Rain purred, “Is Aiylee right? Can’t they walk faster?!” I nearly fell out of the tree I was leaning so far forward. I almost laughed thinking how Aiylee and I were just laughing about this. Then I saw him and nothing else mattered.
I barely held back Rain’s growl of mine as my brain whispered it too. I felt the pull in me to go to him from my Hackura side. I wiped drool from the corner of my mouth. He was shirtless and boy did he work out. He was ripped.
Rain purred, “He’s so handsome.” She seemed to be in a permanent state of purring now. Cayden was picture perfect. He had black hair with a light black beard. Rain told me, “We are getting all over that, Cassie! MATE IS HOT! We were right about that.” Yes, we were.
I saw a guy was trailing after him with a bloody nose. Cayden looked over at the tree I was in. I shrank back which was silly. He couldn’t see me, there was no way. Cayden whirled around waving his arms. “Go home, Jed.” Jed frowned, “Come on man, don’t be like that!”
Cayden warned, “Unless you want your ass kicked again after the beating you took from Alexander, leave.” Jed snorted, “I don’t know what his problem was today.” Cayden rolled his eyes, “He doesn’t have a problem. He’s just intense. Try to find a fraction of his drive, and I’ll be happy. GO AWAY!” Jed sighed and took off running.
Cayden walked closer to me then spoke, “Whoever you are get down here.” My eyes widened but I didn’t move. Rain urged, “Uhhh hello, get moving!” I sighed, “Don’t you want to have a better meeting story than oh gee he found me IN A TREE?!” Rain snickered, “I like it. Make him come up here and kiss you.” That would be actual research to discuss with Aiylee about our kissing in a tree and falling theory. I could always pop us if we fell then we technically wouldn’t have fallen.
Cayden raised an eyebrow saying, “Come down, or I will come up.” I popped down in front of him. His eyes widened and he gripped my waist and looked into my eyes. He declared gutturally, “Mine!” I smiled agreeing, “Yours.” His lips were on mine in the next second.
It felt like heaven. I felt my connections glow that my intense happiness made my mom happy, but her emotions told me she was in the Ribbon. They weren’t going to notice from the bond I met my mate yet. Which meant I could tell them however I wanted. I focused back on his lips against mine. He was definitely the best kisser these lips had touched. Jason was a good kisser, but I could feel this kiss in my toes.
Unable to stop myself, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He gently bit my lip and slid his tongue into my mouth. I’d never felt safer than I did in his arms. Eventually we pulled back from each other. He was breathing heavily against my forehead. He pulled his head back so he could look into my eyes.
He was smirking and it made me want to drop to my knees and ask what he wanted. Rain purred, “Let’s make him smirk all the time.” I agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. Cayden spoke, “Duchess Cassie Conners, I presume.”
I smirked, “Cayden Aaron Crawford, future Commander of the Hackura Army, I presume.” Cayden grinned broadly, “One in the same, My Duchess.” I rolled my eyes, “It’s just Cassie. Or Cass.” Cayden smiled, “I prefer mine. You’ll want to watch the eyerolling or I’ll spank you.” I felt my insides melt.
I shrugged, “That’s fine too.” His eyes flashed and I hoped he acted on that sexy feeling. Instead he asked, “What are you doing here? And who have you been drinking with? Based on the smell, I’d go with a Fairy.” I snorted, “I guess Fairy drinks do smell different. I was with my cousin, Aiylee.”
Cayden smiled, “And what are you doing here?” I could barely focus because his thumb was tracing a pattern on my hip. I frowned, “Excuse me sir, I can come here anytime I want. Especially now that I’m yours, but I could before anyway.”
Cayden laughed, “I’d prefer if you’d come here very often. Now that you’re mine, you’ll live here. I also know an evasion when I see one, Cassie Conners. I mean why are you in a field overlooking the outdoor training facility?” My cheeks turned red.
I replied, “It’s beautiful out here.” Cayden smiled, “Even more so now.” I laughed, “You’re….” Cayden interrupted, “Yours.” I smiled, “Yes, mine.” I buried myself in his chest and inhaled his scent. Cayden nuzzled my neck and asked, “Were you by chance looking for me, My Duchess?”
