Chapter 77

Griffin~

I hadn’t slept in two days.

The moment Marcus told me that Mist was somehow connected to Cole Lucky, my entire world turned upside down. That wasn’t just bad news. It was disastrous.

Cole Lucky already had everything—power, money, influence. If he had Mist on his side, then what chance did I have? Mist was a damn legend, a deity of werewolves, and if he decided to back Cole, then Natalie—my Natalie—would be completely out of my reach.

I wasn’t going to let that happen.

The thought of her in Cole’s arms made my blood boil. She was supposed to be mine. She was my mate, even if I had been too blind, too damn stupid to see it before. I had rejected her because of my own damn pride.

But now, she wasn’t the same broken girl I had pushed away. She was strong, feisty, sharp-tongued, and no longer afraid to speak her mind just like how she challenged my uncle at the art exhibition. And now, she was with Cole Lucky.

I slammed my fist against my desk, breathing heavily.

No. I couldn’t let him win.

I needed leverage. I needed someone powerful on my side—someone who could give me an edge against Cole and Mist.

I needed, Cassandra.

The only name that came to mind.

The woman who made werewolves and vampires alike tremble. A legend in her own right, feared for reasons no one dared to speak aloud. She was ruthless, unpredictable, and dangerous.

But she was also my only shot.

The problem? No one contacted Cassandra. She found you.

So how the hell was I supposed to find her?

I was still contemplating my next move when my mind-link suddenly snapped open.

“Griffin p>

The deep voice of my grandfather, filled my head.

I stiffened. Was he calling to yell at me again for losing Natalie? Because that was all he kept doing to me lately.

“Come home. Immediately. There’s something you need to hear p>

A sharp sense of unease curled in my gut. “What’s going on p>

“No time to explain. Get to Golden City. Now p>

The link cut off, leaving me with nothing but tension curling in my chest.

Golden City. My home.

I exhaled, pushing away my thoughts of Cassandra and Cole Lucky for the moment. If my grandfather was calling me back, then it had to be important.

First, I needed to make sure Darius didn’t suspect anything.

I found my uncle in his office, lounging in his leather chair, sipping on a glass of whiskey like he didn’t have a damn care in the world.

His sharp, calculating eyes flicked to me the moment I walked in. “Griffin. To what do I owe the pleasure p>

“I need to leave Silverfang for a few days,” I said smoothly. “My father wants to discuss my future as Alpha. He believes it’s time I find a strong, suitable mate, so he’s called me back to meet a few potential candidates p>

Darius chuckled, swirling his glass. “Finally. You’ve spent too much time obsessing over a lost cause p>

I forced a laugh, pretending to go along with him. “I suppose you’re right. A good Alpha needs a strong Luna, after all p>

“Indeed,” Darius mused, setting his glass down. “Choose wisely p>

I nodded, but in my mind, I was cursing him out in every language I knew.

That bastard had no idea what was coming to him.

I turned on my heel and left, heading straight for my car.

The drive to Golden City was long, but it gave me time to think. The moment I crossed into familiar territory, nostalgia mixed with tension in my chest.

By the time I reached my grandfather’s estate—the massive, elegant mansion that screamed authority—I was already on edge.

I parked, stepping out swiftly and heading straight for his office.

The moment I walked in, both my grandfather and my father were there, waiting.

Grandfather sat behind his enormous mahogany desk, dressed sharply in a black suit as always. His silver hair was combed back as always, and he looked as powerful as ever. His sharp gray eyes locked onto mine, studying me in that way that made me feel like he was reading every damn thought in my head.

My father sat on a couch in the room, looking just as imposing, his presence radiating quiet strength.

“Griffin,” my grandfather greeted. “You came quickly. Good p>

“You said it was urgent,” I replied, stepping forward. “What’s going on p>

My grandfather leaned back, fingers steepled. “Last night, I had a vision p>

A chill ran down my spine. My grandfather was a damn good seer. He saw things others couldn’t, events yet to come. And he was rarely wrong.

“A dark presence is moving,” he said gravely. “It’s powerful. And it’s heading for the city of Vereth p>

I frowned. “What does that have to do with me p>

His lips curled into a knowing smirk. “Are you not searching for Cassandra p>

I froze.

The air in the room shifted.

My father raised an eyebrow, while my grandfather’s gaze sharpened.

“The spirits whispered it to me,” he said simply.

Damn it.

