Chapter 82 - Clarifications and Decisions

Chapter 82 - Clarifications and Decisions
Cassie took refuge in the bedroom she shared with Hendrick, letting her body fall onto the large bed. She buried her face in her hands, trying to contain the whirlwind that invaded her.

Thinking about Kallias was like lighting a bonfire. She only needed to close her eyes to feel the taste of his kiss, the warm texture of his skin, the controlled weight of his hands.

The last kiss was different from the first time. There was no more desperation — there was devotion. His kiss was charged with reverence, desire, and tenderness.

She could still hear his low voice repeating that he loved her. She never imagined that from the white wolf. Kallias had always seemed a contained, reserved, almost inaccessible man.

And yet, he was always there — present without demanding, helping in silence. He was the one who lent her his shirt on the way back from the waterfall, who dove into the water when she asked, who set up the stage, installed the heater, who watched her with a gaze that said everything his body kept silent.

Cassie knew the attraction was mutual. She could feel the air change when he approached. But behind that hot truth, there was another one — the name that weighed between the two of them.

Hendrick.

She had promised to take care of him, to protect the heart the alpha had given her. Hendrick was the man who made her feel safe, who gave her space to be vulnerable, who loved her with firmness and sweetness. Seeing him insecure tore her apart. He still carried the burden of the lineage, the pressure for an heir, and the presence of another alpha near his companion kept him on alert.

Cassie tried to resist. Truly. But the desire for Kallias was a primitive force, something that pushed her even when she tried to keep her distance. It was inevitable, painful. They were like magnets searching for each other in their eyes, the desire contained, and the distance weighed too much.

Perhaps because she was aware of Kallias’s presence in daily activities, like meals at Hendrick’s house, or the patrol that made them bump into each other on the trails.

That kiss — intense and inevitable — only confirmed what she already knew; it was evidence of a need. There was no more escaping possible. And Kallias, with all his courage, had fully exposed himself. Cassie couldn’t continue to be the only one hiding, the only scared one.

Cassie was curious about what feelings Lamart could awaken in her. Maybe they could build a firm love. She thought about what it would be like if she allowed that to flourish.

She got up from the bed, taking a deep breath. Her mind was clearer and more organized. Her body still pulsed with memories, but her mind was clearer. She had welcomed the touch of each of her wolves, and each encounter had revealed something about herself.

It was strange to think — almost absurd — that she had kissed Matt and Uriel, who were father and son, the Whites or the Kents, who were brothers. Cassie had had good moments with Amos and Bart and now was experiencing that conflict over their father.

If someone had told her months ago that she would live among eleven men, be their lover and loved in return, Cassie would have laughed. But now... living without them seemed impossible.

The feeling gradually climbed her chest, taking hold of her and transforming her. The lightness she felt was new. For the first time in a long time, she could be fragile, laugh loudly, ask for help. She was loved, revered, cared for.

These men valued her as if she were the only woman in the universe for them. And Cassie still didn’t understand; she was just human, and there were so many other women out there, so much more beautiful, smarter, more talented, more sensual, or crazier to accept everything with enthusiasm.

But she was the one the shifters wanted. Cassie was their savior.

And, just as she had been welcomed, she chose to welcome them. She surrendered to what she felt — with devotion, without guilt. She decided to do whatever she wanted, she kissed and touched whoever she wished.

She would never have done that months ago. The Cassie from Arizona was not prudish, but she was more closed off, trying to maintain some control after past heartbreaks.

She remembered how much she loved herself, her body, and its power over men. The audience at the Burlesque Club made her feel this way, all the screams and applause. Now she had her more than faithful fans — men who loved her from the depths of their souls.

Cassie took a deep breath and decided she wouldn’t stay on the fence. She was going to heed Hendrick’s words when he arrived. She was free and could have whoever she wanted: if one, two, none... or all of them.

The shifters, with their keen sense of smell and hearing, were so aware of her presence that they could feel the battle inside her.

Downstairs, Kallias finished washing the lunch dishes and was about to leave the house when Cassie appeared in the hallway.

“I... I owe you an answer.” She called his attention, still somewhat disconcerted. “Are you leaving already?”

The blonde turned slowly towards the singer’s melodious voice. “I thought you needed more time.”

Cassie took a breath and approached him, looking into his blue eyes.

“I’ve had enough time,” she whispered, holding his hands. “I’ve been running from this since before the Christmas party.”

She closed her eyes, searching for the best words, but her mind seemed blank, so she just spoke without thinking.

“I liked the first kiss and I liked this one, and every time I see you, I want to repeat it, I want more.” Her chest filled with air. “It’s so intense it scares me, because I only felt this with Hendrick, and I truly love him; it was unexpected, and it’s as certain as the blue sky. It’s light, warm, and perfect. You and I have a hot, electric energy, hard to explain.”

Kallias listened to her without blinking, with that calm, blue gaze that seemed to see inside her.

“I provoked you that day, and it wasn’t nice of me; I didn’t know about the whole situation. But what you cause in me... I can’t ignore it. The Lady knows I’ve been trying, but I can’t. I want to hear your voice and feel your touch, have your scent near me, I miss you, and it seems I only understood that when I lost it.”

Cassie could compare that pain to the distance from Mason, but this one made her even more restless. She thought about it all the time. Something primitive inside her told her that this was her man, and she wouldn’t accept losing him.

“I won’t let it pass, I can’t. I don’t want to ignore or be ignored. I want your kisses, your hands on me, your company on the trails, to wear your shirt and talk about your construction projects, I want to hear your voice and be near. So... don’t push me away.”

She exhaled the trapped air that showed how much this weighed on her shoulders. Cassie saw a smile bloom on his lips — a small smile, but full of relief. Kallias ran his hands up her waist, lifted her chin, and looked at her with adoration.

“I wouldn’t dare. You will have everything you want from me. My wolf and I feel that we are yours. I’ve never had a mate, a destined companion, but I believe it must be like this, because this is unique, Cassie. And it’s keeping me awake; I’m one step away from losing my mind. Once I’ve tasted you... I’m condemned.”

Cassie blinked, trying to stop the tears from rolling down her misty eyes. She nodded and rested her head on his heart, listening to that constant rhythm dedicated to her.

“I want it, I truly do. But we will take it slow. Hendrick is your alpha, and my mat. I love and respect him. I don’t want to hurt him, nor create a war between you.”

Her voice came out a little muffled, but Kallias heard perfectly and took some time reflecting before answering.

“It’s all right. I’ve known Hendrick for many years; I would never betray him. I want you, but I must be sensible in considering that I cannot cause a fight within the pack.”

Cassie smiled, with serene relief. “Thank you for understanding me.”

The blonde moved just enough to kiss her forehead. “I love you,” he said simply.

And, in that instant, Cassie realized: loving one did not exclude loving the other. Her heart was too vast to fit within boundaries.