Chapter 83

Cassie

Slowly I crept towards the door , trying to keep my shadow hidden but I knew instinctively that whoever was on the other side of the door already knew we were there.

Daring to dart a look behind me , I motioned for my mum to duck down and hide. Which she quickly did. Crouching down behind the kitchen island and out of eyesight of the front door.

At least she was finally getting it. Things were so unbelievably dangerous for us and the sooner she realised that the better. I couldn't blame her though. In her old head there was still hope for me and Julian but then again she hadn't been awake when we had first met. She didn't know how it really was between us.

Hopefully now she never would.

For a second I screwed my eyes up tight and my hand fluttered to my stomach. I had to stop thinking about Julian. My husband would not be kind if he ever found us. In fact I knew deep down he would murder my children in front of me as punishment for me betraying him. Even though he had Megan and didn't love me, Julian would never allow me to be happy.

So I had to stop thinking about him , just like I had to stop thinking about the shadowy stranger who put my babies in my belly. I would never see either of them again. And that was just the way it had to be now.

I had to stop looking back and concentrate on the future. It was the only way I would ever get everyone through it.

Turning back to the door I took another step forward before my eyes snapped open and met those of pretty brown ones which peered at me from the window.

I let out a scream scrambling back. Almost losing my footing as my hands clutched at my throat.

I'd been so busy thinking about the past that I hadn't been careful myself and now the woman looking in on me knew I was there.

She always knew you were here, my wolf said snidely. You're a fool if you think she didn't.

We stared at each other, a flimsy pane of glass between us. She looked harmless but then you could never quite be sure by looking at someone. Megan looked and acted like a brainless bimbo and she had been surprisingly ruthless. Hell she had almost made me lose my pregnancy. I would not make the same mistake twice.

As if she sensed my fear she stepped back with a small wave and smile and disappeared.

I hesitated. She was still out there. Waiting.

"I have your back Cassie."

I glanced behind me to find my mum behind me with a wicked looking carving knife clutched in her fist. Taking a deep breath I moved towards the door and opened it an inch.

"Hello?" My voice timid. A barely there shaking whisper which I hated because I didn't want it to show any fear.

"Cassie?" The woman was so close that i had no chance of defending myself as she pushed the door open wide and stepped through like she owned the place.

"Well finally. I was sure you would sleep the whole day away." Standing right there on the rug she brushed the rain drops from her shoulders and looked around. Her nose wrinkling. "And you must be the mother. I see you have been busy with the ingredients I left for you." Without another word she moved towards the kitchen area. Plucking a cookie from the rack she took a huge bite.

I glanced at my mum who was staring open mouthed. "What?" She mouthed and I shrugged. I had no idea what was going on either.

"You don't mind do you?" The raven haired beauty lifted the half eaten biscuit with a grin. "These are really good."

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Straightening my shoulders I stepped forward.

She paused. "I'm Yana." One bite and the sweet treat disappeared. She waited for me to say something. And when I didn't she sighed. "He didn't tell you about me huh?"

"I don't know who you are on about?"

"Well this property is owned by my family. Most of this area is." She spread her arms wide.

"Panther." My mum hissed her eyes wide.

"If we are." My voice shook even more. Panthers and wolves didn't really get on and I could understand my mothers fear but in a way knowing she was a sometimes enemy of my kind made me feel more at ease.

At least I knew she wasn't working for Prince Julian.

"If we are trespassing then I apologise. We were told we could be safe here but-" I chin jerked towards the door. "We are leaving."

"Oh stop being so daft Cassie." Laughing Yana slipped onto one of the stools. "And come and talk to me. Did you find the tea helped with your morning sickness? I asked some of the others and they all swear by it."

"You- " I stuttered. "You know I'm pregnant?"

Laughing she shook her dark curls around her face. "Of course I do. I know all about you. I had to, if we were going to help you."

My thundering heart slowed to a more steady beat. I trusted her even when I knew I shouldn't. If she wanted me dead I would have been dead by now.

"We were told to expect you. Not so soon but we will adapt and overcome." She laughed. "Honestly we are in need of a shifter doctor if your feeling up to it?"

"What do you know about me?" I whispered.

"Kick ass doctor, wife of that asshole prince Julian." She lifted two fingers. "Knocked up by -" a smile spread across her face. "Well my mate has his theories on that but we will see."

"Who is your mate?"

Yana looked at me like I was stupid. "The person who sent you here of course." She said with a laugh. "Beta Ian is my mate."