5 YEARS LATER...
CASS'S POV
I walked into the lecture hall about thirty minutes before class would start. I wanted to get a feel for the room. This was my second semester as an Assistant Professor. I was so excited to get the job. I enjoyed it, plus it helped me pay for my masters degree. Thank god I was going to be done after I take my comps in a few months. I never went to UCONN to play basketball. After my first shift, my dad and I decided it would be best to lay low. Mom was pretty disappointed, but my dad worked his magic and convinced her it was for the best. So, I gave up my basketball scholarship and took an academic one at UCLA. I had completed several hours of college credit in high school, so I with some determination I was able to complete my undergraduate degree in English Literature ahead of schedule. I'm now persuing a masters degree in Folklore. I know it sounds like an odd thing specialty, but folklore has become an obsession for me. It's the only place i can find answers about myself. Even though most of the stories are pretty obscure and impossible to know how accurate they are. Still, it's better than nothing. My dad always hit dead ends as well. He never found anything helpful to explain what I am or where we came from. Our family had nothing written down to help our research. So, we were only able to find old folklore texts to help us out. Ultimately, I knew that I decended from a royal bloodline of Lycanthrope that had been chosen as the ultimate weapons of the moon goddess to fight against vampires. That just seemed unreal to me. I'd never seen, or sensed a vampire that I know of. That was fine with me. I did not want to be anyone's weapon. Plus, the last time I checked, this moon goddess had never shown herself to me and I didn't plan on doing the bidding of anyone other my own.
Apparently I looked different than a normal werewolf. I'd seen the texts and seen old drawings of what werewolves looked like when they shifted but I'd never seen one in person. I stand on two legs. They stand on four...beneath me. That thought gives me a headache. I've met a few werewolves along the way. I tried to avoid them, but they can sense my power. They know I'm like them, but they say that they can tell I'm not the same. They all assume I'm what they call an Alpha. I never befriended them because I was just trying to live my life. Lay low. I couldn't afford to be discovered. I didn't want to be challenged at every turn.
I knew the basics of common werewolf life. I'd read about the social structure. What's crazy about that is I am not part of it really, but I've never met one that didn't do exactly as I said. It's like they can't help it. That scares the shit out of me. I don't want to command anyone. I don't want to force someone to do something they don't want to do. I was running out of books to read about what I am. Eventually, I was going to have to seek out someone with some knowledge. The thought of trusting someone with my secret scared me though. Eventually it would have to happen. I just didn't know when.
I was pulled from my thoughts that plagued me more than I liked when my phone vibrated with the arrival of a text from my fiance.
Alex Gates: Good luck today Babe! Let the first day of torture commence.
I rolled my eyes. He wants me to be a scary hardass. I just can't do it. I'm not even an offical professor yet. That's why I'm teaching English Composition I under the advisment of Dr. Brody. He was one of my favorite professors during my undergraduate days. That's where I met Alex. He was an assistant in one of the classes I was taking. We flirted, but never took it past that until the last day of class. He asked for my number and for a date. I couldn't imagine a better match for me. We were best friends and in love. It couldn't get any better. I do wish I could have a family, but I couldn't risk passing on this genetic flaw of mine. So, I told Alex straight out of the gate that I wasn't able to have children. That wasn't true as far as I knew, but it might as well be. We were going to get married this summer after classes were done. He would be done getting his PhD by then and I would be done with my comps and hopefully have my masters. He had a full schedule of undergraduate basic english classes that he taught on top of working to get his doctorate. I was so proud of him. He was handsome and had brains. I smiled thinking of him.
Students started to trickle into the room one by one. Then my nostrils flared as I smelled the familiar scent of werewolf. I could also feel a buzz in the air. I could feel it in my bones. I knew this feeling meant that whoever this werewolf was, they possessed some power in their genetics. I looked up from my lecture notes and let my senses search the lecture hall. It didn't take long to find a blonde haired girl staring straight at me. She maintainted eye contact for only a few seconds before averting her gaze. Typical. No werewolf could hold my gaze for long. I guess it has something to do with royal lycanthrope genes. She took her seat somewere in the center of the hall. I hoped that by not acknowledging her anymore that maybe she would just ignore me as well. At 9:00am on the dot I began my lecture.
