The Viking Alpha

Not possible

(Cassi POV)

After, Cassi checked on Magda and Dahlia. They were moving in one of the rooms on the other side of the castle in the servants quarters. Cassi tried to get them something better but Madga insisted. She didn't want to go back to the house she shared with her mate. Too many painful memories. She said she would start work soon. Apparently James had already had it arranged for her to start soon, once they were settled. Magda seemed both relieved but uncertain when the news of Elijah's death was delivered.
For the rest of the day they were out. Shopping. Cassi and James ventured into the next town. She was fascinated by everything. The little shops weren't just viking shifters, but she saw other creatures as well. James pointed out witches, trolls, elves, even Djins. Some looked relatively human besides some features. A few days ago she would have been scared out of her mind seeing these creatures but now she was ready to learn. When lunch came around she managed to even keep her bargain with Rexton. As they sat in a inn of some sorts, and Rexton and Vincent sat across the room. Inconspicuously. Looking at them it would be assumed they were just friends. But knowing different Cassi couldn't help but feel happy for them. They now strolled through the forest. Fairies flew around them. A few gifted her with a crown of flowers and ivy. The rundown path they were on was aligned with wild flowers, milkweed, clover, and thistles.
The small stream they stopped and had a drink from tasted fresh and clean.
'Danger lurks deep.' James warned. 'We should turn back.'
Looking around it was so magical. It's definitely what you'd expect out of a fairytale. As the sun was setting into the twilight, the flowers began to glow. The stars twinkled and shined bright on the earth below. Some willow tree branches swayed like curtains in the soft breeze.
'Please. Can we just stay a bit longer?'
James looked torn. She knew she could ask him for almost anything and he'd give it without question. She knew he was trying to make amends for this morning. Normally she would feel bad for taking advantage but this scene around her was too enchanting to pass up. He was about to answer when his brow furrowed.
'Wait right here.' He passed her and went to Rexton and a few of the other guards. They all looked deep in conversation. Cassi just looked around and studied everything she could. She didn't notice but she had walked a bit away from the group when she heard a voice call out to her in the distance of the forest.
'Cassi!'
She knew that voice. Amy?!
'Cassi! Help me, please! Cassi!'
'I'm here, Amy! Where are you?' She shouted, now running deeper in the forest.
'Cassi! Please!'
Cassi just kept running. It sounded like she was getting closer. Her arms and clothes were scratched and torn by branches. A lake was up a head. There she was. She was sitting on a bank of rocks on the other side. Her clothes were torn. Blood was on her face. She looked terrified.
'Cassi! Please! I'm so scared. Help me.'
She was about to dive in and start swimming when her arm was grabbed from behind. Scared, she screamed so loud it hurt her own ears.
'Cassandra! It's just me.' James held her close.
'James! It's my friend Amy. She's here. She needs help. We have to help her.' She went to pull away and run toward the water when James grip tightened.
'That's not you're friend. It's a trick.' He looked away from her to glare in Amy's direction.
'Cassi!'
'No that's her! Let me go. She sounds hurt. Please!'
'Cassandra! Listen to me. That is not your friend. Were in sirens territory. Just across that water. They lure their prey in by impersonating a voice the victim knows. Trust me.'
'Cassi!'
Helpless tears welled up in Cassi's eyes. Hearing her friend sound so scared was torture. She had to help her. Again she went to fight him and go for the water.
'Listen to me! That is not her!'
She looked away from him and back at Amy.
Everything she saw today didn't not prepared her at all for what she saw now. Where Amy was, now sat a grotesque creature. A woman, but she was almost skeletal. The eyes were empty sockets besides to beads of light. Like tin foil. Clumps of matted rotting hair hung down. Sharp razor teeth were shown with a lipless mouth.
All Cassi could think to do was shut her eyes and cover her ears. She was only standing for a few seconds when she felt herself get lifted and then the trees were flying past her. James was carrying her.
'Cassi! Please. Don't go.'
Tucking her face into his shoulder she cried for her "friend". The voice was getting quieter. Soon silence. They had stopped moving.
She looked up from his shoulder slowly. They were back at the stream. The gaurds uniforms were shredded on the ground. Now stood three wolves.
James checked over her arms. Cassi just sobbed. How could something that looks so beautiful now be a home to something so monstrous?
James cupped her head and tucked it into his chest.
'Hush, love. It's alright now.'
Shaking her head she pulled her head back.
'No. That...thing. It was...was a nightmare.'
She saw his eyes widen.
'What exactly did you see?'
Her body began to shake as fear rolled through her at the image that wouldn't leave her mind.
'Never mind. Let's go home.' Picking her up again he carried her all the way. The torches of the castle ground actually brought her some comfort. Knowing she was on somewhat familiar grounds. People seemed to swarm them as they made it through the gates.
'Is her majesty, all right?'
'Can we bring her anything?'
'The poor, dear.'
'You all may go. I will take care of the queen. Someone have hot tea brought up to our room. Bring the pack doctor.'
Once they were inside the room he set her down gently on the couch. She curled up and just stared at nothing. Her tears now gone. All she could do now was keep seeing the image that was in her head.
'Love? Cassandra? Can you hear me? You are alright. Nothing will get you here. You're safe now.'
His voice sounded so far away.
'It's face. It-she...didn't have a face. Just rotted.' She had to get away from this place. She needed to go home. Looking at James she grabbed his shirt blindly.
'I have to go. I can't stay here. Monsters. I-I…' She couldn't breath.
Air wasn't coming in or out.
'Cassandra! Cassandra! Breath. Focus. Look at me.' Putting her hand on his chest he took a deep breath in then out.
'You can do it. In out.'
She tried. She felt like she was suffocating. Bile clawed its way up her throat. She managed to lean over and vomit on the floor. She felt her hair was being held back. While coughing, she distantly heard the bedroom door open.
'Help her!' She heard James bellow.
A woman sat between them now.
'Drink this.' She commanded gently. A cup was brought to her lips. The liquid was warm and sweet. It cleared her throat of the acidic residue. The woman had her drink more until the cup was empty. James had moved to the otherside of Cassi at some point. He was behind her holding her in his arms as she drank. She suddenly felt so tired. She was slowly sinking into James.
'Don't go.' She whispered.
She felt him stroke her hair back from her face.
'No, love. I'm not going anywhere. You are safe. Sleep. Everything will be better.'
Losing the battle with her eyelids, the last thing she heard was his heartbeat under her ear.

