Flashback Ends

I woke up hearing Cass move around. It was her tournament today and her time to shine. She’d worked hard and was ready before any of that training took place. My Duchess was fiery and mischievous.

We walked over to the gym together and I had to keep reminding myself this was a tradition. It was for moral and fun. It was going to be entertaining. I would just be envisioning anyone fighting my Duchess dead at my feet. That could be quite fun. I was certain if I had a wolf like she did, he’d agree.

When Aiylee popped to her and then they went into my office I looked around realizing Beagan didn’t pop with her. That was odd. Then I realized one of them charmed it because I couldn’t hear anymore.

I went into the stands. Tory and Gia waved at me. The later winked and I had to say that set me on edge. She had southern mom combined with all the Fairies she grew up around their mannerisms rubbed off on her.

Alexander clapped my back asking, “How are you doing?”

I sighed, “I’m about to watch my mate fight five people. I’m peachy.”

Alexander’s eyebrows raised like I’d said something wrong. Hendrix cleared his throat, “Umm so that’s not exactly accurate.”

I questioned, “What are you talking about?”

Hendrix handed me the list of fighters. My eyes widened and I shouted, “TEN?! TEN FIGHTS?! That’s too fucking many in one day. Absolutely not, no!”

Haley assured me, “She’ll be perfectly fine. My baby can kick fucking ass just like her momma. Then you consider her dad’s blood is in there and all those women are thoroughly fucked.”

They were. Not only in the way Haley meant, but in a ‘they’d pissed of their Commander’ kind of a way.

Whether Cass won or not training just became brutally tough the next several weeks. Beagan said, “She’s got a plan. Don’t worry about, Cass.”

I replied, “As JP worries about you, I worry about Cass.”

She giggled, “You guys are such worriers. It’s why we are your mates.”

I grumbled, “My mate is a partial. You’re a full blooded Fairy. He clearly needs more fun than I do.” She teased, “It’s so cute you think that.”

Tory said, “My Alpha is prepared.”

Gia cooed, “More than.”

Good god, what had they done? Aiylee popped back to the stands and curled herself in Exsis’ lap. Alexander linked, “You missed he was here, didn’t you?” I had.

I asked, “Is there a reason all the Fairies you are related to you are here?”

He answered, “Yes.”

He didn’t continue. I asked, “What reason would that be?”

He answered, “To support Cass. It’s a big day for her.” Fair.

Exsis smiled at me. He wasn’t terrible for a Fairy. He made Aiylee happy which made Cassie happy. JP nodded to me and held Beagan close to his side. Damn it. I was jealous of him right now because my mate was about to have ten fights. It was too many and unprecedented. It was supposed to be five fights. That’s it.

Uncle Bjourn led Cassie out of my office. I gripped the seat I was sitting on so hard I was certain it might break. Hendrix whispered, “You’re going to break the chair, man.”

I didn’t care. All I could think about was the need to fuck my mate. I needed every man in here to hear her say she was mine. My blood was practically demanding I claim her here for all to see. She looked so damn hot. Her boobs were taunting me by perkily bouncing with each step she took reminding me I had hours before I could play with them.

Then she turned and I saw her ass. GOD! I groaned, “Jesus fucking Christ! Is she serious right now?”

Beagan, Aiylee, and Haley looked at me oddly. Haley replied, “About what? Cassie didn’t say anything.”

I groaned because I could not do literal right now. Tory whispered, “He means the outfit is giving him sexy ideas.”

Haley nodded.

I knew every single man here knew exactly what I meant. My brother, Angus, whispered in my ear, “We’re going to have to kill several people, big brother. No one is allowed to look at my sister in law like they are.”

I turned and noticed several practically had their tongues out. I slammed my hand onto the bleachers that everyone else was sitting on behind my stupid fucking chair.

That had many eyes looking towards me. They were greeted by my blazing eyes. Most looked away, but there were others who had to get an elbow into their sides. They had NO IDEA the hell training would be. Cassie wasn’t going to be able to walk after this. Her family would have to deal with it or leave. Their presence was barely even registering to me right now.

The first fight was announced, but I could barely focus. Which I knew was part in my mate’s goals. She didn’t want me stressed out, but mostly she was teasing me. I switched between watching her boobs and her tight, round ass.

