Flashback
Cassie was furious. I knew my eyes were blazing from what I was seeing. Rain snarled, “Kill her right now.” Cora was naked in the bed I shared with Cayden. Alexander was sending me concern. Cora was lucky my brother was on a mission, or he’d be here in a second. He’d explode her head so fast. EJ was in a meeting, but I knew he’d come later. There would be no stopping that.
Cayden was with Alexander, and both were pinging with worry to me. My mom was sending me her love and basically letting me know to let her know if I wanted to talk or that she should come to me. She was also ready to kick some ass at the drop of hat. She’d probably even like that saying. Her feelings just told me she was ready to fight for me. She was the best mom.
My dad was furious because I was, and I had to smile about that. He didn’t even care why because I was his Princess. He was already fully on my side and ready to kill. Rain snarled, “Like I said, kill her.” I just might this time.
Cora smirked, “Sorry but…” I shot her with my sunlight interrupting her. I screamed, “YOU CAME INTO OUR FUCKING HOUSE!” She stammered, “I was invited.” I growled, “LIAR!” She taunted, “Look, C is coming back, and he wants me not you. It’s time you had an off period.” I saw red.
I grabbed her as Rain raged in my head and slammed her against the doorframe. I asked, “What the actual hell are you doing in MY house naked in MY bed that I share with MY mate?! We both know he didn’t ask you to be here.” I looked into her eyes and made her tell the truth.
She answered, “I wanted you to get so mad and hurt that you’d cheat on Cayden too.” I yelled, “TOO?! He’s not cheating on me! I also possess the ability to TALK to him. I can feel him you dumb bitch. I’d know if he cheated.” Because I would on the ground screaming in pain from the wolf mate bond. That made Rain whimper from the mere thought. That made me even angrier. No one hurt my wolf.
She frowned explaining, “I wanted you to think that. You haven’t given him a child yet and I’m more than willing to.” I shifted part way and dragged my claws down her stomach. I shouted, “Cayden and I haven’t had children because that IS OUR CHOICE!”
Cora shot back, “Everyone knows it’s you that doesn’t want kids. He’s Hackura. He’d have had kids the second you found each other.” I hit her again. I said, “I’m Hackura too, you stupid bitch! THIS IS OUR HOME! No off periods enter ANY mates’ homes! As you pointed out, Cayden’s Hackura. He’d know that.” She screamed, “He’s supposed to be mine!”
I lost it and beat her within an inch of her life. Rain was ready to kill her. I stopped myself just short of the killing blow and popped her to her brother. He yelled, “Cora?! Oh my god, what happened?” I told him, “When she wakes up you tell her to keep her trash ass AWAY from MY HOUSE AND MY BED!” He gaped at me before I popped away.
I popped home and stripped the sheets off my bed and took them outside our bedroom into the living area. I used my sunlight hands on them until they disintegrated. I knew someone had come inside, and I knew it wasn’t anyone I shared a bond with.
I was too pissed to get the scent, but my wolf wasn’t. Rain growled, “It’s Milana.” She wasn’t mad at our friend, just mad in general and hurt. There was need pounding in my veins, but I didn’t know what it was.
Milana asked, “What did the sheets do to you?” I turned around and she jolted back in surprise. She gasped, “Holy golden eyes. What happened?” I gritted my teeth, “I’ll tell you if it stays between us.” She agreed, “Of course.”
I growled, “Cora was in our bed. NAKED! BECAUSE SHE IS AN EVIL BITCH!” Milana shouted, “She did not! Is she dead? I can see a lot of blood from the open door of your bedroom.” Rain growled linking me, “I wish. Your plan is good though, Cassie.” I knew it was hard for her. She wanted Cora dead and had for years now. Every single part of me wanted her dead now.
I answered, “Her brother has her and she might die. Probably not though. I pulled back so I could kick her ass publicly in my tournament. I deal with all her rumor starting bullshit and trying to have coffee with my mate. WHO DOES NOT DRINK COFFEE!” Milana bit her lip but I knew she agreed with me.
I continued, “Then she comes into OUR home and tries to take my peace and sanctuary that I have in this house?! Fuck her and fuck this!” I waved the remnants of the sheets around. Rain linked me, “I will RIP her to pieces. Let me out!” I reasoned, “We are going to handle her in our tournament.”
