Page 34 of Mysterious Mate

But it was far from nothing. It was everything. Cage could feel the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, the need to protect Willow conflicting with the necessity to safeguard his own kind. The dilemma tore at him, each option more harrowing than the last.

Willow stood and walked over to him, her eyes searching his face. "I know something’s bothering you. Please, talk to me."

Cage sighed before leaning down to kiss her with a fierce, seductive sweetness he knew she couldn’t resist. "It’s just... complicated, Willow. I want to protect you, but there’s so much at stake."

She bit her lip, looking down at the sand. "I know this is dangerous. I know I’m putting you and your people at risk. But I can’t just let him get away with everything he’s done. I need to do this."

He took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "I understand. And I want to see him brought to justice, too. But justice isn’t always meted out in a courtroom. There are things going on behind the scenes that depend on secrecy. Exposing ourselves could lead to disaster."

Willow’s eyes filled with determination. "Then help me find a way to do this without putting everyone in danger. There has to be a way."

Cage wished he could offer her a simple solution, but nothing about their situation was simple. He could see the pain and fear in her eyes, the struggle to balance her need for justice with the reality of the peril they all faced. She was brave, but she was also human, and that made her vulnerable in ways she couldn’t fully comprehend.

As they walked up the path that led to the castle, Cage’s mind continued to churn. Turning her was a drastic measure, one he wasn’t ready to take without her consent. But leaving her human, with all the risks that entailed, felt equally reckless. He had to find another way, a path that didn’t force Willow into a corner or compromise the safety of his people.

The return to the main keep was quiet, the tension between them palpable. Willow wrapped her arms around one of his, resting her head against his muscled bicep, her thoughts seemingly miles away. Cage glanced at her, wishing he could ease her burden, take away the fear and uncertainty that haunted her. But he knew that until Carlyle and the League were dealt with once and for all, those shadows would remain.

Back at the castle, Willow retreated to the library, curling up with a book and leaving Cage to his thoughts. He sat in his office, assigning Jones to watch over her, staring at the blank screen in front of him. He needed to talk to Colby, to find out if there were other options they hadn’t considered.

Cage logged on to his secure line and contacted Colby.

"Cage. Everything okay?"

"Not really," Cage admitted. "We need to talk about Willow. I’m worried about the risks she’s facing, and I’m not sure what the best course of action is."

Colby sighed. "I’ve been thinking about that, too. We need to neutralize Carlyle and his influence before she testifies. It’s the only way to keep both her and our community safe. I had thought maybe the League would take care of him, but they seem more focused on Willow."

"I know," Cage said, frustration creeping into his voice. "The situation as is, is untenable. But every time I come up with a solution, I feel like I’m chasing my tail.”

“And as a bear, yours is so short,” drawled Colby. “Must be difficult to do.”

Cage snorted a laugh. Only Colby had the ability to make him laugh at times like this. “Every move we make has to be careful, calculated. One wrong step and we could expose ourselves."

"We’ll find a way," Colby said firmly. "We have to."

After ending the call, Cage leaned back in his chair, exhaustion washing over him. The stakes were incredibly high, and every decision felt like a precarious balancing act. He closed his eyes, wishing for a moment of clarity, a solution that wouldn’t tear him apart inside.

A soft knock at the door broke his reverie. Willow stood in the doorway, her expression a mixture of apprehension and resolve.

"I couldn’t focus," she said softly, stepping into the room. "Jones said he thought it would be okay.”

He held his hand out to her. “My team knows you are integral to my well-being.”

“Because I give blowjobs on demand and let you fuck me stupid each night?”

“Well, it’s a tough job… but seriously, they see what you do to help keep me on an even keel, and don’t think everyone hasn’t noticed how you’re looking after them, as well.”

“I just keep thinking about what you said, about the dangers. I don’t want to put you all at risk."

Cage walked backwards to his chair, drawing her with him and pulling her into his lap, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. "We’ll find a way, Willow. We’ll make sure Carlyle is dealt with, and we’ll keep you safe."

She nodded, but he could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. "I trust you, Cage. I just... I’m scared."

He pulled her into a gentle embrace, wishing he could shield her from the darkness that threatened to engulf them both. "I know, baby. I have to admit there are times the whole thing feels like a very scary balancing act, but keeping you safe is the only job as far as I and the team are concerned. We’ll get through this. I promise."

She leaned against him, curled up, nestling into his body. As they sat there, holding on to each other, Cage felt a flicker of hope. It was a fragile thing, easily shattered, but it was enough to keep him going. He would find a way to protect Willow, to bring Carlyle to justice, to serve a fatal blow to the Shadow League, and to ensure the safety of his people. He had to.

He could tell Willow was about to press the point when Jones threw open the door.

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