WHITE LYCAN'S REVENGE

CHAPTER 7 - GIFT - CASSIA'S POV

''Come see us again soon!'' Briannah waved as our carriage pulled away.

''Will we camp again tonight?'' I asked, as Greyson unrolled a scroll.

''No, we'll make it to the ship this evening, and we'll spend the night in the harbor before setting sail tomorrow.''

I nodded and pulled my legs up next to me on the seat while I looked out the window. ''I've never been on a boat.''

''Well, tomorrow, you won't be able to say that.'' Greyson smiled at me, before looking down at his scroll and continued reading.

While we traveled, Greyson got some work done, and I sneakily watched him. He was so handsome, and his dark blue eyes seemed to have a swirl of silver in them, and his beard was thick. I wasn't sure if he usually grew it out, or if he just hadn't shaved, but I liked the scruff. It suited him. I noticed that his thick hair, seemed to curl at the ends, and I realized if he grew it out, his hair must be curly.

As the carriage jolted, and I slipped, Greyson's eyes shot to me and I blushed at getting caught watching him, and quickly looked down.

''Are you okay?'' He asked, ''The roads not the smoothest.''

''I'm fine.'' I said shyly, and returned to looking out the window.

''I have some books if you'd like to read?'' He said as he started pulling a book from his satchel, ''We won't be stopping for lunch for a few more hours.''

''Oh, thank you.'' I said as I took the book.

''It's one of my favorites, so if you hate it, you have to lie to me.''

I giggled and looked at the cover, ''Deal.''

For the next three hours, I alternated before reading the book on a Phoenix warrior, and peeking at Greyson who was frowning angrily at a new scroll. I wanted to ask if something was wrong, but it wasn't my business, so I returned to reading, and during lunch, Greyson questioned me about what I'd read so far, and I enjoyed watching the excitement in his face as he spoke about the chapters I'd gone through.

After lunch, we continued again. The terrain changed from a lush forest, to a rocky mountain side, and the carriage began to rattle hard over rough stone roads. I started to smell salt in the breeze and I knew we'd reached the harbor soon.

It was nearly sunset when we reached the pack. Large white buildings shimmered under the glow of the sunset, and looked like they were built with expensive materials, much like my old pack. Greyson pointed out two large structures, as we looked through the window of the carriage.

''That's the Goddess temple, and that's the pack house.'' He told me. ''I'll need to go to the pack house and greet Alpha Rak, but then I'll return to the ship. Unless you'd like to come?''

''No, I don't like Alpha Rak.''

Greyson frowned, ''Has he ever touched you?''

I shook my head, ''No, but I've seen him hurt servants. He doesn't deserve to be an Alpha.''

''I see,'' Greyson nodded, ''Well you'll never have to see him again.''

We pulled up the harbor where I could hear fishermen yelling, seagulls making loud noises and the sounds of carts and boxes being moved around. Gryeson helped me out, and I excitedly rushed to the jetti. The ocean sparkled, a vibrant blue, it was like nothing I'd ever seen before.

''Do you want to go for a quick swim?'' Greyson joked as he caught up with me, holding both our bags. ''It's about ten minutes to unset, but you could at least wet your feet.''

I shook my head, ''I can't swim.''

''No one ever taught you?''

''No one really lined up to teach me things.'' I reminded him, and his face fell. I hated seeing the pity in his expression and I looked down.

''Well, I'll teach you. Come on. That's my ship.'' He gestured with his chin.

I walked onto my first ship. Its dark hull rose high above the dock. It's massive black sails flapped softly in the we evening breeze and had a crest on them that I suspected represented my mate's pack.

Aiden showed me his private bedroom, where I would stay. It was a strange room. Not grand like I imagined, but still very nice.

The room had a large double bed, a small table with two chairs, a trunk at the foot of the bed, a large sofa, and a hammock hanging from the ceiling.

''You'll take the bed.'' Greyson told me as he placed my bag on the bed, and pointed to a door, ''There's a private bathroom. Don't use the other bathroom on the ship. The men are pigs, and you'll see and smell things in their bathroom that will haunt you for life.''

I giggled and nodded, ''I will take your word for it.''

Greyson smiled as he placed his own bag down near the sofa, ''You have a beautiful laugh.''

I blushed and looked away from him.

''Get settled in, and have a bath if you like.'' He told me, ''I'll go see Rak and come back for dinner. I'll leave a guard by your door but if you need anything, just ask Andrew.''

I nodded, and watched as he left, shutting the door behind him. I felt very vulnerable with him gone, and started to worry that the men might hurt me while Greyson was away, so I quickly rushed over and locked the door. Not that it would really help if a Lycan wanted to get in, but it helped calmed me down.