I muttered, “Jesus fucking Christ.”

Hendrix said, “You keep saying that out loud.”

I didn’t turn my head but gave him serious side eye. He shrugged, “I just thought I’d tell you since you don’t seem to be aware you’re doing it.”

Thankfully, Cassie made quick work of her opponents. I was damn proud of her.

Haley was waving around a sign that said, Kick Their Ass, Cass . I linked Gia, “Does that sign have glitter glue on it?”

She replied, “You bet your ass it is.”

Aesir above. Only Haley would bring a sign, but it reminded me of my Commander ceremony all over again. It didn’t help with my protective feelings from that nostalgia, when Cassie changed her fighting style when Cora’s friends entered the gym for their fights.

I was on my feet watching as she went at them hard. They were going to need to be checked out and possibly hospitalized after this. Hendrix coughed, “Fiery redhead.”

He looked at me then whispered, “Seriously man, there is shit we had no idea about going on. I think the last fight will be one for the record books.”

I was getting that sense too.

Her first nine fights went by quickly. She’d beaten nine people in an hour, and I couldn’t have been prouder of her. If she hadn’t been messing with Cora’s friends, it would've been even quicker. She wasn’t even breathing hard, but Uncle Bjourn sent her to take a break in my office.

Now HE was torturing me and because we weren’t related by blood, I couldn’t send him my feelings about that. Aesir above, the things I could do with her in fifteen minutes. I couldn't today though. She still had one more fight and I didn’t want her to be tired in the ways I had planned.

I was so hard I was beginning to worry that my dick might fall off. Cassie teased me in our link, and I made promises about after this was over. I felt her excitement with a little apprehension. Then there was a little bit of disbelief that what I promised would happen. I could give a shit less what happened in this next fight. Aesir himself could say he needed to talk to me, and he’d have to wait.

I turned to Hendrix demanding, “What do you know?”

Hendrix slipped me a piece of paper.

What I know - Cora disappeared for a few weeks because Cassie did something to her. Cora was at your house. Cassie singed a pair of sheets over it. Cassie wants to handle it on her own. Milana says she can’t tell me because of the girl code.

Girl code? Seriously? I crumpled the note. I knew the exact bedsheet set he was talking about. I just didn’t know what had happened to them. If Cora was in our bed and Cassie found her then she was lucky to be alive. I’d have killed her myself. I felt nothing but fury and rage at this point, but I pushed it down. Cassie needed to focus on her fight and not worry about my feelings.

Cassie walked back out. It was honestly more of a saunter. She was anticipating this fight more than she had the others. Her build up and quick work had led to this moment. Sifting through her feelings I knew Cassie felt like years of taking shit were over now. Years? What the HELL was going on?

Cora taunted my mate. I looked at Hendrix asking, “We have been around the same group of people, right? Cora has never been able to even land a single hit on Cassie in training.”

Hendrix frowned, “I know that and so does everyone else.”

Aiylee chuckled, “Just wait for it.”

My gaze narrowed and locked on the two women on the floor.Gia cooed, “Bless that girl’s heart.” That was fuck you in southern speak.

When Cassie looked directly into Cora’s eyes, I sat forward in my seat knowing she was about to use her Truth Seeking power. Cora said I should be hers. I was back out of my seat more furious than I ever had been over the answers I was hearing.

Hendrix grabbed me, “Sit down, Cayden.”

I replied, “I’m not sitting down! Did you fucking hear that bullshit?!”

Hendrix nodded, “Everyone did.”

Cora lunged at Cassie sloppily saying I was supposed to be hers, and Cassie didn’t take her hints to leave me alone.

I yelled, “HINTS?! SHE TRIED TO TAKE MY MATE FROM ME?!”

Cora was going on about how she and I were supposed to have kids. I felt arms grip me and calm was shoved at me from all my bonds. They were pissed too though, and they knew I knew it.

My dad ordered, “Son, sit down. You know you can’t go down there right now.”

No, but I could do something else. I whirled and stared down every single person here. I declared, “If ANYONE thinks I’ll have children with anyone besides Cassie allow me to dispel those thoughts right now; I WON’T. ANYONE who tries to separate me from my mate dies. ARE WE CLEAR?!”

