Chapter 136

Julian

We moved as one entity through the trees and up the hill. Moving with grace and ease thanks to our wolves. They were at home here in the forest. Their eyes saw things we couldn't in our human form and their keen noses were sensitive the slightest hint on the breeze.

I was fit as a human and my wolf was even fitter but the higher we went upwards the harder my heart slammed into my chest. I wasn't winded , or panting at all but I could not slow my heart beat down.

Nerves rippled across my skin. My heckles rose and a low snarl ripped its way out of my skin as between the trees a small two story house came into view. Even in the darkness it looked welcoming. Like a gingerbread house, with its pretty flowers in neatly pruned beds surrounding the porch. Curtains that looked floral fluttered from an open upstairs window.

I stopped dead in my tracks , one paw still lifted from the ground and my head which had been low lifted as the breeze blew across my face. In front of me that curtain fluttered.

It felt like home because it was.

I could smell Cassie on that breeze. She had been here and recently because her scent was so strong. For all I knew she was still inside. Asleep with her window wide open. Although I knew that wasn't going to be the case. She would feel me if she was inside.

I growled again, creeping forward with Ian taking up the rear. He nipped at my haunches. A warning not to rush forward and be stupid without words. He didn't need to warn me. I was done with being stupid and letting my ego and pride get in the way.

I was better than I had been.

And I had to be better still.

I wanted to run inside and see if my suspicions were right but I couldn't. I didn't know who was waiting for me. Cassie may have been held here against her will and they were using her scent as a lure. This whole situation could be a trap.

Except it felt like home. I couldn't smell any fear. I could just smell her.

"Easy." Ian didn't speak but I knew that would be what he was saying if he could talk through his wolf mouth.

I wanted to be calm about it. I wanted to be a clever man but in reality I was nothing more than a man who had been away from his mate for weeks and months before than and I had now found her again. I was obsessed with her.

She might not be here anymore.  This might just be somewhere she had stayed for a few nights. But at least I knew she was ok now and being here meant I was one step closer to finding her and wrapping her in my arms.

But I needed a closer look.

Swinging my head towards Ian, I let my eyes do the talking. I was his alpha and he understood completely. Keeping low to the ground he rushed off to the left with a swish of his tail. He disappeared under the dappled shadows in a blink of an eye. He would check this way and I would go the other. It was like we were hunting only the only prey that mattered to me was Cassie.

We would check the perimeter and then head inside. I wanted to check in there as well. See if Cassie and the boys' scents were all over or completely overpowered by someone else's.

"Cassie."

I flattened myself to the wet floor. And bit back the urge to whine as the smell of her skin hit me like a tidal wave.

"No Scarlett." My wife's wife's voice was strong. She was angry though. I didn't know her well because I hadn't bothered to get to know her but I knew what she sounded like when she was angry.

She stepped into view, stepping out of the trees and onto the small patch of line right in front of me. She didn't notice me but then again I hadn't noticed her until she was right on top of me. The spell was still mixing us up even now it seemed.

"Just drop it." She stomped up the stairs to the front door and I smiled when I saw the babies strapped to her back. She was still using the home made sling Ian had made her and that made me happy but not as happy as seeing her here happy and healthy.

Cassie looked good. Strong and beautiful.

"I'm not going." She whirled so quickly that it made me dizzy.

"No one is going to force you to go with him. But you should think about it. For Niall and Noah's sake if nothing more."

"You said I was welcome here."

"And you are welcome here. This is your home for as long as you want it to be. But he's family. He cares and can keep you safer than I can. Him sneaking up on us tonight just proved that. All I'm saying is think about it. What harm can it do to think it over?"

I didn't like the sound of any of this. I didn't know who they were arguing about but I could hazard a guess.

Cassie opened her mouth to argue and then snapped it shut again with a sigh. "Ok, I'll think about it. But you tell him to leave me alone until I'm ready to talk ok."

"You know he won't do that. He needs to make sure you're safe."

"Fine. Fine." Cassie sounded resigned but undefeated. Her shoulders slumped. "Thank you for dinner Scarlett. I'll be ready to work tomorrow."

"You don't have to start-"

Cassie cut her off. "I'll be ready in the morning. Good night."

I waited for her to let herself into the house and close the door, turning my head I watched the shadowy figure of Scarlett as she rushed back down the hill and then I shook off the shadows and shifted.

My bare foot hit the bottom step which creaked under my weight and the door flung open. Illuminating me in the light from the hallway.

I froze.