Chapter 217

Chapter 217
WREN

I sat up, trying to read his face.

Reed’s voice carried faintly through the speaker, urgent. Cassian’s eyes hardened. “You’re certain?” he asked. A pause. Then his hand clenched the phone tighter. “Good. That’s one less threat.”

He hung up slowly, turning to me.

“Cassian?” I asked. “What happened?”

He sat beside me, taking my hand. “Reed tracked Marius. He was able to corner him, he led him straight to Alexander.”

I froze. “And?”

Cassian’s eyes locked onto mine. “Marius is dead.”

My breath hitched. That name had haunted us for weeks, maybe longer, like a shadow waiting to strike. “Dead? Are you sure?"

He nodded. “Reed said the news will be announced soon. The only one left now… is Derek. Once he’s gone, Alexander will keep her end of the bargain."

I blinked, my heart hammering. “That means… it’s almost over?”

Cassian leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine. “Almost, little fox. We’re so so close.”

I swallowed hard, tears pricking my eyes. “And then we can finally just… live? Normally?"

“Yes,” he promised, his voice fierce. “And I won’t stop until you’re safe. Until we both are.”

I threw my arms around him, clinging tight. “I believe you.”

His embrace tightened around me, his lips brushing my temple. “Good. Because I’ll never let you go.”

....................

ONE WEEK LATER

A week later, we were finally back home.

The estate felt both familiar and foreign after everything that had happened, but I was happy to be back. For the first time in weeks, I was forced to rest. Cassian insisted on it. The doctor, Reed and Sybil backed him up. They said I had pushed myself too hard, and if I wanted to keep the baby safe, I needed to slow down.

Voluntary bed rest. That’s what they called it. It felt more like being caged.

Cassian had left early that morning with Reed. There was an emergency council meeting called to address the sudden deaths of the alphas who had died. Part of me wondered if Derek would show up there, or if he would have run. Either way, I knew Cassian wanted to face him. He and Reed have been searching him for him these last few days.

I stayed behind, lying on my side in bed, staring at the curtains shifting from the cool autumn breeze. My thoughts wouldn’t settle. Marius was dead. Two others were gone. Derek was the last. The last piece before Alexander held up her end of the bargain. But how long would that take?

By noon, I forced myself up and changed clothes. Cassian would probably scold me if he saw me out of bed, but I had something to do.

The doctor’s office was quiet when I stepped in. He looked surprised to see me but greeted me kindly.

“Luna,” he said with a small smile. “You should be resting.”

“I needed to talk to you,” I replied, smoothing my hands over my stomach. It still didn’t show, but knowing the life inside me made me protective. “About the DNA test for Aida.”

The doctor’s smile faltered. “Ah. Yes. I remember."

“Well?” I pressed.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Like I mentioned before, if we test too early, the results may not be accurate. I don’t want to give you false information. A test that’s done now might lead you to believe something that isn’t true.”

“She should be seven weeks gone,” I reminded him, my voice firmer than usual. “That should be enough, shouldn’t it?”

“Technically, yes. But it’s better to wait until eight weeks at least. I beg you, wait one more week. It will give us the clearest answer.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to weigh my impatience against his advice. My chest tightened. I wanted to know now. I needed to know. But what if he was right?

“One more week then,” I finally said, giving in.

He nodded in relief. “Good. We will know the truth by then.”

I left his office feeling both heavy and lighter at the same time. One week. I could wait one more week.

When I got back to my quarters, Sybil was already bustling about in my room, stuffing clothes and folders into a travel bag.

“You look like you’re running away,” I teased softly, leaning against the doorframe.

Sybil turned, her cheeks flushed. “Feels like it. I’ve got half the work files to bring along. Cassian dumped them on me last night.”

“You’re really going in Cassian’s place? Can you do it” I asked, stepping closer to help fold a blouse she had carelessly tossed on the bed.

“Mm-hmm.” She smirked. “Alpha’s orders. I’ll be representing him. Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass him. I actually studied Economics in college. Even though it probably doesn't show..."

I smiled faintly, smoothing the blouse before placing it neatly in her bag. “I wish I could go with you. I hate just sitting around.”

Her expression softened, and she touched my hand. “Wren, you’re carrying his heir. You’re doing the most important job of all. Don’t think for a second that staying put makes you weak. Besides it's just going to be a very very boring meeting with humans discussing numbers all day. You'll be very bored."

“I know,” I said, but my voice was quiet. “I just feel… useless sometimes.”

“You’re not useless,” Sybil said firmly. “Trust me. Cassian wouldn’t be able to breathe right now if you weren’t here.”

I laughed lightly at that. “He'll scold me if he finds out I left the bed and walked all the way to the east wing to see the doctor."

“That’s love,” she said simply. “Annoying, overprotective, suffocating love.”

We both laughed, and for a moment, the heaviness in my chest eased.

By late afternoon, Sybil was ready to leave. I walked her to the main entrance, I attempted to help her carry her purse.

“I’ve got it,” she said, trying to take it back.

“Stop arguing,” I told her. “It's just a purse!"

“Fine,” she huffed, though a smile tugged at her lips. “But go back to bed after this. Promise me.”

“I promise,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I meant it.

As Sybil disappeared down the driveway with one of the drivers, I lingered outside for a moment, watching her go. The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of freshly tilled grass. They were doing some work in the gardens. For the first time all day, I felt something close to peace.

Until I heard a voice behind me.

“Wren.”

I stiffened. Locke.

I turned slowly, my stomach twisting. He stood a few paces away, hands in his pockets, his gaze sharp but unreadable.

“What do you want?” I asked cautiously.

“Just to talk,” he said smoothly, though there was an edge beneath his tone.

I didn’t move closer. “About what?”