Everyone nodded and a few looked scared.

I warned, “If you think you’ve seen a tough schedule before, you’re wrong. You have seen nothing. Alexander and I will announce the new training schedule. It will remain that way until I think you all have learned how I feel about ANYONE trying to make my mate leave me! ARE WE CLEAR?”

Several people winced but they all nodded.

Tory chuckled, “If I cared more I’d convince TJ to calm him down.”

TJ shrugged, “I’m good.”

Gia tapped his nose. “Yeah you are buddy. No help for that horrible excuse of a girl down there.”

I realized Gia had called her girl multiple which was an insult here and she knew that. Cora should’ve been referred to as a woman, but no part of me cared.

I refused to sit back down. Cassie had cut Cora several times, but she was clearly messing with her. Cassie’s guard was now visible on the floor. I was twitching to order them to end everything here and now because I hated seeing Cora anywhere near my mate. It filled me with fury.

My head snapped to Aiylee when she called Cora, Corursula. I raised an eyebrow knowing that meant Haley knew about this. MOTHERFUCKER! I was supposed to protect Cassie, but I wasn’t supposed to have to protect her from our own damn people!

Sure, I’d put my fair share of fighters in the hospital for staring at her or making a lewd remark, but no one was trying to hurt her. I told Hendrix, “Cora will be taken to the dungeons after this. She can be treated there. I’ll get around to dealing with her later.”

Hendrix nodded, “Of course.”

The second Cassie knocked Cora unconscious, I hopped over the barrier and ran to her. I didn’t care that she clearly didn’t mean to do it. This was over now. I put her behind me needing space between her and Cora. I was tempted to kill Cora right here and now. I was angry enough to do so.

My blood was pounding in my ears. My dad sent me his understanding after I threw her over my shoulder and ran to my office. I could barely focus. Cassie felt she needed to prove she was my mate for some reason, but she had nothing to prove to anyone. She was mine. Forever. I went about proving that.

I claimed her and even admitted I wanted to propose. Searching our bond, I knew she was stunned but thrilled. She wanted to get engaged too. I could feel her happiness about that as she searched the bond realizing I was dead serious.

I knew I could never get enough of her taste. When her legs were trembling, I whirled her around and bent her over my desk. Nothing could be more beautiful than this sight. Sliding into her was like coming home. She was mine and no one else’s.

All those eyes on her out there were because they wanted her and lusted after her. But they couldn’t have her! The possessiveness radiated off of me along with the protectiveness. No one would mentally or physically hurt what was mine and get away with it. Cora was in a heap of trouble. She’d hurt My Duchess mentally and made her feel like she needed to prove I was hers. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When we’d finished, we talked. Hearing the things she told me meant Cora was so far past all the boundaries. She really should’ve backed out of this tournament. She messed with the wrong person, and my mate proved that. What Cora didn’t seem to realize was now she was about to face a very pissed off Commander.

That my own people used this event as an excuse at some piss poor attempt to prove Aesir wrong and take what was mine from me was grating. Training was going to be brutal. I was going to tell Alexander to come up with the most brutal plan he could and combine it with my own. Then I would double it.

I was astonished Cassie truly didn’t realize there were a lot of my own men who wanted her. It shouldn’t surprise me though; she was just like her mom. I didn't know who Angela’s mate was, but the poor sap could join Eric and me for Conners women not seeing their own appeal.

I mentally began to plan my proposal. She’d have my ring on her finger shortly. Then I realized we might never make it out of this office because she looked mouthwatering in everything. I’d kept my hands off her this morning because I’d had to.

Of course someone knocked on my office door. I knew, just knew, it would be one of her brothers. To my astonishment, it was my dad. Cassie’s family, the men anyway, were losing it over how long we’d been in here.

I rolled my eyes sending him my feelings that Cassie and I had been together for three years now. They all would’ve reacted the same way I did. Eric would have had Haley in a different realm by now. Or on her island releasing magic. He sent back his laughter along with the fact my feelings were accurate.

I begrudgingly walked out of the office. Cassie’s family all moved to hug her. My dad nudged me, and we walked back into my office. He asked, “Are you ok?”

