Chapter 135
Cassian's POV
We stood there. The three of us. Silent.
Through our bond, I felt Elowen's terror. Her confusion. Her desperate need for reassurance.
I pulled her closer. Buried my face in her hair. Breathed in her scent of vanilla and honey.
"We'll figure this out." My voice was muffled against her neck. "I promise. We'll find a way."
Casper moved closer. Wrapped his arms around both of us. Created a cocoon of warmth. Of safety. Of love.
"Together." His voice was rough. "Always together."
Despite the shadow hanging over us. Despite the impossible choice we faced. Despite everything.
I knew one thing with absolute certainty.
We would face this together. We would fight this together. And somehow—some way—we would survive this together.
Our love was stronger than divine decree. Stronger than cosmic law. Stronger than fate itself.
It had to be.
Because the alternative? That was unthinkable.
The light faded completely. The goddess's presence dissolved like morning mist under the sun. The ethereal garden—those silver flowers, those impossible stars—began to shimmer and blur. Reality warped around us. Silver light wrapped us in its embrace, pulling us away from that divine realm.
My vision blurred. The ground shifted beneath my feet. For a heart-stopping moment, I felt weightless. Suspended between worlds.
Then—snap.
We were back in Elowen's room. The familiar walls. The soft carpet beneath our feet. The scent of vanilla and honey stronger now, mixed with the lingering traces of divine power.
Like nothing had happened. Like a goddess hadn't just threatened everything we held dear.
I closed my eyes. Let the weight of what I'd done settle over me.
I'd defied the Moon Goddess. Called her bitter. Jealous. Turned my back on her.
Every instinct I had—every lesson learned since childhood—screamed that I'd made a terrible mistake.
But when I turned around. When I expected to see anger. Fear. Accusation in Elowen's eyes.
Instead?
She launched herself at me.
Her body crashed into mine with enough force to make me stumble back a step. I gasped. Caught her automatically.
"Careful, princess!" The words came out sharper than I intended. "You're carrying our precious babies, remember?"
My hands went to her waist. Held her gently but firmly. Made sure she was steady.
But Elowen? She wasn't having it.
Her small fists pounded against my chest. Once. Twice. Three times.
"Don't you start with that bullshit!" Her voice was fierce. Raw. Her amber eyes blazed. "Don't you dare!"
Her lips were pursed. Pouty. Absolutely fucking kissable.
Through our bond, I felt everything. Her love. Her fear. Her overwhelming confusion at the intensity of her own emotions.
She was drowning in feeling. And she didn't know how to process it.
Because no one had ever fought for her before. No one had ever put her first. Protected her. Loved her enough to defy a goddess.
And that knowledge? It broke something inside me.
Made me more determined than ever to show her. Every single day. That she was worth everything. Worth defying heaven itself.
Casper appeared behind her. His arms slid around her waist. Pulled her back against his chest.
Our eyes met over her head. A silent conversation passed between us.
She needs this. Needs to know we meant every word. That we'll always choose her. Always protect her. Always love her.
No matter what.
Even if it costs us everything.
"Start what?" Casper's voice was playful. Light. But I heard the steel beneath. "Making sure you and our pups are safe?"
He bent his head. Pressed his lips to her neck. Then bit down gently.
Elowen's breath hitched. Her cheeks flushed the most beautiful shade of pink. She melted back into Casper's embrace.
But when she looked at me? Her amber eyes were swimming with tears she refused to let fall.
"But what if—" Her voice cracked. "What if she hurts you? What if—"
"Never!" Casper and I said it together. In perfect unison. Our voices rang with absolute certainty.
Elowen's lower lip trembled. "But the Moon Goddess... she's angry. If anything happens to you because of me—"
"Never!" I stepped closer. Cupped her face in my hands. Made her look at me. "Fuck her. Fuck her rules. Fuck her demands."
A tear finally escaped. Rolled down her cheek.
I caught it with my thumb. Wiped it away gently.
"You are ours." My voice was soft. Fierce. "And we are yours. Nothing—and I mean nothing—will ever change that."
Through our bond, I felt Casper's complete agreement. His unwavering support. His love for both of us.
We were a unit. A team. A family.
And that was worth fighting for. Worth dying for.
Worth defying the gods themselves for.
I forced myself to smile. To push down the worry gnawing at my insides. To be strong for her.
For them.
"Now." I blinked. Cleared my throat. "How about we go see Mom? We have some news to share with her, baby."
Like the fact that we're expecting twins. And also that we just told the Moon Goddess to go fuck herself.
Yeah. That conversation was going to go great.
Through our bond, I tried desperately to hide my worry. My fear. My absolute terror at what the next twenty-four hours would bring.
But I had a feeling Elowen could sense it anyway. Feel it thrumming beneath my false cheerfulness.
Because that's what mates did. They knew. They understood. They felt everything.
And right now? I was feeling a whole lot of dread.