"I don't like to see anyone played with or used. I know you're in pain right now. I know you're angry. I understand it. You have every right to feel every emotion that's churning inside you. But this isn't over. When you're ready, I'll answer your question."
The bastard actually hung up on him. Wulf stood there feeling even more betrayed. He wanted Ash's blood, but most of all he wanted Artemis's and Apollo's. How dare they screw with them like this, as if they were nothing. The door to his bedroom opened to show him Cassandra standing there, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Hi," she said, looking very tired.
"You should be in bed."
"So should you. I was worried when I woke up to find you gone. Is everything okay?"
For some reason it was always okay whenever she was around him. It was what made it so hard being with her now. He tried to imagine what it would be like holding her hand while she aged in front of him. What it would be like when he watched her decay into dust…
Pain racked him so fiercely it was all he could do not to show it. Not to shout out until his anger shook the very halls of Olympus. He wanted her then, wanted to be inside her so badly that he could barely think. But it was too soon. She was still sore from birthing his son. And no matter how much he wanted the physical comfort of her body, he would never be so selfish.
Cassandra wasn't expecting Wulf to pick her up and pin her to the wall behind her. His lips covered hers as he kissed her as if he'd never have another chance to kiss her. Breathless, she breathed in the scent of her ancient warrior. Let the feel of his arms holding her steal her away from the reality of what was inevitable.
She knew he needed her. He wouldn't admit it. She knew that too. He was too strong to ever admit he had a weakness. To ever say he was afraid, but how could he not be? Neither of them knew if their son was human or Apollite. The preliminary test had been inconclusive. And it would be another three months before they would test Erik again to see which DNA was dominant in him.
Whatever the outcome, Wulf would be left alone to see to Erik's needs. He let go of her. Cassandra took his hand and led him back to the bedroom. She sat him on the bed, then forced him to lean back.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She unzipped his pants. "After all these centuries, I would think you would be able to recognize a woman seducing you when you saw it."
He sprang out into her hands. Cassandra ran her hand down the length of his cock. He was already hard and leaking. She traced the tip of him, letting his wetness coat her fingertips.
Wulf couldn't breathe as he watched her. He cupped her face with his hands as she bent down to tease him with her sweet mouth. His breathing ragged, he watched as she licked her way up to his tip while her hand gently cupped his balls. It was so nice to make love to someone who knew him. Someone who remembered how he liked to be touched and caressed.
Someone who remembered him. For centuries, he'd only had strangers touch him. None of them felt like this. None of them warmed the cold place inside his heart and made him weak from it. Only Cassandra did that. Cassandra felt his body relaxing more with every gentle suck and lick she gave him. He came with a fierce growl.
After he was completely sated and drained, he lay on the bed, panting, his eyes closed while she straddled him and lay down over his chest. His arms enclosed her as she listened to his heart pounding.
"Thank you," he said softly, stroking her hair.
"You're welcome. You feel any better?"
"No."
"Well, I tried."
He gave a bittersweet half-laugh. "It's not you, love. It's really not you."
Suddenly Erik woke up crying. Wulf fastened his pants while Cassandra picked the baby up and comforted him. Wulf watched as Cassandra lifted her shirt up to suckle his baby. He stared in awe at the sight, which touched every feral male part of him. This was his wife and his son. He felt primal around them. Protective. He would kill anyone who dared to threaten either one.
He sat back on the bed and cuddled Cassandra as she fed his son.
"We've started freezing my breast milk this morning," Cassandra said quietly.
"Why?"
"For Erik. Dr. Lakis said he would most likely need my milk until he's six months old. The Apollites have developed a way of preserving it since so many of their women die before their children are weaned."
"Don't," he whispered against her temple, unable to bear the thought of her dying. "I… I've been thinking about this. A lot."
"And?"
"I want you to go Daimon."
She leaned back to give him a shocked stare."Wulf? Are you serious?"
"Yes. It makes perfect sense. That way—"
"I can't do that," she said, interrupting him.
"Sure you can. All you have to do—"
"Is kill innocent people." She looked horrified. "I can't."
"Phoebe doesn't kill anyone."