The air inside Cain's house was thick with unspoken tension, a palpable weight that seemed to press down on everyone who crossed the threshold. It had been days since Victoria's unexpected arrival, and the fallout was far from over. Cain sat on the couch in the living room, a book in his hands, though he hadn't turned a page in over an hour. His eyes scanned the same paragraph repeatedly, but the words refused to register. His mind was elsewhere, tangled in the web of drama that Victoria had woven with her mere presence.
Across the room, Astra sat in the high backed chair by the fireplace, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her piercing gaze was fixed on Cain, though he refused to meet her eyes. He could feel her stare like a physical force, burning into the side of his face. It wasn't the first time she'd watched him like this, and he doubted it would be the last. But tonight, her silence was particularly unnerving. She hadn't said a word since he'd walked into the room, and yet her disapproval was louder than any argument they'd ever had.
Cain shifted uncomfortably, the leather couch creaking beneath him. He flipped a page in his book, more for the sake of appearing occupied than out of any real interest in the story. The silence stretched on, broken only by the faint crackling of the fire in the hearth. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
"Is there something you need?" he asked, his voice sharper than he intended. He still didn't look up from his book, though his grip on the pages tightened.
Astra's gaze didn't waver. "No."
Cain sighed, snapping the book shut and setting it on the coffee table. "Then why are you staring at me?"
Her expression remained unreadable, but her tone was icy. "I'm just wondering how long it'll take before Victoria shows up at your doorstep again."
Cain groaned, running a hand through his hair. "For the last time, nothing happened. She's just… being Victoria."
Astra leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Her dark eyes narrowed, and her voice dropped to a low, accusatory tone. "That's the problem, Cain. You're letting her mess with you. And you're just… letting it happen."
"What am I supposed to do?" Cain shot back, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Pick her up and throw her out?"
"Yes." Astra's response was immediate, her tone deadly serious.
Cain gave her a flat look. "You do realize she'd just make a scene and make it worse, right?"
"Then figure something out," Astra snapped, her voice rising slightly. "Because right now, you're just sitting there, letting her walk all over you. And it's not just about you, it's about all of us. She's causing chaos, and you're doing nothing to stop it."
Before Cain could reply, the front door swung open with a loud creak, and Ragnar Bloodfang strode in like he owned the place. His massive frame filled the doorway, his wild crimson hair tied back in a loose ponytail. He was still in his training gear, the faint scent of sweat and iron clinging to him as he tossed himself onto the other couch. The furniture groaned under his weight, and he stretched out lazily, his sharp, wolf-like amber eyes flicking between Cain and Astra.
"You two arguing again?" Ragnar asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"We're not arguing," Astra muttered, though her tone suggested otherwise.
"Sure you're not," Ragnar said, his smirk widening. "So, what's the problem this time? Cain being a spineless idiot again?"
Cain shot him a glare. "Do you people have anything better to do?"
"Nope," Ragnar replied easily, leaning back and propping his feet up on the coffee table. "This is way more entertaining."
Astra stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "Whatever. Just don't come complaining when Victoria wraps you around her finger again."
She stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Cain watched her go, a sinking feeling settling in his chest. He didn't understand why she was so worked up about this. Sure, Victoria was a nuisance, but she wasn't a threat. At least, not in the way Astra seemed to think.
Ragnar let out a low whistle. "She's pissed."
"No kidding," Cain muttered, leaning back and rubbing his temples. "I don't even know why she's so mad."
Ragnar's grin turned sly. "Oh, I do."
Cain shot him a suspicious look. "Enlighten me, then."
But Ragnar just chuckled, standing up and patting Cain's shoulder as he walked past. "You'll figure it out."
Cain groaned as Ragnar strolled off, leaving him alone with the worst realization of all.
Astra was jealous.
And that was definitely not something he was prepared to deal with.
