The Viking Alpha

Selfish or selfless?

~Mature audiences only~

(Cassi POV)

It was a horrific scene. A twist of Amy with skeletal features. Beckoning her. Then Amy warped into a complete monster. She had her skeleton hand around her throat and used her razor sharp teeth to rip out her throat. As she lay bleeding and paralyzed in pain and fear Cassi's heart was ripped from her chest. The last thing she saw was it in the skeleton Amy's hand. Still beating.
The nightmare had her jerking awake.
Sweat dripped from her. Her heart was still pounding. The small lamp on the other side if the bed was still lit. She looked around frantically. She saw James sprawled in a chair, asleep, across the room. Books strewn around him.
Getting up, she gulped the water by the bed down quickly. The clock read five fifteen am. Her legs shook a little as she stood. Adrenaline and fear still blaring through her body. She needed to get out. To think alone. Quietly she pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a zip up hoodie. Without even shoes on she left the room and closed the door behind her softly. The hall was dark and empty. Nervously made her way down stairs and into the garden. The soft sounds of birds calmed her a little.
She walked around the open courtyard. The grass was still wet and cold with dew but she didn't care.
What was she supposed to do now? After yesterday, seeing some of the other fae kind in town, she thought she could handle this. But the monster she saw yesterday in the forest changed her mind. It was still branded in her mind. She desperately wanted to go back home. To New York. Hell, she'd settle for her childhood home trailer in Texas. The human world. That is where she belonged. Not here. Despite everything, she did feel something with James. Happy and safe. Something she knew very little about.
'What are you doing out here?'
The voice next to her made her jump and had almost made her scream fucking murder. Before she could no more muster a shriek, the hand belonging to the voice clamped down on her mouth.
'Chill. It's just me.'
Johnathan. It was just Johnathan.
Her shoulders sagged in relief. He withdrew his hand and then put both in the pockets of his pants. He leaned against a marble statue of a wolf and studied her lazily.
'Well? What are you up to at this hour?'
It took her a few moments to gather herself before she could answer.
'Thinking. I'm thinking.'
He continued to stare her up and down slowly.
'About what?'
She looked down and just shrugged before continuing her walk blindly forward. She didn't get far before he was striding next to her.
'You should go back inside. Fragile creatures such as yourself should not be here.' He coughed. 'I mean out here.'
She rolled her eyes and sped up the pace.
'Can I get a verbal answer out of you or should I just read your mind?'
To someone else he would probably sound teasing. But to her she got the impression he was purposely being rude. What was it with this guy? She had only seen him twice now and she always had that bad feeling around him.
She stopped walking and whipped around.
'Go away.' She snapped before turning and walking forward again.
He followed her on the side.
'Hey if something happens to you, and I was close by when it did, my brother will kick my ass.'
That made her stop completely.
'What will happen to me?'
That made him shift his weight uncomfortably.
'Nothing. It's just something that could happen. You're out here unprotected. Alone. Vulnerable.'
Eying him, she had enough already.
'Look. I never asked to be here. I was brought here by your brother. If you don't like me, fine, but just stay the hell out of my way. I'll return the favor.'
He held his hands up in a sarcastic surrender. A smirk on his face.
'Whoa. What makes you think I don't like you?'
Gritting her teeth, 'Knock it off. I'm not blind. I can feel it. Tell me, do you think because I'm human that means I'm stupid? Weak? Just tell me. What exactly is your problem with me?'
He was staring at her.
Maybe she was just being over sensitive. But when his face turned into a scowl and he folded his arms she just knew her instincts were right.
'Maybe it's because you haven't been here a week and you've caused problems. With my brother, the kingdom, our people. Because of you, we may lose everything. You being here just gave our enemies the perfect weapon to destroy us with.'
She pursed her lips from lashing.
'Is that right? Please go on.'
The smirk on his face held nothing but disdain.
'Of all the females here in the fae world and human world he chose you. You are a female human. That should say it all.'
'Go fuck yourself!' She started walking away again when he blocked her path.
'You want to go home right? To the human world?'
She stilled. She didn't trust him in the slightest but maybe he could help.
'What is it to you?'
'I can help. Help you get home. Get out of here. James will never come looking for you.'
Now she sat on a stone bench waiting for him to continue.
'Just how do you propose that? Look what he's done to get me here. Something tells me he won't just let me go.'
Johnathan shook his head.
'No. But if his memory was wiped he can't go looking for what he can't remember.'
'Go on.'
'You pretend everything is fine. It will take some time for me but I'll set a plan in motion.'
He stuck his hand out.
'Do we have a deal?'
She looked at his hand.
'What about the mate bond? If I end up leaving, your brother said he would die.'
Johnathan scoffed. 'It's all psychological. Nothing more. We've been taught our whole lives about the mate bond. For generations. Embedded in our brains. If he didn't remember you, how could he be hurt by you?'
