Cassie stirred as her eyes cracked open, looking at the white ceiling above her. Her mouth was dry and sour, no doubt the after effects of feeding with Lune and Siren that morning.
She sat up quickly and her muscles protested. The last thing she remembered was jumping out the window. How the hell did she get back to her room? She flopped back on her bed with a groan.
Maybe it was just a dream.
It wasn't. Siren whispered.
What the hell had they done besides feed? She had stepped back letting Lune and Siren rise and take over while she hid in the quiet corners of her mind.
Now, she wished she hadn't.
She didn't know what had happened. Where they'd gone. What they'd done with her. And her body…her body was still feeling it.
Muscles ached in strange places. Not just sore. They felt stretched, and strained, almost like she was in a fight. She looked down at her clothes.
Wait, was that blood?
There's no way that amount of blood got on her while she was…feeding.
Shit. She had gotten into a fight. Would she have to worry about police showing up at the hotel and dragging her away in cuffs?
She listened to hear if Lune or Siren would confirm or deny that they were in a fight but they kept quiet.
She was home, and safe. She'd worry about that later, she had gone from just wondering what she'd do after she graduated college to a plateful of things she truly didn't understand.
She sighed and slowly, pushed herself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom, hoping a bath would help soothe her aching muscles and clear her mind.
The door closed behind her, and just as it did, her heightened senses caught voices in the living room, Kai and Jarek.
Wait, did Kai know what had happened that morning? Did he come after her? That's the only thing that made sense, since he was there when she left.
Her stomach felt queasy as she put toothpaste on her toothbrush. She remembered the first time she met Kai's grandfather. Just like Kai, he was warm, friendly and welcoming.
She'd wanted to call him Mr. Therion, but he'd smiled and said she was old enough now to use his first name, just like Kai did.
She shut out their conversation, brushed her teeth quickly, and stepped into the shower, letting the water wash everything away.
Her fear, the fact that she did indeed think she was losing her mind. Nobody just heard voices and it meant nothing. And it started this morning which means this, what she was going through had to do with what happened last night. To whatever it is Kai was hiding from her.
Ten minutes later, she walked into the living room. Both men stopped talking the second they saw her, and stood. Her heart did a weird skip when she saw Kai.
Realization hit, he had changed his clothes. He did follow her and brought her back. Her feet were moving toward him before she could stop herself, wanting nothing more than to feel his arms wrapped around her.
Last minute, she was able to turn away and stopped in front of Jarek.
"Jarek, it's nice to see you." She offered a smile and stepped into his brief hug.
"It's nice to see you too. Strange how we live in the same hotel and barely cross paths."
Cassie gave a breathy laugh. "Between our schedules, we're practically ghosts. But I'm glad you're here now. Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm alright. But…" he gave her a gentle look, "this isn't a casual visit. Let's sit, shall we?"
Cassie nodded and sat beside Kai while Jarek took the seat across from them.
She clamped her fingers tightly on her lap, forcing to stay put so as not to make a fool of herself. This was Kai. He was just her friend. Her very handsome friend who only saw her as a friend.
"Kai told me about last night..." Jarek let the words trail, giving her a chance to catch up.
Cassie stiffened slightly, using the little control that she felt unravelling to focus on him.
"This morning, he was hesitant to tell me exactly what happened. But he confided in you?" she asked.
She looked at Kai. His expression cracked for a moment, just enough to show his worry, before he masked it again.
"He's concerned. He knows something happened. But you've been holding back, maybe because you're afraid he'll think you've lost your mind." He smiled softly. "That's why I'm here."
"Oh," she said quietly, nerves prickling along her arms.
Cassie, don't be so worried. I think you may be relieved with this information, Lune whispered gently.
Cassie took a slow breath. Her pulse thumped in her ears.
"Kai and I are werewolves."
She blinked. Was she relieved? She wasn't sure.
"Werewolves?"
"Yes. And after last night, we believe you've started your transformation but it wasn't complete. However, we think…your wolf is awake. Is she?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure…but something has changed. I just don't know how to explain it."
She remembered asking Lune and Siren who they were. They'd promised to explain later. But she hadn't expected anything like this.
She was a freaking werewolf?
Jarek nodded. "Do you feel like there's someone else inside you? Someone stronger?"
Cassie nodded, her fingers curling against her thigh.
But someone implied one. And she had two voices. Two presences pressing against the inside of her mind. That wasn't normal, right? Should she even say that out loud?
Jarek leaned forward slightly. "I'm not sure how much you know about werewolves, but some are destined to be together…fated. Most are free to choose, but those with royal blood...it can different."
She furrowed her brow. "I don't think I understand."
"Kai has told me how he feels about you. I'd already suspected, but now it's obvious. You're fated mates."
She turned to Kai. His face flushed, but he didn't look away.
"Cassie," Jarek continued, "did your feelings for Kai suddenly become overwhelming between last night and this morning?"
She shifted uncomfortably, lowering her gaze. "They did," she admitted, heat rushing to her cheeks.
"That's good. It means you're bonded…married, in our way, until you guys make it official. But here's something else: Kai isn't from a royal line. You are."
Cassie's head snapped up. "W-what do you mean?"
"Your grandfather is the Alpha of our realm. First Claw Magnus."
"So...my father is a prince?"
Jarek nodded. "You can say that."
"Then why am I not with him?" Her voice cracked slightly.