The evening air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Cain leaned against the balcony railing, staring out at the darkening sky. The weight of Astra's glare, Victoria's teasing smirk, and Ragnar's usual unpredictable nature still lingered in his thoughts. He needed a moment to breathe, to clear his head, but the chaos of the day seemed determined to follow him.
A few feet away, Mira sat on the wooden railing, her silver-white hair glowing softly in the moonlight. A book rested in her lap, though her golden eyes weren't scanning the pages. Instead, she had been quietly watching him since he walked outside, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
"You look like someone who just got scolded," she finally said, breaking the silence.
Cain sighed, rubbing his temple. "Scolded? More like ambushed."
Mira chuckled, flipping the book open. "Let me guess, Astra?"
"And Victoria," Cain added bitterly. "And Ragnar. Basically, the entire faction decided today was make Cain's life miserable day."
"That sounds about right," Mira said, her voice light and teasing. "But Astra's the one that's really bothering you, isn't she?"
Cain hesitated before letting out another sigh. "I don't get why she's mad."
Mira hummed, idly flipping a page. "She's not mad."
Cain shot her a flat look. "Could've fooled me."
Mira turned her head slightly, resting her chin on her palm as she regarded him with quiet amusement. "She's frustrated. But not because of Victoria."
Cain frowned, pushing himself off the railing to fully face her. "Then what is it?"
Mira just smiled, her golden eyes twinkling in the dim light. "You'll figure it out eventually."
Cain groaned. "Why does everyone keep saying that?"
Mira shrugged, returning her focus to the book. "Because it's fun watching you struggle."
"And I thought you were the nice one," Cain muttered.
"I am," Mira said sweetly, not looking up.
Cain let out a small huff, shaking his head. At least here, with Mira, he wasn't dealing with constant accusations and teasing. She was the only one who wasn't trying to pick a fight with him, and for that alone, he was grateful.
The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the evening settling around them. Crickets chirped somewhere in the distance, and a cool breeze carried the scent of the nearby forest. It was peaceful. A rare moment where Cain didn't feel like the universe was actively conspiring against him.
Then the door behind them creaked open.
Cain didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. The heavy footsteps, the distinct sound of armor shifting slightly with movement, there was only one person in the house who carried that kind of presence.
"You're being antisocial again, Cain," Ragnar's deep voice rumbled from behind him.
Cain sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I prefer selectively social."
Ragnar stepped onto the balcony, arms crossed over his broad chest. He was taller than Cain by at least a few inches, his dark red hair pulled back into a rough ponytail, and his sharp, wolf-like amber eyes studied the two of them with something between amusement and mild disappointment. He was dressed in his usual dark tunic, though his favored battle gauntlets were still strapped to his forearms.
"You're sulking," Ragnar said, smirking. "Let me guess. Astra?"
Cain threw up his hands. "Why does everyone keep bringing up Astra?"
Mira let out a small giggle.
"Because you're making it obvious," Ragnar said easily, leaning against the railing. "She's been in a mood since Victoria showed up, and you're brooding out here instead of dealing with it."
Cain scowled. "I'm not brooding."
"You are definitely brooding," Mira said without looking up from her book.
"See? Even Mira agrees," Ragnar added, clearly enjoying this. "And she's supposed to be the nice one."
Cain groaned. "This conversation is over."
Ragnar chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. But when are we training again? You keep dodging me, and I'm getting restless."
Cain eyed him warily. "You broke a training dummy last time. I'd rather not be next."
Ragnar grinned, showing sharp canines. "That just means you have to get stronger."
Cain rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it."
"You better." Ragnar pushed off the railing, stretching. "Well, I'm off to find something to fight. Enjoy your moping, Cain."
Cain didn't bother responding as Ragnar left, disappearing into the house.
Mira finally closed her book, turning to Cain with a small smile. "You know… he's not wrong."
"Don't you start."
Mira just giggled again. "Fine, fine. But maybe you should talk to Astra."
Cain sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Maybe I should....".