Marrying a Warhound (Cassian) novel Chapter 51

COLLIN BLACK’S POV

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Collin sat stiff in the tent, the canvas walls still carrying the faint stench of blood from the battlefield. The heat from the brazier mixed with the sweet, almost cloying scent of the tea being poured into thin, white cups. Across from him, Mendez looked perfectly at ease, his armor half–unbuckled, his black–and–red tunic stained in a way that told Collin it hadn’t been washed in days.

“Since your arrival had been unannounced, please forgive us for not being able to prepare something more… extravagant. It would take a few more days before we arrived in the north, and our supplies were running low. Sadly, we can only offer you something… lacking.” Mendez said, smiling.

“This,” Mendez added, his voice smooth, “Is a tea considered a rarity from the west.” He lifted his own cup but didn’t drink yet. “Lord Cassian personally beheaded a witch to receive it. A gift from a western clan leader, grateful for the… cleansing of their lands.”

Collin’s fingers tightened slightly around the porcelain cup. The tea’s steam curled upward, but his throat felt dry. Jason hadn’t touched his drink either.

Mendez leaned back, almost lazily, but his eyes stayed on them. “They said this particular witch was clever. She cried for mercy until the last breath. Lord Cassian saw fit to make it quick… head gone with one strike. Others weren’t so lucky. Some were skinned while alive. Others burned. I hear the screams carry farther when you take your time with the fire.”

The corners of his mouth lifted faintly. “Lord Cassian hates witches, you know. Not just dislikes. Hates. He will obliterate them, and anyone foolish enough to ally with them.”

Collin felt the weight of the words press down. Jason’s jaw had tightened almost imperceptibly. The warning in Mendez’s tone wasn’t subtle, it was a blade pressed against the table between them.

Mendez sipped the tea, letting the silence hang for a moment before continuing. “I admire him for that. Petty, some would say. I say thorough. If you strike an enemy, you don’t let them rebuild. You wipe them and their roots out.”

Collin kept his expression neutral, but the thought pressed in hard, Mendez knew. Or at least, he wanted them to believe he knew.

Jason cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should end the celebration here. There are still many

enemies to deal with.”

Mendez set his cup down with a soft clink and looked at him as if he’d just said something amusing. “What enemies?” He gave a small shake of his head. “Lord Cassian is already

11:16 Wed, Sep 10

Chapter 51

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working on burning them all.”

Collin’s head snapped slightly toward him. “Burning them all?” He had mentioned this earlier. Was Cassian leading troops to chase the Demon Fangs? That would be foolish, he thought.

Mendez’s lips curved slightly as if amused by the question. “Meaning? Alpha Jason, you wound me. Aren’t we here to celebrate? Why speak of harm?” His gaze flicked between them. “Poison isn’t the style of the north. We are direct people. If we wish someone dead, we kill them ourselves. If we wanted to harm you…” His smile lingered. “…you would already be dead.”

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