Marrying a Warhound (Cassian) novel Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Chapter 92

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ATASHA’S POV

When the ground started shaking, I ducked low and threw my arms around Cassian’s body as if I could shield him. It was ridiculous. I knew even unconscious, one falling stone wouldn’t take him down, but in that moment, instinct overruled logic. I pressed my body against his, waiting for the ceiling to collapse.

Nothing did. The shaking passed, leaving only the sound of my own ragged breathing. My arms refused to let

of him. Somewhere between fear and exhaustion, I drifted off like that, curled against his bare chest.

go

When I woke, the first thing I noticed was the emptiness. My arms clutched nothing but stone. My eyes snapped open. Cassian was gone.

I shot upright. The cloak I’d draped over him was missing too. My chest squeezed, panic sparking hot in my ribs. But then I noticed the fire. It was burning brighter than before, fresh wood stacked neatly around the embers. My lips parted. He’d woken. He’d seen me sleeping against him, tended the fire… and left.

Scrambling to my feet, I scanned the chamber. There were no traces of him. My legs carried me toward the narrow tunnel before my mind could catch up. I pressed my hand against the stone, forcing myself forward until the tunnel spat me out into the larger passage. Still no sign of him.

I moved carefully, my dagger drawn, until I reached the cave entrance. Cold air rushed against me. I braced a hand against the wall and peeked outside.

The forest was gone.

Or at least, it looked that way. Trees lay splintered and flattened in every direction, their trunks broken like sticks. Snow was churned up, dark patches staining the ground where beasts must have been crushed. My throat tightened. This wasn’t a battle. It was carnage.

This was the first night of the Beast Tide.

I tilted my head up. The sun still hung low on the horizon, staining the snow a reddish tint, and above it the red moon bled across the sky. I frowned, my stomach knotting. How long would it last this time? Days? A week? Longer?

I swallowed and scanned the clearing again. No sign of Cassian. My fingers tightened around the dagger hilt. “Don’t tell me he… left me here?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. The thought stung. My jaw clenched. Of all things, why would he abandon me now?

Was he still a beast? Did he lose himself again? Or worse, did he choose to leave me?

A deep growl split through the silence, cutting my thoughts short. My heart jumped into my throat.

I ducked back, retreating into the cave. My body pressed against the wall as another growl rumbled outside,

closer this time. My knees bent, and I crouched low, peering toward the entrance. Was it him? Was Cassian the one growling? Was he out there, guarding the cave like some feral sentinel?

Another louder growl came.

12:02 Mon, Sep 15

Chapter 92

5 vouchers

Before I could react, a hand clamped over my mouth. My entire body jolted. I twisted my head and froze.

Cassian.

He stood behind me, red eyes locked on mine, his finger pressed against his lips in a silent command. My eyes widened, but I forced myself to nod.

The growling outside dragged on for several more beats, vibrating through the stone floor. My lungs screamed for air under his hand, but I didn’t fight him. Finally, the sound faded, echoing away into the distance.

Cassian’s grip loosened. He pulled his hand back. I gasped softly, dragging in a shaky breath. Relief poured

out of me.

Then his voice came. “You really are foolish, aren’t you?”

My mouth dropped open. I stuttered, the words tripping out of me. “You–you spoke-” Not just a word. He actually spoke a full sentence. Those were actual words!

My heart pounded harder than it had when the beast growled.

“Inside,” he ordered.

“Eh?” I blinked, still stunned.

12:02 Mon, Sep 15

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