(James POV)

He held her while she fell asleep and the concoction of tea and sleep remedy given by the pack doctor, Saria, worked fast. He had so many questions. She saw the siren's true face! No mortal should be able to see that. Mortals usually see and hear who they're supposed to see up until death. But Cassandra saw it.
Lifting and placing her gently on the bed he stripped her and then covered her with a blanket. The pack doctor waited outside the room for him. He left the door open slightly.
'What happened? What's wrong with her?'
Saria sighed.
'Mostly shock. She was terrified. It just overloaded her whole system. She should be fine. Just be attentive and gentle with her.'
'She saw the sirens face. Her true face.'
Saria's face turned to surprise.
'But she is human.'
'That's what I thought.'
Saria looked thoughtful for a moment.
'I'll start researching. You should as well. It's been quite some time since a mortal has been here. You could ask one of the mortal slaves. Vampires tend to keep one or two on hand in their circles. Maybe when a mortal has been here for some time maybe they can start to see our world more clearly.'
'I don't know. Perhaps there is something in my library. I'll start tomorrow.'
'Good. Meanwhile, just try to keep her calm. Don't push her to talk.'
'Thank you doctor.'
'Alpha.' She bowed and left.
What now? Maybe while she slept he could research. He'd stay in the room in case she woke up.
'Rexton. Get me every book in the library on humans. Get someone to help you.'
'Yes sir. Sir?'
'Yes?'
'Is she alright?'
'She'll be fine. She just needs rest.'
Going back in the room he laid beside her. Her face looked so serene when moments ago it was stricken in terror. Her hair had twigs in it. He slowly picked them out. Saria healed her tiny cuts on her arms and face. Her necklace was twisted. He straightened it and held the ring in the palm of his hand. She loved this piece of jewelry. He would see her hold it for comfort. Laughing at the bit of jealousy he felt for the tiny trinket. He examined it. It was a man's ring. Her mother gave it to her, she told him on her first night here. There was a symbol on the ring. Two symbols. Fire. The redstone almost gleamed. Stroking over it lightly with his thumb, a spark sizzles and zapped him. Jumping back, the ring fell back onto Cassandra's chest. Looking at the ring then back at Cassandra's face, more questions flooded his mind.
If what he was thinking was true, how would it be possible? No fae being was born outside the fae world. They couldn't survive. When one is born of this kind the magic surrounding them nourishes them. Makes them grow. It's like food, water, air, to humans.
But what if it were possible? What if his mate was not human?