Chapter 34: Two Threats And A Revelation

After dinner, Nusha cornered Ran in the bathroom.
'I'll get to the point,' she said as she locked the door. The sweet smile she kept up throughout dinner disappeared. She stalked forward.
Ran continued washing her hands.
'Cancel your betrothal to Caph while I'm asking nicely.'
Ran twisted the tap shut and flicked the water from her hands onto Nusha. 'No thanks.'
Nusha's yellow eyes narrowed, her pretty face twisting into a fierce scowl.
'You're exactly who he said you'd be.'
Ran blinked. 'What?'
Nusha crossed her arms. 'You're using Caph, aren't you? For your selfish ambitions. It's gonna ruin Cassiopeia and Caph—dragging him into your family drama like that. Is that what you want?'
The pretty brunette leered.
'To you, it doesn't matter what happens to him. He's just your pawn.'
'But you're serious about him?' Ran asked.
Nusha paused. She rolled her eyes.
Glared daggers at Ran.
'Of course. We grew up together.'
She leaned closer to whisper into Ran's ear.
'We've even had sex before.'
Ran sighed. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned forward as well.
'I know what you're doing, Nusha,' she said. 'You're threatening me because you have an crush on Caph but he clearly doesn't feel the same. Back off and learn to take no for an answer.'
Nusha nodded emphatically. 'Yes, you're right. I love Caph. I love him enough to interfere even though he's rejected me. I'll be watching you, Ran. You pretentious, manipulative mutt. If you hurt him in any way,'—her voice tightened into a hiss—'I'll skin your wolf and burn it at the next Red Moon Summit.'
The bathroom door slammed hard into its frame behind her.
Cast, Covi and Cam had gone to gather the pack members attending the Gathering. Celphus was waiting by the entrance with Caph for the female members of the family.
'Have you made any progress with Ran?' the Alpha of Cassiopeia asked.
Caph wondered if this was how his father would greet him from now on.
He shrugged. 'A little.'
Celphus growled. 'That's not good enough. Is Ran too difficult for you? She gets along well with Cam, perhaps he will succeed where you have failed.'
Caph's eyes widened. 'No way!' he blurted out.
His father stared at him.
He clenched his teeth and averted his gaze.
But it was too late. Celphus had already seen the truth in his blue eyes. 'You found your bonded mate. It's her. Your bonded mate is Ran.'
Caph raised his voice again. He admitted, 'Yes, Ran is my bonded mate. So i will marry her as you have asked. You don't have to worry about me shirking this responsibility. I won't.'
He expected his father to relax.
Maybe glare at him pensively.
Or complain about him being a spoilt brat who would only do what he was told if he was given whatever he wanted.
But he had no idea Celphus would go red in the face and start trembling violently.
He bellowed at his son in a thunderous voice, 'You foolish mutt! You should know better than to have feelings yourself for someone from that pestilent family! Are you daft? Do you know what I had to do just to get rid of that lunatic and his band of werewolf traitors? How can you call yourself the Alpha's son when you're so ignorant of everything Cassiopeia stands for!'
Caph was startled.
Even though he was often reprimanded by his father, the anger that erupted from him this time was different.
It was terrifying and ominous in a different way.
'Father, what do you mean you got rid of that lunatic? Are you referring to Ran's dad?'
Celphus's yellow eyes were brimming with fury but the reason behind his anger was veiled. Guarded carefully. His father tried to rein in his anger, taking deep breaths to calm himself and stop shaking.
'You're absolutely worthless!' he spat.
Nusha pranced into the foyer with a sweet smile on her face, Jelsie trailing behind her.
His father's expression turned bland, as if that moment of anger hadn't happened.
'Where's Ran?' he asked gruffly.
'She'll be down in a minute,' Nusha replied brightly.
But Caph was sure of what he heard and it made a chill run down his spin.
Cassiopeia had something to do with the death of Ran's parents.