The Viking Alpha

Rules and a game plan

(Cassi POV)

To say that breakfast the next morning was awkward was an understatement.
There all three of them sat at a table in the gardens. If things weren't so tense she probably would have enjoyed the fresh, warm, flower scented outside air.
But Lucas was glaring James down. James was stiff and practically hovering over Cassi. What was it with men? Human or not they all seemed to have one thing in common. They all were territorial. For her it was a paternal protection on one side and just sheer possessiveness on the other. Did the female human population feel this edge when their father meets the special person in their daughter's life?
Would it have been different if Lucas hadn't seen what he saw this morning?
Lucas had gotten out of the room sometime a bit after early dawn. He found where she was. Only to discover her fast asleep and wrapped up in James's arms. The throw cover being their only shield of their naked bodies.
She had opened her eyes when she heard the door creak open. She found him there in the doorway. His eyes blazed blue with anger. Her mouth opened in horror at having him seeing her naked in slumber. In the aftermath of an all night sexathon.
'Come here.' His voice through her head was stern.
Lucas angrily jabbed his finger toward the floor angrily in front of him to signal her to come before turning completely around.
James was dead weight around her in the couch cushions. Completely out for the count. Snoring softly in her neck. Wiggling slowly for under half of his weight she moved off the couch, taking the throw blanket with her.
Turning back around he glared past her shoulder toward James sleeping form.
Lucas's narrowed gaze was on her fce again. He couldn't come in and she still couldn't get out. Being distracted by the hormonal surge in her body, she never found the other tiny bundles of witches ash.
'Did he force you?' His eyes were glowing ice blue. It sent a chill through her as if it was actual ice.
'No. We came to a truce.'
'What kind?'
'He'll let me go back to the human world in exchange I return and give birth here and I allow him to see me once a month.'
'Did he make you bargain with your body?'
Shaking her head quickly she defended James.
'No I wanted it. We've made peace, Lucas. I get to go back with hardly any interference from him. Study, and continue school. Him and I'll work out further details later-'
'You do not have to make or honor any deal with that hound!'
'Lucas, it's complicated. I still love him. We've made a child together. Even if we didn't come to this truce now, I'd have wanted some peace to be settled. I know what it's like. The life of a single mother. To feel the emptiness of being a fatherless child. I want something better for him.'
Lucas' eyes narrowed further.
'Him?'
She nodded her head with a soft smile. Placing her hand on her stomach.
'Him. My baby.'
Lucas just stared before sagging his shoulders in surrender.
'Alright, Cassandra. You are a grown woman now. You can make your own decisions. But don't think for a moment I won't be watching him like a hawk. One slip up from him I turn him into a toad stool.'
She burst out laughing before hurriedly smoothing it behind her hand.
'What's so funny?' She heard James groan from the couch sleepily.
Her eyes widened.
'Go! I'll see you at breakfast. I'll make sure we have privacy to discuss more.'
She assured before quickly shutting the door.
Now they sat with nothing but the sound of birds and her cutlery clinking on her plate as she ate. Their plates untouched.
She looked between the two men who sat on each side of her. Waiting for somebody to start talking. She started counting in her head. Counting to five minutes she had enough.
'Okay you two. We're all adults so why don't we just get it all out in the open? Address the big ass elephants in the room. I'll start. James, I'm happy we've reconciled somewhat but I'm still not over completely what happened to me. Lucas, James and I would've reconciled either way. So if you two plan to be in my life you will at least show some civility to each other. For my baby's sake. Understood?'
Still silence came from them. She was starting to get frustrated. They reminded her of two big cats having a face off before pouncing on each other.
Lucas finally spoke up.
'I don't see why you think you had to settle anything with this mutt.'
'Who do you think you're talking to, deadbeat?'
