Casmas Clan: Josiah and Clara
Chapter Eleven

~ Josiah Josiah sat in the tallest tree within the swamp, staring out over the murky water. He hadn't returned to Kosta in who knows how long. He didn't want to see Clara and the heartache he had caused. He didn't want to know if he had caused Clara's death just because he cared about her. Not yet, at least. Eventually, he would clamber down and return to Kosta to see if Clara was alive and well.

Josiah shook his head and closed his eyes. He should have fought for Clara. He was no longer a young pup with no strength to protect himself. He should have stayed by Clara's side and let the world know she belonged to him. He should have fought and beat every cat that came near. But no, he had to take the coward's way out.

Sighing deeply, Josiah's gaze returned to staring at the swamp. It was too late to turn back time now. To do things differently, and not leave Clara alone in her time of need. Oh, how he desperately wanted to go back in time and decide not to break up with her. He wanted to be by her side, help her through the pregnancy and afterward, not being here staring at nasty looking water.

Josiah ignored the splashing behind him, lost to his thoughts. Lost in his 'what ifs'. A growl and hiss below him finally caught his attention. What was Craig doing out here and why was he hissing at some stranger? Wait, that was no stranger. It was Albert!

Josiah barely held back his snarl of rage at seeing his ex-Beta. Luckily they hadn't seen him yet, allowing him to eavesdrop on their conversation. Josiah's eyes darkened in fury, they were planning on attacking Kosta en force! As soon as the two ended their chat and went separate ways, Josiah was climbing down the tree and hurrying in Alpha Dermet's direction. Hopefully, the Alpha would listen to him and believe him after all the time he had been missing.

~ Clara A storm was coming, a bad one. One of the worst storms since before the world was destroyed and rebuilt. It suited Clara just fine. She wanted a storm; she wanted anything to match the mood steadily taking over her ever since the day Josiah had destroyed her.

She wanted revenge against him, but couldn't bring herself to hurting him. After all the pain and heartache he caused her, she still cared about him. Still loved him. She was so pathetic. Catalina had finally gotten her to tell her the entire sordid story a few days ago. Clara rested her head on her raised knees.

Catalina had told her men were stupid and to give Josiah time. He would realize his mistake and come back. But did Clara want him back? It had been over a month since he broke her heart and she still missed him, but could she handle that kind of pain again, if he again wanted to leave her side? She couldn't. Couldn't handle that type of pain once more. So no, she won't let him back in her life, even if he begged.

Her mind made up, Clara raised her gaze to the cresting waves. They were becoming larger and higher. Soon she would return home to ride out the storm, but not yet. She just wanted to sit here for a while longer, watching the incoming storm. Pretending all was well in her life.

~ Dermet Dermet was well aware the pup was on his way. He also knew why Josiah was coming as well. He knew there was still someone within the Clan who was betraying him, though at the moment he still was in the dark over who. He knew both packs that were coming to challenge them shortly after the coming typhoon. Perhaps even during the storm, though that would be suicidal for their traveling through the swamplands at that time.

Dermet leaned back in his chair at the knock on his door, moments before it opened and Josiah entered. The pup appeared horrid. Whether it was from the Killt pack deciding to attack, or from him giving up his mate in such an idiotic move, Dermet wasn't certain. It didn't matter though, he was going to discuss everything with the pup, and clear up quite a lot with him.

"Sit down, Josiah. It's about damn time we have a long discussion. I've been trying to give you time to learn to trust us on your own, but you're just too stupid. Shut up and sit down. You're going to listen first, and you better listen well. Understand?"

It was clear Josiah wasn't happy, though he complied and took a seat across from him. Dermet was beginning to understand why the Beta of the Killt pack wanted Josiah dead. The boy was Alpha material and soon his power would bypass Harvey. But that problem was for another time.