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

25. Grey

Chapter twenty-five

Grey

D espite the shakeup from Cassia’s family tree finally becoming complete, we’re still full steam ahead when it comes to planning our revolt. At this point, nothing can slow us down; we’ve picked up momentum and established better trust between us all.

We’re finally getting close to being ready to strike, and everyone can feel it. There’s a shift in the atmosphere throughout the castle, and it’s all going to come to a head soon. Sooner than we expect.

“I think we need to remain in the castle when fighting. We can use the hidden room as an infirmary and a place to hide the children and elderly. We know every nook and cranny of this place,” I say as me and my parents brainstorm in the peace and quiet of my bedroom.

“Understandable,” my father replies as he stands near my window, peering out at the forest. “If we split up in groups, we’ll be more effective. No matter where they try to run, we need to have a group waiting to intercept them.”

“What do we do about those who surrender? It’s possible we missed some Moonveil witches who actually don’t stand by Morgana and Lucian,” my mother points out as she sits on the edge of my bed.

“They can be taken down to the dungeon and kept there until we determine their intentions,” I reply, my mind working to flesh out every little detail and scenario. We have to be prepared for everything. “I’m hoping for more surrenders than deaths.”

“If we give them the chance to surrender, there may be more than we expect,” my mother points out.

My father nods in agreement. “Spare who we can, but the safety of our clan and the good Moonveil witches come first.”

A knock sounds on my door, making us all fall silent.

“It’s Garik! Open up.”

I frown at the urgency in his tone, but I don’t hesitate to pull my door open for him. “What’s wrong?”

Garik rushes inside before I shut the door. He leans over for a moment to catch his breath. “I overheard Morgana and Lucian talking by the forest.”

My body grows rigid. Any time those two conspire, nothing good comes from it. “About what?”

“They’re going to try and destroy the remaining trees tonight,” Garik tells us in a grave voice. “When the moon is highest, they’re going to force some of their witches to channel its lunar power to destroy the trees.”

“Witches with good blood?” my mother questions him.

“It’s a workaround to the curse,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief. “Why are they trying to destroy the trees? Why not use the power for themselves?”

“I’m not sure. I just overheard that they’re destroying the forest tonight. We have to move up the fight,” Garik tells us as his eyes dart between me and my parents. “We can’t let them do this.”

My father turns to me. “Son, what do you want to do?”

I blink in surprise, expecting him to jump into action and start rallying people. This is a serious development, and if we really have to fight tonight, we have a lot to do in a short amount of time. Our whole battle plan has to change!

But if my parents are looking to me to lead, everyone else will do the same.

I have to lead.

I fight the tension in my chest and lift my chin. “I need to go talk to Cassia and let her know. She’ll gather the Moonveil witches. You all spread the word to our people. We’ll have rotating meetings in the hidden room every thirty minutes to come up with a plan and update everyone.”

“Let’s do it,” my father replies before taking my mother’s hand and giving her a bittersweet smile. “It’s time to save the forest once more.”

My mother smiles back, pecking him on the cheek as they make their way toward the door.

Warmth stirs in my chest as I watch them, my mind immediately darting to Cassia. She’ll be horrified to hear about what Morgana and Lucian are up to, but she’ll stand by my side regardless. Together, with the help of those who trust us to lead, we’ll achieve victory.

“Right behind you,” I say as I trail my parents to my bedroom door.

My father pauses and turns to me. “You trust Cassia? Fully?”

I meet his gaze and nod. “With my life.”

My father pats my shoulder. “I’ll see you in thirty minutes.”

I wish I could read his thoughts. Does he trust Cassia now or is he still on the fence? I hope he can see beyond her past and accept her for the person she strives to be now, and maybe the battle will change that.

Maybe the battle will change everything.

Once we all leave my room, I venture around the castle, acting casual but internally scoping out every corner for Cassia. I almost give up until I spot her on one of the balconies overlooking the front of the castle, the wind blowing through her hair.

“Cassia.”

Cassia spins around before smiling at me. “I was just getting some air. Looking for me?”

With everything I have, I wish I could just sweep her into my arms and kiss her like everything is right in the world. I wish I could tell her how my feelings have bloomed over the weeks and how I can’t picture my life without her anymore.

But all of those things have to wait now. We have a battle to fight.

“Something came up,” I tell her as I approach her, watching her smile plummet off her face. I hate to see that. “Morgana and Lucian are going to try and destroy the forest tonight.”

Cassia’s eyes grow wide for a few moments before she sighs and shakes her head. “Of course. Of course, they’re going to do something insane on the night of the full moon.”

She does know them better than I do, so if anyone is going to anticipate their crazy plans, it’s her.

“Why do you think they’re destroying the trees instead of using the power for themselves?”

Cassia pauses for a moment before speaking. “I’m not sure. Maybe to keep you guys from using the power against them.”

I guess that makes sense, but it’s still a weird move. I wish they were more predictable.

“We’re coming up with a battle plan for tonight. We have to defend the forest,” I tell her.

Cassia exhales shakily and folds her hands behind her head, trying to take a deep breath. “I was already nervous about it happening within the next week. Now, it’s tonight? I don’t have my powers back yet!”

Even with Gliselle’s and Alastor’s help, we haven’t made any progress on the curse front. She’s more vulnerable than ever before, but the battle is happening whether any of us are ready for it or not.

“Maybe you should stay in the hidden room with the others,” I suggest as I step closer to her.

Cassia shakes her head profusely. “Absolutely not! I’m staying with you and all the others I recruited. I’m not leaving them when it matters most!”

I expected that reaction. It was worth a shot, though.

A sigh drifts from me as I draw her into a firm embrace, resting the side of my head against hers. “I’ll just be worried about you. About everyone.”

Cassia nods in agreement as she locks her arms around my torso. “I’ve always been used to it just being me and Gliselle. Now … there are more people I care about and don’t want to lose. It’s nice, but it’s also terrifying.”

I kiss the crown of her head before drawing back to meet her gaze. “The downside of caring too much.”

Cassia smiles in a bittersweet manner. “The thought of this fight terrifies me, but I’m ready to be free from Morgana and Lucian. I’m done bowing down to their every whim and feeling petrified every time they call me into a room. I’m ready to fight however I can.”

“And I’m ready to lead right by your side,” I say as I cup the frame of her face. “My parents are trusting me to call the shots. That kind of terrifies me.”

Cassia’s face softens. “You’re going to lead us to victory, Grey. You’ve been preparing for a moment like this your entire life.”

She’s not wrong. I have been trained since I was young, but there is one main thing that makes me feel strong enough to actually lead the charge into battle.

“You give me the strength I need,” I tell her as I stroke her cheeks with my thumbs. “I’m ready for this because of you.”

Because I want us to have a future together. I want to be able to tell her that I’m falling in love with her. I want so much more that Morgana and Lucian will never let us have.

Cassia’s face hardens with determination. “I’m ready because of you too. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, Grey.”

Our eyes travel to the forest below us, tension forming in my chest. However, she’s the reason why I can still breathe steadily. Why I can stand tall and strong as evil looms ahead.

Night will arrive before we know it, and when the moon replaces the sun in the sky above, our fates will hang in the balance.

And nothing will ever truly be the same.