'Good point.'
She still hesitated.
'What's the matter? Are you doubting me or are you getting comfortable with what you saw yesterday?'
Her eyes widened. He knew about that?
He smiled menacingly.
'Oh yeah. The whole castle knows. It's an embarrassment. How you were tricked so easily. Putting yourself in danger. Then about your little meltdown. How you had to be sedated. Big news.'
'Shut the hell up!' His words made yesterday even more vivid and brought a fresh wave of fear back.
'I don't trust you. But I honestly can't see what's in it for you besides everything going back to as normal as this damned place gets.'
'You hit the nail on the head, princess. So…?'
He wiggled his fingers in impatience.
She still didn't take it. Sighing irritably he dropped it.
'Look, if you care about him at all, think how great his life would be if you were not here. He could find a more suitable queen for him and this land. Someone who knows how this world works.'
He was right, she knew. Still. The thought of James with someone else hurt her. Could she go one with her memories? In the human world, live everyday as if this place never existed? What she and James have shared, never happened? What could have, never was going to happen?
'Maybe you'd like some time to think it over? Come find me when you figure it out. Just don't take too long, Cassi.'
Before he could leave she stopped him.
'Wait. How would you do it? The memory wipe?'
The look in his eye was like a predator catching toying with its prey.
'Simple. Witches can be bargained with. They'll want something but that's an easy remedy usually.'
'What about me? Could you have my memory erased?'
He shrugged. 'I don't see why not. You'd be much easier than him. Human minds are very...gullible.'
She ignored that jab.
'You're right. I need to think. I'll find you when I'm ready.'
'Okay, princess. Just remember. This offer will expire. The longer he knows you the harder it is. In all ways.'
Johnathan turned and left her there. She sat there. Watching the sunrise. Thinking. This was not her home. Not her kind. She was too fragile. She could see how her being her would be James's downfall. Should she accept Jonathan's help? She didn't trust him at all. She had a feeling he had an ulterior motive beside her gone. She just couldn't see it. But would it be so bad? Her gone and a clean slate for her and James, both. Her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of warm strong hands on her shoulders.
She jumped.
'Hey. It's only me, love.'
He came around the bench holding a small red throw blanket. He picked her up and turned where she was on his lap. Wrapping her in the blanket he cuddled her.
'What are you doing out here? You scared me. I woke and you were gone. If I hadn't looked out one of the windows and saw you, I would've sounded the alarm.'
'I'm sorry. I just needed to think. Alone.'
He kissed her head. 'Are you alright? I know yesterday was hard for you. But you'll learn. It will get easier, Cassandra. Trust me.'
She turned and placed her hands on his shoulders.
'James.' She paused, thinking how to word her question without suspicion, before going on. 'What if I make you weak? In the eyes of your people? Your enemies?'
'Sweetheart.' He whispered before kissing her. 'You make me feel stronger when you're here. Since I first saw you, I knew. You are perfect. Look at the good you've done since you've been here. The servants are smitten by you. You helped a mother and her cub. How could you make me weak?'
'I am human, James. Vulnerable and I...I will die someday. Long before you from the sounds of things.'
He shook his head. 'Magic can delay that. Besides in this world. Time is a bit different then in yours?'
'I mean, one day here is like a week in your world.'
Her eyes widened. 'For real?'
He chuckled. 'For real.'
'What if...something were to happen to me? What if I had...an accident and I didn't remember you? Or if it was the other way around?'
He looked confused then pensive for a second before answering. 'I'd make you remember me again. As I'd assume you'd do the same for me.'
'But if we couldn't?' She argued. ' What then?'
'I don't know, Cassandra. I'd just hope destiny wouldn't fail us.'
She sighed. It was hopeless with him. He just couldn't see what she was trying to tell him.
'I was thinking today. With everything that happened yesterday, we could do something human.'
That brought a small smile to her face.
'Human, huh. Like what?'
'Well we could watch movies, go for a swim, fish maybe? You name it.'
'No.'
'No?'
'No. I think maybe we should go on with plans. The tutors, plan for the festival, and my studies.'
'Are you sure? You were not well yesterday and I-'
'I want to go on. Keeping busy will help me forget.' She said firmly.
His smile was full of pride. 'As you wish. Your tutors can be here within two hours. Plenty of time for a quick breakfast and a shower.' With that he scooped her up and took her back inside. While she got in the shower he just watched her undress. Once she was under the spray he seemed like he couldn't get his pants off quick enough. He washed her again. Inch by inch. Taking off the bandages that covered her scrapes from yesterday. She was still shocked to see it completely healed. By now she should be covered in scars. But no bite mark, no scratches, nothing. The ointments he used on her was a miracle.
'Cassandra?'
'Yes.' He was standing behind her, slowly lathering her stomach with his hands.
