Chapter 93 - An Honest Conversation

Chapter 93 - An Honest Conversation
Cassie returned home in time to find Yohan and Uriel in the kitchen. They were chopping herbs for dinner, which made her eyebrow arch in curiosity.

"Hey, baby, what are you doing here?" she asked, walking in through the back door. She left a kiss on the corner of Yohan’s mouth and leaned against the cabinets next to Uriel.

The blacksmith only glanced at her briefly, earning a smile, before returning to his work. However, Cassie knew that was simply his stiff way of greeting her, lacking the easy intimacy the others shared.

"I asked Uriel to teach me something other than porridge and soup, so I came to help with dinner. Bart said he couldn't make it today."

Cassie nodded, her mind a bit distant. She had left Bart at the temple after their talk, and he told her he would handle some business before meeting her at the alpha’s house.

"Right, what’s on the menu today?" She turned to Uriel, who seemed deeply concentrated on his task.

"Pork," he replied. He pointed to a baking sheet full of vegetables. "Potatoes and carrots. And mulled wine."

"That sounds great. I'll prepare some rice and farofa, then."

Before the Rhode could protest, the brunette had already tied an apron around her waist and washed her hands. They were used to working together; it was an organized orchestra, even if Yohan got lost sometimes.

Using the broth from the roast and the vegetables, she prepared the farofa and moist rice. She even taught Kent how to make a sauce for the meat.

Uriel was the practical type; his dishes weren't usually heavy on spices, sides, or sauces, but that had been changing since Cassie arrived. Simple cooking had given way to a feminine, human touch.

Meat that used to be served almost raw was now medium-rare or medium; herbs perfumed the kitchen, and the table filled with side dishes. No more meat, meat, and more meat. She didn't understand how they didn't get sick of it, especially game meat. After Cassie, the White twins' trips to the city had increased significantly to buy ingredients.

"Okay, can you put the platters on the table? I’ve already set the places. I need a shower before dinner," she requested with a smile.

Every day, at lunch and dinner, the brunette made a point of setting the table as if it were a special occasion. Beautiful plates, shining cutlery, and all the proper linens for a meal.

Yohan nodded and began carrying things to the other room. However, Cassie didn't leave immediately. Finding herself alone with Uriel, she took the chance to greet him properly.

She stole a kiss from his lips and leaned in to speak close to his ear.

"I don't like it when you ignore me."

The Rhode gritted his teeth and turned to her with agility, pinning her small waist in his large hands, which made her smile instantly.

"Sassy girl," he grumbled.

She looped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes, playful.

"Admit it, you like it." She kissed his cheek, letting her face brush against his full beard.

The low growl coming straight from his chest made her grin. Cassie was learning how each of her men ticked.

Uriel kissed her forcefully, claiming her in a unique way. They didn't exchange many kisses, but it was always incredible when they did.

Cassie was left breathless, eyelids fluttering and lips swollen and red, the perfect image. The older wolf smirked, satisfied, and stepped back, giving her a light swat on the butt.

"Go take your shower; we’re eating soon."

She smiled and went to the bedroom to get ready. Perhaps it was the mark, but Cassie was more sensitive to Hendrick's presence; she could swear she felt the exact moment he crossed the threshold of the front door.

The brunette stepped out of the bath wrapped in her plush robe, drying her hair, and found him sitting on the bed, watching her.

"Welcome back, love." She kissed his lips and took a seat on his lap with easy intimacy. "Why didn't you come in?"

The alpha loved it when she called him that. It didn't happen often, but it slipped out with affection and was deeply appreciated.

"I didn't want to interrupt, little one." He kissed her forehead, inhaling her sweet scent.

"You never interrupt." She winked playfully and got up to choose what to wear.

She opted for simple jeans and a warm shirt. The days were constantly rainy now, and the wind was cold.

"It’s been a while since it snowed," she noted, peeking at the rain through the window.

Hendrick watched her, admiring his woman in an everyday scene like someone enjoying a masterpiece. He nodded, even though she wasn't looking.

"It doesn't usually snow much around here; we're close to the coast. But we get a lot of rain. Maybe it will snow before the end of winter."

Cassie finished brushing her hair and turned on the heater, returning to the alpha now fully dressed. She was comfortable moving back and forth, opening drawers and touching things; she was home.

The alpha could perceive how well she had adapted.

"I went to Matt’s office this afternoon."

