Chapter 2

WREN

Cassian’s gaze landed on me, sharp as a blade, and I froze. My light brown eyes flicked between him and Lucky, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“She is not an object,” Cassian said, his tone low and dangerous. “And I don’t particularly like the idea of you selling her to me. She may be a fox, but that doesn’t make her any less than us.”

“Well, whatever you think she is, I don’t care,” Lucky replied with an infuriating shrug. “She’s the key to ending your curse, isn’t she? If you don’t like the idea of me giving her to you, think of her as a gift if it makes you feel any better.”

I stiffened, my fingers curling into fists. A gift? As if I were some trinket to be handed over without so much as a thought.

Cassian’s fists clenched at his sides. His anger simmered beneath the surface, restrained but palpable. “I need to see for myself if she’s really a nine-tailed fox,” he said.

Lucky gestured toward me, smug as ever. “Be my guest.”

Cassian took a step closer, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. I tried to look away, but his voice stopped me cold.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

I flinched but obeyed, meeting his glowing golden eyes. The air around us shifted, charged with something I couldn’t name. My breath caught, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade, leaving only the two of us.

Cassian’s eyes glowed brighter, his wolf’s power rising as he studied me. I could feel him peeling back the layers of my human form, and I knew what he’d see. What I’d worked so hard to hide.

The faint shimmer of my true self appeared—nine ghostly tails flickering around me like shadows.

Cassian’s breath hitched. “She’s real,” he said softly.

“Told you,” Lucky said, grinning like he’d won some twisted game. “Now, about that alliance—”

“Not yet. I have to confirm something first,” Cassian cut him off. He reached out, his hand brushing my shoulder before I could pull away. A jolt shot through me, sharp and electric, and I gasped.

Cassian yanked his hand back, his face a mix of confusion and something I couldn’t place. “What the hell was that?” he muttered.

Lucky snickered. “Problem? Her former boss warned me she’s a bit of a troublemaker. Be careful with her.”

Cassian ignored him, his golden eyes flicking to me again. There was something in his gaze I hadn’t expected—something that unsettled me more than anger or disgust ever could.

“Take her,” Lucky pressed. “She’s yours now. Let’s move things along and talk about the alliance.”

Cassian’s expression hardened. “Fine. The alliance will follow, but I’ll take her first.”

I wanted to protest, to shout that I wasn’t anyone’s to take, but the words caught in my throat. Cassian turned to his beta, a weary-looking man named Reed, and gave the order to escort me out.

Reed’s hand on my arm was firm but not rough as he led me away. I glanced back, catching one last look at Cassian. His eyes burned with determination, and for the first time, I wondered if this man was more dangerous than all the others combined.

The ride to wherever they were taking me was silent, save for the hum of the car. Reed had given me a robe, something to cover the remnants of my tattered clothing, but it did little to ease my unease.

Cassian joined us not long after, sliding into the seat beside me. The tension between us was thick, unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Reed broke the silence first.

“I can’t believe it,” he said, his voice low. “After all these years, that Lucky bastard just casually drops a fox shifter at our doorstep.”

Cassian didn’t respond right away. His golden eyes stayed on me, unreadable. Finally, he murmured, “I’m still in shock.”

“So, what now? Are you taking her to the priestess?” Reed asked.

Cassian nodded. “Yes. The sooner, the better.”

My stomach twisted at their words. Priestess? What did they want from me? Every master I’d ever had wanted something—my blood, my tails, my powers. And now this wolf… I couldn’t tell what he wanted, and that terrified me more than anything else.

The scent of sage and earth filled my nose as Cassian led me into a dimly lit hall. My wrists were unbound, but his presence behind me was enough to keep me from bolting.

“What are we doing here?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Quiet,” he snapped, his tone brooking no argument.

I scowled but bit back any retort, following him to the dais where an older woman stood waiting. Her silver hair gleamed in the faint light, and her eyes… Her eyes seemed to see right through me.

“Chief Priestess Arlena,” Cassian greeted, inclining his head slightly.

The woman nodded, her gaze fixed on me. “You’ve found her at last,” she said, a note of relief in her voice.

I bristled. “Can someone please tell me what’s going on? I don’t understand any of this.”

Cassian’s glare silenced me, but Arlena’s faint smile softened the tension.

“Bring her closer,” Arlena said. “Let me see her true form.”

Cassian nudged me forward. I hesitated, every instinct screaming at me to run, but Arlena’s calm presence held me in place. Her fingers brushed my cheek, and a soft glow enveloped her hand.

“She is as the curse foretold,” Arlena said after a moment. “A fox with nine tails, destined to break the curse by binding her life to yours.”

Cassian’s jaw tightened. “Binding?”

Arlena’s eyes met his, unyielding. “She is your mate, Alpha. The bond you feel is no accident. It is the will of the moon goddess.”

My breath caught. Mate? My eyes darted to Cassian, searching for any sign that this was some cruel joke. But his expression was unreadable, his body tense.

“That’s impossible,” he said, his voice low.

“It is the goddess’s judgment,” Arlena replied. “Your ancestors led the massacre of her kind. This bond is both punishment and redemption.”

My chest tightened as her words sank in. I turned to Cassian, anger flaring. “Your family killed mine?”

His jaw clenched. “I wasn’t there. That was centuries ago.”

“Doesn’t make it any less real,” I snapped.

“Enough,” Arlena interrupted, her voice firm. “The bond must be sealed before the next full moon, or the goddess’s wrath will fall upon you both.”

I stared at the priestess, my mind reeling. Mate? Bond? This couldn’t be happening. But the look in Cassian’s eyes told me it was all too real.