Page 33 of My Mate

“Casey did not ask for this. She did not want this. She is in love with your son, always has been, always will be. She will fight for him, but Dex’s decisions are what has brought them to this point. He is responsible for his death. No one else. Casey is nothing more than a victim of it.”

****

Casey helped the young girl off the climbing frame, and she held onto her quite tightly, until she had put her back on the ground.

“Thank you, Miss Scott,” the young girl said.

“Please call me Casey,” she said.

She wasn’t expecting the kiss on the cheek, but it was so sweet and adorable. Today, she got to volunteer at the nursery. The next generation of wolves, all together, enjoying playtime.

They were adorable, and some of them a little violent. She had to break up a couple of scraps they were getting into, but nothing too severe.

She had no choice but to stifle a yawn, which she hid behind her wrist. One of the teachers had warned her never to show any kind of weakness. It was like the kids sensed it, and then took full advantage.

From the moment she arrived at the nursery, she’d been on full alert, waiting for any of them to strike. She had felt tired the past couple of days, but she’d put that down to the longer hours she had spent trying to turn into a wolf. Even when Dexwas asleep, she snuck away to stare at her reflection, to focus on that inner voice, to try and wake it up.

Nothing.

No inner voice.

She folded her arms across her chest, as one of the teachers came toward her.

“You did good today, Casey,” Miss Newton said.

“Thanks. This is amazing. I bet you love your job.”

“It’s a good one. Watching the young kids is certainly an eye-opening experience. Is teaching something you have considered?”

“Uh, no, not really. I hadn’t really thought about what I would do after this next year.”

She didn’t even know if she would have a permanent place within the pack. This was all new territory for herself, for the pack, and for everyone.

“Oh, that is right. You haven’t been able to fully transition yet, right?”

Casey tried not to show that her words did in fact hurt. She didn’t know if Miss Newton was being cruel on purpose, or she simply didn’t see how hurtful her words were.

“That’s right,” Casey said.

The parents were in the process of picking up their kids, and much to her surprise, they ran back, and Casey expected them to be going to Miss Newton, but instead, they rushed toward her, throwing their arms around her waist and hugging her.

“Wow, the kids like you,” Miss Newton said.

“I imagine it’s because I’m new.”

“Well, we will have to see about a possible position for you here. Of course, it will only be recommended if you are able to transition completely. You were advised as you’d not shown any signs of it.”

Miss Newton walked away, but Casey watched as the other woman suddenly paused, and she turned her head to the left. Casey followed her gaze, and sure enough, Dex was walking toward them.

He walked straight past Miss Newton and came toward her.

Casey didn’t have time to ask him what was going on, before he’d cupped her cheeks, tilted her head back, and then kissed her. It was such an intense kiss, that at first, she was taken completely aback by the power of it, and then she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

She didn’t know when the kids had started whistling and screaming in joy, but it made her break away from the kiss. Dex was already laughing. He turned toward the kids, kissed his fingers, and blew it at them.

“You’re such a tease,” Casey said.

“Are you ready to get out of here?” Dex asked.

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