4

When he threw me over his shoulder everyone cheered. I heard several of my brothers' fake gag and their feelings told me they weren’t going to watch. Rain snickered, “They don’t have to watch.”

Agreed. Cayden ran into his office breathing hard.

He set me down. His eyes were hard as said, “She’s done other things you didn’t tell me about.”

I nodded. Cayden asked, “Why didn't you tell me?”

I tilted my head explaining, “You don’t see her for who she is. She’s a seriously somewhat obsessed stalker who wants you and always has. She’s done horrible shit, but now I’ve proven I am your mate for a reason. NOT HER! ”

Cayden picked me up and put me on his desk and bit my neck on my mark. I moaned in response while Cayden gripped my hips roughly. He kept altering between kissing and nibbling on my neck. Then he would bite without warning. I was writhing against him.

Cayden spoke harshly against my neck, “YOU are MY DUCHESS. MY MATE. MINE! I would never want anyone else. You are everything to me Cassie Conners. Fuck, I’ll change your goddamn last name to Crawford any damn day you want.”

Rain purred happily.

My eyes widened. I whispered, “Did you just propose?”

Cayden pulled back, “If you want me to propose, My Duchess, I will.”

He tore my spandex off while I was still staring at him in shock. We’d only been together for three years. Hackura tended to wait much longer to propose, let alone actually get married. He wanted to get married? Rain purred in my head, “I’m in.”

I was too. I just couldn’t believe Cayden wanted to marry me now.

All those thoughts flew out of my head when his tongue hit my clit. I was screaming his name in seconds. He knew just the way to flick his tongue to drive me wild. He flipped me around, bent me over his desk, gripped my hips, and pushed into me from behind.

He grunted, “You are MINE Cassie! MINE!”

I gripped the desk and whispered, “Yours.”

I came the second his fingers reached around and touched my extremely sensitive clit, but he didn’t stop. My legs were shaking by the time we stopped.

When he pulled out of me, I’d have fallen over if not for the desk. Cayden picked me up and cuddled me in his chair. He kissed my shoulder, “Cass, I need you to tell me when things like this are happening. If you want to handle it yourself, fine, but I still need to know about them.”

I agreed, “Ok. I just wanted to prove I am your mate for a reason.”

Cayden replied, “You don’t have to prove shit to anyone here. You are my mate. Even if you loved peace and were a pacifist who hated fighting, YOU are mine.”

I grinned victoriously saying, “And now everyone knows you are mine and not theirs. Honestly, do you not know all but two of the women who signed up to fight me did so because they want you?”

Cayden gasped, “What? You mean Cora’s friends, right?”

I snorted, “No, My Commander, not just them. Don’t get me wrong, her friends want you too. The first two women who signed up wanted to improve their fighting skills. They wanted to gauge where they were at. You know, what this tournament is ACTUALLY meant for.”

Cayden sighed, “That’s insane.”

I muttered, “You’re a good man and you’re hot. Everyone wants you.”

He said, “You do realize the amount of men that want you is not low? I have to constantly tell the men here not to stare at your boobs. I’ve put a few in the hospital for saying things or staring.”

I rolled my eyes, “Ok.”

Cayden muttered under his breath, “What is it with the Conners women and not seeing how fucking gorgeous they are?”

I smirked, “But you want me to have a different last name. So, it wouldn’t be the Conners women, technically speaking.”

Cayden touched my nose, “The second you’re ready I’ll change your last name.”

I pointed out, “I mean, you have to propose first.”

Cayden smirked, “Noted, My Duchess.”

I snapped Cayden’s clothes back on and stood. Cayden said, “I don’t think so. You can’t go out there wearing that again. I WILL bring you right back here, and your dad’s head might explode.”

I laughed and snapped myself into my yoga pants and tight t-shirt.

He kissed me, “Not that this doesn't do the same thing. FUCK, Cass.”

He ground into me, and I kissed him. Rain purred, “YES! Let’s have another round.”

Then someone knocked on the door. Rain grumbled, “Cockblockers.”

I nearly laughed out loud. Cayden closed his eyes and pulled back. He looked at me longingly and opened the door.

His surprise I felt in the bond had me looking up. He asked, “Dad?”

Aaron laughed, “Cassie’s family wants to congratulate her. The Princess insisted we leave you two alone, but her brothers and dad are growing paler by the second. I’m worried they will all pass out soon.”

I rolled my eyes.

Cayden and I walked out of his office holding hands. My parents hugged me first. My mom squealed, “I’m so fucking proud of you! You kicked those bitches asses!”

I laughed, “Thanks mom.”