I answered, “No, but you knew that. I’m pissed off about this entire thing. How is it some girl who cheated on me thinks I’d prefer her to my mate?”

My dad shrugged, “I don’t know. I’ve never quite understood her. She deliberately embarrassed you, revealing she cheated and shamed herself. For reasons your mother seems to be able to explain. Then instead of getting to know you, which she never did, she kept insisting you two needed to have coffee when you don’t drink it.”

I groaned. He added, “By the way, your mom is with Cora in the dungeons and she’s angry.”

I snorted, “Of course she is.”

We walked back out and I took Cass home.

The next day I’d posted the new training schedule that no one was happy about, but I didn’t give a shit. I glared at all of them warning, “I don’t want to hear a damn word out of any of your mouths. Next time maybe someone will say, ‘Gee, do you think we should tell the Commander that some crazy psychos are giving his mate a hard time? I do believe we should.’ But you didn’t. So START RUNNING!”

I walked out of the gym instead of joining them this time.

I stalked over to the dungeons running on fury. When I found Cora, I actually paused. She looked terrible. She cried when she saw me. She managed to ask, “Are you going to torture me too?”

I snorted, “I’m not going to touch you since I think you’d take it the wrong way. I’ll just send my mom back here every so often to torture you.”

She sobbed as if I was the one in the wrong.

When she calmed down, I told her, “I want the answer to one thing.”

Cora nodded, “Ok.”

I questioned, “Did you come into mine and Cassie’s home?”

Cora snorted, “What? The precious goodie little two shoes didn’t tell you?” I grabbed a chain and whipped it around her wrist and yanked her against the bars, her head hitting them fairly hard before rebounding, like whiplash.

I spoke in a deadly tone, “If you speak about her like that again I’ll kill you with my bare hands. Now, answer my question before I give into that inclination.”

Cora said, “Yes, I did. I just wanted her to think we were an off period fling! She didn’t though and she hurt me instead!”

I scoffed, “As you are not dead, she was kind. Do not go near her again. I don’t want to hear anything about this shit continuing when you get out of here in two weeks. Are we clear?”

She cried begging me to reconsider but I walked out.

I found my mom up top. I said, “Go see her as much as you want and torture her.”

She asked, “You’re not going to?”

I reiterated, “She’d take it the wrong way if I touched her. You can get my point across without delusion filling her mind. Everything in me says I should kill her, but Cassie didn’t. I’m trying to respect that, but if I spend more time with Cora I’ll just end her pathetic life.”

My mom kissed the top of my head, “I’m more than happy to let that awful excuse of a woman know what I think of her. I think I’ll go down there now.”

I nodded and made sure she got down ok. I told two men guarding the door, “Send a guard down there with my mom.”

They nodded and I went back to the gym to run with my warriors.

Between workouts, I spent my time planning the perfect proposal for Cassie. I closed my office door and portaled to Black Mountain. I had an appointment to see Eric. I walked into his office and sat down. He nodded, “Cayden, you are aware you don’t need to go through Caleb to get an appointment with me. You’re my son in law.”

I nodded, “I know but this conversation is different. I want your blessing to ask Cassie to marry me.”

If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. He sat back, “I never thought I could part with her. Of course, the Moon Goddess gave my Princess a mate who was already a man I respected. You make her happy and don’t keep her away from us.”

I replied, “I would never do that.”

He said, “I can’t accurately express how much I appreciate you letting her carve her own path in a bit of a hybrid style between here and the Hackura realm. You let her be an Alpha in this pack, and your mate. You did the same for Alexander as a squadron leader.” I nodded.

“You have my blessing to propose. Make sure she remains happy with you, Cayden. If you ever hurt my pup, I don’t care who you are I’ll kill you.”

I smiled, “I intend to make her very happy for centuries to come.”

Eric nodded, “Good. Thank you for asking.”

I admitted, “I was still asking her even if you said no. I just respect that she was raised in this realm where a man asks for a father’s blessing.”

Eric snorted, “It’s permission that’s asked for.”

I shrugged, “I know that, but I was going for your blessing. Permission is silly since I have Cassie’s. Her opinion is whose matters most to me.”

Eric laughed, “I noticed the difference. I still appreciate you coming as it is not a custom with the Hackura.” I nodded quickly and left, not wanting Cass to realize I was gone.

