need your help,” Articus began, his voice weary. “I’ve run into a situation here. I may or may not have gotten married.”

Rowan’s surprise was distinct. “Gotten married? What? I’m your best friend, and you didn’t invite me? What the hell is going on?”

“No, no,” Articus rushed to clarify. “It’s not like that. I bought a wife.”

There was a pause on the other end. Rowan’s voice, when he spoke, was tinged with a mixture of confusion and disapproval. “You went for a simple transference ritual, and you decided to buy a wife? Articus, I’m sorry, but I don’t condone slavery. What exactly do you mean by that?”

Articus inhaled, bracing himself. “I saw her being kidnapped. I couldn’t fight everyone there; it would have started a war. So, I bought her to rescue her from the slavers. I thought it was the only way to ensure her freedom.”

Rowan’s response was slow and carefully measured. “Wow, that’s… complicated. We’ve all had our share of complicated love stories, but yours is by far the worst I’ve heard. But hey, look on the bright side, you are married now.”

“This isn’t a joke, Rowan. I need help. She’s bound with magic, and I was hoping Juniper might be able to help lift it. Can she?”

“Sure,” Rowan said, his tone softening. “When you have brought her here, Juniper will take a look and see what she can do.”

“Thank you, Man. I really appreciate this.”

“What are best friends for?” Rowan said and hung up on the call.

Articus made his way to the bed in the corner of the room. As he lay down, he tried to push away the nagging thoughts plaguing his mind. He told himself that this wasn’t a real marriage, that it was merely the only way he could have helped Wren.

The world was a harsh place, and emotions were luxuries he couldn’t afford.

He closed his eyes, attempting to sleep, but all he could see were a pair of hazel eyes filled with so much anger, hate, and distrust.