Chapter 71

James went pale when his brother suggested his mother had found the hospital bag he had completely forgotten about when he confronted Alaric and Jett and then turned around and grabbed Cassidy to take her upstairs. He looked like he had just committed a crime and Cassidy couldn't help but start giggling and then outright laughing when he turned an exasperated look towards her. “Oh don't you look at me like that James Black. She is your mother. She was very clear she wanted grandchildren and you have made her dreams come true.” She teased him.

James set his laptop to the side of the bed on the nightstand and then lunged towards Cassidy who let out a squeak of a sound before she was laughing again. The humor she found in this was contagious and soon James found himself chuckling right along with her,wrapping his arms around her small frame and taking her from the bed.

“James! Put me down! I can walk just fine!” she demanded, her feet kicking in the air as James carried her to the bathroom.

“Nope.” He said with a grin. “I am entitle to carry my mate wherever I want. And right now, it is to the shower.”

Cassidy smiled and stopped kicking, relaxing into his his hold and simply laying her head on his shoulder. “I suppose. I will allow it this time.”

James set Cassidy down right outside of the walk in shower and went in to get the water turned on and to a temperature they both could agree on. He went to invite her in, but seen her staring warily at the tub, the last place she had been in the house before she was taken. It had been spotlessly cleaned but he could imagine the memories of what happened would not be wiped away so easily. “Cassidy?” he called to her in a gentle tone, reaching out and brushing his fingers along her arm to get her attention when his voice alone wasn't enough. She turned to face him with haunted looking eyes that nearly broke his heart. “Cassidy, we can talk about it if you would like?”

Cassidy shook her head when he offered to talk about what happened. “No… I would rather not. I just want to spend time with you. As much as I can.” She took his hand with both of her own and came into the shower with him. “Lets just spend this time together before we have to go and meet your mother.” She said and smiled when he groaned at the thought and mention of it. “She means well James. You know she does. She is your mother and she loves you greatly.” She said to him in a soft voice before she stepped into the spray of water. She and James showered in relative silence after that. They took turns washing each other in a slow exploration of their bodies while sharing tender kisses. There was no rush or urgency between the two of them as there had been the night before. Both of their wolves appetites were well sated and both the alpha and Luna were content to just casually make out.

It was a new experience for Cassidy. She and James had often came together in a clash of their wolves wanting to dominant and control. Their sex was often a reflection of that. Yet this was something much, much gentler. James had told her before that he loved her and every kiss or touch was just reaffirming that in her mind and soul. When they were finally cleaned, she lay her head against his chest and simply hugged James who gladly wrapped his arms back around her to hold her tightly. “Tomorrow is the full moon.” James said hesitantly, lifting his head to look down at Cassidy with an almost guarded expression. “It will be the time to preform the initiation to BlackStone if you have no plans of running.” He in a hushed voice.

Cassidy looked up and felt her heart ache seeing that guarded expression on his face and the hint of worry in his eyes. Did he still believe she was going to run? “James…” she said his name in a gentle way, reaching up and cupping his face. “I will not run. I look forward to tomorrow night.” The reassurance had James smiling all over again. “Now stop stalling Alpha Black.” She teased and stepped away from him. “I need to go get some clothes on and so do you before your father loses control of your mother and she comes barging in as well.”

James let Cassidy go from his arms and sighed. “You will be moving your things into my room tomorrow.” He said while following her out of the shower and taking the towel she handed to him.

“Oh will I?” Cassidy asked with a grin while she was wrapping the thick towel around her body. “Maybe. Maybe I like my own space?” she said and laughed when he had a displeased expression. “Get dressed James. Ill meet you in the hall.”

Both James and Cassidy got dressed, Cassidy taking a little longer than James. He was already out in the hallway waiting for her in jean and a teeshirt, leaning against his door and smiling brightly when Cassidy finally joined him. “Ready?” he asked and held his hand out for her. He wasn't sure who he as asking if they were ready or not more, himself or his mate. Even being the alpha of the strongest pack he was still terrified of his mother.

