‘No matter how wicked a father is, their kids will always protect them at the expense of their lives. Cassie is still her father’s daughter, how are you sure that she won’t betray you too?’ Staring up at the sky, Astrid’s words echo in his head, and he sighs briefly, closing his eyes. He has been trying not to read meaning to what she said, he has been trying as much not to think about it, but the truth is staring back at him, and there’s nothing he can do to deny it. What was he even thinking? That she will ever turn against her father? No matter how wicked and heartless his father is, he would still protect him if he were to be alive, so what was he thinking that she will eventually kill her father? That’s the dumbest thing he shouldn’t have thought of.
Still lost in thoughts, her scent suddenly distracts him, and tilting his head back, there she is, standing with an innocent smile dancing on her lips. How beautiful she looks when she smiles.
“I brought your dinner, my lord,” her voice disrupts his thoughts, bringing him back to reality, and he slowly nods his head.
“Are you OK?” Seeing the expression on his face, she suddenly becomes worried and curious, and she ends up asking him.
“I’m fine…” He quickly covers up his expression with a smile that lasted for split seconds and disappears immediately.
“Uhm… Do you want me to watch you eat, or should I leave first?” She asks shyly, looking everywhere else except his face. Her heart keeps racing fast as she can’t help the smile that keeps dancing on her lips. This is how she always feels whenever they’re together. She always feels so alive and excited to have him around, and today isn’t an exception.
“Sure. Come with me,” He walks past her into the room, and the aroma of the food welcomes him.
Walking over to the chair, he sits and she walks over to serve his food.
“Are you sure you’re OK?” She asks for the umpteenth time, getting disturbed by the expression on his face. This is not like him, he’s always happy and smiling whenever she’s around, so why is he so gloomy today?
“Uhm… Cassie…” He calls her and pauses, taking a deep breath.
“Huh?” She replies to him with a curious look on her face.
“Can we take a break from this?” He suddenly asks out of the blue, and she pulls a confused look.
“Huh?” She asks innocently as she can’t bring herself to understand what he meant by that.
“I mean, I need you to give me some space. I need to figure out something, so we need to give each other some space for the main time. I promise to let you know when I’m back in shape, and ready for this again,” He says hesitantly, avoiding her gaze. It was difficult making this decision, but he really need to. He needs to be sure of his feelings for her, he needs to be sure that she won’t betray him later, but how he’s going to make sure of that, is what he has no idea of at the moment. He just needs some time alone, and maybe he’ll be fine.
“Why?” She asks after a long silence, as her heart breaks into pieces. What has she done wrong to make him want to give her space?
“I… I… I just need some time alone, OK? I… I… I need to figure out something, and…” He stops and sighs frustratingly as he touches his forehead.
“Alright… I understand, I will leave,” She quickly stands up and strides to the door.
“Cassie…” He calls her as he stands up to his feet. It hurts him deeply to see her in this condition, but what hurts the most is the fact that he’s the one putting her through this.
Walking over to her, he hugs her from the back, and that’s when he realizes that she’s already in tears.
“I’m not leaving you, OK? You don’t have to cry… I just need some time, and I’ll certainly be back for you, OK?” He whispers in her ear, and she nods her head.
“Will I get to see you?” She asks sadly, as she turns around to face him. His hands are now wrapping around her waist whilst staring into her innocent eyes. She’s too innocent to betray him.
“Do you know if this was how innocent her father looked when he betrayed your father?” His subconscious mind reminds him, and he sighs softly. Slowly, he smiles at her.
“No, you won’t get to see me, Cassie. You’ll have to stop coming to see me henceforth, and about my meal, I’ll assign someone else to take care of it for now. You just take your time to rest for now, OK?” He pats her hair slowly, and she frowns her face. She suspects something is wrong, but she can’t wrap her head around what can possibly be the problem that’ll make him suddenly want to give her space. She nods her head anyways.
“Thank you for understanding,” He plants a kiss on her forehead before she finally walks out of the room…
Later inside Cassie’s room…
“Come on, Cassie. It’s not something to worry about. He might just be going through some hard time now and needs some time alone. It’s not something to worry about, OK?” Seeing the worried look on Cassie’s face as she sits on the bed as if she’s going to lose her life anytime soon, Zoey assures her.
“I feel like he doesn’t love me anymore,” She whines, crashing her back against the bed as she releases a deep sigh.
“That’s ridiculous. Let me burst your bubbles, Cassie. The special types of werewolves have only one true love and no matter what happens, they’ll always stick by them. He loves you, so you’re safe,” Even after Zoey assures her, she still herself doubting everything. What if she’s not his true love? What if he eventually leaves her? How will she be able to cope without him in her life? Many questions keep running through her mind as she stares up at the ceiling…