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I ended the lecture about twenty minutes short of my scheduled class time. It was the first day afterall. I didn't want them to hate class after just the first day. I was gathering my things when I sensed the young werewolf approaching me. I hadn't called roll that day because my class list is rarely finalized until the second week of semester. So I wasn't able to find out her name. I glanced up while putting my laptop into my bag and gave her a small smile. "Hello Miss...?" I greeted with more of a quesiton than anything.
She didn't take the time to answer my question. "What are you?" she quickly spit out instead. She wasn't being rude, just more of a speed talker most likely due to a combination of youth and her nerves. I continued to smile when I replied, "I am your lecturer for this semester. My name is Cassie Miller. Who might you be?" I started going by Cassie after I graduated high school. I don't know why, it just kind of happened.
"Uh, my name is Vivian Drasus." She said almost like she wasn't sure. I sighed. I shouldn't be surprised that she was acting this way, although with her initial question I could tell she usually had some moxie. "Ah. Drasus...Roman for 'strong'" I said in a kind and friendly tone. I learned from the get go it was best to show I wasn't out to get anyone.
Vivian blinked a few times. She seemed to be surprised that I knew what her last name meant. "Yeah. How did you know that?" she asked with a curious smile. She was petite for a werewolf. She was petite for an alpha female for sure. I suspect she was young and probably had a brother that would be the true alpha of her pack, but that didn't deminish her strength though.
"You'd be surprised what random information I've stored from my literary studies over the last few years." I chuckled.
"Cool. Yeah. So, what are you? Are you an alpha too? I've never met a female alpha with your kind of power. Like, ever!" She exclaimed.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. When I opened them she was still standing there waiting for me to answer her. "I'm just me. Nothing special." I said nonchelantly.
"Bullshit!" She blurted out. I could tell she wasn't trying to aggitate me, but I was tired of this conversation and my irritation was getting to me. It was the first day for fucks sake. Why couldn't I have the first day? I'd gone this long without a werewolf in my class. Why now? My blood pressuer was increasing.
"Look. Just forget whatever you think you know about me and go. If you can't do that I'll be forced to removed you from my class." I said with my anger rising.
"Your eyes!" she said clearly shocked. I was losing my grip and this girl was about to ruin my day. I could control when I shifted but i struggled with my eyes when I got angry. They kind of had a mind of their own.
"GO! Now!" I yelled. My voice shook the podium I was standing near and Vivian bowed her head and showed me her neck in submission. Shit! I didn't mean for that to happen. Vivian turned on her heel and ran out of the lecture hall. I couldn't be certain but I thought I heard a sniffle and possibly saw tears running down her face. I felt bad. I really did. I just didn't understand why should couldn't take a hint.
I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. Taking my phone out, I pulled the camera up to check and make sure my eyes were back to normal before i grabbed my things and exited the lecture hall.
Damn. What a first day.
Ezra's POVI was out for a run along the south side of our pack border. It was a beautiful day for January. The sun was shining. The trees were still convinced it was winter, but it was weather I couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy. I like to run in wolf form when I can. It helps relieve some of my daily stress. As a wolf, I am quite large. Larger than my father, and certainly larger than any other wolf in my pack. My fur is jet black. Only alphas are capable of having jet black fur, but not all have it. My father's was not. His was dark dark brown, and almost black but not quite. I was secretly proud of my black fur but a good leader doesn't brag."Alpha, I'm going to put all the files on the newest warrior trainees on your desk." Jax, my lead warrior said via mindlink. We were starting warriors younger than any pack ever has. They still recieve proper education either by private school or some even choose to go to public school. That's completely up
Cass's POV I was done a little earlier than I anticipated and decided to just relax the rest of the evening. I loaded up in my good ole Jeep, and went by and got mine and Alex's favorite Chinese takeout. I then headed to my home. I live on the outskirts of the city. It was my attempt at being as secluded as possible in the event that I had a melt down or something. It also allowed me to shift whenever I wanted to. I had very few neighbors way out here. Alex lived closer to the university, but stayed over a couple nights a week. I stayed with him occasionally, but I always claimed that I slept better in my own bed. It probably sounded extremely upity, but Alex never complained. I think if I was happy, he was happy. We both knew eventually we would need to sort out where we would live after we got married. If I am being honest I don't know how I would live in the city and keep my sanity. There are always so many noises and smells. It wears me out.
