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Me: Nice try, sunshine! Enjoy your stakeout.
I giggled as I sent the response and threw my phone onto the bed.
Cassian laughed as soon as I emerged from the bedroom. He’d kicked his shoes off and pulled the blanket over his lap. He tapped the space next to him and I climbed in. He was warm and for a moment, it felt like nothing was wrong in the world, I had my best friend and nothing else mattered.
“I missed this,” Cassian said quietly and pressed play. The movie started and I leaned into him, humming with happiness.
Half an hour into the movie, my heart was already racing. Cassian had his arm around me, and every time I jumped he chuckled and squeezed my shoulder. It sent heat skittering across my skin, but it felt different than when Griffin touched me. Cassian was familiar, safe, and that’s how I felt when I was with him. I knew I was attracted to him, but at the same time I was scared of crossing that line. What if it’s just curiosity and he kisses you, but then you feel he’s still just a friend? How do I explain that?
“Hey, Cass?” I whispered. “Will you let me see you change?”
Cassian stilled next to me, it felt like he’d stopped breathing. He stayed silent for so long, I started to think that he would ignore the question. He let out a breath and trailed a finger down my arm. “Okay, if you really want to…” His words were barely above a whisper.
I didn’t say anything after that. The movie was terrifying, and I was relieved I wouldn’t be alone tonight. I’d be in the basement with a giant werewolf, but still, I wouldn’t be alone.
Cassian stood quietly and held his hand out to me. He grabbed the blanket with his free hand, along with a box of my favorite chocolates and the leftover soda. I got the cell keys from the basement door and led him downstairs. Neither of us said anything, my stomach felt heavy at the thought of seeing this again, but I was curious to see what Cassian looked like in his wolf form.
The bench was next to the cell, where I’d pushed it last night. Cassian dropped the blanket and snacks on the floor and faced me. “You know how this works? You can leave, I’ll keep the key in the cell so that I can get out in the morning. Will you be okay?” His voice started to sound strained, the first sign that the change was starting.
I nodded and hugged him, his body was warmer than it had been a few minutes ago. When he released me, I held the edges of his shirt and pulled it over his head. I giggled when he had to bend so that I could get it off. I’d seen Cassian shirtless so many times, but this felt different. His skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat and his veins bulged in his arms. Cassian’s skin was like marble, and unlike Griffin, he only had one tattoo over his chest. It was a detailed black wolf. Funny… I trailed my fingers over his skin and he shuddered.
His thumb traced my lips. “Emily, if I kiss you now, I know I won’t be able to stop before the change happens.” He stared deep into my eyes and words had left me. “I hope you’ll be here in the morning.”
I nodded and a wave of guilt crashed into me. I was in almost the exact same position with Griffin 24-hours ago. I stepped back from Cassian and he smiled sadly before he closed himself in the cell.
The next few minutes held exactly the same horror as last night except what faced me now was a black wolf. His fur resembled that of Lyrica’s cat from earlier today. Tears were flowing down my cheeks. Seeing your best friend tear himself apart to become a wolf was a horrible experience, and I hated seeing him in so much pain.
Cassian attacked the door, much the same as Griffin, and then he paced for hours. This time I couldn’t sleep; not only did the change keep replaying in my mind, I felt horrible for feeling like I was playing Griffin and Cassian. Every time I got closer to one, it felt like I was betraying the other and I had no idea where my heart was taking me.
Shortly after dawn, Cassian was silent in the cell. His cell phone buzzed a couple times, and I ignored. After the third buzz, I crawled from my spot on the floor to the bench to check who it was. My heart dropped through my stomach as the words flashed across the screen. It was from Grace.
Grace: Get here as soon as you change back! Lyrica is dead. And there’s a note for Emily…
