The Viking Alpha

Plans

James POV)

He thought things were going okay. He watched her mingle. Watched as that low life introduced himself. The way she wanted to protect someone she didn't even know made him feel so proud. It was true they did not tolerate men who abused. Horrified this had been going on in his kingdom. He admitted the way she cunningly made an executive decision and found a way to get the woman and her child alone. Maybe she was finally seeing things the way he saw them. It was all up until he saw that damned ring. Shifters didn't exchange jewelry really as a symbol of spending their lives together. He was hoping she'd recognize that he was trying to show her he respected her human rituals. The ring was perfect for her. Beautiful and delicate. Yet fit for a queen. He eased it on her finger. He saw that she loved it too. Until he saw a look go over her face. Panic? Discomfort? Anger? He couldn't tell. She seemed to put up a wall between them. She set it back down and ran from the store as if it were on fire. He quickly purchased the ring and put it in his pocket before catching up to her.
Asking her what was wrong thinking he could make it better. But she claimed she was tired. It had been quite a day. Maybe that really was it. The silence was driving him crazy. He had had enough by the time they reached the room. Asking her what was wrong she let him have it. He was giving her the benefit of the doubt until she hurled that insult at him. He was cut deep. His wolf was whimpering in the back of his mind. He was about to teach her another lesson but decided he was too volatile right now and may do something that might push her over the edge. So he just left. Going down to the library in front if the fire he now sat. Drinking a scotch and watching the flames without seeing them.
'I don't like people who try to control me, James. You know, at least men like Elijah and Leon don't try to cover up their true selves. At least anyone with a brain can see the true monsters they are. So tell me, are you like them? Or worse?'
Her words still were ringing in his ears. She did have a lot to deal with. He did take her from her home. She did not ask for any of this. But he couldn't let her go. With the mate bond in place he'd grow weak without her. Heartbroken if she was gone. It's what happened to his mother. She withered away after his fathers death until there was nothing left. He used to be so angry at her for not fighting to stay with him and his brother. But feeling the mate bond for himself he now understood how powerful it is. Maybe he could try to give her some space. Let her find her way here. Her way to cope. She liked to study and learn. So after breakfast he could lead her down here, in the library. She could read and learn until her heart's content. Then she could have tea with Esther and the little girl. Maybe get her introduced to other women so she could make friends. While he was on a hunt she could start forming her own ties here.
Pleased he had a plan and was calmer now, he went to head back upstairs when his brother found him. Johnathan plopped down on an armchair and smiled at his brother.
'Hey bro? How's the honeymoon?'
James growled in response.
'That bad huh? She looked like she was enjoying herself earlier.'
'She was. She's just a bit overwhelmed, that's all.'
His brother shrugged.'Whatever you say. Just be careful. Human women are not like our women.'
James scowled at his brother. 'What is that supposed to mean?'
'I mean, they are more free spirited. They don't understand us because they are not one of us.'
'She is one of us now!'
Johnathan put up soothing hands in surrender. 'You may have brought her here. She may be your mate. But she is not one of us. She is still human. If it was like the movies humans film you could bite or scratch her and it would be a simple fix. But it doesn't work like that. But have you really thought this through?'
'Speak plainly, Johnathan. I don't have time for riddles.'
Sighing, his brother got up and poured a drink for himself. 'Think about it. She's human. She will age. Much slower now that she is our world, but quicker then you. She will get old. She will die eventually and-'
James didn't give him time to finish that sentence. He had him against the walk with James's forearm over Johnathan's throat. Pinning him to the wall.
'Say another word and you'll be sorry brother.'
'Look at yourself!' Johnathan defended. 'She's changing you already! You've never laid a hand on me since we were boys training to fight.'
James eased back but the anger didn't leave him.
'I'm just saying think about it. If she doesn't feel what you feel, how can you expect her not to betray you in any way? She doesn't have the loyalty like a wolf does.'
'Push me, and I will make it my life's mission to make yours hell!'
Her words rang in his head again.
Could his brother be right? Could he teach Cassandra what wasn't part of her?
'My point is she is human.' Johnathan continued. 'They can turn on their own kind so easily. What makes you think she won't with you? Especially since she's been taken from everything she knows. We have few enemies but still we have them. What if one decides to strike through her? There are so many possibilities that that can happen.'
James gripped his glass. Everything his brother was saying was the truth.
Turning to his brother, he said coldly.
'Then I'll just have to keep her close, won't I? I can not let her go now that I've found her. She is mine! I'll work on the other problems that may arise as the come.'
Johnathan set the glass he just emptied down and started to walk out of the room. He paused once more before turning back. 'Good night then, brother. I just hope she doesn't sabotage you in the end.'
James sat back down and began to think again. Taking the ring he purchased back out of his pocket. He studied it while thinking. How does one keep another close but without suffocating them? In this case it could be damned if he did and damned if doesn't. The answer seemed simple after a while. He'd post guards with her still as protection detail. As well as sign ladies maids as well. It was old fashioned with the latter even for his people. Cassandra and Madga seemed to be fine with one another. Maybe he could have Magda be one of them. Start her off on a trial run as the first. If that went well he'd have Cassandra pick one or two more with time. If anything was amiss they would report to him directly. Smiling at finding a solution he poured another drink. As for the aging process with her, one of the witches he knew and had favor with could do a spell, perhaps. Either way he still had plenty of time to think about that.
Walking back up the stairs he went into the room where Cassandra slept peacefully.There she lay. Curled up and clutching a pillow. Her fingers tangled around her necklace. She looked so serene. Like a child. So innocent and breakable. He took the blanket from the foot of the bed and draped it over her. He then sat in an armchair across the room and watched her. Her chest rose and fell softly. Her hair splayed around her all over the bed. The moonlight from the crescent moon outside made some strands look almost silver. Nothing ever looked so perfect to him. He desperately wanted her. Wanted to make her scream his name as she writhed under him in pleasure. With the outcome of that pleasure would soon come their offspring. He tried to picture what it would be like. Her womb swollen with their child. Him behind her cradling their unborn child. Cassandra looking up at him with such adoration in her blue eyes. Seeing her with the children today and the protective look in her eyes when she saw the woman told him she would be a good mother. But she was right. She was still young. Barely twenty one in the human world. In this world she would still be looked at by so many, as a child in a way. She's had the body and mentality of a woman but yet she knew nothing. The council, he knew, would want to see her and sooner rather than later. They may see her as a liability because of her ignorance. But he still had faith that that could be prevented if not changed completely. One of his plans was to have tutors set up after a few days of her adjusting. They would teach her the history, the ways, and what to expect in the fae world. She mumbled and turned slightly in her sleep. Letting out a sigh she curled even tighter in on herself. Tomorrow was going to be a big day for both of them so sleep was a good idea for him. He quickly strpped to his boxers. Normally he slept naked but he didn't want her to wake and be alarmed any further. Curling his arms around her he dragged her back slightly into his front, kissing her on the cheek.
'Good night, love. Sleep well.' He whispered before succumbing to sleep.