Chapter 127

Cassie

The hunters lodge she spoke about was more like a medium sized home. Two stories with a wrap around porch and flowers in neatly tended flower beds to the front.

Climbing gingerly from the back of the truck I groaned as my muscles moved for the first time in hours and protested loudly. My knees cracked and ached in a way that made me feel ashamed. I was a wolf, I should be stronger that I was.

"Scarlett." I gazed up at the windows that were glowing with light. It was such a welcoming view. Much like the house Ian had given us. Another place I could be happy to live in for the rest of my days. It felt peaceful here. Somewhere I could-

I shook the thought away. It would be good to rest for a little while but I knew myself. I knew that one day, and probably sooner than I wanted I would want to work again. I would want to be useful.

I would want to practice medicine again. Even if it meant being a doctor in a small surgery. Or healing Scarlett's pack.

I would never be satisfied by just sitting still.

Still it would be the perfect place to hide for a few days or even weeks. I could heal here and more importantly the boys could thrive. They were so quiet. And although that had been a blessing I knew it wasn't exactly natural for newborns to never cry at all.

It was weird because I kind of wanted to hear them cry a little. I wanted a bad night where I had to stay up all night and rock and sing to them.

I wanted us to be a normal family for a little while.

"I know it's not much but it's furnished and stocked and no one will come up this high this late in the season. There's no hunting to be had this high in the mountains."

Reaching for my hand she entwined our fingers. "There's clean clothes for you. I took a guess at your size." She winked. "And things for the babies as well. Although the clothes might be a bit big. They will grow into them and there's nappies and bottles and everything I thought you might need." Her smile was sad again and I didn't know why. Maybe it was just being here in the place her mate bullt. "There's only one crib though."

"If someone saw you buy these things Scarlett." I began to say as she pulled me up the steps behind her. Behind us the truck rumbled back to life and I heard it pull away.

"The driver?" I asked.

She barely hesitated. "He's family. A step brother but a brother none the less. He can be trusted. I promise you. No one knows his links to me or my pack. Only me and him and that's the way it has to be. I would tell you his name but I can't. It's safer for all of us that way."

I nodded. "If you say I can trust him then I do. But buying the baby things was foolish. It's dangerous-"

Opening the door she pulled me through. "I didn't buy the baby things Cassie. They were already here."

I stared at her back and dropped her hand. "You had a child?"

Her shoulders sagged. "Once a few years ago I was pregnant. But-"

"Your baby died?" I hated to ask because I could see it was causing her pain.

"My baby was never born. Everything is brand new and please don't feel bad for me. I am glad I kept it because now you can use it." She turned to me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I want it to be used."

"Scarlett I am so sorry." Opening my mouth I snapped it shut again. I had been about to tell her that she could have babies in the future but that was just cruel and unnecessary. Her baby had died in her body and her mate was dead. She might find another mate but it wouldn't be anytime soon.

"I am ok Cassie. I promise you. I am ok. Keeping busy helps. Why don't you head on up stairs. The first door on the right is the room I've prepared for you all. Why not -"

She shrugged. "Well go and explore. This is your home now ."

"What will you do?"

"I was going to make a pot of tea." She admitted with a smile. "I think we could both do with one."

"Tea? Hot tea?" Nothing had ever sounded better. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had a cup. "Yes please."

"And something to eat. Go and clean up. And I'll make us something so we can chat."

Nodding my thanks, I curled my hand around the carved wooden barrier and trudged up the stairs. Each step felt like I was climbing a mountain but I didn't stop.

Everything about this place was rustic and charming and - flinging open the door I stared at the room Scarlett had said was mine.

A wide wooden bed covered in a thick red quilt. An animal pelt was on one corner. The fur was shining. There was a mound of pillows that looked like heaven to sink into. The furniture was all deep heavy wooden tones. Old or carved by hand or both. None of it matched but somehow it all went together. There was only modern thing in the room and that was the mobile hanging over the carved rocking crib.

I went to it. My filthy boots sinking into the numerous rugs.  I knew I would be leaving mud and god knows what else on them but I couldn't bring myself to care. I would clean up later.

"Well." My hands closed around the crib and I felt tears spring into my eyes as I saw that Scarlett had left two tiny white baby-Grows on the cot mattress. They were so pristine white. So-

I sobbed. She really had thought of everything. There were even nappy's. I had spotted a pack by the door.

I had everything I needed to raise my sons properly now. Warmth and clean clothes and real food to help nourish my body so I could feed them. It should have made me feel happy but I just felt the emptiness inside me grow until I felt hollow.

"Well boys." I sobbed into my clenched fist. "I guess this is home now."