Rain huffed, “She might not sign up after this since we kicked her ass.” That was a valid point. I told her, “If she doesn’t sign up voluntarily, we will make sure to get her on the list. Even if I have to put her name up myself. She couldn’t back down if Grammy Veronica signed it.” She would too.
Grammy Veronica could copy anyone’s handwriting. Rain agreed, “Fine. I want to run though.” Need was probably the more appropriate word. I still felt pissed and another emotion I still didn’t know how to name.
Milana touched my shoulder, “You need to tell Cayden what happened. He won’t stand for this. This isn’t something petty he could brush off as a mean girl issue. If he knew about those rumors she’d tried to start he’d kill her. I don’t think hiding this is working. Showing up in your bed, naked, is a direct insult and mocks your bond together. No off period would ever do this. Hendrix has had a few. Hell, I like them and wave to them on the street. None of them would dare disrespect me, Hendrix, or our mate bond by being naked in our bed.”
I shook my head, “He doesn’t see her. I’m going to make the entire realm see her for who she is at my tournament. If she doesn’t back off after that, I’ll kill her.” Milana clearly disagreed but said, “Ok.” I told her, “I need to run.”
She assured me, “I’ll clean the house.” I snapped my fingers, “All clean. I appreciate the offer though. It means a lot to me.” She hugged me, “I love you, Cassie. You’re one of my best friends.” I nudged her, “Right back at you.” She promised, “I’ll always have your six.” I replied in kind, “Likewise.” I pulled back from her and went outside.
I went back to the pond where Cayden had chairs for us. I inhaled several times because this place had always been a calming place for me in this realm. Rain told me, “I need out.” I shifted into Rain and took off.
I noticed that my father in law was keeping pace somewhere behind me. I linked Tory and Gia, “Cora is BEYOND dead.” Gia snorted, “She has been for a while now.” I snarled, “SHE SHOWED UP NAKED IN MY BED?!” Tory growled, “NO!” Gia said, “I’m going to JERK HER BALD!” I said, “Cone of silence here girls. I need to run out my anger.” Tory said, Sharpening the knives around here. Run it out, if you can.” Wouldn’t that be the trick.
I ran over ten miles before I calmed down. EJ popped to me and raised an eyebrow. I was practically immune to that move by now. My dad and brothers all did it. I shifted back and he snapped clothes on me.
He asked, “What the fuck happened?!” I rolled my eyes, “People piss me off.” EJ growled, “Cass, that’s not the real answer. You were so much more than mad. You were hurt, furious, pissed…” He trailed off when we heard another pop.
I smiled greeting, “Aiylee!” Now that I lived here, she always had an invitation to come. She used it a lot so we still had a lot of fun together. She was very sweet to check on me multiple times if Cayden was out on a mission.
Another pop sounded and Beagan smiled at me. I hugged her then Aiylee. EJ grumbled, “I didn’t get a hug.” I popped to him and gave him one. He told me, “Alexander is blowing up my phone. I ended my meeting as soon as I could. What’s going on?” I replied, “You guys are too sweet.” He linked me, “You are aware evasions don’t work on me.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
Aiylee chimed in, “Well, Bea and I were sent by Aunt Haley for drinks. So, have your sibling moment later.” EJ argued, “Her sorrow reaches out to me too, cousin. She’s my little sister and I am more than capable of taking care of her.” Aiylee smirked, “Of course you are. This is clearly when my cousin needs her girls around her. We will have drinks and sorrow will be shared.”
EJ reasoned, “I can do all that with her too.” Aiylee rolled her eyes, “Of course you could, but first we need girl time. You’re such a man’s man it’s insane. I’ve got her, I promise.” Beagan raised her hand, “Me too.”
EJ frowned, “Cass?” I told him, “I’ll be fine. I can handle it.” He hugged me again and linked, “You never have to handle anything alone. Alexander wouldn’t let you get away with this if he wasn’t on a mission with your mate. I’ll respect your boundaries for now since Aiylee and Bea are here to help.” I replied, “I love you, big brother.” He kissed the top of my head saying, “I love you too, Cass.” He popped away.