Cass's POVWith unnatural speed I raced over and grabbed the phone from Alex. I made sure he hadn't pressed SEND yet before putting the phone down on the table. Seeing that he hadn't, I breathed a temporary sigh of relief."What are you doing babe? There's something not right about those men." There was worry laced in every word.I sighed and closed my eyes. I had been in denial. I really thought I could keep this day from ever coming. I thought if I laid low and minded my own business that the werewolves would stay away.Dragging Alex into this world was the last thing I ever wanted to do. Hell, this world was a mystery to even me. I wasn't a part of it. There was knowledge available in writings throughout history that anyone could dig up. The little details about lycans and werewovles is where my lack of knowledge were going to eventually put me and my loved ones in danger. Unfortunately it seemed that eventually had come.
Cass's POV"Show Me."I should have expected this, but I wasn't going to budge. He couldn't force me to shift even with all the power he was subtly sending at me in waves. I stood my ground, and held his gaze. Even with his exuding power, I felt no malice. I stayed calm and kept my heart rate steady. I saw no reason to fly off the handle.After only a few more seconds, Alpha Marcus smiled a big toothy grin and began to chuckle. "I'm sorry my dear, Cassandra. I had to try!"I couldn't help but smile back, and let out a small laugh myself. It suddenly occurred to me that I was choosing to let this man and his friends into my life. I was choosing to trust him. "Alpha Marcus, I would like to learn more about the Were community and hopefully in turn learn some more about myself -"Before I could finish my sentence, the all too familiar feeling of burning from the inside out hit me. Without meaning to I let out a hiss in pain
Cass's POVAfter Alex had gone home to finish paperwork and to prep for his Tuesday classes, I called my dad. I talked to him for an hour about what had transpired. Of course he was cautious and worried about the fact that other knew a little about what I was now, but I assured him that I felt nothing off about the situation. If anything it all felt right.Alpha Marcus contacted me the next morning and asked if I would be willing to meet him for dinner after I completed my lectures for the day. There were some things he wanted to discuss with me. For some reason I trusted this man. He reminded me of my father a little bit I suppose. It was also a bit refreshing to not feel like he was out to get anything from me. I stayed to myself so it's not like I'd ever really been used, but to say that I wasn't paranoid about what would happen once my secret was out would be a lie._______________________________________________Walking into th
*CASS'S POV* The two alphas looked at me as if I had lost my mind. I guess I had in a sense. I was losing my cool. I couldn't handle getting this information in public. I turned and walked briskly out of th restaurant. Great! Just great! Alpha Osirus probably thinks I am complete loose canon. Although, truth be told that's what I felt like. I was pissed. Pissed about everything. Why me? Why did I have to be, THIS? On top of that, I had caused a Historical Event. If I did ever try to join the Were community, what would they think of me? Would they blame me? I don't even know what happened totally, and I blame me. Would they hate me? Would they be scared of me? After jumping into my Jeep, I raced out of the city as fast as I could, traffic laws be damned. I was itching to run free. I felt like I couldn't get there fast enough. This was the information I had been after for so long, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. Don't ask me what I thought I was
EZRA'S POV It had been a couple days since I pulled up that social media profile. I knew I shouldn't have. There must be some mistake. I was with her that day. I could smell her and sensed nothing but the human she is. It's going to take a lot more than Vivian's dramatic ass to convince me that they don't have it all wrong. Still. Why can't I controll my anger? I rejected her. I feel nothing. It's just shock. It has to be. I'm the most powerful Alpha in this country. This should be easy for me. So why wasn't it? Why? Why now? Why is the moon godess doing this to me? Punishment I suppose for rejecting my mate. Anyone in my position would have done the same thing. ANYONE. So, I refuse to feel guilty. The vibration of the cell phone in my pocket pulled me from my whirlwind of irritating thoughts. The caller ID informed me that it was my father. Good. Maybe he's gone down there with my uncle and discovered that Viv's claims were wrong.
