Cassie’s POVThey settled into the living area and started watching an action-packed movie. I’m not a fan of those; just seeing bullets and knives makes my teeth ache. I guess I’m still a bit traumatized from my days as a pack fighter, where hunters with silver weapons frequently injured me.Anyway, I’m in the kitchen preparing some dishes. Inspired by my dream, I’m making some of Kaiden’s favorite foods—meat-heavy with just a few vegetables."Your lunch is ready, boys!" I called out. "Please come and pause the movie for a bit."If you hadn’t noticed, Derek and Charlie have quite similar personalities. My son seems as perceptive as Derek. Or perhaps it’s just that Derek’s carefree side reminds me of Kaiden’s when he was with me...They sat down to eat and dove into their meals so quickly that they nearly choked."Slow down, gentlemen. There’s plenty of food," I reminded them."This is absolutely delicious!" Derek exclaimed, clearly pleased with the meal. His enjoyment warmed my heart.
Cassie’s POVWe went into Derek's office to discuss the project plan. As for my boss, Dale, he's probably resting in his coffin or spending time with his mate. I should be focused on work, but Derek never lets me go and constantly clings to me, hugging me tightly."How are we supposed to finish this?" I asked, trying to focus despite his clinginess. Is he even a werewolf? He seems to be constantly sniffing me."Just let me have my rest; you’re charging me up and putting me on rest," he murmured sleepily. This guy...Suddenly, someone knocked on the door, and I was so startled and embarrassed that I nearly pushed Derek away. I quickly apologized."Mr. Derek! Your secretary is dead!" the messenger exclaimed. Derek looked horrified, and I was equally shocked. The rude lady was dead? How?We rushed to the restroom, and if I weren’t accustomed to gruesome sights, I might have been sick right then. The woman’s body was brutally mutilated, with broken bones and blood staining the white floor.
Cassie’s POV"That’s just a puppet," I muttered to myself. Whoever that witch is, she’s powerful enough to create a puppet of that caliber. This is more alarming than I thought.When I got home, Derek, Art, and my son Charlie were waiting for me. They looked worried, but little did they know, I’m stronger than they realize. I’m not just a simple woman—I’m a pack warrior."I should have driven and picked you up," Derek said, clearly concerned."I’m fine; whoever the suspect is, she can’t harm me," I reassured him. True, but it didn’t mean I should let my guard down.To prevent them from questioning me further, I cooked dinner and served them a hearty meal. Art decided to stay with us for a while. As a retired military officer, he assured us that we’d be safe with him around.The three of them are now asleep. My apartment isn’t spacious, so we all set up our beds in the living room.I stayed awake, as I don’t need to sleep. Being a nocturnal creature has its advantages. To ensure maximum
Cassie’s POV"You! I will not let you see the sunlight! This will be your resting place, and I will make you both taste what true agony feels like!" she cursed, her voice dripping with malevolence.The battle intensified, and despite our efforts, the sheer number and strength of the puppets felt overwhelming. I struggled with fatigue, realizing it had been far too long since I last fought in earnest. But I pressed on, determined to protect those I cared about.Dale signaled he was about to execute our plan. As the puppets armed with silver knives closed in on me, we played into the witch’s expectations, creating an opening for Dale. Suddenly, she screamed in agony as Dale’s blade found its mark."Ah!" she cried out, spewing green blood. It became clear she was no mere puppet but a powerful entity in her own right."How!" she gasped in disbelief."You were so focused on attacking me that you failed to notice Dale’s illusion," I taunted, savoring her anguish. "He was fighting your puppet
Cassie’s POVI was struggling to manage Derek’s attempts to visit my workplace, despite having told him I’d be too busy to entertain him. My plans for the next few days were complicated by the interference of either Derek or Dale, but I decided to let them have their way as long as they didn’t disrupt my schedule."Here we are," Dale announced as we stopped beneath the iconic bridge in Claybourne City. I wondered if he was playing a joke on me. If this turned out to be another of his blunders, I might consider adding holy water to his favorite wine bottle—an idea that seemed increasingly appealing."I’m not messing with you! I recognize that look; are you planning to kill me again?" Dale asked, his voice tinged with horror. "Good, at least he understood his assignment.""What’s the deal with this place?" I asked. "I thought you were leading me to a hidden society." The heat was stifling.Dale smirked, handed a bloodied stone to a beggar, and to my surprise, a door appeared in the wall
Cassie’s POVAfter a brief conversation with Khan, I eventually managed to leave the flower shop. I was grateful for the opportunity to know this place, and for my boss, Dale. Though he could be a bit overwhelming at times, he was a kind vampire—a very unusual type of vampire, likely due to his hybrid nature."Ah, that Granny kicked me again," Dale complained as we walked down a crowded street in Claybourne City. I was still puzzled about how we had entered the hidden society."That gem or crystal you gave to the beggar isn’t just an ordinary gem, is it?" I asked."Exactly! It isn’t ordinary," Dale confirmed. "The gem contains a substantial amount of mana, along with a crystal-like substance that holds other precious items for trade." It seemed that the crystal was more than a mere trinket—it was a container for things like magic, weapons, gold, rare materials, or even living creatures and souls."That sounds illegal. How am I supposed to return to the flower shop?" I expressed my frus
