Eden Grace
"Grandpa….what past mistake Elder Calveris was talking about? Why was he so angry?"
Grandpa grumbled, rubbing his temple. "What would it matter if you knew? It doesn't change anything. Don't poke your nose on this."
Eden felt a cold weight settle in her chest at his words.
"Honey! Don't be rude. She was just asking." Grandma's voice cut through the tension, gentle but firm.
"Hmph," Grandpa let out a low huff, clearly unbothered by her scolding, his stubbornness showing even in his annoyance.
Grandma heaved a sigh and looked at Eden with a softened gaze. "Many years ago, during a violent struggle for territory between rival packs, The Blackthorn and Calveris had forged an alliance. They swore loyalty to each other, bound by pack honor and secrets, fighting side by side with complete trust.
The Calveris eldest son, Lucien, was the sharpest fang of his pack. Cassian's father, Sirius Virelli and Lucien were like two powerful beasts, ruling together under the guidance of their elders.
But during one crucial operation, an ambush was planned by a rival pack, Grandpa Blackthorn miscalculated. He trusted false intelligence from a traitor secretly working for the enemy and led Lucien and Sirius into what was thought to be a safe clearing…but they were attacked. Sirius came out alive, unscathed but Lucien… Lucien was gravely hurt. He fell into a coma, vegetative state. This angered the Calveris Elder. He accused Alexander of everything. From that day, their relationship was strained, poisoned by distrust and resentment. It went for years.
But now they need each other's support, because of the emergence of many rivals and rogues already targeting them, so to expand their influence on their territory, they decided to reunite and tie their relationship through marriage. But since Cassian has married you instead of Rachel, the Blackthorn family will be in danger.
Without strong allies, even the Blackthorn pack, mighty as it is, would be vulnerable. The Calveris alliance is the shield we cannot afford to break."
Cassian however disagreed, "Grandma, they are not shield, we don't need them. The Blackthorn pack is already strong enough. We can manage on our own without the Calveris pack's help."
Grandpa grew angry, "This irresponsible fool! Do you even think before you speak? Do you think the Blackthorn pack can survive without allies? We can't fight each and everyone if the traitors and enemies are inside only. Every decision, every move you make matters, and right now you are putting us all in danger! Refusing an alliance like this is a foolish thing to do!"
Grandpa held his head, the pain growing stronger. "Oh moon goddess, what should I do with a brat like this? If I also die, who will look after this pack? Because this fool certainly won't!"
Eden felt a cold knot tighten in her chest as she watched Grandpa grumble and mutter, despair written across his face.
She could already sense the threat of an ugly war between packs looming over them like a storm ready to break, one that could wipe out the Blackthorn family entirely.
Cassian added, "Grandpa please, there has to be another way. Do we really need to stay under someone like this? This alliance you talk about … it has never been real since then. Now its all just guilt, obligation. Can't you see, no one will ever be happy, no matter how much we try to fix it…?"
Grandpa's lips curled into a bitter sneer. "So easy for you to say. What do you know of my pain? What do you know about the pain of losing one's own child?" He tapped his chest, "I know. The emptiness, the helplessness…it haunts you forever. Sometimes, when tragedy strikes, you cannot help but wonder… if some hands, some decisions, had been different, could things have turned out better?"
Grandpa's eyes darkened, "You out of all people must have felt this more than anything else, didn't you? You should! Because you have no right to be happy!"
Cassian's body stiffened instantly, a flash of pain crossing his eyes. Memories he had long buried clawed their way to the surface, sharp and relentless.
"Honey please! Stop it already, don't be hard on him. Enough is enough!" Grandma implored, holding Grandpa's arm.
Grandpa sneered, "What did I say wrong? He—"
"Honey!" Grandma pressed her finger to her lips, imploring him with her eyes, silently signaling him to stop speaking.
Grandpa dropped the topic, shaking his head, his voice rough with frustration. "You're spoiling him far too much! It's because of you, he is flapping his wings too hard lately. Look where it has gotten us now."
"Honey please….he's your grandchild."
"Granchild, my foot! If he hadn't awakened Rael, I would have thrown him out of the pack way before. Oh God… when will this sorrow end?" Grandpa bellowed and walked away leaving them alone in the hall.
Grandma held her temple as she watched him go, "Cassian, Eden, please go to your room too. It's late, and you need rest."
She gave them a small, weary smile and then turned, walking away, leaving them alone in the quiet hall.
Cassian moved ahead in complete silence, his steps slow and deliberate, lost in deep thought.
Eden followed quietly behind him, feeling helpless. The weight on Cassian was heavy, the burden of the pack pressing down on him.
"Cassian," she asked softly, "what is Lucien's condition now? How long has he been in a coma?"
Cassian's steps slowed, his expression troubled and distant, "Sir Lucien….? He has been in a coma for 17 years now."
Eden was shocked, "17 years…? That long? Was the attack very fatal? Why no one could wake him since then?"
"Because…it is not just his body. His wolf, his spirit… they are trapped in darkness. The years have only sealed him further. Every attempt failed, we brought best healers from every region but every hope… ended before it even began. Grandpa has never forgiven himself for that night. Because Lucien was the pillar, the Alpha heir of Calveris. If Grandpa had been more careful, more alert, Lucien would never have fallen into this darkness, that is what he thinks."
Eden's heart ached at the situation. But then she felt Ishira stir inside her, calm and strong. Her eyes slowly lit up.
She caught Cassian's arm startling him, "Cassian… let me try! Please! Let me see Sir Lucien."
Cassian looked at her surprised, "You want to see him and try healing him? Eden, do you realise what you're asking for? You are basically asking to enter the enemy's territory who wants your head chopped."
A chill ran through her, yet she lifted her chin. "They will try to kill me sooner or later anyway. Have you seen those eyes of your fiancé? If her eyes were a pair of laser beams I would have been a pile of ash already! At least this way, I can try to change something. I am pretty confident I can do it. Cassian please?"
He studied her quietly, his gaze deep and conflicted. In his heart, he knew she was not ordinary. She's definitely a walking miracle who has re-entered his life.
He sighed. "Alright. I will talk to Grandpa."
Eden's eyes beamed with joy.
.
.
.
"Absolutely not!" Grandpa snapped the next morning, his voice echoing through the hall.
He pointed at Eden and Cassian, anger blazing in his eyes. "Are you both fools? Do you think the Calveris Pack will welcome you with open arms? Also the greatest healers of our kind failed for seventeen years. And you think a freshly graduated intern doctor like you can succeed? Don't do something reckless and stay put. What if you kill Lucien by accident? Do you know what will happen next?"
"Granpa please…" Eden tried to speak, but he cut her off harshly.
"Enough! Do not argue with me! If you dare do something so reckless, I will kill you myself! Get out of my sight!"
Cassian and Eden had to walk away feeling defeated. Eden's head was lowered, her eyes dull with disappointment.
Cassian glanced at her and didn't like seeing her sulk so much. He asked softly, "Do you really want to do this?"
"Yes," she replied at once. "But how can we defy Grandpa and still proceed?"
A faint smirk touched his lips. "If you want to do it just say so….this husband of yours will help you."
What..?