Author’s POV
Raider sat by himself at the long wooden table, the flickering candlelight making shadows dance around the big dining room of the Green Forest pack’s main hall. His fork absentmindedly traced the edge of his plate though he had long stopped tasting the roasted meat in front of him.
He looked up to see Cassandra walking with her hair flowing over her shoulders like a dark waterfall lit by moonlight, and a bright smile lighting up her face.
“Sorry, I’m late,” she said, drifting towards him like a puff of smoke. “You know how it goes; the pack always has something to talk about.”
“Don’t stress over it,” Raider said with his tone calming right away. “I was just… thinking about life while I ate dinner.”
Cassandra laughed softly as she sat down across from him, her giggle easing the tightness that had built up all night. “A big problem about lamb chops, huh?”
“Feels more like a regular meal while my thoughts drift away.” Raider leaned closer and spoke in a teasing tone. “But I can be convinced to chat about something nicer. What are you thinking, Luna?”
Cassandra’s face changed with the corners of her mouth turning down as she started to poke at her food without paying much attention. “I’ve been thinking about the Black Hound pack… what’s been going on there lately.”
Raider frowned. “What about them? I thought they had been pretty quiet recently.”
“Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean it’s good, you know that,” she said, sounding serious now. “I just feel… something’s off with Alpha King Adams. He’s losing control. The pack is on edge and if this goes on it could mean trouble for them and for us too.”
Her words lingered in the space between them filled with a deep sense of worry. Raider leaned back in his chair, taking in what she had said and letting her feelings sink in.
He started to drum his fingers lightly on the table as he spoke. “What you’re insinuating is that he needs to be replaced, right?”
Cassandra raised an eyebrow with a playful sparkle back in her eyes and a smile played on her lips. “Wouldn’t it be smarter if one of his brothers took over instead? Think about Raoul, for example. He’s a born leader.”
“Raoul?” Raider laughed and shook his head. “He’s just too unpredictable. He wouldn’t understand the ‘rules’ even if they showed up dressed in silly outfits.”
Cassandra laughed with her eyes bright. “So what about Ben? He’s calm and has a good head. He’d bring balance.”
“Stability? You mean, he’d walk in all fancy and important and the pack would nod like bobblehead toys while he went on about the right rules?” Raider replied, pretending to be serious as he overly moved his head. “I can’t see that going well over time.”
“Alright, alright! What if we pick Batholomew then?” Cassandra said, her smile wide. “He’s strong and likable-plus everyone in the pack likes him.”
“That’s right.” Raider said, smiling widely. “But Batholomew couldn’t take a group of puppies to their mom without getting distracted by a squirrel. You know it.”
They both laughed and Raider leaned in, resting his chin on his hand. “So which one would you pick then, oh smart Luna?”
Cassandra acted like she was thinking hard for a moment, wrinkling her forehead. “Honestly? I believe the next Alpha King should be someone who can help you and also push you. Someone you can trust.”
Raider’s smile grew gentler as he looked at her. “And that would be…?”
“Someone like you,” she said with a playful smile, but then her face turned serious. “There must be a reason we’re talking. What do you really think about Adams’ leadership?”
Raider let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. “I don’t like seeing any unhappiness in the pack. But to be honest, Adams is pretty stubborn. He has his own ways of holding on to power and they’re not working. If you feel it, others likely do as well.”
Cassandra nodded with her eyes fixed on his. “It makes me uneasy. We’ve kept peace between the packs, but we can’t ignore the tension forever.”
As they talked more, a sudden noise broke Cassandra’s attention from her meal. One of the guards came closer, moving quietly through the hall before bending down to whisper in her ear.
Raider’s expression darkened instantly. “What did he say?” He watched her face carefully searching for any sign of distress.
Cassandra’s forehead wrinkled for a moment, and she raised a hand to stop Raider’s coming questions. “It’s… personal,” she said, her voice steady but kind.
“Personal? You think something that needs to sneak around is just personal?” Raider asked, leaning in with a mix of concern and anger. “I don’t like being kept in the dark, Cass.”
The guard, feeling the tension, stepped back and looked quickly between the two.
Cassandra breathed out slowly, her eyes begging Raider’s. “Please let me take care of this. It’s not what you believe.”
Raider clenched his jaw, feeling the beast inside him wake up wanting to know more. “You know I don’t like secrets, Cass.”
“Yeah, and this isn’t just a normal secret.” She looked at the guard again, who nodded a bit and moved back far enough to watch without listening in. “It’s a matter that needs care. I wish I could share everything, but you need to trust me. Just for now.”
“You’re making it, so I have no choice, right?” Raider shook his head and his brow tightened with frustration. “You know I really hate that.”
Cassandra reached over to the table and laid her hand softly on his tight fists. “I’m sorry. I truly am. But Raider, if you keep pushing, it will just make things harder. Believe me just this once.”
Raider felt his heart relax when she touched him. The warmth of her hand calmed the storm inside him but doubt still colored his voice. “What could be so private that it’s smart to hide from me? We’re not just Alpha and Luna; we’re partners.”
“Partners, yes,” she said gently, looking straight at him, “but sometimes partners need to protect each other from tough truths. Just give me some time and I promise I’ll explain.”
Raider looked at her face closely trying to find signs of lying. “You’re not in deep trouble are you?” he asked at last, changing his tone to be kinder.
She smiled softly, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Not at all. Just give me a second.”
Raider let out a sigh, though he didn’t really want to. “Okay. But you have to promise me that if it has to do with the pack, you will tell me.”
“I promise,” she said strongly, holding his hand gently before pulling it back to eat her food. “Now let’s not mess up a nice dinner because of secrets.”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Raider said, but he still felt worried inside. He didn’t like that Cassandra was hiding things from him, but maybe it wasn’t a big deal…