Legacy Wolves

Chapter 25: Trying to Save the Pack

Cassian raced through the forest, the wind biting at his face as he made his muscles pump blood faster. The moon was high in the sky by the time he reached the camp. The faint glow of firelight flickered through the trees, and the sounds of the pack filled the air with a light hum. 

Scarlett's words echoed in his mind: A planned wolf hunt. 

This was exactly the type of information he needed to prove his loyalty to Kieran's pack and stop Kieran from trying to kill him. 

Bursting into the clearing, Cassian slowed. Kieran on the other side of the camp noticed him, his sharp eyes narrowing as he approached.

"Where the hell have you been?" Kieran demanded, crossing his arms as he trotted over.

"No time—to explain," Cassian wheezed, holding up a hand. "We're—in danger. Hunters—are planning a—raid tomorrow night. They're—coming for us."

"So, you got us some information then?" Kieran said slyly. 

Cassian nodded, bending over to catch his breath.

"Off the little hunter?"

Cassian nodded again, still out of breath. "Y—yes," he wheezed. 

Kieran stepped closer, his voice low but tense. "When?"

"Six o'clock tomorrow night," he finally managed to say without losing his breath. 

"I see. But how can we trust you? Traitor," he spat.

Cassian's fists curled. "You asked me to prove myself and get you information!"

Kieran smiled. "No. I didn't."

"Yes, you did. And if you want to die, then so be it. But I'm not sticking around."

Cassian turned to go, taking a step away from Kieran. 

"Like hell you are," Kieran growled. "She'll kill you, you know."

Cassian stopped. "What did you just say?"

"I said, you're information sucks and you should go back to your little hunter girlfriend before I kill her."

A low growl rumbled from Cassian's chest, reverberating through the tense air. He turned slowly, his amber eyes glowing with a predatory light as he locked onto Kieran. The challenge hung heavy between them, an unspoken signal that sent a ripple of anticipation through the wolves gathered nearby. They stopped what they were doing, their heads snapping toward the brewing confrontation.

"What did you just say?" Cassian repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

Kieran smirked, stepping closer with deliberate arrogance. "You heard me. Go run back to your little hunter. We all know where your loyalty lies now."

Cassian's muscles tensed, his wolf straining against his control. "You don't know a damn thing about loyalty."

"Oh, don't I?" Kieran countered, his smirk twisting into a sneer. "You've been sniffing around with a hunter, Cassian. Do you think we're blind? Do you think we'll just sit back and watch you betray your pack?"

"I'm trying to save this pack!" Cassian snarled, his voice rising as his wolf surged closer to the surface. "You asked for information, and I got it. If you don't want to act on it, then you're more than welcome to stay here and die."

Kieran's smile dropped, replaced by a glint of fury in his icy gaze. "You're a traitor," he spat. "And traitors don't deserve to lead—or live."

Cassian barely had time to process the fury radiating from Kieran before he lunged at him. In mid-air, Kieran's body contorted with an agonizing crack of bones and sinew. Fur erupted along his skin in a ripple of grays and whites, his limbs elongating and reshaping into a hulking, primal form. By the time he landed, a massive wolf stood in his place, muscles taut and teeth bared, saliva glinting on his fangs as a low, guttural snarl rumbled from deep in his chest.