Chapter 34: Thirty Four

Cassidy didn't argue when James wanted to get her back to the pack house. She has had enough of rogues to last her three lifetimes recently and as much as she wanted to get revenge for what they had done to her pack in the past, Cassidy did not want to fight with James anymore tonight. She followed him, both jogging back to the town where they were greeted by Jett and Alaric who were waiting for them.

“Hunter and Jaxson are already on their way there. Jett and I can travel the border to the east and see if we pick up anything.” Alaric offered up to James.

James was a little more than stressed out over the rogues. It had only been a week since they attempted to rescue their imprisoned members and already they were attempting to come back onto his lands. He knew war was brewing and he had been preparing those in the higher ranks of the pack for the possibility of it. They had no true knowledge of how many strong the rogues were. Every report they received came back with different answers. James looked over to his Beta and then to Jett. “I will be going with you. I'm just going to make sure Cassidy gets back to the pack house before we leave.” He said as he walked past the two betas with Cass by his side.

“I know my way back to the pack house James.” Cassi said and stopped walking to level her gaze up at James who stopped and stared down at her as well. The two looked at each other for a few moments, seeming like they were going to argue or fight and both of the beta’s were ready to step in and pull them apart. But Cassidy gave in first and gently put her hand to the middle of Jame’s chest. “I will be fine. You go and do your alpha thing.” She said in a soft tone that had Jame relaxing with a low growl.

“Fine. But my youngest brother will meet you at the street. Dont forget to eat dinner.” He said as he put his hand over hers on his chest for a brief second before stepping away, leaving her to go her own way while he headed back towards Jett and Alaric. Jett looked surprised and concerned where Alaric had a wide grin on his face. “What?!” he snapped at the two of them as the three stepped around to the forest to strip out of their clothes to shift.

“Oh nothing Alpha. Just never thought I would see the day where a she-wolf would convince you to do something other than what you wanted to do.” Alaric said with a low laugh that earned him a glare from James right before they shifted and took off to the east.

—

Cassidy had watched the three men disappear and she sighed, turning and heading down the road to the pack house. It took her several minutes to get to the driveway that led to the large log beam home, and waiting patiently at the junction was the third triplet she had met earlier in the day. “Hello Max.” She said with a smile and max returned it.

“Hello again Miss Roan. My brother has asked I help take you inside and make sure you eat and are not bothered.” Max said with a little grin as he stepped up beside of her. He was just as tall and intimidating to look at as his older brother was, but Max was as gentle and as kind as a lamb with a soft spoken way about him that put anyone at ease. He was blind since he was born, only able to see shadows when in the daylight. He was sure footed as if he knew every inch that they stepped towards the pack house.

“Thank you Max. James will be happy to hear you guarded me.” She said with amusement as they walked up the path to the front porch.

Max chuckled lowly and shook his head. “James is rarely happy with me but you are very important to him so I will help keep you safe.” He said and opened the door to the home for her, following Cassidy inside. “The cooks made lasagna for dinner and there is some left over for you.” He told her before leading her right to the kitchen and holding a chair out for her to sit down. When Cassidy went to refuse, Max frowned. “Please sit Cassidy. Let me get your dinner for you.” He commanded in a soft voice and she just couldn't force herself to refuse when he asked so nicely.

“Alright… But just this once max. I'm not a weak lowly omega who cannot reheat her own meal.” Cassidy said as she took a seat on the stool at the counter, resting her elbows on the smooth surface while watching max get the covered plates from the fridge at his own pace.

“I understand you are not Miss Roan and I am sure you can do things for yourself. This is my Alphas command. Besides… You are his woman. That makes you as good as my sister as far as I am concerned.” He said as he put the lasagna into the microwave to reheat it. He brought over a large piece of chocolate cake that had been saved for her and set it before Cassidy, grinning brightly. “And I have always wanted a little sister. So like it or not, you are part of my family.” He said before busying himself with other things in the kitchen while the pasta heated up.

Cassidy blushed brightly when Max all but claimed her as being part of his family, his sister and she being James’ woman. She wasn't sure she wanted to be any of that and she didn't want people to think she was. “Max… I'm flattered you want to consider me all of that, but to be fair, James and I have a lot of damage to work out between the two of us and a lot of baggage to go through. If you want to consider me your sister, I'm game. But don't get your hopes up for anything more please.”

Max laughed and took the lasagna out of the microwave oven and brought it over to Cass with a tall glass of water. “Calling what you and James have going on baggage is an understatement. Ive never seen anyone get him so worked up before. Not even mother can get him so bent out of shape. He was angry one minute and then sulking and drowning in his own guilt the next. Its good for him to feel something Cassidy. I don't think he had any emotions until you showed up.” He told her while leaning against the counter. “Ive got some coursework to catch up on. Eat as much as you can, okay?” he said before he moved off the counter. “Just… don't leave the house tonight. I want to live… and it really is not safe.”

“Dont worry. I promise I wont go wandering the woods or even the town at night.” She said, sitting up a little when Max came around and just wrapped Cassidy up into a tight hug.

“Good. Because I would hate to have to lose my little sister. Good night for when you sleep Miss Roan.” He said before giving her a brotherly kiss to the top of her hair and then letting go.

Cassidy laughed softly and shook her head. “If I'm going to be your little sister, you need to call me Cassi and not Miss Roan.” She scolded him and smiled when Max gave her a bow before he left through the kitchen doors. She sat there in the silence after he left, fork in hand, staring at the block of pasta and sauce in front of her. She wasn't sure what to think about what Max had said about James and her. She didn't think she had that much power over the alpha. He had enough control it seemed while he had been near her any other time. He seemed to know exactly what he had been doing every time he was with her.

It didn't take long for Cassidy to finish the plate of the home made lasagna and even the slice of chocolate cake. Her belly ached with the amount of food she had eaten and once she had cleaned her dishes and put them away, she headed up to the third floor. The house was very quiet. All of the higher ranked wolves were out on patrol and any of the wolves who worked there were already asleep in their own quarters for the early start in the morning. Even at night, the large pine beamed home was welcoming as she headed up the stairs and then to her room.

Cassidy changed into her night clothes, a simple pair of Grey shorts and matching teeshirt before she crawled up in the big bed and pulled her legs up to herself. She looked out the large windows of the room and suddenly felt alone for the first time in a long time. Her life had always been being near close-nit people like her grandfather or Jett. Not including the days she had gone into that false heat, Cassi had never truly slept alone since she was a child. With the threat of rogues looming out in the forest, she wasn't sure she was going to be able to sleep at all but soon, the food she had eaten had began to work its magic and she snuggled down in the bed into a sleep that was anything but dreamless or peaceful.