9. Cassie

The clunking sound of Beta Cesar unlocking the door made me stir from the pillow. “This is early, even for you,” I groaned, arching my back under the covers and stretching. Quickly checking, my hands had pretty much healed from last night's injuries.

“Came to give you a heads up, actually,” my eternally grumpy guard replied, shutting the door silently behind him. Heading towards me, his jade eyes were as serious as the grave.

This is bad.

He’s never done this before, swiftly confirmed by my wolf sending an icy shiver up my spine. Fuck. In times like this, when the world seems to rush a little too quickly, I try to remember my father.

There are so many of his teachings about leadership and strength trying to barge their way into my swirling head. Totally lost on my once naive teenage ears. I’ve had time to think since.

All my tiredness evaporated, and I scampered myself into a sitting position in my small bed. Drowning in grey and black blankets, I wore a simple, black silk slip.