Legacy Wolves

Chapter 26: Werewolf Rage

Cassian was fuming.

If they didn't want to listen to him with the information they asked for, then that was their problem. He wasn't sticking around to watch them fight. 

He needed to clear his head and somehow, he found himself at the edge of Scarlett's neighborhood just before dawn, his heart pounding in his chest. Why was she the one person he wanted to see when he was distressed?

The sky was a soft lavender as the last of the moonlight faded into day. He stayed hidden among the trees, his sharp eyes scanning for any sign of movement in her house. 

"Cassian," her sharp voice cut through the stillness. He froze, turning to see her step out from behind a cluster of trees, her face a mixture of surprise and anger.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, her tone low but forceful.

Cassian stopped in his tracks, cursing under his breath. "I could ask you the same thing," he said, his voice sharper than he intended.

"I live here."

"Oh, right." He shook his head as though he was trying to clear is mind from the foggy rage that had settled over him. 

"I told you to wait until tonight."

But it didn't last long.

"I don't have time to wait!" Cassian snapped, stepping closer. "The wolves are planning to fight. I need details—now. If I don't figure out your people's movements, my people are going to die."

"Someone's moody," Scarlett snapped as she crossed her arms. "You're going to get yourself killed. And for what? A half-baked plan to play hero?"

"I don't need you to lecture me!" Cassian shot back, his voice rising. "I've had enough of that for one day."

Scarlett stepped forward, her finger jabbing at his chest. "You're going to get yourself caught, Cassian. And when you do, what happens to your pack then? What happens to Addy?"

Her words were a punch to the gut, and Cassian's jaw clenched. "Don't bring Addy into this."

"She's already in it," Scarlett said, her voice cutting through the night like a blade. "Every stupid decision you make puts her in more danger. You think this is just about you? Well, knock knock, it's not!"

Cassian's hands balled into fists, his wolf clawing at the edges of his control. "You don't get it!" he growled. "You're not the one they're hunting! You're not the one who has to protect everyone while your entire life falls apart!"

"And you think that gives you an excuse to be reckless?" Scarlett shot back. "You're at my house doing what!?"

He looked at his shoes. 

"That's what I thought! You need to go before someone comes out and sees you."

Her words only stoked the fire in his chest. He stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous growl. "Then stay out of my way before someone does come out and see me."

"No. This is my territory and I told you I'd help, and I will. But on my terms, not yours. Meet me tonight, like we agreed. Until then, you stay the hell away from this place."

Cassian let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You think you're in charge here?" He took another step forward, forcing her back against a tree. "I don't take orders from you, Scarlett."

Her breath hitched as her back met the rough bark. "Cassian," she said, her voice quieter now, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "What the hell has gotten into you?"

His chest heaved, his breath warm against her face. The anger between them hung in the air like a storm cloud, crackling with unspoken tension.

"You don't get it," Cassian huffed, pushing away from her. "I don't have the luxury of waiting. If I don't do something now, Kieran's going to kill you. Do you understand that?"