Chapter 160
The rain had finally stopped, leaving the air around Moonstone sharp and clean. Sunlight streamed through the high windows of Cassian’s office, warming the pale stone floor and the heavy oak desk that dominated the room.
A stack of reports sat half-read beside a steaming mug of tea, the fint scent of chamomile softening the sharpness of ink and parchment.
Cassian barely looked up when he heard the knock. “Come in p>
The door opened, and the room seemed to shrink.
Nolan Silver Fang had a way of filling space even when he wasn’t trying to. His presence was quieter these days, stripped of the arrogance that used to come so easily, but it carried the same weight. The kind of power that didn’t need to be spoken aloud.
“Cassian,” he said, voice steady.
“Nolan.” Cassian’s tone was polite, neutral. “You’re early p>
“I left early,” Nolan replied simply, closing the door behind him. Didn’t want to keep you waiting p>
Cassian gestured to the chair across from him. “Then let’s not waste any time p>
Nolan sat, every movement deliberate. He looked tired, not in the way that came from lack of sleep, but in the deeper, more bone -deep sense that came from carrying too much.
Cassian chose not to comment on it. It was obvious what the cause was, and bringing it up would only make things awkward for both of them.
“These are the reports from our outer patrols,” he said. “The rogues have been quiet near the northern range, but the southern border is a different story. Too organized. Too well-supplied p>
Nolan flipped through the page his expression unreadable. “Paid mercenaries, then p>
“That’s what it looks like. They’re not hunting for territory. They’e following orders p>
“Whose p>
Cassian hesitated, the question heavier than it should have been. “We don’t know. Yet. But if Felicity’s behind it, she isn’t working alone. Whoever’s funding these movements has deep pockets-and a reason to stir up trouble between packs.” Nolan’s jaw tightened, the muscles in his temple flexing. “She always preferred chaos when she couldn’t control the outcome.
he question is, why suddenly focus on Moonstone? She’s only ever caused trouble in Silver Fang before p>
“I think we both know the answer,” Cassian responded. “Ellie is here now. She’s obsessed p>
A dark look crossed Nolan’s but he didn’t argue the point.
said softly.
“Felicity was always a bit
Cassian studied him carefully. There was no venom in his voice when he spoke her name now, just exhaustion.
“Has she reached out?” Cassian asked.
Nolan shook his head. “No. Not
directly. But can feel her presence in every rumor. Every whisper that finds its way back to me. The
trouble with the rogues has to be her doing. It would be too coincidental otherwise p>
They fell silent for a moment, the weight of unspoken history filling the room.
Finally, Nolan set the papers aside. “If she’s pulling the strings, she’s doing it from somewhere far enough to stay hidden. She’s not in the Rogue Lands p>
Cassian’s brows furrowed. “You sound very certain about that p>
“I am,” Nolan answered sternly. “I made a mistake by banishing her from Silver Fang only. I should have made sure that anyone giving her quarter would know it was an act of aggression against us p>
“Why didn’t you? Why did you only banish her from Silver Fang p>
“Sentiment,” Nolan said the world like it physically pained him.
“And now she’s hidden away somewhere, pulling the strings of these attacks. Why? Why is she still doing this?” Cassian asked, sitting back with a contemplative look on his face.
“I think Felicity would see Ellie’s independence as an opportunity Nolan said quietly.
“If she can’t wound me directly, she’ll go after what she thinks I still value p>
“Is she wrong to think that?” Cassian asked. Nolan’s wording was careful; he was trying to distance himself from Ellie. But it didn’t fool Cassian. He could see the tension on Nolan’s shoulders hat came just from talking about her.
There was a long pause before Nolan spoke again. “No. She’s
Cassian didn’t respond right away. His instinct was to defend Ellie to say that she wasn’t a weakness, but even he knew better than to deny the truth. Ellies presence-or absence had become the axis
around which both their lives
seemed to turn.
“She’s safe here,” Cassian said finally.
Nolan met his gaze. “I know p>
wrong p>
It was simple, but the honesty behind the words surprised Cassian. He expected
anger, suspicion, maybe even jealousy. Instead, Nolan sounded resigned.
“I don’t intend to interfere,” Nolan continued. “She made her choice, and
accept it. For now p>
Cassian leaned back in his chair, studying him. “That’s new p>
Nolan’s mouth twitched, something almost like a smile ghosting across his face. “I’m
trying. It’s not in my nature but… I guess I’m learning restraint p>