Marrying a Warhound (Cassian) novel Chapter 172

Brute 172 Summary

Atasha experiences a sudden, overwhelming fear that Cassian might be in danger again, suspecting that the threat may not come from the corrupted stone as previously believed. Urgently wanting to confirm her suspicions, she tries to leave and find Elder Agape but is stopped by Cassian, who tightly grips her wrist and demands to know what she has realized. Atasha explains her doubts about the stone’s influence, recalling a fierce internal battle she felt when Cassian touched the corrupted stone, suggesting the stone may have reacted to her ability rather than merging with Cassian.

Cassian remains guarded and insists that Atasha keep this revelation a secret, even from the elder, before abruptly carrying her through an open window and into the snowy woods behind the manor. They move quietly away from the estate until they reach a secluded clearing dominated by a large, dead tree. Cassian uncovers a hidden entrance beneath the tree and leads Atasha down into a carved underground passage illuminated by glowing fae stones.

The tunnel ends at an ancient mausoleum belonging to Cassian’s grandparents, where Atasha suddenly feels a sharp, searing pain in her chest. The light from the walls shifts ominously, pulsing with dark red and black hues, and the pain spreads through her arms. Alarmed, Atasha realizes that the stones lining the chamber are corrupted fae stones, signaling a dangerous and possibly supernatural threat that deepens the mystery surrounding Cassian’s condition and the true nature of the stone’s influence.

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Chapter 172

ATASHA’S POV – One day before the testing

A sudden, crushing realization struck me so forcefully it nearly stole my breath away.

No. This couldn’t be true.

Yet, if my instincts were correct—if the feeling that had just washed over me truly meant what I feared—then Cassian might be facing danger once more.

“What if…” I whispered, my heart tightening painfully in my chest. “What if it’s not the stone?”

Before I could even fully process the thought, my body was already in motion. The chair scraped sharply against the floor, the table trembled from the sudden movement, and I dashed toward the door. My heartbeat thundered so loudly in my ears that it drowned out the sound of my own footsteps. I had to find Elder Agape immediately, to confirm my fears, to prevent whatever was coming before it was too late.

But I never made it beyond the doorway.

A firm hand gripped my wrist—Cassian’s.

I spun around to face him. “Let me go,” I said, trying to pull away.

He didn’t loosen his hold. Instead, his grip tightened just enough to stop me without causing pain. His gaze locked onto mine, cold and probing. “What did you realize?” he demanded quietly.

“I need to see the elder,” I replied hurriedly. “Right now.”

Cassian remained silent. His jaw clenched tightly, and a muscle near his temple twitched—a subtle sign I’d learned meant he was deep in thought. I could almost hear the gears turning behind his eyes, but he kept his thoughts sealed from me, the bond between us remaining locked and silent.

“Cassian,” I pressed again, trying to steady my ragged breathing. “What if it’s because of my ability? What if that’s what the elder couldn’t explain?” His eyes sharpened, but he still gave no answer.

I stepped closer, my pulse racing uncontrollably. “The night you touched the corrupted stone, I believed you absorbed it. But what if I was wrong? What if the stone never merged with you at all? What if it reacted to me instead?”

His eyes narrowed slightly, the tension between us thickening.

“I remember exactly how it felt,” I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. “It wasn’t peaceful, Cassian. It didn’t feel like healing. It was a battle. The stone fought back, clawing and pushing against me as if desperate to survive. But I kept fighting until it shattered. It didn’t become a part of me. It was like a war—and I was the one who won.”

The memory crept up my spine—the cold surge that ran through my fingers, the strange, weightless heat that followed, the faint burn in Cassian’s hand when the darkness fell. Even then, it hadn’t felt right. And now, it felt even more wrong.

Cassian’s expression remained unreadable, but the silence between us stretched unbearably long. Then he stepped closer, closing the space until his hand left my wrist and settled gently on the side of my neck, holding me still. “Don’t tell anyone about this,” he ordered, his voice firm and leaving no room for discussion.

I frowned, caught off guard by his sudden command. “Not even the elder?”

He shook his head once, decisively. “Especially not him.”

“But he might understand—”

“No,” Cassian interrupted sharply. His grip softened, but his eyes stayed hard. “Whatever this is, it’s not something we share. Not yet. I’ll take you somewhere.”

“Where?” I asked, curiosity and concern mixing in my voice.

He said nothing.

Before I could press further, he moved swiftly. In one fluid motion, his arm slid beneath my knees, the other wrapped securely around my back, and suddenly I was lifted off the ground. Instinctively, my hands clutched his shoulders as he carried me effortlessly.

“Cassian—”

“Hold on,” he murmured.

The window was already open. Without hesitation, he leapt through it, the cold wind whipping around us as his boots landed solidly in the snow below. The impact barely fazed him. I caught my breath, gripping his coat tightly as he straightened.

We weren’t fleeing the mansion. Instead of heading toward the gates or the stables, Cassian strode purposefully across the courtyard, aiming for the woods behind the manor.

Cassian remained silent.

Suddenly, a sharp pain ripped through my chest. It was quick, searing, like a hot blade pressed between my ribs. I staggered back a step, clutching at my shirt. My breath caught, the air suddenly thick and hard to draw.

“What—” I began, but the words faltered. The glow from the walls flickered, shifting from its soft white-blue to a darker, uneven pulse—bleeding red and black like the veins of something alive.

The pain intensified, spreading through my arms. It wasn’t coming from inside me—it was coming toward me.

My eyes widened in shock. “Cassian…” I gasped, voice strained. “These stones…”

He turned toward me just as the dreadful realization clawed its way from my throat.

“Cassian,” I said again, knees trembling, “they’re corrupted fae stones.”

Conclusion

The chapter closes on a tense and uncertain note, capturing the fragile balance between trust and fear that Atasha and Cassian navigate. Atasha’s dawning realization about the true nature of the corruption challenges everything she thought she knew, while Cassian’s protective secrecy deepens the mystery and heightens the emotional stakes. Their bond, though strained by unspoken truths, remains a lifeline amid the encroaching darkness, underscoring themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the painful weight of hidden knowledge.

As they descend into the cold, shadowed depths beneath the estate, the discovery of the corrupted fae stones in Cassian’s ancestral mausoleum symbolizes the inescapable legacy they both must confront. The chapter’s atmosphere—icy, claustrophobic, and charged with danger—reflects the emotional turmoil within Atasha and Cassian, setting the stage for a reckoning that will test their resilience and the strength of their connection. In this frozen moment, the story holds its breath, poised on the edge of revelation and the unknown.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

The next chapter promises to deepen the mystery surrounding the corrupted fae stones and the true nature of the bond between Atasha and Cassian. As they stand in the eerie mausoleum, the unsettling shift in the stones’ glow hints at forces far more dangerous and complex than either of them anticipated. The emotional weight of this revelation is palpable, and readers will feel the tension rising as Atasha grapples with her sudden pain and Cassian’s guarded silence.

Expect the relationship between Atasha and Cassian to be tested as secrets come to light and trust is challenged. The hidden past of Cassian’s family, symbolized by the mausoleum and its ancient engravings, may hold keys to the unfolding conflict, but it also threatens to unearth long-buried dangers. The atmosphere will grow charged with suspense and uncertainty, leaving readers eager to discover what lies beneath the surface of their intertwined fates.