Cassia’s POV Cassia had never been a person to cry very often - not that she’d ever really had need to. But she still couldn’t get a handle on how it felt to cry so very often, even if, perhaps, it made sense that she would. Did everyone do this? Or was it just her? How could she tell if she was handling this well or being too emotional without her mother there to tell her? She sniffed harshly, biting her lip. If she went down that path, she’d be sobbing all over again, and she was very, very sick of tears this morning. The hospital was busy, crawling with doctors and nurses and pack members. Many people turned as the three of them walked down the hall, to stare and nod their heads with little murmurs of “Luna, Alpha.” She expected to see some hostility; after all, she was why so many were wounded, why Ethan was dead - and yet, she saw none. Some awe, some fear, even, but mostly reverence at her presence… as though, as Annette had said, they had, indeed, all been waiting for h
Cassia’s POV As they walked into the long room where all the women were being looked after, Cassia’s breath hitched in her throat, and she reached back and grabbed Cole’s hand. She felt Garrett lean close on her other side, his breath tickling her ear. “Don’t worry, love. They’re going to be very happy to see you.” The room was long, with several beds on three sides, thin curtains hung around them to create a small amount of privacy when needed. Several couches and plush chairs stood out oddly in the center of the room, having been brought in to make the women feel more at home. Dr. Blake had told them that they’d been put in here together because they felt safer, even though there were plenty of private rooms available. This room was only used in times of war, as an overflow. Only the woman who was in critical condition was kept separate. Their group only stood at the door for a moment before one of the women looked over at them, fear in her eyes turning quite suddenly int
Hey Readers! If you’ve made it this far, first off, thank you!! Secondly, I wanted to let you know that going forward, I will be switching to first person present tense narration, something I’ve been wishing I’d done since the beginning for a few chapters now. Eventually, I will update the first 28 chapters to all be first person as well (except for the prologue/first chapter), but for now, I’m just flipping part way through. Hopefully it won’t be off putting but will make reading far more enjoyable. I’m loving discovering and telling this story so far and hope you enjoy it, too! May the Moon shine brightly upon you! Anna Marie
Garrett’s POV My heart swells with pride as my little mate promises our support to the women she’d been held captive with. I squeeze her shoulder and notice Cole doing the same. She must be feeling safe here, beginning to trust us. And already stepping into her natural role. Thank the goddess she was only there for three days.“Three days too long,” my wolf grumbles. “I know,” I respond. “But look at these women… every single one of them was there longer than her. Brianna is terrified of her mate. Doesn’t even want him in the same room - and they didn’t even mark her or -”My wolf’s internal snarl stops me from going any further. I clench my jaw, looking back down at Cassia. She’s so much more at ease than she was when I left, and I wonder if it’s the time she’s spent with Cole - my wolf grumbles about my needing to play hero, and I chuckle inwardly - or just that she’s starting to feel safe or being around these women… But they seem more at ease, too, now that she’s with them,
Cassia’s POV All three of us ate at the kitchen table, no one around except the kitchen staff checking in to be sure we had everything we wanted or needed - so long as it was on our “allowed” list. Garrett made several joking threats about being an Alpha and how dare they deny him, but each of them ignored him and laughed in turn, making me feel even safer. The entire pack, including the omegas, seems to truly love my mates, to respect them and trust them - I haven’t seen one yet who appears to fear them, even though I know they must have the ability to be terrifying if they were able to kill Albius. Cole left Garrett and me in the same bedroom I’d stayed in the previous night. He said he needed to check in on Markus, Brianna’s mate - who is apparently distraught that she won’t see him - and also visit the prisoner they’d captured when they were attacked. I look up at my more clean cut mate from my spot beside him on the couch. Even with his injuries he’s freshly shaven - he insi
Cassia’s POV Garrett is so gentle as he places me on the bed, tucking me in beneath the covers. And as he leans over me, his eyes finally drift from mine, down to my lips. Without even meaning to, I find myself biting my bottom lip at the sight, drawing a growl from him that makes me shudder. “Be careful doing that, Cassia.” His voice is husky, almost menacing. And I nod my head, not trusting myself to speak.But once again, I find my fear gone. Overwhelmed and replaced by… longing. He sighs as he stands up and walks to the other side of the bed, taking his shirt off as he goes. Leaving him with just his grey sweatpants sitting low on his hips. I gasp at how muscled he is, my eyes wandering up and down his form. Unable to help myself. His eyes snap to mine again, and he looks down at the shirt in his hand. “Oh. Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” He hesitates. “Do you mind? I sleep better without a shirt. And with the bandages, I’m feeling a little claustrophobic.” I quickly shake my
Cole’s POV Leaving Markus’ wing, I feel heartsick. The place is trashed. His eyes are so haunted. And he can’t seem to get control of his wolf without being commanded. After an hour of talking to him, I finally had to order him to clean up his wing, clean himself up, and think about how to make his mate feel safe instead of himself and his own pain. He flinched at that, and I wince at the memory of it as I make my way downstairs. He’s always been a bit more out of control, our Delta. Very good at organising troops - also very… underdeveloped… in maintaining command of his own wolf. Which can be helpful in war when it isn’t disastrous… but isn’t usually helpful at any other time. I’m hoping his mate will eventually help him get that locked in - but with what she’s been through. I sigh and run a hand through my hair, scowling. I can only hope she doesn’t reject Markus and finds a way to let him - and us - help her. And that Markus will calm down enough to actually be able to help
Garrett’s POVAs I wake up, Cassia’s scent hits me hard, and I growl appreciatively, nuzzling my nose against her neck. “How are you feeling?” I murmur mentally to my wolf. “Almost back to normal,” his voice still sounds gruff and thick with sleep. “Careful not to wake her.” The corner of my lips tug at his caution. But he’s right. She needs rest as much as I do. “Garrett, you up?” Cole whispers into the mindlink. Not that he needs to ask; he can usually tell just by nudging me mentally. “Just barely, brother. Cassia’s still asleep. I might drift back, too.” “You both have to eat, you know. It’s almost 4:30. How about I have dinner brought up? I think I’ve finished with everything for today.”I yawn and nod, absently. I wonder how Alphas without twin brothers manage to get everything done - especially when they’re injured like this. I suppose they rely more on their Betas. Still - with everything that’s happened over the last few days, not having all of it fall on my shoulders m