#willow 002

Over six months, Cassidy had managed to remain sober with the support of his family and the program.  One thing he loathed though was coming to these meetings.  His sponsor encouraged, in fact requiring him to come at least twice a week.  Most of the time, he chose the latest meetings in the evening where there were less people.  Only difficulty, the donuts and coffee were stale by that time.  Not that he cared much about the donuts, he had never been a fan of sweets.  But, c’mon.  He’s an addict, at least get him some decent coffee.

Like all the meetings, he found this one particularly boring.  Yes, his heart went out to those who struggled.  But at the same time, hearing their stories just made him feel terrible.  Many of them came from dark backgrounds, while him.  Well, he was a very well loved, straight A student and never struggled in those ways.  It was hard to relate to them.  And something happened, a woman walked through the door he recognized and there was no hiding.  Fuck.

Sure there were suspicions.  The two had similar traits and often addicts are able to easily recognize each other, but he rather it all be suspicion and not confirmed.

The hour dragged, Cassidy intentionally skipping over himself when asked if he wanted to speak.  No, he had nothing to say.  Especially when a woman he worked with was there.  Once they were let out, he approached her as he was pulling out his pack of cigarettes.

It was a struggle to keep to the speed limit when he wanted to push the truck to keep pace with his sprinting heartbeat. He was gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles had blanched from the pressure. The wheel creaked under the strain of his hold. His other hand was interwoven through Willow’s, holding her without the bone crushing grip he had on the steering wheel. Caden was almost certain that the only reason he was able to breathe evenly was because of the witch beside him. If she wasn’t working her magic, she was the magic that kept his heart from punching out of his chest. 

His hairs had bristled at the sound of a howl, so mournful and meaningful as it rang through the air for miles. Cade was half certain that the whole town had heard that outcry, though only the wolves would know what it meant. The wolf song that tore apart the skies was one of loss and tragedy. He knew because he’d howled a similar one before his return to Roseville, the morning after the Winter Solstice, when he’d been shaken back to consciousness by a sobbing Jordan to discover an open field, a blood soaked and gore strewn killing ground, of the mangled and dismembered bodies of their pack.

Cade knew that howl. The text that followed sat like a ton of bricks on his chest. ‘Cade. Meet me now,’ followed by coordinates located on the perimeter of Crescent territory. He’d been with Willow when he’d heard the howl, his phone vibrating in his pocket less than half an hour later with Harlow’s message. The knowledge that nothing good was waiting for them at the designated meeting point, his witch hadn’t hesitated to climb into his truck and travel with him to the Outskirts. With each mile they neared he grew more grateful for her company. 

There were only so many reasons that Harlow would call him back into the Outskirts, and none of them were good. Cade had a feeling he’d need his girl now, and he was glad that Jordan was safe at home while they ventured into the edges of Crescent territory. Knowing she was safe meant more to him now than the young wolf could ever guess. 

Squeezing Willow’s hand in his, he glanced away from the road to look at her beautiful face. Her expression was furrowed, tight with the dread he felt circling his throat and weighing heavily at the bottom of his gut. Cade had to wonder if it was his apprehension she was wearing now, or her own. 

He brought their joined hands from her lap to his lips, kissing her knuckles before he pressed the back of her hand to the center of his chest. Caden didn’t have words of comfort to offer her, or reassurances that this was probably nothing. It’d be a lie. One that he wanted so fucking badly to believe, but no less a lie. So they drove in silence, whatever attempts at conversation or discussion thwarted by his heart in his throat, by the invisible force wrapped around his chest. All he did was drive, hating every inch that brought him closer to whatever waited him at the end of the road. 

All too soon tires were kicking up icy gravel as they neared the shoulder of road where Harlow had told him to meet her. The Alpha female was standing by the treeline and, as Cade parked the truck and switched off the engine, he could see her tear stained face through the windshield. He brought Willow’s knuckles to his mouth for another kiss before letting go of her hand and releasing his seat belt to hiss back into its compartment.

“Stay close,” he needlessly advised Willow as he pulled his door open, walked around the truck, then opened hers as well. Once Willow was out of the truck the door was shut and he led them over to Harlow, who was greeted with a sharp nod and wary gaze. 

To the other Alpha he asked, “What’s going on?” and knew in his gut that he didn’t actually want to know the answer.

the halls of the rain house were bustling with people, illuminated brightly, and teeming with life and vibrance. once would assume morgan would be pleased at such a sight, but it were more accurate to say it made him nothing less than anxious. the storm outside had begun to pick up, the pattering of the rain against glass windows growing louder, but perhaps missed by those who were far more focused on the music and feast from the day's hunt. no doubt, this smaller gathering offered some interesting opportunities, not just for the stormlord, but other's who attended. right now, however, he was beginning to second guess his grand idea.

the lord circled the hall, hands resting behind his back as they tended to do while he made a conscious effort to look somewhat comfortable. small greetings made to those he passed by, and perhaps even some part of him attempted to channel his father, who had done well enough at these things to gain himself a seat upon the council of aegon ii. morgan believed his seat was earned, too, but he also knew his friendship with the king gave the man more insight into the way morgan could truly operate as a person, and not just see him for a quiet, perhaps meek, lord.