The next week passed by quickly as all my plans came together. Aiylee and Beagan were even helping. Both were beyond excited I’d asked them. Everything had lined up perfectly until we had someone get sick. That meant Cassie was going on a mission today to meet with a source, but when she came back, I was proposing. It was a slight alteration to the plan, but it was happening today. I had a meeting with Micah later, but after that I was in proposal planning mode.

My dad was going to bring the ring by my office after I came back over here since I was about to head out and see Cassie. She came to me instead. After she left, I did a few more pieces of paperwork to distract myself because my mate was out in the field.

Micah came in and sat down. I greeted, “Hey…”

Before I could continue my office door burst back open. Jed, looking disheveled and pale, charged in. He was sick so I had no idea what he was doing here. I greeted, “Jed?”

He closed the door, “I don’t…”

He trailed off, “I think…” He paused again, “Aesir, forgive me. I don’t know what to think anymore but I….” He stalled again.

I raised an eyebrow, “Jed, spit it out.”

Jed questioned, “Where’s Cassie? I went by your house, but I couldn't find her.”

Micah jumped in, “Do you live under a rock? She’s meeting with a source today. Everyone knows that because Cayden’s been grumpy about it.”

I argued, “I have not!” Micah simply shot me a look. Maybe I had, but I wanted to propose.

Jed’s eyes widened, “What source?”

Micah linked, “Damn. He might need to see a doctor if he’s so sick he doesn’t remember it’s his source.”

I agreed with that assessment, but we rarely got sick. He’d gotten food poisoning which was still rare but it happened.

I gently replied, “Yours, Jed. You emailed that you didn’t feel good and couldn’t make it. I can see why, since you clearly aren’t sleeping even though your email said you had food poisoning. I think we need to send you to the hospital for evaluation.”

Jed paled insisting, “I didn’t email you, Cayden. I think…”

Micah’s phone rang interrupting him. He smiled and flipped it around so I could see it. It was Ashley. I ordered, “Jed, give us a second. We can discuss an evaluation later. Just so you know Cass feels fine in our connection.”

Jed frowned, “Ok, but I still didn’t email you.”

I responded, “It clearly came from your email address, and you signed the email.” He walked outside.

Micah answered the call, “Hello, little source of mine.”

I heard wheezing. I was standing in a split second. I knew she was hurt and the need to get to her was high. Micah asked, “Ashley, are you hurt?”

She gasped for breath, “Not… important… Cassie… trap….”

My heart felt like it was tightening in my chest. S he continued, “Cora…. Ring…. save… her….” It somehow felt like I could hear my heartbeat in my ears and like my heart had stopped at the same time. We heard, “HEY! Where did you get a phone?!” The line went dead. I sent a warning through all my bonds.

Micah looked at me stunned. I ordered, “Call Max NOW!”

Micah said, “We have to get to Ashley too.”

I agreed, “Call your dad and have him track her phone and see if he can get to her. You can go to him once the Conners are aware of this situation with Cass. I’d come but I have to go save my mate.”

I literally ripped the door open off my office by the hinges.

My dad had just walked into the gym and stalled. He must have been coming because of my feelings. Everyone stared at me in shock as I threw my door away. I spotted Cora and ran over to her and slammed her into the wall. No one said a word.

I shouted, “DID YOU SELL CASSIE OUT TO THE FUCKING RING?!”

She looked to her left looking for someone to defend her. When they didn’t, she grasped at my hand trying to loosen it. That wouldn’t happen.

She stammered, “NO! I didn’t do anything wrong.”

I slammed her down onto the ground knowing she was lying. I put a finger in her face, “I know when you are lying. I’ll kill you for this. If she’s not ok you will…”

I trailed off shaking with rage. I shouted, “She HAS to be ok.”

I left it unsaid what I was going to do to Cora. Cassie had to be ok.

Micah ran out of my office saying, “The Conners know now. I’m tracking Cassie’s phone as we speak.”

I realized, “I don’t need it. I know where she is.”

I opened a portal and ordered, “EVERYONE ON ME!”

I glanced at my dad, “DAD, GET THAT PIECE OF SHIT TO THE GODDAMN DUNGEONS!”

