Just then, the door burst open and Lino stormed in, head snapping left and right and his nostrils flaring. "Cass? Cass where are--" "Where have you been?" Cassy said, running for him and throwing her arms around his neck. He nuzzled her neck and his fingers gripped her side hard. "What happened?" Lino asked, drawing back to inspect her face. "You're bleeding. Where--"He sniffed her hair and her neck. "Eleanor?" he asked, surprise widening his eyes. Cassy covered the injury on her neck with her palm and pointed across the room to the ajar window. "She went through there. I think she got in through there as well--though I have absolutely no idea how--where are you going now?" She stared wide-eyed as Lino leapt out the window, no doubt in search of Eleanor. Cassy throat stung and she massaged the sore flesh with her thumb. How exactly did the sentries miss Eleanor? And she couldn't believe she'd attacked her in her sleep. Rather than be mad, Cassy was
Cassy’s cheeks suddenly flamed and she raised the book higher, covering both her face and her chest as she muttered, “Eyes off as well. Might as well mate with your duties and your pride since you seem to be in love them.” Lino’s lips twitched and he stifled the oncoming smile. She would throw a feat if she caught him smiling. Instead, he walked around the bed, stopping beside her. “Cassy,” he said, reaching for her hand. “You misunderstand me every time. I didn’t mean any if it that way, I promise.” She merely swatted him away like he was an insect. “Move.” Lino pursed his lips and took the book from her hands faster than she could detect it. Cassy straightened, stretching her hand to get the book from him. “Give that back.” Lino leaned far from her reach, raising the hand that held the book higher in the air. “Why? You prefer looking at a boring book than talking to your mate? Why does it always have to be difficult with you? I wish to explain things, but you
"You have too many clothes on," Cassy murmured, tongue trailing a line of the curve of his lips. He jutted forward, baring himself into her and she gasped, nails digging into his arms. He pulled back slowly, and her eyes fluttered open, glazed with desire. "What is it?" She asked and he did not miss the impatience in her voice. "You'll come with me then?" Her lips pursed and her eyes darted about the room as she seemed to think about something. Lino grew impatient by the second. What did she need to think about that was more important than him? All she had to do was say yes, and he had been told that women loved being asked out to rides and dates. He felt nervous. "I will think about it," she quipped cheerfully. Lino frowned. "Why? Do you not want to go out with me?" Cassy rolled her eyes. "You named me Luna, and as that, I do have duties to carry out. I'll see if I can make free time for you tomorrow." She sighed and looked away from him, th
Lino held his head in his hands and sighed. Cassy's parents had sent numerous requests to see him, and Cassy as well, but he knew that though Cassy was concerned and loved her parents, she hadn't been comfortable with them seeing her the way she looked. Their meeting had said as much and he was not going to put her in that situation ever again. Seeing her could wait. He had given them an entirely separate wing in the castle. There were newer reports of the plight with the lands and the people were getting agitated again. It grew, and there was not much he could do to curb it. It was why he called the hybrid to his study. It was about time they put his skills to use. His thoughts drifted to Cassy and he scowled, squeezing his eyes shut as he suddenly felt embarrassed about what had transpired earlier. He felt all shades of strange. He still could not believe that she had rolled over to the other side of the bed and fallen asleep. He had spent the entire night in pain
"What? No," Lino said, staring at her like she was spewing absolute nonsense. This only served to infuriate Cassy even more and she growled. What did he think? That she could not take care of herself or walk to the infirmary with her legs? She would prove him wrong. "Put me down. Now. I do not wish to go there with you. I don't want to speak to you and neither do I want you to touch me. If you cannot listen to me when I say I'm fine then let me down." The people who walked past them stared at the couple with amused expressions, wondering what was happening. It was not her fault that she had been gifted with the most infuriating man that ever lived. She understood that he was worried about her and that he wanted her arms fixed as soon as possible, but she really was fine. The pain was a lot to bear but she knew that as soon the physician got it set, the healing process would begin. She was fine. "You are not. You should have listened when I requested for the
Gerald nodded, hurrying over to the other side to get his tools. "It will take only a few minutes. Shall I give her an anaesthetic..for the pain?" Cassy sighed. "I am right here. You may ask me. I do not need to be knocked out before getting treated," she said dryly, earning a frown from Lino. She glared right back. Now the physician was treated her like a child too. Just great. "Pain killers should be fine," Lino said on her behalf and the physician hurried over to where Cassy lay on the oddly comfortable bed, though the place reeked of herbs and brewed plants. "Do open your mouth, Luna," he said, holding a spoon of something that smelled acrid. She gagged, covering her nose. "By the Goddess, what is that?" "Let me have it," Lino sighed, taking the spoon from the physician. His voice dropped low as he leaned closer. "Had I know you would be this annoying on a normal day, I would have mated you sooner." Cassy blinked. "What?" She had not expecte
Cassy looked away, unable to meet her father's gaze, but she knew he was crying as much as she was. And she couldn't bear it. Lino's hand slid out of hers and he slipped out of the room quietly, giving her privacy with her parents, now that he knew she was alright. Her father pulled her into his warm embrace. "I am so sorry, Cassy," he said, patting her hair down softly. Cassy sobbed, wrapping her arms around her father's torso. It had been a while. A long long time since she had been held by her father. She had forgotten what his scent was. Wood, smoke and musk. She breathed in deeply, letting all of the pain go as his warmth seeped into her, reminding her of what it had been like before Lino. The life she had lived. Though they had not been rich, though they had been ordinary Omegas, they had been happy and content. But she was happy she met Lino. That part of her life had always felt like it had something missing. She had found it and she would protect it.
The hybrid set out the next day with a horse and a change of clothes. The Luna had pushed a bag of food and fruits into his hands, regardless of how much he had declined her request to take it. She was quite strong willed and adamant, and he had spied her mate watching with pride as she won in their mini squabble on taking the food. He had never quite met anyone like her...or the Alpha. Too nice, he would think, but wolves were generally warm and trusting. The Head Alpha and Head Luna were no different. Heading to their lands, he had expected hostility from the Alpha and possibly an arrow to his head, but they gad merely been wary for a couple of minutes, and the Luna had been curious, prodding him and trying to get him to speak in the most annoying way possible. It reminded him of a certain someone he had promised never to think about. A certain someone who had taken off at the first chance she got, selfish to the very end. He should never have let her out. He should nev