CassandraI’ve only been to a hospital once in my life when that bastard Frank broke Agnes’ arm. She’d told the doctor she fell down the stairs. Which wasn’t entirely incorrect, because he had slapped her and then she fell down the stairs.Amelia led the way to the reception and spoke to the staff who directed us to the emergency admissions. We didn’t need to ask, because I saw Joel coming down the corridor. I broke into a run, leaving Amelia behind.“Dad!” I couldn’t care less what anyone thought who saw me running like a crazy person, tears streaming down my face. It was such a relief to see him in one piece. Well, almost. His clothes were torn to shreds, and he looked battered and bloody. I hugged him fiercely.“Hey, it’s alright.” He soothed my unruly hair.“No, it’s not. Where’s Connor and Alpha Troy?” I took in the burns on his skin. “What the fuck happened?”“Where is my mate, Beta Joel?” Amelia came towards us. The woman could hardly stand. I thought she would collapse, becaus
StacyI stood on the rooftop of a nearby building, watching as the billow of black smoke spiraled into the sky. The wailing of sirens got louder as they approached from all angles. Alex put his arms around me from behind. I let him because I still needed him. This was just the beginning, Connor Wolfe.“It was surprisingly easy. They didn’t know what hit them.” Alex grinned as I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck.“You’re so talented, Alex. Your father never appreciated your cunning.” I pitied him. He was so needy of validation. “Were there any survivors?” I didn’t care about the others. Hopefully, Connor didn’t die in the explosion. It would be much too easy. He needed to suffer.Alex’s face fell. “I couldn’t get close enough to see.” His eyes glowed amber. “Are you hoping he made it? You’re still not over him after what he did,” his tone accused.So needy. “Don’t be silly. Yes, I want him alive only to have him suffer, Alex. I want to destroy everything he’s worked for
Cassandra“I can’t believe he’d told you, Luna Amelia, before discussing this with me.” Not only was I disappointed, but there was an ache inside. A feeling of betrayal that I wanted to push away, but it stayed.“Well, why wouldn’t he?” she said, nibbling on the sandwiches the cook had prepared. “A mother and son share a bond which you won’t truly understand unless you had one of your own.”And bam! There it was, that little jab, a reminder I'll never be Aiden's mom. Nice one, Luna Amelia. I’ve just about had enough of her shit.“Nice chatting with you, Luna. Excuse me.” I pushed my chair back, resisting the urge to empty the teapot over her perfect hair.“Leaving so soon? We haven’t discussed your birthday yet.” She lifted innocent sapphire eyes to study me.“I will discuss that with my mother. We too have a bond.” Yeah, I know that was petty, but I couldn’t help myself. She was about to reply when I noticed her face suddenly lost all color. A low wail slipped past her lips. The pl
Connor“I must first find a birthday present for Cassie before we go to the office,” I looked over at Joel, who was in the back of the SUV. “Any ideas?”“Alpha Connor, I missed seventeen birthdays. I wouldn’t even know where to start or what to get her.” His gaze flitted to the back of Dad’s head. He still blamed Dad for missing Cassie's childhood, but he was too loyal to the pack to act on his resentment.My dad scoffed. “You should have asked her mother.”For fuck’s sake…“She’s not feeling well.” Joel replied.“I’m surprised she survived the first pregnancy,” Dad sneered.“Could you not!” I snapped at him. He knew how sensitive the subject of Agnes was between him and Joel.“Just saying… Humans are weaker than us.”“Well, I’ll thank you for keeping your opinions to yourself. You could have stayed at home, you know.” I wished he had. Couldn’t we just have one day when there wasn’t any drama?“The healer says she just needs to rest. She’ll be fine. Agnes is a strong woman.” Joel’s to
CassandraOnly a few more days to go before my birthday and to say I was nervous would be a gross understatement. I was terrified. The more Sage tried to calm me down, the worse it got.I asked Henna and the girls over for a picnic at the back of the pack house. The cook had prepared a basket lunch for us, and I was grateful to be out of Luna Amelia’s hair for a while. She was happily watching Aiden while Connor, Alpha Troy and Joel went to the city on business.I haven’t broached the subject of my transformation with her, because I didn’t feel comfortable enough and I didn’t want to upset Agnes. She wasn’t feeling so great and has been tired a lot. Henna had her first shift at the last full moon when I was in Lyon’s clutches. So, I thought she would be the reasonable person to ask.“Cassie, it’s not that bad, really,” Henna hardly hid her amusement at my terror.“Says you,” Julie rolled her eyes. “She cried like a baby.”“Did not!” Henna growled at her.“Were you all watching?” I squ
ConnorDamn it to hell! I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t because Aiden was sleeping peacefully in his cot, sucking on his thumb. How could she do this to me? I can’t be away from her. Not now. Not ever. Did she not get it?She said she loved me. Why did loving her hurt so much then? I tucked the blanket around my boy’s shoulders, watching him while he slept. He needed a mother. I wanted Cassie to be that for him, but why was it so difficult for me to allow her to be that? What I said to her haunted me. My son. Mine. The instant I said it, I knew I had fucked up. But it was true, I couldn’t take back those words.He looked like Stacy.Cassie was right. Stacy’s parents deserved to be a part of their grandson’s life. But could I trust them? She was their daughter and knowing what I felt for Aiden, I could only guess it was a fraction of how deep their feelings ran. I would do anything for Aiden. What wouldn’t they do for their daughter? Even though she hurt them as well.I would die if