Chapter 138 The Cost Of Peace

Chapter 138 The Cost Of Peace

"To be fair to your mother, I’ve known for quite a while," Zion interjects smoothly, clearly getting a kick out of watching my life unravel right in front of him.

"Word travels fast about Cassian's little prize—the quiet best friend with those caramel eyes and dark hair. Just like her mother."

I shake my head, struggling to process any of this. I knew hiding Nova was risky. I knew people would target her simply because of how much she means to me, and losing her was a nightmare I couldn't risk.

Turns out I was right the entire time, just for all the wrong reasons.

"I made her your official mistress as a last-ditch effort to shield her before I was forced to send her away," my mother adds, pressing a hand to her forehead with a heavy sigh.

"I hoped it might somehow override Zion's legal hold over her, but I was wrong. It was the only move I had left."

"Well, none of that really matters now, does it?" Zion says, waving a hand casually as if bored by our family drama. "I let you enjoy your little romance for years, Nova. You should probably be thanking me."

I glare at him, my jaw locked tight, a bitter, icy rage settling deep in my ribs.

"Cassian, I'm so sorry," Nova whimpers, stepping closer, her voice cracking as she looks for any way to fix this. "I was going to tell you... I was just so terrified of how you'd react after everything he did to you and your father..."

She trails off, her excuses falling flat in the tense air.

I keep my eyes locked dead on Zion. "You're not taking her anywhere."

"I'm afraid you don't really have a say in the matter," Zion says smoothly, resting his hands behind his back. "Unless you've somehow made Nova your legal wife, I have every right to bring her back to the pack she was born into."

"She's my mate—"

"Legally? That label means zero under law," he cuts in, waving a dismissive hand. "Check the regional Treaty—the one binding all our territories. There's a specific section stating no Alpha can harbor an immediate relative of another ruling family without permission."

I press the palms of my hands against my temples, the pounding pressure behind my eyes making it impossible to think straight.

I vaguely recall reading that exact line in the old pack laws, but I never in my wild thoughts believed it would be used to rip my mate right out of my arms.

All this time, I truly believed Nova was just an orphan with a painful past. I thought she came from a quiet, regular family, not a bloodline that ruled an entire territory. My worst enemy’s territory, no less.

"I’m an adult," Nova snaps, her voice trembling slightly as she glares at Zion. "I make my own choices."

"Not when it comes to this, Nova. Your age doesn't mean a thing here," Zion replies, his smooth tone dropping into something far colder.

"If Cassian chooses to break this treaty, I gain full legal standing to declare war on his pack. And not a single one of his allies can jump in to help him without violating the same law."

Nova turns her head to look at me, a desperate struggle tearing across her face. Then, in an instant, her posture shifts. A heavy, quiet realization settles over her eyes, and I instantly know what she’s about to do.

"Fine. I’ll go," she says firmly, taking a step toward him.

Before she can take another stride, I reach out and snatch her wrist, yanking her back against my side. "Like hell you are."

I don't care what secrets just came out today. Nova is still my mate. There is zero chance I'm handing her over to the man I hate most, no matter what kind of fallout it triggers.

"Cassian, let go—this isn't up to you!" she whispers sharply, tugging against my grip as she looks up at me with wide, pleading eyes.

"Do you have any idea what he might do to you?" I demand, my fingers tightening around her wrist.

Her mother suffered unspeakable cruelty because of this monster, and even if Nova was too young to remember all of it, she lived through that nightmare too. If I let Zion walk her out those doors, I might never get her back.

"This goes way beyond your pride, Cassian," Zion cuts in, his voice dropping an octave as he steps forward. "You have my word she won't be harmed. She’s my daughter, and it’s high time we handled family matters that are way overdue."

I stare down into his face, searching desperately for any sign of a lie, but I find nothing. Zion isn't dragging Nova back just to execute her for being attached to me. Whatever his game is, it goes deeper than that.

That leaves me with two brutal choices.

Option one. I refuse to let her go and tear up the treaty right here. Zion gets the legal war he wants, and without my allies able to step in, his forces will steamroll my borders and turn my territory into a graveyard.

There’d be nowhere left to run, nowhere to keep Nova safe, and in the end, she’d end up right back under his thumb anyway.

Option two: I let her walk out that door right now. I buy myself time to comb through every single page of pack law, find a loophole, and build a real plan to bring her home without burning my entire kingdom down.

Option two is the smart play, but the thought of living a single day without her makes my stomach turn.

"Give me your word she won't be harmed," I rasp, my fingers digging into Nova's arm, terrified this might be the last time I ever hold her.

"No harm will come to Nova while she's under my roof," Zion says smoothly, his eyes locked dead on mine.

I have zero reason to trust a word that comes out of his mouth. He’s a ruthless monster. Yet, the steady, unnerving look in his eyes tells me he’s actually telling the truth about this one thing.

"I’ll be back before you know it, Cassian," Nova whispers, looking up at me with a sudden surge of fierce resolve that breaks my heart.

I pull her tight against my chest, crushing her in my arms like I can physically bind her to me.

"I love you, Nova," I whisper against her neck, memorizing the exact warmth of her skin and the scent of her hair. "I will tear this world apart piece by piece if that's what it takes to bring you home."

"I know," her voice cracks, struggling to choke back a sob. "I love you too."

She pulls back slowly, offering me one last lingering glance before turning on her heel and walking toward Zion.

"Don't try coming after her, Cassian," Zion warns over his shoulder, his tone dropping flat and cold. "You won't like the reception waiting for you on my land."

I stand there completely paralyzed, numb to my bones as I watch them cross the threshold.

The heavy oak front doors swing shut, locking Nova out of my life, and the moment the deadbolt clicks, my knees give out completely.