Chapter 24

Addie stood, letting out a low groan. “I can take you there if you want.”

I gave her a hesitant look. “Please tell me you have your car.” There was no way in hell I was walking on my sore, aching feet.

She chuckled as she headed for the front door. “Yes, I wouldn’t inflict walking several miles on you.”

True to her word, her car was parked out front. Derek sat on the bench outside the cabin, which I hadn’t noticed last night. “You headed back to the house?” He asked, wiping a hand down his face. Like Addie, he looked exhausted. I doubted he got any sleep last night.

“You should get some sleep; you look like you could use the rest,” I said, parroting his words from last night as I climbed into the passenger seat of the car. His tired chuckles followed me as I shut the door.

“Shit,” I said abruptly, as I realized something, making Addie jerk as she put the keys into the ignition. “I don’t have my phone with me, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t lock the door last night.”

Addie relaxed, having tensed when I suddenly yelled. “Don’t worry, I texted Sel and told her you don’t have your phone on you. And I doubt anyone on our floor will even attempt breaking into our room.”

“Does Sel know?” I’d been hesitant to ask this question, afraid I was the only one left out of this secret.

Addie pressed her lips together, and I had my answer. I thought I couldn’t feel more hurt by this situation, but I was wrong. “You told Sel, but not me?” Why had she been willing to drag Sel into this world?

“I didn’t tell her: she already knew. She’s always known.”

“Wait, always known, like Derek? Or always known because she’s a part of it, like you?”

Addie hesitated again. “It’s not my place to tell you.”

That was a yes to the latter. “What is she?” She obviously wasn’t a werewolf since I’d seen her on the night of a full moon.

“She’s a witch.”

“They’re real, too?” I couldn’t fucking believe this. Both of my roommates were supernaturals.

We lapsed into silence after Addie told me Sel would answer my questions about witches when we saw her next. The drive back to the “packhouse” felt way too long but, at the same time, way too quick. Anticipation thrummed through my body as Addie took a dirt path to the side of the towering mansion that I hadn’t noticed last night. It led to a parking lot of sorts, with over fifty vehicles in the clearing. “Everyone will be asleep, right?” I asked, keeping my voice at a whisper as I climbed out of the car.

It wasn’t that I was weirded out by werewolves or afraid they’d kill me, but that didn’t stop me from being a little nervous about being one of the only humans in their territory. What if they didn’t like a stranger invading their space?

“Out cold,” Addie confirmed as she circled her car and looped her arm through mine. “But don’t worry, most of them are nice. There are a few assholes, but I’ll help you steer clear of them.”

It felt like my heart was in my throat as Addie led me up to the mansion and through the back door. As we entered, I made sure to softly close the door so I wouldn’t risk waking them up in case they had good hearing.

Damn, I should’ve asked Addie if they had enhanced senses or abilities. I had the feeling they were stronger than humans, but I didn’t know the extent.

We were in a sunroom, with huge stained glass windows that allowed colored light to filter through the designs and shine on the open space. Addie pointed toward the doorway to the right before heading through the one on the other side of the room. I stood there for a moment, flabbergasted that she was leaving me alone.

Letting out a low sigh, I crept through the doorway, careful to keep my steps light as I entered a spacious kitchen. The light and open space was clearly used to feed countless hungry werewolves, with a bunch of counter space and stools sitting in front of it, along with several long rectangular tables.

My focus didn’t remain on the layout or decor for long. All my attention zeroed in on Cassius.

He was resting his forearms on the counter with his head hanging down. He didn’t seem to hear me as I stepped further into the kitchen, emphasizing how out of it he was. The fact that he was willing to stay awake when he was exhausted had me feeling things I didn’t know how to handle.

I couldn’t help but watch him as I came to a stop on the other side of the counter, amazed he’d still yet to hear me. The muscles in his arms and shoulders bunched up as he squeezed his clasped hands. His hair was tousled, presumably from him running his hands through it multiple times.

“Wow, you look like shit,” I said as casually as I could, even though my heart was racing.

Cassius jolted, realizing he wasn’t alone. His head snapped up, and his gaze met mine. Surprised flitted across his face, immediately followed by relief as his gaze trailed over my body.

For a moment, it was like he was frozen in place, staring at me like he couldn’t believe I was here with him or that I’d vanish at any moment. The surprise quickly wore off, and he was moving around the counter, quickly eating up the distance between us and pulling me into his arms.

I didn’t fight his hold, burying my face against his chest as I took in his familiar and comforting scent. He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply as his hold remained just shy of bone-crushing. Even with the knowledge he turned into a giant wolf, nothing between us felt different.

“I’m so sorry for leaving you alone,” he murmured in my hair, still holding me close, but I wasn’t going to complain. “If I had known how far he was willing to go, I would’ve brought you here with me last night.”

“I swear, I didn’t leave my dorm willingly,” I said against his chest, my voice muffled.

“I know.” He pulled back and cupped my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks.

“I’m still pissed at you,” I warned. Just because I’d been desperate to see him, and my body was buzzing and content being in his arms, it didn’t mean that I forgot how he kept shit from me. “You had no right to tell Addie to keep me in the dark.”

Cassius sighed as he dropped his forehead against mine. “I was just trying to keep you safe.”

I wanted to ream him out some more, so he might finally get it through his thick skull that I didn’t appreciate him making decisions for me. But he looked drained and like he was only minutes from passing out. I could always bitch him out later.

“You look exhausted,” I said as I brushed a finger down his face. “You need to get some rest.”

Cassius released me, and before I could mourn the loss of contact, he grabbed my hand and pulled me along beside him into the living room and up the stairs to the third floor. “Where are you taking me?” I whispered, even though it was clear where we were headed.

“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m letting you out of my sight.”

I considered being difficult, but he needed the sleep, and I was also still tired myself so maybe I could use this as an opportunity to try again. “You better keep your hands to yourself this time. Otherwise, I’m bringing back the pillow wall,” I muttered, pointing at him.