Erase 63

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By morning, the news of Cassia’s apartment burning had spread through the pack like wildfire.

Inside her hospital ward, Aiden stood silently, his shoulders tense, his eyes fixed on her unconscious form. Her chest rose and fell in shallow rhythm, lashes resting like shadows against her pale cheeks.

All night, restlessness had driven him. He’d gone to her house determined to speak her but what he found instead was smoke, fire, and Kate screaming outside. He could still hear Cassia’s voice pounding through the door, desperate, calling for Arthur. The memory made his chest constrict.

Aiden moved closer to the bed. His gaze lingered on the delicate curve of her face, the soft line of her lips, the strands of hair falling across her forehead. Flawless and yet scarred by him. His throat tightened. How blind was I, to lose her once?

He brushed the hair gently from her face, fingers lingering a moment longer than they should. Anger flared under his skin. Someone had tried to kill her again. His fists curled at his sides. Whoever was behind this would pay.

As the thought burned through him, a faint sound broke his focus.

Cassia groaned softly, her lashes fluttering before emerald eyes blinked open, dazed.

Their

gazes locked. His wolf purred in satisfaction, relief pouring through him.

She frowned, confusion in her eyes. “Aiden,” she rasped, her voice hoarse.

“You’re awake,” he breathed, shifting back but unable to hide the relief that softened his features.

Cassia blinked, taking in the sterile white walls, the beeping monitors. Then memory struck, smoke choking her lungs, fire consuming her home, Aiden’s figure in the doorway. Her body stiffened.

Her head snapped up. “Where’s Arthur?” Her voice cracked, raw with panic as she tried to push off the bed.

“He’s fine,” Aiden said quickly, reaching to steady her. “He’s in his ward…”

Cassia shoved his hand away like his touch burned. “I need to see my son. Now!”

Without protest, he guided her down the hall.

Inside Arthur’s ward, Cassia’s knees buckled with relief. Her little boy lay curled under the blanket, chest rising evenly. Tears blurred her vision as she brushed her hand through his hair and kissed his forehead.

“My sweet boy…” Her voice trembled. She could not lose him too. Never again.

“The doctor checked him,” Aiden said softly from behind. “He only inhaled a little smoke. He’s fine. But he said you need rest and…”

“Enough!” Cassia’s voice cracked like a whip, her fists trembling at her sides. She turned slowly, eyes blazing.

18:

ed, Oct 15

“Are you trying to kill me and my son?”

Aiden blinked, stunned. “What?”

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Her jaw clenched, veins rising in her temples. “You tried to kill me once. Now you’re trying again? What do you want, Aiden?”

His chest tightened. “Amelia, no…I saved you. I saved both of you…”

“Saved me?” Her bitter laugh stung like glass. “How convenient that you were there at the exact moment the fire started. You set it yourself, didn’t you? So you could swoop in and play the hero.”

Her words cut deeper than any blade. For a moment, Aiden could only stare at her, jaw tight, heart pounding. Finally, he found his voice.

“I know I destroyed you before. I know you hate me. But I swear on everything I am… I didn’t set that fire. I would never try to kill you.”

“Then what were you doing at my house?”

His voice dropped. “I came because I needed to talk to you. About Arthur. About why you asked him to stay away from me. And when I got there, the house was already burning. Kate was outside screaming. That’s the truth.”

Her eyes searched his, and for a fleeting second, she saw nothing but honesty. But she crushed the thought, shaking her head. “I’m done with your games. If you try again, I’ll take Arthur and leave this pack.”

“Cassia, I’ll find who did this. I promise…”

“Promises?” Her voice trembled with rage and grief. “Like the ones you made when Eva was alive? Did your promises bring her back? You destroyed me once, Aiden. If anything happens to Arthur, I’ll bring this entire pack to its knees. Including your family.”

He swallowed hard at the venom in her tone, guilt a heavy weight pressing down on him.

“Amelia, I…”

“Don’t call me that.” Her voice cracked, but she stood tall, eyes blazing. “My name is Cassia Wrenmoor. Amelia is dead.”

Before Aiden could answer, a small, sleepy voice broke the tension.

“Mommy?”

Cassia’s fury melted in an instant. She spun to Arthur, tears spilling freely as she rushed to him.

“Oh, my baby. I’m so sorry. Tell me, does anything hurt?” She kissed his forehead again and again, checking him over with frantic hands.

“I’m fine, Mommy,” Arthur mumbled with a sleepy smile.

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She exhaled a shuddering breath, pulling him into her arms, holding him as though she’d never let go.

Over Arthur’s shoulder, he looked at Aiden. The boy’s lips curved into a small smile, soft, trusting. Aiden returned it faintly, warmth flickering through his chest.

But Cassia never looked at him again.

Aiden’s throat tightened. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the ward, the weight of her rejection pressing heavier with each step.

TBC