Chapter Twenty-Four
Cassian
My bladder was a weak bitch.
I crawled out of bed, because my legs weren’t ready to function just yet. Ending up on all fours, I located the room that could help with my biggest need at the moment.
I somehow managed to sit on the toilet and actually wept from the joy of finally getting to relieve myself.
“Baby?” Jeremy’s voice was a tad raspier this morning.
“Yes?” I rasped back, feeling so tired already.
What the hell did we do last night? Gingerly touching my neck, I felt disappointed not to find it sore. There should’ve been a mating mark.
Jeremy came into the bathroom then, not caring at all that I was peeing. Or had finished and was now just sitting there, touching my neck.
He kneeled in front of me, clearly not understanding personal boundaries. “How are you feeling?”
Frowning, I tried to remember what had happened yesterday. I felt sort of hungover, if my pounding headache was any clue.
I groaned. “Did I get drunk and have us postponing the claiming?” I could kick myself, just as soon as I could get up from the toilet.
It was Jeremy’s time to frown. “You don’t remember?”
Shaking my head no, I winced from the pain. I tried to get up, but slumped back when my legs protested.
“Here,” he stood and with more strength than I’d expected, he picked me up and carried me bridal style back to bed.
Daisy was smushed in between our pillows, unbothered by our movements as she slept soundly.
I hadn’t told Jeremy yet, but I didn’t want to adopt the other cats anymore.
One day when our queen had had a long and pampered life, we would adopt our next queen.
But I’d planned on having a house full of cats back when I thought I would be living alone.
With Jeremy now firmly attached to my hip, I felt I got plenty of love.
With the pack, as well, it seemed perfect to just be Jeremy, Daisy, and I at home.
I was laid down with so much care it had to strain his muscles, but he didn’t show it, just shot me a loving smile and joined me on the bed, his hand finding mine and lacing our fingers together.
“What do you remember?” he asked, his worried green eyes searching mine.
I thought about it, like truly thought back, but it was all muddled together. “I remember bits and pieces and some don’t make sense. I remember blood, and feeling pain. I also remember being afraid and happy. It’s confusing, to be honest. Like why would I be both happy and afraid?”
“Well, lots of stuff happened,” he began. “And it seemed to happen so fast, too.”
“Can you explain from the beginning?” I begged, desperately wanting to hear it all. From what I could remember, I’d been scared for Jeremy, but he seemed fine. I, however, was not.
“Well, Fillian challenged me for the Alpha title.” I frowned at that.
Stupid guy, thinking he could take on my man.
“And he decided to break the rules of the challenge, targeting you, instead.” Was that what my fear had stemmed from?
I’d been attacked? “Marcus jumped me while I was distracted by Fillian running towards you.”
“You were attacked?!” I gasped, looking him over. He had a few scrapes, but they looked to be months old.
“I was, but even though I dealt with Marcus, Fillian still went for you. Milo was the one who saved your life.”
“Milo?” I repeated, not understanding.
“Yes, Milo. He shifted and jumped between you and Fillian, taking the full attack head on. You were pushed to the ground and hit your head badly, while Milo fought Fillian, who’d gotten a head start in their fight.”
“Well, yeah! Because he fucking cheated!” I was almost angry Fillian was dead. I wanted to slap him myself.
Jeremy gave me a fond smile before kissing my cheek. “So feisty. I love it.”
Rolling my eyes, I gestured for him to continue.
“Milo won the fight, of course, but was so badly injured that once I’d finished Marcus off, he was already unconscious right next to you.”
I nodded, slowly piecing the events together in my head. I wouldn’t have remembered those parts anyway, considering I was out cold on the ground. Seriously, fuck Fillian and Marcus.
“Dad, Darius, and I, got both you and Milo to Nic’s place.
He’s the pack healer.” I closed my eyes and just listened to the rest. My eyes felt too sensitive to focus on anything at the moment.
“You got two stitches on the back of your head and have a concussion. I have potions you need to drink daily for three days and then Nic will come by and check on you.”
“Potions?” I asked. “Is it like those that are made in a cauldron where they add bones and teeth and what not?” I felt sick just thinking about it. Maybe it would be better not knowing.
Jeremy let out a soft laugh. “God, I love you. No, he’s just using ingredients from the woods.”
“That doesn’t erase the chance of him using bones—” I sat up suddenly, eyeing him with too big eyes for this stupidly bright morning. “Did you just…say you love me?”
Jeremy, who’d been startled by my sudden movement, was sitting, too, and giving me a secretive smile. It was a slow spreading one. The left side of his lips were a little higher than the right, making it strangely attractive. “I love you, Cass.”
It couldn’t be called crying what I did in response to hearing those beautiful words, not with how I hiccupped and tried to breathe through the emotions. Jeremy’s arms came around me, offering me his quiet support as I worked through my feelings.
No one had ever loved me before. My mother might have, but no one that I could remember. My past relationships were never serious enough, and I’d never loved any of them either.
But Jeremy….
“I love you too,” I hiccupped, hiding my wet face in the crook of his neck. He could deal with some snot and tears. He did love me after all.
“Aww, baby,” he soothed, gently stroking my hair, being careful around my stitches.
We stayed like that, just holding each other as my tears dried out and my stomach began demanding pancakes. It didn’t really say pancakes, but Jeremy didn’t need to know that.
“Here’s your pancakes, baby,” Jeremy gave me a plate stacked high with yummy goodies. I could literally feel drool on my chin just from the scent and look of those perfectly cooked pancakes.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” I whispered, taking the pancakes and giving him a beaming smile.
“Neither can I,” he replied, smiling back and joining me on the couch.
I’d missed Jeremy too much from the bedroom while he made breakfast, so bedrest had turned into couchrest instead.
“Have you heard from Darius?” I asked, balancing my plate and cutlery on my lap.
“I got a text while flipping the pancakes. Milo is still in his shifted form and understands he needs to stay like that for two to three days, just until the stitches can be removed. We heal faster in our wolf forms. Because the slashes were so deep and combined with his blood loss, it’s best he stays a wolf until Nic says he can shift. ”
“I bet Milo hates that,” I chuckled. I didn’t hate Milo, but his choices were confusing to say the least.
“Oh, he does, but it seems Darius has finally gotten through to him. He said as much in his text.”
I knew it still couldn’t be easy for Jeremy, hearing about Darius being with his little brother, but he seemed genuinely happy for them.
“Maybe we can have dinner with them at the diner once Milo and I are allowed to leave our homes?”
“Loren would love that,” he grinned. “Loretta and him weren't able to join our ceremony, so they’ll likely love to congratulate us in person when we come in.”
“And,” I added. “They haven’t seen you in so long, they might be worried you’re starving.” I offered him a piece of my pancakes. Couldn’t have him starving on me.
“I could never starve in your company,” he winked. “I’d just eat you and be sated forever.”
“That eating better be fun for me,” I warned, pointing my fork at him.
“Oh,” he purred. “You’d love it. Trust me on that.”
Damn stupid cockblocking concussion.
“So,” I hedged. “This headache is feeling much better—”
“Nope!” he cut me off, bouncing off the couch. “No funny business until Nic says so.”
Horror filled my veins. “He’s the one deciding when you can claim me? Seriously?”
That would mean no fun for at least three days!
“Dead serious,” he replied, disappearing from view.
Groaning, I got back to my pancakes. At least I could get stuffed by them.