Lucas rose from the chair and waved his hand toward James's direction. Without touching James went flying back into the bushes. What came out wasn't James. But his wolf. Snarling and baring his teeth. Cassi got out of her chair and backed between them.
'Enough!' The fine crystal on the table shook and shattered on the table as she shouted. Staring wide eyed she covered her mouth. Distracted only for a second she then went back to being referee.
'Listen!' She looked between the two of them. 'Yes, Lucas, I had to settle our differences. I had a vision on the first day we found your cabin. I saw him finding me anyway. I looked close to delivering too. So maybe this was supposed to happen right?'
Lucas all of a sudden looked down like he was hiding something.
Her eyes squinted as she stared.
'Lucas? Why do you look guilty all of a sudden?'
'Nothing.' His answer was too quick.
'Talk.' She commanded.
He looked up then away again.
'Okay. I may have…planted…that vision in your head. I just wanted you to stay focused and weary of him.'
Her face felt hot as anger pulsed through.
'What did I say about staying out of my head?'
'Technically you didn't ask me to stay out yet.'
Throwing her hands up she shouted.
'Its a given! Invasion of privacy, damn it!'
'I'm sorry. I was just trying to protect you.'
'I'll only warn you this last time, Lucas. Stay out!'
'Fine.' He grumbled.
Looking back where James was, the wolf wore almost a smug look on his face. As smug as a wolf can look,
anyway.
'Wipe that look off your face. You're still not out of the woods yet either. Both of you from now on will stop meddling in my life. Either of you break that rule will be cut off from me. Rule number two, you will be civil to each other. If you both can't say anything nice then keep your mouth closed.'
Both were silent again.
'Now, Lucas, how did I break those dishes?'
He shrugged. 'Your emotions are tied to your powers. You're pregnant so your powers might be a little off.'
Seeing the dangers that could lead too with not even knowing how to control them as a beginner, she started to worry.
'Are you saying I'm a walking time bomb?'
Lucas sighed and put a hand on her shoulder the same time James's wolf nuzzled her hand.
'You just have to keep practicing.' He assured.
Hearing the snap of bones James stood from the ground.
'Stay calm. You need to relax.' James assisted while brushing her hair back.
'What would you know?' Lucas snapped.
'Lucas!' Cassi seethed.
'Fine. Look, we'll get you back to the human world. Get you settled and in a routine.'
'And I will go with you. Just to see you settled and safe.'
'Me too!' An excited giggle came from around the corner with a fat orange cat with an odd looking tail was in her arms.
Ezri came skipping up to them.
'Just what makes you think you're coming, child?' Lucas snarled at Ezri.
She shrugged. 'I had a vision. Cassi and I will become close as sisters. Just wait and see. I see me, Cassi, Rexton, Vincent, and you, Lucas, living together in a house. In the human world. I can help teach Cassi too. I'm also skilled with pregnant fae folk, ya know?'
'Yes.' James spoke up. 'She goes with you. More magic that surrounds you, Cassandra, means more protection.'
'Not necessarily.' Lucas was snide. 'Have you forgotten we were surrounded by much magic not that long ago that was slowly consuming us? She could also conveniently be your spy. So, no.'
Looking at Ezri, Cassandra remembered how the woman apologized after sealing her in the room. She looked sincere. If this helped ease James then, fine.
'She can come. If she turns on any of us you can do your worst, Lucas.'
She turned back to James.
'Who will watch the kingdom while you're on the other side?'
James stilled before shrugging.
'I'll put extra protection on and around the border for now.'
'Is that wise? Considering what happened the last time you left the kingdom alone?'
James laughed darkly. 'After the examples I've made recently no one will dare.'
'Alright. We need to start preparing. Lucas and Ezri. Please do a spell to try and find Vincent and Rexton. James and I have…things to discuss and we will shop for real estate. We'll meet back here at lunch.'
With that Cassi pulled James back inside the castle. She didn't know if it was the alpha power coming off him when he shifted, the time apart, or it really was her hormones. But seeing him naked now was doing wonderous things to her libido.