I have a uni assessment due so will take a break from updating for a couple of days, but here's a slightly longer chapter to fill the gap! I hope you are enjoying the story. If you are, I'd appreciate a thumbs up, a review, or a comment. Let me know what you think of the characters and what's going to happen next, I love reading theories! :)
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 atten
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
Cassy should’ve been scared. She knew she should’ve been, but the feeling just wouldn’t connect. Not while staring into her mate’s eyes from across the field. He was 20 meters away, merely two bounds for him, so close yet her instincts ached to close the gap between them. His pheromones were fresh and light, with the earthy tang of a spring rain in the forest, bringing a hum of contentment to her lips. His scent filled her mind like a foggy cloud, lulling her and warming her insides, making her skin buzz with the anticipation of her mate’s touch. He stood to his full height and regarded her with instant interest. His ears pointed up, his snout splitting into a wolfy grin that she couldn’t decide whether it was goofy or charming. Either way it made her smile. As quick as it was there, it was replaced by a rumbling snarl as the third wolf, that had been chasing her, slipped around her mate’s comrade and charged at Cassy. It was a desperate advance to complete whatever goal her attack
‘Remember when I said not to do anything stupid? Well, this is very stupid, Cassy.’ Katie grumbled light-heartedly, but Cassy could see she was on edge. They ran beside each other, keeping a steady 10 meters inside the border of no-wolf's land. Katie didn’t dare go any further into the thick forest and Cassy was inclined to agree. There was something eerie about the almost constant shadow surrounding them. The sunlight pierced the canopy above in drips and drabs, but it seemed the deeper into the trees you went, the darker it became. The darkness winked at them through the trees and prickled at her skin like there were eyes on her, watching their race to the finish line. ‘It’s only stupid if it doesn’t work.’ Cassy retorted, but there was a strain in her voice that wasn’t from the running. Something about that place made her want to run faster. It made her want to abandon her silly idea and leave no-wolf's land and get back to safety. But thoughts of Jace kept her on track. Ther