TV NIGHT CHAOS ☄️🌑
956 Words
The TV Night
Seren
The castle felt normal for once.
That was the strange thing.
They were stretched out on the couch in Cassius’s chambers, a low fire crackling nearby, some ridiculous modern show playing on the screen—something with terrible dialogue and dramatic music that made Seren laugh every time the characters took themselves too seriously.
Cassius had relaxed into her side, one arm draped behind her shoulders, his attention half on the screen, half on her reactions. He hadn’t laughed much lately, but tonight he did—quiet, surprised sounds, like he’d forgotten what it felt like.
Seren glanced up at him, smiling. This, she thought, this is what normal could look like.
She shifted slightly, tucking her legs under her. “You know,” she said lightly, “if you lower General Vaelor’s rank publicly, it’s going to cause more resentment than loyalty.”
Cassius hummed. “He disobeyed a direct order.”
“Yes, but not maliciously,” Seren countered. “He panicked. That’s different. You punish panic too harshly and you teach people to hide it.”
Cassius looked at her then—really looked at her.
Not amused. Not dismissive.
Considering.
She continued, encouraged. “You asked me to learn pack affairs. This is part of it. People don’t just follow strength—they follow trust.”
For a moment, Seren thought she’d reached him.
Then the communicator on the table chimed.
Cassius stiffened instantly.
The warmth drained from his posture so fast it startled her.
He stood, crossed the room, listened to the message with his back to her. Seren couldn’t hear the words, only the way his shoulders tightened, the way his jaw set.
When he turned back, his expression had shifted—controlled, distant.
“What is it?” Seren asked, sitting up.
“Tension near the southern corridors,” he said evenly. “Nothing urgent.”
She studied him. “That doesn’t sound like ‘nothing.’”
“It’s handled.”
Seren stood. “Then let me come with you. If you’re addressing Vaelor now, I should be there.”
Cassius shook his head. “Not tonight.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why?”
“The situation isn’t stable.”
She crossed her arms—not defensively, but firmly. “Cassius, I can handle unstable. You know that. I’ve hunted. I’ve led during emergencies. I’m not a porcelain thing you need to—”
“This isn’t about what you can handle,” he interrupted, sharper than before.
The room went quiet.
Seren inhaled slowly. “Then what is it about?”
Cassius hesitated.
Just long enough.
Then he spoke, already turning away. “I’ve ordered an escort to take you back to your chambers.”
The words landed softly.
That was the problem.
Seren stared at him. “You… ordered it?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t ask.”
“I didn’t need to.”
Two guards appeared in the doorway, respectful, unmoving.
They wouldn’t disobey him.
Seren knew that.
She also knew she wouldn’t humiliate the both of them by arguing, Wouldn’t undermine his authority. Wouldn’t make a scene.
So she nodded once.
“Fine. I will..this time,” she said quietly.
She walked past him, heart tight, and stepped into the waiting vehicle without another word.
As the door closed, one thought echoed through her chest:
He’s doing it again.
What kind of Luna would she be if her voice only mattered when it was convenient?
Cassius
The moment the door shut, regret flared.
Not doubt—fear.
Axel was already there, arms crossed. Callan leaned against the wall, expression unreadable.
“Cassius,” Axel said carefully, “don’t do this.”
“I did what was necessary.”
“No,” Callan said flatly. “You did what made you feel better.”
Cassius bristled. “That’s not fair.”
“Oh, it is,” Callan replied. “You didn’t protect her from danger. You protected yourself from losing her.”
Cassius opened his mouth to argue.
Axel beat him to it. “You didn’t even let her choose.”
Silence.
Callan sighed. “She might be your mate. She might be strong. But have you ever considered that even if she doesn’t get hurt—doesn’t die—she can still leave you another way?”
Cassius frowned. “She wouldn’t.”
“She could,” Callan said quietly. “She could go home.”
The words struck harder than any threat letter.
Cassius turned away.
They didn’t understand.
If she stayed close, she was safe.
That was all that mattered.
Seren
Later that night, Seren couldn’t sleep.
She wandered the quieter corridors, restless, until she found herself back near the pack offices. A door hadn’t been closed properly.
Inside, lamplight illuminated neatly stacked files.
Her name was on more than one of them.
Seren frowned and stepped closer.
Protection orders. Patrol routes. Restricted access notes.
Future Queen not to be disturbed.
Keep within castle grounds.
Do not engage unless approved.
Her chest tightened.
This wasn’t new.
This was deliberate.
She sank into the chair, realization blooming painfully slow.
The hospital hadn’t needed her—not because they were fine, but because he’d replaced her.
The time they’d spent together hadn’t been coincidence.
He hadn’t trusted her with the truth.
He’d hidden her.
Shielded her.
As if this was his battle alone.
Seren pressed a hand to her chest, breathing uneven.
She loved him.
But she would not be a pretty trophy.
And she would not live in a cage built out of fear—no matter how gently it was lined.
When Cassius came home, she was waiting.
And she wasn’t sure anymore if she could stay quiet.
- Writer