Cassie pulled me to her with everything she had in our connection. My dad already had Cora. He urged, “Go get my daughter in law, Cayden.”

I ran through the portal and saw Cassie fighting with her swords. She was seriously outnumbered but holding her own.

I’d never been more relieved to hear pops sounding all around me. Haley, Eric, Alexander, EJ, Elise, Wesley, and Max were here. Multiple shots rang out around us. Some from a distance but several up close.

When pain hit the bond, I looked across the field in horror knowing Cassie had been shot. I could see her blood. I nearly threw up. A sniper shot the man who’d shot Cassie, right in the heart. I told Hendrix, “If he doesn't die, you get him back to our realm for me!”

Hendrix nodded.

Haley popped to Cassie. Cassie’s eyes and our bond told me she desperately wanted me. Her eyes closed and my heart broke when I realized she was trying to pop. She couldn’t, which meant must have taken on iron.

Haley gently touched Cassie’s back and popped her into my arms. No one loved my mother in law more than I did at this exact moment. She could’ve taken her to multiple realms for safety but she brought her to me instead. Haley popped us to the Hackura realm.

Cassie started to cry, which opened up my own floodgates. I told her, “Your mom’s going to fix you, Cass. Just hang on.”

Alexander popped in, then he and Haley healed her. I couldn’t relax while they did it. I just waited for her to open her beautiful eyes.

Haley and Alexander stepped back, but her eyes were still closed. I panicked, “Why isn’t she awake?”

Alexander said, “It will take her a second. She was probably delirious after being poisoned with both silver and iron. They were prepared for her.”

Haley was petting Cassie’s hair.

I took her hand in mine, staring at her, waiting for her beautiful eyes to open. Alexander asked me, “How did you get snipers there so fast?”

I looked at him in surprise. “I didn't. I thought you guys did.”

Alexander cursed, “Motherfucker! The circle group came.”

He got out his phone to call his brothers.

I focused back on Cassie and was rewarded when her eyes fluttered open. I held her tight, “Cass.”

She whispered, “I knew you’d come get me.”

I assured her, “I’ll always come for you.”

She rubbed her face, “What happened? The source said something then he began to seize. I think someone poisoned him.”

My jaw tightened, “Cora sold you out. Which she’s going to pay for.”

Cassie argued, “She’s mine to make pay. You all can do your thing, but I WILL kill her ass.”

Haley beamed, boasting, “That’s my girl.”

Alexander hung up the phone and announced, “The sniper left a blue circle with a line through it on a tree.” I knew that wasn’t the proof I wanted on Ashley, but it was circumstantial evidence that she was a part of the circle group. I texted Micah.

Me: Anything on Ashley?

Micah: I’m meeting her in an hour.

Well, that was something. The doctor came in and the Cambridge’s filtered inside. Cassie asked, “Can’t I leave? I was healed.”

Her doctor scanned her with our tools. She hummed, “I’m running some bloodwork. Then you can go. You do appear to be fine now though.”

Everyone in the room knew why her doctor didn’t release her now. She knew if anything was wrong with her and she didn’t catch it, then she’d be in a world of pain.

Micah appeared in the doorway and motioned me outside. I kissed Cassie’s hand, “I’ll be right back.”

She nodded. I walked out and we walked into an office that was soundproofed. I asked, “Well?”

Micah frowned, “She got in a serious fight and was hurt pretty bad. She told me I should see the other guy.”

I waited, knowing he had more.

He told me, “I checked local hospitals, human and supernatural. I’m pretty sure I found the other guy in a supernatural hospital. He’s in a coma. I asked around, but most wouldn’t say much.

They did say he did get in a fight with someone. He was twice her size and had a little Alpha blood. Not a lot but I didn’t find a pack that has him registered as a member. He’s no rogue no.”

I frowned thinking over everything. None of it made sense. I asked, “How did she know about Cora selling out Cassie from a Werewolf fight?”

Micah explained, “She said she overheard it after the fight. I have people watching the guy, but I don’t think he’s going to wake up.”

I muttered, “I owe her. We need to protect her.”

Micah winced, “I don’t think she wants our protection.”

I shrugged, “I don’t care. Keep tabs on her. She had to have heard it after the fight if she said she did. See if you can find out where the fight was.”

