Chapter 163
Chapter 163
Then again, Ellie knew that too. This wasn’t about love or attraction; it was political.
After a while, Cassian exhaled. “He’s been around Ellie a lot lately p>
“I know p>
“She trusts him p>
“I know that too p>
“You don’t seem worried p>
“I am,” I said simply. “But not in the way you think p>
Cassian’s brow furrowed. “Then what way p>
I pictured Ellie’s face in the park when she saw me with the boys. The vulnerability in her eyes, the uncertainty.
My voice softened, turning inward. “Kieran feeds on insecurity. He offers safety while sowing doubt. Ellie’s… vulnerable to that right now p>
Cassian didn’t argue.
“She’s finding herself again,” I continued, my tone almost too soft to hear. “Learning to live without fear. Without me. That’s good. That’s what she deserves. But men like Kieran know how to turn strength into isolation if you give them time p>
Cassian looked at me for a long moment. “You really love her p>
My expression didn’t change, but the silence that followed was answer enough. I couldn’t deny it. It would be pointless to try.
“I didn’t know what love was,” I admitted finally. “Not when I married her. I thought it meant control. Stability. Keeping things under control, predictable. I thought that because we were fated that she would just… just be content with being there. I know that was selfish. I know that I messed everything up p>
Cassian’s voice softened. “That’s a hard lesson p>
I gave a small, humorless smile. “The hardest one p>
We drank again, and the conversation drifted back to the rogues, to strategy, to safer ground.
But the question still hung in the air between us-unasked but present.
Finally, I said it. I had to, it wouldn’t stop spinning in my mind. “Does she seem happy p>
Cassian’s hand stilled halfway to his glass. He looked out the window instead of at me. The night had deepened; Moonstone’s lanterns burned low and gold, casting long shadows across the courtyard.
“Do you think she is?” he asked me.
“I wouldn’t know,” I said quietly. “You see her more than I do p>
Cassian hesitated. “She’s… trying. She laughs sometimes. She smiles. But there’s
a part of her that’s still somewhere else. Still healing, or fighting. I can’t tell p>
I nodded slowly, absorbing the words like they were both balm and wound.
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Chapter 163
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“That’s enough,” I said after a while. “As long as she’s trying p>
Cassian studied me again, like he was seeing something new in my face.
I wondered what he was seeing. The ruthless Alpha of Silver Fang, the one who could command a room with a glance, or something else? Something softer, weaker.
“You’ve changed,” Cassian said quietly.
“Maybe,” I said. “Or maybe I’m just tired of pretending not to care about anything p>
We sat in silence for a long while after that, two alphas from different packs drinking in the dim light, bound together by shared guilt, mutual respect, and the quiet understanding that everything was shifting around us. All because of the same woman. A woman we were bound to by blood and fate.
When Cassian finally stood, I didn’t try to stop him.
“Keep an eye on her,” I said as Cassian reached the door. “Especially when Kieran’s around p>
Cassian nodded. “You have my word p>
“And Cassian p>
He paused.
“Don’t let her see me. Not yet. I don’t want her to think that I’m coming to Moonstone to pressure her p>
Cassian’s gaze flicked to me, surprised. “You really mean that p>
“Yes. If she’s finding peace here, I won’t be the one to take it from her p>
Cassian studied me for a moment longer, then nodded once and left.
When the door clicked shut, I exhaled slowly. The brandy had gone warm and sharp, but I drank the last of it
anyway.
I’d expected to feel angry or jealous after hearing about Kieran. Instead, I just felt… tired.
Somewhere in the distance, thunder rolled over the mountains.
I set the empty glass down, my reflection glinting faintly in the window. The man staring back looked older than I remembered.
The scent of Ellie and the boys was still lingering, making my wolf whimper pathetically. I wanted to find her so badly, but I knew that would be a mistake. She came here to escape from me.
I’m a selfish man. I know that about myself. But if I ever want them back in my life, I have to learn not to be.
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