WHITE LYCAN'S REVENGE

CHAPTER 5 - YOU'RE NOT NOTHING - CASSIA'S POV

Greyson sat me down on a soft wool rug under the shade of a big tree, while he went to help with lunch. I tried to offer my help, but he said his Queen didn't do manual labor, gave me a drink and told me to rest.

I watched as he bantered with his guards, while they were organizing lunch. It was a deer one of them had hunted. I was shocked by how nice Greyon was to them. I had never seen Aamon or his father treat anyone with respect, especially those they deemed less than them.

But Greyson seemed to have inside jokes with everyone, and the guards laughed alongside him. They spoke freely. They looked him in the eye. They offered opinions about the best way to cook the meat, and even teased him for his terrible cooking and trying to show off to me. He listened. He actually listened to them. This was a new world for me. A good one, maybe? Or was this all an act to trick me so he could use Sera?

One guard, a tall man with lots of braids, pointed to a chest. ''You need to add more seasoning.''

''No, I don't know if Cassia will like it, she's not used to the spices from our country.'' Greyson said back, his voice was calm, ''You can survive with less seasoning today.''

The men groaned, and I felt guilty, but then Andrew, playfully put Greyson in a headlock and messed his hair, ''Stop playing favorites with your girl!''

''Get off, or I'll throw you on the fire, and we'll season you!'' Greyson easily got out of his hold and kicked Andrew in the bottom, making him stumble and laugh.

I hugged my knees while I continued to watch them, until finally Greyson filled up two plates with meat, roast potatoes and bread.

He walked over to me with the food, and sat down, ''It's not much, but it's hard to travel with much food.'' He asked. His eyes were kind. He handed me the plate.

''No, this is perfect, thank you.'' I smiled and took the plate.

''You didn't drink anything.''

''Oh, I.'' I hesitated.

''I didn't put anything in it,'' He said, as he picked it up, took a sip and passed it over to me. ''See.''

I blushed a little and took the cup, our fingers brushing. However, now I was too shy to drink from a cup he'd drunk from, but as he was watching me, I took a sip of the cool water, before placing the drink down.

''Do you like deer?'' He asked and I picked up a fork.

I shrugged, ''It's fine, thank you.''

''If the spices are too much, let me know and I'll use less next time.'' He said kindly and started eating.

''Is it a long time to the port?''

''A few days,'' He answered, with a mouthful of meat, ''We'll have to camp for two night.''

I looked up at him nervously, ''Will... we stay together?''

Greyson smiled, ''As we're camping tonight, we'll share a tent, but I won't... touch you if that's what you're worried about, not until you're ready, and tomorrow night we'll be in a tavern,''

''If I'm never ready?'' I asked timidly.

Greyson looked into my eyes, ''Then I'd better get used to cold showers,'' He joked, and I smiled and looked down, ''Eat, we have a long journey ahead, and I was to get a few more miles out of today before the sunsets.''

I started eating the meat, and smiled, ''Its nice,'' I told him when I saw him looking, and he smiled in relief, but then I shivered from the wind, and Greyson put his plate down.

He got up without another word and walked over to the carriage.

''What did I do?'' I asked Sera, ''I said I liked the food? Why is he mad?''

''I don't know,'' Sera answered, but then I saw Greyson come back holding a cloak, which made me frown.

When he reached me again, he carefully placed the cloak over my shoulders, and sat back down, ''Better?''

I sat there frozen, just staring at him, this was too much, too overwhelming, and I couldn't help but start crying.

''What's wrong? What did I do?'' Greyson panicked, as his men turned to look at us.

I put the plate down, quickly got up, and rushed into the woods, where I leaned against a tree, and cried.

''Cassia!'' Greyson reached out and touched my shoulder, making me jump. ''Please, tell me what did I do?''

''Nothing,'' I shook from the tears, ''I just... No one's ever been so kind to me. I don't know to trust it, to trust you. I keep waiting for you to hurt me but just...''

Greyson grabbed my arm, and pulled me around, making me gasp in fear, but instead of hitting me, he pulled me into his arms, and hugged me.

''I'll never hurt you, never!'' He whispered into my hair, and he sounded like he was in pain.

''You don't have to do this because I'm a white Lycan,'' I cried, ''As long as you take me away from here, I'll work for you, but you don't have to force yourself to be with me. I know you're only doing this because you can't be with your real mate.''

''I've told you, you are my real mate,'' He argued, and held me tighter, ''And I'm not using you because you're a white Lycan. I want you.''

''Why?'' I asked. I didn't understand it, ''I'm nothing, I'm just.''

''Stop it, you're not nothing,'' He told me, ''You're beautiful, and kind, and strong. I know what you've been through, and you survived it. Not many could. I can't wait to get to know the women behind that strength, and to watch you blossom now that you're out of that hell. Please don't fear me, you can scream, you can hit me, stab me even, and I would still never raise my hand to you.''

I sniffed, and leaned back. I didn't know if I could truly believe his words, but I was willing to try. I wanted desperately for it to be real.

Greyson used his sleeve to wipe my cheeks, and smiled.

''No more tears, you're too beautiful to be crying all the time.''

I smiled and looked down, but froze in shock, when he kissed my forehead. ''Let's go back and finish eating, or those men will steal our food. I swear they should be the size of a house with how much those pigs eat.''

