Chapter Eight Cassius

CASSIUS

Instead of making my way back to the ballroom in the basement of the pack house, I change course and head towards Xeraphina’s room. I don’t care if I have to talk to her through the door. There are so many things that need to be said before she connects with her wolf and shifts for the first time. I’m prepared to apologize on my hands and knees, even kissing her feet if necessary. It is crucial that I mend the rift between us.

As I hurried down the hallway, the sound of a piercing scream echoed, transforming into a haunting wolf’s howl reverberating through my ears. The intensity threatened to shatter my eardrums. In that moment, a captivating scent enveloped me, a blend of sweet honeysuckle, the refreshing scent of rain, and the earthy aroma of the forest. The scent is more alluring than ever before and I know that it’s Xeraphina who is transforming into her wolf. A mix of overwhelming happiness and anxiety envelopes my core. Ignoring the discomfort, I sprinted the last few steps, adrenaline coursing through my veins. With a determined grip, I pried the door open, my eyes widening at the sight before me. Xeraphina, her vibrant blue-green eyes resembling an ocean, sparkled with a hint of golden light within them. However, her face contorted in agony, her body writhing in pain. I knew then I needed to get her out into the open air as soon as possible. I’ve heard of wolves shifting indoors and the scene isn’t pretty. Let alone traumatizing to the wolf and its human counterpart. Getting her outside is risky, but I’ve got to, for the sake of Xeraphina and her wolf.

Bending down, I feel the coolness of the wooden floor against my knees as I pull her into my arms. I can hear the rapid thumping of our hearts synchronizing with each other’s as I clutch her as close as possible. The urgency fuels my sprint towards the front door of the pack house, the sound of my footsteps echoing through the hallway. With each stride, I send a swift mind link to Luna Sarah, alerting her to the situation.

As her human screams pierce the air, intertwining with the haunting howls of her wolf, I sprint towards the front door, my heart shattering like fragile glass. The anguish and desperation reverberates through the pack house, echoing in my ears. A mixture of fear and empathy washes over me as I comprehend the excruciating pain of her first transformation. I’ve been in this situation myself and the pain of transforming for the first time is immense. I want to ease her suffering, to bear the burden in her place. Gazing down at her, my heart aches at the sight of anguish and fury etched into her face, like scars carved by a cruel fate. I am aware I am the last person she wants to be close to right now. “Hold on, baby girl,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I will protect you. Don’t shift while I have you in my arms. It would be bad for both of us. The first shift is always the worst, but you will be alright. I promise.”

Once outside, I lay her down in the soft, dew-covered meadow. I settle down beside her, my voice filled with words of praise and comfort, hoping to ease her distress. I encourage her to relax, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin as I offer guidance on how to connect with her inner wolf, easing the arduous transformation process. As I speak, Luna Sarah approaches us, her presence commanding. She dismisses me with a stern command to take a hike, taking over soothing Xeraphina, who continues to writhe in pain.

‘Don’t go far. We must stay with our mate, Cassius.’

‘Why? So she can reject us right on the spot. I never talked to her. There is no way Xeraphina will hear me out now. It’s best we leave her and give her some space. Maybe if she has some time to cool off, she won’t reject us.’

‘Stop your bellyaching. Even if she rejects us, we won’t accept it. You will do everything in your power to earn her trust and the right to be her mate. If you had listened to me every time you…’

‘Shut it Talon. I know I fucked up in more ways than one. Countless times, alright. Just back off. I know what I need to do, and I don’t need you berating me.’

I’m startled out of my connection with Talon when someone claps me on the back and embraces my shoulder. “Thank you for getting my baby out here so fast. Sarah and I wouldn’t have made it in time. If you hurt my daughter, there will be hell to pay though,” Alpha Joseph says, before walking off to join Sarah in helping Xeraphina with her first shift into a werewolf.

‘Our mate smells absolutely divine,’ Talon says, sniffing the air and wagging his tail. ‘Honeysuckle, rain and forest. I’ve never smelled anything so divine in my life.’

***

Xeraphina took fifteen minutes to transform. Her fur was a mesmerizing blend of black and dark chestnut. I was in awe of her wolf’s beauty. She was the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen. Her size was impressive, likely because of her alpha blood. Her eyes were piercing blue-green with flecks of gold. I couldn’t look away. The connection between us was intense. It felt like a magnetic force was trying to pull us together. I didn’t want to disturb her, so I stayed still, holding my breath. Xeraphina seemed to be having a conversation with her wolf as they were meeting each other for the first time. My infidelity, as well as everything that has happened in the last two years, is being shared by Xeraphina with her wolf, I’m pretty sure. I don’t blame her for doing so. If she is; I’m in trouble.

Her majestic wolf leaves her parents behind, trots over to me, sniffing me as she walks around me, then sits on her haunches in front of me with an annoyed growl coming from her throat. I keep thinking that maybe her wolf will introduce herself to me. Maybe let me know what her name is. But then I’m reminded that Xeraphina and her wolf can’t link with me yet. Her wolf, however, can link with Talon though since they are mates.

‘Has her wolf reached out to you, Talon?’

‘Yeah. So shut up. I’m talking to her now.’

‘At least tell me what her wolf’s name is.’

‘Her wolfs name is Xariah. And you are not in a pleasant spot with her, or Xeraphina. Leave me alone, so I can speak with my mate.’

This isn’t a good sign at all.