CHAPTER 5: UNDER HIS PROTECTION

“Too late.”

The voice came from directly behind me.

Every muscle in my body locked.

I could feel someone standing close enough that the air against my neck had changed, cold and heavy. I turned sharply, but there was no one there.

Only the empty corridor.

The lights above me flickered once.

Then twice.

A strange pressure filled my chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Behind me, the guards were still on their knees.

One of them lifted his trembling face towards me. “She made us kneel.”

My stomach twisted.

“I didn't—”

“Elara.”

Cassian’s voice cut through mine.

He stepped between me and the guards, his body tense, his injured shoulder held slightly lower than the other.

“Everyone out.”

The guards exchanged frightened looks.

“Now,” Cassian ordered.

They scrambled to their feet and disappeared down the corridor.

I stared after them.

“What just happened?”

Cassian didn't answer.

Instead, he caught my wrist and pulled me towards the opposite end of the hall.

“Wait. Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere they can't reach you.”

“The Council?”

“Anyone.”

His answer made my heart beat faster.

We passed several closed doors before a distant horn suddenly sounded.

Once.

Twice.

The sound echoed through the stone corridors.

Cassian stopped beside a plain section of wall.

He pressed his palm against it.

A click sounded.

A narrow door opened.

I stared into the darkness beyond it.

“A secret passage?”

“Move.”

I hesitated.

Cassian looked back at me, his eyes fixed on mine.

“For once, Elara, trust me.”

I stepped inside.

The door closed behind us.

Darkness swallowed the corridor, broken only by small lamps set into the stone walls. The air smelled of damp earth and old metal. Our footsteps echoed as we descended a narrow staircase.

I kept close behind him.

“Does anyone know about this place?”

“No.”

“Then where does it lead?”

“My private residence.”

I stopped.

Cassian turned.

“You have a private residence beneath the pack house?”

“I have several things the Council doesn't know about.”

There was something in his voice that made me wonder how many other secrets he had.

We continued walking until we reached an iron door marked with a silver band.

Cassian pushed it open.

Warm air rushed towards us.

Beyond it was a quiet entrance hall with dark wooden walls, polished floors and several doors leading deeper into the residence.

He closed the door behind us and locked it.

I looked around.

“No one can enter?”

“No one enters this wing without my permission.”

His gaze moved towards the staircase.

“She stays here.”

The words were directed at the guards stationed near the entrance.

I frowned. “I am standing right here.”

“I know.”

“And I'm not an Alpha you can order around.”

His eyes returned to mine.

“Not yet.”

I didn't know what to make of that answer.

Before I could question him, he started up the curved staircase.

I followed.

The walls were lined with old portraits. Men and women from generations of his family stared down at us with serious expressions.

I wondered how much of Cassian was hidden in those paintings.

At the top of the stairs, he opened a door.

“This is your room.”

I stepped inside.

It was larger than my room at Blackwood, with a tall bed, heavy curtains and a small fireplace burning quietly in the corner.

Cassian remained at the doorway.

“You don't leave this wing without telling me.”

I turned towards him. “You're locking me up.”

“I'm keeping you alive.”

“You don't get to decide everything for me.”

His jaw tightened.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then I noticed the dark stain spreading beneath his shirt.

“Your shoulder.”

“It's fine.”

“It is bleeding.”

He glanced down as though he had forgotten about the wound.

“Sit.”

His eyebrow lifted.

“I'm serious.”

Something almost like amusement touched his eyes before disappearing.

He sat on the edge of the bed.

I found the medical supplies nearby and carefully pulled his shirt away from the wound.

The cut was deeper than I expected.

My fingers trembled as I cleaned the blood.

Cassian watched me without speaking.

When my fingers brushed his skin, my mark suddenly burned.

I gasped.

He stiffened.

For one brief second, something passed between us that neither of us understood.

Then the pain faded.

I wrapped the bandage tightly around his shoulder.

“There.”

Cassian stood.

“Get some rest.”

He walked towards the door.

I watched him leave, but his warning remained in my mind.

I wasn't free.

I was under his protection.

And I still didn't know whether that was safer than being outside.