I laughed softly, and Greyson's eyes lit up, and he offered me his hand, which I took, and walked us back to the others, and I saw Andrew waiting near our food.

''Is everything okay?'' He asked.

Greyson nodded, and Andrew bowed, before returning to his food, but then he growled, ''Who took my plate?!''

Greyson smiled, ''Told you.'' He winked at me, as I sat down, and Greyson put the cloak back over me.

Once we'd finished eating, we continued traveling, only stopping once more by a river to drink. However, the men decided it would be fun to splash around, getting me wet, but when Greyson growled at them, they all lowered themselves, while Greyson turned back to me, and wiped my face.

''Sorry, they're unruly dogs.''

''It's okay,'' I'd smiled, I didn't want them to get in trouble because of me.

By night, we stopped in a large opening, and the men got to work making camp. I once again offered to help, but Greyson told me to wait in the carriage until he came to get me, which he did an hour later.

The tent they raised was massive, far too massive for just two people for one night. Inside, it was lit by lanterns. A comfortable bed stood ready for me. It had many pillows and a thick mattress. I felt a little overwhelmed by its luxury. Greyson watched me with a soft smile.

''Do you like it? We have other blankets in the carriages if you'd like something else?''

''No, this is wonderful, thank you.''

Then I saw his sleeping arrangement. There was no second bed. Instead, next to my grand bed was a simple rug on the ground with a thin mattress on top, with a single blanket and only one pillow.

''Is that all you're sleeping on? I don't mind swapping beds.''

''Well I do.'' He told me, ''I won't have my mate sleeping on the floor.''

My heart did a strange little thump, as I watched him pour some hot water into a bowl.

''We don't have a bathroom obviously, but I prepared some hot water for you. Why don't you wash up while we get dinner ready.''

''Thank you.''

Once he'd left, I washed up. The hot water was nice, and I quickly cleaned my body, before dressing in one of the dresses Luna Clara gifted me, pulled on some shoes and cloak again, and went outside.

''I told you not to do it, you f*cking fool!'' One of the men shouted, but Andrew growled at him.

''Watch your language! Your Luna is here.''

All the men fell silent for a moment, before the swearing man came over and bowed to me, ''I'm sorry your grace.''

''Oh, its okay, I've heard worse.'' I told him, but he simply smiled, bowed again and went back to Andrew.

''Cassia, come sit by me,'' Greyson waved me over, and I pulled the cloak tightly around me, cutting off the cool air as I went to him sitting at a long table.

''Do you really travel with all of this?'' I gestured to the table, and large tents.

''I just like to be comfortable.'' He told me, and poured a drink.

The men laughed as Andrew came over to us, and placed his foot on the chair next to me, as he leaned in, ''Our King here, hates camping,'' He told me, ''He's too much of a spoil brat, and can't live without his luxuries.''

The men laughed again, but Greyson glared at him, ''Go finish cooking.''

''Yes, your majesty,'' He smirked, bowed and pranced back to the fire.

''Is that true?'' I asked my mate.

He just shrugged, before passing me a cup.

''But, then I really should sleep on the mattress tonight, and.''

''No,'' He cut me off, ''I've already told you that you're taking the bed, so that's the end of the discussion.''

I smiled and nodded, as I lifted the cup, but when I smelt the beer, I quickly put it down again, as memories flooded back, of men holding me down and pouring alcohol into my mouth.

''You don't like beer?''

''I don't drink.''

''Okay,'' He took it back, ''Charley, get me the juice.''

''Yes, sir.'' A man called out and brought over a large jug.

''Pour your Luna a drink.''

''I can do it.'' I said quickly, and took the jug, ''Thank you.''

He smiled and returned to his task. I enjoyed eating with all the men. They were all loud and boastful and really seemed like they enjoyed each other's company, but as I watched everyone else, I noticed Greyson watching me. Every time our eyes met, I'd blush and look down at my fingers on my lap.

As the night pressed on, I grew tired, but I didn't know if I was allowed to go, so after chickening out seven times, I finally leaned over to Greyson.

''Am I allowed to go to bed?'' I whispered, but I noticed a few men, sitting close by, freeze and look at me, before pretending they hadn't heard.

''Of course. You don't have to ask permission.'' Greyson said quickly, before standing up, ''We're going to bed, don't stay up to late, we're leaving early.''

He offered me his hand, and I took it, letting him pull me towards the tent.

''You didn't have to go to bed too,'' I said awkwardly.

''It's fine, you gave me an excuse to go to bed and get out of cleanup.''

I knew he was lying, but I smiled, and removed my shoes. As I climbed into the bed, I felt a little nervous. I'd never just slept in a room with a man, and I was scared Greyson would r*pe me during the night, but then I felt guilty for thinking that way about him.

''Comfortable?''

''Yes, thank you.''

He smiled at me, hesitated for a second before walking over to me. I gripped the blanket but all he did was lean over and kiss my forehead, ''Sleep well.''

''You too.'' I relaxed as he walked away.

He turned off the lanterns, and laid down on his mattress.

As I lay there, looking at the roof of the tent, I felt a strange mix of confusion and mild worry, and sleep came slowly. The bed felt too soft, and I felt guilty, that Greyson was laying just a few feet away on the hard mattress.