Luna. Chapter 145

(Lyra's POV)

"What next phase?" I demanded, my cheek still stinging from where I'd slapped Kael.

Cassius leaned back in his chair, looking like a man who'd just won a particularly satisfying game. "The phase where we discuss practical solutions to your family's situation."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning marriage, Ms. Blackwood."

The word hit me like a physical blow. "What?"

"Marriage. To someone with the political connections and legal authority to protect your son from... unfortunate circumstances."

I felt sick. "You're talking about marrying me off to solve this problem?"

"I'm talking about a mutually beneficial arrangement that ensures your family's safety while addressing the Crown's security concerns."

Kael was staring at Cassius with murder in his eyes. "You bastard."

"Careful, Alpha. Your opinion is no longer particularly relevant to this discussion."

"Like hell it isn't. She's my mate."

"She's the mother of a potentially dangerous child who needs proper supervision. And you've proven yourself incapable of providing that supervision."

I wanted to scream. This whole thing was spiraling beyond what we'd planned.

"Who exactly are you suggesting I marry?" I asked, though I was afraid I already knew the answer.

"Someone with the authority to make binding agreements on behalf of the Crown. Someone with the political connections to shield your family from hostile elements within the supernatural community."

"Someone like you."

"Someone exactly like me."

The smug satisfaction in his voice made my stomach turn. "And if I refuse?"

"Then your son faces immediate removal to protective custody. Your mate faces charges of conspiracy against the Crown. And you face charges of harboring a dangerous supernatural entity."

"Asher is not an entity. He's a child."

"He's a child with the potential to destroy cities. That makes him a weapon that requires careful handling."

Kael slammed his hand on the table. "She's not marrying you, you psychotic—"

"Actually," Cassius interrupted smoothly, "that decision is no longer yours to make. As I understand it, you and Ms. Blackwood are no longer together."

The trap closed around us perfectly. Our performance had worked too well.

"The marriage would provide several benefits," Cassius continued. "Legal protection for your son. Political immunity for your family. And a clear demonstration that you understand the gravity of your situation."

"You mean a clear demonstration of your power."

"Same thing."

I looked at Kael, seeing the rage and helplessness warring in his expression. We'd walked into this thinking we could manipulate Cassius, and instead he was manipulating us.

"I need time to think," I said finally.

"Of course. These are big decisions. I'll give you until tomorrow evening to consider your options."

"And if I still refuse?"

"Then the protective custody orders go into effect immediately. Along with the conspiracy charges."

"You're threatening to destroy my family if I don't marry you."

"I'm offering to save your family if you do marry me."

The casual way he said it, like he was discussing the weather, made my skin crawl.

"There's one more thing," Cassius added. "This marriage would, of course, require complete loyalty. No contact with former... complications."

He looked directly at Kael as he said it.

"You want me to cut all ties with Asher's father."

"I want you to demonstrate that you understand where your loyalties now lie."

Kael stood up so fast his chair fell over. "You son of a bitch. You planned this whole thing."

"I planned to resolve a dangerous situation in the most efficient way possible."

"By blackmailing her into marriage?"

"By offering her protection in exchange for cooperation."

"It's the same thing."

"Motivation is irrelevant. Results are what matter."

I felt trapped, cornered, completely out of options. Everything we'd built, everything we'd fought for, was being systematically destroyed.

"I won't do it," I said quietly.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said I won't do it. I won't marry you. I won't abandon my family. I won't cooperate with any of this."

Cassius's expression hardened. "Ms. Blackwood, you're making a serious mistake."

"Maybe. But it's my mistake to make."

"Not when it affects the safety of the supernatural community."

"The supernatural community will survive without your protection."

"Will your son?"

The question hung in the air like a threat. I felt my resolve wavering, the maternal instinct to protect Asher at any cost warring with everything I believed in.

"Don't answer that," Kael said quietly. "Don't let him manipulate you."

"Manipulate her?" Cassius laughed. "I'm offering her everything she wants. Safety for her child. Security for her family. All she has to do is be reasonable."

"Reasonable," I repeated. "You call forced marriage reasonable?"

"I call it practical."

"I call it rape."

The word fell into the room like a bomb. Cassius's expression turned ice cold.

"That's a very serious accusation, Ms. Blackwood."

"It's an accurate description of what you're proposing."

"I'm proposing a political alliance."

"You're proposing to force me into marriage through threats against my child. That's rape."

"Careful. Accusations like that can have serious consequences."

"More serious than the consequences I'm already facing?"

Cassius stood up, his false politeness finally cracking. "You have until tomorrow evening to reconsider your position. I suggest you use that time wisely."

He walked to the door, then paused. "Oh, and Ms. Blackwood? Your former mate won't be able to protect you from the consequences of refusing my offer. In fact, his continued interference will only make things worse for everyone involved."

The door slammed behind him, leaving Kael and me alone in the conference room.

"Jesus Christ," Kael said quietly. "That went completely off the rails."

I was shaking, the adrenaline finally catching up with me. "He actually wants to marry me. This isn't just about controlling Asher. It's about owning us."

"We'll figure something out."

"How? How do we fight this?"

Kael came around the table and pulled me into his arms, breaking character completely. "I don't know. But we will."

I buried my face against his chest, letting myself have this moment of comfort before we had to face the impossible choice Cassius had given us.