Chapter 9 - Cassius

The night air hung thick with tension as Cassius stalked back to the treehouse. His muscles coiled tight, ready to spring at the slightest provocation. The vampire's scent still lingered, a sickly-sweet stench that made his wolf snarl with rage.

I'll make that bloodsucker wish he'd never set foot in my territory.

As he approached the tree, he heard the faint clink of chains. The vampire was stirring, its wounds already beginning to heal. Cassius's lip curled in disgust.

Not enough.

Without hesitation, he scaled the tree, his movements fluid and predatory. The vampire's red eyes gleamed in the darkness, a mixture of fear and defiance in its gaze.

"You made a big mistake coming here," Cassius growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The vampire spat, a glob of blood landing at Cassius's feet. "I'll kill you all, Wolf. Your mate, your pup—"

Cassius didn't let him finish. With a roar that shook the treehouse, he grabbed the vampire by the throat, lifting him off the ground. "You don't get to speak about them, you piece of shit."

In one swift motion, Cassius brought his knee up, shattering the vampire's leg. The crack of breaking bones was sickeningly satisfying.

The vampire's scream echoed through the forest, but Cassius felt no pity—only cold, hard rage.

This is for daring to threaten my family.

Another break—this time the kneecap—just to make sure the bastard wouldn’t try running again. He dragged the now-whimpering vampire down from the treehouse, the chains rattling with each step. The trunk of his car was waiting, open and ready.

Cassius hefted the vampire's limp form, tossing him into the trunk like a sack of garbage. The chains clinked as the vampire tried to move, but Cassius had made sure they were tight. There would be no escape.

The forest around them was deathly quiet, the trees indifferent witnesses to the violence he carried with him. Cassius didn’t care about the blood or the smell of the vampire’s rotting flesh as he shoved him into the trunk of the car.

He slammed the trunk shut, wiping his hands on his jeans as though the filth of the vampire could be washed away with just that.

Cassius took a deep breath, trying to calm the fury coursing through his veins. But all he could see was Alysa's terrified face, Aurora cradled protectively in her arms.

I should have been there. He would not have dared.

The drive to the vampire faction's territory was a blur of dark roads and seething anger. Cassius's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched so tight it ached.

Let’s see if your leader can make sense of this mess.

The landscape changed as he crossed into vampire territory. The trees grew denser, their branches twisting together to block out the moonlight. An eerie silence settled over the car, broken only by the occasional muffled groan from the trunk.

The roads were empty, and his thoughts echoed the same emptiness. The only thing filling his mind was the image of that vampire pinning Alysa to the ground, her terrified gasp still echoing in his ears. His child, Aurora, had been in danger.

The vampire shifted in the trunk, groaning as the car hit a pothole. Cassius grinned darkly, pressing the gas harder. He wasn’t in the mood for pity or mercy—just answers. The vampire leader would provide those answers, or Cassius would take them by force.

Cassius pulled up to a sprawling mansion, its gothic architecture a stark contrast to the modern world outside. Gargoyles leered down from the roof, their stone eyes seeming to follow his every move.

Vampires always made their homes in places that reeked of death—this one was no different. The scent of blood was thicker here, and it did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside him.

He didn't bother knocking. With a powerful kick, he sent the ornate front door flying off its hinges.

Vampires materialized from the shadows, hissing and baring their fangs. But Cassius paid them no mind. His eyes were fixed on the figure descending the grand staircase.

The vampire leader, Nikolai, was tall and imposing, his pale skin almost translucent in the dim light. His black eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him.

"Cassius White," he drawled, his voice like silk over steel. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this… unexpected visit?"

Cassius didn't waste time with pleasantries. He strode back to his car, yanking open the trunk. He grabbed the vampire from the trunk, dragging him through the compound and dropping him unceremoniously in front of Nikolai's feet.

“One of yours?” His voice was calm, but the threat behind it was unmistakable, his wolf clawing just beneath the surface of his skin.

