Eden Grace
Eden blinked in surprise but then in a second her eyes narrowed with suspicion, her instincts screaming in warning as a strange unease crept into her heart.
Why does he smell trouble?
She looked at him in suspicion, "Are you really not afraid of Grandpa Blackthorn? It seems like he really cannot stand you…and me too."
Cassian shrugged. "Who said I'm not afraid? I'm very much afraid of him actually. But…I'm confident in you too, you'll definitely succeed."
Eden's face turned red instantly. He believes in me?
She stuttered, "W-Who are you to believe in me? Hmph! And you…do not look at me like that. It is annoying."
Cassian smirked, leaning closer. "Like what?"
Eden's face grew even hotter as she quickly looked away. "Stop that, just tell me the plan. How are we going to get there?"
"Well…we just jump."
Before she could say another word, Cassian suddenly scooped her into his arm and he jumped straight out of the window!
"AHHH!! ARE YOU INSANE?!" Eden screamed in horror, clutching onto him tightly as she looked down. If they jump at this massive height they will die of brain hemorrhage!
Are they committing suicide or want!?
But just as they were about to hit the ground, Cassian's body shifted beneath her. In a flash he transformed into his wolf form, Rael…!
Instead of crashing onto hard ground, Eden felt herself land on something warm and soft, almost like a living cushion. She opened her eyes, realizing she was lying on top of the massive wolf, her arms still clinging tightly to his thick fur.
'Now that's the kind of excitement worth living for! Haha, you should have seen your face!' Rael barked out laughing.
Eden's face went red with anger. This damned lunatic royal wolf!
She snapped, hitting his thick fur. "You could have killed us! Do not ever do something that insane again!"
Rael huffed, his wolf eyes glinting with arrogance. "Yeah, as if I would ever listen to you. Who are you to order me!?"
"You…"
"Shh…! Don't talk, we need to get out of here first." Cassian interrupted.
Before she could protest, Rael lunged forward and sprinted through the forest, his powerful strides carrying them swiftly beyond the territory.
The trees blurred past them as the wind rushed against Eden's face. The dark black wolf moved like a shadow between the trees, swift and silent.
She missed this, Jake never took her out in his wolf form, always saying he was busy. Yet now, feeling the wild rush of the wind and the powerful rhythm of Rael's run beneath her, a small smile slowly appeared on her face. So did Cassian's.
After a long run, Rael finally slowed down near the border of the enemy territory.
"We are here…"
Eden suddenly stiffened as she felt heavy, ominous pressure filled the air. So this is 'The Calveris' territory!?
Something about this place felt wrong, deranged, as if an invisible gaze had locked onto them.
Behind her, Cassian's arms came around her.
"It's okay," he said quietly, steadying her. "You're safe."
Eden hesitated, then asked softly, "Then… should we step inside?"
She turned to face him and suddenly yelped, "Ahhh!!"
Cassian blinked, then looked down at himself before letting out a low chuckle. "Oops. Looks like I forgot to bring extra clothes again. Let me borrow your shawl, wife."
This impulsive, perverted bastard! "Are you an idiot?" Eden snapped, turning away while trying to cover her eyes. "Why didn't you bring extra clothes? You can't even manage such a simple thing? Did you even prepare anything before we enter the enemy's territory?"
Cassian however looked completely nonchalant. "Why should I prepare anything? Isn't your medical stuff enough to make a miracle?"
Eden holds her head in disbelief, "Oh lord, we are going to die today!"
"Relax. You are overreacting, nothing will happen. Are you giving your shawl or not? Or should I just enter like this?"
"Absolutely not!" She angrily pulled off her shawl and shoved it toward him without looking. Cassian caught it easily and chuckled before tying the shawl around his waist.
"Then…let's go!" Cassian held Eden's arm and as they stepped forward, a deep growl tore through the air.
"I did sense a foreign scent entering the Calveris Pack… and it turns out it was you. You have quite the nerve coming here, Cassian Blackthorn."
Eden froze when she saw him. Elder Calveris stood ahead with several vicious wolves, all staring at Cassian with a dark, deranged look, like they would jump on him any moment.
Elder Calveris' eyes shifted to Eden making her skin crawl. "Oh… so you brought the prey yourself," he said with a cruel smile. "Looks like me coming last night finally knocked some sense into you."
"She's not a sacrifice." Cassian's expression remained calm. "Infact I brought her for another reason."
Calveris narrowed his eyes. "Another reason?"
"Yes. Let her treat your son, Lucien."
Anger flashed across Elder Calveris's face. "You! Seems like you have a death wish! You think a young woman, a wolfless woman out of all, with no proper experience to treat my son?"
Eden stepped forward with her medical kit despite the suffocating pressure. "Sir, you know age does not define talent, if it did, don't you think dragons or chimeras, the oldest creatures in history, would be the greatest healers? Please just give me a chance, I won't disappoint you."
"This woman….you dare talk to the Elder arrogantly!?" Malrik, Elder Calveris' second son hissed venomously. "Dad, give me orders I'll kill her here instantly."
"KILL her and Lucien will die tonight!" Cassain's angry voice boomed through the sky.
The wolves froze mid-step. Elder Calveris's eyes widened, a flicker of disbelief flashing beneath his fury.
Cassain continued, "I already know Lucien's state, even if you try to hide it, Elder Calveris. His state is worsening isn't it? His heart rate is unstable. There are micro-hemorrhages forming along his organs, his liver and kidneys are under strain. The poison in his veins is spreading faster than even your healers can manage. You may fake strength in front of everyone, but I know his body is destabilizing day by day that he won't be living more, if not taken care of."
Elder Calveris staggered back, jaw tightening. "How… how do you know that?"
"Does it matter how I know? All I ask you to let my wife treat you, you wouldn't be disappointed, Elder Calveris. Time is running."
Elder Calveris' eyes blazed with fury, his stance rigid. "You…you think I'm a fool?! You think I will fall for the Blackthorn traps again? Even the famous doctor of Valemont City, Benedict, could not heal him completely and you claim this puny woman can? Do you take my pack for fools? My son's life is not a game!"
Elder Calveris sneered, ordering his werewolves. "Surround them, make sure they don't get out alive!"
Cassian hissed, "You are making a mistake, Elder! You think I didn't come prepared?"
Calveris laughed, a cruel, echoing sound. "You mean them?" He whistled sharply, and his men dragged forward Cassian's captured men, bruised and beaten, their heads hanging low.
Cassian's eyes widened, a flash of tension crossing his face.
Elder Calveris' gaze swept over them, cold and mocking. "Sure, your men are talented and brave, but did you really think they could outnumber everyone here? The whole pack? Cassian, you should have brought more werewolves if you planned to attack the entire pack. Don't tell me you came here without telling your grandfather?"
Malrik stepped forward, claws scraping the ground, eyes flashing with bloodlust. "Give the order, Dad! Let's eliminate her and even this heir of Blackthorn. This is the chance we shouldn't miss! Let them pay for their audacity. They are pests, nothing more!"
No! Eden panicked as she held Cassian's arm. They are really going to die today!
Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the tension like thunder.
"WHO DARES TOUCH THEM, WHEN I'M STILL ALIVE!"
Every wolf froze, hackles raised, ears flattening.
From the shadows a massive figure emerged, towering and feral, his eyes burning with fury and raw power. There were several more werewolves behind him.
Grandpa Blackthorn!!! Eden's eyes widened. Wait...even Dr. Martinez also here!? How are they together?