The Other Part of Me

One year later...

Cassie made her way from the separate house Braden had constructed for the two of them away from the mansion, to his new office in the library.

So much had happened since Moon Goddess blessed her with her presence.

Cassie decided to undertake the task of updating and correcting the Bloodstone scrolls.

Thankfully, a few of the former Bloodstones came back after deciding to give Braden a chance, especially after hearing of all the positive changes he had done for the good of the pack. She made sure to use them as a resource for the sake of the Bloodstone's true history.

Unfortunately, many of the original members still didn't want to give him a chance, while a handful of others wanted nothing to do with the Bloodstones because Braden offered a home to those that had burned down the pack all those many years ago. Cassie felt sorry for them because it was genuinely their loss, Braden was incredible as were all the rogues.

Cassie and Braden marked each other. She bore his mark on her shoulder and he bore hers where his shoulder met his neck. When the bites healed, Cassie was surprised to see their names appeared on each other like a scar. If she had known it would look this cool - well, she probably still would have hesitated, but every time she looked at his name on her skin in the mirror, she didn't hate it. Seeing her name on him made her love him more.

They had a unification ceremony. The Bloodstones, the rogues, Magdalena and her Aunt Marie were all invited. Marie thought it was some sort of pagan ceremony, but she was just happy to be there. Of course, she stayed in the house with Cassie whenever she would come to visit. There was no way Marie could handle 'the wolves, the birds, and the bees' talk.

At least not yet.

About a month after the unification ceremony, Cassie held a belated end-of-life ceremony for her mom. Attendance was optional. She was touched when all of the pack members, new, old, originals and honorary wanted to partake. Thankfully Braden had held on to her mom's sweater while she had been rendered indisposed after Elsbeth's incident. Magdalena and Cassie set fire to the pink sweater in the traditional pyre. Magdalena informed her the mate-bond between Thaddeus and Celeste breathed once more in the afterlife with the blessing of Diana's life, as was 'the way of the wolf'.

Cassie had to agree that maybe the way of the wolf was not so bad after all.

Braden created an advisory council for the pack, which was led by Caspian, Orphea, Talon, Bridgette, Jason and honorary member, Magdalena, to represent Moon Goddess. The pack Alpha and Luna of course, were there as well but the whole pack was invited and they were all allowed to have a voice. Cassie was the designated 'Human Relations' representative.

Cassie loved the peace and quiet in the library. She liked it so much that Braden had his new office built there since he had ceded the Alpha quarters to Caspian and Orphea. Cassie spent most of her days in the new office updating the scrolls. On this day, Magdalena and Talon stopped by to see her. Magdalena wanted to gift her with a rocking chair for the office, and Talon, being the sweetheart that he was, offered to help with the delivery.

Magdalena thought it would come in handy seeing as in two months, Cassie and Braden would be welcoming a pup. Given the history of the prior pregnancy, Magdalena assured her all would be fine.

On her way out to return to the Spearhead pack, Magdalena caught sight of Talon's loving gaze towards Cassie.

As she passed him, she patted his shoulder gently. When he turned to look at her, Magdalena gave him a smile. "Hang in there," she told him with a wink before heading back home.