Semua Bab Once His Mate, Now His Regret: Bab 261 - Bab 270

“We have to convince her somehow. I don't think she knows what her father is up to.” I said, feeling mentally exhausted because we were coming up with plan after plan. Cassiel had made a perfect one, though. He had a way to keep Creighton distracted, and he wanted to reach out to an old witch who owed him a favor. She was a pretty strong witch. Capable of sensing other witches. She would be able to know when magic was involved and intervene. Which was good. It meant that if Creighton were relying on his witches, this old woman would be able to help. Since we don't know what else he can do or what else he has learned over the years, convincing his daughter to show up would be our best bet for throwing him off his guard. “That's an assumption that could get our plan ruined. Imagine she does know what he's up to, and we decide to tell her what her father's up to and how we're planning to stop him, she could just tell him. Then he won't show up.”I shook my head. “Why would we tell her

Three days. It took Auburn three days to gather all the information about Ceila without getting caught. I was nervous throughout those days. The witch Cassiel had called, arrived just as late. She was delayed by something private; she said she would be there. No matter what. Our luck seems non-existent. Both of the people we needed to see days earlier arrived late. And Cassiel's nonchalance about it was worrisome. It was like he was trying not to show his fear because it would make me panic even more.Okay, he’s not wrong there. When the witch arrived, I was standing outside with Cassiel. When he said old? He meant old. She was nearly eighty. She walked with a cane, but looked at peace with the world. Cassiel had told me how they meant. He was seventeen, and she was exiled from her coven for her use of extreme dark magic. He sheltered her in exchange for her help. So she’s kind of evil, but she sees him as a grandson and likes to help him. Cassiel says she sees herself in him. Yeah

Aurielle’s idea to camp under the stars was really nice. It gave us a moment away from making plans or thinking about the fight I’d gotten myself into. I’m not old yet, but I feel like I shouldn’t be swinging my fist around. It’s a good thing I’ll be fighting fully shifted. That would give me a strong advantage; I’m better in my wolf form. But i digress.This cute date was perfect. It was what we both needed. Honestly, we need more of this. More of having fun together and less stress or worry about dying. While she was getting ready, I had the mercenaries set up the tents and the lanterns they’d brought for light. So the place was lit up, sleeping beds were inside the massive tents, and I was holding a basket full of snacks and a bottle of sweet wine. It was cold out here, and I loved it. So did Aurielle, she was spinning in a circle, singing the song playing on her phone. I watched her with an intensity that scared even me. I love this woman so much. She swayed her hips, threw her

I couldn’t sleep the entire night. After Aurielle and Cassiel left the house for their date, neither of them even noticed I had been standing in the kitchen like some forgotten piece of furniture. Once the door shut behind them, the silence in the house became unbearable. I paced from room to room for hours, unable to sit still, unable to think clearly, unable to do anything except replay the same thoughts until I felt dizzy.Eventually I forced myself onto my bed, but lying down did nothing to help. My eyes stayed wide open, fixed on the ceiling as if it held all the answers I needed. My mind kept circling the same thing. Three days. Only three more days until this nightmare ends. Three days that would probably feel like three years. Three days of swallowing my pride and watching the relationship between the world’s most irritatingly confident wolf and my mate unfold right in front of me. Three days of pretending I was fine.I will be fine, just not today.I dragged my hands over my

The last three days before the fight slipped through my fingers faster than I wanted them to. Too fast, honestly. I kept hoping time would slow down, stretch itself thin, give us room to breathe. But it didn’t. Before I was even ready for it, the seventh day arrived like a verdict being read aloud. It was time. No more breaks. No more excuses. No more last-minute ways to prepare. Whatever we were walking into… we were already walking.That morning, I sat upright on the edge of my bed, knees pulled close, watching Cassiel move around the room with that sharp, clipped precision he gets when he’s forcing himself to stay composed. He was packing a small duffel full of the bare essentials only. He’d already sent the mercenaries ahead at dawn to prep the forest clearing where the fight would take place. Traps, perimeters, vantage points… everything to tilt the odds even slightly in his favor. He also needed the mercenaries to ensure that the rogue didn't keep people that would ambush him or