Cassie’s POVDale handed me an antique mirror, and I was shocked to see a strange mark or rune on my forehead. "What the actual hell is this?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry and confusion.Dale's expression was serious as he explained, "Luckily, it’s not a tracing mark, but rather a mark that signifies a message from someone who harbors intense hatred towards you. It seems like someone from your past is trying to send you a very bad message."I felt a shiver run down my spine. It seemed that the nightmare was more than just a dream; it was a warning. Xander was likely the one sending this message. Despite his power and territory, it seemed he was determined to interfere with my life once more."It’s clear now that I need to get back on track and become stronger," I resolved. "Not today, Xander."I felt refreshed after a rigorous run in the forest dimension of Khan’s safe haven. These mystical woods seemed to help me recover and regain my strength. I was in the midst of resuming my
Cassie’s POVHis question was not something I could answer easily. I had asked myself the same question many times. What was holding me back from embracing love again? Was this even love? Should I let go of him to start a new chapter in my life? I wasn’t sure, and the confusion weighed heavily on me.All my worries seemed to dissolve when Derek suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace. "Forget my question," he said, his voice sincere. "I’m not trying to force you or pressure you. I just want you to know that I’d rather have you by my side, even if that’s all I get. The darkest day of my life was when you left, and I thought I’d never see you again. Don’t worry about my question; I’ll wait as long as it takes. I’m not giving up; I want to show you how much I love you."His words gave me a sense of relief, like I could finally breathe again. I hoped he wouldn’t ask the same question soon, as I still needed time to sort out my feelings. There were larger concerns I needed to address.Despi
Cassie’s POVThe day Derek and Dax accepted their new roles as both humans and werewolves marked a significant turning point. My father, my brothers, and I took it upon ourselves to teach them about our culture—what is right and wrong, the taboos, and the essence of being a werewolf: our love for the moon, our bond with the forest, and our partnership with nature.Recently, the attacks have become more frequent, and it’s clear that we need to relocate for real. Xander and his supporters are sending threats and unleashing dangerous creatures with one goal in mind: to kill me and those I care about. This is something I will never allow. I love my family, especially my only son and the two men who have taught me a new definition of love. I refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past.Xander should brace himself because he won’t know what’s coming. I plan to personally see to it that he pays for his actions. A man like him deserves no mercy. Driven by jealousy, he murdered his own brother, w
Cassie’s POV"What! But you should assist me!" the vampire shouted, clearly agitated. At that moment, I could barely tolerate his presence."If I hear you spreading unnecessary information about me to Dax, Derek, or anyone else, I swear it’ll be the last thing you do. I’m not joking," I warned him."What?! I didn’t say anything," he protested, though I could see through his feigned innocence. I knew Dax wouldn’t lie to me; he had no reason to."Huh, so you’re the one who mentioned that my life is in danger and that they should protect me?" I asked. "They don’t need to be involved in this. This is my battle, not theirs. But since you’ve already spoken out, I have to address it.""I think it’s better for them to be aware. The more they know, the harder it will be for them to lower their guard. This isn’t just about your past or your personal conflict. Once they start caring about you, they’re already involved," he said. He made a good point, even if it annoyed me."But I don’t want to i
Cassie’s POV"Let’s take a break, son," I suggested, noticing we had been practicing for almost three hours. It was time for some rest."Mom," Charlie said, his smile brightening as he looked out at the expansive woodland. "You’re growing up, and I feel like I’m not doing a great job as your mother," I admitted honestly. I felt I wasn’t fulfilling my role as a mother to my beloved son, Charlie.My son wiped away my tears, kissed them, and gave me a reassuring grin. "Mom, you don’t have to apologize. There’s nothing to apologize for. I love you, and I appreciate everything you do for me. If I have a mom in my next life, I’d choose you over and over again," he said, causing me to cry even more."Please stop crying, Mom. I promised Dad I’d protect you and make sure you’re happy no matter what," he continued. It amazed me how mature he had become so quickly. I felt my age more keenly at that moment."You promised that to your father, but I promise to protect you no matter what as well. So