Micah nodded.

I walked back into Cassie’s room noting that she wasn’t pale now. The doctor announced, “Duchess Cassie is free to go.”

My dad subtly handed me the ring and I nodded to him. Eric held onto Cassie tightly. She was passed around her whole family before I got her back.

I took a shaky breath inhaling her scent. She linked me, “I’m ok.”

I replied, “I panicked.”

Her being shot was playing on repeat in my mind. I watched my mate get shot in front of me. We left the hospital and returned home.

When I walked us towards the couch she protested. “I don’t think so Cayden, we had plans.”

I nodded. She raised an eyebrow, “Well, what should I wear for said plans?”

I reasoned, “We can just stay in tonight. We can do what I had planned another night.”

Cassie crossed her arms, “Uh no. Corursula and the Ring are NOT changing our plans. What should I wear?”

I sorted through her feelings in the bond. She wasn’t going to back down, and more to the point she needed this. She needed them not to win after today.

I told her, “There’s an outfit in a garment bag in our closet for you.”

Haley had conjured it for me. She said it was just perfect. Cassie walked back out with curled hair, makeup done, wearing a light yellow, spaghetti strapped, floor length dress with white polka dots. My eyes bounced to the ties around her boobs where there was a cutout below it. I couldn’t stop the smile that broke out on my face even if I wanted to.

Cassie giggled, “You had my mom conjure me a dress?”

I corrected, “She insisted and I have learned never to argue with her. That’s a woman I will never cross. It’s a vow I made as a child when she babysat me. Her pranks are insane and I’m proud to say I’ve never been her target.”

Cassie smiled and I took her hand and led her to the car.

We drove about thirty minutes away where Aiylee had created a sanctuary for us. When we got there, I helped Cassie out of the car. I led her to the barrier loving her smile. She gasped the second we crossed into our new sanctuary. It was breathtaking.

I took in the shining sun and beautiful waterfall. When I faced the left, I realized the moon was out as well. It was everything I wanted to honor all sides of her inside our new space. I led us to the water’s edge where there was a table with food, and I helped her into her seat.

She picked the tray off the top and laughed. “Linguini and cheesy garlic bread. Cayden, this is so sweet.”

I winked, “Eat up.”

Once we were finished, I led her to the side where the moon was out. I told her, “I thought Rain would enjoy a moonlit run whenever she wanted.”

I led her further inside, to the edge and back out the other side. Cassie gasped, “Our sanctuary is by the ocean?”

I replied, “You love it here so I thought it would be a good spot.”

She jumped into my arms declaring, “I love you, Cayden.”

I set her down and she began to twirl on the sand. I watched her and reached into my pocket.

When she turned back around, I was already on one knee. She gasped, “Cayden?”

I grabbed her hand, “From the very moment you came popping down from that tree, my whole world turned upside down in the best way. You are my everything. I love every part and all sides of you. Your Hackura, Fairy, and your Werewolf sides make you everything I love.”

I reached up to wipe her tears.

I said, “You are my whole world, and you are My Duchess. One day, we will sit on our front porch with our children. I want you to be my wife on that day. I want all of you. Hell, I want every part of you. You are mine. I have been and will always be yours. Even before I knew I was yours, I was crazy about you.”

“Calling you Cassie Conners just feels wrong because I know it should be Crawford. I know this isn’t traditional here, but I don’t care. I’ve had this ring for a long time now, and all I want is to see it on your finger. I want to call you my fiancée, and then one day, I want to call you my wife. Whenever that day is, I’ll be there. In whatever you want me to wear. Whatever day, it doesn't matter. I’ll give you everything in my power to give you.”

I opened the ring box, “Cassie Veronica Shayla Conners, will you marry me?”

She nodded, “Yes! Of course I will!”

I slid the ring on her finger and stood, spinning her around before I kissed her slowly. I pulled back, “Let’s go tell everyone that you are now the future Mrs. Crawford. We can even pop to your family afterwards. They knew it was going to happen but after today they might not have left.”

Cassie snorted, “Angela ABSOLUTELY has them all waiting at the castle.”

She kissed me again. She whispered, “You’re perfect Cayden Crawford.”

