Chapter 5 Hopeless

• Kael had been following Cassia in secret, watching from the shadows as she stumbled her way through the wilderness.
• At first, he had convinced himself he was merely making sure she didn’t get herself killed—nothing more. But as the hours stretched on, he found himself growing more and more intrigued by the strange, stubborn werewolf who seemed completely unprepared for the outside world.
• The first disaster struck when Cassia spotted a tree full of ripe, red fruits.
• Kael watched as she rubbed her hands together determinedly, then hopped up to grab one. Her fingers barely grazed the lowest branch.
• She tried again.
• And again.
• And again.
• Each time, she missed.
• Then, apparently deciding she needed more height, she jumped with all her strength.
• Her fingers actually closed around a piece of fruit this time—but in her excitement, she forgot to land properly.
• With a loud yelp, she crashed onto the ground, arms and legs sprawled in an undignified heap.
• Kael pinched the bridge of his nose.
• He expected her to curse or stomp away in frustration.
• But no.
• Cassia, lying flat on her back, just sighed dramatically.
• “Ugh! This is harder than I thought!”
• Then, to his disbelief, she sat up and pouted at the tree.
• Kael shook his head. This girl is hopeless.
• After failing three more times, she eventually gave up and wandered off—fruitless, frustrated, and completely unaware of the silent figure tailing her from a distance.
• Next, she found a river.
• Kael perched in a tree nearby, arms crossed, as Cassia bent over the rushing water.
• She had no idea what she was doing.
• She crouched at the edge, watching the fish darting beneath the surface. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she plunged her hands into the water—
• SPLASH.
• She came up empty-handed, blinking in shock as the fish darted away.
• Kael exhaled sharply. Of course that wouldn’t work.
• But Cassia, apparently, thought otherwise.
• She tried again. And again. And again. Each attempt ended in failure, the fish easily slipping through her fingers.
• At one point, she got so frustrated that she yelled at the fish like they were doing it on purpose.
• “Stop moving, you stupid fish! Just let me catch you already!”
• Kael had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing.
• When that, predictably, didn’t work, she stood up with a huff and crossed her arms.
• “I just need a new strategy,” she muttered.
• She glanced around the riverbank, then suddenly lunged—
• SPLASH.
• Kael blinked.
• Cassia had dived into the river.
• …What is she doing?
• She surfaced seconds later, coughing and spluttering.
• Kael sighed. At this rate, she’s going to starve.
• Cassia climbed out of the water, shivering. Then she just… collapsed on the riverbank.
• Kael watched as she hugged her knees to her chest, resting her forehead on them.
• Then, to his surprise—
• She started crying.
• It wasn’t loud.
• It wasn’t dramatic.
• It was the quiet kind of crying, the kind that made something twist uncomfortably in Kael’s chest.
• She was exhausted. Hungry. Alone.
• And she had no idea what to do.
• Kael closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. Damn it!
• He hadn’t planned to interfere.
• But he didn’t really have a choice, did he?
• Cassia sniffled, wiping her eyes.
• Alright. No big deal. She’d figure something out.
• She could—
• A sharp movement caught her attention.
• She looked up just in time to see something fast and dark flash across the riverbank.
• She screamed and scrambled backward, heart pounding.
• Then she registered who it was.
• Her eyes widened. “You!”
• Kael stood there, completely dry even though he had just caught a fish with his bare hands.
• Cassia’s jaw dropped.
• “You—! What—?! How?!”
• Kael ignored her, tossing the still-wriggling fish onto the ground. “Eat.”
• Cassia blinked at the fish. Then at him. Then at the fish again.
• “…What?”
• “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” Kael said flatly. “Eat.”
• Cassia frowned. “I don’t know how to cook.”
• Kael stared at her.
• Cassia tilted her head. “Do you?”
• Kael exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. He really didn’t have time for this.
• “Come on.”
• “Huh?”
• “I’ll cook for you. Let’s go.”
• Cassia blinked, then scrambled to her feet and hurried after him. “Wait, where are we going?”
• Kael didn’t answer. He just kept walking, moving effortlessly through the dense forest.
• Cassia followed, stumbling over roots and nearly tripping more times than she wanted to admit.
• Eventually, the trees thinned, and they reached a hidden clearing.
• Cassia gasped.
• In the center of the clearing was a small, secluded sanctuary.
• A cabin—Kael’s cabin.
• Cassia’s eyes widened. “You live here?”
• Kael didn’t answer. He just strode inside, and after a moment of hesitation, Cassia followed.
• The inside was simple but surprisingly cozy. There was a fireplace, shelves lined with books and a large window that overlooked the forest.
• Kael moved with practiced ease, lighting the fire and expertly preparing the fish.
• Cassia sat cross-legged on the floor, watching him.
• He worked quickly, his movements precise. In no time, the rich scent of cooking fish filled the room.
• Cassia’s stomach growled loudly.
• Kael glanced at her. “How long has it been since you last ate?”
• Cassia pouted. “I don’t know. A while.”
• Kael shook his head and handed her the food. “Eat.”
• Cassia didn’t need to be told twice. She grabbed the fish and devoured it, barely stopping to breathe.
• Kael watched in mild disbelief. “Have you ever eaten like a normal person before?”
• Cassia paused mid-bite and blinked at him.
• “…What does that mean?”
• Kael sighed and looked away.
• Cassia just grinned and took another bite.
• For the first time since she had run away, she felt full.
• She sat back, satisfied, and stretched. “That was amazing.”
• Kael didn’t respond.
• Cassia studied him. “Why did you help me?”
• Kael didn’t answer immediately. He just stared at the fire.
• Then, finally—
• “You were crying.”
• Cassia blinked.
• Kael’s voice was calm. Matter-of-fact.
• “You didn’t know what to do,” he continued. “So I helped you.”
• Cassia swallowed. Something about the way he said it made her chest feel tight.
• “…Thank you.”
• Kael glanced at her as if surprised by the words.
• Cassia offered him a small smile.
• For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
• The fire crackled. The forest outside rustled with the wind.
• Then—
• “Are you going to stay here forever?” Kael asked.
• Cassia blinked.
• She hadn’t thought that far ahead.
• “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I just… don’t want to go back.”
• Kael studied her for a long moment.
• Then he leaned back, crossing his arms.
• “…Fine.”
• Cassia tilted her head. “Fine?”
• “You can stay. For now.”