Free Web NovelChapter 95: Chapter 95
3rd person POV
The room was quiet, but Caden could not stay still.
He paced from one end of the room to the other like a restless animal trapped inside a cage. His boots struck the wooden floor again and again in a steady rhythm that showed just how uneasy he felt. His hands were clasped behind his back tightly, his jaw clenched as his mind kept returning to the same thought over and over again.
Gunnar.
Meanwhile, Cane sat on the chair near the table, his posture relaxed but his expression serious. He had one arm resting on the armrest while the other hand slowly tapped against the wood in front of him. His eyes followed Caden every time he passed by, but he did not say anything at first.
Caden stopped pacing suddenly and turned to face his brother. His expression looked troubled and impatient at the same time.
"Do you think he succeeded?" Caden asked, his voice carrying a tight edge. "We should go find him."
Cane lifted his gaze calmly and shook his head.
"No," he said simply.
Caden frowned deeply. "No?"
Cane leaned back slightly in his chair and folded his arms across his chest before speaking again.
"We should not be worried about whether he succeeded or not," Cane said slowly. "What we should be worried about is Gunnar going mad and hurting Riley."
Caden’s brows pulled together.
"The prime wolves are cunning beasts," Cane continued in a steady tone. "You know this just as well as I do."
Caden exhaled sharply and began pacing again, his agitation growing stronger.
"Yes, I know that," he said quickly. "But Gunnar is not weak. He knows what he is doing."
Cane watched him quietly for a moment before replying.
"Gunnar has avoided shifting for years," Cane reminded him. "He kept his beast buried deep for a reason."
Caden stopped walking again and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, frustration clear on his face.
"But he would shift this time," Caden muttered.
"Yes," Cane replied calmly. "And that is exactly why we should be worried."
Caden looked at him sharply.
"Once Gunnar lets that beast loose, it does not stop easily," Cane continued. "He might not be able to control it the way he thinks he can well except perhaps the prime wolves helps him."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
Caden finally sighed and ran a hand through his hair. freёwebnoѵel.com
"He would never hurt Riley," Caden said firmly.
Cane did not respond right away. His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about it.
"Let’s hope he would not," Cane corrected quietly.
Before Caden could respond, a knock sounded on the door.
Both brothers stiffened immediately.
Caden turned toward the door just as it opened.
It was pushed open quickly, and two figures stepped inside.
Summer walked in first with her long dark hair tied into a loose braid that rested over her shoulder. Her bright eyes carried an unusual sharpness for someone her age. Even though she was only ten years old, there was a quiet intelligence in the way she carried herself.
Behind her stood Daphne, her calm presence filling the doorway as she watched the girl closely.
Caden and Cane both tensed the moment they saw Summer.
The young girl stepped further into the room, looking directly at them without hesitation.
"Hello, Uncle Caden," she said politely.
Her voice was soft but clear.
Then she turned her gaze toward Cane as well.
"Hello, Uncle Cane."
Cane nodded slightly in response, but Caden’s expression had already changed into something uneasy.
Summer did not waste any time.
"When is my Daddy coming back?" she asked immediately.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Caden.
Then she added another question before either of them could answer.
"No... wait."
Her small brows knitted together slightly."Will he come back in one piece?"
Both men stared at her in shock.
For a moment, neither of them knew what to say.
Caden blinked slowly before forcing a small smile that did not quite reach his eyes.
"Summer," he began gently. "Your Dad is strong. He—"
But the girl shook her head quickly.
"No," she interrupted.
Her voice trembled slightly now."You are not answering the question Uncle."
Cane leaned forward in his chair, studying the girl more carefully.
"Why would you ask something like that?" he asked calmly.
Summer looked down at the floor for a moment before lifting her head again.
Her eyes looked strangely serious for someone so young.
"Because I know something is wrong, I feel it," she said quietly.
Caden and Cane exchanged a quick glance.
Summer continued speaking before they could stop her.
"I heard you both talking outside the door" she admitted. "You said Daddy left to fight the prime wolves."
Caden’s face tightened instantly.
"That is not something you should be listening to," he said firmly.
But Summer did not look intimidated.
Instead, her eyes filled with a painful sadness that made the room feel heavier.
"If I had never been born," she whispered slowly, "maybe none of this would be happening."
Caden’s expression shifted immediately.
"Summer," he said sharply.
But the girl kept going, her voice trembling more with every word.
"If I had not come into this world... maybe Mommy would still be alive," she continued.
The room fell completely silent.
Daphne stepped forward slightly behind her, clearly worried now.
Summer’s hands clenched tightly at her sides.
"And maybe Daddy would not have to suffer like this," she added weakly.
Caden moved toward her immediately.
"Stop that," he said firmly but gently.
Summer shook her head quickly, tears forming in her eyes now.
"It is true!" she cried.
"No," Caden said.
His voice softened as he crouched down in front of her so they were eye level.
"Your father loves you more than anything in this world," he told her carefully. "You are the reason he keeps going every day."
Summer looked at him uncertainly.
"But Mommy died because of me," she whispered."And that broke him"
Cane finally stood up from his chair and walked closer to them.
"That is not true," he said calmly.
Summer looked at him.
"Your mother did not die because of you," Cane continued. "She died protecting something she loved."
The girl’s lips trembled.
"But Daddy looks so sad all the time," she said weakly.
Caden sighed quietly.
"Your father has been through many things," he said softly. "But you are the one thing that keeps him strong."
Summer opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly her body swayed slightly.
Daphne noticed it immediately."Summer?" she said quickly.
The girl blinked slowly as if she felt dizzy.
"Uncle Caden..." she murmured weakly.
Then suddenly her knees gave out beneath her and she collapsed onto the floor.
"Summer!"
Caden caught her just before she hit the ground.
Her body trembled violently in his arms.
Then she coughed.
A dark red liquid spilled from her mouth onto the floor.
Blood.
Daphne gasped in horror.
"Summer!" Caden shouted, panic rising in his voice as he held the small girl.
She coughed again.
More blood stained the floor.
Cane immediately knelt beside them, his expression turning deadly serious.
He reached down and touched the blood carefully with two fingers.
For a moment he studied it silently.
Then his eyes hardened.
He lifted his gaze toward Caden.
"She’s been poisoned?"
