CassandraTonight was the last day of the full moon, the Hunter’s Moon, Connor called it. I would have to shift in front of the entire pack. Technically, it wasn’t my first shift, but I was still nervous. What if I embarrass myself, scream and cry like I did in that apartment? What if I can’t do it?‘Stop obsessing, Cassie. We’ve got this.’ Sage’s pep talk did nothing much to help my anxiety. I felt like throwing up.Connor was busy outside with the rest of the pack while I prepared myself for the festivities. Amelia gave me a white, loose-fitting shift dress to wear. At least I didn’t have to appear naked in front of everyone. It was supposedly easy enough to tear through it. I’ll have to take her word for it.The omega servants took care of Aiden and the other children, who were too young to take part in the night's festivities. Connor had assured me that this was strictly an adult only celebration. I wondered what he meant by that, but I didn’t ask because I was nervous enough.The
Connor“I guess you had a good talk?” Joel grinned at us over the rim of his coffee mug when we came down to the kitchen the following morning.“You just had to say that.” Cassie blushed from her neck up to her hairline.I laughed and pulled her closer to kiss her cheek, loving how adorable she was. “I apologize if we were too loud.” She blushed even deeper. We were so caught up in each other, neither of us gave any thought to her parents being in the same house.“Don’t listen to him, Alpha Connor. We went to stay overnight at the pack house to give you kids some privacy.” Agnes flicked a towel at Joel, who shook with silent laughter.Cassie uttered a sigh of relief. It didn’t matter to me. She was mine, and I didn’t care if everyone heard me. She marked me first. Miles couldn’t get over it, and I agreed with him. It was amazing.Agnes had baked a cake, and the aroma of vanilla and chocolate hung in the air, reminding me I had skipped a few meals. The rumbling of my stomach was embarr
Cassandra“Honey, you must eat something.” Agnes refused to let me be. “It’s been three days. You’re making yourself sick.”Werewolves don’t get sick. “Mom, I’m not hungry. Just leave me alone. I am tired.” I kept seeing Connor’s face when he left that apartment. Stacy’s death devastated him. He cried. For her. Because I killed her.But it wasn’t only that. I couldn’t wrap my head around what Stacy said, and he confirmed it. And I hated her all this time. How could I blame her for wanting revenge? Connor wanted to explain. Explain what? How do you explain away such a horrible thing? Knowing how I felt after almost being raped and seeing what Agnes went through, how could I hate Stacy for what she did?“I’m leaving the tray in front of your door in case you change your mind.” Agnes’ footsteps retreated down the passage.I shoved my face into my pillow. I’ve cried so much into it, it was still damp.‘You can’t keep hiding here forever, Cassie.’ Sage prodded at my mind. ‘What happened, h
ConnorI never wanted it to be like this. The woman I had loved a lifetime ago lay broken and dying on a dirty apartment floor and my mate, my only, looked at me with revulsion.Her wolf was magnificent. She was a deeper red than Joel’s and larger than the average she-wolf. It was as Miles expected. She was an alpha female. It was rare, coming from a beta and a human parentage. But nothing about Cassie was ordinary.Joel’s broad-shouldered form filled the doorway. He took one look at Stacy’s broken body. “You must finish it, Connor. She’s suffering.”He went down on his knees next to Sage. She stepped over Stacy’s body and pressed her head into Joel’s shoulder and whined. It broke my heart. I wanted to hold her, explain everything. But she told me to stay away from her.“Easy, my darling girl. You did it. And all alone, too. I’m so proud of you.” He stroked her wolf’s broad back. “Connor, give me your shirt. Please.”I took it off and handed it to him. Seconds later, Cassie was in her
CassandraThis was awesome, but terrifying at the same time. Looking at Stacy through Sage’s eyes, it was surreal. I was me, but also not. Being inside Sage’s brain was like being in a dark cave. But there was no time to be awestruck. A she-wolf was about to kill me.For a while, we stood staring at each other. Stacy seemed uncertain, and her scent gave off a sour stench. Was that what fear smelled like? Sage took a step forward, and Stacy stepped back.“You might be big, but you have never been in a fight, mutt,” she sneered. “Prepare to meet the Moon Goddess.”She was right. I didn’t know what to do.Her transformation was so fast and effortless. In no time at all, she shifted into a light brown wolf. She pulled back her lip to reveal razor-like fangs. Her yellow eyes glared at me with hatred. A growl started deep within her stomach and grew in intensity.‘My, what big teeth you have, Stacy.’ I might be a little hysterical. This was all too overwhelming. Oh, fuck, she’s getting read
Connor“They couldn’t be far off,” Joel said. “I’ll get the pack to search this area.” He was already on the phone getting them organized.Where did Cassie go? This was so fucking irresponsible of her to take off like that. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about. When I find her, we will have a serious discussion about her running away every time we have a fight. It was unacceptable.‘You must apologize to her, Connor.’ Miles was still harping on about it.“And I will! Just quit making me feel bad. We need to focus on finding our pup.” I shoved him back and he went to sulk in a corner.The rain had stopped, but the Foresters’ scent was washed away, and they weren't responding to the mind link. Of course they wouldn’t. This time, though, I wouldn’t be merciful. A banishment wouldn’t be enough.“Connor, I’ll go around this block.” Joel called out to me and ran off. I carried on down the road, wishing I had X-ray vision to see into the buildings. The hunter’s moon winked from behind a