Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Ah, now Casey understood.
“You could walk away,” Nick said to him.
Cain snorted. “Like you walked away from Shaya? Remind me again how that worked out for you.”
Shaya winced.
Nick clenched his fists. “You can’t take Cassidy—can’t take anyone—as your mate, Cain. You’re a member of the fucking Movement.”
“When she’s old enough for me to claim her, I’ll leave the group and take her to live with me and my pack.”
Nick’s spine snapped straight, and he bared his teeth. “You’re not taking my daughter anywhere.”
“She can’t stay here with you indefinitely. In seven years, she’ll be eighteen. Two adult Seers can’t exist within the same pack. You’d have to choose between your adopted child and a Beta female who has bled for you and your pack. You know that, Nick. You’ve always known that.”
Muscles bunched, the Alpha scrubbed at his jaw.
“But it won’t come to that, because I will claim Cassidy when she’s old enough. You won’t keep me away from her in the meantime, Nick, so don’t even try it.”
Shaya held up her hands. “No one intends to do that, Cain. We trust that you’d never hurt her. Plus, she’d only hate us for it—she loves you. We’re all just a little on edge, so it’s hard for us to be rational.” She waved a hand toward the hall. “Come in, I’ll take you to her.” When Nick looked as if he’d object, Shaya shook her head and said, “He has every right to see her. Don’t be an ass.” She and Cain then left the room.
Nick cursed again and turned to face the window.
“Well, I guess that confirms what I think most of us suspected,” said Zander.
“I never suspected it.” Kent put his hand to his throat. “She’s just a little girl. She shouldn’t have to worry about keeping a sociopath stable.”
Ally frowned. “Hey, it’s not like he’s a serial killer or something.”
“But he’s not exactly good,” said Kent, his voice gentle.
Caleb put a hand on his mate’s thigh. “I think what Kent’s trying to say is that Cain is someone who … lost his way.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a mate like everybody else,” said Ally. “Juvie messed him up, but he’s not cruel or sadistic.”
“We know that, baby,” Derren softly assured her. “Everyone’s just feeling hyper-protective of Cassidy right now.”
Ally looked at the Alpha. “I can tell you one thing, Nick: Cain might not be your first choice for Cassidy, but you’ll never have to worry about her safety when she’s with him. He’ll never let a single thing harm her. Knowing that she was shot … this will have hit him hard. He’ll want blood as much as you do.”
A short while later, Cain and Shaya returned to the living area. Eli studied the male carefully. Cain’s expression was hard, and his eyes were like glaciers, but he seemed slightly … well, not calmer exactly. But it was like his anger had switched from hot and manic to cold and controlled. As if seeing that his mate was alive and well had eased his fury just enough for Cain to find some reason and rationality.
“Is Cassidy sleeping?” asked Eli.
“No, she said she’s bored of sleeping,” said Shaya, one corner of her mouth kicking up slightly. “She’s watching a movie with Willow.”
“I’ll go sit with the girls while you all talk,” said Kathy, who then swanned out of the room.
Cain looked at his foster sister, his eyes still glacier cold. “Thank you for healing Cassidy.”
Ally rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me, dumbass.”
Cain’s gaze cut to Eli. “And thank you for shielding her and getting her to safety. I didn’t realize you’d met your mate,” he added, his eyes flitting from Eli to Casey. “Your bond is strong. Congratulations.”
Eli inclined his head. The latter word might have been tightly spoken, but there was sincerity behind it. “Thank you.”
Cain turned to Nick. “Shaya gave me a brief summary of what happened. I want the whole story.”
So Nick gave it to him. “We have a list of suspects, but none stick out at me.”
“I’d say Ignacio is the likeliest culprit,” said Jesse, to which many people nodded.
Cain’s brow furrowed. “Ignacio?”
“Ignacio Rodriguez,” Jesse expanded. “The Alpha of—”
“The Rotunda Pride,” finished Cain. “I’ve met him.”
“Eli’s mate, Casey, has been having trouble with him.” Nick brought Cain up to speed on the matter, including the altercation between Casey and Dahlia. “Considering someone hired a bunch of falcons to attack Eli not so long ago, it wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude that that same person also contacted a hired gun to take care of him. It’s possible that the bullet accidentally hit Cassidy, but we’re not sure.”
Cain’s lips pulled back slightly, baring his teeth, as his jaw clenched so hard it had to hurt. But then a cold calm seemed to once more descend on him. “The shooter probably followed you around the mall, though they may have stuck to the rooftops. I’m guessing you kept the children shielded at all times.”