Fake Mate of the Enemy Shifter (Red Oak Shifters #2)

24. Cassia

Chapter twenty-four

Cassia

“ I nside. Quickly!”

Ten Moonveil witches dart into the hidden room ahead of me, looking around with confused expressions on their faces. When they spot Grey, Emeric, Arabella, and a handful of other Everblade members inside, they freeze in place, too uncertain to move.

“It’s okay. They’re not going to hurt you,” I tell them as I move to the front of the group, my palms growing damp from nervousness.

I finally singled out the Moonveil witches that I believe will rebel against Morgana and Lucian. It took almost a week of close observation, but I did it! I’m sure that all of them will be loyal, but of course, I’m nervous about introducing them to Everblade, especially Grey’s parents.

If I mess this up, they will never trust me. It’s not like I’m dying to earn their approval just because they’re Grey’s parents. I want them to like me because they’re heroes of this region!

I most definitely don’t want them on my bad side.

Grey smiles at me and the others. “Welcome and congratulations for making the first step to put Morgana and Lucian out of power. You’re that much closer to freedom and peace.”

“Do you really think you can beat them?” Jules asks as her eyes widen.

Grey nods. “Together, we can come up with a solid plan of attack and force them out of power and out of the region. We are aware of how they treat you, their own people. It’s despicable, and if you choose to, you are more than welcome to join our kingdom once they’re overthrown. You won’t be second-class members. You’ll be family just like everyone else.”

I turn to the other Moonveil witches, able to sense their nervousness. I know they don’t want to be under Morgana’s and Lucian’s rule anymore, but they’re facing a huge change. It’s a big risk that very well may kill some of us.

That’s why I brought them here to talk to Everblade. They need to get to know their allies.

“Everblade will suffer just like the rest of us if they stay under Morgana’s and Lucian’s rule. We help them. They help us. We share the same enemies,” I tell them before moving to Grey’s side so that we stand between both clans. “Together, we stand the best chance.”

“What if Everblade tries to control us too? Will it really be better on the other side?” Calix questions me.

“I’m next in line to rule the Everblade Kingdom,” Grey states. “I can promise you that I will never manipulate you or hurt you like your leaders have done. All I want is for my kingdom to thrive in peace, and you would be part of my kingdom. My family.”

I give Grey a small smile, able to see some shoulders relax and some nods from a few Moonveil witches. We’re gradually winning them over.

Grey holds my gaze for a moment before taking a deep breath. “And to make you feel more at ease, I will not rule alone. My marriage to Cassia might’ve been part of my plan, but I see an opportunity to not only make you feel safer and more secure but to also learn more, collaborate more effectively, and share responsibilities with someone I trust. Cassia will be by my side in this new era.”

My jaw drops. “Grey …”

Grey places his hand on my arm. “They trust you. You found them. You cared enough to seek them out, which makes me trust you with my people as well.”

I don’t even know what to say! I don’t know how to rule or reign or whatever. But when I look at the Moonveil witches, their relieved smiles and enthusiastic nods soothe my fear.

They do trust me, but what about Everblade?

I turn toward the other side of the room, expecting to see glares, but I see no such things. There is a little uncertainty on some faces, especially Emeric’s, but they trust Grey and his judgment. Maybe they can learn to trust me too.

“We’ll talk more about it later,” Grey says. “For now, I want to focus on your people and make sure they know what they’re in for.”

I smile a little and nod, stepping to the side as he explains his plan in more detail and what a revolt may look like for everyone involved. At least they don’t look so wary of him anymore. With each passing meeting, I can tell most of the Everblade wolves and witches have warmed up to me for the most part.

If we can keep moving in this direction, we’ll be a strong, united force against Morgana, Lucian, and their loyalists. Unfortunately, there are quite a few of them.

“Morgana and Lucian are brutal,” Calix sighs as he crosses his arms. He gestures to a few scars on his right forearm. “They hurt us for pleasure. I can’t imagine what they’ll do to us in the name of war.”

“It’s time to make a stand for that reason and so many others,” I tell them. “They’ve hurt us more times than we can count. If we don’t take a risk now, they may end up killing us in the end anyway. Think of Silas and all the others who died in odd circumstances.”

Grave expressions form on everyone’s faces, but an air of understanding fills the room. I think we’re finally getting on the same page with each other. Sure, our lives will be at stake when it comes to war, but we’re already in danger just being under their rule. At least we may come out victorious in one of those situations.

The sound of rapid footsteps makes my eyes snap to the hidden door as it appears, my jaw dropping.

“Mom?”

Callista leads Gliselle inside the room, but the door doesn’t fade away just yet. An unfamiliar man follows them in, his dark eyes immediately darting to me.

My heart stops as I stare at him, noticing something familiar about the energy radiating off him.

“What’s going on?” Emeric questions Callista as he hurries to the front of the crowd forming in the middle of the room.

“Garik spotted them while on patrol. He snuck them in through the cellar, and I brought them here,” Callista explains, looking frazzled. “We were almost caught, but no one saw us. I just knew I had to hide them from sight.”

I rush over to Gliselle, throwing my arms around her as the room threatens to spin around me. “How are you here? I thought I wouldn’t ever see you again!”

Gliselle squeezes me tightly, breathing in the smell of my hair. “I’m so happy to see you, honey. I couldn’t stop thinking about you when I left. How you were so confused and distraught about your past. I started searching around and asking people about Cinderborne and any lost babies.”

My eyes widen.

“I’m guessing this is a Cinderborne witch,” Emeric grits out as he glares at the tall, lean man donned in black pants and a black cloak.

“I was,” the man replies. “My name is Alastor.”

Gliselle releases me and gestures to Alastor. “I found him on the outskirts of the region after talking to another small coven. They knew of some Cinderborne rogues nearby.”

