Page 11 of Cursed Storm

Cassian rolled his eyes, turning away from me and walking behind the desk, resuming his seat in the chair. “Of course, it does. But I’m not going to let Griffin come into my pack and bully my wolves.”

I couldn’t listen to any more of his bullshit. I shook my head and made my way to the door, stopping as I gripped the handle. “There was only one bully that day, and if you’re too blind to see that, then you’re a fool.” Without even waiting for a response, I slammed the door behind me and stormed off down the hall, to the room Ember and I had been staying in.

I grabbed a pillow from the cot, gripping it so hard my nails dug into it, nearly ripping it to shreds. Why was I feeling this way? The sudden aggression left me uneasy. After pacing the room a few times, I threw the pillow back onto the cot, grabbing at my hair in frustration.

“Woah, that’s not a good look on you,” Ember teased as she waltzed into the room.

“Says the girl who dyed her hair red,” I muttered, slumping onto the cot.

Ember winced, though it was more theatrical than serious, given the grin on her face. “Ouch. Someone’s in a mood.”

Sighing, I explained my fight with Cassian and the sudden aggression that had swept over me. And what did she do? She laughed!

“What’s so funny?” I demanded.

“Oh, nothing,” she sang out, clearly amused by my predicament. “I just think it’s cute that you and Cassian had a lover’s spat.”

Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “You have to be lovers to have a lovers spat. We only now just kissed,” I pointed out, but Ember only heard “kiss.”

“Wait, you guys kissed? Oh, my god!”

“Would you please focus,” I snapped.

“Alright, fine. Look, you declared him your mate at that meeting, stepped up as luna, and your aggression… it’s just a werewolf thing. Your emotions get heightened involving your mate, so the aggressive side of your wolf was reacting to your mate not sticking up for you.”

My brows furrowed, confused by the statement. “But I don’t have a wolf form. At least, I don’t think.”

“If you’re a werewolf, then you have a wolf form. Even being half-wolf, you should have something. Maybe your mother put a spell on that, too.”

I pondered the idea. It had never crossed my mind that I had a wolf form. Hell, I’d just recently found out I had magic, but to think I had a wolf, too… I didn’t know what to make of it. If Ember was right, then why didn’t I go through the change like the other wolves? Why wouldn’t the curse affect me, too?

The cot dipped down beside me. “You know what you need? A vacation. You’ve been running yourself ragged. I say we take a break; get away from these men and their testosterone for a few days. And before you say no, I have some money saved up and I know a little cottage not that far from here.”

“But, what about Cassian? And Samara? And the whole ‘war on the horizon’ thing?” I groaned as the stress settled over me again, still bitter about my argument with Cassian, but more so worried that Samara would strike—either us or them—while we were gone.

“A few days won’t hurt. Besides, the queen bitch has been quiet for a while. Maybe some space will be good for you and Cass, too. ‘Distance makes the heart grow fonder,’ and all that shit. Come on, Em. You’ve been at this without taking a breather for too long. I’ve been around for only a short time, and I’m already drained. You’re going to break down, and then you’ll be useless to everyone. You can’t fight a war if you have no energy.”

I sighed and fixed my gaze on a crack in the gray concrete wall across the room, considering her words. She wasn’t wrong, even I had to admit that I was close to running on empty. My emotions were all over the place and the last time that happened, I burned a library down. Stepping up as temporary luna had taken a toll on my sanity.

I couldn’t remember the last time I wasn’t stressed or worried. I couldn’t even remember the last time I bothered to put makeup on or style my hair. Self-care had gone out the window, replaced with the responsibilities that I had put on myself. Though I knew it was for the greater good, maybe Ember had a point.

She nudged me with her knee and looked at me hopefully. “Okay, fine. But there has to be a swimming pool or a lake, and I want a bubble bath. Really unhealthy junk food, too. Oh, and we’re getting drunk at least twice.”

Ember bounced up and down excitedly. Her happiness was contagious, and I soon joined her. When was the last time that I laughed? Hell, when was the last time that I smiled? The sad thought solidified my decision. It was about time that we had some fun, regardless of the world burning down around us. Surely a few days wouldn’t hurt, right?

“Deal, we can get all the damn bubbles your heart desires, and there is a lake right on the doorstep.”

“I just need to speak to Cass before we leave,” I told her, and stood to grab my clothes so I could take a much-needed shower.

* * *

CASSIAN

When Emily stormed out of the room, I felt like a total jerk. She wanted me to defend her, and I didn’t. Even Griffin defended her, but I just sided with Sam.

But Sam was my pack member, and Griffin had no right hitting him.

But Griffin was defending his mate. Shit.

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