Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Cassian snorted. “Not in your nature to be nice p>
“No p>
They both chuckled-quiet, guarded, but genuine. The tension in the room eased slightly, replaced by the quiet moment of understanding.
Nolan’s expression sobered again as he looked down at the folder between them. “How are they?” he asked finally, voice low. “Ellie and the boys.
Cassian hesitated. He had known the question would come eventually, but he still wasn’t ready for it. “They’re… good. Settling in. She’s working again. The twins are thriving p>
Nolan’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Good p>
Cassian waited for the follow-up question, the inevitable edge of possessiveness or bitterness. It never came. Instead, Nolan’s gaze drifted toward the window, thoughtful.
“I hear Kieran’s been visiting,” he said.
Cassian froze. “Who told you
that p>
“No one,” Nolan said. “But word travels. And Kieran’s never been subtle when it comes to his interests p>
Cassian’s voice dropped. “He’s not a threat p>
Nolan’s eyes flicked back to him, calm and unreadable. “That wasn’t what I asked p>
Cassian held his gaze, waiting for the explosion that didn’t come. Instead, Nolan’s expression softened just slightly.
“I’m not surprised,” Nolan said quietly. “He’s always been drawn to the things I value p>
The words were simple, but something beneath them carried weight—a memory, perhaps, or a rivalry that went deeper than Cassian understood.
“You’re taking this well,” Cassian said, testing him.
Nolan’s mouth curved in a faint, humorless smile. “Would it make a difference if I didn’t p>
Cassian didn’t answer.
“I’m not here to make trouble for her,” Nolan continued. “Or for you. I came because the world outside these walls is shifting, and I don’t want it to catch Moonstone off guard. Whatever my mistakes with Ellie, I’ll not compound them by leaving her vulnerable p>
The sincerity in his voice startled Cassian. For the first time, he saw something in Nolan’s eyes that hadn’t been there before-humility.
“I appreciate that,” Cassian said after a moment. “Truly p>
Nolan nodded once, as if that settled it.
“I know this is making trouble for you,” Cassian added.
Nolan frowned slightly as he looked at him. “You mean the rumors p>
1/2
Chapter 161
+25 Bonus
“Ellie is missing from Silver Fang again; it’s bound to get attention p>
Cassian watched Nolan’s expression change. It was subtle, a stiffening of his expression as he tried not to let anything slip. At this point, Cassian knew him well enough to read it. Nolan was upset. Not angry, not annoyed, he
was hurt.
“That’s not anything that Ellie needs to concern herself with,” Nolan said softly. “I know that I… that I was wrong to use the pack against her when I convinced her to come ho- to Silver Fang p>
Cassian noted the slip. Nolan was really trying to be careful, to be respectful of Ellie’s choice, even though it pained him. He’d never seen Nolan show this kind of consideration for anyone’s feelings before.
“Ellie doesn’t owe me or Silver Fang anything. If she’s happy here, then this is where she should be p>
“And if she’s happy with Kieran p>
It was an intentional provocation, but Cassian couldn’t help it. He needed to know if Nolan’s apparent change of heart was real or if he was playing some kind of a game.
Nolan’s expression hardened and he sat back, putting more distance between them. “That’s her choice. I hate it, but I’ll respect it. Even if I can’t stand the thought of that bastard near my children p>
It took Cassian off guard. He’d been through a lot in the last year or so, they all had. Nolan had suffered; he knew that. Just like Ellie had. The two of them had to be the most volatile fated mates Cassian had ever encountered.
Normally, the mate pull was enough for a couple to work through whatever issues they might have, but not with them. They were both too stubborn to let themself function from an emotional level.
As a leader, Cassian could understand the pressure that Nolan was under to do what was best for the pack, regardless of his own happiness. But as a brother, he was still struggling to forgive Nolan for the way he’d treated Ellie in the past.
Still, he couldn’t deny that he was starting to consider Nolan a friend. He didn’t like seeing the pain in his eyes when Ellie was brought up. He felt awful when he saw the tension Nolan/carried just at the mention of the boys.
But it wasn’t his place to intervene. All Cassian could do was try to support them both and hope that they’d stop being so damn stubborn eventually.
COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus
Comments
144
Support
Share
GET IT
2/2