Chapter 3

Screech!

The sudden slam of the brakes and the jerking of the car sent Liam lurching forward. The car's inertia sent the coffee in his hand spilling onto the document on his lap.

Liam, Alpha Cassian's Beta and childhood best friend, looked up at Cassian. "Alpha, what just happened?"

Meanwhile, Cassian's eyes were fixed on the phone in his hand. He ignored Liam and reread the message all over again, yet it came to the same conclusion.

Rae had just sent a text saying that she wanted to break their bond.

Cassian frowned. Breaking the mate bond was a serious thing. How could Rae casually mention something like that?

Liam squinted his eyes, and his lips curved slightly. "Did Rae send you a text? Is she throwing herself at you again? Or is she finally angry this time?"

Cassian threw his phone onto the passenger seat and started the car. He cast a brief glance at Liam before fixing his gaze on the road. "She wants to break our bond."

"What?" Liam paused. "Break the mate bond? Rae said that?"

He snapped out of it and let out a whistle with a laugh. "Rae must have hit the wall this time. Cindy must be her biggest enemy. It's no wonder."

Seeing the frown on Cassian's face, Liam smirked. "Do you really believe Rae will break your bond? It's just a threat."

He threw the coffee cup into a trash can by the side of the road. "Cassian, let's be honest. No one wouldn't be angry after yesterday's incident. All you need to do is show up at the hospital and do those cheesy things girls love. Deliver a bouquet of flowers and some sweets to her, and she'll be happy. All she needs is for you to show up, and she'll forgive you. Rae is soft-hearted. She can't stay angry at you for long."

"She said she wanted to break the bond." Cassian's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he repeated the words.

She had never threatened him before. Instead, she would even try to seek his forgiveness. This was the first time.

Liam chuckled. "Why are you worried? You've been with Rae for three years now. Don't you already know her? She's just trying to get your attention."

He looked out of the window. "I pity the girl. Three years ago, she left her pack, family, and friends just to be with you. Yet she ended up in an accident that made her lose both her wolf and her hearing, causing her to become isolated from everyone. You should know she hasn't had it easy. She has stayed despite all the bullying and pain. What more proof do you need that she loves you?"

He turned back to Cassian. "After everything, how can she leave? Even after the accident, she stayed. All she needs is your care. You haven't shown up all these days because you've been busy, have you? Go and spend some time with her, and she'll be happy. You'll see that it's not hard to soften her heart."

Cassian glanced at Liam. His jaw clenched slightly as he sank into thought.

Liam smiled. "She's deaf, knows nobody, and has no power. If she leaves you, where would she go? I don't think she even talks to her family anymore. Just go to the hospital and spend some time with her."

Cassian fell into thought. Liam's words seemed to hold some truth.

The car drove straight to the pack hospital before coming to a stop.

As soon as they arrived, Cindy waved her hand with a smile. Using two walking sticks, she limped over to the driver's side, almost running. "Cassian, you're here. You came for me."

Cindy was wearing a white dress that fell to her thighs, and her face looked so angelic.

Cassian frowned and hurried out of the car. He looked at her unhappily. "You're injured. Why did you come out of the hospital? Doesn't your back hurt anymore?"

Cindy pouted and wrapped her arms around him. "It does, but when I heard the rumor that you were coming to the hospital, I couldn't help it. It's so boring staying in the ward. I've missed you so much."

Cassian sighed and parted his lips, but before he could say a word, Cindy's phone began to ring.

Cindy's eyes flashed with panic, and she quickly pushed her phone toward Cassian. "Cassian, can you answer it? It's Dad. I'm afraid he's going to scold me."

Cassian frowned, yet he answered the call. "Dad..."

"How's Cindy? Where is she?" Alpha King Jacob's voice boomed.

Cassian rubbed his brow and calmly replied, "She's fine."

Jacob scoffed. "Fine? I heard from the pack that your deaf mate not only slapped her but also pushed her, causing her to injure her spine. How could you just stand there and watch that happen? Why would you put her in danger?"

Cassian frowned. "That's not what happened."

"I've heard the exact same story from the maids, guards, and pack members, so that must be exactly what happened. Cassian, you know it's because of Oliver that I didn't die that year. My survival allowed this pack to flourish and reach where it is today. Cindy is Oliver's only child. Nothing—and I mean nothing—must happen to her. You have to take absolute care of her."

Cassian's nostrils flared, yet he breathed out and said, "I understand."

"It's all because of that deaf girl that Cindy stayed away from this pack for years. It's been a long time since we last saw her. Bring Cindy over. Your mom has been worried about her."

"Yes."

Immediately, Jacob hung up.

Cindy's eyes widened innocently, and she fiddled with her fingers. "What did Dad say? Did he blame you because of me? Cassian, I really didn't mean to. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."

Cassian returned the phone to Cindy without saying anything.

Seeing this, she became anxious. "Cassian, I promise I've learned my lesson this time. I'll listen to you."

Cassian's gaze turned stern. "From now on, you have to be on your best behavior, and you can't bully Rae anymore. She's my mate and the future Luna, so you'll give her the respect she deserves."

Cindy's eyes flashed with disapproval, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "I've missed Mom and Dad so much. Can you bring me home? I want to see them."

Cassian's gaze turned toward the entrance of the pack hospital.

Cindy tugged harder at Cassian's arm. "Cassian, can you? Did Mom and Dad say they missed me too?"

Cassian withdrew his gaze. Rae was still angry. Maybe what she needed was some time to cool off. "Yes. Get into the car."

Cindy's eyes lit up, and she hurried to the passenger seat.

Cassian took out his phone and sent a text.

'Rae, something urgent has come up. I'll come and see you later.'

With that, he sent the message and threw his phone into his pocket, failing to notice the red exclamation mark indicating that the message had failed to send.