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"Cassie?" A familiar voice yanked me out of the darkness.

"Cass? Come on, wake up!" The voice sounded panicked now, rough with worry.

I groaned, turning away from the disturbance, hoping whoever it was would get the hint and leave me alone. But peace was never on my side, was it?

Cold.

A gasp ripped from my throat as icy water crashed over me, shocking my entire system. I shot upright, blinking rapidly as droplets dripped from my soaked hair and ran down my face.

"What the hell?!" I sputtered, whipping around to glare at the culprit.

Damon.

Of course, it was him.

He stood there, arms crossed, his blue eyes sharp and unreadable. He was the only person I knew who could somehow pull off looking both worried and annoyed at the same time.

Before I could start yelling at him, last night's memories came rushing back. My nightmare. The panic attack. Calling him.

I swallowed hard.

Damon noticed the shift in my expression and sighed, rubbing his temples. "Cassandra, why— I... I don't understand. You said—" His jaw clenched. "God."

He ran a hand through his hair and began pacing. I lowered my gaze, guilt pressing down on me. I knew he was angry. I knew he was worried. And I knew I had no excuse.

"Damon, I—" I tried, but the words stuck in my throat. What could I say? That I lied? That I said I was fine when I wasn't? That I didn't want to be a burden?

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You said you were fine. You said they stopped. Cassandra, you passed out after a panic attack last night. Your breathing was faint when I got here. You said—"

A bitter laugh slipped past my lips, cutting him off.

"Let's face it, Damon. How many times do people say things they don't mean? How many times do we say we're fine when we're really not? It's a facade." My voice was quiet, but firm.

"A way to stop people from seeing how vulnerable we are. A way to stop being a burden. That's all I was doing. That's all I've ever done."

I turned away from him, unwilling to see the pained expression on his face. I didn't want his pity. I had seen enough of that over the years.

"Cassie..." His voice softened, but I cut him off before he could say anything else.

"Thank you, Damon. Really. I don't know what I'd do without you. But please... I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Silence stretched between us before he sighed. "Fine. But just so you know, you never have to thank me. It's my job as your brother."

I smiled faintly, appreciating the way he let the conversation drop.

That was Damon for you—overprotective, stubborn as hell, but always knowing when to push and when to let things go.

"Now," I exhaled, forcing the heaviness away. "What time is it?"

Damon hesitated. "Uh... half past nine."

My eyes narrowed. "Half past—" My head snapped to the clock. It was already morning.

"Damon! You were supposed to be at the pack grounds. You're the Alpha! You have responsibilities. You can't just ditch them because of me."

Damon raised an eyebrow. "Cassie, do you honestly think I'd leave you after what happened last night?"

I opened my mouth, then shut it, realizing he had a point. But still...

"You're not skipping your duties because of me," I muttered.

"You're going, and I'm coming with you. I need a distraction, and what better way to forget than training my ass off?"

Damon groaned, already knowing he wouldn't win this argument. "Cass—"

"Nope," I cut him off, already walking to the bathroom. "Decision made. Get ready."

I stepped inside and caught my reflection in the mirror.

I looked like a mess.

And no, not a hot mess. A dire-need-of-help mess.

I took a shaky breath, gripping the edge of the sink. My head throbbed with everything racing through my mind.

The nightmare, the past, the burden of everything I tried so hard to suppress. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to push it all away.

I had to be strong. For Damon. For the pack. For myself.

I would be strong.

Splashing cold water on my face, I took another deep breath before heading out, my mind set on one thing.

I had to fight.

I wouldn't give up.