18 comments/ 19875 views/ 35 favorites Who Will Cassidy Belong To Ch. 01 By: LadyAurora39 Who will Cassidy belong to; Alpha Wolf or Ancient Vampire? Chapter 1 I have just graduated from high school and am totally excited to start college in the fall. I am going for a PH.D in history; although I am not sure what career I am going to choose once I am finished. It is just my dad and I, Mom died shortly after I was born. I love my dad very much, but I feel like I don't belong because we are so different. He is just a normal human while me on the other hand is some weird hybrid freak of nature that I have had to keep a secret from everyone I have ever known. Dad told me all about how my mom was a werewolf; honest to God, because when I hit puberty I started changing with the full moon. Only, a wolf isn't the only animal I can change into. I can also change into a clouded leopard, which my mother couldn't do. It seems that when my mom was pregnant with me she was bitten by a vampire who also forced her to drink his blood and that changed my DNA even more. My poor Mom was sick for the rest of the pregnancy and died shortly thereafter. As a result of my vampire donor I can move objects and people with my mind, which I have been able to do my whole life. Dad had a lot of fun teaching me not to do it in public. My guess is that my psychic abilities as well as the clouded leopard thing come from the vampire blood. As if I am not enough of a freak I look nothing like my parent's. Mom had red hair and green eyes while Dad has brown hair and green eyes. I on the other hand have this unnatural shade of silvery blonde hair and violet eyes with extremely pale skin. I look like I belong in a Lord of the Rings movie. I am very short, barely five feet and have dainty facial features with a petite build. Because of being so different from everyone else I have not dated and never even been kissed. I have dreamed of meeting my mother's family, like forever, but Dad begs me to not leave him. Now that I have graduated from high school I am hoping he won't mind if I just take a small vacation to Montana to at least meet my Aunt Ivy. Unfortunately for me the decision to go to Montana was drastically taken out of my dad's hands and suddenly dropped into mine. I come home early one night from doing some shopping to find the house unusually quiet. Dad had the guys over for a poker game and it should still be going strong when I walk through the house to the den. I scream when I open the door to find all four of the men, Dad included, lying on the floor. It looks like something has ripped out the throats of all of them as I tentatively approach my dad hopefully. I grab his wrist to check for a pulse but he is already cold. I back away slowly, tears flooding down my cheeks as I suddenly notice a note on the table. Dearest Cassidy, I thought it was time for you to be with your real family; after all you carry more of my genes than this pitiful human. You cannot run from me, I will find you no matter where you go. Meet me at 1289 Park Street at midnight. Lucius. Lucius is the name of the vampire that attacked my mother and ultimately caused her death. Dad always told me if something like this were to happen I was to run to Montana immediately. I leave the note on the table for the police to find and quickly pack my things. Throwing only necessities in the back of my Suburban I hurry out of Illinois towards Montana. It is about eight o'clock and still light out as I catch the freeway west. I only stop to get gas, use the bathroom or stretch and manage to make pretty good time. According to my GPS unit the drive should take about twenty-six hours but I pull into the small town by Glacier National Park about three hours ahead of schedule. My stomach is starting to growl after the long drive, even though I think I may be too stressed to keep anything down. I pull into the parking lot of a large diner right off the freeway and park in the back. There is a sign in the window that a waitress is needed and I smile at my good fortune as I stroll in the door confidently. With a weary sigh I slide into a booth and try not to worry about where I will sleep tonight. A middle aged woman finally comes over to my table, she is the only one here and totally swamped, to take my order. I tell her what I want and watch her hurry away, waiting to ask about the job when she slows down a little bit. I have eaten and am working on my fifth cup of coffee when the place finally empties out and I am the only one left. "I see you could use some help around here." I state when she comes to refill my coffee. "You looking for a job Honey?" She asks with a friendly smile. "As a matter of fact I am." I smile back at her. "I just moved into the area." "So what brings you here?" She asks curiously. "Oh, just wanted a fresh start after high school." I lie as best I can. "Most people leave here for a fresh start Honey." She sees through me instantly. I tear up as I picture my dad in the den last night. Was that only twenty-four hours ago? "I could really use the job." I tell her sincerely as tears trickle down my face. "I don't suppose you know of a place I could stay?" "Do you have experience waitressing cuz this place gets really busy?" She asks as she sits down across from me. "Yeah, I waitressed all through high school. I saw how busy you were and that is what I am used to." I confess as I try to stop crying. "Alright." She agrees with a motherly smile. "I have an efficiency apartment upstairs that you can use. It's just sitting empty right now anyways. Can you start tomorrow morning?" "Sure." I answer with a happy grin. She hands me a key to the apartment, telling me that it is completely furnished and all the utilities work. She instructs me to go around back and take the door leading to the staircase. The apartment, although small, is very cozy. It is one big room with a full size bed on one side, a sofa and television in the middle of the room and the kitchenette on the other side. The bathroom is off the kitchen and has a claw foot tub with a handheld shower. Along one wall by the bed is large closet with built in drawers. The kitchenette has adequate cupboard space as well. Satisfied, I make several trips down to the Suburban to bring my stuff upstairs. There is a knock at the door and the woman from the diner is standing there with my uniform. She welcomes me, tells me that her name is Flo and then begs off coming in since she is so tired. My uniform is a one piece orange and white dress that looks like will barely reach my knees. How backward is this place? I wonder as I cringe at the ugly polyester uniform. Thankfully, I noticed on the door to the diner that they open at six o'clock so I know what time to be downstairs. I run a bath and soak away all the aches from the long drive before I fall exhausted into bed. I am waiting by the door to the diner when Flo drives up. "I wasn't expecting you to be here at open Honey." She greets me with a hug. "Are you feeling any better?" "Things will get better with time." I reply vaguely. "So what made you pick this small hole in the wall to run away to?" Flo asks me pointedly. "I have always been drawn to Glacier National Park and Montana as a whole." I confess sincerely. "I am a good listener whenever you want to give me the real reason or you need a shoulder to cry on." Flo tells me with a warm smile. "I may take you up on that, thanks Flo." I reply, biting back fresh tears. She hands me a menu and points to the counter. "While I get things ready I want you to look that over and memorize as much of it as you can. It's a pretty simple menu and breakfast is always easier." Flo