Cassie’s POVMy eyes were tired from crying and staying up too late. I wasn’t feeling well and decided it was the right time to request a leave of absence. Despite werewolves typically having excellent stamina and health, we’re not invincible. Like all creatures, we have our weaknesses. For werewolves, a fragile heart can be our downfall, and right now, mine felt incredibly delicate.I was struggling with emotional sickness again, feeling so heavy and weak that I couldn’t get out of bed. The cold was a result of my forgetting to close the window last night. I asked Angel to cover my schedule for the time being, promising to return the favor. I was grateful she agreed, but my severe headache was making me extremely lethargic."Mom," Charlie knocked gently on the door. I told him to come in."Are you sick, Mom?" he asked, brushing his hand against my forehead. His concern touched me deeply, but I didn’t want him to worry too much. I had to remind myself that I was strong."I’m fine, swee
Cassie’s POVAfter leaving work, I decided to do some grocery shopping. I was still a bit taken aback by Dax becoming my new boss, but I understood what Angel and Dale meant. Dax was someone kind and close to my heart, and I completely agreed with that. I actually liked the idea of him being my boss—thank goodness."Angel, I’m so shocked to learn everything," I said, while Damon pushed our cart loaded with vegetables, fruits, and various types of meat. My new condominium unit was three times as large as the previous one, and I needed to restock supplies and prepare dinner. My son was growing so fast that he needed a lot of nutrients."Yeah, Dax knows you dislike surprises, but he was worried that if you found out he’d be your new boss, you might leave or disagree," Angel murmured. I looked at her in disbelief."Why would I do that?" I asked. Dax was a great guy whom I trusted, and I knew he’d treat me well, so I couldn’t see any reason for me to be against having him as my new boss."W
Dax’s POV"So, you’re the real owner of the company, huh? All along, Dale was just your proxy. What made you decide to reveal this now?" Derek asked, his voice laden with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. We were seated in our usual café, a cozy place with a warm ambiance that had become our go-to spot for conversations about our complex lives.I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. The truth was that my main reason for taking on the position was to spend more time with Cassie. It was something I hadn't fully admitted before, but it was time to come clean. Since we had agreed to share our feelings with Cassie equally, there was no point in hiding anything from Derek anymore."Well, it’s primarily because I wanted to spend more time with Cassie. But also, I wanted the financial resources and influence to spoil Cassie and Charlie just like you do," I confessed in one breath. The words tumbled out before I could second-guess them. Derek’s reaction was immediate; he spilled his coffee
Cassie’s POVI took a cab to the company building, feeling a surge of anxiety as I arrived. I almost backed out. It was frustrating that they had kept my new boss a secret. I had already made it clear how much I disliked surprises.As I entered the elevator, I silently prayed to the goddess that my boss would be someone I could tolerate—someone friendly and serious about work, and not a creep, as that would test my patience.When I reached the top floor and stood in front of the boss's office, my nerves were on edge. I had faced many challenges in my life; this should be manageable.To my surprise, Dax was sitting in the CEO’s swivel chair. Dressed in a sharp suit, he looked dazzling and charming. I couldn’t help but blush, realizing I had been staring at him longer than I intended."Dax, what are you doing here? And I must say, you look fantastic in that suit," I remarked, genuinely admiring his appearance.Dax scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "The truth i
Cassie’s POV"But what about my brother and dad? I don’t want to move too far from them," I said, voicing my concern. Marcus, ever confident, chuckled."We’re moving as well, so don’t be sad. I know you’ll miss your handsome brothers," Marcus said, his arrogance shining through."Whatever, Marcus. But I can sense that Derek owns that condo building, doesn’t he?" I said, having uncovered their plan. They must have anticipated I’d be hesitant."Don’t worry, I’m not angry. Although, I do plan to give Dale a hard time for lying to me so much today," I said, glaring at the sneaky vampire hiding behind my son."I can help with that," Derek offered, raising his hand."You traitor! This was all your idea," Dale said, feigning tears.I decided to ignore the further discussion. Dale’s chatter was giving me a headache. It was time to open my gifts. The important people in my life had given me a very comfortable chair, and they lined up to present their gifts. My son’s gift was especially touching
Cassie’s POV"It’s alright, don’t be upset," I reassured Derek, trying to ease his mood. "Tonight is my birthday, and I want everyone to share in my happiness. This moment is incredibly special to me." It seemed I had managed to bring a smile to his face. Derek, with his intense and sometimes risky demeanor, also had a softer, more vulnerable side that I had come to appreciate."How about me?" Dax asked, looking as if he didn’t want to be left out. His puppy-dog eyes made me smile. I patted his head affectionately. "Good boy. Now, shall we eat? I’m starving," I said, and they guided me to our table."Mom!" Charlie’s voice cut through my thoughts. He looked incredibly handsome in his white suit. "My son looks dashing!" I exclaimed. "You may be young, but your smile can capture anyone’s heart." He blushed at my compliment."Mom, you’re beautiful too," Charlie said, handing me a small box. "I hope you like this." I was deeply touched. It reminded me of the times when Kaiden and Charlie wo