Sadness clouded Jarek's expression. "I don't know the full story. But when I was leaving our realm, he found me and asked me to protect you."
Her heart twisted. She turned to Kai, something dawning in her gut.
"Is that why the hotel is next to the orphanage? So you'd be able to keep an eye on me?"
"That's right. And with other werewolves coming in and out the hotel I couldn't risk bringing you here."
"That's why you had no problem with giving me food and board because you were protecting me…" she said to herself more than she did to them.
Then something dawned on her and she turned to face Kai.
"So...were you tasked with protecting me too?"
Before Kai could speak, Jarek's phone rang. He glanced at it, apologized with a soft look, then answered. After a moment, he ended the call and stood.
"Cassie, I need to handle something downstairs. I trust Kai can explain the rest. If you need anything, I'm always nearby. Things are changing for you, but you're not alone in this."
"Thank you," she said, but her eyes were already back on Kai.
The door closed behind Jarek.
Her voice came out, edged, fierce and cracked all at once.
"Kai…were you tasked with protecting me?"
"Yes."
"So you and Jarek have been what, the guardian angels I didn't know I had?" she asked angrily.
"Cassie, why are you so upset?" He reached out to touch her but she flew up from the sofa and began pacing, massaging the sides of her head.
"He's really asking why I'm upset. I can't believe this," she muttered.
She stopped a few feet away and turned to face him, eyes blazing.
"Living in the orphanage was hell. From as long as I could remember I've been teased for the colour of my skin and eyes. Things I can't control! For eighteen years I felt like an outcast. I kept to myself, only spoke when I was spoken to, and even then, I chose to stay quiet at times since, for the life of me, I can't understand why the hell I can't tell a bloody white lie!" She threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Then I got a scholarship. I decided not to let my past stop me from actually living life. It was my first experience outside the orphanage. My roommate and I got along well until her boyfriend complimented my eyes. The first person, by the way, who ever did. And I was thrown out of the room."
"And then you stepped in…" her voice softened.
"I didn't know what it was about you, but for the first time in my life I felt safe. For the first time in my life I felt as though I belonged. And the emptiness that had been there before…you somehow filled it."
She wiped away her tears and Kai shifted to the edge of the sofa but he didn't move.
"You were my first friend, you are my best friend. The only person who accepted me for who I truly was, an awkward girl with quirks."
"You aren't awkward," Kai said softly.
"I thought that for once in my life I had hit the jackpot. I had the most amazing best friend ever."
She laughed like she was losing her mind.
"But joke's on me since all I was to you was an assignment."
Kai stood then and made his way to her, but she stepped back. "Cassie, you were never an assignment. I had always wanted to meet you."
"We go to the same college. And coming to think of it I'm sure Jarek had a hand in that."
Kai remained silent, which made her even angrier because it confirmed exactly what she thought.
She snarled. "And if you always wanted to meet me, why didn't you approach me the first day?"
"Because I didn't know how Jarek would react because…"
"...I was a freaking assignment!" she finished his sentence. "Would you have even talked to me if Jarek didn't ask you to protect me, oh mighty Kai, protector of Cassie?"
Kai flinched but she didn't care. She was hurt and had every right to be. Yesterday her life was perfect. Today? Her world was crumbling before her eyes and there was nothing she could do but crumble with it.
"I would've spoken to Jarek. But, him asking me to watch over you gave me a reason to talk to you. I like you, Cassie, more than a friend. I always have."
"I wish I could lie as easily as you. And if for one moment you think I didn't realize you didn't answer my question, you're sorely mistaken. If I wasn't an assignment you would've never spoken to me. You being my friend just made your job easier, easier for you to manipulate me."
"Cassie, stop…" Anger slipped into Kai's voice.
"Stop what? Speaking the truth?!" She glared at him. "Did you know I was a werewolf?"
Kai shook his head. "Not until last night did I suspect anything."
"Somehow I don't believe you. After all, you did lie to me for the past three years."
"I never lied," Kai said firmly.
She smirked angrily. "You're right. You just withheld the truth about the real reason why you are in my life. Instead, you made me fall for you."
"Then why can't we make this work, Cassie? We can talk about things. You heard what Jarek said, we're fated mates. We're meant for each other."
She scoffed. "Because I'm smart enough to know that someone who keeps secrets can't be trusted." Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.
Cassie felt as though someone went into her chest, yanked out her heart and literally broke it in two. She couldn't bear to look at him anymore.
"Kai, leave."
"Cassie, please, don't do this. Let's talk."
"We did talk and I found out everything I needed to know. Thank you and Jarek for your protection. I'll be leaving by morning. After all, I am an adult and I no longer need your protection."
"Cassie…"
"Kai! Leave! Now!" she screamed at him.
She went to the front door and yanked it open, her heart hammering in her chest. Kai looked defeated. But he left without a word. She closed the door behind him and locked it as she made her way to the bedroom.
Cassie! Kai loves you, listen to him, Siren pleaded.
She's right, Cassie. Lune added. Things may have started one way, but you can't deny how you feel about him.
At least calm down and talk to him later. Siren insisted. If you leave this hotel and move away from Kai's protection, things won't end well. And…
Cassie got into bed and pulled the covers over her. She felt a powerful shift override her. She no longer heard Siren and Lune and the hollowness she felt before knowing Kai was back and raging. She curled up and allowed her silent tears to flow freely.