Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Aiden sat in his car, hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. Cassia’s words echoed in his head, you sent people after me to kill me.
His chest constricted. That wasn’t true. He had never sent anyone after her. But if someone really had tried to kill her… who? Rage simmered in his veins, his wolf clawing at the surface, ready to rip apart whoever dared lay a hand on her.
Yet the guilt was there too, heavier than iron. Because even if he hadn’t tried to kill her, he had still broken her. Rejected her. Left her to suffer. If he didn’t reject her, none of this would have happened.
Her eyes had said it all, cold, hard, and empty of the love they once held for him. She hated him. And she had every right to. Aiden dragged his hand through his hair, his head pounding.
Earning her forgiveness wouldn’t be easy. But he couldn’t give up. He had to fix this. He had to make things right.
He jammed the key into the ignition, the engine roaring to life. With a deep growl, he sped off.
Cassia, meanwhile, dressed quickly for the hospital. Arthur was already ready, his small frame looking sharp in the neat school uniform she had just bought for him. This morning she had stopped at the Red Moon pack’s school and enrolled him.
It was the only solution. Putting Arthur in school meant he wouldn’t have the chance to see Aiden every day. The guilt gnawed at her, keeping her son from his real father but she told herself it was for his own safety. She couldn’t allow Aiden to ruin Arthur’s innocence the way he had ruined her life.
Her car pulled up to the hospital. The moment she stepped out, a nurse rushed forward, bowing her head respectfully as she reached for Cassia’s bag.
“Welcome, Doctor Cassia,” Lydia greeted softly.
Cassia gave her a faint smile. “Thank you, Lydia p>
They walked toward the hospital doors.
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“Ma’am, the council and board members are already waiting. There’s a meeting in the boardroom right now. You’re needed,” Lydia explained.
Cassia froze. A meeting? No one had informed her. She sighed deeply, irritation flashing in her eyes, but she nodded and made her way toward the boardroom.
When she entered, twenty faces turned toward her. The long square table was lined with doctors, council members, and at the far end, Alpha Alaric. Beside him sat Aiden.
Her stomach tightened.
Every chair was occupied except one, directly beside Aiden.
Her eyes flicked to his, brown meeting emerald. Heat pricked down her spine, a strange current racing through her veins. She quickly looked away, furious at herself for even reacting to him at all.
“You’re late, Mrs. Cassia,” a sharp male voice cut in. “You can either sit down and explain why, or leave and stop wasting our time p>
Her gaze snapped to the speaker, Cole Adams. His eyes held nothing but disdain, his words dripping venom.
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Chapter 52
“I wasn’t informed of this meeting.” Cassia replied calmly, her lips curving into a polite smile.
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Cole scoffed. “You mean every single person here was told except you? Do you take us for fools? I believe no one here is a child, Cassia Wrenmoor.” He spat her name like it was dirt. Like it tasted bitter in his mouth.
Her jaw tightened, but her voice stayed steady. ” Doctor Cassia Wrenmoor. Or, if the word ‘Doctor’ feels too heavy on your tongue, you may call me Alpha Cassia Wrenmoor. Now back to what you said Mr. Cole, are you calling me a liar p>
A ripple of tension went around the table. Cole’s fists clenched under the desk.
“You dare p>
“That’s enough, Mr. Cole,” Aiden’s voice cut through, firm and sharp as steel. His gaze was locked on the man, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I was supposed to inform her and I forgot. No one here has the right to question her. Not unless I say so p>
Cole’s jaw flexed, but he gave a stiff nod.
Cassia’s eyes flicked to Aiden, narrowing. He had been in her house this morning. Not a word about this meeting had left his mouth. Typical Aiden.
She walked to the empty chair. Before she could pull it out, Aiden stood and did it for her.
“I don’t need your help,” she said, her voice cool, though her pulse hammered beneath her skin.
“I know.” He smiled faintly, his tone soft but heavy with meaning.
Cassia rolled her eyes and finally sat down, ignoring the strange rush of heat that came from being this close to him. Their shoulders almost touched. Her palms dampened. She took a slow breath, whispering in her mind, I hate him. I hate him.
The meeting began.
“We called this board to discuss updates on the disease,” Aiden spoke, his voice calm, commanding. Cassia’s eyes betrayed her as they followed the movement of his lips, memories flashing unbidden. She shook it off quickly, focusing on her notes.
Clearing her throat, she began. “The disease is unlike anything I’ve studied before. It is not airborne. It cannot be transmitted through touch. Its root lies within wolf blood itself. And to be honest… I don’t believe a cure exists p>
Gasps echoed. Murmurs spread.
“What does she mean no cure p>
“Are we all doomed then p>
The board erupted in panic until…
“Enough!” Aiden’s voice thundered, his Alpha command silencing the room. “Let her finish p>
Cassia lifted her chin, her eyes steady. “As I said, I don’t think a permanent cure exists….yet. But I can manage the disease. I will not stop searching until I find something. For now, I can keep it controlled p>
Cole shot up, slamming his hand against the table, making her flinch. “This is nonsense! You were brought here to cure us, and now you stand here admitting you can’t? What use are you then p>
“With all due respect, Mr. Cole,” Cassia said, voice calm but cutting, “I am a doctor, not a god p>
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Chapter 52
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Cole sneered “A doctor? Or a murderer? When I heard you’d risen from the dead, I knew you were nothing but trouble. I wouldn’t be surprised if you killed your daughter yourself, faked your death, and now return here to destroy us all p>
The words slammed into Cassia’s chest like a blade. Pain flickered in her eyes, but she forced herself to sit tall, cold and composed.
“Enough, Cole,” Aiden growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Cole ignored him, his face red. “Enough? Don’t you dare defend her, Alpha. You told us yourself she killed your child. Or have you forgotten p>
The room fell deathly silent. Guilt carved across Aiden’s face as Cole’s words dragged the memory back. He had said that. He had damned her publicly.
“I SAID ENOUGH!” Aiden roared. His Alpha aura flooded the room, crushing down on every person present. Cole’s body bowed instantly, forced into submission.
“Apologize. Now p>
Cole’s teeth ground together, hatred blazing in his eyes, but he couldn’t resist. “I’m… sorry, Doctor Cassia p>
Cassia didn’t even glance at him. Her face was stone, but inside her heart bled.
Aiden’s gaze swept the table, his voice dark. “Any further disrespect toward her will not be tolerated. Not from anyone p>
His eyes locked on Cassia for a heartbeat longer, guilt and longing burning there. He turned back to Cole, his voice ice.
“Henceforth, Cole Adams is stripped of his title as Beta. He is no longer part of this council p>
Gasps filled the room. Shock rippled through every face.
Cole’s head snapped up, fury and humiliation flashing, but he dared not speak.
Cassia sat in silence, her hands clenched tightly under the table. Aiden’s defense stirred something unwanted deep in her chest, something she couldn’t name. But just as quickly, the image of Eva’s lifeless face returned. She swallowed hard, her eyes turning cold again.
TBC
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