Author’s P. O. V
Raider sat back in the soft chair feeling the burden of his role. As the Alpha of the Green Forest Pack, he was meant to show strength, but inside he felt lost and troubled. He looked straight ahead where the golden light from the torches flickered on the stone walls, making shadows that seemed to tease him. The seat was warm under him, but he felt colder than the stone beneath him while reflecting the chill deep in his heart.
“I can’t believe you’re still thinking about that,” Cassandra said sharply, breaking the quiet. She walked into the dim light with her outline visible in the doorway. Her gentle face no longer showed the kindness he used to look for.
Raider turned a bit while forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m okay,” he said with his voice dull. “Honestly. There’s no need to worry.”
Cassandra walked over while tilting her head like she was trying to understand a puzzle. “You’ve been gazing off for most of the afternoon. Is this about getting ready for the festival? I thought you liked it.”
He shrugged and turned back to the far corner of the room. “It is what it is. We’ve done festivals before.”
A brief look of annoyance showed on her face, but she hid it fast. “Raider, I understand, leading is tough. If something is bothering you… I’m here. As your wife.”
The title hung between them like a noose tightening around his neck. “Wife,” he repeated with anger in his voice. “Just a deal that works for us.”
Cassandra squinted, and the atmosphere felt heavy with silence. “You behave like I’m just a piece in your game. I’m your partner, whether you want to admit it or not.”
Raider laughed with his voice becoming more intense. “What a cruel trick fate has pulled on you too. Do you really think I can’t see your lies? You pretend to fit in with my people, but I sense a gap between us full of secrets.”
“I promise you there’s nothing to worry about,” she said with her voice calm, but not the warmth he had hoped for.
“Then I think you should go to sleep,” he said quickly, while waving her off with his hand.
Cassandra bit her lip with anger showing in her hazel eyes. “Sleep well Raider.” With that she turned around and left with the quiet sound of her footsteps disappearing behind her.
The quiet that came after was loud but sad thoughts filled Raider’s mind. As he looked at the walls covered with his pack’s banners, he felt pain for the bond he could never share with Cassandra.
Night fell over the forest and Raider lay flat under the heavy blankets pretending to sleep. His eyes flickered, and he paid close attention to what was happening outside his mind. He caught the soft sounds of Cassandra moving next to him.
With a small movement she sat up. Raider opened one eye, seeing her get out of bed quietly even though she was in a hurry. He felt a shock as he realized what she was doing-she was sneaking off.
Cassandra quietly walked to the door with a lit torch with its warm light flickering on her pale skin. Raider held his breath with his body tense while waiting for the moment she would leave. She went outside, and he jumped up, quickly following her.
He followed her down the hall silent like a shadow with his heart beating hard. She was taking him to a secret place in her life he didn’t know about. Raider’s thoughts raced and were full of worries about betrayal that made him uneasy.
Cassandra stopped in a quiet corner. Raider leaned against the wall as he was trying to see where she was headed. In the low light he noticed a man standing there with his broad shoulders and strong posture clear to see. It was Rax Moore, the Gamma of their pack.
Raider felt his stomach turn when he saw it. Cassandra moved closer with her face glowing with a look he had never seen aimed at him. “Rax,” she said softly, with her voice sweet and gentle.
She quickly moved closer to him and Raider’s breath stopped. The torchlight brightened their faces as she kissed Rax with a passion that showed desire and closeness. They hugged and everything around Raider started to fall apart.
“Cassandra,” Rax whispered to her. “I’ve really missed you.”
Caught between anger and hurt, Raider stepped into the light and shouted “What’s going on here?”
Cassandra and Rax pulled away clearly surprised, but neither seemed sorry. In fact, they both seemed relaxed like they were playing a game that got caught, but didn’t care about the result.
“Raider,” Cassandra said with a smile that made Raider uneasy. “Your timing is just right.”
“What’s happening, Cassandra?” Raider asked with his voice quiet and threatening as he focused on Rax. “Tell me.”
Cassandra moved up clearly fearless. “Rax and I share a connection you’ll never get.”
Raider sensed the ground move under him. “So why marry me? If you love him, why did you make me go through this act?”
Her smile changed to something darker. “Oh, you’ll see soon enough my dear Alpha. Everything here has a purpose, you know.”
“Cassandra,” Raider said lowly while moving nearer with his heart racing with anger and confusion. “You could have said no to this deal. You could have-”
“Rejected?” she cut in teasingly. “I’m Rax’s real mate. Marrying you? That had its own reasons.”
Raider looked at Rax, who appeared more focused on backing up against the wall, trying to avoid the heat of the argument. “And you,” Raider mocked. “You knew? You knew this whole time?”
“Hey, it’s not what you believe-” Rax started, but Raider’s intensity cut him off.
“Shut up Rax!” Raider said with his voice loud and full of anger.
Rax raised his hands with a grin on his face. He took a step back. “You don’t need to be so harsh, Raider. I was just stepping aside so you wouldn’t land on me.”
Raider’s feelings swirled wildly, but before he could respond to Rax, a sound came from behind him, fast footsteps on the ground. Raider turned to face this new danger, but he wasn’t quick enough.
There was a sudden hit which was strong and unyielding. A sharp pain burst in his head and darkness surrounded him, engulfing him completely.
In those last moments, as he felt himself slipping away, all Raider could think about was being betrayed. How love had turned into a tool for control and every moment he spent with Cassandra filled with deceit…