April’s POV
The night felt heavier than usual, the kind of weight that pressed down on your chest and made you second-guess every decision you’d ever made. I leaned against the bar counter, the polished wood smooth under my fingertips. The crowd had thinned out, leaving only the regulars murmuring in hushed tones at the far end of the room.
Cassius was gone.
The moment he told me he had to leave, I felt that familiar pang of uncertainty. But for the first time in months, I didn’t feel abandoned. He’d looked me in the eyes, his voice steady, and told me he’d come back. And I believed him.
That scared me more than I cared to admit.
I wasn’t used to this-to someone showing up and staying, to someone wanting me for more than fleeting moments. He’d brought me flowers and even even coaxed a few real laughs out of me before he left. It was… nice. Too nice. And yet, as much as I hated to admit it, I missed him already.
But tonight wasn’t about Cassius.
The rogues were back.
They moved like shadows through the town, slipping into alleyways and gathering in clusters just out of sight. I’d noticed them hours ago, lingering near the edges of the bar, their presence a quiet threat that made my wolf, Snow, stir uneasily.
“They’re too bold,” Snow said, her voice a soft growl in the back of my mind.
I agreed. Cassius’s absence shouldn’t have emboldened them this much. Something was off.
“They’re up to something,” I murmured under my breath, glancing out the window. The streetlights cast long, distorted shadows, and I caught a glimpse of movement-a figure slipping into the alley across from the bar.
Snow was restless, her energy buzzing under my skin. “We should follow them. Find out what they’re planning.”
I hesitated. Running headfirst into danger wasn’t exactly my style, especially when I didn’t have backup. But the rogues being here couldn’t be a coincidence, and the nagging feeling in my chest wouldn’t let me ignore it.
With a quiet sigh, I grabbed my jacket and slipped out the back door. The cool night air prickled against my skin, and I pulled the jacket tighter around me. The streets were eerily quiet, the usual hum of the town replaced by an unsettling stillness.
I followed the faint sound of voices, my steps light and deliberate. The rogues weren’t exactly subtle, their low growls and laughter carrying through the alleyways.
When I reached the edge of the alley, I pressed myself against the wall and strained to listen.
“… should’ve hit harder when the Alpha left,” one of them said, his voice rough and gravelly.
“We will,” another replied. “But not yet. This town’s got more to offer than we thought. We dig deeper first.”
“Like what?”
“Information,” the second one said, a sly grin evident in his tone. “There’s something here-something tied to the Alpha and his little pet human.”
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
Were they talking about me?
If they were, Pet human? They didn’t know what I really was.
“Good,” Snow said. “Let them underestimate you. Use it.”
My heart pounded as I continued to listen.
“The girl,” the first one growled. “She knows something. Or she’s connected somehow. The boss thinks she’s the key to something big.”
The boss? That was new. Rogues didn’t usually have leaders, at least none that were organized enough to pose a real threat.
“We keep her close,” the second rogue continued. “Watch her. And when the time’s right…”
The sound of footsteps cut through the conversation, and I ducked back, pressing myself deeper into the shadows. The rogues moved past me, their conversation fading as they disappeared down the alley.
I let out a shaky breath, my mind racing.
They were watching me.
I’d spent months running, keeping my head down, staying out of sight. But now? Now they were here, in my town, talking about me like I was some kind of pawn in their twisted game.
I wanted to run, to leave town and disappear like I always did when things got too dangerous. But this time, something held me back.
Cassius.
I thought about the way he looked at me, his dark eyes softening whenever I was near. I thought about the way he fought for me; no one had ever done that before.
For him, I would stay.
I was tired of running.
I made my way back to the bar, my mind still reeling from everything I’d overheard. Snow was quiet, her presence a comforting hum in the back of my mind.
“You’re ready,” she said finally, her voice calm but certain.
“Ready for what?” I asked, sinking into the chair behind the counter.
“To stop running. To let him in. You’ve spent so long trying to protect yourself, but maybe it’s time to let someone else do that for a change.”
I didn’t respond, but deep down, I knew she was right.
When Cassius came back, I would give him a chance.
I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts, but the sound of the door opening pulled me back to reality.
Cassius stood in the doorway, a sheepish smile on his face and a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.
My heart almost jumped out of my chest. I was not expecting him.
“I know I said I wouldn’t be around for a while,” he said, stepping inside, “but I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
My chest tightened, and a confusing mix of emotions swirling inside me.
He walked over, setting the flowers and a box of chocolate on the counter beside me. “And I brought chocolates. Thought I’d try to cover all my bases.”
I couldn’t help but laugh; the sound surprised even me. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” he said, his smile widening. “But I’m not going anywhere without making sure you know how much I care.”
I looked at him, really looked at him, and for the first time in a long time, I felt something close to hope.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, my fingers brushing against the petals of the flowers.
He nodded, his expression softening. “Stay safe while I’m gone, okay? I’ll be back before you know it.”
“I’ll be here,” I said, the words holding more weight than he probably realized.
As he turned to leave, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.
For the first time in months, I wasn’t running.
I was staying.
And when Cassius came back, I’d be ready to face whatever came next-together.