Chapter 164
Cassian's POV
The world reformed around us in a rush of heat and sulfur. My boots hit stone—cold, ancient stone that shouldn't exist in any realm I knew. The red mist cleared, revealing soaring Gothic arches and stained glass windows that depicted scenes I didn't want to examine too closely.
"Welcome." Raven's voice echoed through the cathedral. He stood at the altar, hands spread wide like some twisted priest. "To my domain."
I felt Casper tense beside me. Through our twin bond, his rage burned white-hot, barely contained. My own wolf, Zero, pressed against my consciousness, demanding we attack. Rip out the demon's throat. End this.
But Elowen—
I spotted her immediately. She sat on a stone bench, Ronan unconscious at her feet. Her amber eyes found mine across the distance, and the relief that flooded through our mate bond nearly drove me to my knees.
Cassian. Her voice in my mind, desperate. Casper. I'm so sorry. I didn't know he'd—
Don't. I cut her off, already moving. Casper matched my stride, our boots ringing in perfect synchronization. Just stay there. We're coming.
"Ah, the cavalry arrives." Raven tilted his head, those red eyes tracking our approach. "Right on schedule."
"Let her go." Casper's voice was pure gravel. "Now."
"Let her go?" Raven laughed, the sound scraping against my ears like nails on a coffin. "She came here willingly, boy. Didn't she tell you? No, of course not. You were too busy fighting each other while I snatched your mate right out from under your noses."
The words hit like a physical blow. I glanced at Casper, saw my own guilt reflected in his eyes. We'd failed her. Failed to protect—
"Stop it." Elowen's voice cut through the spiral. She stood now, hands clenched into fists. "This is exactly what he wants. To divide us."
Smart girl. My fierce little mate, always thinking even when terror leaked through our bond. I reached her side, pulled her against my chest. Her vanilla and honey scent grounded me, reminded me why we'd walked into hell itself.
"Very touching." Raven descended from the altar, his footsteps silent. "But we have business to discuss. The Moon Goddess gave you an ultimatum, yes? Sacrifice the mate bond to resurrect dear old daddy?"
"How do you—" Casper started.
"I know everything that happens in the realm of gods and mortals." Raven's smile turned predatory. "Including the little loophole you're so desperate to find."
Elowen's fingers dug into my shirt. Through the bond, I felt her fear spike. Not for herself—for us. For the cubs growing in her belly.
There has to be another way, she whispered through our connection. Tell me there's another way.
"There is." Raven spoke aloud, making Elowen flinch. "But like all things worth having, it comes with a price."
"Name it." Casper moved to Elowen's other side, creating a protective wall. "Whatever you want—"
"Careful, boy." Raven's eyes flashed brighter. "You might not like what I ask for."
My hand found Elowen's, squeezed. "Just tell us the plan."
Raven circled us slowly, like a shark scenting blood. "The Moon Goddess believes in destined mates. Sacred bonds that cannot be broken, cannot be replaced." He paused, letting the words sink in. "But she's wrong. Because if Elowen rejects you both, truly rejects you, she'll become... available. For someone new."
"Fuck that," Casper snarled. "No one's rejecting anyone."
"Let him finish," I said quietly, though every instinct screamed to agree with my brother. To grab Elowen and run.
But run where? This was Raven's realm. We were here at his mercy.
"Smart twin." Raven's approval felt like acid. "As I was saying—rejection triggers the bond to seek a new connection. The Moon Goddess, in her infinite wisdom, will provide a second chance mate. Usually someone... compatible. Someone who can heal the broken heart."
Elowen's breath hitched. "You want me to find someone else? After everything we've—"
"Of course not, sweetheart." Raven's voice turned almost gentle. Dangerous. "I want you to pretend to reject them. Make the Moon Goddess believe you've severed the bond, when really..." He smiled. "You'll just be playing a part."
The implications crashed over me. "You want to trick a goddess."
"I want to save your pathetic family." Raven's mask of civility cracked. "Your father lies dead. Your friend barely clings to life. And this girl—" He gestured at Elowen. "—carries two cubs who will die if you make the wrong choice. So yes, I want to trick a goddess. The question is: are you brave enough to help?"
Silence fell like a shroud. I felt Casper's hesitation through our bond, his desperate need to protect warring with suspicion. Felt Elowen's terror and hope tangling into something almost painful.
"Why?" The word tore from my throat. "Why help us?"
Raven's smile returned, colder than before. "Because it amuses me. Because the Moon Goddess needs to learn she's not infallible. Because..." His red eyes locked on Elowen. "Because this one interests me. And I protect what's mine."
"She's not yours," Casper and I said in perfect unison.
"Not yet." Raven turned away, dismissive. "But if you reject this offer, if you let her break those bonds to resurrect daddy dearest, she will be. The second chance mate? That'll be me, boys. I'll be right there to comfort her, to claim her, to—"
"Shut up!" Elowen's scream echoed off the vaulted ceiling. "Just shut up! I would never—"
"You won't have a choice." Raven's voice turned gentle again, which somehow made it worse. "The Moon Goddess controls the bonds. Once they're severed, once you complete the rejection, she'll weave new threads. And I'll be waiting at the other end."
My vision went red. Zero surged forward, demanding blood. Demanding—
Cassian, stop. Elowen's mental voice cut through the rage. Please. We need to think.
I forced myself to breathe. To focus. "Explain the plan. All of it."
Raven's approving nod made my skin crawl. "Finally, someone with sense. Here's what will happen: You'll return home. Elowen will publicly reject you both—make it convincing, lots of tears and drama. The Moon Goddess will sense the broken bonds and begin searching for a replacement."
"And then?" Casper's voice was tight.
"And then I intervene. Use my power to... redirect her search. Make her believe a new bond has formed—with someone safe, someone she approves of. Meanwhile, the real bonds remain intact, just... hidden. Buried so deep even she can't sense them."
"That's insane," I said flatly. "She'll see through it."
"Will she?" Raven cocked his head. "I've been deceiving gods since before your precious pack existed. Trust me when I say—I know what I'm doing."