Chapter 39

Cassie

"Cassie. You came back." Scarlette screamed and before I knew what was happening I was grabbed in a bear hug and swung around. Even though Scarlette was a small woman she was strong and her hug could break the ribs of a grown wolf. Or even a bear. The thought made me smile as I detangled myself from her arms.

Giving her a rueful smile I stepped back. "Hey Scarlette." I said rubbing at my aching ribs. Truth was my body still felt uncomfortable from last nights attack but I couldn't say that to her. The less she knew the better and safer she would be.

"Oh I'm sorry." Scarlette blushed instantly taking note of my pained expression. "Mason is always telling me I don't know my own strength but after what happened last night I didn't know whether we would see you again." She motioned to one of the seats in her office and sank down into the other one.

Frowning I took the seat she was offering me. "What do you mean?" I asked evenly. "Did something bad happen last night after I left? Did someone die? Or go down hill." My palm itched at the thought of it. It always itched when I thought I had lost a patient.

Scarlettes eyes widened. "Oh goddess no Cassie. You were an angel and everyone is doing so much better this morning." She smiled wildly. "And that's all thanks to you. We can't thank you enough. It's just-" she fell silent and her face was troubled. "The way Prince Julian was looking at you." Her eyes widened and then narrowed into slits. "When he ordered us away I thought you might have-" Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth. "Had a run in with him."

Blowing out a breath I forced myself to relax. She didn't know how right she was but I couldn't explain to her that my run ins with the Prince were an almost daily occurrence because he was married. Very few people knew I was his wife and I wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible.

"No there was no run in with him." I smiled politely.

"Well that's good because Mason said you looked like you had been hit in the face when he found you." My new friends eyes raked over my face. "You still have a mark on your cheekbone. You aren't protecting someone are you?"

"No." Leaning over I patted her on the back of the hand. Although I was protecting someone and that someone was myself "I got turned around and lost, and in the darkness I walked right into a low hanging branch." Self consciously I touched my cheek which still stung. "What kind of wolf does that make me, right ?" I laughed and after a seconds hesitation she laughed along with me.

"We have all gotten lost before so I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you are sure you are ok?"

"Positive." From my purse my phone began to ring. "I'm sorry I should- it might be the hospital about my mother." I apologised quickly but I didn't need to. Scarlette was already heading out of the office door with a cheery wave.

"Take your time. I'll give you some privacy. Our first class will be arriving any second so just come and find us when you are finished." She closed the door softly behind her.

Pressing the phone to my face I answered it. It wasn't the hospital, I recognised the voice straight away.

"Cassie? Hello Cassie can you hear me?"

Sighing heavily I leant back on the chair and pinched the skin between my eyebrows, hard. "What do you want Megan?"

I was too tired for this.

"I just wanted to say-" Megan stuttered to a stop. "Sorry."

My eyes flew open. "I beg your pardon?" I wasn't sure I had heard her right? Was she really apologising?

"I'm sorry. I know I acted like a crazy person last night but it's just because I am in love with him." She fell silent and a whispering sob sounded in my ear.

Frowning even harder, I waited for her to continue. I didn't know what the hell was going on, was she really crying?

"And then seeing you two together it just made me lose my head for a second but only because I love him so much. You get that right? You understand?"

She was almost begging me to understand her.

"You're right you are crazy." Crazy for being in love with the giant bully that is my husband. I added silently.

"But you forgive me? You will ,won't you? I asked Julian for a job for you and he has given you an internship with me. That's good isn't it?" She rambled on. "I'm trying to make amends Cassie. I don't want us to be enemies."

I didn't want us to be enemies either. I had enough of those already. "I don't hate you Megan."

She squealed down the phone. "Then you will come? Head of surgery is expecting you this morning and-"

Groaning I went back to pinching my eyebrows. This morning? If I took this job it would mean I would have to let Scarlette down and I didn't want to do that after she had been so good to me.

"Please Cassie." Megan begged again.

"Fine." I said finally. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

Ending the call without even saying goodbye I sat there for a few minutes and tried to gather my thoughts.

The phone call had been beyond strange? Why was Megan trying to help me. We hadn't even liked each other before she had started sleeping with my husband.

"Is everything ok Cassie?" Scarlette poked her head around the door. She looked worried.

"I've just been offered an surgical internship at the royal hospital." I admitted.

Squealing she burst through the door. Enveloping me in another rib crushing hug. "Oh Cassie that is wonderful news. When do you start."

"They want me there this morning." I admitted. "But I hate to let you down on such short notice. I can phone them and tell them-"

Her eyes flashed. "Don't you dare. This is a once in a life time opportunity and you have to take it. Don't you worry about us. I have one of the older students coming in to help this morning as well. Now where is my cheque book?" She began pulling our drawers and rummaging inside

"I don't expect payment." I began to say lamely.

"Well I am paying you. You worked hard and it's only fair. And anyway don't you have your mothers medical bills to pay?"

I nodded my head mutely. She was just too sweet and nice. I felt like I was taking advantage of her but she was right about my mothers medical bills.

"Here." She pushed the cheque over the desk towards me. "And before you go I'm going to need a photo."

"A photo?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Yes something for us to remember you by and something you can remember us by as well."

Tears prickled my eyes. A lump formed in my throat. I didn't need a photograph to remember her kindness or the children I had taught. They would always be in my heart. But I would pose for one anyway.