Chapter 116: The Steep Hill

Cassian's POV

The morning sun came up over the mountain snow. The cabin was bright and very cold. The big storm had finally stopped. I sat by the window and watched Katty pack her expensive clothes into her bag. She was crying loudly, trying to act like she was the person who got hurt last night.

"I have never been so embarrassed in my whole life!" Katty cried, wiping her face with a scarf. "I was treated so badly on that porch last night! Kieran completely attacked me and burned my phone! He is crazy for not trusting me."

Kieran did not even look at her. He sat by the fire, his face completely flat and cold. He was staring at his coffee.

Landon stepped forward and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at Kieran, then looked back at Katty's bag. "Come on, Man Coach Hale said we can stay here today too. I think this whole thing is a misunderstanding. Katty can stay. There is more than enough room here for everyone's girlfriend."

Milo walked across the room, leaning against the kitchen counter with a smile. "Yeah, exactly. Daphne is here too because Cassian asked her to come. Why is Katty any different? Let the girl stay."

I tightened my jaw, my eyes narrowing at Milo. Nobody in this room knew that Daphne and I were secretly dating. They thought she was just a regular friend. I did not like him using her name in Kieran's messy drama.

Daphne quickly stood up from the couch. She always tried to make peace and stop the team from fighting. "The storm has stopped completely, guys. Why don't we all go outside? The mountain lake at the bottom of the trail is completely frozen. We should go ice-skating to get some fresh air."

Katty sniffed, zipping her bag with a loud snap. "Fine. But I am not staying in the same room as him."

Ten minutes later, we were walking down the snowy mountain trail toward the frozen lake. The air was cold, and the snow was deep under our heavy boots. Everyone carried their skates over their shoulders.

Asher was walking a few feet ahead of us, looking completely quiet. Theo stayed right next to his side, his loyal best friend. Kieran walked a few steps behind them, his sharp eyes fixed directly on the back of Asher's head.

Suddenly, Asher stopped on the trail. He reached down, fixing the heavy straps on his hockey bag. "My bag has a problem," Asher muttered, his voice sounding muffled through his winter scarf. "The buckles are completely frozen shut."

Because he was looking down at his bag, Asher got distracted. He lost his balance on the slick ice. The snow beneath his boots gave way completely. With a sharp gasp, Asher slipped and fell straight off the edge of the steep hill, tumbling down into the deep, snow-covered ravine below.

"Asher!" Daphne screamed, running toward the edge.

Kieran completely lost his cool.

The second he saw Asher fall, he went crazy. He violently shoved Landon out of his way, his face full of pure panic. "Get the ropes from the car now!" Kieran roared, his voice echoing loudly across the quiet mountain.

"Milo, stop standing there like an idiot and start climbing down! Move!"

The entire team froze, completely shocked by the captain's angry outburst.

Landon adjusted his jacket, looking at Kieran with deep confusion. He did not like how Kieran was acting. "Kieran, chill out, man. Asher just slipped down the hill. He is fine. Why are you acting like this is a big tragedy?"

"Shut the fuck up and start digging him out!" Kieran screamed back, his hands turning into fists as he prepared to jump down the hill himself. He turned his angry gaze directly onto Daphne. "Why did you suggest coming out here in the first place? If anything happens to him, it’s your fault!"

Daphne flinched, her eyes filling with instant tears of guilt.

That was the breaking point. I snapped and stepped right into Kieran's space, pushing him back. "No, you shut up! You are being a complete jerk, Kieran! You are changing, man. You are screaming at Daphne and treating everyone like trash over a stupid accident! It makes no sense!"

Landon supported me which started a massive fallout between them, shouting at each other right there on the trail because of Kieran's crazy reaction. Everyone watched them argue in shock.

I stepped directly in front of Daphne, blocking Kieran from looking at her. I did not care about anything else.

Even though I hate that noisy girl Katty, she was completely right about one thing last night. Something is seriously wrong with Kieran.

Asher just slipped down a small hill into some soft snow. Attacking Landon or making Daphne feel guilty because he lost his mind was a terrible move.

I watched Kieran frantically slide down the snow to pull Carter back up, his hands shaking as he checked Asher's face for injuries.

My mind raced as I stared down at them. Why the hell is he acting this way over Carter? Those rumours on campus about him being different are not going to stop if he keeps acting like this in front of the whole team.