'That necklace you wear. Can you tell me more about it?'
'Why?'
'I just want to know more. You wear it everyday, even though you have countless new jewels to choose from.'
'Oh. Would you like me to wear something else?'
'It's up to you. But please tell me about that necklace. '
Mama gave it to me when I was eighteen. She always wore it when I was a little girl. She gave it to me, soon before she died. I don't know much about its origin. She said it belonged to someone special. I thought maybe my father since it's a man's ring. Or maybe my grandfather because it looks so old. But I don't know. She was very enigmatic about it.'
'That's all?'
'All I know.'
His hands worked down. Heat sparked in her. Apparently he could sense it.
'Would you like more?' He asked while nipping her ear.
'Mmmhm.'
Chuckling he turned her. Lifting her against the shower wall. His upper body keeping her up. He focused on her breasts and played with them. With his tongue and teeth. Gently nipping at her nipples. Slowly working his mouth down he moved where he took all over her body weight on his shoulders. Mercilessly pinned to the wall. His arms holding her legs open he fed on her at first like he was savoring then as she was beginning to build he started to go as if he was starving. She squirmed and begged him to finish. Her cries spurred him on. Just when she was about to find release he pulled away. Gently guiding her back on her feet she stared at him. Feeling half crazed. The pressure was almost painful.
'Why?' Her voice sounded high and strange to her ears.
Smirking, he swatted her on her ass.
'Punishment, love. You scared the hell out of me when I woke to find you gone. But maybe if you're a good girl I'll finish you later.' With that he just left the shower stall and walked out. She was baffled. Her movements now, jerky and slow. She washed and rinsed quickly. She was about to go out there and tear him to shreds when an idea popped in her head. Why not turn the tables on him. Give him a taste of his own medicine. She could hear him out there. So locking the door, she took her time. Using the lotions she lathered herself. Brushed her hair and teeth.
Then using two fingers she mimicked what he did. Slowly working them inside her. It didn't feel like it did when he did it. Actually it hurt. But just as she went to pull out she felt something.
'Oh.'
She tried again and got the same result. Gripping the sink in front of her she went again.
The door knob rattled. Then a loud knock came to the door.
'Cassandra? What are you doing?'
Smiling victoriously she ignored and continued.
'Oh, God.' She panted. Feeling that rush again. She worked faster. She came just as the door busted open. She didn't even have the strength to move back.
He stood there. Chest heaving. His nostrils flared.
'Oh hell no!'
He scooped her up and took her and dumped her on the couch in the living room.
'Clever girl. But that's not how this works. When I give a punishment I expect you to learn from it. Now, I'll just have to teach you again.' He kneeled. Now dressed in a three piece suit. She struggled. She was now on her own war path. If he could deny her she'd deny him. But struggling with him seemed to only ignite both of them. Next thing she knew he had her down on the carpet. He was kissing her senseless. She clawed at his jacket. He shrugged her off and held her arms up over her head. With one hand he fondled her while keeping his lips locked on hers. She wrapped her legs around him. To their surprise she was now on top. Where that strength came from she had no idea. But she was soon tearing at his clothes. Trying desperately to get his buckle undone and his pants off. Her body now on instinct. Laughing he grabbed and pinned her back on the floor. Before she could move he had her flipped on her stomach. She heard the clink of his buckle being undone at the same time a knock came at the door. They both froze. She looked over her shoulder at him. He looked pissed. Grabbing the same throw blanket he used earlier he covered her.
'Go change. This isn't over.' He warned then kissed her quickly. Cassi got up and ran to the closet. Her body tingling and on fire. Now she understood the term sexual frustration.
Smiling at her small victory she chose her outfit for the day. A flirty red summer dress with thin straps. A slit in the leg going all the way to just above her knee. High heeled black sandals. When she returned to the room food was on trays set at the table.
James now looked troubled.
'What's wrong?'
He looked at her then smiled softly.
'Nothing. Just some complications. Nothing that I can't handle. Your tutors are arriving sooner then planned. We'll eat quickly then you go to the library to start your lessons. I have some matters to see to.'
'Well, maybe I can help.'
He reached for her and kissed her.
'No, thank you. You need to start learning about your kingdom and your role here. Now let's eat.'
While they ate it was silent. She could tell he was obviously upset about something. His mood completely changed from playfully earlier to now somber.
If he couldn't share his worries, how could she rule? If he couldn't depend on her, how could she help him?
Thinking again about Jonathan's offer.
But then thinking of what almost happened between herself and James. Had they not be interrupted they would have had sex. Would she be able to walk away after that? With him occupied now maybe while she was deciding she could stay busy too. Keep distance between the two of them. Play queen and throw herself in planning and studying. But the big question remained in the end. Could she be selfish and stay with him, or be selfless and leave him?