Chapter 7 The Weight of the Threat

Jessie stood on the balcony that overlooked the huge territory of the Bloodfang pack. The wind was sharp, with scents of pine and earth, but it did nothing to soothe the storm inside her. Her hands gripped the cold stone railing while her mind went through everything she'd just learned over the last few days.

Cade was coming for them.

It was hard even to think his name without her stomach twisting up into knots. Cade, her first mate, the one that had so cruelly cast her aside. He had rejected her, had marked her half-sister as his Luna without so much as a second thought. The sting of that betrayal cut deeper than she'd ever imagined possible. And now, that same man was out to destroy everything she'd rebuilt.

She could see it, clear as day in her mind's eye, the packhouse in flames, the warriors falling one by one, Lucas fighting in protection of his people while Cade closed in. It scared the ever-loving daylights out of her. This pack had taken her in, welcomed her as their Luna. Lucas had given her that second chance at life and love, and now everything was hanging in the balance because of her past.

Because of Cade.

She drew her gaze from the view and began to pace along the full length of the balcony. Her heart hammered against the wall of her chest as she tried to think of what she could do and how she could safeguard Bloodfang against Cade's anger.

She recalled the words hurled at her by Cade during their last encounter. His warning still rang in her ears even after days: "You still have the chance to come back now before it's too late. I will take everything away from you." He would do so, wouldn't stop at anything to destroy everything and everyone that she loved, just to wrench her back into his twisted clutch.

But she was no longer the same weak and broken Jessie who had emerged in the aftermath of his rejection. She'd fought to reclaim her life, to build something with Lucas. And she wouldn't let Cade take that away from her again. She needed to think, to plan, but every thought which entered into her head was clouded by the menace of the imminent Cade attack. She felt the weight, the crushing burden suffocating her as guilt raised its ugly head that Bloodfang was in danger because of her.

"What am I going to do?" she whispered out loud, and little louder than the wind.

She had tried talking to Lucas about it, but all he was interested in were these rogue werewolves that had been spotted near their borders. He knew they were preparing for something, but he hadn't connected the dots yet. He hadn't realized that Cade was behind the rising rogue activity-that this was all part of his plan to tear Bloodfang apart from the inside. Jessie had wanted to tell Lucas the full truth, but something held her back. How could she admit that Cade's vendetta was because of her? That Lucas's pack, his people, were now in jeopardy because of her and her history with her first mate?

The thought of it twisted in her chest like a knife. Lucas had been nothing but supportive, and yet, Jessie couldn't help but feel like she had brought disaster to his doorstep.

She looked around, her eyes to the forest below, as if to find an answer amongst the tree shadows. But the only thing she saw was her fear reflected back at her.

Cade wasn't trying to destroy Bloodfang for power. No, this was personal. He wanted her. He wanted to prove she could never truly be out of his reach. A tremble ran through her hands, and Jessie firmed them into fists. She had to be stronger than this. She couldn't let Cade see her fear, and she couldn't let Lucas face this battle without knowing the full truth.

A soft knock on her door startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Jessie?" It was Lucas's voice, deep and steady, as always.

"Come in," she called out, quickly brushing the loose strands of hair from her face and trying to compose herself.

The door creaked open, and Lucas stepped inside; in an instant, his presence soothed her ruffled nerves. He looked as he always did: tall and commanding, his dark hair falling over his forehead, his sharp eyes fixed on her. Yet there was something else in his gaze tonight, a concern more.

"You've been quiet all day," he said, shutting the door behind him and coming towards her. "Is everything alright?

She wavered for an instant, peering deeper into his eyes. How could she burden him with this-with the weight of Cade's looming threat? She opened her mouth to speak but lost her voice completely, unsure of how to begin.

"I've just been. thinking," she finally said, softer than she'd intended.

Lucas stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush gently against her arm. "About what?

She huffed once more, then stared down at the floor. She could feel her chest tighten with tension, her fear that if she told him all, he might look upon her differently. Might blame her for the danger Bloodfang now faced.

"Lucas," she said slowly, her gaze lifting to his. "There is one thing you should know.about Cade.

Cade's name had brought a dark flash to his eyes. He straightened, slightly, his jaw clenching as he waited on her continuing.

"He's coming for Bloodfang," Jessie said with a shuddering voice. "He's planning an attack, and I think.I think it's because of me."

Lucas frowned, his face flickering to confusion. "What do you mean?

Jessie took a deep breath, garnering her courage to continue. "Cade isn't just planning an attack for power or territory. He wants me back. He thinks he can force me to come back to him by destroying everything I care about. He told me himself-he'll take everything away from me if I don't return to him."

The silence thereafter was thick; the weight of her confession hung between them, the air heavy with it, and Jessie's heart pounded in her chest, and for a moment, she was terrified of what Lucas might say, of what he might think.

But then Lucas spoke, in a firm yet steady tone, "Jessie, you don't owe him anything. You're my mate now, Bloodfang is your home. Cade can't take that from you.

First, it was relief washing over his words, and then it set in. "I know, but he's still coming. And I don't know what to do, Lucas. I don't know how to stop him."

Lucas's eyes turned darker, the glow in them resolute. "We'll stop him together. Bloodfang has stood strong against every threat, and we won't let Cade or his rogues tear us apart."

She wanted to believe him, wanted to cleave to the strength in his words, but the fear still gnawed at her. Cade was relentless, and she knew him well enough to understand that he would not back down until he had what he wanted.

"What if it is not enough?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "What if he destroys everything because of me?

Lucas pulled her close against him, wrapping his arms around her. His arms were warm and comforting, and for a second, Jessie let herself melt into the embrace, leaning her head against his chest.

"Jessie," he whispered husky and low. "You are not responsible for what Cade has done. We'll fight him, and we'll win. I promise you that."

She closed her eyes and held tight onto Lucas, praying his strength would somehow chase the fear swirling inside. Yet, even as comfort enveloped her, the doubt remained. Cade showed no mercy, and she knew this coming battle was going to be more dangerous than anything they had faced before.

And deep down, Jessie had been afraid that the price to be paid to defeat Cade was simply too high.