Chapter Seventy-Seven (Part One)

Cassandra's POV

A couple weeks have gone by now, and with each passing day my panicked mind was getting better with each day that passes. To note: I no longer am afraid to leave the pack house, I am eating meals like I'd never been fed before in my life, and I have allowed Jordan and Zach to mark me. However nothing has happened beyond that.

Plus, I'm well aware that with, not one but two new marks on my neck, that my next heat will happen faster than the last one did. I will deal with that when the time comes. But I won't lie and say that when it does happen, that I'm not going to freak. The last one nearly killed me due to it not being sated by my mate. Or rather mates.

I bounced on my heels as I waited in the foyer, patience wasn't my strong suit here lately. Whereas I used to take my time and enjoy it while sitting patiently on whatever. But ever since that night Levi held me and sat with me while I told him everything that happened, even down to Theo. I've been working really hard to do better by not only myself but my son and those three handsome men.

It's strange to put myself first for a change. Even with the time I've been here, that never was something I thought I'd ever get to do again. The last time I did it was before Dad sold me off to George. I can't say that I hated Dad for doing that, because if he hadn't I wouldn't have Silas today. And for that, I'm thankful for the things that happened between myself and his father, I don't regret it one bit. However, I will always have a bit of hatred for him for making me do what I did to him that last night together.

I jumped when someone wrapped their arms around my waist from behind. But the scent of cinnamon—which always makes me think of pumpkin pie and french toast—and adding the smell of aftershave, told me exactly who it was.

"Calm down," Jordan murmured in my ear, making me smile.

"I'm sorry, I can't help it." I clasped my hands to get her, but instantly let go and wiped them both down on the front of my jeans. It was becoming closer, but it was manageable with a light sweater on. I know that, because these men have bought me anything a girl could ever ask for, and that includes a bunch of winter clothes. I do believe they forget we live in the south. I mean yes, it gets cold, but not like the north. There's more humidity down here, which means we can go from a warm day a few times a week and cold as crap the other couple. Our weather down here is bipolar as hell. But today it was relatively hot and a bit humid, even for Georgia. So that just tells me it'll rain sometime today or tomorrow.

"I'm excited," I murmured over my shoulder. His beautiful gaze locked with mine and I couldn't help but smile at him. "Hi." I said sweetly.

Jordan chuckled lightly. "Hi, baby." he murmured back and leaned in and pecked my lips softly, tenderly even. "He'll be here soon, I promise. And Scott wants to talk privately with you."

A sudden shock of anxiety hit me hearing that. It's been like two months, or more,since I was brought home. And surprisingly, when Clara went to help her daughter, Brooklyn when she had her baby, Silas didn't want to come home with her when she told him. He wanted to stay and continue his classes Scott had put him in while under his care. It made me jealous knowing my son was being cared for by my brother and not me, but Petra assured me that nothing would happen, not there, never there. So I begrudgingly told him that it was fine that he stayed.

But at the same time I'm glad he hasn't been home. I've been sleepwalking a lot and when I do I hear that damn hunting song Angela played nonstop. Thankfully, with the help of my new therapist, I'm getting better everyday. The nightmares are getting better and so are my late night walk-abouts-around-the-pack-house.

I never remember the dreams themself, but I do hear that song playing as I'm coming out of it, and one of my mates normally finds me when they realize I've left the bedroom.

Jordan tightened his hold on me, and kissed my shoulder. "You're shaking." he said.

"It's just the medication," I looked back at him. "It's going to take some time for me to get used to the side effects of them. I promise I'm fine." I gave him another smile so he knew I truly was fine.

"Ok." He muttered like a child, which made me giggle. He was such a baby. He's the one who likes to coddle me, whereas Zachary gives me tough love, but with a sweet side to it. And Levi is just a bit of them both. With men like these three, why would I ever think I was unlucky?

"Your birthday is coming up, what do you want?" Jordan asked softly, shivers raced down my spine at his tone. It almost felt seductive.

"My birthday is in May. It's barely December." I reminded him. But I knew he knew my birthday.. they all did.

"You make it seem as if I care about how far off it is." He said moving his lips closer into my neck. I shuddered when his lips touched the tender area on my neck near the mark he left, or rather where they left their mark. All three overlapped each other. It was extremely sensitive and it made both me and my wolf, Petra want to climb the mountain that they each are. It was also designed in a beautiful intricate design. There was also a small crown above the mark with a crescent moon just above it on the left side of it. It was really beautiful and made me feel loved by each of them unconditionally.

"Cass," Jordan murmured in my ear. "I can smell you, and if you don't want me to take you right here where everyone can see. I'd calm that down angel." My entire body shuddered at his words. My core throbbed just hearing the vile threat. And if it wasn't for my brother and his family returning today with Silas, I'd take him up on his threat.

And just as quickly as the idea swept through my head, Theo's face flashed in front of my eyes. I jumped and tensed up. I quickly shook my head to get rid of the image of that night and Jordan tightened his hold on me.

I haven't marked them yet, so I can't feel what he's feeling, yet. I wanted to wait until my heat hit and let Petra have her way with each of them. But somehow Jordan always knew when I was having a flashback. Even if they only last a couple seconds. "I'm sorry." Jordan said, his voice upset.

"You did nothing wrong." I said. And he didn't, it was my choice back then not to ask Theo to leave–not that he would have, but still. I allowed that man—who wasn't my mate—watch me pleasure myself. I was hurting badly due to my heat and needed some relief. That was the only thing I could think to do, and him watching only spurred me on more with arousal. I hated how my body reacted to his gaze on me in such a vulnerable state. But thank the goddess I didn't hurt that night, even into the next day.

My hearing picked up on tires getting closer. The crunch beneath the rubber as it glides over the gravel lining the driveway. My heart began to pound and my hands grasped onto Jordan's arm so I didn't collapse.

I can feel him. Somehow sense his own excitement. The movement in the back seats told me it wasn't just Silas back there. But also Tyler and Rosalie. My breathing hitched as the back passenger door to the SUV opened. Blond hair was what I saw first, then his ocean blue eyes as he stepped out of the vehicle and turned just slightly, my brothers gaze locked with mine and a surge of power raced through my bloodstream. I didn't recognize it before, not fully, but looking at him now? I understand what that was. A bond. A bond between families that not even a fated mate could break.

He gave me a small smile and a curt nod before he looked back into the car and began speaking to the people in the car he just stepped out of. My heart pounded more as little feet hit the ground. First it was the dress that I noticed then the small figure of Rosalie as she ran around the door and over to where her grandpa Wyatt was standing. He scooped her up and she hugged him tightly. I smiled at the affection and bond that they share.

"Tyler, let's go slow poke." A familiar voice caught my attention. I wanted to protest the movement, but my body and mind had other plans as I stepped out of Jordan's hold—which he allowed, and over to where the driver parked the car. He laughed before he and Tyler stumbled out of the car and onto the gravel below. Tyler grunted as he hit the small rocked with a light thud.

Silas who was still standing, he held his hand out for Tyler to help him up and he gladly took it. He started in on how he let him take him down, when in reality they tripped over each other and Silas just happened to catch himself before he face planted the rocks below.

"Si?" My voice was soft and pleading. I just needed a glance from him, a look into his dark brown eyes that resembled his father's onyx eyes. And when he looked up at me,I saw the best parts of George in our son's eyes. Silas was the good that George never showed.