My dad twirled me around. He whispered, “Good job, Princess. I am so proud of you. ”

My brothers all hugged me. Tory and Gia hugged me right after them. Gia grumbled, “My dad said I can’t wolf out on the bitch. Mom said she’d work on him though.”

I hugged her tightly, “I love you so much, Gia.”

She laughed and we pulled apart.

I talked with them while watching Cayden and his dad walk off for a second then come back. We went to the castle for dinner. Afterwards, Cayden and I walked home. I felt like a massive weight was off my shoulders. Finally, this shit would stop.

I didn’t see Cora for two blissful weeks. I was loving this whole her hiding her face thing. Milana came over to my house. She came in skipping. She asked me, “Are you ready to go out on a quick mission today?”

I nodded, “Yup. It’s just meeting with a source. It’s not a big deal.”

Milana conspiratorially told me, “I heard something.”

I asked, “What’s that?”

Milana said, “Your mate punished Cora. That’s why she’s been MIA. Apparently, she got out of the dungeons yesterday.”

I rolled my eyes, “And he says I need to tell him things.”

We both laughed. Milana said, “Hey sometimes, we have our things we do on our own.”

I conceded, “That we do.”

I snapped on tan shorts with a white belt and a navy shirt with a tan scarf.

I walked over to the training facility with Milana. She walked over to Hendrix when we got there. I found Cayden in his office. He looked up and smiled before I kissed him on the lips. I told him, “I’m heading out, but I wanted to say bye.”

Cayden smiled, “I’d have been at our house in five if you didn’t come here. I’ve got a meeting later with Micah to distract me while you’re gone.”

I smiled, “Enjoy your meeting. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

I walked out and saw Micah on his way in.

I greeted, “Hey, Micah.”

I hugged him. He replied, “Hi Cass, how’s it going?”

I answered, “Pretty good. I’m heading out.”

I saw Cora in my peripheral vision glaring daggers at me. I guess she hadn’t learned her lesson. Time would tell. I let Rain come forward and growl at her enjoying that she paled. Now she knew who she was messing with at least.

I opened a portal knowing I was early, but I liked to get the lay of the land. It didn’t take long for me to find that I didn’t like the meeting spot. It was the perfect place to ambush someone. I began to smell more people around than were supposed to be here. This was not good.

I conjured my swords to my back and pushed my connections down. I felt two people behind me, but not too close. They had no scent, but they should’ve considering the wind was blowing from that direction. I pushed that aside to get ready for what was likely an ambush.

The person I was meeting came out, looking nervous. I raised an eyebrow, “How much?”

The source started sweating. He asked, “Huh?”

I asked, “How much did you get for selling me out?”

The source went to his knees. He sobbed, “I didn't want to, but she said…'' He started to gurgle before he could finish. My jaw dropped in shock as he fell to his side and started to seize.

Rain said, “He’s been poisoned. I can smell it.”

So, this was going to be a horrible day. I was about to try and help him when I heard movement. Someone mocked, “The infamous Cassie Conners is finally in our grasp.”

I turned around and growled, “I’m not in your grasp.”

I threw two daggers killing two of the men who’d stepped into view. I pulled my samurai swords out, then I tugged on my connections with Cayden and my family. I was surprised to find they were already panicked.

A portal opened behind the men. I jeered, “You’re so screwed.”

They attacked from the front. I saw as Cayden came charging through the portal with Hendrix and Milana hot on his heels. Our people started to fill the field. I heard pops, signaling my family was here too.

Cayden yelled, “CASSIE!”

I smiled as I killed someone else trying to take me. I was about to answer him when shots rang out. Cayden screamed, “NO! CASSIE!”

I hit the deck but didn’t manage to dodge all the shots fired.

Then a searing burning pain hit me. I put my hand on my shoulder and stared at a guy holding a gun. I felt the iron and silver hit my system. I gasped, “You shot me?! SERIOUSLY!”

Rain whimpered and felt weak. She said, “I can’t shift to help you, Cassie.”

I assured her, “It’s going to be ok. You’re doing great. ”

A second later a shot came and nailed the guy in the chest. A sniper? How did Cayden or my dad get a sniper here? People were still rushing at me.

I used the anger I felt for my wolf, myself, and in my connections. My blood was pounding in my ears, but I knew there was roaring from wolves.

A pop sounded next to me. I locked eyes with Cayden wanting nothing more than to pop to him. I willed it work, but it didn’t. I just wanted Cayden.

I felt a hand on my back before a pop took me into my mate’s arms. Someone helped me. I felt hands on us, and we were gone.

I finally let myself cry because getting shot hurt. I felt the healing light flowing around me and let myself fade to sleep.