Chapter 115
Cassian's POV
The stranger's fingers brushed against the photo frame. My parents' wedding photo. Dad's arm around Mom's waist. Both of them smiling.
I stepped forward. "Don't touch that."
He turned to look at me. The black hoodie shadowed most of his face. But I could see his mouth. A thin smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"I was just admiring it," he said. His voice was smooth. Too smooth. Like honey mixed with something rotten. "Your father was a handsome man."
Was. Past tense. My jaw clenched.
"Who the hell are you?" I demanded. "And what are you doing in my parents' room?"
He set the frame down gently. "I'm helping your mother." He gestured toward Mom. She stood by the window, her back to us. Her shoulders shook. "I found her in the hallway. She was crying. Couldn't breathe. I brought her here."
Mom didn't turn around. Didn't confirm or deny.
The stranger took a step closer to me. That smell hit me harder. Metal. Incense. Blood. My wolf Zero stirred in my mind.
"Something's wrong with him," Zero growled. "He smells like death."
"Thanks for your help," I said. My voice came out flat. Cold. "But this is family business. You should go."
The stranger tilted his head. Like he was studying me. His gaze traveled down my body. Lingered on my chest. My arms.
"You're a big boy," he murmured. "Strong. Handsome too." He paused. "But not my type."
I felt my skin crawl. "What?"
"I prefer them smaller." His smile widened. "Brown hair. Preferably with golden highlights." He leaned in slightly. "And without that thing between their legs."
My blood turned to ice.
Elowen.
He was talking about Elowen.
"You son of a—"
"Cassian." Mom's voice cut through the air. Rough. Broken. She finally turned to face me. Her eyes were red and swollen. Mascara streaked down her cheeks. "Please. Just... leave him alone."
I stared at her. "Mom, this guy is—"
"He helped me!" she snapped. "He was kind to me when no one else was!"
The words hit me like a slap. I opened my mouth. Closed it. Tried again.
"I'm here now," I said quietly. "You don't need him. Let me call Cindy. She can—"
"Cindy is occupied," the stranger interrupted. He crossed his arms. "She's with Ethan. In the medical wing. His condition is... critical."
My stomach dropped. Ethan. Fuck.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
He shrugged. "I know many things."
I took a step toward him. My hands curled into fists. "Get out. Now."
"Cassian!" Mom's voice rose to a shriek. "Stop it! Just stop!"
I froze. Looked at her. Really looked at her.
She was falling apart. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders. Her dress—the beautiful lavender gown she'd worn to the ball—was wrinkled and stained. She held one hand against her chest. Like she was trying to hold herself together.
And she was looking at me like I was the enemy.
"She blames you," Zero said softly. "She blames both of us."
"Mom," I started. My voice cracked. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If I had stopped Drake earlier—if I had noticed the champagne—"
"Don't." She held up a hand. Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Don't apologize to me. Don't... don't even look at me right now."
The words cut deep. Deeper than any blade.
"Give her space," Zero urged. "She's in shock. She doesn't mean it."
But I knew better. She did mean it. Every word.
"I should have protected him," I whispered. More to myself than to her. "I should have seen it coming."
The stranger made a soft noise. Almost like sympathy. "You can't blame yourself for everything, boy."
I whipped my head toward him. "Shut up. You don't know anything."
"I know grief," he said. His eyes—gray, I realized—seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. "I know what it does to people. How it twists them. Makes them lash out at the ones they love."
Mom let out a sob. She covered her mouth with both hands.
I wanted to go to her. Wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her it would be okay. But I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
"Cassian," Zero said. "We need to leave. This man—he's dangerous. I can feel it."
"I'm not leaving her alone with him," I shot back internally.
"Then make her choose."
I swallowed hard. Looked at Mom.
"Let me stay," I said. My voice was barely above a whisper. "Please. I won't talk. I'll just... I'll just sit here. Make sure you're okay."
She shook her head. "I don't want you here, Cassian."
The words slammed into me. Again.
"Mom—"
"I don't want you here!" She screamed it this time. Her voice echoed off the walls. "Do you understand? I don't want to see you! I don't want—"
She broke off. Pressed both hands against her face. Her whole body shook with sobs.
I stood there. Frozen. My throat burned. My eyes stung.
"She blames Casper for losing control," Zero said quietly. "And she blames you for not stopping it."
"I know," I whispered.
"It's not fair."
"I know."
I looked down at my hands. At the clothes I was wearing. Dad's clothes.
Mom noticed. Her eyes widened. "Are you—are you wearing your father's clothes?"
I nodded slowly. "I didn't want to leave him. And I couldn't just sit here naked."
Her face twisted. "Take them off."
"What?"
"Take them off!" She lurched forward. Grabbed at the collar of the shirt. "They're not yours! They're his! They're—"
I caught her wrists gently. "Mom. Stop. Please."
She jerked away from me. Like my touch burned her. "Don't tell me what to do. Don't you dare—"
"I'm trying to help you!" I said. My voice rose despite myself. "I'm trying to be here for you!"
"Well I don't want your help!" She pointed a shaking finger at the door. "Get out. Get out right now."
I stared at her. Searched her face for any sign of the woman who'd raised me. The woman who'd bandaged my scraped knees when I was a kid. Who'd taught me how to ride a bike. Who'd held me when I had nightmares.
She was gone. Swallowed by grief and rage.
"Fine," I said. My voice came out cold. Detached. "I'll go."
I turned toward the door. The stranger was still standing there. Watching us with that creepy smile.
"But you're not staying here alone," I added. I looked at Mom. "At least let me call someone. Luna from another pack. Or—"
"He'll stay." Mom's voice was flat now. Empty. "He's been kind to me. He... he hasn't been tainted by this whole mess."
Tainted. Like Casper and I were infected with something. Like we'd spread disease through the pack.
The stranger's smile widened. "I'd be honored to keep you company, my lady."
I wanted to punch him. Wanted to rip that smug look off his face.
Instead I clenched my jaw. Nodded once.
"I understand," I said stiffly.
"Cassian—" Zero started.
"Not now," I told him.
I walked toward the door. The stranger stepped aside. But not before leaning in close.
"Don't worry," he murmured. So low only I could hear. "I'll take very good care of her."
Something in his tone made my skin crawl. But before I could respond, Mom spoke again.
"Wait." Her voice was small now. Broken. "What's your name? I should... I should know your name."
The stranger looked at her. His expression softened. Almost gentle.
"Raven," he said. "My name is Raven, sweetheart."
He glanced at me one last time. Winked.
Then he shut the door in my face.