Chapter 85

Cassie

I stared at the beautiful panther woman munching on the cooling cookies and lost the ability to speak.   At first I wasn't sure I had heard her correctly.

Had she really just said.

I flexed my fingers. "I'm sorry." I mumbled and had to clear my throat. "Did you just say you are Ian's mate?"

"Yes." Crumbs fell from her full lips. "Sorry." She glanced at my mum who I could feel moving behind me. "I'm making a mess but these are the best biscuits I've eaten since my mum died."

"I can make you some more."

"Mum." I groaned with a roll of my eyes. There she went again. Trusting anyone who acted friendly to her. We weren't going to last a week if she didn't toughen up.

"Ian doesn't have a mate." I said stiffly.

She levelled her chocolate brown eyes at me. "You think you know him but you're wrong. I don't think anyone knows him." She shrugged. "Not even me really but I love him and he loves me. He's my mate."

I continued to stare at her. After several long moments I shook my head. "I would have known. It would have been mentioned. I have never once heard him or Julian mention you."

Her eyes narrowed and she finally looked angry. "Because Prince." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Julian and his bunch of out of date wolves really love panthers and agree with inter species relationships." She rolled her eyes. "You're a high bred wolf I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"I'm a wolf and I understand Julian's cruelty better than anyway." I snapped back.

Yanas eyes softened and she reached across the island for my hand. When her fingers curled around mine I let them. "I know and I'm sorry I just get a little defensive. Ian told me what you were going through. I'm glad you got out."

I nodded my head. Sliding my hand from under hers. "I wouldn't have got this far without him." I said truthfully. "I just don't know why he did? If Julian finds out."

She cut me off. "It's his job."

"But Julian said they were childhood friends."

"They are and Ian loves him like a brother but that doesn't mean he agrees with everything his prince has been doing. Ian keeps me secret because he knows what would happen to me and my people if he didn't."

"When did you meet?"

"He was passing through. Had just started his training within some local packs. It sounds cheesy but we literally walked into each other on the street and it just - zinged." She sighed happily. " instant love and devotion." Her smile grew even wider and it made my heart warm to see it.

She was a woman completely in love.

"He took me as his mate a week later. My father wasn't impressed but they are pretty close now. We are all family no matter how different we are."

I smiled. "It sounds perfect."

"It was but I shouldn't be telling you all of that. Not when your own mate-"

"Julian is my husband not my mate. I do have one though." I added , swiping my hand across my stomach. "But I only met him once." I said sadly.

"I see." Yana whispered her eyes on my belly. "Once is all it takes though."

No one said anything for several long seconds. It was strange but I trusted her.

"When do we have to leave by?" My mothers voice took me by surprise. She looked around and I could see the sadness in her eyes. She liked it here even if we had only been here one day.

"Mum." I groaned again. Turning back to Yana I studied her. "She is right to ask though. My mum is sick. She's recently been in a coma and had heart surgery. We need-"

"You stay as long as you want or need." Yana grinned. "This is your home for as long as you want it. I have the names of a few cardiologists in a private hospital in the nearest city and there's a doctors office in town who is looking for a part time-" she met my eyes. "If you feel like working of course. We were hoping you would be our-"

Jumping from the stool I rushed around the island and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, thank you." Words could not express how much gratitude I felt.

Between her and Ian they had thought about everything. We had run and now we were safe. We didn't have to run anymore.

"Like I said Ian takes his job very seriously." She untangled herself with a wry grin.

"But his job is keeping Julian safe and I'm pretty sure he wants me dead."

"His job is to keep the kingdom safe and Julian as well of course and that means -"

From the front of the house the door opened and closed quietly.

"Talk of the devil." Yana grinned.

Open mouthed I watched as Ian walked in. He looked like hell but his face lit up from within when his saw his mate.

"Yana." He went to her in a rush, pressing kisses all over her upturned face. Finally he looked at me. "Good to see you again Cassie." He nodded his head politely. "Although I wish it wasn't so soon."

A sinking feeling opened up in the pit of my stomach. "He knows."

It was the only reason Ian would be here so soon. Julian knew.

"Yes. But to answer your question I will protect you because you are my luna and my future queen. And because those babies are royal and I have sworn my life to protect the wolf royal family."

I shook my head. "But they aren't-"

"See that's where I think you are wrong." He met my eyes without blinking and it was me who looked away from him. "I think those babies are Prince Julians."