walks into the kitchen and I can hear her moving around while I look over the menu. She was right it is a pretty simple menu and I pretty much have it memorized by the time she opens the door. For a small town the place is completely packed within a half hour of open and I am so busy all of my problems just slip away. Close to ten o'clock a man comes in alone and sits in my section that for some reason draws me to him like I have never felt before. He must be around six foot four with huge muscles and has black hair, a goatee and golden amber eyes. When I walk up to his table to take his order this strange smell comes off of him that I have never experienced before. It makes me pause as I stand there curious. When I look down at him he has the same confused expression in his beautiful eyes that I must have in mine. "Good morning, can I get you something to drink?" I blurt, still staring at him boldly. "Good morning." He says in a husky voice that makes me melt. "You are new here aren't you?" "Yes. First day." I smile at him nervously. "I'll have a cup of coffee." He replies and smiles back at me almost heatedly. I rush away quickly before I embarrass myself. I set his cup down on the table and then jot down his order before rushing away bashfully. Shortly after I bring him his food I take a minute to use the bathroom since it has slowed down. No sooner have I closed the door behind me than someone slams me up against the wall. He is pressing me so hard against the wall that I cannot see who it is. Before I can react he lifts my skirt above my waist and I can hear his zipper. I open my mouth to scream but he slaps his hand over my face. Since I cannot see him or anything in the bathroom I cannot use my power to either move him away from me or slam something into him. I feel him pressing himself between my legs trying to enter me when suddenly he is thrown against the bathroom. I turn around, lower my skirt down modestly and see my sexy customer punching my attacker in the face until he falls to the floor. "Are you alright?" He asks, obviously extremely concerned as he gently grabs me by the shoulders. "I am now. Thank you." I say in a trembling voice. "How did you know I was in trouble?" "I noticed him watching you and cracking jokes with his other biker friends. When you were walking towards the bathroom he got up and followed you." He tells me tenderly. An electric current started coursing through me when he grabbed my shoulders and now I am caught in his seductive gaze, trapped. He looks down at my lips and seems to be entranced as well which causes me to stare at his mouth. Lowering his head he gently moves his lips against mine. The wolf inside me growls at him, wanting him. I am surprised when I hear him growl in response before deepening the kiss. Someone tries to open the bathroom door, breaking us apart and I color a bright pink, gazing at my feet. I move away from the door as he opens the door to Flo. "Are you alright Cassidy?" Flo asks when she sees the biker on the floor. "What happened?" "He decided to get too friendly with your new waitress." My mystery man says to Flo angrily. "Thank you Griffin." Flo strokes his cheek affectionately. "Will you pick him up and give him back to his friends?" She leads me out of the bathroom and tells me to go up to my apartment for the rest of the day. As I pass the biker table I can hear Flo angrily telling them to leave and to not come back. Griffin throws my attacker at his friends before following me to my door to make sure I am safe. When he sees that I am safe upstairs he walks away back to the front of the diner. I instantly get in the shower and try desperately to wash away the biker's touch. When I get out I turn on my laptop and do a quick search to find my aunt Ivy I have no success. I remember my grandmother's maiden name and do an address search and am rewarded with one result. I scribble down the address and then look it up on a map before dressing quickly. I put my photo album of Mom as well as my birth certificate in the suburban as well before heading out of town. A half hour out of town the address leads me to a strange place. Part of it is surrounded by a tall fence and appears to be a huge property; the other part is some sort of a guide service for Glacier National Park. I drive up to the guide service and turn off the truck anxiously. I leave my pictures and birth certificate behind as enter the small cabin. There is a very tall guy sitting at a desk busy on a computer. He smiles at me when he notices my presence. "Can I help you?" He asks politely as he rises to his feet and I am suddenly surrounded by that same strange smell, like Griffin. "I'm looking for Ivy Jacqueme and this address is supposed to belong to someone with her mother's maiden name." I tell him uncertainly. "Why are you looking for her?" He asks guardedly as he gets that same confused look on his face that Griffin did. "She's my aunt." I whisper, hoping I am confessing this to the right person. "That's not possible Miss, her only sibling is dead." He states tightly. "Her sister Reyna Jacqueme was my mother!" I screech at him, completely losing it. His face pales and he gets on the phone. I can hear my name, my mother's name and Aunt Ivy's name before he hangs up. "If you will wait out by your vehicle someone will come and get you momentarily." He tells me uncomfortably. I leave the cabin and feel tears rushing down my face as I begin to sob uncontrollably. Within a couple minutes a black SUV drives out of the compound and into the parking lot. A tiny woman gets out and when she turns towards me I gasp as fresh pain rips through me. "Mom?" I whisper. The woman sheds a single tear and I can see great pain in her green eyes. "No Cassidy I'm your aunt Ivy." She softly tells me. "You know my name?" I ask incredulously. "Reyna told me what she was going to name you. I have kept track of you over the years." She confesses with an expression of shame. "I am sorry about your father. If I had known you or your father were in danger from Lucius I would have brought you here a long time ago." She rushes up to me after her confession and pulls me into her arms sobbing as hard as I am. After our tears finally trickle to a stop I back away a little and sniff her strangely. "What is that smell?" I ask bluntly. "The man from the diner this morning and the guy in the cabin smell the same as you." "We are werewolves Cassidy. You don't smell the same because of your father and Lucius." Aunt Ivy tells me with a chuckle. "If you ride with me one of the men can drive your Suburban into the compound." I gratefully hand my keys over to another hugely muscled guy that is standing nearby. Nervously I get into the SUV with Aunt Ivy and gaze out the window wondering what will happen when we get inside the compound. It is a short ride until we stop in front of a huge four story mansion. I meekly follow along behind my aunt as she leads me inside to an office where several people are gathered around a large table. "Lord Regnier, may I present my niece Cassidy Lacroix." Aunt Ivy states in a submissive tone after bowing slightly. When I look across the room to see who she is addressing like that I get caught in the golden amber eyes from the diner. "Griffin." I blurt without thinking. Everyone in the room gasps in shock and I drop my eyes to the floor in confusion. I hear a chair scraping across the floor and then my chin is being lifted, forcing me to look into Griffins eyes. "Cassidy, what a surprise." He murmurs with a chuckle. "Welcome." "Did I say something wrong?" I ask him wishing we were alone. "No one calls me by my first name." He explains