The Other Part of Me
Chapter 43

Cassie

Talon walked Cassie back to the SUV in silence. As they were about to say their goodbyes, Orphea appeared out of nowhere.

"Cassandra!" She pulled her into a lengthy silent embrace. "Oh, baby, I'm sorry for what happened to you." She held her a moment longer.

Cassie's eyes shot to Talon who was frowning. "What happened to you?" He asked.

Orphea pulled Cassie to hold her at arm's length. "Talon, I need to speak to Cassandra in private. I need you to go anywhere else." She spoke to her son without breaking eye contact with her.

Talon stared from his mom, to Cassie. He looked reluctant to do as he was asked. Cassie gave him a small smile and nodded. "It was good seeing you, Talon. I'll see you soon." She gave him no choice in the matter.

He gave her a side smirk and began to walk away. "Yeah, you too."

Cassie waited until Talon had completely disappeared into the trees before, questioning Orphea. "What is it you know, Orphea?"

The matron looked at her with pity. "Oh, honey, I know you lost the pup growing in your womb."

Cassie looked at Orphea for a moment before finally giving a curt nod. "Well, that's the bulk of it." Cassie said while closing the distance between her and the SUV.

Orphea followed behind her. "When you hadn't been to see us, I thought something may have happened to you at the hands of that traitor's son."

Cassie flinched as if she'd been slapped. "Orphea, I need all of you to understand that Braden is good. He would never be cruel to anyone, much less to me." She reached for Orphea's hands. "I really appreciate the love and affection you had for my father; I just wish you could transfer some of those feelings towards Braden."

Orphea huffed. "It's the blood that came before us that either curses us or blesses us.'

Cassie sighed frustratedly. What she really wanted right now was to be back in Braden's arms. The near-kiss with Talon cemented that, although she knew there was a strong attraction to him, all she wanted was to be with her mate.

"Do me a favor," Cassie tried switching tactics. "Why don't you come by the Bloodstone grounds one day, I'll show you around so you can see all the good Braden has done for the pack. If you're up to a meeting with Braden, we'll set that up, if not, no pressure, I'll drive you back myself."

Orphea crossed her arms over her chest. "I have to admit, I was impressed with the rebuild of the grounds," she sucked her teeth. "It's a shame about the schoolhouse, though. Did you know I used to be a teacher with the old pack?" Cassie frowned. "You went to the grounds already?"

Orphea nodded. "I told you I was worried." She looked at her. "The pharmacist said you were on vacation. When I told her I could smell a lie a mile away, she told me you lost the pup saving the others from the schoolhouse fire and went away to recover."

"Hmmm." Was all Cassie could say. Although she didn't like Bridgette sharing her grief with others, she knew there was no hiding secrets from Orphea.

Orphea walked closer to Cassie, invading her personal space. "I also went by the burnt schoolhouse to see the damage," she whispered. "I've never heard of Elsbeth having a pup-," She paused. "She doesn't." Cassie quickly supplied.

Orphea was frowning. "I never thought of her as a teacher."

"She wasn't." Cassie was quickly growing confused. "Orphea, what are you getting at?"

Orphea leaned her face close to Cassie, "I don't want to start rumors in case I'm wrong, but through the residual smell of smoke I was able to pick up Elsbeth's scent where the fire began." She whispered. "You might want to tell your mate to look into that."

Cassie stared at Orphea. "You think she started the fire?"

Orphea nodded. "Do you remember last time you came to drop off the first supply order?"

Cassie nodded, engrossed in Orphea's words.

"That day Elsbeth had come here looking for shelter. She said Braden kicked her out because of you. She left almost as soon as you arrived, and never returned." Orphea said. "That was almost a month ago and I can still smell her as if she were hugging me around the clock."

Cassie stood in shock. There was always something about Elsbeth that didn't jive with her but was she actually capable of hurting children? Her hand cradled her empty womb instinctively.

"I hope you're wrong, Orphea. I can't bring myself to believe she would have the heart to hurt innocent lives so cruelly."

"I'd be remiss to remind you she was the reason the pack was destroyed by the rogues all those years ago." She said looking Cassie dead in the eye. "There were plenty of children around then as well, including your mate."

"But she was so young," she defended her. "Anyone could have made that mistake." When she turned to Orphea, whom she noticed, was giving her the most tender of looks.

"Cassandra, you have a good heart. That pack will be lucky to have you as a Luna and I am envious of them..."

Ugh, she sensed the words were open-ended. There was a 'but' on the horizon.

"But you have to harden that kind heart of yours. Sometimes evil intentions are right in front of you and you will need to be able to sense them right away for the sake of the pack."

Cassie sighed. "So I've been told." She leaned over to kiss Orphea on the cheek. "I have to get back to Braden." She opened the passenger side door to put the ledger on the front seat where she had also settled her mom's pink cardigan for the return drive. For a moment, she looked at both these items which represented both her parents.

She smiled seeing the items side-by-side. She caressed them lightly. She put the ledger on top of the sweater gently.

As she was about to close the door, Orphea cringed. "Why is Elsbeth's scent stronger?"

Cassie looked around, searching for the black-haired woman in the trees around them. "You think she's hiding in the forest?"

Without a word, Orphea followed her nose. She walked around Cassie, grabbing the pink sweater and placing it against her nose. "Was this hers? This is what's giving off her smell."

Cassie shook her head. "It was moms. It was in the car the day she was attacked by a wolf--" Cassie's eyes widened.

That was the last thing she remembered before Eva tore through the strapless dress, racing into the forest like a bat out of hell.