Eden Grace
As the car cut through the rain, Eden slowly realized that the road unfolding before them was nothing like the route leading to Cassian's residence.
Didn't we just just pass his residence? A faint crease formed between her brows, making her wonder.
Why was he driving deeper into unfamiliar territory when his pack lands were meant to be close by…?
She wanted to ask him yet the rigid tension in his posture and the storm brewing in his eyes warned her that now was not the time to question him.
She better shut her mouth for now.
After a long stretch of winding through the storm soaked roads, the car finally slowed before a massive, towering residence hidden in the shadows of towering trees and roaring wind.
Eden's breath subtly hitched, her fingers tightening against the seat as she stared through the rain streaked window at the towering Blackthorn residence looming outside like a dark beast at rest.
"They have arrived..!" One of the workers announced as soon as Eden and Cassian entered the mansion.
Eden gripped Cassian's arm in fear. Everything here screamed danger.
At the far end of the grand chamber stood Elder Alexander Blackthorn, Cassian's grandfather!
Oh my god, that's Elder Alexander Blackathorn!? Eden's heart skipped.
The legendary Alpha King of Valemont! The royal blooded werewolf whose howl once decided the fate of territories.
Eden felt it instantly, the invisible pressure and that suffocating dominance that came with it.
Only then did she realize…they were surrounded.
Members of the Blackthorn pack lined the hall like silent judges, watching, whispering, observing every movement with thinly veiled hostility.
The family consisted of Grandfather, Grandmother, Cassian's uncle and his wife, his two male cousins, a female cousin, and Cassian's same blood younger sister Laura.
Every gaze that fell on Eden carried suspicion. Disdain. Contempt.
She felt it coil around her chest like a tightening chain.
Eden held her chest, feeling Ishira stressed at the dominant aura exuding from the royals.
"You dare…!" Elder Blackthorn's voice thundered through the hall. "You dare to marry in secret, without a word to this family, without my consent!"
His fury spiraled, raw and merciless. "An ungrateful bastard. After everything this name has given you, this is how you repay it!? By sneaking around like a thief and staining the Blackthorn bloodline with your recklessness! How could you marry when you already had a fiancé!"
His words struck like thunder. A fiancé…!? Eden looked at Cassian in disbelief.
This trouble maker! He already had a fiancé and yet he dared to blackmail her and marry her!?
This psycho! What kind of mess has he dragged her into!
Cassian's jaw tightened. "I already told you, I do not like her. I don't like that alliance either."
"What..?" Grandpa's voice cut through like a blade. "Since when did your likes matter? Did you forget your duty, the things you owe to this pack? Do you think you have the right to choose anything after that?"
Cassian flinched, pain flashing in his eyes for a second.
"I thought keeping a cursed omen like you away from the main residence would prevent you from dragging disaster into this family again, yet wherever you go, chaos follows. Even from afar you still manage to shake the very foundations of the Blackthorn bloodline!"
His words were sharp, cutting through Cassian in an unimaginable way.
"Divorce this woman at once. You'll marry the mate I have chosen. That is the only way this ends. Understood?"
Wait what? Eden looked stunned. Cassian's jaw tightened, "No. I will not divorce Eden."
Grandpa's eyes blazed in anger, "You dare defy me? Do you want to put the Blackthorn pack in danger, you brat!? Many rouges are already brewing behind our back and you pull this? Do you know how important that alliance is!"
Cassian's painful gaze met Grandpa, "If war is the problem, I will handle it alone. We do not need their help. Why must I sacrifice my life to them?"
"You arrogant brat…!" Grandpa's fury erupted at his words. "You think this is about your life alone?
That marriage is not only meant to strengthen our pack's bond, but also our survival. Also what's wrong with marrying that child? She's a lot better than this ruined scandalous doctor! You think I wouldn't know?"
Eden flinched as Grandpa's hostility cut toward her, the insult landing like a sudden blow.
Cassian stepped forward instantly. "Grandpa! Eden had nothing to do with the scandal. It's all false rumours so stop slandering her."
Grandpa sneered. "Look at him, he's already siding with that woman, turning against his own pack! This brat always brings doom upon us! Oh moon goddess, what should I do with this brat like him! He will kill us one day!"
Grandpa coughed violently, his fury shaking his frame.
Grandma's hands flew to his shoulder, her voice trembling, "Alexander, calm yourself, you'll ruin your health!"
Everyone went into panic mode at his state, Aunt Linda snapped, "Cassian, look what you have done!? Elder's health is going down because of you! Are you happy now!?"
Cassian's jaw tightened, his eyes dark, but he didn't reply. All he could do was now his head down.
Elder Blackthorn's health had been deteriorating for years, ever since the countless battles and bloody pack wars he had fought in his prime. The effect was showing in his old age now.
Aunt Linda continued, "Cassian, have you completely forgotten your responsibility as the Alpha of the Blackthorn bloodline? If you don't want to lead the pack just say it! Don't kill us like this!"
Cassian was about to say something when Laura's voice trembled as tears streaked her cheeks, "Grandpa… he's not breathing properly! Something's wrong!"
What!? Instantly the hall erupted in chaos. "Call the healers!" one of the cousins shouted.
Even if they called every hospital, none could offer help because of the weather. The rainstorm had blocked all possible roads, it was impossible to go anywhere now.
"Jake can't come either!" Aunt Linda cried, her hands trembling. "What do we do now!?"
Eden ran forward instinctively.
"Let me check him. I can help."
A strong hand pushed her back, making her stumble. "No! You stay away! You failed doctor!"
Eden's eyes blazed, "I don't care what you think! If I don't act now, it's over!"
"You—" one of the cousins lunged at Eden.
"Don't touch her!" Cassian's voice bombarded, dark and brooding that every wolf in the hall froze. "Dare touch my mate and I'll rip you apart!"
Cassian looked so deranged that even Elder Blackthorn's guards lowered their heads. The cousin shrieked, sinking back.
Eden quickly grabbed the chance and checked Grandpa's pulse. "He needs immediate treatment," she said firmly,"Please… let me handle this."
Aunt Linda scoffed sharply, "Who do you think you are? Have you lost your mind? Who in the right mind would let you treat him? Or are you here scheming of killing him!?"
"What? How could you say that? I'm only trying to help." Eden looked at her in disbelief.
"Help? A wolfless doctor like you? You killed a girl because of your incompetence, remember?"
Before the accusations could grow louder, Grandma cried out, "ENOUGH! Let her do it. Do we have any other option? As the elder of this family, I command all of you to obey."
Everyone went silent for a second.
Grandma looked at Eden, "You there? Can you really do it?"
Eden looked at her, "Yes, I can."
Everyone fumed at her confidence. Aunt Linda scoffed, "Fine, we will let you. But if something happens…you and Cassian will pay the price together."
Her threat was lethal but the truth was Linda cared less about whether Elder Blackthorn lived or died. In fact she wanted Elder to die and blame it all on Cassian. In that way only her children and her husband could take over the huge Blackathorn pack without any obstacle.
While everyone panicked, Linda was already counting her gains.
But little did she know Eden was a skilled medicine practitioner, a genius by birth. A prodigy molded by tragedy and brilliance.
As long as Eden's hands were steady and her will unbroken, no one under her watch was allowed to die.