Cassidy
I wasn't looking to overhear anything. In fact, I was just on my way to the east wing of the estate to check in with Freya. But the second I turned the corner near the upper hall, I heard raised voices echoing down the corridor. It was Celeste—and Orion.
I froze. She's back? How long has she been back?
"You don't understand why I'm doing this," Orion snapped, his voice tight with frustration.
"I understand perfectly," Celeste bit back.
"No, you don't!" he barked. "This world is bigger than mates. You think I can just throw everything away? No vampire wants to be led by a werewolf. None! Our kind were supposed to be the strongest—the fastest, the most feared. And now? We barely have enough blood supply. Our pride is in ruins. No vampire wants to follow someone tied to an already stained bloodline."
I saw it—the exact moment it hit her. The hurt flashing in her eyes like a crack in glass and his realization of what he just said.
Then her hand flew across his face.
