Chapter 15: Us

|||CASSIEN|||

Sleep refused to come that night, no matter how I tossed and turned in my vast bed. The silk sheets felt cold against my skin, lacking the familiar warmth that had been my comfort for four years. I reached across the mattress instinctively, my hand searching for the soft curve of Yasmin's hip, the gentle rise and fall of her breathing beside me. Instead, my fingers met nothing but empty space and twisted fabric.

The hollow ache in my chest pulsed with each heartbeat, a constant reminder of what I'd lost. Or rather, what I'd been forced to sacrifice.

Couldn't she see that? Couldn't she understand that everything I'd done was for us? For our future, for the security of our position in this kingdom that would tear us apart the moment they sensed weakness?

I had every intention of divorcing Hana once my son was born, everything was supposed to be normal...she was supposed to forgive me, understand.

She's always been so difficult.

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling where shadows danced in the moonlight tha came through my windows. My mind replayed the events of the evening over and over, each memory cutting deeper than the last. The way she'd stood there in that hallway, blood seeping through her dress from where my claws had pierced her skin. The tremor in her voice when she'd spoken those words.

I reject you.

My wolf whimpered deep in my chest, a sound of loss and confusion that made my ribs ache. The bond between us had been severed so abruptly, so completely, that I felt like half of my soul had been ripped away. The constant awareness of her presence, her emotions, her very essence that had been my anchor for years—gone. In its place was nothing but a gaping void that seemed to grow larger with each passing hour.

Regret and anger churned in my stomach like poison. Yes, I regretted hitting her. The moment my claws had made contact with her skin, I'd wanted to take it back, to gather her in my arms and beg her forgiveness. But she'd pushed me too far, challenged me in front of Hana, embarrassed me when I was already walking a tightrope of political survival.

She didn't back down. She never backed down, and that was both what I loved and hated about her. Other women would have wept, would have thrown themselves at my feet and begged for another chance. But not Yasmin. She'd looked me in the eye and told me I wasn't worthy of her, had rejected our bond with the kind of fury that made my blood run both hot and cold.

I pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes, trying to block out the memory of her face in that moment. The way her dark eyes had burned with betrayal and rage, the proud set of her shoulders even as blood stained her dress. She'd looked magnificent and terrible, like some avenging goddess come to pass judgment on my sins.

And the way she'd said goodbye, the way she had walked away...the finality in it was what made me restless.

But she had to understand. She was intelligent—brilliantly so—and eventually she would see the logic in my actions. I'd married her for love, yes, but I couldn't rule through love alone. Zeirik's victory had shifted my already rocky position in the Royal court, had made my position precarious in ways that pure emotion couldn't fix. Hana's father controlled three of the most influential ports in the kingdom. His support could mean the difference between keeping my crown and losing everything we'd worked for.

A few days. That's all it would take. Yasmin would realize that her anger was clouding her judgment, that I'd acted out of necessity rather than malice. She'd come back to me, apologetic and understanding like she always had before. We could remake the bond, stronger than ever. And the child... surely she would come to love Hana's child as her own. We'd both always wanted children, and this way we could have that without losing each other.

I rolled over again, burying my face in the pillow that still carried the faint scent of her hair. Jasmine and vanilla made my chest tighten with longing.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow I would go to her and explain everything properly. I would apologize for losing my temper, for the harsh words and the violence that should never have happened between us. I would make her understand that she was still my world, still the woman I'd chosen above all others. The marriage to Hana was political necessity, nothing more.

Perhaps I would release Helga as well, as a proper apology.

My wolf settled slightly at the thought, and finally, as dawn began to lighten the sky, exhaustion pulled me into fitful sleep.

Morning came too soon, accompanied by a persistent knocking at my door. I groaned and rolled over, squinting at the bright sunlight that streamed through my windows. My body felt heavy, weighed down by the emotional turmoil of the previous day and the restless sleep that had followed.

"Enter," I called out, my voice rough with sleep or perhaps the lack of it.

The door opened to reveal Hana, looking radiant in a pale blue gown that complemented her golden hair. But there was something fragile about her this morning, a tightness around her eyes that immediately put me on alert.

"Good morning, my prince," she said softly, her hands resting protectively over her rounded belly. "I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but I wanted to speak with you before you began your day."

I sat up, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "What is it? Are you well?"

"I'm... I'm feeling some discomfort," she admitted, her cheeks flushing pink. "Nothing severe, but enough to worry me. I know you were planning to see Princess Yasmin this morning, but perhaps..."

The words died on her lips as she saw my expression change. Of course she knew where I'd planned to go. Hana was observant, had probably seen the longing in my eyes, the way I'd barely been present during our conversation the night before.

But her discomfort took precedence. Whatever was happening between Yasmin and me could wait a few hours. Hana was carrying my child—my heir—and her wellbeing was more important. Yasmin would understand, she always does.

"Of course," I said, already rising from bed and reaching for my clothes. "We'll go to the pack doctor immediately," I reassured in a much clearer voice.

Relief covered her features, and she smiled that sweet, grateful smile that always made something protective stir in my chest. Hana was nothing like Yasmin—where my wife was fire and steel, Hana was soft warmth and gentle vulnerability. She needed protecting, needed someone strong to shield her from the harsh realities of life.

I didn't love her. Could never love her the way I loved Yasmin. But there was something appealing about her innocence, her complete dependence on me for safety and security. And her body... well, her body had been a temptation I'd been unable to resist.

The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd always wanted children, had dreamed of seeing Yasmin heavy with my heir, had imagined the joy on her face when she told me we were expecting. Instead, it was Hana who carried that gift, Hana who would give me the legacy I'd always craved.

I just wished Yasmin could understand. This child would be ours too, in a way. We could raise it together, could be the family I'd always envisioned. If only she would stop being so stubborn and see reason.

The walk to the pack doctor's quarters passed in a blur of concerned conversation and gentle reassurances. Hana's discomfort seemed to ease as we walked, but I insisted on the examination anyway. The child was too important to take any risks.

Dr. Aldric was a man of few words but extensive knowledge. He examined Hana thoroughly while I paced the length of his office, my mind only half-focused on his quiet questions and professional observations. The other half was consumed with thoughts of Yasmin, with planning what I would say to her, how I would make her understand.

"The mother and child are perfectly healthy," Dr. Aldric announced finally, his aged face creasing into a small smile. "What you're experiencing is quite normal for this stage of pregnancy, my lady. Nothing to be concerned about."

I felt tension I hadn't realized I was carrying leave my shoulders. "Thank you, Doctor. Are there any precautions she should take?"

The old man launched into a detailed explanation of dietary recommendations and activity restrictions, but I found myself struggling to focus. My wolf was restless, pacing beneath my skin with an agitation I couldn't explain. There was something... off about this morning, some instinct trying to warn me of danger I couldn't identify.

"I should go see Yasmin now," I said when the doctor finished his recommendations. "Make sure you rest today, and send for me if you experience any more discomfort."

Hana nodded, her blue eyes bright with gratitude. "Thank you for taking such good care of us."

Us. The word should have filled me with warmth, with anticipation for our future together. Instead, it felt hollow, a pale echo of what I'd shared with Yasmin.