18 Decisions

Ivan had listened in silence as Cassia had told him about her family and her life before. He sat across from her as the sun grew lower in the sky, thinking over everything she had said. Neither spoke and Cassia wondered if he would have them leave his home now. Knowing her family or the kings men might come for her or Huck, she couldn't blame him. They were both criminals now in the eyes of their people.

"I'm sorry to hear you were treated that way," Ivan said at least breaking the silence, "And Huck as well. Children don't deserve to have to grow up like that."

Cassia stared at her hands in her lap, not sure what to do with his apology. Huck was the only one who ever knew the full extent of it until now. She'd never told another soul. Telling Ivan seemed right though and now she felt a weight lift from having him know her secret.

"You should know Cass, you're a very lovely young woman only made more beautiful by your sweet disposition. It sounds like your parents never took the time to discover that on their own. That's their loss."

"Thank you," she whispered as tears stung her eyes. This was how a father should be she realized.

Ivan cleared his throat, not one for much emotion, and stood then, brushing dirt from his breeches. "We better get going. We've got a long walk home."

Cassia looked up in surprise, "You're going to let us stay?"

Ivan smirked as he held out a hand to help her up, "Well, after his stubborn behavior today I don't imagine your Huck will be able to make it very far anytime soon."

Cassia smiled as she brushed dirt off herself. "Maybe after their time together today he and Nico might at least be friends by the time we get back."

Ivan chuckled, "I don't think I'd count on that.

They walked together through the woods heading back towards their home. How strange it felt to Cassia to be going to somewhere that felt so much like a home. Before coming to Ivan's, she had only ever felt like home in the den with Huck. She watched the tall, strong man in front of her and wondered what it would've been like to grow up with parents who loved her and a home full of happiness. It explained a lot about the way Nico and his sisters all were.

It was beginning to get dark when Ivan broke the comfortable silence they'd been walking in. "I've been thinking about your animal not being settled," he took her hand to help her across a creek they'd come to, "You know, your animal doesn't make you who you are. You have to know who you are. Then your animal follows."

Cassia considered this. Everyone had always looked for a physical reason her animal hadn't settled but what if Ivan was right? What if her animal hadn't settled because she was still trying to find out who she was. "Growing up I think I was trying to be anything that would make my family happy," she thought out loud, "I've only ever really been myself around Huck."

Ivan nodded, "And it looks like he loves you for who you are. You can be yourself with us now and I can promise we'll like you too."

They walked on and Cassia considered his words. "Maybe if I'm free to just be myself here, my animal might settle soon. You think so?"

"I do," he nodded again, "I think now that you're away from your territory and can be who ever you want to be in this one, you'll be happier and your animal will settle."

"I hope we can stay here for a long time," Cassia sighed, "I already really like it here."

"Do you really think the King will send people to find you?"

"I don't know...Maybe... He won't like it that I broke Huck out of his prison and then we escaped his men. It'll make him look weak so he'll want to fix that."

"Well, I suppose there's no use worrying about it now. If it happens we can deal with it then."

"I hope Huck will be healed by then," she bit her lip, "If he does send someone after us."

Ivan looked down at her, his serious expression falling back in to place, "You need to think about what I told you. If someone comes for you I don't doubt Huck would fight with all he's got to keep you two safe. Is that fair to ask of him though if you intend to look for a true mate later on?"

"I'm going to talk to him as soon as I can," Cassia assured the older man, "I promise I won't let things keep going as they are."

"Good," Ivan said and that was the end of it. They continued their walk back in their comfortable silence. Cassia's mind wasn't silent though as it turned to thoughts of Huck. She was annoyed with her for giving up her secret but she understood now how she'd probably hurt him. She would have to talk to him. She needed to know if what Ivan had said was true. She needed to know if he thought of them as mates even though they'd never talked about it. She knew how she felt about things. She needed to know for certain what he thought as well.

As they crested a hill and could see the clay house down below, lit up like a beacon to guide their way, Cassia began to get nervous. Huck had been her best friend all her life and maybe somewhere along the way things had changed without them noticing. She was worried he might not like what she had to say and if he didn't, this could be the end of them. Her pulse began to race realizing this conversation could be the end of things for them. She bit her lip and her heart ached. She couldn't imagine living without him. She just had to hope she wouldn't have to no matter what they decided.