Cassidy
The moment I left Kieran's room, I knew I couldn't go back to mine.
Not yet.
I needed space. I needed air.
I needed to breathe.
But more than anything—
I needed to see if there was still a way out.
---
I walked the halls with careful steps, my heartbeat steady but my mind racing.
There were guards, of course.
Not always at my door.
But they were there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Kieran hadn't locked me away. He had given me space.
But I was still caged.
Just in a prettier prison.
I made my way through the estate, keeping my head down, keeping my steps light.
The farther I went, the fewer guards I saw.
And then—
A door.
Unwatched.
Unlocked.
And before I could think twice—
I slipped through it.
And I ran.
---
The city was alive.
I had expected cold silence. Stone walls. Wolves at every corner.
But this—
This was different.
The streets were lined with shops, beautiful buildings, warm lights spilling onto the roads. Humans and supernaturals moved together, laughter and conversation filling the air.
No chains.
No collars.
No fear.
Just life.
And for the first time in years—
I was part of it.
No one looked twice at me.
No one knew who I was.
I was just another person.
And I didn't realize how much I had missed that feeling until now.
I wrapped my arms around myself feeling the cold sip into my worn out sweater and night dress.
I watched as children chased each other through the streets, their laughter echoing off the buildings.
This world—this life—
It was something I had never been allowed to have.
"You look like someone who's seeing the world for the first time."
The voice was warm. Amused.
I turned—
And met the eyes of a man.
Dark hair. A charming smile.
Human.
I hoped.
"Sorry," I murmured, stepping back. "I was just—"
"Taking it all in?" His smile widened. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"
I hesitated.
Because I didn't know.
Did I have a right to be here?
To enjoy this, even for a moment?
"Come on," he said, nodding toward the bustling streets. "Let me show you around."
I should have said no.
I should have turned back.
But instead—
I nodded.
Because for the first time in a long time—
I wanted to live.
The city was nothing like I had expected.
It was bigger, brighter—alive in a way that made my chest ache.
This wasn't the cold, lifeless place I had imagined Kieran ruling over.
It was thriving.
And for the first time in years, I was part of something other than survival.
---
"So," my guide—Jonathan—said as we strolled through the streets. "You're new here, huh?"
I hesitated. "Something like that."
Jonathan grinned, hands tucked into his coat pockets. "Well, welcome to Quebec."
Quebec.
I had heard the name before, back when whispers of far-off places were the only escape I had.
But I had never imagined I would see it.
"It's different from what I expected," I admitted, my gaze trailing over the towering buildings, the warm glow of streetlights reflecting against the winter sky.
Jonathan chuckled. "Let me guess—you thought it would be all wolves and warriors, right?"
I nodded.
Because yes.
That was what I had expected.
"Kieran's presence keeps the peace," Jonathan said. "The city thrives because he runs it well. Humans, supernaturals—we coexist here."
I frowned slightly. "Because he allows it?"
"Because he protects it."
That made me pause.
Because protection wasn't what I associated with wolves.
With men like Kieran.
And yet—
As I listened, as we moved through the streets, I heard it everywhere.
People talking about how fair he was.
How he had kept Quebec safe.
How, even though he was ruthless, he was just.
It didn't make sense.
But the more I listened, the harder it became to ignore.
Because if Kieran was truly the monster I had painted him to be—
Then why did his people love him?
---
Jonathan led me to a small café nestled between two towering buildings, the scent of fresh bread and something sweet filling the air.
"Alright," he said, holding the door open for me. "You've got to try this."
I stepped inside hesitantly, warmth curling around me as I took in the cozy interior.
People sat at small tables, sipping steaming drinks, their laughter mingling with the hum of conversation, soft music played overhead.
I had never been in a place like this before.
Jonathan ordered for us, handing me a small pastry dusted with powdered sugar and a cup of something rich and warm.
I took a cautious bite—
And nearly moaned.
"Good, huh.? It's called the beaver tail." Jonathan laughed.
I nodded, unable to speak past the sheer bliss of the flavor.
I had never tasted something like this before.
Never had the luxury of something just for pleasure.
And it made my chest ache in a way I wasn't ready to confront.
---
The hours slipped by too quickly.
Jonathan took me through the heart of the city, showing me everything it had to offer.
We walked through markets overflowing with colors and scents I had never known existed.
We listened to street musicians, their songs weaving through the crisp night air.
And for the first time in longer than I could remember—
I laughed.
I wasn't just surviving.
I was living.
When night fell, Jonathan pulled me toward a grand building with huge screens and lights.
"The cinema?" I asked, hesitating.
Jonathan grinned. "Trust me. You'll love it."
I did.
I sat in the seat, surrounded by strangers, watching a world unfold on screen—
And I forgot.
Forgot where I had come from.
Forgot the weight of Kieran's claim.
Forgot the chains I had worn my whole life.
Because for this one night—
I was free.
I should have known it wouldn't last.