patiently. "Why not?" I ask still confused. "I am the Alpha and calling me Lord Regnier is a title of respect." He explains further. "Oh." I feel stupid and blush. "It's alright Cassidy." Griffin reassures me. "You were raised away from the pack so no one should expect you to know how things work." Aunt Ivy leads me to an empty chair after Griffin walks back to his seat. Everyone at the table gazes at me curiously except for one woman. She is sitting right next to Griffin. She has long black curly hair with icy blue eyes and looks like a model. She is glaring at me like she hates me, but how can that be possible when she just met me? "Ivy, since you saw fit to keep Cassidy a secret from me you can fill us in on how she came to be and why she is here now." Griffin orders in a chilly voice. Ivy begins with how my mother met my father and ends the story with why I showed up in Montana yesterday. Griffin is quiet for several minutes while he takes all of this in and everyone else around the table seems to be in shock. "She is tainted and should not be allowed to remain here at the compound because she will put all of us in danger." Porscha states in an icy tone. "Not only is she half human but we do not know what that vampire blood has done to her." "She is all I have left of my sister Reyna and I have watched her all these years and can personally vouch for her." Aunt Ivy argues heatedly. "If she was in league with Lucius, after he killed her father, she wouldn't have run to us right away." A tall blonde man states that rode in the SUV with Aunt Ivy. "I did a little digging after Ivy and I found out about her father. Our contact inside Lucius's coven tells us that he killed her father in order to free her for breeding purposes. He seems to think that Cassidy is capable of giving birth to his children." "Do we want to lure Lucius here to the compound because she is here and put all of us in danger for someone who isn't part of the pack?" An older man states logically. "The council can discuss this with me privately after Cassidy has returned to town, for now." Griffin declares firmly. "You are all excused until later this evening." Everyone rises from the table except for Porscha. Aunt Ivy and the blonde man who spoke hover by the door. "I will let you know when I am finished speaking with her Ivy if you would just like to wait out in the living room." Griffin tells Ivy softly. Left alone with Griffin and Porscha I stare down at the table nervously. "You were also excused from the room Porscha." Griffin states coolly. "I have every right to be here as your future mate Griffin." She informs him haughtily. I cringe because I already know him enough to know he will be furious with her behavior. "This is a discussion I will not have in front of Cassidy." Griffin growls at her tightly. "Your insolent behavior will be dealt with later, Miss Martineau." Furiously she rises from the chair and sweeps from the room regal as any queen. "You have never had contact with Lucius before Friday night?" Griffin asks. "No. My mom knew his name and told my dad." I reply softly. "That was how I knew who the note was from." "Do you crave blood?" He continues questioning me. "No. I do like my meat on the rare side and I am sensitive to the sun though. I think my psychic abilities come from him." I fill him in honestly. "What psychic abilities?" He asks curiously. I smile at him eagerly and look at the stack of papers he has in front of him on the table. I concentrate on them and move them through the air to the other side of the table, setting them down gently. "I can also do the same to people." I blush a bright pink at impressed look. "Can you change into any other animals besides a wolf?" "No." He answers hesitantly and gives me a curious stare. "You can change into other animals as well?" "Just one." I hedge uncomfortably. "I suppose I get that from Lucius too?" "I would have to say yes because I have never heard of a werewolf with that ability." He tells me slowly. "What else can you shift into?" "My dad says, I mean said, that I look like a clouded leopard, only larger." I share honestly. "What will happen to me? Aunt Ivy is the only family I have left." "For now you will have to return to the diner until I can discuss this with the council. I will send guards so you will be safe at all times of the day and night." He tells me tenderly. "I make the final decision regarding you, but I cannot ignore their concerns." Who Will Cassidy Belong To Ch. 01 "Why did you kiss me this morning if you are engaged to someone else?" I ask him bluntly. He drops his gaze thoughtfully and rubs his chin, growling softly to himself in frustration. "I felt a connection to you that I have never felt for another before." He answers simply. "Then why are you engaged to her if you don't feel that for her?" My curiosity gets the better of me. Griffin chuckles at me when I blush yet again. "I am not engaged to Porscha." He explains with a sigh. "I have been discussing the possibility with her father for political reasons. I had given up the thought that my true mate was out there somewhere." "True mate, like soulmate?" I persist. "Yes Cassidy." He leans forward and lowers his lips to mine possessively. I shiver at the zap of electricity I feel from his touch and open to his tongue with a happy sigh. He pulls me onto his lap and deepens the kiss even further. I cling to him as I respond eagerly and feel my nipples harden almost painfully causing me to moan. He raises his head and strokes his thumb across my face softly. "I will let you know what is going on after the council meeting." He tells me encouragingly. Aunt Ivy is anxiously pacing the hallway when we exit the office and after dipping her head submissively to Griffin looks at us questioningly. "She is going back to the diner now and I will make my decision after the council meeting, which you will be sitting in on Ivy." Griffin tells her. "Thank you Lord Regnier." Aunt Ivy replies softly before he walks away down the hallway. I follow her outside to my Suburban where she pulls me into a tight hug. I cling to her, terrified that I will not be allowed to be with her and be forced to run from Lucius for the rest of my life. "I will come to you as soon as Lord Regnier allows me to." Aunt Ivy reassures me tenderly. I get into my truck and grudgingly drive back towards town. Once in my apartment I am restless so I spend several hours cleaning from top to bottom. I scrub all of the walls, windows and wood floors, even wiping down all the furniture and cupboards. It is dark by the time I hop in the shower and instead of flopping down in front of the television I decide to go for a run. I peek out one of the back windows and see two werewolves from the compound guarding the diner. How am I going to go for a run with them down there? I am not a prisoner; I can go where I please. If they decide to follow along then that is there business, but I am not going to stay in because of them. I skip down the stairs and out the back door grinning at them sarcastically before I run for the trees behind the diner. They gaze at each other quizzically before rushing after me. I shift into my leopard as soon as I am within the safety of forest and I can growls behind me as they change too. I race towards the safety of the national park my feline exultant in her long overdue freedom. I have no problems staying ahead of the wolves, one of the benefits of being a big cat. Even though a clouded leopard is considered a big cat they are only about thirty-five pounds fully grown. I, on the other hand, am twice that size at around seventy pounds and am still only half the size