Chapter Six

Jordan POV

“I’m sorry, dad just told me hunters have been spotted near the house. He wants me to keep you safe.” I tell Cassidy. She looks scared.

“Why are there hunters on pack land and why are they near the packhouse?” she asks.

“I don’t know. Dad didn’t say but we need to stay in here until he says it’s safe.” I hug her, feeling her calm at my touch. Maybe I could love her, I thought to myself.

“You could if you tried,” Koray says, enjoying her touch just as much as I was. “She smells pretty, and she’s soft. Vanessa wasn’t soft.”

“Vanessa was a way to kill time, I was glad dad told me to dump her,” I reply to him. Cassidy pulls out of the hug and goes to sit on my bed.

“Can we talk?” she asks.

“About your parents?” I reply as I make my way over to the bed. She nods as I sit down on the edge.

“I’m scared Jordan. What if the hunters got them?” A panicked thought crosses her face, I reach out to grab her hand pulling her closer to me. I felt this desire to keep her close to me, keep her safe. I didn’t know why.

She rests her head on my shoulder. “Do you think they will be okay?” she asks.

“I’m sure they’re fine. Maybe they’re off planning some big surprise party for you?” I reply a little too enthusiastically, trying to cheer her up. She looks up at me with those eyes I could swim in.

“But my birthday isn’t until next week. Why would they be planning a surprise now and why would they not be replying to anyone, even your dad?” It made sense. They should have replied to my dad by now. I try to reach out to him in the mind-link. I release my breathe I didn’t know I was holding when he answers.

“Hey son, is Cassidy okay?” he asks

“She’s fine, we are safe locked in my room. She’s just worried about her parents. Any news yet?” I rub her shoulder.

“No, nothing yet. It’s like they’ve just vanished. Samuels went by the house earlier today to see it completely empty except for Cassidy’s things.”

“Huh? Their stuff was there last night when Cass grabbed some stuff.” This was weird, they were still on pack land but staying under the radar? Why?

“What time did you go to the house?” Dad asks, clearly this was news to him.

“About 8:30, after you told us to head home, I dropped Lani off and we went straight to Cassidy’s after. The house was dark, but Cass didn’t say anything about their stuff being gone.”

“Okay, talk to Cassidy and find out if she knows anything or saw anything last night and get back to me.” He disconnects the link and I turn to face Cass, catching her staring at me.

“What?” I chuckle nervously as I lean back. I didn’t like it when people stared at me.

“Sorry, I’ve just never seen anyone, but my parents do anything, wolf-related…” she trails off.

“Why not? You grew up here, surely you’ve seen people mind-linking each other?”

“Not that I noticed. I was kept out and away from all things pack related. No wolf, no invite.” She states, like I should know this already.

“That sounds dumb, whose rule is that?” I ask.

“Your dads.” Huh? Dad didn’t deny anyone in the pack from information. I thought to myself.

“Ask her about the house,” Koray says.

“Who told you that?” I continue, still a little shocked my dad would prevent pack members from learning.

“Vanessa did.” She shrugs and it clicks. Vanessa. Koray and I both think together.

“That’s not a thing, Vanessa played you.” I inform her, getting up off the bed.

“That bitch.” I hear her say. I squat on the floor in front of her.

“Please don’t think that I would ever keep anything from you Cass, you’re my mate now and I will always be honest with you. I hope you offer me the same courtesy.” I take her hands in mine as I talk. I need her to trust me. It’s the only way we will work.

“I haven’t lied to you.” She says with a confused look on her face. I stand up, letting go of her hand.

“I know. Did you want to come have a shower with me?” I ask. Not wanting to leave her alone, I liked having her nearby. She felt safe, like home.

“You. Want me to shower. With you.” She stands up stunned I even asked her.

“Why not? You don’t have to if you don’t want to obviously, I just like having you close, and I need a shower.” I shrug, didn’t she feel the same?

“I like being near you too.” She replies as she looks down at her hands, fidgeting again. She takes a deep breath and stands up straight. “Okay.” She says and she marches into the bathroom with a little too much confidence. The rollercoaster of emotions this girl is giving me. I’m already emotionally exhausted and it’s only been 24 hours.

Cassidy POV

When I reach the bathroom all the fake confidence I built up vanished. Now I actually had to be naked. With Jordan. I can’t exactly tell him to keep his eyes closed again because he’s the one that wanted the shower. I strip off and turn the taps on. Stay confident. I repeat to myself. I hear Jordan close the door behind him as he walks in. I keep my back turned to him, too shy to turn around and give him the full show.

“Nudity doesn’t bother me you know,” he states, climbing into the shower. I follow behind him. Crap. One showerhead, I forgot. I kept my back to Jordan as we split the water. I feel his hand grab mine before he spins me around. Almost slipping as I turn, he catches me. My hands on his chest, his right hand holding mine and his other hand in the small of my back. His face inches from mine.

“Careful,” he says, so close I could feel his breath. He stands up straight. The water flowing down between us. His eyes flicker black again before going back to Hazel. I stood there staring into his eyes, enjoying the feel of him close coupled with the warmth of his skin against mine, the hot water from the shower an added bonus, relaxing me.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, water droplets ricochet off his face as he speaks.

“Nothing.” It was true, my mind was a complete blank. For once I was completely immersed in something. In Jordan.

I didn’t know why I was being pulled to him and I was surprised when he said he felt the same. I wanted to be as close to him as he wanted, and my heart skipped a beat when he told me he enjoyed being near me. Jordan felt safe. We hadn’t marked each other so I don’t know why we felt so connected.

We continue standing there under the water, Jordan still holding me. Enjoying each other’s touch. After a couple of minutes standing still Jordan speaks again.

“Can I kiss you?” he asks.