Claimed In The Shadows

ina'

illusion, shackled by invisible chains too complex, too tight to slip

have been a moment of pride quickly descended into a waking ni

envy of many. I lost friends over the attention he gave me, but I didn't

hen that dream curdled. Cassian's mask slipped, revealing a possessive, v

And it wasn't an empty threat Cassian ruled the entire western territory wit

ly, forbidding even the smallest contact. I was cut off,

Beta's wife instead. With no responsibilities, no voice, and no

uarters in the Pack House eight months of solitude, lo

hat I was granted a sliver of freedom. But it

res smiling at another man, exchanging polite words at gatherings. Everything ended in

defy him. Cassian was the most dominant Alpha on

. It was supposed to be a celebration, but for me, it was another tigh

y every move a silent wa

ts had been exiled, I'd lived in torment, not knowing if they were safe. I knew the

htening his grip whenever I showed resistance. If he felt slight

was unchallenged, and eliminating those he viewed as th

rutal command. That, more

dn't act unless I knew my parents were tru

camp. We were barely more than strangers, but I hoped

nt to approach him when Arixen appeared b

knew this could be the only chance I'd get. I cast a

interested. A rare

and resolve, I place

in the crowd. As we danced, Arixen's calm presence soothed me, his steps sure, his demean

now o

desperate, every word shaped by the fear that any wrong phrase mi

ised to help. Promised that

ars, something pierced throu

ind Cassian's composed façade. He had been watchin

d to our quarters that his

bedroom door echoed like a guns

e to speak I

gone t

I would pay