Chapter 6

Chapter 6 Back to her nightmare

CA SSANDRA

My l*p quivered as I searched for an explanation, and Asher rose from his seat. However, just as the Alpha King took a step toward us, the sleeping prince’s eyes

opened.

“Daddy?” the young boy managed. “What happened?”

Asher seemed to forget about us completely and turned his full attention to hist son. He squatted down beside the boy and took his hand.

“You’re awake,” he said in relief. “Oh, thank goodness. Do you feel any better

now?”

His tone was gentle, something I’d never heard from him before. Or perhaps I had, but the memories were buried now.

The young prince nodded and smiled at his father. “I feel better now, Daddy…”

“Do you remember what happened?” Asher asked quietly and when the boy shook his head, he sighed. “That’s alright. What’s important is that you’re safe and- feeling better than before. I’m so relieved.”

As he held his son’s hand, I noticed Finnick gazing at them longingly. It tugged at my heartstrings, but there was nothing I could do except get the both of us away

from here.

“We need to go,” I whispered, and I carefully took his hand in mine. Finnick’s eyes flashed, and for a moment, he appeared as if he wanted to say something more to Asher, but instead he just nodded. I knew he was still curious about why the Alpha King had the same eye color as him, but he was smart enough to know when it was time to quit asking questions. I knew he would probably bring it up on the way home, but I would deal with it then.

4/5

For now, I needed to leave Asher Collins to his Pack and go back to living my

own life.

“Your Majesty, may I leave with my son?” I asked Asher politely.

The Alpha King ignored me.

“Daddy, who is she?” the prince asked with a confused look in his eyes. “And who is this boy? Why are they here in our room?”

His l*ps pouted slightly, and for a moment, I was reminded of Adalyn. She used to pout in the exact same way, and it drove me crazy even back then.

Adalyn Moses was the daughter of the Beta and came from one of the most. prestigious families in all of Anemond. Once she took an interest in something, she would do anything to win it, no matter what it took. Clothes, fine jewelry, and even

love. She seized it all like she was entitled to it.

It appeared that her and Asher had spoiled their son in the same way. Even though I’d saved his very life, the boy glared at me as if I were some kind of peasant

intruder.

It took all of my being to not be offended by the child’s actions. While I hated entitlement and had tried to raise my son to know better, the prince was young. Hopefully he would learn differently in time.

“That’s the healer,” Asher answered, and after he brushed the prince’s hair away

from his forehead. “She took care of you.”

The intimate action took me by surprise. Asher wasn’t one to show affection, at least he hadn’t been back then. But he was clearly different now.

“Oh his son remarked, but he didn’t seem too impressed. “What did she heal

-me from? I don’t understand.”

“You were bitten by a viper,” Finnick spoke up helpfully.

“Shh,” I whispered, and I rested my hand on his shoulder. “Finnick!”

“A viper?” the prince repeated back, and his face grew alarmed. “You mean a snake?? I hate snakes, Daddy!”

“Yes,” Asher answered, and his eyes shot daggers in our direction. “You were bitten by a viper. But you’re alright now. Cas sandra and her attendant took good care of you and you’re going to be just fine. They gave you medicine and herbs to drink. Do you remember that?”

The prince frowned. “No. I don’t remember.”

Asher’s eyebrows creased together in concern.

“It’s probably from the fever, Your Majesty,” I spoke up in an attempt to ease the situation. “It isn’t unusual for someone who’s been under such stress and fever to not remember what they’ve been through. He’s likely very tired and just needs some

more rest.”

The Alpha King didn’t look fully convinced. His gray eyes looked like storm clouds as they glared at me, and for a moment, I was worried he was going to say something bad in front of Finnick. Asher had been prone to temperamental outbursts in the years I’d known him, and I wasn’t sure if that side of him still

remained.

Luckily for us all, he softened his expression, and laid his hand on his son’s

shoulder.

“You heard the healer,” he remarked. “You just need some rest, son, You’ll be just fine.”

“Oh,” the boy said again, and he went back to ignoring us.

Finnick tugged at my sleeve nervously, and I ran my hand through his hair. I’d never wanted to leave the Pack House more than I did at this moment.

“Can we leave, Your Majesty?” I decided to ask again. “My son could use some rest as well and we live a little distance from here.”

An eternity pa*sed as I waited for an answer. Finally, after a minute, Asher

glanced over at me.

“You can leave, Ca ssandra,” the Alpha King said in a bored tone of voice.

Relief flooded through me and it took all of my patience to keep from sighing.

“Thank you, Your Majesty-” I started to say, but he cut me off with a raise of his

hand.

“When you return home, pack your things,” he said sternly. “You’ll be leaving with us in two days’ time.”

My jaw dropped open.

Leaving?

What did he mean by that?

“E-excuse me?” I managed to say. “What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“You’re returning with us to Anemond,” the Alpha King said without looking at me, and my heart dropped.

“What?” I blurted out, and for a moment, I forgot to maintain an air of respect. What in the world did Asher Collins mean? Why would I be returning with him to

Anemond?

“It should be simple enough for you to understand,” Asher sighed, and when he glanced over at me, he raised an eyebrow. “I need to make sure Marco fully recovers and that there’s nothing suspicious about the herbs you used on him. The royal family cannot be too cautious, not these days, and besides… you should be honored to be allowed to enter Anemond. Not many in your station are allowed into the

capital.”/

Silence fell as his words crashed over me, and I broke into a panic.

Anemond.

I’d done everything in my power to forget everything that’d happened there.

And now he wanted me to face it all again.