Chapter 126
Cassie
I had been wrong. It wasn't comfortable in the back of the truck. It wasn’t comfortable at all. It didn’t matter how many blankets and bunched up shirts i tried to pad around me I felt every bump and rattle of the dirt unpaved track we were clearly on. Even back on the main road it had been uncomfortable but now it was pure agony. I felt every bump in my backside and between my legs. And it was torture. I had thought I had healed from giving birth but this ride was proving to me otherwise.
I was just one big ball of ache. Shifting my position slightly I tried not to jostle the babies still asleep on my back. It would have been easier to unstrap them and have them in my arms so I could at least lean back but there was risks in that.
If we were attacked before we got to where ever Scarlett was taking me, I would need my hands free to fight. I couldn’t fight holding two babies , I couldn’t even run.
“You are safe, I promise you. Why don’t you let me hold them so you can rest.” Scarlett’s voice was soft. “Two little miracles. What are their names? I didn’t want to ask if they were boys or girls and their clothes are neutral so-“
She shrugged with a small laugh. “No clues there.”
I frowned. She was asking so many questions. Too many. And it made me instantly suspicious. Just why was she asking so many questions and all of them about my children. Who happened to be heirs to the throne. And why wouldn’t she answer me when I asked her where she was taking me.
My eyebrows pinched together as I stared at her intently. I had trusted her because I had thought she was my friend. She had helped me before and then helped me escape in the grand hall. That had cost her her mate because I knew I had seen his lifeless body swinging. Did she blame me for that? Was this her way of getting revenge on me?
I wanted to trust her but- “where are we doing a Scarlett?” I hissed. “Why are you helping me?”
Her face twisted. “Because I want that asshole Duncan to die. I want to see him screaming in pain. And I think you want the same. We have lost people. We have both lost people we loved.” For a moment she looked away. “I don’t blame you for my mates death. It happened weeks ago. He was one of the first to be taken. They didn’t torture him they just killed him. He was trying to free the true king. Anyone who is loyal to Julian is a traitor.”
“But Duncan-“ I racked my brain and tried to remember if Duncan had mentioned her mate in the hall when she lifted her hand. But for the life of me I couldn’t.
“He’s killed so many that I don’t think he remembers their faces let alone their names. I am and will always be loyal to my king and to you.” She nodded her head slightly. “My queen.”
I shuddered. “Goddess don’t call me that.” My face softened. “I am sorry about your mate.”
She smiled sadly. “And I’m sorry about yours as well.”
It was my turn to look away quickly. “Julian was still alive last time I saw him. So I have to hope him and Ian got out somehow.”
“I’m sure they did. The Lycans turning up should have given them a much needed distraction.” She smiled but it wasn’t really a happy smile. It wasn’t sad either. It just looked like she was going through the motions.
“I wish you had told me who you were when we first met Cassie.” She admonished. “You did not even hint that Julian was your mate, although it was pretty clear he was infatuated with you even then. All that spite.” She shook her head. “It almost looked like hate and lust mixed up together.”
“That’s exactly what it was- is-“ I amended. “Julian is my mate , goddess given and all that but,” I trailed off and closed my eyes for a second. Trying to gather my thoughts. “He did hate me in the beginning. He would fuck me but he didn’t care about me.” Opening my eyes I found her staring at me sadly.
“I am sure that’s not true-“
“It is.” I said quickly. “He recognises me for what I am to him and I recognise him but.” I shrugged.
“You don’t love him?”
“I don’t know if I do or not. I couldn’t leave him to die. I couldn’t do that. And I want to be around him but he cast me away for a woman who used him. He gave her everything I wanted. He didn’t see me for the woman he could love. He saw her.” My chest shook. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between us. We are married and we have children together.”
“But you don’t trust him?” She asked.
“No I don’t trust him. And love isn’t enough anymore.” Bringing my knees up I rested my head on them. “I have to think about the boys now. I have to keep them safe and away from all of this mess.”
“Boys?” Scarlett squealed. “You had two boys?”
My smile was indulgent. “Niall and Noah.”
She nodded her head. “Thank you for trusting me with their names. And with their safety. I will trust you as well.” Leaning forward she took a deep breath. “I’m taking you back to my pack.”
“Is that safe, what if Duncan?”
“Oh you won’t be living with the rest of us. So Duncan’s minions can snoop all they want. They won’t ever find you.” She grinned in triumph. “I mean you will be safe and have everything you need but you will be in hiding. At least until we can find somewhere safer for you all.”
“Where?”
“Royal hunters lodge.” She smiled sadly. “It’s not a shack , you will be very comfortable and able to go outside and that. My mate built it for us with his own hands. It was our special place.” Sadness filled her voice for a second.
“What if Duncan finds out you helped me Scarlett? I can’t ask you for anymore help than you have already given me. If he comes for your people…”
Her eyes flashed angrily. “Let him come. We will fight him if he does. To keep you safe we will fight him to the death.”
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