Accidental Mates

1

Cassie

“Cassandra, would you come to the den please? Your father and I would like to speak to you.” Those words, although she didn’t know it yet, would change nineteen year old Cassie Langford’s life as she knew it.

“Sure Mom, be right there!” She smiled at her mother as she finished putting her long platinum blonde hair into the braid customarily worn by unmated females of their pride. As she checked the reflection in her mirror one more time, Cassie couldn’t help but think of the day she would face the trials and meet her mate. Since a female lioness had to be through her first shift and at least 21, she knew she had a few more years left until she had to face the unknown. Young lions weren’t allowed to have any details concerning the trials. All they were allowed to know was that the trials would help them find their mates. Even thinking about what could happen made Cassie nervous. As the only daughter to the Mane of the pride, it was her duty to find the right mate. She knew one day she and her mate would take over the pride from her parents, a future she had been preparing for her whole life.

Cassie had always been small for a lion shifter, even a female one. To make up for her lack of size she had been taking fighting lessons with her father’s guard since she was old enough to throw a punch. In an attempt to keep his daughter safe from any young lion thinking of using her as a way to take over the pride, Calvin Langford assigned his most trusted guards to train her. All of whom were happily mated, loyal to Calvin, and happened to be old enough to be Cassie’s father themselves! Although she loved the older guards and appreciated all of the time they took to share their experience with her, she couldn’t help wonder what it would be like to test herself against someone her own age.

Pulling herself from her thoughts, Cassie made her way down the stairs to the den and her waiting parents. As she reached the landing, she took a moment to collect herself. Even though she didn’t know what her parents wanted to discuss, she knew it had to be important because they had never summoned her like this before.

Pushing open the door, Cassie saw her parents sitting closely together on the sofa, deep in conversation. Although they were complete opposites, Calvin and Laura were everything Cassie hoped her future mating would be.

Calvin Langford was the largest man Cassie had ever known. Although some found his size intimidating, Cassie knew he preferred using his voice to solve pride issues, not brute strength. He always had a kind word to say to every lion in the pride and had a laugh that could be heard clear across the pride compound.

In contrast, Laura was small, some would even call her petite. Although less outgoing than her mate, she was just as kind. Together they made a formidable team that no other mated pairs could match, and Cassie was proud to be their daughter.

“Mom, Dad, you wanted to speak with me?” Cassie asked as she stepped into the den. She had always felt the safety of their family home, particularly in this room. Every special moment Cassie could remember, and some she couldn’t, was represented in some way in that room. From sea shells from their family trip to the ocean to mating ceremony photos of her parents, everything had its place.

“Yes, sweetheart, come sit here with us a moment” Calvin said, moving over to make a spot for her between them.

“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Cassie asked, looking to her father as she sat down.

Instead of answering her, Calvin looked over her head at Laura, as if asking for her help. When his mate just raised her brow at him, he turned back to his daughter.

“Cassie,” he started, “your mother and I have to ask something of you that we never expected we would need from you. Before I tell you what it is, I need you to understand that this isn’t something I would ever wish for you my beloved daughter, but I don’t have a choice.”

As his voice broke, Cassie dropped to her knees in front of him. “Daddy you’re scaring me, what can it be that is so bad that it torments you like this? Whatever it is Daddy, please just tell me.”

As tears poured down her father’s face, Cassie looked to her mother for help. She had never seen him cry and the sight of her hero in such a shape terrified her.

“Mama, what has happened?”

Laura looked at her young daughter with sadness. “Nothing has happened yet my dear. It’s what must happen that has your father so upset. As you know he has had regular visits with the pride doctor. It was confirmed that his heart isn’t as well as it once was. The doctor advised him to relax and attempt to reduce his stress. Unfortunately some of the younger members of the pride have heard the news and think the time has come to challenge him as Mane. In his current condition, we are afraid your father would lose.”

Cassie looked to her father. “I’ll fight them for you Daddy. I’ve trained with all of your guards and none of them can best me now. I’m sure I can handle the young males.”

Calvin pulled her from the floor, giving her a sad smile, “ My brave daughter, what kind of father would I be if I allowed you to fight in my place? What kind of leader would that make me?” He shook his head at her. “No, what I’m asking is far more difficult than merely fighting and takes far more courage. What we must ask you, my precious child, is that you join the trials and find a mate, only then can you become my successor in leading our pride.”

“The trials?” Cassie asked confused. “ I thought I didn’t have to go through the trials until after my first shift, how will it help us if I go through them early?”

“Cassie, I know how scared you are right now, and it’s completely understandable. But if you found your mate early, your father could name you both as our successors.” Laura explained “ We wouldn’t expect you to take over right away, we would teach you what you need to know first. But by naming you and your mate next in line, that should dissuade the others from trying to challenge your father. Especially if your mate was already someone the pride respected, that would make everything so much easier!”

Taking Cassie’s hand, Laura continued,“ Take some time to think it over, no need to decide right now. But please remember, we don’t have much time, one of the young males could choose to challenge your father at any moment. If you decide you want to wait, we will find another solution. Do what you think is best, not just for the pride, or your father and I, but for yourself as well.

“Is it ok if I talk to Liz about all of this? I’ll tell her not to say anything to anyone.”

“Of course it is sweetheart, you can go see her right now if you wish”

Cassie nodded and hugged both of her parents before making her way out the door and towards the lake she had found with her best friend while hiking 3 years before.

As the door closed behind her, Laura looked at her mate “We better tell Logan where she’s headed. That lake is too close to rogue territory for my liking and we don’t want any of them to make good on their threats of k********g her.”

“Yes,” Calvin agreed. getting up from the sofa and picking up his phone. “ I’ll tell him right now”