Chapter 28 Bloom

The echo of Cassian slamming his lunch tray onto the cafeteria table stayed with me through every class that afternoon. His blue eyes, nearly swallowed by darkness...

The suffocating Alpha anger that had filled the room with the scent of blueberries...

They tried to work their way back into my thoughts. But I stayed safely behind the walls I'd built, keeping him locked out. Meanwhile, Dominic's occasional glances from the desk beside mine carried a quiet innocence that somehow made everything feel lighter.

When the final bell rang, we packed our things. Dominic slung his backpack over one shoulder before walking over to me, that same boyish smile still lighting up his face.

"Bloom," he said, meeting my eyes. "I can't wait to get those notes and finally see the town with you as my tour guide."

His smile widened.

"So... where do we start?"

I had just opened my mouth to answer—

When a massive shadow fell over us. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Cassian stepped directly between us as though he intended to split the space in half. Leaning forward, his broad frame completely blocked Dominic from my view.

"You're not going anywhere."

His voice came out low, rough, almost growling. I could practically feel Axel pacing beneath the surface. His eyes locked onto mine.

"I assume you haven't forgotten the Alpha's orders, Bloom."

There wasn't a trace of softness in his expression.

"We're leaving for the mission."

"Now."

Dominic flinched slightly beneath the sudden, overbearing interruption. His eyes moved uncertainly between Cassian's rigid back and me. He clearly recognized the raw Alpha jealousy hanging in the air. But as the newest wolf in town, he also knew better than to openly challenge an Alpha.

A wave of irritation surged through me. I hated that Cassian was sabotaging my plans simply because his pride and his jealousy couldn't handle Dominic.

But this wasn't just about him. This was Alpha Ronan's mission. I couldn't afford to let personal feelings interfere. Turning back to Dominic, I let the hardness disappear from my face.

I genuinely felt guilty. "I'm sorry, Dominic."

I rested my hand lightly against his arm.

"I completely forgot."

"My afternoon's tied up with something urgent that can't be postponed."

I offered him an apologetic smile.

"I have responsibilities."

"But I promise..."

"Tomorrow after school."

"I'll bring my notes."

"And we'll finally explore the town."

Despite the crushing Alpha aura surrounding us, Dominic smiled with understanding.

"No problem at all, Bloom."

He shrugged easily.

"Work comes first."

His warm brown eyes met mine.

"I'll be looking forward to tomorrow."

Not wanting to remain under Cassian's deadly stare any longer, he gave us a polite nod before walking away. I watched him disappear down the hallway. Behind me, Cassian clenched his jaw so tightly I could hear his teeth grind. Without saying a word to him, I picked up my bag and walked past him.

***

We headed toward the abandoned settlement near the southern border. The atmosphere inside the SUV was colder than the evening air outside.

Cassian drove. Kai sat in the passenger seat. Ivy and I rode silently in the back. Cassian seemed to be taking every ounce of frustration he'd bottled up in the cafeteria and pouring it into the steering wheel.

He drove recklessly over the uneven forest road, the vehicle jolting violently every time the tires struck loose rocks. Kai gripped the handle above his door with white knuckles, looking as though he were silently praying. Beside me, Ivy barely seemed to breathe.

Every few moments, Cassian's blue eyes appeared in the rearview mirror. Locked on me. Demanding. Accusing. Furious. He wanted something. A reaction. An argument. Anything. I refused to give it to him.

I never looked up at the mirror once.

Instead, I rested my head against the window and watched the darkening trees blur past outside. As far as I was concerned... He was nothing more than a machine driving the car.

***

By the time we reached the abandoned settlement, dusk had nearly fallen. Rotting wooden houses stood scattered between the trees like forgotten ghosts. The entire place was unnaturally quiet. Almost waiting.

Once we climbed out of the SUV, Cassian took a deep breath, scanned the area, and immediately slipped back into command mode.

"For safety, we're splitting into pairs."

His tone left no room for discussion.

"Kai. Ivy."

"You two check the trail along the border."

"If you find any scents or signs of rogue activity, contact us immediately."

They nodded without hesitation before disappearing into the forest. The moment they were gone... Cassian and I were alone. I had barely turned toward a nearby cluster of bushes when he moved. Fast. His hand clamped around my wrist.

He yanked me backward before spinning me toward one of the massive old trees behind us. My back hit the rough bark. I looked up straight into his eyes.

Every ounce of jealousy that had started in the hallway that morning and exploded in the cafeteria now burned openly inside them. He leaned down until his breath brushed across my face.

"Why are you so interested in that guy, Bloom?"

Even though he kept his voice low, it sounded dangerously close to a roar.

"We don't know who he is."

"We don't know where he came from."

"So why are you getting close to him?"

His jaw tightened.

"Is it just to get back at me?"

His eyes searched mine relentlessly.

"Are you doing this because you know it'll drive me insane?"

I looked calmly at the man standing in front of me. My heart was racing. But my face betrayed nothing. Slowly, I lifted my left hand and placed my palm against his tense chest. Then I gently pushed him back. Without the slightest crack in my composure, I held his gaze.

"Not everything is about you, Cassian."

My voice was so cold it seemed capable of freezing the wind itself.

"The world doesn't revolve around you..."

"...or your ego."

I pressed my hand against his chest once more.

"You have Fiona."

"You flirt with her every day."

"You kiss her right in front of me."

My eyes hardened.

"So what exactly gives you the right to question me?"

A quiet breath escaped me.

"Maybe it's time I let someone into my life."

"Maybe it's time I found someone who actually listens to me..."

"...someone who respects me."

The words hit him like an explosion. Shock flashed through his eyes. I could feel Axel lose what little control he had left. The Alpha aura crashing into me grew so powerful it was almost suffocating.

His pupils darkened until almost nothing of their blue remained. Then he stepped closer. My back pressed harder against the tree. The distance between us disappeared completely. His breath mixed with mine.

"You are..."

His voice had become nothing more than a dangerous growl.

"You can't belong to anyone else, Bloom."

His eyes blazed.

"I already told you why I'm with Fiona."

"Cassian."

I cut him off sharply.

"Do you even hear yourself?"

"You have someone in your life."

"A girlfriend."

I didn't look away.

"The reasons don't matter."

My hand pressed more firmly against his chest.

"So stop this."

"If you're involved with another woman..."

"You shouldn't be standing this close to someone else."

My voice remained steady.

"And stop pressing your body against mine."

I stared directly into his eyes.

"We have a job to do."

"I didn't come out here to deal with one of your jealousy fits."

For a brief moment... It was as if I'd slapped him. The determination in his eyes faltered. Just enough. I took advantage of the opening immediately. Twisting sideways, I slipped between him and the tree before he could stop me.

I straightened my clothes. Then I walked deeper into the forest without looking back.

***

For nearly an hour, we searched every inch of the abandoned settlement. The ruined houses. The overgrown trails. The spaces beneath fallen trees. There wasn't a single fresh rogue scent. No traps. No signs that anyone had been there recently.

The area was completely clear. Once we'd finished, we climbed back into the SUV. The silence on the drive home was even heavier than before. When we reached the pack house, Cassian parked without saying a word.

He climbed out immediately, heading straight for the main house to report to Alpha Ronan. Only after he disappeared did I finally let out the breath I'd been holding. After saying a quick goodbye to Kai and Ivy, I left the oppressive atmosphere behind and headed upstairs.

The moment I stepped into my room, I locked the door and leaned back against it. My walls were still standing. Strong. Unbroken. But tonight had reminded me of one terrifying truth. The storm waiting behind those walls... Was only getting bigger.