Enslaved To The Alphas-Chapter 177: Anger

"Are you sure you are not trying to abduct her, Cassian? You are still holding her wrist as if you plan to bolt at any moment."

Cassian swallowed hard. The words hit sharply, and for a brief second, he actually considered doing just that. If he ran now, dragged her with him, she would be in his territory, just like his master wanted.

Yet the sight of the dead wolves scattered around them zapped that thought in place. He could not do it now. Not like this. If he took her in front of Zen, his cover would be destroyed, for one. Second, his goal to take her to the master, would collapse completely.

The magic bound Emira from returning to her pack, but it did nothing to stop Zen from crossing over, and the rest of them would follow with claws ready to take her. If he’d been able to take her during the attack like he had originally planned, then things would have been different. They would have had time to take her further away while the Stormhold Pack looked for her.

With great regret coursing through him, he released Emira’s wrist and brought his hand behind his back, his fingers curling tight. His throat felt dry as he forced out, "I was only worried that she might panic or be hurt, so I was supporting her."

He stepped forward, walking back into the Stromhold Territory and looked around at the scattered bodies, "Where did these rogues come from suddenly. And they even invaded the Stormhold Pack territory..."

Zen’s gaze sharpened. He did not move, but Cassian could feel the pressure of being watched. "We will find out where they came from soon enough. For now, I have a different question. Why run here instead of the safehouse? It was closer. You should have known that."

Cassian shook his head. Under that watchful stare, he reached out carefully and cupped Emira’s elbow, just lightly enough to show intent rather than force. "I was only worried about her and panicked. My wolf kept insisting that I needed to take her with me to keep her safe so I reacted on instinct."

"So worried that you ran toward the rogues instead of away from them? You have some instincts then..." Zen said flatly, before continuing in the same deadpan voice, "What is wrong with your senses, Cassian? You did not smell them approaching? You could have run straight into their jaws. Look around. This was not a lucky escape. This was recklessness." His eyes flicked to the border line beneath Cassian’s feet. "And what if they had followed you past this boundary? What would you have done then? Alpha Redwood is sick and your beta and most warriors are here..."

Cassian had no answer to that. His fingers tightened behind his back, nails pressing into his palm. His father was not sick. His father was under Master’s control as was the rest of the pack. How could they be in danger from Master’s slave rogues?

For a moment, Zen paused and looked down at the hand holding Emira and his eyes narrowed. Then, he looked up and said slowly as he gestured," Cassian. Please return to the packhouse. Later, you can join your Beta and others for a proper discussion about the rogue attack, just now. We should have some answers by then."

As he said so, Zen stepped aside, gesturing for them to go ahead.

***

Emira stepped away from Alpha Cassian, her mind a mess as she took the direction that Zen had gestured towards. What was going on? Why had Zen not even acknowledged her?

She wanted to ask so many questions about when and how he had returned, if he had found anything about the Grand Witch but the man had not even cast her a look, let alone say any words to her. It was like she did not exist.

And yet, whenever a rogue had tried to come her way, Zen had protected and killed without hesitation. She’d even felt as if he’d been somehow more brutal towards those who looked at her. But that thinking was just wistful.

Emira shook her head sharply as she realized her thoughts. This was not the time to worry about Zen’s silence or the way he hadn’t looked at her.

The entire attack had come out of nowhere. Rogues did not just appear in Stormhold territory, not in such numbers and not so far beyond any border dispute. There was something calculated about it. Targeted.

She should be thinking about that because she had a sinking feeling that this one was from the same person who had kidnapped her. The Master.

Her steps slowed as her thoughts circled back. Rogues did not move in packs unless someone directed them. Someone with power or influence. So, this Master had even amassed enough power to control rogues?

Her gaze shifted to Cassian ahead of her. Once again, she could not help but think of his behavior, the way he had insisted and almost dragged her to the Redwood Territory. There was something wrong about him as well. She just could not pin point it yet.

He had grabbed her wrist too tightly. He had run the wrong way. He had not smelled the rogues. Why would an Alpha make mistakes like that?

She watched him for a few seconds longer, trying to place the feeling.

If only she could understand what she was missing.

"Are you so enamored with him that you cannot keep your eyes off him?"

Zen’s low voice came from behind her but the tone was unmistakable. Emira’s entire body went still and she shook her head, answering him quietly, "I was only thinking."

"About him," Zen replied slowly.

Emira swallowed and shook her head, "No. About the attack. About what it means."

Zen paused for a moment before nodding and walking away, leaving Emira even more confused about the question. What did he mean by this random conversation?