"I heard." He smirked, making her blush.

"Anyway, he told me about the heat."

She felt the man’s muscles tense under her hands, his jaw tightening.

"What?"

Cassie frowned and arched an eyebrow, staring at him. "I'm sure you know what it’s about. Tell me you thought about telling me."

St. John swallowed hard and looked away, sighing. He stood up, needing space to breathe.

"I thought about it, but... I don't think it will happen."

"But it could happen."

Cassie narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. They had open communication; she didn't want to start having problems with secrets.

"Hendrick," she called as she rarely did, drawing the alpha's attention to her serious face. "Be honest with me."

She could see his Adam's apple move as he swallowed. Her man was as handsome as a movie star, a leading man, and he was all hers. But that look didn't suit him.

"I'm worried about you. About what this means for you, if I might hurt you, if I might cause trouble with any of my pack brothers. You are human, Cassie. You are my woman, but you are human and fragile."

The brunette made a face immediately; she didn't like the idea of being fragile. She had always seen herself as strong, resilient, and capable. However, she understood what he meant and was forced to agree.

"You’re worried about yourself then," she concluded. "I'll go into a nesting phase and choose someone to stay with me, and you're afraid of how your wolf will behave, right? We’re mates; it’s obvious I’ll choose you, but... I’m scared too."

Cassie approached Hendrick, stroking the strong arms hidden under his shirt; she loved how his muscles relaxed at her touch. He had a different kind of vulnerability in his gray irises.

"You’ve always been delicate, careful with me, even when we’re hungry for each other. And that’s why you were so shocked by those... marks on my body."

She remembered clearly the surprise and anger on the alpha’s face seeing the redness, the finger marks, the nail scratches from her night with Mason. Hendrick had seemed horrified that she could be hurt.

"You are romantic, you’re a prince with me, and I love you for that because I’ve never had a man treat me that way. But I’m not made of paper either, and I like... something stronger. Of course, I’m afraid of how much stronger you might be in heat, but... I’m willing to face it if you are."

She touched the face of the man she had learned to love, the man who welcomed her so intimately, who touched her soul. She truly loved the alpha, and that always frightened her.

Hendrick broke into a smile upon hearing her declaration, the sweetness in his gray eyes beautiful, happiness flooding his features. Cassie sighed and smiled back.

St. John leaned in and kissed her, something soft and full of affection.

"I love you too, so much. I've seen too much violence in my life; I don't know if I can be... stronger with you. You are my princess, the woman I love. It hurts me to imagine hurting you in any way." He slid his fingers along her delicate face, contemplating her beauty.

Cassie closed her eyes and leaned into the touch.

"I'm not asking you to change, but I don't want you to condemn yourself if you are firmer with me. I know how much you control yourself. You talk about Kallias, but you keep your wolf disciplined too; you've been nothing but docile with me, and that requires a lot of self-mastery. So if that control slips a little... it’s okay. I won’t be offended;
I won’t love you less. I’ll know how to ask you to stop if I don’t like it, and I’m sure ten other guys are capable of pulling you off me if everything gets out of hand."

Hendrick made a face at the mental image, and the brunette laughed.

"Uh, the Kent twins would give me a beating; they are great warriors. And Kallias... he would be capable of killing me," he joked.

She already felt lighter now that they were talking about it. The alpha took a deep breath and became slightly serious.

"He is another thing that worries me. Kallias has never gone through a heat without his mate; he marked the boys' mother before the first mating season after he joined the pack. And now, he’s alone and has you... who was marked by me, another alpha in the same territory. Do you understand the problem? I’m hoping there isn't a heat."

The realization of the situation proved more worrying. Cassie’s shoulders slumped, and her eyes filled with tension; she sat on the edge of the bed, paralyzed.

Was this what Bart meant about things not being able to work out? Everyone in the pack knew they could have a heat since the mark, and now with the information that Kallias was an alpha... Bart knew how badly it could all end.

Two wolves fighting for dominance, competing for a woman. Would the mark not be enough to keep him away?

Did Kallias know? What was he thinking about all this?

"I... I need to trust that everything will be okay. I have to. Because this... this is out of control, Hendrick. I can't... I can't handle this." She was trembling.

Oh, heavens. Cassie understood. Her eyes widened, and she lifted her head, staring at the alpha in front of her.

"He's going to leave..." she whispered. "If there’s a heat, he’s going to leave, Hendrick."