Eden
The morning light filtered through the trees as I sat on the porch, cradling a cup of tea in my hands. The warmth of the mug was the only thing keeping my fingers from trembling. Last night kept replaying in my head—the bleeding man, Cassian's touch, and Leo's teasing words.
Cassian. My mate. Who the heck thought of that?
The thought alone made my stomach churn. He was the alpha—strong, imposing, everything the pack worshipped. And me? I was nothing. Half-fae. Too small. Too weak. An outcast in my own home. We were far too different to be matched up.
I took a slow sip of tea, hoping the herbal warmth would calm my thoughts. But it was pointless. No amount of tea could settle the storm swirling inside me. Ever since last night, I haven't been in peace. After Leo telling me that, I walked away and didn't look back. It's not because I do not want Cassian or that I think he wasn't good enough for me. I just didn't think he belonged with someone like me. And what was worse—I didn't even know him.
Well,technically, I do know him. He has always been well known in the pack as the alpha's son and now, the alpha. The attention on him has always been unsurmountable even beyond our pack. He was handsome, muscular, strong, a natural leader and an excellent being in general.
My thoughts were interrupted by the soft creak of the porch as Aunt Mira stepped outside, wiping her hands on her apron. "You're awfully quiet this morning," she observed, her voice gentle as always. I didn't look up from my tea. "I didn't sleep much," I admitted, my voice barely louder than a whisper.
Mira sat down beside me, her weight causing the old wood to groan softly. "I figured as much. What's on your mind? Or should I say, who?" I groaned, finally meeting her gaze. "I don't want to talk about it right now, I'm overwhelmed"
Mira's eyes sparkled with knowing warmth. "Honey, I've been around long enough to recognize the signs of a mate bond. This may seem silly to you but it makes sense to me. I saw you both grow. I know you're scared but I know deep inside you want this. It was written all over your face last night—and Cassian's too."
I blinked. Cassian's too? How could he feel that way when I'm paired with him? I haven't even tapped in to the full depth of my fae powers and too weak to be a fighter wolf. I'm practically an NPC in this pack.
"That kind of electricity between two people isn't something that just happens," Mira continued, resting her hand on mine. I sigh "But you look like it's the last thing you wanted to hear."
I swallowed hard, looking down at my cup. "I don't even know him. And he's… he's the alpha, Mira. He's everything I'm not." I hug my knees to my chest and lay my head on it. Finding comfort for this new information that suddenly presented to me.
The way mates work is that they're basically someone who you will spend the rest of life with. Its a pairing designated by the Moon Goddess and the universe. According to the books I've read in my spare time, it's a pairing that's basically match made in heaven. The love would be so great that the couple is greater together than apart. They make each other stronger and wiser and when its an alpha and their luna, their bond will flourish and be beneficial to them and to the whole pack. Their pairing and love is a reflection of the bond and loyalty of the pack to their own. With all that being said, does it seem like Cassian and I would be a great pair?
Yes and you're fucking it up by being apart from him right now. My wolf, Emrys, says as she finally breaks her silence after the stunt I pulled last night. She was not happy I did not ask Cassian to claim me right there and then.
Mira smiled softly, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "The bond doesn't care about rank or status, Eden. It's something deeper than that. Something the two of you will have to figure out."
"I'm not sure I want to figure it out," I whispered, feeling the weight of those words in my chest. "I don't fit in here. How could I ever be his mate? How could we ever reflect the pack? I'm a halfie, Aunt Mira. Who could ever want that as their Luna?"
"I do and you fit in more than you think," Mira said, her voice steady. "And maybe this is the moment you've been waiting for. Maybe this bond will help you see that."
Before I could respond, hurried footsteps approached from the woods. I looked up to see Leo jogging toward us, his usual carefree grin plastered on his face.
"Eden, Aunt Mira, Cassian's called a meeting. He wants to see you both. It's about last night." He says smiling but my stomach dropped. Cassian wants to see me?
Obviously, dummy. You're his mate. Of course, he wants to see you. Emrys pipes in and I roll my eyes.
Mira stood quickly, wiping her hands on her apron again. "Then let's not keep him waiting."
The meeting hall felt too large, too grand as I stepped inside. I had been here before, but today it felt different. My heart raced as I walked beside Aunt Mira, trying to steady my breathing. The pack's leaders were already gathered, their expressions tense.
And then there he was—Cassian, in all his glory. He stood at the front of the room, tall and commanding, his presence making the air feel heavier. I could feel his eyes on me the moment I walked in. I couldn't help but glance up at him, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. It was like the world stopped around us, and his pine wood scent filled my lungs. But then he looked away and began addressing the room.
I told you, he would be embarrassed to be with me too, Emrys. I told my wolf and if wolves can roll her eyes, I could see her doing it right now.
"Last night's attack was a clear warning," Cassian's voice was strong, filling the hall. "We found no trace of the attackers, but the man in the forest was left for dead. This wasn't random. Someone's testing us."
I shifted uncomfortably. The memory of those glowing red eyes flickered in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. Something about it still felt… wrong. I should go and visit the forest to see if anything changed about it's energy later. Cassian's gaze flicked toward me again, and for a moment, I thought he was going to ask me something in front of everyone. But he didn't. Not yet.
Leo stepped forward, his face grim. "We found traces of blood near the south end of the territory where we encountered the man. The thing is, one of the bloods found doesn't belong to any of us. It's not a werewolf." The tension in the room grew. Murmurs spread quickly as the pack leaders began speculating.
"Witches?" someone suggested.
"Or vampires?" another voice chimed in, thick with anxiety.
Cassian silenced them with a raised hand. "We don't know yet. But we can't afford to ignore this. Whoever they are, they're aligned with something dangerous. And we need to be ready. Training will continue as they are but with longer hours. Meeting dismissed"
I tried to steady my breathing, but the weight of everything felt overwhelming. Could those red eyes have been a vampire? Was it even worse than I thought? I also haven't seen Elvion since last Monday. Could it have affected them too?
Elvion is a forest elf who often finds himself near our home so I have always talked to him. Nobody can see him besides me so our communications has been mostly whispering. It's one of the perks of being a half fae, though I haven't seen any more of his friends.
And then, out of nowhere, Cassian's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Eden."
My heart skipped. What does he want from me?
I felt every eye in the room turn toward me, and my pulse quickened. I look down on my lap. "Y-yes?" I managed to whisper.
"I need to speak with you after this meeting. Alone," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. I stand up before I can even make out what the murmurs in the room were saying.
My throat tightened. Alone? I glanced at Mira, who gave me a gentle nod of encouragement, but I was far from calm. What could Cassian possibly want to say to me?
After the meeting, the leaders dispersed, but Cassian stayed behind, waiting for me. I hesitated, my feet rooted to the ground. I wasn't ready for this. Not after everything that had happened.
"Go," Mira whispered, her hand resting gently on my back. "He won't bite. Yet."
I gave her a shaky smile, then slowly made my way toward Cassian. He was standing by one of the large windows, his back to me, the light from outside casting his figure in sharp relief. My heart hammered in my chest as I approached. His pinewood scent filled my nostrils and for a short while, I found myself comforted by his scent.
Fuck, snap out of it, Eden. I tell myself. I can't afford to be distracted right now especially not when we're alone in the room.
"I'd like to talk to you about being mates" Cassian said, turning to face me. His voice was softer now, but no less commanding.
Well, I think I'm about to be rejected right now. Better now than sooner, right?