CASSANDRAMy lip quivered as I searched for an explanation, and Asher rose from his seat. However, just as the Alpha King took a step toward us, the sleeping prince’s eyes opened.“Daddy?” the young boy managed. “What happened?”Asher seemed to forget about us completely and turned his full attention to his son. He squatted down beside the boy and took his hand.“You’re awake,” he said in relief. “Oh, thank goodness. Do you feel any better now?”His tone was gentle, something I’d never heard from him before. Or perhaps I had, but the memories were buried now.The young prince nodded and smiled at his father. “I feel better now, Daddy...”“Do you remember what happened?” Asher asked quietly and when the boy shook his head, he sighed. “That’s alright. What’s important is that you’re safe and feeling better than before. I’m so relieved.”As he held his son’s hand, I noticed Finnick gazing at them longingly. It tugged at my heartstrings, but there was nothing I could do except get the bot
CASSANDRA“Mommy, what’s going on?” Finnick whispered, and he stared up at me with widened eyes. I froze in place, unsure of how to answer him. Surely, the Alpha King couldn’t be serious.Me, go with him to Anemond?I studied Asher’s expression and wondered if he’d seen past my changed face and voice. Had he discovered it was me after all? No. There was no way.Regardless, why would he bring me there? As the capital city of the Wegalla Empire, there were countless outstanding healers that resided there. While I knew I was good at my job, I didn’t believe for a moment that I was any more talented than any of them.If anything, I could just write down the list of herbs I’d used and have the servants pass it along to the royal healers, and if something was amiss, they knew where to find me.“I-I don’t understand, Your Majesty,” I asked him. “Why bring me all the way to Anemond?”“Must I repeat myself?” the Alpha King sighed and he shook his head in frustration. “I thought you were smart,
CASSANDRAI remained in bed with Finnick for a while and stared lovingly at his adorable face as he dreamt. Part of me could have stayed here forever, holding my sweet baby boy in my arms, but the other part knew there was so much to do.I carefully tucked Finnick deep into the covers, and once I was sure he wasn’t going to wake, I quietly slipped out of his room and headed toward mine down the hall. I gently closed the door behind me, and once it was shut, I released the sigh I’d been holding onto for hours now.This was all such a mess, and there was only one thing I could do.I had to pack- not for Anemond, but somewhere else.I needed to take Finnick and run as far away as we could.I didn’t see any other choice. My son and I couldn’t go to Anemond.So, I started moving around my room and got to packing.I grabbed only the essentials- a few pairs of clothes, some money I’d stashed away, necessary toiletries, and the legal documents I needed to hold onto for Finnick’s sake. We woul
CASSANDRAWhen I entered my son’s room, I half-expected him to be awake, but he was fast asleep.He had his arms wrapped around his favorite teddy bear, Teddy, and for a moment, I didn’t want to wake him up. He seemed so peaceful, and I was about to put him through so much stress.But not as much as I would be if we went to Anemond.So, I leaned down and gently touched his arm.“Finnick,” I whispered, and when he didn’t rouse, I said his name again. After a moment, his nose crinkled and his eyes blinked open.“Mommy?” he said, and he yawned lightly.“Sorry to wake you, baby,” I said, and I gave him my most apologetic smile. “We have to go.”“Go?” he repeated back in a confused voice. “Go where?”“I’ll tell you on the way there,” I explained. “For now, we just need to get ready, okay?”Finnick nodded, though his gray eyes were concerned. I pulled the covers aside and helped him down. We walked over to the closet, and we got him dressed.After I zipped up his jacket, I picked out a coup
CASSANDRA“Finnick!” I cried .“Mommy!” Finnick shouted back through tears. “Mommy, help me!”I shined the flashlight over the rocks and coordinated a small path. I could get a better look at the situation if I shifted a little around them.“Hold on, baby,” I pleaded. “Mommy is going to help. Just keep breathing.”“Okay,” Finnick whimpered, and the sound tugged at my heartstrings.I followed the beams of light and made my way down over the rocks. It was a little difficult to navigate, but I had to save my son.When I reached the bottom, I shined the flashlight around me to get my bearings, and when I did, I realized we were at the entrance of a small cave. Somehow, Finnick had managed to stamp on it and get caught in between rocks.“Keep breathing, Finnick,” I urged him as he wiggled and writhed. “I think I can get you out.”I carefully climbed back up to the top of the rocks and over to Finnick. Even in the dark, I could see his cheeks were soaked from his tears. His lower lip trembl
CASSANDRAWhen I awoke, my vision was blurred, and my head swam with incoherent thoughts. As I fought back the dizziness, my eyes began to adjust, and images of the Moon Goddess and the Holy Moon appeared.For a moment, I stared at them and wondered if this was the afterlife.Had the bear managed to take my life? Was I… dead?Suddenly, the room came into focus, and I recognized the mural I’d painted on my ceiling long ago. I wasn’t dead. I was in my bedroom, tucked tightly into bed.How had I gotten here?Suddenly, I felt the soft touch of a warm hand on my arm. When I glanced over, I caught sight of Marley.“Oh Cassandra,” she gushed in pure relief, and her pale green eyes glittered with tears. “You’re awake!”It took me a moment to register everything. I blinked a few times and then I smiled up at my dear friend. “H-hi, M-Marley.”The effort of speaking hurt my throat, but I was so relieved to see her that it didn’t matter.“I was so worried, Cass,” Marley continued on, and she wipe
CASSANDRAI tried to protest Marley’s proposal, but I knew it was a losing battle. I needed to get some rest so I could be strong enough to see Finnick. Even though he was with Alpha Gareth’s family, my poor boy was probably terrified and worried about me. And I was worried about him.But I couldn’t deny that I needed rest.So, I laid back in bed.Marley told me she’d be downstairs and she’d check on me in a little while, and then she quietly left the room. Once she was gone, I took a long deep breath and tried to process everything she’d told me.Asher Collins had saved my life.I closed my eyes after a while and tried to get some rest. Luckily, the medicine Marley had given me was highly effective, and I drifted off quickly, but my sleep was anything but peaceful.My dreams were plagued with images and nightmares of the inferno, along with scenarios of losing my Finnick all because Asher had exposed my real identity. The dreams were strange and twisted, and when I awoke, I was drenc
CASSANDRAMy voice caught in my throat as the Alpha King’s words set in. He was absolutely correct and I understood the potential consequences of my actions completely.Things in Anemond were different than they were here. In Anemond, going against the Alpha’s wish or running from the Pack was considered treason, and furthermore, a felony. They were strict in their laws and highly set in their ways in the capital, something I knew all too well. I’d lived in that terrible city for eighteen years.Asher Collins’ cold gray eyes bore into mine with horrible intensity as he waited for me to respond to his accusation, but I didn’t know how to answer. If I owned up to and admitted that I was trying to run away, I would be arrested and tried for treason. But I didn’t have another reason to justify my actions.Who would run into the forest at midnight with all of their belongings other than a deserter?Luckily, before I could respond, Rayden rushed to his feet.“You’re taking her to Anemond?”