of the werewolves. Clouded leopards also have extremely long fangs which are used for severing the juggler instead of suffocating their prey, another strength over the wolf. Their back feet can also hang onto a branch enabling the cat to hang upside down should the need arise. I have been running for almost an hour when a strange smell causes to stop in my tracks. Instantly the two wolves surround me and howl as they stare out into the trees alertly. I roar, which sounds more like a moan, warning whatever it is to stay away. Suddenly the three of us are approached by a huge clouded leopard, easily twice the size of the wolves. Before I can react the leopard has ripped out the throat of one of the wolves and turns to the other confidently. I run off into the trees, hoping to draw the leopard away from the wolf so he can make it back to the compound for help. Unfortunately I hear them struggle then a loud thump before one of them enters the trees following me. Not stopping to see who won the fight I circle back towards the diner and run for my life. I am nearing the parking lot to the diner when the leopard tackles me easily from behind. I am pinned under him helplessly while I growl and snap at him. Before my eyes the leopard shifts back into a person who incredibly looks just like me with silvery blonde hair and violet eyes. I try to run away after he backs up but I am unable to move a muscle. He smiles at me knowingly and I can see his fangs lengthen menacingly. Against my will I feel myself changing back into my human form and no matter how hard I try to hold onto my feline I am powerless to stop it. I lie on the ground, totally naked, while he leers at me heatedly. He doesn't look like he quite reaches six feet and has a slim build. Slowly he reaches out and cups my chin firmly, turning my face to the side as he lowers his head to my throat. Unable to even squirm away from him I scream when I feel him sink his fangs into my neck hungrily. The pain quickly turns sexual and has me panting with my growing desire. My brain fights this reaction but I can do nothing about it. He drains me until I feel like I will pass out and then scratches his chest. I growl upon seeing a thin line of blood trickle down his chest and an intense hunger I have never felt surges through me. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and cradles me close to him then guides my unwilling lips to the bleeding gash. As soon as a drop of the blood touches my tongue I am totally lost as sensations course through me intensely. I hear myself purr as I greedily swallow and clutch his chest submissively. I can vaguely feel him stroking my hair and murmuring to me in a language I do not recognize. He pulls me away from his chest and I growl threateningly but he just chuckles at me in amusement. I lie on the ground with my head spinning feeling like I am going to be sick. A surge of strength courses through me and I feel his hold on me slip away. I am on my feet instantly and up the stairs to my apartment within seconds. I grab the UV light that I packed from home and sit on a kitchen chair in the far corner so I can see the whole apartment safely. I sit in that position until the sun starts to peek over the horizon hours later before I finally get up to take a shower. I see numerous bruises all over my body from Lucius as well as the nasty bite mark on the curve of my neck. I clean the bite with alcohol and tape a gauze pad on it to keep it clean before dressing for work. Flo is immediately concerned when she sees all of my bruises as well as the bandage on my neck. I assure her that I am fine and lose myself in my work so I don't have think about it. Within an hour of opening the diner Griffin comes in and I can tell from glancing at his face that he is very upset. When his eyes find mine I can see his face pale as he takes me in. He pulls me into a corner booth and gestures to a girl who followed him inside. She immediately takes over all of my tables. "Lucius." Griffin states the obvious. "Yes." I state shamefully. "I went for a run last night. The two men you posted here followed me to their deaths. I am sorry." "It is not your fault." He reassures me gently. "You could not have known that he would find you so quickly." "Have you come to send me away so no more of your pack is killed?" I drop my gaze to the table, fighting tears. "No Cassidy. I have come to take you home to your Aunt Ivy." He strokes my cheek affectionately. "After what I caused?" I ask him in complete shock. "I protect my own Cassidy and you were born part of the pack. You have not betrayed us, you are the victim." He explains softly. "Let me go talk to Flo and then we will go up to pack your things." I watch he and Flo talk anxiously, but she seems to understand. I allow him to walk me up to the apartment quickly. Luckily I didn't really unpack so we gather up my things in just a few minutes. He hands the keys to my SUV to a guy from the pack and insists I ride with him. At the compound Griffin insists that I share his floor of the main building. It is set up like a plush hotel suite with one living room, two bedrooms and a small kitchenette. As I follow him through the main living area where the were's hang out I see anger and shock when I get into Griffin's elevator. "This isn't going to help me make friends with everyone." I state softly, wondering why, except for the kisses we shared, he wants me in his rooms. I am a freak! Once I have my things in my bedroom he hands me a key. "Cassidy, when you first saw me in the diner what did you feel?" He asks me vaguely. "I felt really drawn to you; it was strange because I have never felt that way for anyone before." I confess with a blush. "I felt the same way Cassidy and I have never felt that before either." He tells me honestly. "With werewolves that is how we can tell if we have found our True Mate." "I thought Porscha was going to be your mate?" I ask anxiously. "I am very old Cassidy, well over a hundred and was starting to give up finding my True Mate. I was considering Porscha because politically it would have been a good idea by joining two very powerful packs." He explains to me logically. "Why did everyone glare when I got into your elevator?" I ask bluntly. "I have never brought anyone up to my floor. I have relieved myself sexually with many of the women in my pack but always somewhere else." He chuckles. "They were jealous and angry because they now realize your place in the pack." "What place would that be?" "Together we are the Alpha Pair, so that makes you an Alpha as well as me." He explains with a smile. "After the mating ceremony they will have show submission to you too." "What about the council?" I persist stubbornly. "They said I was tainted yesterday and treated me like I was the enemy? Now they are just supposed to accept me as their Alpha?" "We are having a council meeting in just a few minutes and will be talking about this then." He strokes my back softly before pulling me into his arms. He claims my lips possessively and I again marvel at the electric current that flows between the two of us. Clinging to the front of his shirt I respond eagerly and hear my inner feline start to purr loudly. He growls in response and deepens the kiss even further. I am lost in all the sensations coursing through my tiny frame and am breathing heavily when he breaks the kiss. "We have to get downstairs before this goes any further." He whispers huskily. I color a light pink and reluctantly follow back to the main floor. We are holding hands when we exit the elevator and I hear several angry growls which Griffin completely ignores. In the council room I