Eden Grace
A cold wave of humiliation rushed back, and Eden felt the old trauma tightening around her chest again.
She felt like an outcast once more, a stranger in a world of families and packs, knowing deep down she would never truly belong.
Tears brimmed at her eyes, stinging her heart. Eden was about to quietly step back when suddenly a hand grabbed her arm.
Before she could react, Cassian yanked her toward him. Eden gasped as she fell straight onto his lap..!
Without a moment's hesitation, Cassian quickly locked his arms around her thighs, holding Eden firmly in place so that she could not move.
Everyone looked at them stunned.
Clarisse's face turned red with fury. "Cassian! What is this vulgar behavior in front of the elders? Do you have no shame at all?"
"Shame?" Cassian smirked, his voice smooth yet edged with danger. "Look around, Aunt Clarisse. Can't you see my wife had no chair because of you uninvited guests popped out of nowhere? So I just simply made one."
His psycho smile spreads wider. "So tell me, Aunt, what's vulgar about giving her what is rightfully hers?"
Clarisse fumed, "You…! How dare you—"
"Shut up! Both of you!" Grandpa snapped, banging the table startling everyone. "You idiots, are you trying to give me a headache? Quit it before I tear your mouths apart."
He waved a hand, motioning to the servants. "Bring more chairs!"
The servants immediately ran.
Cassian looked satisfied, holding Eden firmly on his lap despite the commotion, not even letting her stand in meanwhile.
He leaned close, his voice a low whisper only she could hear. "It's okay. I'm here now."
Eden's heart skipped a beat. They were so close that she could feel his warm breath on her nape, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat thumping against her skin.
The panic that had gripped her moments ago began to subdue, replaced by a fragile sense of safety and an unexpected warmth that made her chest tighten in a different way.
Clarisse clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. This Cassian bastard…!
Wasn't he at the borders? How did he come back to the heart of the pack?
She had thought of taking advantage of the rift in the pack and initiate the plan of making Jake as the next Alpha heir of the Blackthorn. But now…how is Grandpa tolerating him despite what he has done? Didn't everyone in Blackthorn hate Cassian?
And how did he tangle with Eden Grace out of all people?
"Oh look, how adorable the newlyweds look. So romantic." Grandma swooned over them, secretly happy for them.
Eden's cheeks flamed even hotter and she instinctively pressed her face closer to Cassian's chest, wishing she could disappear under the weight of her embarrassment.
On the other side Jake's gaze darkened, twisted with something dangerous. He remained silent, but the quiet made it worse.
His eyes were locked on Eden, sharp and unyielding, burning with a hatred and jealousy he could barely contain.
He could not tolerate seeing her so close to Cassian.
"Miss, the chair is ready." The servant said, arranging the chair near Cassian.
Eden taking the chance hurriedly slipped into it, lowering her head, feeling extremely flushed.
Cassian's lips curled into a faint, knowing smirk at her shyness. He reached over and piled more food onto her plate, his voice low and teasing. "Eat more."
Eden blushed, her hands fidgeting nervously as she looked down at the overflowing plate.
From across the table, Jake's eyes burned, fixed on Eden with an intensity that made the air tense.
Freya noticed immediately, her own irritation flaring up. She grit her teeth, sneering internally.
How come this wretched Eden still manages to catch his attention when I'm here!? He's mine!
You wait…till I teach you a lesson!
Clarisse coughed, gathering everyone's attention and turned slightly toward Grandpa, "Dad, you must have heard the news from Saratoga Hospital, Jake received another promotion!"
Grandpa looked up from his plate, mildly surprised. "Oh? Another one?"
Clarisse's smile widened with pride. "Yes. The board has appointed him Head of the Emergency Medicine Department! Isn't it amazing!"
Eden's hand stiffened. Emergency Medicine?
Her breath caught. Wasn't he in the Clinical Toxicology department?
Her chest tightened because the Emergency Medicine was the new department she was assigned to! And he's the head of it now? How come!
"Apparently his work in trauma response and critical diagnostics impressed the directors greatly. They said someone with his capability should be leading the department. Isn't it, amazing father. He really makes me proud."
She lifted her trembling gaze, only to find Jake already watching her from across the table, his eyes fixed on her with a cold, deliberate intensity as if he had been waiting to see exactly how she would react.
Even Freya looked startled by the announcement, her brows lifting as she turned sharply toward Jake.
Head of Emergency Medicine?
"When did that happen? How come I didn't know about it?" She was meant to murmur but she accidentally said it little aloud for everyone to hear.
Clarisse let out a soft cough and offered Freya a gentle, reassuring smile. "Oh honey, the promotion was only finalized today. Jake must have been busy so he probably didn't get the chance to tell you yet."
He got transferred today!? Her fingers curled slightly against the tablecloth.
No, the decision clearly hadn't been fully taken by the department, unless the process had been personally initiated.
Freya's eyes slid back to Jake, then to Eden again. A dark sneer formed inside her.
How dare that wench…!
She had worked too hard to separate them, to push that Eden out of the hospital, out of Jake's life, and claim everything for herself.
Now everything's falling apart. No, she will definitely not let Eden win!
"Very good." Grandpa looked clearly impressed with Jake. "To be entrusted as head of the Emergency Medicine Department at such a young age is no small achievement. You make not only the Rowen family proud but the Blackthorn pack as well! That's more like my grandson...unlike some here."
Grandpa glared at Cassian with disdain. Cassian however remained silent. He expression did not change as he continued eating.
This old man…. he's never satisfied with no matter what he does, so there's no point in fighting.
Jake smiled faintly. "My pleasure, Grandpa."
Then he glanced at Eden. "To think of it, you are also in the same department, isn't it Dr. Eden."
Eden's back went rigid, the color draining slightly from her face as she slowly lifted her eyes toward him.
"Report on time tomorrow. Don't be late."
Clarisse's eyes widened in horror. She's in what department..?
Grandpa looked surprised. "Oh, she is? Then I'll leave her in your care! Then let her get bullied again.
Jake gave a faint smile at Eden. "Of course, Grandpa. Do not worry."
Cassian on the other side, was already glaring at Jake. His eyes held a dark with brooding rancour that carried something deeply unsettling.
Cassian had always possessed a disturbingly possessive streak when it came to what he considered his.
Once something fell into his grasp, he did not tolerate anyone else laying their eyes on it, let alone reaching for it.
As the dinner ended, Cassian told Eden to go to their room, he'll follow her later.
Eden nodded and walked ahead. Freya noticed her and silently fell in step behind her, a cold, vindictive gleam in her eyes as she followed.