Nikolai's eyebrows rose as he took in the battered form before him before looking back at Cassius with mild interest. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

"Cut the bullshit," Cassius snapped. "He attacked my family. In my territory. The only reason he's still breathing is because I respect our alliance."

The other vampires in the room shifted uneasily, their eyes darting between Cassius and their leader. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to choke on.

Nikolai crouched down, examining the chained vampire more closely. His expression remained impassive, but Cassius caught a flicker of something in his eyes. Confusion? Concern?

"What is your name?" Nikolai asked the prisoner.

The vampire spat blood onto the polished marble floor. "I don't answer to you, traitor."

Nikolai's eyes flashed dangerously. He grabbed the vampire by the hair, yanking his head back. "I asked you a question. What faction do you belong to?"

"Faction?" The vampire's laugh was a harsh, grating sound. "We don't play your little games where I'm from. We take what we want when we want it."

Cassius felt a chill run down his spine. He'd assumed the attacker was from one of the local factions, but this… this was something else entirely.

Nikolai released the vampire's hair, rising to his full height. His face was a mask of cold fury. "He's not one of ours," he said, turning to Cassius. "I give you my word on that."

Under normal circumstances, Cassius might have doubted him. But the disgust in Nikolai's voice was unmistakable. Whatever this vampire was, he wasn't welcome here.

"Then where the hell did he come from?" Cassius demanded.

Nikolai's gaze flickered to the chained vampire, then back to Cassius. "If I had to guess? The Light Side of the mountain."

The words hit Cassius like a physical blow. The Light Side? It wasn’t unheard of. Unlike wolves, the darker creatures from the Light Side often moved without jurisdiction not unlike those who had kidnapped Wren and attempted to sell her.

The faction leader straightened, his face losing the vague amusement from earlier. “We have no jurisdiction over those from the Light Side. This is not our doing, Alpha.”

Cassius’s temper flared, but he knew the leader was right. No matter how much he hated it, this wasn’t the fault of the local faction.

“You should still control your kind,” Cassius growled, though the accusation lacked its earlier venom. The leader nodded once, understanding the gravity of the situation.

“We will handle it, Alpha White,” he said, his voice darkening. He turned to the other vampires in the room. "Take him to the cells. I'll deal with him personally."

Cassius nodded, his mind racing. "Keep me informed."

"Of course." Nikolai's lips curved into a cold smile. "After all, vampires should handle vampire business."

The words were a clear dismissal. Cassius turned to leave, his thoughts a chaotic jumble. As he reached the door, Nikolai's voice stopped him.

"Alpha Cassius? I'm… sorry about your family. No one should have to face that kind of threat in their own territory."

Cassius didn't turn around, but he inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. Then he was gone, striding back to his car with purposeful steps.

As he pulled away from the mansion, a blood-curdling scream pierced the night air. Cassius didn't flinch. He knew what happened to those who crossed the vampire factions.

Good. Let him suffer.

The drive back home was a blur of streetlights and racing thoughts. Cassius's mind kept replaying the attack, imagining all the ways it could have gone wrong. All the ways he could have lost everything.

Alysa. Aurora.

Their names were a mantra in his head, driving him forward. He needed to see them, to make sure they were safe. To reassure himself that his world hadn't shattered while he was away.

As he pulled into the driveway, Cassius took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He couldn't let them see how shaken he was. He needed to be strong for them.

The house was quiet as he entered, but he could smell Alysa's fear-tinged scent. It made his wolf whine, desperate to comfort her.

He found her in the living room, Aurora sleeping peacefully in her arms. Alysa's eyes were wide, her body trembling slightly. When she saw him, relief flooded her face.

"Cassius," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're back."

He crossed the room in three long strides, kneeling beside her. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing away a tear she hadn't realized she'd shed.

"I'm here," he murmured. "You're safe now. Both of you."

Alysa leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. When she opened them again, her gaze dropped to his blood-stained clothes.

"What happened?" she asked.

Cassius shook his head. "Later. Right now, I need to clean up." He stood, his muscles protesting after the night's events. "I'm going to take a shower. Will you be okay here with Aurora?"

