What do you think.... Do you trust Zac?
“You’re mistaken.” Cassy’s breaths were light and hurried, her voice shaky. “Katie is your mate.” “Katie is a strong woman, but she’s not my mate.” Logan’s voice was low, barely a rumble in his chest, his words brushing against her cheek as he dipped his head to hold her gaze. “She’s stronger than me.” “No. She’s not.” He tucked a finger under her chin keeping her from escaping his gaze. “Do you know how many times you challenged me in this conversation? Few wolves try that with me outside of my strongest warriors. But you, you bear my gaze, you stand tall in my presence. I can feel it, Cassy. Our bond, our compatibility.” Logan leaned in, his words a whisper. “Every part of you carries strength, a strength that should be Luna at my side. It’s not something you can hide behind a quiet mask and a few lies. No wonder Jason likes you; your strength calls to him.” At the mention of Jace, Cassy flinched, and pulled away from Logan’s touch. It was only a simple finger under her chin, b
Cassy sat at the water’s edge of the hot springs, hitching her dress around her thighs so she could let her feet play in the water. The hazy steam pressed into her, its warm comfort easing her tension-riddled body and giving her a moment of peace before the inevitable storm to come. She hadn’t thought of the hot springs as her and Jace’s place before, but she supposed it was the only place they had been able to spend time with each other without the eyes of the pack on them. They could be themselves there, well... Almost. Her stomach turned as she thought over what she was going to say to Jace. She knew the choosing ceremony would take some time and used it to be prepared for the conversation ahead. Unlike when she told Alex the truth, she wouldn’t have Katie around to butt in and spill her secrets, but she also didn't want to use her pheromones instead of her words. She wanted to be the one to tell him about her heritage and see how he reacted to it. Would he accept her and still wan
The stuffiness of the party gave Cassy flash backs to the surprise second trial where her place in the contest was saved by Jace and his token. The same esteemed families had been invited to the packhouse hall, the same music played, the same table of food was set up at the side of the hall, and the same twisting sensation in her gut kept her company. Back then it had been because of Zac flirting with Katie in front of her, but now it was dual toned and clawing at her deeply. Katie stood near Alpha Logan, wearing a gorgeous green dress that made her look stunning. Unlike Zac, who had welcomed her touches, the Alpha kept his hands on his drink and kept a respectable distance between them as they spoke. Cassy supposed it was because their mate bond hadn’t been announced yet and almost every eye on the room was on him. At first, she thought it was because he was the fabled Shadow Forest Alpha, more myth than man in their pack, but Cassy quickly noticed most of the attention on him were
“Oh come on, Cassy. Let me mess with her a little longer, I’ve never seen her pout so much.” Katie grinned as Cassy pushed her into Alex’s room and yanked Alex after her. She had just suffered a gruelling walk back to the packhouse with Katie walking at Alpha Logan’s side, while Jace made small talk with him. The Shadow Forest Beta was silent for the whole journey, but Cassy was certain his attention was on her. She didn’t know why. Both him and his Alpha had only seen her and Katie in their wolf forms, and their scent trails would’ve mingled during their retreat. Neither would know which of them was Alpha Logan’s mate while they were in their human form. Not unless Alpha Logan released his pheromones to confirm the bond, which would throw all of Katie’s work to the curb. And she was doing a great job. She even bared the glares Cassy instinctively threw her way when she giggled a bit too much or touched the Alpha’s arm. Alex had also thrown Cassy a few curious looks, but her attent
The Alpha stood at the border, facing the warriors waiting there. His eyes darted to Zac and Alex, narrowing slightly, before his attention skirted across the rest of them. When it reached her, Cassy felt that familiar wave of ease pass through her, but it halted after a second when his gaze breezed over her and onto Katie, before returning to the group. There was no pause, no lingering look, if anything he had almost skipped over her, avoiding her gaze. She looked at him closer then, he stood stiffly, body rigid and tight, coiled with a tension that looked uncomfortable more than a readiness for trouble. Cassy wondered if it was because of the two men at his back, but as they stepped to his sides he still didn’t relax. Not a single muscle. “Something’s wrong.” She whispered to Katie, who gave her a curt nod. The whole group would be able to see the change, Cassy was sure of it, but none said a word as they waiting for their Alpha to speak. The only one who moved was the wolf who
“Get off me.” Alex struggled in the hold of two warriors posted either side of her, but the way she wrenched free from their grip told Cassy more wolves had been holding her back before. She raced forward to meet Cassy and Katie as they stepped over the boundary of no-wolf's land and grabbed them both into a hug when they shifted and dropped their bags on the floor. Her friend’s embrace was warm but frantic. As soon as Cassy had sunk into the hug, Alex pulled back again, placing a hand on her cheek and one on Katie’s. “Are you both okay? What’s going on? Where’s Jace?” Cassy let Katie take those questions, her head was too busy to entertain much else. She grabbed the spare clothes that were offered to her, and pulled on the oversized t-shirt and joggers. She had a brief flash of concern for her appearance but quickly smothered it. Though it made her wonder if the thought was for Jace or her new mate. It must’ve been because of Jace, she had already decided to win the Trials to be