EZRA'S POV Stalker. That's what I was. A fucking stalker. Fuck me. I had to see her ahead of the meeting though. Away from prying eyes. I needed to be able to see if the mate bond still possessed a pull. I hoped to the godess that it didn't. I have too much shit going on right now to deal with this. I watched her get out of her older black jeep. The instant she got out though, she went rigid. She started looking around not so subtly. Holy shit, she could sense me. Dad wasn't kidding. She was fucking powerful. It's nothing to sense someone crossing your own territory border that isn't a member of your pack. It's nothing to sense another wolf in the same room. We were in neither of those situations. I was well over 250 yards away from her and she could sense me! Fucking hell. I ran my hands over my short hair for what was probably the millionth time since I got off th plane last night. Then the breeze shifted. The second my scent hit her nos
Cass's POVI've always been one of those people that either doesn't dream at all, or has crazy weird dreams. No in between. Sometimes the crazy dreams are just that. Crazy nonsense. Sometimes they are nightmares. Those usually involve me trying to get to Alex before that deafening crack hits my body like a bullet, but my feet are so heavy and I can only run in slow motion. Those are the worst. I've dreamt of Ezra many times. Rarely in a romantic setting though. He always appeared at random times doing random things. One time, I dreamt that my washing machine was overflowing with rainbow suds, and Ezra came to my house to see if I wanted to go meet his pet turtle. They say your dreams mean things about you. I'd love to know what the hell that one meant.After my exhaustion overtook me, I started to dream. It wasn't unusual. I was late for class, but was mad about something I couldn't figure out. So I went for a run. Somehow, I ran from UCLA campus to the clearing
Cass's POVSomething in me snapped. I don't know if it was the overwhelming moment of meeting Zeus or if it was the overload of more information that I needed to learn. Or maybe it was the mention of a war I didn't understand. Whatever it was, I let a little bit of my sanity slip and began to laugh.It wasn't a small giggle. It was a loud, obnoxious, from the diaphragm laugh. The look of confusion on Zeus's gorgeous face mad it worse. He clearly wasn't expecting this reaction. Maybe he expected determination, or fear, or maybe awe. That's not what he got. He got me. Me doing everything I could not to double over and laugh even harder than I already was.I steadied myself by leaning over on the pillar that Zeus had previously stepped out from behind. I put my right hand over my heart, and took a breath. "I'm sorry." I giggled out. "I really am." I laughed a few more times before I let the madness fade."Are you mad? How has anything we've
Cass's POV Steady breaths. Steady heartbeat. Steady breaths. Steady heartbeat. "Stranger Danger" is a concept we are all taught at a pretty young age. You don't talk to strangers. You don't take candy from strangers. If a stranger offers to let you see puppies in his van, you say "no"...or in my case a VIP tour in a temple. Shit. My parents would be shaking their heads at this. Good job, Cass. Good Job. I needed to act casual. This guy didn't smell like anything other than a normal person. I didn't smell anything wolf related on him. He didn't seem to radiate any sort of power. Ever since the activation of my Lycan genes I always have an acute sense of someone being dangerous. Amphitrion didn't ooze anything except normalcies. Unless you count those insane good looks. Which in this moment, I needed to NOT be focused on. Playing it casual was the only way to go. The only thing that had my senses on high alert was
Cass's POV The beauty of the stone palace in front of me was remarkable. I stretched my neck and leaned my head back to look up so that I could continue to take it all in. It was clear that this structure was old, ancient even. It was taken care of though. Pristine. There was something about this place that drew me in. Almost as though it had a power all on it's own. I was drawn it. I could feel it seeping into my very essence. Filling my soul. It felt right. As though it was mine all along. "It's beauty is capitivating is it not?" I drew my attention away from the alabaster wonder in front of me. I was greeted by the youngest appearing of the council members. He was tall, and extremely handsome. Although he was much older than he appeared, as humans go, he gave off the appearance of a man in his fifties. Bits of silver in his dark hair that probably only made him more handsome with age. His eyes were green and seemed extremely kind. He had on a wedding
