Marrying a Warhound (Cassian) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

ATASHA’S POV

78

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“My lady, this is the second messenger the council has sent,” Rio said as he handed me a sealed letter. “Each of them insists on seeing the Lord in person.”

I broke the seal, already knowing what it would contain. The parchment confirmed it, another request for an audience.

“They want proof he’s fine,” I muttered. It wasn’t difficult to understand why. The council relied on Cassian’s presence to maintain stability. Without him visible, rumors could spread that he was gravely wounded or worse. Doubt like that could fracture their authority, weaken morale among the soldiers, and embolden the enemy.

It was logical from their perspective. A leader who failed to appear in front of his council, especially during a time of crisis, invited speculation. Speculation led to whispers, and whispers led to panic.

Unfortunately, Cassian remained in the same state. He was breathing steady, his body strong, but unresponsive, as though locked in a deep sleep.

I knew he wasn’t injured anymore. His wounds had closed, his strength hadn’t diminished. Every sign pointed to simple unconsciousness, not death. Yet that distinction would mean little to the council if they couldn’t see him for themselves.

Before I could decide what to do with the letter, another knock interrupted my thoughts.

The door opened and a woman stepped inside, dressed in a warrior’s garb with leather plates fitted neatly over a dark tunic, a sword strapped to her hip. Her stride was firm, her chin lifted, but what caught my attention first was her face.

She was striking, with sharp cheekbones and clear skin that might have belonged to a court beauty rather than a fighter. Yet her hair was cut short, cropped close to her jaw in a style uncommon for women in the north, giving her a bold and severe air.

I frowned the moment her eyes landed on me.

“My father sent me to speak with the Lord,” she said, her tone clipped.

I raised a brow, but before I could say a word, Rio already butted in. “And aren’t you going to introduce yourself to the Lord’s wife… Miss Reina?”

This finally drew the woman’s attention. Her sharp eyes slid back to me, and she gave a shallow bow that looked more like a mockery of respect than the real thing.

11:20 Wed, Sep 10

Chapter 69

78

55 vouchers

“My name is Reina Morrow,” she said flatly. “Eldest daughter of Halden Morrow and the heiress of the Morrow House. My father tasked me to speak with the Lord about logistics for the upcoming Beast Tide.”

“You may leave,” I said, my tone firm. “The Lord is not available to talk to you.”

Reina’s brow arched high, the corner of her lip twitching into something like amusement. “And who are you to say that?”

Rio stepped forward immediately, hand resting on the hilt of his sword, but I lifted a hand, stopping him. His jaw tightened, but he obeyed.

I rose from my chair. “I am his wife,” I said evenly. “His only wife. The Princess Consort.”

Reina gave a sharp, dismissive snort. Her gaze flicked back to Rio. “Are you really going to draw steel on me over this?”

Rio’s

eyes narrowed. His hand didn’t move from his sword. “You wouldn’t know unless you tried,” he said through clenched teeth.

Reina rolled her eyes, her posture still unshaken. “Keep yourself in check,” she said, her words aimed squarely at me. “You are not the Lady of the North. You are just someone the Lord picked up on his way home. A wolfless omega.” Her tone dripped with disdain. “How dare you speak as though you know his affairs?”

I let out a slow sigh. I had expected this sooner or later. “The Lord is preparing to travel to the northern outpost today,” I told her. “He is occupied. That is all you need to know.”

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