I teased, “I feel like that’s my line.” She shrugged, “I’ll protect my sister how I want.” Wren assured us both, “I will treat her as the Queen she is.” Cassie bumped her, “You’re going to be a Lady with a title and everything.” They giggled conspiratorially.
I warned Wren, “That’s probably bad for us.” He snorted, “I fear her dress is bad for your health.” He inclined his head to the Conners men who were all at the bar getting whiskey. I snorted, “They can conjure it. I don’t know why they are even over there.” Wren laughed, “As a distraction. Congratulations on the wedding.” I nodded, “Thank you. I look forward to getting to know you.”
I held out my arm, “I think I owe my stunningly beautiful wife a dance.” Cassie squealed and jumped into my arms. I led her out onto the dance floor and immediately dipped her. She came back up and we smiled at each other before going into a Tango choreographed dance we’d learned on a mission together.
We were smiling so hard I was surprised our cheeks didn’t hurt, but nothing could bring me down from the feeling I had today. Cassie was my wife, and I was her husband. We were forever and always each other’s.
Fight another Day
Cassie is Twenty-Three Years Old
Cassie was both excited and nervous. I was going out on a mission. I’d been on several, but this one was important. Not that the others weren’t, but Uncle Bjourn was sending me specifically. I was pretty sure Cayden was going to flip shit about the entire thing when he found out. Rain snorted, “You know he will. I bet the sex will be delicious.” She was right about that.
There was a drug ring we knew about yet again because of Ashley. I was going to go in and try to make a buy. I think Uncle Bjourn was hoping The Resistance wouldn’t be there since, technically speaking, based on her intel we could approach them ourselves since they weren’t dead. I don’t think Ashley thought we would though.
I was just going in to make a buy. A quick in and out. Cayden probably wouldn’t even notice I was gone. That’s what I was telling myself anyway. Rain snorted, “More like he will notice and think we are going to visit our family.” That was true, he could think that.
As long as Alexander didn’t portal or pop in here, he’d believe that. Elise had gone into heat, and I was pretty sure he knew based on the bond they were here in this realm. My dad was still trying to track stuff down about us going down, so he was really busy. I couldn’t help but think of that day even though I tried not to let myself.
Flashback
Cassie was in a state. I had never wished I had my mom’s walls more than I did now. She was hiding her feelings about us all go down, but I couldn’t. Everyone was worried about everyone. Angela had been trying to force herself to see paths, but now they were all blurry to her. TJ was a mess, and I couldn’t help him. All my brothers were too, but Alexander was the worst.
When everyone had gone to sleep, I got up and faded back to get out of the living room. Then noticed there was a triplet besides me missing. Cole and Parker were bunked together but Calvin wasn’t there. I knew where he’d go so, I found myself going that way.
I found the tree he loved to climb that had been declared a non-treehouse zone. He used to drive mom crazy climbing to the top of this tree. He told her he’d always land on his feet if he fell, and she ranted about how he wasn’t a werecat. It was one of the funnier rants to us kids.
My wolf was crazily quiet, and it was driving me insane. I climbed the tree and found my brother. I sat on the branch beside him as we looked out over the pack. He said, “You’d never know something tragic happened here tonight. Everything looks normal, but nothing sounds normal. It’s so quite not even the bugs are making noise.”
I agreed, “No, they aren’t. How’s Casper?” He answered, “Better than Oden.” I nudged him, “Why aren’t you sleeping?” He answered, “I was in the gym tonight.” I winced, “Cal…” He continued, “I was watching Alexander’s punches hoping to be just like him one day. Everyone in that gym looks at him with pride. The Warriors watch him and several want to be him.”
He sniffled, “Then he stalled a punch. I knew he was talking to Oden, and this sense of purpose filled him. The pain he felt is nothing I have experienced before, but…” He trailed off. I asked, “But what?” He answered, “Mom has. She pushed his pain down so fast and screamed he was never meant to feel pain that way. She told us her story last year, but it was another thing entirely to feel pain she’d felt. Alexander didn’t register it because he was in so much pain, but it’s hard to grasp that the pain we all felt doesn’t touch mom’s worst day.” Yeah, that was a kick in the gut.
I knew Cayden was coming to us too. I put my arm around Calvin, and we watched my mate come towards us. He climbed up the tree and sat behind me. He tucked a hair behind my ear. He said, “I’m always finding you in trees.” I chuckled.
Calvin said, “It’s ironic since I’m usually the one climbing trees. I miss Casper telling me we are a wolf.” I snorted, “Your wolf loves climbing more than the rest.” He grinned, “It was an acquired taste for him, but he mostly says it teasingly now.” I squeezed his hand.
Cayden offered, “Maybe it’s time for a light show Calvin.” I linked him, “I love you so much Cayden Crawford.” He nuzzled me. Calvin laughed and I felt his excitement. He asked, “You want to see something I’ve been working on in Faerie with Uncle Aiden?” I answered, “Always.”
He winked and began to do what looked like a firework show without the noise, colors, and the need for a firework. Our family began to filter outside as he continued. I linked Cayden, “The smile on his face is all you right now. Thank you.” He replied, “Maybe you don’t go places without me right now. My heart stopped when I woke up and you were gone.” I said, “I just wanted a second then I realized Cal was gone.”
When Calvin stopped everyone clapped and we came down from the tree. Our parents hugged us. Alexander went to Calvin and wrapped him up in a much needed hug. I took Calvin’s hand when the bugs began chirping. It was a small thing, but something had gotten back to normal because of his light show.
Flashback Ends
I shook off thoughts of the past. I still hated that the most pain I’d felt that day, brief as it was, didn’t touch the pain my mom had felt as a child. I could go see her now, but she was busy too. Maybe after I’d bought the drugs, I’d go see her. After I gave my report to Uncle Bjourn on what I’d found, of course.
I walked into the castle and went directly into my uncle’s office. I smiled greeting him, “Hi, Uncle Bjourn.” He replied, “Hi, Cassie.” He hugged me then pulled back. He said, “This mission is in and out. You got that? Nothing more.” I nodded, “I make the buy then I go. Why are we making this buy?”
Uncle Bjourn answered, “Ashley only gave us a location for a potential drug Ring. If we confirm that they are selling drugs that’s something we could share with your parents.” I teased, “It’s a little murky, but I see where you are going with that.”
Uncle Bjourn added, “You are the type this group targets. Female, beautiful, and young. Unlike those they are preying on, you know what to watch out for.” He tossed me a Fairy charm and I caught it. He nodded to a mirror. I put it on and turned to see my reflection.
I didn’t look like me. I questioned, “You think they know what I look like?” My uncle said, “I’d rather not risk it whether they do or not. I won’t hold you back from doing things here. I know you can do this mission; however, I do want you to be safe.”
I nodded, “Alright. And if I so happen to see The Ring Resistance…” I trailed off waiting for an instruction because I knew what I wanted to do. Rain snorted, “I could always take over and then you could blame me.” I replied, “I would never do that. We are a team.”
My uncle winked, “Well, it would be rude not to say hello.” I smiled, “Got it. I’ll do some recon in the area.” He nodded, “That’s my niece. Be careful, Cass. Milana will be in the area. Not too close, but close enough.” I snorted, “You say that as if Aunt Astrid and Aunt Torvi won’t be in the area too.” From past experience it would be them. Uncle Bjourn admitted, “They probably will be.”