The freedom.
The warmth.
The feeling of being just another person.
I should have known it was all a lie.
Because nothing that good was ever meant for me.
---
Jonathan and I had just left the theater when he asked the question.
"So," he mused, glancing at me with a curious smile. "Where are you from?"
I hesitated.
He hadn't asked before.
Hadn't pressed.
And I had liked that about him.
But now, with the city lights glowing around us and the night air crisp with possibility—
I didn't know what to say.
"Nowhere important," I murmured.
Jonathan arched a brow. "I don't believe that, you're not properly dressed for the weather, in nothing but flipflops and you looked lost when I met you."
I forced a small smile. "Maybe some things are better left unknown."
He chuckled. "Mysterious, huh? Alright, I'll let it go as long as you promise you're not in danger."
I replied with another small smile and a nod of my head.
And just like that, the tension eased.
For a moment, I thought I had avoided it.
But then—
A voice shattered the illusion.
"Well, well. Look what we have here."
A familiar, sharp voice.
One I should have expected.
I turned sharply—
And met Damon's golden eyes.
He stood just a few feet away, arms crossed, a lazy smirk on his face.
But I wasn't stupid.
That wasn't amusement in his gaze.
It was anger.
And behind him—
Kieran's guards.
Watching.
Waiting.
I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering.
"Cassidy," Damon drawled. "Enjoying your little adventure?"
My breath caught. "You—"
"Have been following you since you left the estate?" He smirked. "Obviously."
Ice spread through my veins.
They had known I was gone.
They had let me run.
But I had never truly been free.
Jonathan frowned, stepping slightly in front of me. "Is there a problem?"
Damon's eyes flicked to him, and his smirk deepened. "Oh, I don't know. What do you think, stranger? Taking a girl who doesn't belong to you on a date? Sounds like a problem to me."
Jonathan tensed. "She's not—"
"Not what?" Damon's voice hardened.
"Damon—" I inhaled sharply noticing people glancing, some even stopping to stare.
Not at me though at him. Damon, the beta of the Canadian pack. Kieran's second in command and friend.
"It's time to head home little human," Damon continued, stepping forward. "I gave you enough time to have your fun but it's late now."
The street was growing quieter.
People were listening.
And then—
Damon spoke the words that destroyed everything.
"Do you have any idea who she is?" His voice was sharp, glaring at Jonathan. "She belongs to Kieran Duskbane, the Moon warden, She is his mate."
A hush fell over the street.
Jonathan froze.
People around us—humans, supernaturals alike—
Bowed their heads.
In submission.
Including Jonathan.
And just like that—
I was nothing to him.
No longer a girl.
No longer a stranger.
Just another name chained to a powerful man.
"No," I whispered.
Jonathan's eyes flicked up at me, hesitation warring in his expression.
But he didn't move.
He didn't argue.
Because Damon had taken that choice from him.
And from me.
I clenched my fists. "I'm not going back."
Damon sighed, rubbing his temple. "Cassidy, don't be stupid."
"No." My voice shook. "You can't do this."
Damon's smirk was gone now.
"I can. And I am."
Before I could move, before I could even think—
A guard grabbed my arm.
"Don't fight," Damon warned. "You're only making this harder on yourself."
I didn't care.
I fought anyway.
But it didn't matter.
Because in the end—
I still ended up back at the estate.
And this time—
I was furious.
---
I barely remembered being dragged through the halls.
Barely heard the murmurs of the guards.
Because my blood was roaring in my ears.
I wasn't just angry.
I wasn't just betrayed.
I was breaking.
By the time they shoved me into Kieran's office, my breath was coming in ragged gasps.
Kieran sat behind his desk, his dark eyes unreadable.
He didn't look surprised.
Didn't even look angry.
And that made it worse.
Because it meant he had expected this.
Expected me to fail.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" My voice cracked. "You ruined everything!"
Kieran exhaled, standing slowly. "Cassidy—"
"I had a friend for the first time who didn't see me as a slave or a claimed property. He saw me as Cassidy!"
Silence.
Then, a scoff.
I turned sharply, my vision blurring with rage as Damon leaned against the doorframe.
"Funny," he said. "Didn't look like you were thinking about your mate when you were out there laughing with him, I don't think he saw you as just Cassidy."
My breath hitched.
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
Because he was accusing me of something I hadn't even let myself think about.
And Kieran—
Kieran said nothing.
Just stood there.
Watching.
Waiting.
And something in me snapped.
"You're all monsters," I hissed. "You keep me here, you act like I should be grateful, but I will never be one of you!"
I turned to Kieran, my hands shaking.
"I would rather be with my kind than trapped with a beast."
The words landed.
I saw it.
The way Kieran's expression darkened.
The way his fingers curled into fists at his sides.
Damon muttered something under his breath, shaking his head. "Not fair little human."
I didn't care.
Because I was hurting.
And if they expected me to bow, to accept this—
Then they didn't know me at all