Chapter 35: 35: A Warm Flutter
I clenched my jaw, waiting for Cassian to continue. My hands were balled into fists by my side, while Cassian looked equally as irritated. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled loudly, swallowing.
"It’s not just Willow," he said, his voice a little softer than before. "Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten what happened?"
There could only be one thing Cassian was referring to. It happened so many years ago, but even now, just the thought of it brought ice into my veins. I could still remember Cassian’s despair. He took the longest to walk out of that dark period of our lives.
That was also why he was always the harshest towards Briar. He hated her the most because what she did affected him the most.
"No," I muttered, turning to look away. "How could I forget?"
It haunted my dreams for years. For weeks following the incident, I was unable to properly rest. When I closed my eyes, all I could see was that. I didn’t know how long it took for me to eventually regain some form of normalcy.
Even Rowan, ever composed as he was, was a different man after that. He used to be much happier. Now, he seemed more like a robotic shell running through his tasks to manage the pack, trying to numb those memories out.
"Good," Cassian said.
He inhaled deeply as though he was trying to muster his courage. Then, he raised his gaze. His eyes were cold, filled with murderous rage. I knew exactly who it was targeted at, and it probably only frustrated him further that he could not act on it because of the Moon Goddess’s curse upon us.
"Because you shouldn’t forget it," he continued. "Not now, not in another hundred years." He turned and headed for the door, stopping only by the doorway. He didn’t turn back as he spoke. "Briar Argyris deserves everything that she has coming for her. She has to pay her debts. Just because she is our fated mate doesn’t mean that she can be forgiven."
***
[BRIAR POV]
When I woke up in the morning, I couldn’t say I was surprised to see the room was empty. However, I also couldn’t deny the disappointment that washed through me when I realized Soren wasn’t there.
No one had come to wake me up, and one look out of the window quickly told me that it was already past noon.
I scrambled into the shower, allowing the hot water to wash away all the dirt and grime from the exhaustive activities that had happened the night before.
I was still sore between my legs, and my back ached from all the strenuous activities that happened in just one day. However, when I thought about the way Soren held me in his arms, I couldn’t help the tingle of delight that fluttered in my chest.
He was so gentle, and every movement he made was purposeful in offering me pleasure first before he sought for his own. Just the memory of it made me smile.
I couldn’t wait to see Soren again. Maybe things would finally change for the better.
I had just returned from the shower when my bedroom door was forcibly slammed open. I jolted, wrapping the towel a little tighter around me when a warrior stepped in. My eyes lit up with surprise, and I let my guard down ever so slightly.
"Ralph," I said, my eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"
Ralph spun around in the direction of my voice. When he realized I wasn’t properly dressed, his eyes shot open before he quickly turned away. The tips of his ears had flushed scarlet, and he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I’ve been told to come fetch you," he said, his voice cracking a little. "You have been summoned."
"Oh?" I asked. My heart skipped a beat as Soren’s face flashed through my mind. The corners of my lips tilted upwards to form a small smile. I tried to stamp it down as soon as I realized it. Hell, I felt like a schoolgirl in love. "By whom?"
I quickly grabbed the first outfit I could find, but kept an eye on Ralph. He may have helped me once, but he was still a man. I didn’t intend to flash him if I had a say in it.
"Luna Violet," Ralph said. That name was like a bucketful of ice-cold water thrown over me. My shoulders instantly slumped, and I didn’t even realize I had loosened my grip until my clothes fell scattered on the floor.
"Oh," I said.
"Yes," Ralph awkwardly mumbled, still turned away. "Please get dressed. I was told to escort you over immediately."
As much as I would love to defy that order, I didn’t want to get Ralph in trouble. He waited outside my bedroom, and I had shoved some clothes on and was out the door within a minute. In my hands was Ralph’s jacket from yesterday.
"Here," I said as we walked down the corridor. "Thank you for helping me yesterday."
’I honestly didn’t think you would,’ I wanted to add, but cleverly kept my mouth shut. I finally had a grand total of one person in the pack who was willing to help me upon our first meeting, despite all the rumors that were spread about me. I didn’t want to drive him away.
"I was only doing what I had to," Ralph said. He stiffly took the jacket before gesturing to the door. "Here we are."
I didn’t even realize we had already arrived until Ralph pointed it out. Several other omega servants walked past us, bringing out empty trays from lunch, no doubt. Their eyes were trained on me, and some of them even began to murmur amongst themselves.
I paid them no mind. They were probably gossiping about what happened during the wedding ceremony, and I could hardly blame them. If the tables were turned, I couldn’t guarantee I would be nonchalant about it too.
Ralph knocked once on the door, and Violet’s voice quickly came from inside.
"Come in," she said. She sounded awfully chipper, which made me feel a little more on guard than I already was. That wasn’t a good sign.
Ralph seemed to know it too. He shot me a weak smile before he pulled the door open. I stepped in, holding my chin high.
Time to see what this bitch wanted.
"You wanted to see me―?"
I stopped in my tracks when my eyes fell on the people present in the dining room.
Violet wore a brilliant smile on her face, and she leisurely pierced a slice of watermelon with her fork before lifting it to the man’s mouth― the man she was currently seated in the lap of.
"How nice of you to finally join us, Briar," Violet said.
Malice sparkled in her eyes, but they disappeared as quickly as they came. She turned back to the man, sweetly grinning at him to display the two dimples in her cheeks.
"We wanted to talk to you about what happened at the wedding yesterday. You left so suddenly that we didn’t even realize you were gone until after the ceremony," Violet continued. "Isn’t that right, dear?"
Barely a word from Violet registered in my brain. My eyes were solely set on the man seated at the head of the table. He had Violet in his lap, his hand holding his waist the same way he held me last night. His eyes met mine, and I felt my body lose all its energy with just one look from him.
"Soren..."
