Chapter 181
Casper's POV
The door closed behind us with a soft click that felt like a gunshot in the silence. My parents stood at the far end of the living room, Dad's shoulders rigid, Mom's hands clasped so tight her knuckles were white.
I let a slow smirk spread across my face. "So. I think you owe us some answers."
Careful, Leo murmured in my head. We still don't know if the demon was telling the truth.
But Elowen's voice whispered through our bond before I could respond. Casper, we can't be sure Raven wasn't lying.
I ignored her concern, riding the high of having the upper hand for once. My parents looked scared. Good. They should be.
"Perhaps we should all sit down," Mom said, her voice too controlled. She gestured toward the couches. "This has been a difficult night—"
"No." Elowen's voice cut through the room like a blade.
I turned to look at her, surprised by the steel in her tone. Her amber eyes were fierce, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.
Dad took a step toward her, his Alpha presence radiating concern. "Elowen, you've been through a traumatic experience tonight. You should rest. The babies—"
"The babies are fine," she said, her chin lifting. "What won't be fine is if you don't tell Casper the truth right now."
Cassian moved beside her, one hand settling on her waist. The gesture was protective, possessive, and it sent a spike of jealousy through my chest.
Focus, Leo growled. This isn't about Kane. This is about Mom and Dad.
Right. I shook off the emotion and took a step toward my parents. "Well? We're waiting."
Mom's eyes darted to Dad, something silent passing between them. Fear? Guilt? Both?
"Casper, darling." Mom's voice trembled slightly. "Whatever that creature told you—"
"His name is Raven," I interrupted. "And he told us plenty."
The living room suddenly felt too small, too warm. I could smell my mother's anxiety, bitter and sharp. My father's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
Cassian's cool voice broke the tension. "The Moon Goddess came to us."
That got their attention. Mom's face went pale, and Dad's eyes widened.
"She gave Elowen a choice," Cassian continued, his tone measured and precise. "To save your life, Father, she had to give up either her bond with us... or the babies."
"What?" Mom's hand flew to her mouth. "No. No, Selene wouldn't—"
"She would," Elowen said quietly. "She did."
I watched my mother's face crumble, guilt and horror washing over her features. "Elowen, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine—"
"But there was another option," Cassian said, and now his ice-blue eyes fixed on our parents with surgical precision. "The demon offered a different deal."
Dad's hands curled into fists. "You didn't—"
"We haven't accepted anything yet," I snapped. "But Raven said he could save the babies and keep our bond intact. For a price, of course."
"No!" Mom's voice cracked. "You cannot make deals with demons. You can't trust him with your children's future—"
"Why not?" The words erupted from my throat before I could stop them. "You did!"
The room went silent.
Mom's face drained of all color. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
I stared at her, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. "Tell me I'm wrong, Mom. Please. Tell me you and Dad never made a deal with that thing."
But she just looked at her hands, twisting them together like she was trying to wring out an answer that wouldn't come.
I turned to Dad, my eyes narrowing. "Dad? Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me Raven was lying. Please."
His jaw worked, muscles jumping beneath his skin. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse. "We can't."
The floor seemed to tilt beneath my feet.
"What do you mean you can't?" I demanded, but my voice came out smaller than I intended.
"We can't tell you that you're wrong," Mom whispered, finally looking up at me. Her eyes were swimming with tears. "Because you're not."
No, Leo whispered. No, no, no—
I felt Elowen's hand on my arm, her warmth seeping through the bond, trying to steady me. But I was drowning.
"You made a deal with a demon," I said flatly. "You actually did it."
"Casper—" Dad started.
"No." I backed away from them, shaking my head. "You don't get to lecture us about making deals with Raven when you've done the exact same thing."
"It wasn't the same!" Dad's voice rose, his Alpha authority bleeding into his tone. "We were desperate. We were—"
"We were trying to protect you," Mom finished, her voice breaking on the last word.
Cassian's hand landed on my shoulder, grounding me. "Then tell us the truth. All of it."