Chapter 175

Cassie

"I am not powerful." I muttered. "I have a little magic from the Lycan blood in me but it's nothing dangerous. A little healing." I stumbled over my own words. My eyes glued to the scarred wood of the table. I didn't want to look at anyone in this room and see the accusations in their eyes because that's what I would see.

They were going to blame me for what was happening to everyone , like somehow I was responsible for it.

I knew I wasn't. I couldn't be and I was sick and tired of being blamed for things that were out of my control. I was sick and tired of being blamed for mistakes men had made.

Slowly I lifted my chin and with it my shoulders straightened. Julian and Ian were right. I was queen. "I am not to blame for what is happening here." I said firmly and several pairs of eyes darted away from my anger.

"No one said you are to blame Cassie." Under the table Julian let go of my hand and squeezed my knee instead. "No one here is ever going to blame you for anything ever again."

The feel of his fingers , rough against my skin, was distracting. But then that's why he was doing it. To try and take my mind off of things. Part of me wanted that. Wanted to think about other things , like his big hands caressing me but-

I moved my leg away and shook my head. The time for acting like the damsel in distress was over. And I wouldn't let Julian take my mind off of things. Even if I desperately wanted him to.

"You are to be protected at all costs." Julian lifted his eyes to me beseechingly. "That's what we are saying. That you are special in a way that we haven't worked out yet and that Duncan-"

"Duncan will keep coming after you." Scarlett said with a firm nod of her head. "So we must keep you safe. I'll double the guards in the pack house now you are both staying here and maybe -"

"No." My chair scraped back as I stood up.

"No my love?" Julian reached for my hand and again I moved away from it but flashed him a smile. I didn't want him to think I was angry at him because I wasn't. I was angry at this whole situation.

"We need to keep you safe." Ian added.

"And no amount of guards is going to do that." I spat. Why couldn't they get it. Whatever was happening to us couldn't be fought with extra guards at the door. If they were right and this thing was after me then I had to be able to protect myself.

Both mentally and physically.

"If you will excuse me." I inclined my head to the table politely.

"Where are you going Cassie?"

I turned to my husband. "To train. I need to be able to defend myself and I am no use here. Once I have trained a little then I will go to the infirmary and try to help." Bending down I kissed his cheek. "I want to help and feel useful."

Julian's eyes locked with mine and it looked like he was going to argue with me and then he nodded his head. "Be careful." He said instead.

I knew he wasn't telling me to be careful at training because he knew deep down that that wasn't where I was going to go. I needed answers, we both did and we wouldn't get them in this never ending meeting.

"I'll meet you in the training building in two hours." His eyes met mine unblinking. That's how long he was giving me to snoop around. How long he would be keeping everyone busy.

"I'll look forward to it." I swept away, rushing from the room and closing the door softly behind me.

"M'lady?" Kips voice took me by surprise and I whirled around, clutching at my throat. It was wierd because for a second it was like he had just appeared out of nowhere and I hadn't recognised him at all.

A second later and the confusion disappeared. "Kip." I rushed forward and hugged him. "Where have you been?" I asked as he cuddled me back awkwardly. "It's been days since I saw you , I thought-" I trailed off with a frown. I don't know what I had thought? That he had disappeared? That he had winked out of existence like Yanna? I didn't know.

"I'm here now." He untangled himself from my arms.

"Where were you?" I searched his narrow adolescent face.

"I don't know- " he began to say and then shook himself. "I guess I got caught up in something my queen but I am back now and ready to serve you." He gave a small bow and I frowned.

"Let's get out of here." I looped my arm through his and began walking.  The way I treated him wasn't very queenly but I just didn't care. Kip had come into my life when I had needed someone who would not act like I was royalty. I had needed a true friend , someone who had my back and that I could look after in return and the goddess had given me Kip.

"Training?"

I paused , turning to him. "How did you know that?"

He shrugged.

"Was you listening in at the door?" I asked my voice full of shock.

"Maybe a little. I would have thought Ian would have come with you if you wanted to train."

I shook my head, dragging him away from the door and anyone on the other side that might be listening.

"Ian can't be involved in this." I whispered hissed.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not training. I'm on the hunt for information. Secret hidden information that Scarlett has locked away."

His eyebrows shot up. "We are going to try and break into my alphas personal things?"

I nodded, expecting him to say no. "You don't have to come with me."

"Of course I'm coming with you my queen. You need me , I am excellent and picking locks and finding out secrets."

It was my turn to look shocked. "You are?"

He nodded and walked away. Leaving me to stare at his back. The goddess had really come through for me when she had put Kip in my path.

He seemed to be everything I ever needed whenever I needed it.