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“So yeah, something like that. And Rafe. The hybrid. He was there for us … you … the night you were shot at.”
Cassia watched in amazement as Julian spun the dough into the air and caught it and pressed it out onto the wooden paddle.
“And so yeah, they will be around for a while. I promised Greyson I’d watch over Rafe and I keep my word.” Julian dressed the pizza with sauce and cheese. “So you see, that day I found you in the woods. Rafe was with me when we took you to the hospital. We both were puzzled by your disappearance in the hospital. But I was ready to let it go. I really was.”
Julian inserted the paddle into the oven and slid the pizza into the fire. “The thing you did with the cards. And the fire? Then just again with the demons in your store. Now I can’t let it go.”
Cassia nodded and played with the hem of her sweatshirt. Her pulse raced as he leaned his palms onto the counter and pinned her with a stare.
“Cassia. May I call you that?”
“Of course.”
“You should know something about me. Other than a twinge of Hell chasing my ass and my magick crappin’ out here and there lately, I’m generally happy. I love golf. I love fishing. And good pizza. I’m a simple man.”
“Simple man? Hmm … that’s exactly what comes to mind when I think of an ancient Alpha.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice and she shot him a smile.
“It’s true.” He nodded. “Now of course I enjoy the company of a beautiful woman now and then. A good wine. A slow dance.”
“So you’re no longer alone?” As the words flew out of her mouth, Cassia’s cheeks heated in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, no, you don’t have to answer that.”
He shot her a knowing smile. “It depends on what you mean by alone. If you mean do I have the company of a woman … not until this very moment. That is, of course, unless you try to attempt another disappearing act on me. But an Alpha isn’t ever truly ever alone, I suppose.”
“Do you feel other wolves?”
“I can feel them all. Every wolf of my blood.”
Cassia sensed his power. It continued to thrum through her and she questioned if her attraction to him was real or supernatural in nature.
“So when you say you’re one of the original wolves … do you mean your family is?—"
“Yes, I do come from royal blood but I’m simply a wolf,” he replied without missing a beat. “Now it’s your turn.”
“No bullshit?”
“No bullshit.” Julian stared at her, his eyes swirling with intensity.
“Okay, but I’m only telling you,” she acquiesced. “Not the vampire. Or the hybrid wolf vampire.”
“I can only promise you confidentiality within the realm of this home. Should we face danger again and what you tell me is pertinent information, I will need you to share this information with them.”
Cassia slid her fingers along the stem of the glass as Julian reached for the bottle and poured her more wine.
“I’m also on the run so to speak,” she confessed. “My family has more stability. Mum and Dad. My sister, Ella. They live in Hawaii. Maui. It’s beautiful.”
“Sounds nice. And you? Why aren’t you with them?” Julian brought the glass of wine to his lips.
Cassia’s smile faded as she contemplated divulging her truth. There had been moments in her life when she’d shared her secret. They had all kept her confidence, some died upholding her secret.
“I’m going to tell you something. It’s about the hellhounds.”
“No bullshit,” he pressed.
She smiled. “The truth is I haven’t told many people. The thing is that the hounds have been after me for a long time. I’ve stayed in places as long as ten years but eventually they find me … the visions come and warn me. Then I know it’s time to move on. And since you’ve had the pleasure of seeing them for yourself or at least seeing the fires…you deserve to know what’s happening.” She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes. As she opened them again, she locked her gaze on his.
“I am descended of the Goddess. Like you, our magick is as old as time. Descended of Thetis, we are the last of our kind … I am one of the last of my kind. I am a chameleon.”
“I’ve been around for a long time and I’ve never seen such a thing. We said no bullshit.”
