Legacy Wolves

Chapter 29: Forbidden Love

Cassian spun toward the voice, his instincts kicking in, but he froze when he saw Scarlett standing there in the doorway.

He stared at her, the journal still clutched in his hands and the photo of his family by his feet. He didn't know what to say, or how to explain the whirlwind of emotions raging inside him.

"You thought? Or you tracked me?" he quizzed her.

"Tracked you." Scarlett stepped further into the cabin, her gaze moving over the cluttered room before settling on him. "You're shaking," she said softly. "What's wrong?"

Cassian's gaze fell to the photo on the floor. 

"What did you find?"

"Answers," he whispered. "And more questions."

Scarlett moved closer. She bent over and picked up the photo at his feet. "Caspian? Who is this?"

"Me," he said in a small voice. "And my parents."

She stared silently at the portrait. "You look just like her."

"I know."

"I always wondered who these people were."

Cassian's ears pricked up and his head snapped towards her. He stared at her, his knuckles turning white against the journal he clutched.

"You knew about them?" he snapped, snatching the photograph from her. "You knew about all of this, didn't you?"

Scarlett's eyes widened slightly. "Cassian, it's not like that—"

"Not like that? You've been here before haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Ohh! It all makes sense now!" He ran his hand through his hair, stepping away from her. "I knew when you said you knew where this place was you were just playing games with me."

"I wasn't—"

"-No? Cause that little stunt about the day time raid sure looked like it!" 

"I don't control what my father does."

"No, but your father already controls you and Addy." He stepped closer to her, his veins pumping as he pointed his finger at her. "And he's using you both to lure me in!"

Scarlett flinched. "You think I wanted this?" she shot back. "You think it's been easy for me? I'm risking everything just being here, Cassian. Everything."

"Then why are you here?" Cassian demanded, his voice raw. "Why do you keep following me if it's so dangerous? Why not just stay with your family and keep hunting wolves like you've been taught?"

Scarlett's jaw tightened, and she took another step closer. They were almost nose to nose now, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension. "Because I care, you idiot!" she burst out, her cheeks flushing. "I care about you, about Addy, about all of this. I... I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Cassian stared at her, stunned into silence. Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. But then his anger flared again, mingling with confusion and something else he couldn't quite name.

"You care?" he echoed, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Is that what this is? Because it sure as hell doesn't feel like it."

"What do you want me to say, Cassian?" Scarlett asked, her voice softening but no less intense. "That I'm sorry? That I should've told you everything sooner? Fine. I'm sorry. But I'm here now, trying to help you, and all you seem to do is push me away."

"Because I don't trust you!" Cassian yelled, his frustration boiling over. "How can I? You're a hunter, Scarlett. Your family kills people like me for sport. How do I know this isn't another elaborate trap?"