The Other Part of Me

Braden

Cassie had been away for two-months. Braden had asked Talon to keep an eye on her for fear of what Caspian might do to her.

On his way home on the day of the incident between Elsbeth and Cassie, Braden found the book that had uncovered the truth about past Bloodstone leaders. After speaking to Bridgette about it, they connected the dots and realized Cassie had intended to help the rogues.

For the months that have followed, Braden helped the rogues with supplies and medications and whatever else they needed; it was his excuse to come back and check on Cassie. On occasion, he would take Thomas to examine Cassie, and anyone else in rogue village that may have needed it.

Once in a while, Bridgette would come along to visit her friend.

Each visit, Cassie was restless, not showing signs of recognizing anyone. He was told she walked around the encampment covering her ears with her hands, humming to herself.

Talon confided that he found her trying to drown herself in Lake Reva once, and another time, he followed her walking deeper into the forest with a rope around her neck, singing the same words Braden heard her sing to Elsbeth's lifeless body.

Talon, Orphea and two other former Bloodstones under Alpha Thaddeus had tasked themselves with keeping her under surveillance around the clock.

On one of the supply drop-off days, Braden found Caspian near the entrance of their territory.

Braden sat in his SUV, he inhaled a long breath and released it slow and steady. When he looked back up, he saw Caspian walking towards him.

"How goes it?" The red-headed wolf asked him.

Braden exited the vehicle and walked to unload the SUV with supplies. "As well as you can imagine," he responded. "Is Orphea here?"

Caspian stood before Braden with one hand on his hip and the other was used to cover his eyes. "I know Elsbeth was not a good woman. I know her soul was laced with selfishness through-and-through and I believed her when I know I shouldn't have."

Braden agreed but didn't say anything.

"And I know she did your pack a lot of wrong-doings." Caspian removed his hand from his face. "The day your school caught fire, she was here and left as soon as she saw your mate. Orphea says she saw dark smoke coming in the direction of your grounds about an hour after she left and we never saw her again after that."

Braden stared at Caspian. "One of our warriors confessed Elsbeth told him she had seen rogues chasing after Cassie. She wanted another conflict to happen between us."

Caspian ran his hand down his red hair. "I feel responsible for all of her misdeeds, even going back before a time the mate-bond tied me to her. She always had poison in her heart but I wouldn't accept it." He stretched his hand out to him, "I'm sorry for all the pain we caused."

Braden sighed and nodded, accepting Caspian's hand. He felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. This wouldn't bring his mother back, but it gave him hope of losing the burden his father had left on his shoulders.

Orphea walked to them at that moment. "Braden, honey," she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "It's not a good day for Cassie. She found wolfsbane growing in the forest." She took his hands in hers, "Talon forced her to vomit it, but you may want to bring your pack doctor since we're not sure how much she actually ingested."

Without a word, Braden ran into their territory in search of his mate. She was in Talon's shelter. Her eyes were closed, if she was asleep, it was not a peaceful slumber as she looked quite troubled.

Talon who had been sitting across from her, stood as soon as he saw Braden enter. "She's not getting any better," he whispered. "I don't know how we can help her."

Braden bypassed Talon, sitting himself next to Cassie on the cot. He stroked her face with the back of his fingers. "I don't know what more Thomas can do, either."

Talon leaned against the shelter, with his arms across his muscular chest. "I don't think anyone from this world can help her now, Braden. She wants to die, she takes advantage every time we turn our backs to harm herself." Braden stared at Cassie, his heart hurting for her. He lifted her hand to his lips, holding it there.

"This is one fucked up world I brought her into," he told Talon with a bitter laugh. "I should have rejected her as soon as I found she thought she was just a human with a disorder."

"You couldn't do that; she was your mate." Talon reasoned. "Moon Goddess has a plan."

Staring at Cassie, Braden spoke to his one-time friend. "In the short-time we've known each other, she's found out my father killed her father, many members of my pack openly disliked her, she lost our pup saving other pups from a fire, she has taken a life and she has tried taking her own life how many times now? What, exactly would that plan be, Talon?"

Talon suddenly straightened. His eyes widened. "Why don't you ask Moon Goddess, herself?"