Chapter 4 Your Brilliant Idea might Just Save You

Zane

As soon as I saw Cassius’ back, I knew he wasn’t happy. 

He hadn’t been for the past month. And I knew this because he was my best friend. My other best friend was Dax. The three of us had grown up like brothers. We’d done basically everything together, but like everyone else, we all had different paths. 

Still, we'd chosen to defy destiny. 

When my father died and I was tasked with becoming the next Alpha King, Dax and Cassius had immediately volunteered to become my beta and I was grateful for it. It meant I wouldn’t have to leave my brothers. It meant our bond wouldn’t ever fade. 

But lately, something had been off about Cassius. No, not lately. 

I noticed the change in his behavior not too long after he started investigating Hawthorne pack who had been making waves along our borders for months. Cassius had withdrawn from us – he was never one to show much emotions but now… there was nothing in his face. 

I was sure Dax had noticed it as well but he didn’t want to bring it up. Dax was always the peacemaker among us. He was the warm one, the kind one, the one likely to get his heart broken. But between the three of us, he was the strongest and we all knew it. 

I had no idea what Cassius was going through or why he wouldn’t share it with his brothers, but the appearance of the cat in our lives gave me a really good idea. 

“Send her to Cassius’ room,” I said, ignoring the disapproving look on Dax’s face. “Maybe she’ll help improve his mood.”

Dax shook his head. “Or we’ll find her in a ditch somewhere.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know how Cass is when he doesn’t like something. Even you can’t sop him from doing what’s on his mind.” 

I waved Dax’s concerns off. “You worry too much. Plus, I think having something to take care of will pull him out of whatever this is.” 

Dax wasn’t buying it. “Or it’ll just annoy him further.” 

“Who knows?” I shrugged. He wouldn’t talk to anyone about what’s eating him up. At least, this will get him to talk to someone. Even if that someone is a cat.

Dax looked like he wanted to say more but there was also the fact that he’d never once won any argument before, especially against me. He opened his mouth and closed it again, glancing pitifully at the cat. 

Now that I thought more about it, Dax was right. I wouldn’t envy the cat. 

“Come here,” I said to the cat, watching as she came over to me reluctantly, her tail flicking with what looked suspiciously like irritation. The thought of anyone – even a cat – being irritated at me almost made me smile. 

“You’re going to live with Cassius for a while,” I told her, crouching low to her level. “Take good care of him, okay? And we’ll see if I’ll keep you around here.” I glanced at Dax who looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “What should I name her? At this point she needs a name.” 

Dax shrugged. 

“What about Star?” The cat meowed as if in answer and stride back to stand by Dax. Looks like Dax was becoming a personal favorite of hers. “Great, then. From now on, I’ll call you Star. Don’t forget, if you take good care of my friend, I might just keep you around here. Permanently.” 

Liora’s POV

It wasn’t hard to decide that I hated Alpha Zane. 

But I didn’t know which I hated more, him or living on the streets and finding out what will happen if I didn’t complete the swindling woman’s mission. And I didn’t want to find out. So, I did as I was told. 

Why would he send me to a man who hated cats? Of all people? 

I hated this world! And most of all, I hated living with Cassius. But I had to admit that he wasn’t as bad as he made himself out to be. 

The first night Dax brought me to his room, he’d looked at me with great contempt and impatience and a scowl that said more that words ever could. 

“I’m not feeding that thing,” he’d said squarely. “I don’t care what Zane thinks he’s doing but when you come back here in three weeks, you’ll find it dead.” 

Cassius lied. Because for the next three weeks, he kept me fed and clean, albeit begrudgingly. Other than that, he was the worst host any cat could ask for. He stepped over me like I was furniture. Talked over me like I wasn’t in the room – which, fair, technically I wasn’t supposed to understand him, but it still stung every single time he referred to me as “it.” 

He worked late. He paced for hours. He had calls he took with the door shut, and I learned quickly that the moment he heard me near the door he’d stop talking entirely until I lost interest and wandered off.

“You’re spending an awful lot of energy on a man who hates you,” Echo said one night, watching me watch him through narrowed eyes. 

“I’m doing reconnaissance.”

“You’re doing something. But I’m not sure reconnaissance is the right word for it.” 

I ignored her. That was easier than admitting to myself that she had a point. But seeing Cassius everyday reminded me of Keal. Cassius was very different from Kael, that much was obvious. But something else that was obvious was the he was going through something and I badly wanted to help. 

“You haven’t helped Zane,” Echo once again reminded me. “And the mission specifically stated stopping him from getting killed before the full moon. I hope you remember what today is.” 

Yes, I was exactly aware of what today was. It was the full moon and Zane was still alive. At this rate, I wasn’t sure there was going to be any attack on his life. Maybe the swindling woman just wanted me to fail so that –

“… it has to be today.” The sound of someone whispering from outside Cassius Windows reached my ears, stopping my thoughts short.  Even Echo seemed to perk up inside me, her excitement thrummed excitedly, missing mine. 

“What was that?” 

“Go check,” Echo advised. “But be careful.” 

But I was a lousy cat, and a very lousy spy. 

I crept closer, keeping my tail tucked tightly between my legs and my ears sitting straight. Through the little opening in the window, I saw Cassius but I couldn’t make out who the other man was. It was obvious he was the owner of the voice who had spoken earlier. 

“If things go wrong…” the man continued. “You must let them tie this back to us.” 

“Nothing will go wrong.” Cassius assured the man while slipping something very suspicious in his pocket. “Alpha Zane will be gone by midnight. I assure you.” 

My heart leapt. Wait, what? 

Cassius was – Cassius was the person plotting to have Alpha Zane killed? Cassius, the man who had the same face as my best friend? 

I staggered back, my heart beating wildly in my chest. My leg caught on the lamp on his desk and it slipped – I slipped and we both fell. The lamp clattered the ground with a sound loud enough to attract Cassius and his guest. 

“Who? Is. That?!” I froze as his loud growl greeted my ears.