am the one who sits next to him instead of Porscha. She glares at me with hatred burning in her icy blue eyes. "I realize that most of you still view Cassidy as a threat to the safety of our pack, but there is something none of you have taken into consideration." Griffin speaks authoritatively. "She was born a part of our pack as Reyna Jacqueme's daughter. She has done nothing warranting her removal from her home, she is the victim of everything that has happened to her. She can benefit the pack in the future by giving our offspring her psychic gifts and extra strength. This will make those children stronger than our enemies." "Why is she staying in your rooms and sitting in my place at the council table?" Porscha growls furiously. "I have already contacted your father to cancel any further talks of a Mating between our packs." Griffin states gently. "Cassidy is my True Mate and I will not live my life without her by my side." "You can't do that!" Porscha screeches in a rage. "You are the only one my father wants to leave the pack to!" "Then he will have to figure out a different way for it to happen because I will not be mating with you." Griffin explains calmly while Porscha looks like she will explode soon. I am sitting there wishing I could just disappear into the floor. When I sneak a glance around the table I see my Aunt Ivy is totally thrilled wearing a joyous smile on her face. Everyone else is either in shock or furious. "When do you propose to have the ceremony?" Aunt Ivy asks happily. "There is a full moon on Saturday night; I think that would be appropriate." Griffin states as he gazes around the table challengingly. No one speaks and Griffin closes the meeting with a shrug. Aunt Ivy immediately comes over and pulls me into her arms lovingly. "Welcome home Cassidy." She whispers into my ear. "Why don't you give her a tour and see if she is hungry." Griffin suggests with a warm smile. "I have some arrangements to see to for Saturday night." Aunt Ivy takes me around the other three stories of the main building, showing me the kitchen, dining room, living room, rec room, weight room and the wings with the bedrooms. She brings me back into the kitchen and asks me if I would be interested in some eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. My stomach growls loudly answering her before I can open my mouth. She laughs and sits me at the table with a cup of coffee while she begins preparing breakfast. She chats while she cooks, filling me in on pack dynamics so I understand my place here. She explains how as an Alpha I have to answer to no one save Griffin. There are also Beta's that are considered immediately under Alpha's in rank and then at the bottom are the Omega's who basically serve everyone above them. She then explains to me that anyone can challenge another for their rank. There are different levels of Beta's, those closest in rank to Griffin and those further away. Whoever wins the fight takes over or keeps the desired rank. After Aunt Ivy and I have eaten and cleaned up the kitchen Porscha walks in with a large group of women. Porscha approaches me haughtily while the women block the doorway not allowing Aunt Ivy and me to leave the room. "I challenge you Cassidy." Porscha growls at me menacingly. "You can't do that Porscha; you aren't a part of this pack." Aunt Ivy steps in front of me protectively. "If I hide behind you now Aunt Ivy no one will ever respect me." I point out logically. Aunt Ivy reluctantly moves aside just as Porscha charges me. Accustomed to being a leopard I am much more nimble than she is and I easily move aside. She growls as she can't stop her momentum and slams into the wall. I may be a good seven inches shorter than her but I believe I am stronger. When she charges me again I allow her to grab me by the throat. I take her wrist in my hand, pivot slightly and flip her onto her back, slamming her into the floor roughly winding her completely. I have just placed my foot on her windpipe, effectively blocking her breathing when Griffin and several other men step into the room. "What is going on here?" Griffin asks tightly. "Porscha challenged Cassidy." Aunt Ivy states nonchalantly. "Porscha is not part of this pack." Griffin points out furiously. "I brought that to her attention, but Cassidy said if she didn't fight her no one would respect her." Aunt Ivy explains with a smile. I step back allowing Porscha to get to her feet as she gasps for breathe. Porscha turns to Griffin with fake tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't!" Griffin roars at her angrily. "You have ten minutes to gather your things and leave the compound. You have overstepped yourself for the last time Porscha! You are no longer welcome here." "Are you alright?" Griffin rushes across the room to me anxiously. "Yes, I'm fine." I reply with a sad expression. "This is one reason why I prefer my leopard to my wolf. Leopards are content to live a solitary existence and don't have to contend with jealousy or competition." "They also miss out on the love of a mate that stays with them all year as well as the support of a family that loves and supports them." Griffin points out reasonably. "I may have you as my mate and be technically part of the pack but no one here except Aunt Ivy loves and supports me." I state bluntly. "Give it some time Cassidy." Griffin encourages me. "We are not accustomed to accepting a stranger into our midst. Once everyone gets to know you it will be better." "I suppose you are right." I concede softly. "I am going to go up and take a nap, I'm exhausted." "Alright. I will be up to check on you in a little while." Griffin says and leans down to kiss me gently. Who Will Cassidy Belong To Ch. 02 Who will Cassidy belong to; Alpha Wolf or Ancient Vampire? * "Good morning." I hear a deep husky voice whisper in my ear as I come awake with a huge stretch. "Good morning." I reply softly as I blush self consciously since Griffin is lying alongside me. Looking around my new room helps me to feel calmer. The bed is a king size and strangely has violet bedding that matches my eyes. The room is bigger than the apartment above the diner was with rich furnishings. Dark brown leather sectional takes up one corner with a matching ottoman situated in front of it. Large potted plants and trees are scattered throughout the room giving it a more outdoor feel. Two doors lead to a walk in closet and a massive bathroom complete with a sunken Jacuzzi tub, stand up shower and more tropical plants. There is also a set of French doors that are open so the sunlight can stream in unhindered. I have never lived anywhere so glamorous before and I smile feeling like a little girl again. "We need to talk about what happened with Lucius." Griffin pulls me from my thoughts. Looking up at him I flush with shame as I remember what he forced me to do. "I know." I state quietly as I drop my gaze from his. I have never felt for someone the way I already feel for Griffin. It's like I have known him my whole life. It's the only way I can describe the strange connection we have. He is so gorgeous too. At almost six and a half feet tall he towers over my tiny five foot frame His short black hair, goatee and the most beautiful golden eyes in a proud face as well as the cleft in his chin. As far as I can see he is the most muscular were I have met here at the compound. "I was restless and decided to go for a run figuring that the guys you posted at the diner would just run along. I shifted into my leopard as soon as I cleared the trees and must have run for a good hour before a strange smell made me stop. The two wolves surrounded me as best they could