Page 96 of To Crave Deeply
Alec scowled as I clearly got the plan right. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.
“Lucky guess,” he stated ungratefully, and my grin widened. But my enjoyment was short-lived. “Cassian, you need to stay here.”
The dragon fixed a cold stare at his leader. “What?”
Alec sighed. “Look, you’ve only just come back to us. How do we know if you’ll regress again? Until Levi has cleared you for action, you’re stuck here.”
“But—”
“That’s an order.”
Cassian shot Alec a furious glance before turning his back and storming out of the room.
“Alec, isn’t that a bit unfair?” I asked softly, not wanting to anger him further.
His honey-coloured eyes turned to me. “No. This is new territory for us. He’s come back from the dead, and it was only yesterday he was spouting random shit and trying to kill us when we visited him. Who’s to say this newfound sanity will last?”
I understood his concerns, I really did. But I also knew that Cassian needed to be back out there, to feel like he had purpose and was of use to us.
“Lori, I know you care about him and I’m glad he’s back, but we just need to be cautious. I’m sure Levi will clear him soon if he really is back with us for good.”
“Okay, I will leave it for now. But don’t think that I won’t fight for him to come back to this team. He deserves to be here. With us.”
Alec gave me a single nod before moving back into the action plan. I could tell he was nervous. His mouth was pressed in a firm line and his jaw was tight as he walked us through the plan one more time. I wanted nothing more than to ask him if he was alright, but I knew that I needed to wait until everyone had cleared out before I did. He wouldn’t want to appear weak in front of the team. But I needed to make sure he was okay.
“Alright, if there are no more questions, we will meet in the portal room in ten. Dismissed.”
Torsten gave me a wary look as he stood to leave, but I signalled to him that I was fine. Fenris didn’t even look at me anymore, and my heart sank as I watched him leave without a backward glance. I hung back until everyone had cleared out and found Alec watching me intently.
“Are you ever going to figure that shit out with Fenris?”
I laugh bitterly. “Right now, we’re at the avoid-each-other-like-crazy stage. Who knows when we will get past that?”
“If it’s any consolation, I think he’s an idiot. So is Elissa. They’re only setting themselves up for a lifetime of unhappiness.”
“Well, that’s their choice. I’ve just got to live with it.” I plopped back down on one of the sofas and winced as my ass hit the chair.
“You okay?” Alec asked, concern lacing his voice as he sat next to me.
I felt a blush creep up my neck. “Yeah. Fine.” I was not about to tell him why my ass hurt.
“So… you and Cassian?”
I felt my blush deepen. “Is none of your business.”
A thick, dark eyebrow raised in accusation. “Is that right? So, you’re not going to tell me why he couldn’t keep his eyes off you every time you squirmed in your seat?”
“Nope,” I replied, popping the ‘p’.
His expression turned serious. “You shouldn’t have gone down there on your own. What if he’d killed you?”
I was about to tell him that he almost had, but thought better of it. I didn’t want to jeopardise Cassian’s return to the team further.
“Something pulled me from my slumber, and I found myself outside the basement without realising. It was like I knew that he needed me. I can’t explain it. I just…”
Alec nodded as if he understood even though I couldn’t put it into words. He took my hand in his and gave it a squeeze.
“Just be careful. Please.”