I decided to bathe while Greyson was gone, mostly because I smelt awful from traveling all day, but also because I was curious how a bath would work on a ship. I picked out a blue dress, and went into the bathroom. It was all wooden, like the bedroom, the sink was wooden, the tub was wooden and carved out to make the bath, even the toilet was wooden, and opened right up to the ocean.

I quickly shut the toilet lid and started running the water. There was a loud motor sound, and after a few seconds, water started coming out from the tap.

By the time I'd washed and dressed, Greyson had returned. I was drying my hair when I saw the door handle turn, and I jumped in surprise.

''Cassia?!'' Greyson called out, and I quickly rushed over to unlock the door.

''I'm sorry, I forgot I locked it.''

''It's okay,'' He said as he came in, and shut the door behind him, ''Why did you lock it though? Did some of the men act inappropriately because if they did, you have to tell me.''

''They didn't, I just... It's a habit.''

''Oh,'' He commented as he pulled his jacket off, ''I will change and we'll go have dinner. Would you like to stay on the ship or go to one of the restaurants.''

''Whatever you like.''

Greyson came over, and I tensed a little, as he placed his hands on either side of my face, ''You are allowed to have your own opinion on things. I don't own you. If you want something, then speak up.''

I bit my bottom lip as I thought it over, ''I... Can we eat out. I want to see the pack.''

Greyson smiled and kissed my forehead, ''Then we'll go out. I'll change quickly.''

I sat down and continued to dry my hair while I waited for Greyson. I was really excited to explore, and when he came out, I shot up, eager to go.

''Hey, where are you two sneaking off too?'' Andrew asked as we went to leave the ship.

I looked over to see Andrew holding a crate of apples.

''Just get back to work!'' Greyson ordered, before taking my hand and pulling me away.

The restaurant Greyson took me to, sat right off the main street, with an amazing view of the ocean. Waves crashed nearby, and the atmosphere was lively, which made me a little nervous, but Greyson stayed close. We got a table with a view of the ocean. But when I looked at the menu, I frowned. I didn't know what to pick. The menu had dishes I had never seen before. Some names sounded foreign.

Greyson must have figured I was lost, and leaned over to point at specific dishes, encouraging me to pick something new. I picked a fish dish, something with a spicy sauce. It tasted incredible, and I giggled when Greyson stole some off my plate, and kindly gave me a bite of his dish to make it even. Then a dessert with strange fruits and a cake, and each bite was a surprise. It was fun to try new flavors.

Greyson kept the conversation going, claiming his country had better dishes, and listing them off for me, stating I had to try them all, and I started to worry I'd end up the size of a house if I let him feed me that much.

After dinner, we went for a walk. The city lights twinkled in the night, and looked lovely. We walked along the shore. The tide was low, and we got right to the edge, but Greyson took my hand and walked us over a to a narrow, rocky path that went around a small cliff, our shoes crunching on shells. The path led to a hidden cove. It was quiet there, peaceful.

''How did you know this was here?'' I asked.

''I've been here before.''

''With other girls?'' I asked before I could stop myself, but Greyson laughed.

''No, I haven't been with anyone since my mate died.'' He told me, ''It's the reason I only travel with men. I don't want any entanglements.''

''Oh,'' I nodded as Greyson stopped walking.

''You don't count,'' He added, and I looked up into his eyes. ''I very much want to be entangled with you.''

He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small velvet box.

"For you," He said, as he opened it. Inside was a golden diamond necklace. It had a delicate, old-looking pendant.

''You got this for me?'' I asked, as tears filled my eyes.

''I don't know your tastes yet, but when I saw it, it reminded me of you. Do you like it?''

''It's lovely, thank you.''

Greyson smiled and pulled it out of the box, ''Pull your hair up and I'll put it on you.''

I timidly pulled my hair up, but I noticed Greyson stare at my neck where I had a small scar, but he continued to put the necklace on me. It felt cool against my skin. But I loved it.

I traced the design on the pendant, and quickly wiped the tears away.

''You said you liked it, why are you crying?''

''No one's ever given me jewelry. I'm just being silly, sorry.''

Greyson smiled and brushed my hair back, making me shiver, ''Well, you better get used to these things, because I'm going to spoil you for the rest of our lives.''

''I have nothing to give you in return.''

''You give me more than you will ever know.'' He said gently, and kissed my forehead, ''Cassia, before I met you, I was just going through the motions. I felt broken, but I kept going on for my people, and then I met you, and I finally felt like I was coming back to life. I look at you and I see a million possibilities for my future, now, where before it was just a black hole, and I'm excited about every possibility. And I hope you feel the same way.''

''I never thought I'd have a future at all, not until I met you, but now I'm excited to wake up the next day.''

Greyson smiled and pulled me into a hug, ''Mine.'' He whispered.