I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair. “I don’t suppose they whispered her exact location too p>

“As a matter of fact, they did,” he mused. “She’s heading for Vereth north p>

I stiffened. “Why is she going there p>

“That, I do not know,” he admitted. “But if you want to find her, you need to move quickly p>

I clenched my jaw. “Figures. Even the damn spirits are giving me a hard time p>

My grandfather chuckled. “You always did have a habit of underestimating forces greater than yourself p>

I ignored that. “I hate Vereth,” I muttered. “Cole Lucky and that his vampire friend owns almost ninety percent of the damn place p>

“Perhaps that is precisely why Cassandra is going there,” my grandfather mused. “And perhaps you should ask yourself why everyone—Mist, Natalie Cassandra, even the gods—seem drawn to Cole Lucky p>

I scowled. “Because the universe hates me p>

“Griffin,” My father’s confused voice interrupted Grandfather and I “What do you want with someone as vile as Cassandra?” My father’s voice was steady, but the slight twitch in his jaw betrayed his irritation.

I leaned forward, bracing my forearms against the polished wood of the desk. “Mist,” I said simply. “Is likely friends with Cole Lucky p>

My father’s expression darkened at the possibility, but I pushed on before he could interrupt.

“I’m losing Natalie, Dad. Fast.” The words felt like ash in my mouth. Saying it aloud made the fear real. “There’s no way I can get close to her with Mist and Cole in the way. They’ll never let me near her. I need someone to keep them busy—someone strong enough to be a distraction p>

“And that someone is Cassandra?” My father let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. “Griffin, even if by some miracle you could find her, let alone stand in her presence, it would be a dangerous thing to do. You know what she is, don’t you p>

“Of course, I do,” I said. “She’s a werewolf with power rivaling the gods. Some say she got it from a demon. Some say she feeds on vampire blood. But one thing is certain—she’s strong. Stronger than anything I can face alone p>

“And if she kills you?” My father’s voice was cold, but beneath it, I could hear the sliver of fear he refused to show. “What then? What would we do if you go looking for her and never return p>

I swallowed hard. It wasn’t like I hadn’t considered it. The stories of Cassandra weren’t just bedtime tales meant to scare pups into behaving. They were warnings, whispered in hushed tones by those who had seen her in action. She was destruction incarnate, and I was willingly stepping into the fire.

“I have to strike a deal with her,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my gut. “If I don’t, I’ll lose Natalie forever p>

My father looked ready to argue further, but my grandfather suddenly let out a low chuckle, setting his glass down with a soft clink.

“Stop worrying so much, Michael,” my grandfather said, leaning back in his chair. His silver hair gleamed under the dim lighting, and his piercing eyes locked onto mine. “If Griffin truly wants to be king one day, he must prove it. A future ruler does not cower in the face of danger. He faces it head-on p>

My father turned to him sharply. “You can’t be serious p>

“I’m very serious,” my grandfather interrupted smoothly. “Griffin needs to show that he is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means walking into the lion’s den. And Cassandra is that den p>

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smirking. I had expected my grandfather to be against this idea, but instead, he was pushing me forward.

“You said you needed a way to get Cassandra to help you,” my grandfather continued. “There’s a civilized vampire coven in Vereth north. I’d wager that’s where she’s headed p>

I frowned.

My grandfather gave me a knowing look. “Even creatures like her need something. And if I had to guess, she’s after vampire blood. She’s always after Vampire’s blood p>

My mind raced. “So, I have to find a way to make her need my help p>

“Exactly.” He leaned forward, his expression calculating. “Find out how to be of use to her in her mission. And when the time is right, offer your help to her, the kind of help she can’t refuse. Then, and only then, will you get what you need in return p>

I exhaled slowly, nodding. “Alright. But what the hell could I offer someone like Cassandra that she wouldn’t just take for herself p>

Silence filled the room.

And doubt crept in.

I was walking into a game where the stakes were life and death. And Cassandra? She didn’t play fair.

But I had no choice.

Natalie was slipping away.

And I wasn’t about to let that happen.

My father sighed. “Griffin p>

“I’m going to Vereth,” I interrupted. “I’ll find Cassandra before Cole does. And when I do, I’ll make sure she’s on my side p>

My grandfather smiled. “Good. But be careful. Cassandra does not choose sides easily p>

“I’ll make her,” I said darkly.

My grandfather only chuckled again, eyes gleaming. “We shall see, grandson. We shall see p>