No, she was. I picked her up and ran to the castle to announce our news. I knew everyone would be excited.

It was suspiciously quiet when we arrived. I knew there were a lot of people waiting for us in the ballroom, though. I led Cassie through the doors and barely stopped my jaw from dropping. I shouldn’t have been surprised there were banners congratulating us.

The ballroom was full of decorations and flowers. It was very much like my mother in law to do something like this. Cassie giggled and held up her left hand. She squealed, “WE ARE ENGAGED!”

Her family and mine all descended and clamored around her, looking at the ring.

I walked over to my dad, and he immediately gave me a hug. He said, “You did good, son.”

I smiled, “Thanks dad.”

My brother punched my shoulder, “Look at you! Wising up and making my sister in law official. I must I just cannot WAIT to tell a certain someone.”

I tensed wanting no mention of Cora right now.

My eyes blazed gold. I declared, “No one mention that bitch in my presence. Cass wants to be the one who kills her, and if I so much as hear her name around Cass right now...”

My brother interrupted pointing out, “Which is why I didn’t say her name. I do know you.”

I nodded to him.

I looked at Cassie, talking to our mom’s. I told them, “She is my whole damn world.”

It hit me that I needed to thank someone for her still being here. The person who was a reason we were able to get to her soon enough.

I stepped out and called Ashley. She answered, “Hey Cayden.”

It sounded like it was still hard for her to breathe. I asked, “Are you ok?”

She answered, “I mean… technically speaking I am fine… that’s a thing...”

I heard someone scoff. Ashley grumbled, “I am! You’re being obnoxious.”

I pulled her attention back to me by simply saying, “Thank you.”

Ashley asked, “For what?”

I snorted, “Are you really asking that?”

She answered, “I said it so… yes.” I explained, “For letting us know that Cassie had been betrayed. We got to her sooner because of you. Micah said you were in a fight.”

Ashley sighed, “I get in fights a lot, it’s not a big deal. People down here don’t like me. It’s a whole thing… I guess I talk too much… which is fair, I guess. I do talk more than most people.”

Down here was an o dd way to phrase Nashville from where she’d previously lived. I shook that off. I said, “Funny story, there were snipers there too. Would you know anything about that?”

Ashley started rambling, “I mean that would make sense. They had snipers because they planned to take her and…”

I cut her off, “The sniper was helping us.”

Ashley evaded, “My first call was to you guys.”

I laughed, “You know I’m mated to a partial Fairy.” Ashley answered, “Of course I do.” I replied, “Then you should know that I know an evasion when I hear one.” Ashley started coughing. When she stopped, she said, “Ow… ok… that hurt. It hurt a lot.” Someone sighed, “Then don’t do it.”

Ashley snorted, “I’m sorry for coughing. Jeez. I’ll work on controlling my cough. That’s insane… I can’t do that… it’s INVOLUNTARY!”

I found myself smiling despite my concern for her. I said, “I’ll be coming to see you soon. Get better.”

Ashley answered, “Sure.”

Wesley popped beside me announcing, “You’re missing your engagement party.”

Ashley shrieked, “You’re engaged? Oh my gosh… I’m so sorry… I shouldn't have called… wait… you called me… and congratulations.”

I chuckled, “Thank you. I’ll talk to you later.”

I hung up the phone.

Wesley asked, “And that was who exactly? Other than someone who says everything they think out loud. I caught that and thank you for having that call on speaker.”

I told him, “A source of mine. The one who told us Cassie had been sold out before she pulled me to her. The heads up and the culprit behind it were incredibly helpful.”

Wesley sobered, “If said source ever needs anything at all let me know. I’ll be there in a pop. She protected my sister, and we owe her.”

I nodded wishing I could take him up on that. I wanted nothing more than for Ashley to be safe.

I walked back into the party, immediately greeted by the Conners brothers who were waiting with whiskey. Alexander handed me a glass. EJ said, “You know, I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for my little sister. You’re already our brother in law, but you made it official. So, welcome to the family officially.”

I laughed and looked over at Cassie who was already smiling at me.

I told them honestly, “I’m the lucky one. She’s perfect.”

Cassie blushed hearing my compliment. I walked over and pulled her into a kiss. God, I loved this woman.