Adrian met his gaze evenly, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in the air. “I’m not taking anything, Cassian.”
Cassian’s grip tightened, the sharp tips of his claws drawing faint lines of blood across Adrian’s shirt. His fangs gleamed in the moonlight as he leaned in closer, his voice a dangerous whisper. “You’ve crossed the line, vampire. At dawn, your fate will be decided. You do not belong in my pack.”
Lyra’s voice broke the moment like shattered glass. “Cassian, stop this!” she shouted, her tone laced with desperation as she grabbed his arm. “This isn’t you!”
Cassian’s head snapped toward her, his expression twisted with a mix of rage and betrayal. “Isn’t me? You think I’ll stand by while he disrespects everything this pack stands for? While he disrespects us?”
Lyra’s silver eyes glistened with frustration and fear. “He’s not disrespecting anyone! Adrian has been nothing but loyal to us—he’s saved me more times than I can count.”
Cassian’s eyes flickered with emotion, his anger warring with something deeper, but his grip on Adrian didn’t loosen. “You don’t understand what it means to lead, Lyra. To protect. This is my pack, my responsibility.”
Adrian shifted slightly, wincing as Cassian’s claws dug deeper. “You talk about responsibility, but this isn’t leadership, Cassian. This is fear.” His voice was calm, but the challenge in his words hung heavy in the air.
Cassian’s growl deepened, and for a moment, it seemed as if he might strike. But then, with a sharp inhale, he stood, his claws retracting as he stepped back. His gaze bore into Adrian’s, unyielding and cold. “You have until dawn. Then we’ll see where you stand.”
Adrian pushed himself up slowly, brushing dirt from his clothes. He didn’t look away from Cassian as he said, “I’ll stand wherever Lyra needs me.”
The words were a dagger, and Cassian’s jaw tightened as he turned sharply toward Lyra. “Choose wisely,” he growled before disappearing into the trees, his silhouette melting into the shadows.
Lyra stood frozen, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Adrian touched her shoulder gently, his voice soft. “Lyra, are you—”
“Don’t,” she interrupted, her voice trembling as she turned to face him. Her silver eyes searched his face, a storm of emotions brewing within them. “Why did you say that?”
Adrian’s hand dropped to his side, and he looked away, his voice low. “Because it’s true.”