and howled, either to warn or get help I don't know, when a huge clouded leopard showed up. He ripped out the throat of one of the wolves, after that I raced away hoping to draw him away from the other wolf so he could go for help. I heard a whining sound and a body hitting the ground as I ran but didn't stop to see who was following me." "When I was almost to the diner parking lot I was tackled from behind and the leopard pinned me to the ground. He began to shift into his human form and backed away from me but I still couldn't move away from him. His psychic powers must have pinned me to there. He then somehow forced my change back to my human form even though I tried really hard to stay as my leopard." "As soon as I was human again he drained me until I thought I was going to die, he cut his chest, cradled me on his lap and forced me to drink from him. I didn't want to feed but as soon as that blood touched my tongue I was lost. He stopped me after several minutes and laid me back on the ground while he stared at me obviously pleased with himself." "Out of the blue I got a surge of strength and not even his psychic powers could hold me there. Flying up off the ground I made it to my apartment in seconds where I sat in the corner with my UV light." I finish uncomfortably. Griffin is wearing an expression of complete and total rage which causes me to squirm anxiously. "I am sorry Cassidy that was all my fault. I should have insisted to the council that you were safer here at the compound instead of returning to the diner." Griffin declares sincerely. "I didn't follow what my gut was telling me to do and you suffered for it." "You couldn't have known what would happen!" I exclaim, wanting to reassure him. "You are my mate Cassidy!" He growls at me. "Your safety is my responsibility and I knew you were my mate when I sent you back to the diner." "You can keep me safe from now on." Reaching up I cradle his face in my palm and let myself feel my attraction for him fully. The expression on his face changes and darkens with desire. He slowly lowers his face and gently begins to kiss me. I feel a fire roar to life inside me and when I arch up into him he growls in response crushing my lips under his. Conscious thought is completely gone as instinct takes over the both of us. Clothing is tossed to the floor as we explore each other greedily. My hands roam everywhere I can reach and my desire heightens when his hands explore where no one has ever touched me. Impatiently neither of us can wait any longer and Griffin thrusts himself into me swiftly causing me to gasp with the initial pain. Suddenly I am inside his head and can feel what he feels at the same time. This just drives me wild and I can feel my first orgasm cresting at the same time that I feel Griffin stiffen with his. He suddenly swells at the base of his cock and shoves it inside me seconds before he cums. Long after we are both done cuming the swelling keeps us stuck together. Once my heartbeat has slowed to normal I suddenly realize that I can hear Griffin's thoughts and judging from those thoughts he can hear mine as well. I am shocked to learn that he loves my unique coloring with my silvery blonde hair and violet eyes. He is thrilled that I am just as attracted to him. "Is this a werewolf thing that I can hear your thoughts?" I ask him as I stroke his cheek affectionately. "Yes." He growls down at me softly. "True mates can communicate telepathically, another way that you can tell if you have chosen correctly." "So you and Porscha wouldn't have been able to communicate that way?" I inquire self consciously. "No." Griffin's expression grows serious. "I have never found Porscha in any way attractive Cassidy. You have to know now that you have access to my thoughts I cannot stand her. You are beautiful Wife and need to stop thinking of yourself as a freak. Am I a freak?" "No, of course you aren't." I exclaim heatedly. "But I am also human and vampire. There is no one else like me that we know of." "Look at the positives of who you are instead of the negatives. You have more gifts than any species does by itself. Your father didn't treat you like you were a freak, why should you?" He points out logically and smiles in satisfaction when I concede. He pulls me from the bed now that his knot has shrunk and into the shower. We take our time leisurely washing and learning each other's bodies. Once we are both dressed he leads me down to the kitchen where there is a buffet style breakfast set up. Still anxious being around so many strangers I am not able to eat very much but enough to keep away the hunger pains. "I have a surprise for you." Griffin tells me as we walk outside to a small fenced garden area. "You have lost a lot and I want this to be home for you." Inside the garden are two cemetery stones. One for my mother and one for my father. I look up at Griffin as tears start to flow unchecked down my cheeks. "I had your parent's brought here so they could be with you always." He whispers tenderly. "Would you like to be alone?" I nod not trusting my voice and hear him walk away slowly. Looking at my father's headstone I begin to sob, hard gut wrenching sobs until I am curled up in a fetal position on the grass. When I finally sit up I am completely spent and exhausted. Griffin did a wonderful job on the stone. Broderick Angus Lacroix. Beloved Husband and Father. I lean back against the headstone and just begin talking; filling my dad in on everything he has missed in the last few days. Every once in a while I feel Griffin's presence in my thoughts checking on me to make sure I am alright. Finally nearing noon I reluctantly head back inside the main building to find Griffin. This time when I walk through the large living area I actually receive a few smiles as well as a few submissive nods. I smile sincerely in return and feel a little better hoping maybe I will be accepted here. "Griffin?" I call to him using our telepathic connection. "I'm in the office." He replies and I can hear the warm affection in his tone. "Come on back." Inside the office I find my aunt Ivy, her mate Zane and Griffin's second Lukas gathered around the table with Griffin. Bashfully I walk around to the chair next to my mate and attempt to sit down but Griffin pulls me down on his lap. "Thank you for bringing my parent's here." I whisper emotionally. "You are welcome Cassidy. Are you feeling a little better?" He asks concerned and continues when I nod. "A few of us are going on a hunt tonight do you think you will feel up to going?" "Sure." I smile but inside I am anxious because I have always shifted alone. "It will be fine Cassidy. There are only a few of us going, not the whole pack." Griffin thinks to me reassuringly. It has just gotten dark when I reluctantly follow Griffin, Aunt Ivy, Uncle Zane and Lukas into the dense forest of Glacier National Park. Usually I shift into my leopard because I am more comfortable as my feline than my wolf, but it makes more sense to be the same as everyone else. Griffin's wolf is a pure blue-black and massive; everyone else is a normal gray wolf. My wolf matches my strange hair color exactly which is odd. When I shift into my wolf the top of my head barely reaches Griffin's shoulder. The others are also larger than I am which makes me wonder why I am so tiny. They surround me as we race off into the trees and I can feel my wolf thrill at having others to be with. I allow myself to feel the happiness as we run with the wind. The moonlight filtering through the forest, the smell of the trees, grass and various animals fill me with a sense of peace that I have not felt in a long time. Running