CASSIUS POV
I sat across from Gabriel in my office, leaning back in my chair as I tried to ignore the gnawing impatience clawing at me. Every second wasted in this conversation was a second away from April. I wanted to be with her, but I also knew that whatever Gabriel had to say was important.
“You’ve been holed up in your house for hours,” Gabriel remarked, arms crossed, his tone somewhere between amused and exasperated. “Should I be concerned?”
I arched a brow. “You’re my Beta, not my mother.”
He smirked. “Yeah, but I’d be a shitty Beta if I didn’t ask.” He leaned forward, the humor fading slightly. “Now tell me what the hell happened last night. Why did I wake up to a new rogue in the dungeon?”
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “Because he was after April.”
Gabriel stilled. His expression hardened instantly, all traces of teasing gone. “Explain.”
I did. I told him about the rogue in the bar, the way he taunted her, the way he had made it clear that she was the target. Gabriel listened without interrupting, his jaw tightening with every word.
“Fuck,” he muttered when I was done. “You’re sure they don’t know why they’re after her? Just following orders?”
“Seems like it. Something about her asking questions that did not sit well with certain people,” I leaned forward, bracing my elbows on the desk. “And that’s exactly what worries me. Someone is pulling the strings. Someone with enough authority that rogues-who barely follow anyone-are listening and being led.”
Gabriel cursed under his breath. “That means we don’t just have a rogue problem. We have a leader problem.”
“Exactly.”
The silence stretched between us.
“Did you ask April about the questions she might have asked, perhaps that would give us some more information,” Gabriel asked while scratching the back of his neck.
“Not yet, I don’t want to overwhelm her.” I answered.
Gabriel rubbed a hand down his face before giving me a knowing look. “So, what’s the plan?”
I clenched my jaw. “First, I’m keeping April close. She’s staying here, where I can protect her.”
Gabriel snorted. “She agreed to that?”
I smirked. “She will.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Alpha orders, huh?”
“Something like that.”
Gabriel leaned back, studying me. “You really like her.”
I didn’t hesitate. “I do.”
His smirk widened. “You’re already calling her your future Luna in your head, aren’t you?”
I didn’t answer.
I didn’t have to.
Gabriel just laughed. “Damn. The mighty Cassius is finally caught.”
I ignored him. “Get the patrols doubled. We need to find out where these rogues are coming from and who they answer to.”
Gabriel sobered immediately. “On it.” He stood. “And Cassius?”
I met his gaze.
“If you really want her to stay, you might want to ask her instead of just deciding for her.”
I let out a low growl. “I don’t plan on giving her much of a choice.”
Gabriel just chuckled as he left.
I exhaled, glancing toward the direction of my house.
April was in my bed, in my home. Safe.
But for how long?
Because one thing was for certain-whoever was after her wouldn’t stop.
And I sure as hell wouldn’t let them take what was mine.