I Chose to Stay
1185 Words
I couldn’t sleep all night. I felt confused, disappointed, and angry at Cassiel. So many emotions clashed inside me, but the strongest was the feeling of being deceived.
As the hours passed, my emotions slowly settled.
No matter what Cassiel had done, even taking my crown without my knowledge, my life had been fine. He took responsibility in his own way, without hurting or harming me.
It would have been a completely different story if I had ended up in Mr. Sullivan’s hands.
I couldn’t imagine what would have happened to me. I didn’t want to.
When morning came, I got out of bed. My body still felt weak from lack of sleep.
But I needed to talk to Cassiel.
I stepped out of my room and found the corridor empty.
Where exactly was Cassiel’s room again? I couldn’t really remember.
All the corridors looked the same. Same doors, same colors.
Should I just shout his name?
Then the scent hit me. That familiar scent, so distinctive I could smell it even from the corridor. I followed it as it grew stronger.
I stopped in front of a closed door.
My hand reached for the handle, and I forgot all about manners.
By the window, Cassiel sat on the sill with his knees pulled to his chest, staring outside. From the darkness on his face, I knew he was hurting.
Cassiel turned, then climbed down and stood in front of me. I walked closer.
“I never meant to hurt you, Lune,” Cassiel said when we faced each other.
I stayed silent for a moment, then nodded weakly. “I know.”
“You have every right to hate me. I dragged you into danger.”
Cassiel’s eyes glistened, though he tried to stay strong. Anyone would break under a curse shadowed by death.
It was a miracle Cassiel was still standing and sane.
“I won’t stop you if you want to leave,” Cassiel said plainly. “You don’t have to be bound by our agreement. I’m canceling it.”
I didn’t understand the concept of mates, werewolves, or Daniel’s accusations. But I knew something was strange about my body, especially since meeting Cassiel.
Maybe our meeting wasn’t just a coincidence. Perhaps we were meant to meet to end all of this.
“I’ll order Daniel to find you a new place,” Cassiel said. “It’ll be the safest place possible. From anyone. Even from me.”
“So… if I stay with you, I won’t be safe?” I asked.
Cassiel frowned. “I am a danger to anyone, Lune.”
“Cassiel, I—”
I stopped, suddenly unsure how to say what I had been thinking.
Cassiel waited, watching me.
“I don’t even know who I really am,” I said after taking a breath. “But if these two hands can help you… Wouldn’t it be better if we figure this out together?”
Cassiel’s eyes widened. “You mean…?”
“I’m staying. Even if you’re dangerous, I’ll take the risk.”
If Cassiel could break his curse, then other truths would come to light. Maybe I could finally find out who I really was.
Was I a witch, like Daniel accused? Or was the power inside me awakened by Cassiel, or by Machar himself?
“Lune, if Machar takes control of you, I’m afraid—”
“Then fight him with me,” I cut in. “Along with Daniel and your two maids.”
“Carlyn and Aislin are my protectors,” Cassiel corrected gently, a faint smile appearing.
“Right. The point is, we work together.” I held his gaze. “I don’t want you to suffer alone. I know what it feels like when no one helps you.”
“And you end up alone,” Cassiel finished.
I nodded, only then realizing tears were streaming down my face.
It hurts when no one understands what you’re going through. Even worse when they know but refuse to help.
Being forced to face that kind of reality alone is the loneliest thing there is.
I didn’t want Cassiel to experience that. Struggling between life and death, while an ancient spirit slowly tore him apart from the inside.
We would find a solution. I was sure of it. Cassiel could be freed from the curse.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you last night,” I said.
Cassiel let out a quiet chuckle. “I deserved it.”
No.
Cassiel was my angel, even if he was wrapped in the body of a wolf.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly safe with someone. Ironically, the greatest danger stood right in front of me.
“I just want us to find a way out. For all of us,” I said, changing the subject.
I didn’t want to cry over my unfortunate past anymore.
I held out my hand. “We face it together, okay?”
Cassiel took my hand and nodded. “Mate?”
“Partner.”
The door opened wider, and Cassiel’s two protectors, no longer wearing maid uniforms, stepped inside. They wore short black dresses and looked far more badass than I expected.
They blinked when they noticed me.
“Forgive us, but could you step outside for a moment, Lune?” one of them said. I thought it was Aislin.
“There are things we need to do with Alpha Cassiel every morning.”
My thoughts immediately went in all directions. What kind of things require three people and that much privacy?
Oh God. Now I was suspicious. And strangely, there was a hint of jealousy in my chest, even though I was nobody here.
“Oh yeah, sure,” I nodded quickly.
“They’re just placing protective spells on me. No big deal,” Cassiel whispered before I left.
I nodded and stepped out of the room.
Spells, whatever they were, I’d have to get used to them. Even if they were far beyond my human logic.
After this, I was sure many extraordinary things would happen. I needed to prepare myself.
As soon as I left Cassiel’s room, Daniel stepped out from another door.
To be honest, I was more afraid of him than Cassiel.
Daniel’s rejection from the moment we met had always put me on edge. It made me deeply insecure.
His sharp gaze met mine. Then, in the blink of an eye, Daniel was standing right in front of me.
“If you’re a spy and try anything,” Daniel said slowly, letting the threat hang in the air, “even if you’re our Alpha’s mate, I will kill you. I don’t care if it costs my life.”
My body froze. Daniel wasn’t bluffing.
“Don’t think I’ll stay silent, witch.”
Then he turned and walked away. I could still hear his boots pounding down the stairs, sharp and furious.
I looked in the direction he went, my chest tight.
Would Daniel change if he knew I wanted to help? Or would he become even harsher toward me?
- Writer
