Chapter 47

“Cassidy…”

Cassidy’s head was swimming. Her core was well sated, filled and still gripping the strong Alpha that had invaded her. Fur had sprouted along the points of her body, silver white and soft as silk. She was growling in a soft, humming way, the sound muffled from the flesh of James’ neck in her mouth.

“Cassidy… Focus.”

The wolf was trying to break through. She was dominating Cassidy’s mind and was trying to force a shift that the human side of the body wasn't prepared for yet. A firm, but gentle hand gently stroked against her head and neck as the sweet tangy taste of the alphas blood ran over her tongue.

James had not seen this coming. Yet when it came to Cassidy he didn't see most things coming with her. He had marked her before he should have. He should have given her more time to come into her wolf, to bond with the beast before the bond and instinct were too much for her to handle. The wolf had tried to break free from her and her teeth were sank deep into his neck, ripping and tugging his skin. He knew not to move and he hadn't since her bite, reluctantly submitting under Cassidy’s teeth. He could tell she was fighting herself. He had done so himself many many times when he was fresh to his own wolf and they were bonding together. “Cassidy…” he whispered her name again and got a soft whimper of a noise.

“Thats it Cassidy. Come back to me.” He said and watched the fine pale fur at the curve of her shoulder begin to fade. He felt her teeth shrinking and he felt the moment she regained full control over her body and mind again. Her entire form shuddering from the release of aggression and adrenaline that had been running through her veins. “Slow deep breaths Cass.” He coaxed her.

Before, when Cassidy had shifted into her wolf, there was absolutely no control and no say of what happened and when. She was completely and totally locked behind the wolf. This time, she was right there, feeling everything and aware of everything running through her wolfs mind and her own. It had been pure instinct to bite him. The wolf had rose up from the depths so swiftly with such a strong need to mark the alpha male as her own there was nothing that could have prevented it. Just as he had done to her. She went for the first place she could reach and had been blinded, momentarily stunned as the bonding process between them fully began. It was James’ gentle voice that brought Cassidy back and helped the wolf to calm down enough to release her mate. “James… I…” she had started to speak but shook her head, unable to find the words to explain herself.

James chuckled lowly and kissed the side of Cassidy’s head, gently guiding her to rest her cheek against his shoulder. “Dont say anything. Its alright…” he said quietly, stifling a moan as he pulled himself free of Cassidy. “You just relax. I know the wolf is difficult and draining but you will get used to it. I will teach you how to control it.” He said as he wrapped strong arms around Cassidy and lifted her from the wall to take her into the steaming fall of water where he carefully lowered her until she was on her feet and steady. Cassidy looked confused still, lost like she was still wavering between the human and spirit sides of her soul. Taking her face in his hands, he tilted her head back slowly and placed a gentle kiss to each corner of her mouth where his own blood lingered. “Stay with me Cassidy.”

Cassidy blinked when James asked her to stay with him, gazing up at his face that was so close, searching his eyes for a few seconds before she smiled softly. “I am with you James. Just a little dazed.” She said to him, trying to reassure him she was alright when nothing truly felt alright within her body and mind right now after she almost shifted again.

Taking one of his hands in hers, she lightly nuzzled his palm in affection briefly before she stepped back under the spray of water. “I think it is a good idea to learn how to control this sooner rather than later. I wouldn't want to lose control like I did before. I don't want to end up in a cage again.” She tried to tease but her own voice wavered with the fear of being behind lock and key again.

“I will never do that to you again Cassidy. I swear it. That is going to be a regret I will live with for the rest of my life.” He said quietly, reaching up and taking her hair out of the hair tie on top of her head, letting her hair fall.

They showered together in relative silence. Taking the time to explore each others bodies, soaping and rinsing each other clean. They shared slow, passionate kisses between each other while enjoying the hot water before James turned it off. “Are you hungry?” he asked, taking Cassidy’s hand to lead her out of the shower.

Cassidy laughed and shook her head when he asked if she was hungry. “I'm afraid to answer that.” She said with a grin that had confused Jame for just a second before he laughed along with her. “For food yes. Everything else that might be going through your mind I can assure you I am well fed.” She teased him while they both dried off and then James draped a robe from a cupboard around her shoulders and wrapped a towel around his own waist.

“Well, I'm going to have to agree with you on that.” He said with a smirk before he wrapped his arms back around Cassidy and gave her a quick kiss. “You need to rest. Theres a few hours after a struggle with a wolf like that where you are going to be a bit foggy. Come on. Chill out in my room with me for the evening. Ill go down and get us food and then we can watch TV or whatever you would like to do.” He said before he started to lead her to his bed but Cassidy stopped, looking over at the door.

She couldn't but to start to blush as James led her towards his bed. It may had been childish of her, but she wasn't ready to get into the Alphas bed. She wasn't ready to take that leap even if she did mark him. At that thought, she glanced over to James’ neck where there was a ragged red bite that was slowly starting to heal and scar over already. “I… would feel more comfortable if I could go to my own room James.”

He looked a little disappointed, but he wasn't going to deny her the safety of her own space. “Of course. Come on. Ill help you get settled and then get us some food.” He said and turned, going to the door with her instead to take her to her own room. His own wolf was grumbling in disappointment. He was marked and bonding. He needed to spend time with her. As much time as he could now and that was only possible if she was in his own room.

As soon as Cassidy stepped into her room, she turned and blocked the door to keep him from entering. “Go get the food. I'm going to get dressed. You should too…” she said looking down his body to where the towel was wrapped around his hips. It was a mistake. All she could think of was what was under it and her mouth watered. She looked back up at him and pressed her lips together to keep herself from making any involuntary growls she suddenly felt like making.

James watched Cassidy as she eyed him, the towel and the looked like she was going to take him right in the hallway. He couldn't help but grin widely. “Thats our bond. Its instinct. Ill go and get food. And clothes. Ill be back.” He said, not afraid to let his voice reflect his wolf and the husky tone it took on. It took all of James’ willpower to turn away, but he managed, the door shutting behind him.

Excitement flowed through the alpha and he quickly went to change into clothes and then rushed downstairs where he was greeted with grim faces of his guards and brothers who were discussing things among themselves. “What is going on?” James asked as he came to the bottom of the stairs. The next words stamping out any form of happiness he had been feeling.

“The Bakers twins were found hung by Tall Trees territory line. Skinned. A note was found saying Blacks time is coming to an end.” Jaxson said in a low, flat tone, handing over his cell phone so James could go through the pictures of the scene and note.