for a long time I suddenly smell a deer not far ahead and slow with the others. Griffin takes the lead and we fan out to surround our prey. Out of the blue I feel my body changing shape against my will. "Griffin, something's wrong!" I think to him in a panic as I feel myself start to shrink. "I am changing form and I can't stop it!" Before he can reply or even turn around my shifting is complete and the forest around me seems suddenly vast. Looking down at myself I see that I am tiny, not even reaching Griffin's knee and that I am still the same silvery white color. I am not my normal clouded leopard and before I can contemplate anymore an owl glides down, scoops me up in its talons and flies away. I can see the wolves trying desperately to follow us and no matter how hard I attempt to shift I can't. The owl soars higher, well above the tree line, and banks towards the mountains in the distance. The wolves are howling in anguish as I disappear into the night. Soon the owl swoops down into the trees and sets me gently on the leafy ground. Again I am powerless to move as once more my body begins to change without my effort. The owl shifts and becomes Lucius, as soon as I am human once more he slings me over his shoulder and carries me into a cave. The cave was virtually invisible with the bushes and trees blocking its entrance. He winds his way through the very large cavern past several openings and into a enormous room towards the rear of the fissure. Inside there is modern comforts everywhere such as a bed, sofa, dining room table and even a hot springs pool in one corner. Setting me down on the bed I immediately attempt to pick up the sofa with my mind to throw it at him, but my powers don't work. "The cave is filled with iron ore, a vampires one weakness to their psychic gifts." Lucius chuckles. "The only thing you will be able to do is shift into your animals Little One." "So that means you cannot use yours on me either!" I spit at him furiously. "Griffin will find me you know." "I am hoping he will because then I can finally rid myself of that mangy cur." Lucius states confidently. "You are finally where you belong Cassidy Dear, at my side, where you will remain for as long as I wish it. First thing is for you to go bathe in the pool there. You stink like a dog and I refuse to smell that rancid odor." I raise my chin at him defiantly refusing to budge from my perch on the king four poster bed. Calmly he walks up to me, grabs me by my long silvery hair and jerks me to my knees on the floor. Raising his other hand he violently slaps me across the face while he holds my head still by my hair. "You will learn obedience Little One. I am the Master here and you just the lowly slave, here to see to my every pleasure. My pleasure now is that you wash the smell of that cur from your body. Now!" Lucius states in an icy tone as releases me suddenly. I catch myself before my head hit's the floor and lie there for a few seconds hoping the dizziness will stop. He walks away across the room and sets out a clean towel, soap, shampoo and conditioner next to the pool. Too terrified to disobey any longer I reluctantly rise to my feet and make my way slowly to the pool. The hot water feels wonderful and I allow myself just a few precious moments to relax before Lucius no doubt hurts me. I have never been in a cave before and am surprised that the walls of this one are white. Pictures I have seen have never looked like this. There are some sort of lights set in the wall all around the room giving it a beautiful glow. The ceiling is hung with white stalactites which I would enjoy under other circumstances. Not wanting to anger Lucius further I quickly and thoroughly wash. Thankfully for my fast healing my cheek that was just starting to swell and bruise is already better by the time I exit the pool. I towel dry my hair as best I can and then wrap the towel around my body protectively before going to sit on the edge of the sofa, as far from Lucius as possible. "Come to me girl." Lucius states softly as he stands by the mahogany bed. My heart starts to pound and my stomach clenches painfully as I tiptoe across the floor clutching the towel to me. "Drop the towel." He commands in clipped tones. My insides knot up as I let the towel drop to the floor. By the time I have stopped in front of him I am breathing in pants out of sheer terror. "Kneel." He demands in a whisper. Automatically I sink to my knees and bow my head submissively, hoping he won't hit me anymore. "Good girl." He chuckles softly as he strokes my head gently. "You are mine. Say it!" He exclaims angrily. "I am yours." I whisper obediently. "Good girl. Each evening before I rise you will kneel in front of my chair and await me. You will stay in that position as long as it takes for me to come sit before you and release you. Do you understand?" He asks. "Yes, I understand." I answer meekly. "No, the correct answer is Yes Master." He bites out furiously. "Say it." "Yes Master." I whisper feeling tears trickle down my cheeks. How long will it take Griffin to rescue me? "Up on the bed and lie on your back." Lucius instructs me in a calm tone. I quickly do as I am bid fighting the urge to run from the cave screaming. He undresses and is lying over me too soon. So frightened am I that I am trembling from head to toe violently as he traces a finger along my cheek softly. "You will bear me many children Little One and we will create a new race. Finally a race of vampires with no sensitivity to the sun!" He states as if to himself and I can hear the madness in his voice. "There are others just like you who will be coming of age soon too. You were the first but definitely not the last triple hybrid that I will use to my benefit. Soon I will have my own harem of breeding females eager to pleasure me." Leaning closer he begins to kiss my neck down to the curve of my shoulder. I tense as I expect him to sink his fangs into my tender flesh but instead he explores my body slowly. I clench the comforter in my fists and turn my head to the side, fighting the nausea threatening to rise from my middle. Every once in a while he will nip me to pull me out of my mental escape and then lick the blood from the tiny wound. Soon I am covered in his bite marks and writhing under him in agony which just causes him to laugh softly. Parting my legs he suddenly positions his large member at my still tender entrance. He stares down at me possessively for several seconds before biting my neck and feeding from me. The desire slams into me suddenly and I can feel myself getting wet for him as he twists my nipples causing them to get hard. Guilt overwhelms me that I am enjoying his attentions and tears are trickling down my face. Slowly, giving me a chance to adjust to his large size he enters my warm wetness. As soon as he is done feeding he cuts his chest and quickly makes me drink from him, continuing my desire. Quickly he increases his tempo until I am Cumming repeatedly and I can hear him chuckle at my shame. Soon he tenses and shoots his load inside me with a satisfied sigh. He goes over to the pool and sinks into it with a sigh. Curling into a fetal position I sob fresh tears as I wonder if this is what he did to my mother all those years ago. Will I be his prisoner forever? My new existence takes on a routine schedule that pretty much never changes. Lucius sleeps during the day while I remain chained to a far corner of the cave so I cannot escape. When he rises for the evening he immediately leaves the cave to feed before returning for his nightly abuse. He drains me, makes me feed from him, forces himself on me for hours and then soaks in the