Chapter 203
Cassian's POV
I held up my hand, stopping Casper before he could push further. "Back to Elowen. You said she can't maintain the act. How long do you think she could last?"
Raven considered this. "A few weeks. Maybe a few months."
He moved closer to where Elowen slept, looking down at her like she was a baby in a crib. "She's stronger than you think, Cassian."
Every protective instinct I had flared to life. My eyes shifted, ice blue tinged with silver. I wanted to grab Elowen and run. Take her somewhere Raven couldn't reach.
Through our bond, Casper's possessive rage burned hot. Don't look at her like that.
"Don't use that tone when you talk about her," Casper said aloud. His voice was deadly quiet.
Raven raised his hands in mock surrender. "Touchy. Both of you."
"She's strong," Casper agreed, surprising me. "Loyal as hell. And she's already got those protective mom instincts."
Casper's defense of Elowen warmed something in my chest. Despite everything, despite our rivalry, we were united in this. She was ours. Our mate. Our future.
"She'd do anything for you two," Casper continued. "And for the babies."
I shook my head. "But at what cost?"
Ronan finally spoke up from his corner. "She shouldn't have to bear this. It's your parents' fault. Their mistakes."
He wasn't wrong. But that didn't change our current situation.
"Elowen isn't the only one who'll have to sacrifice," Raven said. "You and Casper need to pretend your bond is broken. That you've gone back to—"
"Back to what?" I interrupted. "Back to Casper sleeping with anything that moves? That would destroy her!"
I looked at my brother. The thought of him with other women, of Elowen watching that betrayal, made my stomach turn. Through our bond, I felt Casper's pain. His golden amber eyes shimmered.
I won't, he sent to me. I would never betray her. Never.
I know, I replied. But Raven's asking us to pretend. To act like our bond never existed.
"How exactly do you plan to make people believe our bond is broken?" I asked Raven.
Casper still hadn't responded verbally. He just held Elowen tighter, his face buried in her hair. I could feel his internal struggle through our connection. The idea of pretending not to love her was like asking him to stop breathing.
No matter what happens, I sent to him, I won't let you face this alone.
He didn't reply, but I felt his gratitude. And his fear.
Ronan watched us with complex emotions in his emerald eyes. Respect. Worry. And something that might have been guilt.
"I'm heavily relying on your acting skills," Raven said dryly.
Ronan let out a deep sigh. "You're screwed." The sarcasm and resignation in his voice were clear.
I couldn't help the cold laugh that escaped. "Maybe I can keep my distance. But you really think he..." I nodded toward Casper, who was still staring at Elowen with adoring eyes even while she slept. "Can stay calm and act like he feels nothing for her?"
Brother, I sent through our bond. I understand. But we need to face reality.
Casper finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "I... I can't do it. Looking at her and pretending I don't care? That's worse than dying."
In Casper's mind, I heard Leo roar. Never! She's ours!
Ronan's voice softened. "No one's asking you to actually give her up. Just temporary pretending."
But we all knew the truth. Casper wore his heart on his sleeve. Hiding his feelings would be impossible.
"You can't," Raven admitted. "That's why I'm planning to have Elowen make the sacrifice, and then—"
He didn't finish. Casper and I both stood at the same time. My eyes shifted to ice blue with silver. Casper's turned golden amber. Ronan tensed, his emerald eyes locked on Raven.
"You better explain yourself," Ronan warned.
Elowen stirred slightly in Casper's arms, affected by the tension in the room. But she didn't wake.
Raven held up both hands in surrender. "Calm down. I haven't finished. This requires her consent. Not force."
"What sacrifice?" Casper demanded.
I grabbed his arm, feeling the tremor running through him. His wolf was close to the surface. So was mine.
"Choose your next words very carefully," I said to Raven. My voice was cold enough to freeze blood.
Raven's gray eyes flickered between us. For the first time since appearing, he looked uncertain.
"The specifics can wait until—"
"No." Casper's voice cracked like a whip. "Tell us now. What sacrifice are you asking from our mate?"
The possessiveness in that word—our mate—made Raven pause. He studied us both, as if recalculating something.
"It involves the children," he finally said.
My blood ran cold. Through our bond, Casper's rage exploded. His grip on Elowen became almost too tight. I could see his knuckles turning white.
"Explain," I ground out. "Right now."
Raven opened his mouth to respond.