Eden Grace
Before Eden could react, Cassian moved.
In one swift motion, he flipped Eden over, so that her face turned toward the pillow, her back facing him.
The mattress dipped under his weight, trapping her between him and the sheets.
Eden gasped, heart racing. "Cassian..!"
"Shhh, stay still," he murmured near her ear, voice low and dangerous.
Eden suddenly felt his alpha aura spread around her, heavy and suffocating, making her chest tighten. Her breath came out shaky.
Ishira stirred inside her slightly, making her body twitch helplessly.
Suddenly Rael's ears flicked sharply. His eyes narrowed, dark and alert. He was sensing something was odd.
No! She stuttered, panic creeping into her voice."C-Cassian… release me."
Cassian's grip firmed slightly, his tone turning cold and possessive.
"No," he whispered. "It's time for your punishment." His hand traced the line of her spine, making her shudder.
"You have defied me more times than I can count, hurt me in many unimaginable ways." His voice lowered, rough with restrained emotion. "Did you really think I would let all of that go so easily?"
Eden felt chills all over her body. Because she knew who Cassian Blackthorn was. She had seen it since school days.
He did not chase blindly. He stalked. He waited. He wore his prey down with patience and pressure until escape felt impossible. And when he finally closed in, he did not release. He claimed, crushed, and kept.
Eden knew she had to handle him carefully because he was a deranged psycho.
She struggled in his grip and whispered, "You said you were in a good mood today. You said let go of me today. So why aren't you?"
He gave a low, humorless laugh, his fingers tightening around her wrist. "Yes, I'm in a good mood," he murmured. "This is me being gentle. You should be thankful. That is the only reason you are still arguing instead of begging. Because my punishments are far harsher than you can even imagine. Be grateful that I'm at least this merciful to you."
The audacity of this psycho.
"That is not fair," Eden protested, her voice trembling. "You never said anything about this in the contract."
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"My dear pet, we are husband and wife," he replied coldly. "Do I really need to list every right I have over you on paper?"
"You…"
"Moreover, you were the one who broke your word," he said sharply, interrupting her. "You promised to honor me. You promised to stand by my side, would never disrespect me. Then tell me, dear wife, how could you say those hurtful words to me so easily?"
He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear, "How could you take another man's side…when every bit of your attention should belong to me?"
Cassian's hand slid to her waist, firm and unyielding, as if he would snap her waist, if held more stronger.
Eden couldn't stop trembling under him.
"Why do you not let me mark you? Why do you not like to share a roof with me? Why do you keep pushing me away? Why?"
His grip softened just a fraction, but his words cut deeper.
"Can you not see it," he whispered harshly. "Everyone betrayed you. Every single one. They turned their backs when you needed them the most. And yet I am still here. I am the only one who never let go of your hand. I am the only one who stayed."
His breath brushed her neck, warm and unsteady. "And you still look at me like I am the enemy...You were always like this," he muttered. "Smiling at others. Being gentle with everyone else…but me. Do you have any idea how much that drives me insane, Eden?"
Eden lay frozen beneath him, her mind spinning, her heart beating too fast for her own comfort, as she tried to make sense of the man holding her so tightly as if she were the only thing keeping him from breaking apart.
This was not Cassian.
Not the cold, mocking, untouchable Cassian who always hid behind arrogance and control. Not the ruthless alpha who never let anyone see his cracks.
He never spoke like this.
He never admitted pain.
He never let his voice tremble.
Is he drunk? Eden wondered desperately. Did he drink when he went out for a while? Is that why he is acting like this?
Her fingers curled slowly into the sheets as confusion washed over her. Why now? Why was he suddenly letting all of this spill out.
Eden's voice came out soft, uncertain, almost fragile. "Cassian… what is wrong with you tonight? You never talk like this. You never… show this side. So why now?"
Cassian didn't answer immediately, instead his breath remained against her skin, heavy and uneven.
His fingers flexed at her waist and he spoke.
"I always showed you this side, Eden." he murmured quietly. "You were the one who never really bothered to see it."
See it? Eden scoffed internally. What exactly was she supposed to see? His temper? His control issues? His superiority complex? Or the way he made my life miserable back in school?
Was that what she was supposed to notice? Was that his version of affection?
She wanted to say it aloud but she didn't dare too because she knew better than to argue with him. Every word will only make things worse.
Eden squeezed her eyes shut and reached inward, trying to grasp the strange bond that tied her to him.
'Rael… Rael…' she called softly in her mind.
Rael's ears twitched, his tail waggling a little. 'What is it, my little mate? Are you finally here to admit you are my mate and Ishira is present?'
Like heck she will admit it.
She ignored his question and ask him, 'Is Cassian drunk? Did he drink alcohol while you were out?"
Rael huffed, sounding almost amused.
'Yes. He did,' the wolf admitted. 'I told him to stop, but he would not listen. He was too happy and sad... Reuniting with the pack made him reckless.'
The pack..?
She couldn't help but think. Why did only Grandma treat him with warmth while the rest looked at him with immense resentment…?
He was an Alpha. The rightful heir. Yet he had been pushed to the pack borders. Kept away from the main residence like an unwanted shadow. It made no sense.
There must be something going on here and she needs to find it soon.
Eden held her head. No! This was not the time to feel curious! She should think about herself, think how to escape from here! It's her who was in death's mouth!
"Wife, are you done interrogating my wolf?" Eden breath hitched when Cassian's low, eerie voice slid into the silence. "Or do you need a little more information from him before you admit you are worried about me?"
"Like heck I am worried about you. Cassian, how dare you drink and then act like this with me? Do you have no shame at all?"
"I'm not drunk. I'm fully aware and fine."
This shameless liar! Even his wolf admitted it, he is blatantly denying. What is he pretending for?
She struggled lightly against him. "Cassian, let me go. Let us talk properly, okay?"
"No, I won't." he replied flatly. "Do not try to change the subject. It's time for your punishment, you just cannot escape after treating me like this."
A low, dominant pressure rolled more through the room, brushing against her senses like an invisible tide. Her chest tightened, her heartbeat stuttered, and her legs weakened despite her will.
No..!
Panic flared inside her.
Ishira was waking! She was trying to stand, her feet wobbly at first, like a newborn. No… no… not now… Eden begged silently.
If Ishira fully awakened, the mask would shatter.
Everything she had hidden would be exposed.
Across from her, Rael stiffened.
His senses flared, his presence surging.
'Something is wrong' he growled inside Cassian. 'I feel it. There is something inside her. Something she is hiding.'
Eden's breath came in short, desperate gasps.
Without thinking, without planning, she blurted out in a trembling whisper, "Honey… I was wrong." The word slipped out before she could stop it.
The room went still.
Cassian froze.
"…What," he murmured. "Did you just call me?"