pool. He never speaks to me except to chastise me or put me down. It has been at least two weeks that I have been a prisoner feeding only on his blood and I have drastically lost weight. I was not a healthy weight to begin with and now when I gaze down at myself all I see is a skeleton with skin. I have no energy, my once silky hair now looks like straw and even my skin has turned a grayish color. The days blend together until one night when Lucius has returned from feeding he tosses a box at my feet and when I look up at him I see madness shining there. "It is a pregnancy test. Do it now." He commands and then stands there expecting me to jump to do his bidding. My heart stops at the possibility of carrying this monster's child because if I am I will never get away from him. I pick up the box and make my way slowly across the room to the hole in the floor where he has me urinate since as a vampire he no longer has those bodily functions. I read the instructions carefully, perform the test and then quietly hand him the stick before walking over to the pool. Sinking into its heated depths is my only luxury and tiny measure of peace. Lucius looks at the stick and then shrieks his joy loudly and my heart sinks. There is no way he will ever let me go now, I am his prisoner forever. For the first time since abducting me Lucius refrains from forcing himself on me and instead chains me to my corner with water for me to drink then leaves the cave. Thankful for the respite I instantly fall into a deep sleep. Someone gently picks me up in their arms and I instinctively cringe in terror thinking that Lucius has returned to abuse me further. "Shhh Cassidy." Griffins voice soothes me tenderly. "You are safe now Kitten." Thinking that I must be dreaming I cuddle into his warm chest and go right back to sleep. The sunlight is blinding when I groggily come awake and look around strangely. I am not sleeping on the cave floor but instead I am on a comfortable bed in a strange room. The bed must be a king size with dark green silk bedding and matching throw pillows. I gaze around the room and the first person I see is Griffin sleeping in a chair next to the bed. Am I dreaming? Terrified if I even blink this wondrous vision will disappear I simply stare at him until he finally opens his eyes. Instantly he is on the bed with me and cradles me in his arms. Who Will Cassidy Belong To Ch. 02 "I was afraid you would never wake up." He whispers into my hair brokenly. "How long was I asleep?" I ask in a hoarse voice. "Nearly a week." He states in a very husky tone. It is then that I notice the IV in my arm that has been feeding me while I slept. "Lucius?" I ask fearfully. "Has been captured. A vampire ally informed me of the effect of iron and knowing the mountains like I do we used that to our advantage when he returned." Griffin explains. "He had another two girls with him, both had just turned fifteen, twins." "They are like me." I state sadly. "Yes. Their mother was a werewolf, their father a human and he attacked the mother while she was pregnant." Griffin explains. "Now you are no longer alone and they are most anxious to meet you." "Are they accepted into the pack?" I ask anxiously. "Yes. Their mother was another of our teenagers who ran away so they are where they belong. It seems this was a plan of Lucius' for a long time and we are in the process of inviting all of the pack Alpha's here for a meeting to discuss it." Griffin states, the relief in his voice obvious. "Can I eat?" I ask tentatively. "All I had while I was gone was blood, I am ravenous." "Of course. What would you like? I can call down to your aunt Ivy and have her make you something." He asks with a huge smile. "The doctor says you have to eat slowly because your body is not used to it anymore. He wants you to start with broth." "Broth?" I exclaim in anguish. "But I am hungry!" "I'm sorry Kitten, but we don't want to hurt the baby either." Griffin reasons with me logically. "You know about the baby?" I ask in a tiny whisper. "Of course." He laughs happily. "You were in heat the first time we made love silly and just to put your mind at ease the doctor performed a test to be sure he is mine." "The baby doesn't belong to Lucius?" Incredulity fills me. "No Cassidy." Griffin gently takes my face in his hands and kisses my forehead. Sobs suddenly pour out of me as his words sink in that I will not be giving birth to a monster after all. I cry until my chest hurts and my tears are completely dried up. Griffin holds me tenderly and murmurs to me lovingly the whole time. "I missed you." I whisper simply. "I missed you more." He answers as he strokes my hair. "I missed you most." I reply as I gaze into his beautiful golden eyes with a smile of love. Without letting me go he reaches for the phone on the bedside table and calls Aunt Ivy. She knocks just a few minutes later and enters with a steaming bowl of chicken broth. My stomach rumbles eagerly when the heavenly smell of real food reaches me. She sets the bowl on the bedside table and hugs me tearfully. "I thought I lost you." She states emotionally. "Me too." I reply sincerely. "I will come check on you later after Lord Regnier has spent more time with you." Aunt Ivy laughs softly. "He was unbearable after you disappeared." "I can imagine you were angry enough to kill anyone who even mildly irritated you." I state after she leaves. "Yes." Griffin confesses. "Her, Zane and Lukas had to keep everyone away from me for their own safety." Gently cradling the bowl of broth he spoon feeds me carefully until my stomach suddenly cramps. Setting the bowl aside he helps me to the bathroom and then changes the bedding. Once he is finished he helps me back into bed and tucks me in tenderly. It takes me a week more of bed rest before I am even strong enough to stay on my feet. I am also eating a normal diet and slowly starting to gain my weight back. My first meeting with the twins is completely amazing. They are so much like me in almost every way it is scary. Their coloring is just like mine with long silvery white hair and violet eyes only they are several inches taller and not as petite as me. We bond almost instantly and claim one another as long lost sisters. Griffin had a cell made out of iron just for Lucius and he is kept far underground through many levels of high security. I ask to see him because I fear if I don't I will not be able to move on with my life. If possible you should face your fear and that is what I wished to. Griffin insists on entering the room with me as well as ten of his finest soldiers. Lucius is chained to a chair with iron chains when I enter the small room. He sneers at me furiously when I sit down opposite him regally. "You lost and I wanted to tell you that the child I carry is not yours." I state simply. "I am sure you noticed the first time you took me that I was not a virgin and fortunately for me I was in heat when my Kindred claimed me as his own." I make sure I use the vampire word for true mate. Lucius flies into a rage and I can see the madness shining in his eyes brightly. He spits and snarls at me while I smile at him calmly waiting for him to finish. "I also want you to know that I will be present to watch your execution. To know that you will pay for the suffering you inflicted on me night after night as I watch the sunlight slowly cook you to ash while you lie there and squirm helplessly. Just like I squirmed helplessly under you while I writhed in agony." Rising from my chair I walk from the room without looking back and smile to myself as I feel the terror slipping away from me. I look forward to the future with my new family.