Cassidy grinned up at James and took his hand. “Of course I am. I am looking forward to her bossing you around. It is rather adorable.”

James groaned and rolled his eyes, but went with her down the stairs. Hunter was seated in a chair with a drink in his hand, his feet propped up on the coffee table as if he was expecting some kind of show. Julian was at the large fire place, holding a drink as well with one hand while resting his forearm against the mantle, looking a little stressed. Max was off in his own little corner he liked to sit in, listening to a book on his tablet. Then there was Macy. She could be heard in the kitchen with a raised voice, yelling something about how they were going to need more meat in the house for the Luna.

Cassidy was quickly coming to adore Macy and when the woman came back in the living area and the elder wolf spotted she and James, Cassidy gave a little squeeze to James’ arm while the woman came rushing over to them.

“I KNEW IT!” Macy yelled out in excitement and rushed over the second the pain got to the landing. She went to James first and grabbed her son by his ears, pulling him in to plant two kisses, one on each of his cheeks before hugging him tightly. “Oh my baby! I knew one day I was going to get some grandchildren. I just knew the second I seen her she was going to be the one!” she said with a bright and happy smile on her face before she let go of James and nearly tackled Cassidy in her excitement to hug her sons mate.

“Mother, You will smother the baby if you hug her so tightly.” James said in an amused tone, gently peeling Macy off of Cassidy.

“No worse than what you do to me James.” Cassidy teased James, making her mate blush. She laughed and hugged Macy back before James pulled her away. “I am perfectly well, safe and protected Macy. Your son takes exceptional care of me.” She said in a warm tone before Macy then turned on James.

“You better step up a little higher young man. She is our Luna. Mother of my first grandchild. You let her be taken because-”

“Macy.” Cassidy’s tone was sharp compared to her quiet manner as she stepped away from mother and son to take a seat on the love seat across from Hunter. Everyone in the room went still at the tone in Cassidy’s voice, all eyes on her. “You will leave James alone about what happened. It was no ones fault. The man who took me walked right by you that day and you didn't even know it. Your son is very capable and I am growing tired of you treating him like a freshly shifted pup.” Her words and voice were soft yet powerful, the alpha in her asserting itself over the annoyance of Macy harping on James.

Everyone in the room looked from Cassidy, holding their breath as they looked to Macy. The elder wolf looked shocked at first, Macy feeling the dominance from Cassidy and not her son as if Cassidy was an alpha too. She grit her teeth together before she lowered her head in submission to Cassidy. “Yes Luna.” She whispered and was let go of by James.

“Yes… before you ask. Cassidy is an alpha female as rare as they are. She and I are a perfect bond.” He said as he went over to sit with his own mate.

Macy looked embarrassed and ashamed for being scolded like she had been from Cassidy and she clasped her hands in front of her. “I… I will go get you two something to eat.” She offered.

“Mom what about me?!” Hunter whined a little and it earned him a sharp look that softened seconds later before Macy went to the kitchen.

“Son…” Julian said lowly, taking a drink of the amber colored liquid in his glass. “We need to talk when you get a chance. Intelligence is coming in and we have problems that will turn into trouble if they are not handled.”

James, Hunter, Cassidy and Max all looked at the past alpha with concern. Julian may have retired from being alpha, but he was still active with the pack. His life was protecting his people and helping them grow. That did not stop just because he submitted to his son. “What kind of trouble?” Cassidy asked in worry.

Julian looked over to the Luna and offered her a smile. “It is nothing too serious Cassidy, but we must keep an eye on it. James and I can talk later about it.”

Hunter rolled his eyes at his father trying to keep things between just him and James like before Cassidy came along. He knew better. “Nash wants to challenge James for Alpha.” He blurted out.

“What?! No? He is a prisoner. He cant…-” Cassidy started and was cut off by James’ growl and Julian's quiet words that came next.

“It is law.” Julian said without taking his eyes off the drink.

“I accept.” James snapped in a cold tone.