Alysa nodded, but Cassius saw the flicker of fear in her eyes. Before he could think better of it, he added, "Or… you could join me. If you want."

The words hung in the air between them, charged with unspoken tension. Cassius held his breath, half-hoping she'd refuse, half-praying she wouldn't.

After what felt like an eternity, Alysa nodded. "Okay," she whispered.

Cassius's heart thundered in his chest as he led the way to the bathroom. After placing Aurora in the crib, Alysa followed close behind. He could hear her rapid breathing, smell the mixture of fear and something else… anticipation?

The bathroom was spacious, all gleaming tiles and chrome fixtures. Cassius turned on the shower, steam quickly filling the room. When he turned back to Alysa, his breath caught in his throat.

She stood there, her clothes puddled at her feet, looking both vulnerable and breathtakingly beautiful. Cassius's eyes traced the curves of her body, drinking in every inch of her.

God, she's perfect.

Alysa shifted under his gaze, a blush creeping up her neck. "Cassius?" Her voice was soft, uncertain.

That single word broke the spell. Cassius quickly stripped off his own clothes, hyper-aware of Alysa's eyes on him. Then he held out his hand, an invitation.

Alysa took it, letting him guide her into the shower. The hot water cascaded over them, washing away the dirt and blood and fear of the night.

The moonlight spilled through the bathroom windows, casting long shadows across their intertwined bodies. Cassius's hands trembled slightly as he caressed Alysa's skin, his touch both reverent and hungry.

For a long moment, they just stood there, forehead to forehead, letting the water sluice over their bodies. Cassius's hands moved to Alysa's hips, pulling her closer. He could feel every curve of her pressed against him, setting his skin on fire.

"Alysa," he breathed, his voice rough with need. "I—"

She silenced him with a kiss, her lips crashing against his with desperate intensity. Cassius groaned, his control slipping as he deepened the kiss, tongue exploring, tasting, claiming.

His hands roamed her body, memorizing every dip and curve. Alysa arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her lips.

Cassius trailed kisses down her neck, nipping gently at her pulse point. Alysa's head fell back, giving him better access. Her fingers tangled in his hair, holding him close.

"Cassius," she gasped. "Please…"

He knew what she was asking for. God, he wanted it, too. But a small part of his brain, the part not clouded by lust and adrenaline, held him back.

I shouldn’t want this right now.

But the thought was drowned out by the feel of her skin under his fingers, the way her breath hitched as he kissed the side of her neck. It was too much, too soon, but neither of them cared.

He lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her back against the cold tile, his mouth finding hers with a kind of desperation. The room spun, the steam from the shower mixing with the heat between them until nothing else existed except this—except her.

Alysa responded, her hands running up his chest, her soft moans igniting something inside him that he had tried to keep buried. His lips trailed down her neck, his hands exploring every inch of her body as if trying to memorize it.

His mouth moved lower, tracing a path down her stomach until he was on his knees, the warm water washing over them both. Alysa gasped, her hands tangling in his hair as he kissed her inner thighs, the heat between them growing unbearable. He wasn’t gentle. He couldn’t be.

As his tongue slid over her, Alysa’s body arched, a strangled moan escaping her lips. Cassius held her steady, his grip firm as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge. Every sound she made, every tremor that ran through her body, only spurred him on.

Make her forget. Make her feel safe.

When she came, her body tensed, trembling against him as she cried out. Cassius held on, his mouth relentless, until she collapsed against the wall, panting, her legs weak. But as her pleasure peaked, the haze that had clouded his mind began to clear, and reality came crashing back.

Cassius stood abruptly, the water running over his face as he pulled away from her. His chest heaved, the heat of the moment fading into cold clarity.

He grabbed his clothes from the floor, his movements rushed and panicked.

Without a word, he dressed, his heart racing as he exited the bathroom, leaving Alysa standing there, hurt, breathless and confused. He couldn’t look at her. He couldn’t face what he had just done.

As he stepped outside, the cool night air hit him, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside his chest. His hands shook as he ran them through his damp hair, his mind a blur of conflicting emotions.

What the hell did I just do?