“You were all supposed to be exiled from the region after the war,” Emeric states as he watches Alastor closely.

Grey steps forward, putting his hands up to try and relieve the tension building between everyone. “Obviously, they haven’t caused a problem. Alastor, do you know anything about a lost baby girl from your old coven?”

Alastor turns to me, his dark eyes softening a hint. “I do. She was my child.”

My knees weaken, forcing me to reach out and grab Gliselle’s arm as the air leaves my lungs. “What?”

Alastor takes a timid step toward me. “I didn’t fight in the battle. I stayed behind with a few others to watch the children and elderly. Not everyone supported the war, but … I was blinded by love.”

“I don’t understand,” I breathe out as I stare up at him, feeling all eyes on me as pieces start to fall into place. “You’re my father?”

Alastor takes a deep breath and nods. “I am. I thought … I thought you were dead or that you were taken out of the region.”

“You said you were watching the children, though,” Arabella speaks up with a confused look on her face. “How did she become lost?”

“After the battle, it was chaos. The remaining Cinderborne witches still alive rushed back to camp and started raiding supplies and grabbing their loved ones. They knew we had to flee the region or possibly be killed if found by Everwood or Thornblade. In the madness, I lost sight of her. I looked everywhere! I searched for weeks, running back and forth to and from the territory to look without being caught.”

My heart beats out of control as I listen to his story. I never even knew how to picture my father. Now that he’s right in front of me, my world has been shaken to its core once more.

He’s my blood family! He’s where I got the bad blood running through my veins … but he doesn’t seem all that evil.

“I was worried someone took you for some sort of leverage,” Alastor tells me as he shakes his head. “We were the most hated coven in the region.”

“For a reason,” one of the Everblade wolves speaks up from the back.

Alastor holds his hands up innocently. “I understand if you’re wary because of my presence, but I promise you that I don’t mean any of you any harm. I’ve changed my ways. I’m living a quiet, peaceful life. I just wanted to meet my daughter.”

His words make my throat tighten, choking me up as I breathe shakily. I can barely wrap my mind around all of this, but there are things that I still need to know. I have to complete this fragmented puzzle of my past.

“Where is my mom?” I ask him.

Alastor frowns and shakes his head. “She died in the war.”

My shoulders slump a little. I’ll never get to meet her or even know what she looked like. At least for my father, I can see where I get my nose. “What was her name?”

Alastor hesitates as he glances around at everyone.

I frown, my anxiety ramping up even more than it already is. “Alastor.”

Alastor sighs and nods. “Her name was Nyxara.”

My ears fill with white noise as gasps sound all around the room. I blink hard, wondering if I somehow made those words up in my head. There’s no way he’s telling the truth. No way!

“No … you’re lying,” I tell him. “No one has ever mentioned Nyxara having a child.”

“Because it was too risky. She kept you as tightly under wraps as she could so that you wouldn’t be kidnapped or killed just for being her daughter,” Alastor explains.

“No, no, no,” I breathe out, my eyes darting between Grey, Emeric, Gliselle, Arabella, and Callista.

All of them have varying shades of shock on their faces. Emeric looks downright horrified. Grey gives himself a rousing shake and steps closer to me. “Cassia, are you okay?”

“No,” I whisper, barely able to swallow or breathe as my body locks up.

One of the evilest witches in the history of this region was my mother. How is this possible?

Grey takes hold of my arms, making me look him in the eyes. “You are not her, Cassia! You are so much more than your ancestry. Think about what you did today. You brought together two clans because you have good intentions. And we trust and support you because of it.”

His words manage to break through the haze of disappointment and shock clouding my mind.

“He’s right,” Arabella speaks up. “My family were at odds with Nyxara for years, but I don’t see her in you. How can you be like someone you never even met?”

Grey gives me a comforting smile as he releases me, gesturing around him. “Even with Nyxara being your mother, what has really changed about you?”

My glistening eyes sweep around the room, taking in the relaxing expressions of the ones around me as everyone finally processes the news. They already knew I was from Cinderborne. Things are a step further now, but Grey is right.

What does it change?

I’ll only change if I allow myself to go down that path. To feed into the darkness and fire that tries to take hold of me.

I breathe in deeply through my nose and straighten up. “My desires and my morals have not changed. In fact, they’re strengthened. If my father can change, I can stray even further from my bloodline as a Cinderborne witch without meeting any of them. If you don’t want to stand with me, tell me, and I’ll step down.”

Silence rings throughout the room, my body remaining tense as I wait for someone to denounce me. Those words never come, though. Even Emeric remains silent as he leans against Arabella.

I release the breath I’ve been holding and nod, trying not to break a sweat as all eyes remain on me. “Then, things aren’t changing. And Alastor … if you want to stay and fight for our cause … you’re more than welcome to.”

Alastor gives me a small smile and nods. “I’d like that.”

I smile back, able to take a proper breath when conversations pop up around me. Plans for battle. Questions about Alastor’s life. Stories about The War for the Forest. I take advantage of the normalcy to turn to Gliselle, my eyes stinging.

“I’m so sorry for giving you the cold shoulder after you told me the truth,” I tell her. “I was devastated when they exiled you.”

Gliselle’s face softens as she shakes her head. She cups my face and kisses the top of my head. “Don’t apologize. You were shocked and scared and angry. But you’re so strong, my special one. I’m so proud of you.”

Hot tears burn my eyes as I fall into her embrace, sinking into the comfort I missed so badly. Nyxara may be my mother by blood, but Gliselle is my mother by choice. With everything that I have, I hope that I can always be someone she’s proud of.

But now that I know whose blood runs through my veins, the stakes are higher than ever before.