Cass's POV I left the States without saying goodbye to Ezra. It was for the best. We said we needed to be said. The plane that the elders sent was a beautiful private jet. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they've accumulated funds over the hundreds of years they have been existence. Their official title was The Council of Elder Wolves. Not particularly creative, but I digress. The plane ride was going to be long, and I was the only one on the plane aside from the pilots and the small crew that only occasionally came to ask if I needed anything. The constant buzzing feeling from the plane's engines was very relaxing. The quiet was welcomed as well. I hadn't really been left alone very much since Alex's death. So the alone time was nice. As much as all the uncertainty that had been circling my life had caused me to worry, wonder and stress, I left feeling different. I felt, for the first time in my life, like I was going in the right direction. I w
Cass's POV Over the two weeks that passed, I trained hard. Harder than I've ever trained in my life. It felt amazing. It made me feel alive. My days consisted of the same routine. Wake up early, eat, train, get to know the warriors and the Alphas that came and went, train some more, eat some more, and at night I would shift and go for run with the moon. I had orignally planned to head to Rome to meet with the elders after two weeks but had decided to get one more week under my belt of training. It also gave me time to find out what the plans would be to keep working to raise our armies while I was away. It drove me insane to not know what we were raising an army for. The vampire attacks were not always obvious. Since the appearance of the King on US soil, there had been fewer and fewer bodies left for the world to see. The larger cities, however, had been reporting the homeless disappearing. Less and less were on the streets. Humans of course woul
Cass's POV It was when I felt the sparks from Ezra's hand gently making it's way down from my waist that I snapped out of the euphoric haze created by the mate bond. I placed both of my hands flat on his ridiculously chiseled chest and gave it a big shove. Ezra flew back almost ten feet. I instantly felt uneasy from the loss of touch from my mate. I hadn't intentionally sent him flying that far, but seeing him recover fine and never really lose his footing kept me from any feelings of remorse. The look of shock, confusion, and maybe hurt was evident on his face, but I didn't care. I was out of breath from the kiss, and if I was honest I felt a little empty. The realization of that sent me over the edge. "No! You don't get to just kiss me now that you know I'm not a human and suddenly regret rejecting our mate bond!" I was seething, and in response to the aggression rolling off of me in waves, Ezra's Alpha instincts had him instantly in a defensive posture with
Cass's POV I had only had a glimpse of everyone when this taller than average young teenager came a kidnapped me. Even being tall for her age, the girl was still shorter than me. I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay Blaire. You've successfully kidnapped me. We can slow down now." I took that moment to slow the both of us so that I could take a look around. To say that I was wowed would be a fierce understatement. The great room that I was in was incredible. It resembled the grand lobby of a lodge, although at the moment it was empty. Everything was rustic and wood. There were multiple fire places, and groups of couches and rocking chairs placed around them. They were clearly there for pack members to gather together. Looking up I could see that the different upper floors could overlook the railing and see all the way to the ground floor. The entire room smell of cedar and magic. It looked like the most cozy place I had ever seen. I just wanted to grab a book and
Ezra's POV Today was the day that so many warriors were scheduled to arrive. Our kind was coming together to prepare for potential war. While no direct threats had been made to our packs in particular by the vampires, there were lots of random rogue attacks. They were always very well planned and calculated. Someone was doing research. These rogues weren't normal either. They had strength that they shouldn't have. Their eyes were a shade of red that wasn't natural to our kind. We had yet to capture one alive. While, my territory had yet to be tested, I knew it was coming. It was hard to focus on vampires when all these rogue attacks were happening. However, the elder council made it pretty clear that if King Valerius was back, a war was coming. None of us knew when though. That's why the meeting with the elder council was happeing soon. We needed information. I assume his presence in the United States is because of Cass. Her ancestors were in Europe the last ti