I giggled, “Maybe I was because maybe Alexander and EJ said they were sparring with you. I wanted to see you, but you’re always so busy.” Cayden pointed out, “So are you.” I smacked his arm. He bit his lip asking, “What was that for?”
I answered, “For being late! I should’ve met you at Uncle Bjourn’s coronation, but you had to go and be delayed. Actually, I should’ve met you before then. For goodness sake, my mom babysat you as a child.” Cayden smiled, “I do apologize that you had to wait, My Duchess.”
I teased, “You are forgiven. How long are you here for?” Cayden frowned, “I have plans tomorrow here then I leave again for a while.” I deflated, “Oh.” Cayden tilted my head up, “I’m so sorry Cass. I wouldn’t have taken the mission if I’d known.” I nodded, “I understand. When do you come back?” Cayden sighed, “Around your eighteenth birthday.” I was dismayed, “That’s months away!” Rain whined in my head.
Cayden tugged me tightly against him, “I know it is. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know we’d find each other now.” I whispered, “What do we do?” Cayden sighed, “I want to do this right. I know your dad is a Werewolf. They wait until they are eighteen anyway.”
I pointed out, “EJ and Wesley have their mates already.” Cayden kissed me softly. He pulled back, “I think we both know you getting your mate will not be the same as your brothers.” I sighed, “That's not fair.” Rain growled, “Mom would make sure it was all done fairly. She’d fight for us.” She definitely would.
Cayden smiled, “There’s your Fairy side. I know it’s not fair, but I have a little sister too so I get it. If I wasn’t leaving, I’d portal us to your dad right now. I couldn’t be away from you. Since I am leaving though, I’ll go to him the second I get back.” I nodded, “Ok.” It hurt more than I cared to admit.
I wanted to stay with him until he left. He kissed my forehead, “You don’t have to wait for me to get back if you don’t want to. I won’t be upset if you’re dating other guys.” Rain whimpered in my head. I frowned because I didn’t want that. I just wanted him.
Did he mean he wanted other girls while he was gone? We weren’t marked yet, and he was leaving. Was that why he said that? Rain spoke softly, “Ask him, Cassie.” I snorted, “And appear like a clingy girl?” Rain reasoned, “It’s not clingy, you are his mate.” She might have a point, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. This was how Cayden was raised so having off periods was normal to him. Once we were marked, he couldn't have one.
Rain pointed out, “If you talked to him now, we wouldn’t have one. Tell him how you feel! The relationships here are based on love and respect. He would not disrespect you if you told him you felt that way. He could have other reasons.” I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear his disappointment if I was right about his reasons.
Cayden sat down and pulled me into his lap. He cupped my face, “You are so beautiful, My Duchess.” I blushed. He whispered, “I love that blush.” I leaned down and kissed him again. He responded and pulled on my hair lightly. Things were getting intense between us. I moved my hips against his desperately needing friction.
Cayden pulled back, “Have you done this before?” I shook my head indicating I had not. He closed his eyes, “I won’t have your first time be out here in a field.” I asked, “Have you done this before?” God. I did not ask that. The answer was yes. He was Hackura.
Cayden winked, “Once.” I was surprised and I knew my face showed that. That was not the standard for the Hackura. Usually by his age it was a much higher number. He was twenty after all, and it was perfectly normal to have several partners. Hell, I could too I just wanted to wait for my mate.
Cayden smirked, “You’re surprised.” I nodded. Cayden shrugged, “I don’t have much free time. I had a girlfriend in high school that wanted to have sex, so we did. I came back from a mission to find her fucking someone else.”
I growled, “That bitch! I’ll kick her ass! Did you think you were still together? Or was it an off period?” I could still kick her ass for something else if they were off. Cayden laughed, “I did think we were still on, but I can’t say I cared too much. No need to get all golden eyed about it.”
Rain disagreed, “No, do go golden eyed about it.” I assured her, “I’ll find out what her name is. She will be a part of our tournament.” Rain was happy with that. I smirked warning my mate, “You’ll just be in for it with me, Cayden Crawford. I’m stealthy and mischievous.” Cayden smirked, “Bring it on Cassie Conners, I can handle it.” I laughed, “We will see I guess.”
