The Human in The Wolf's Den

Chapter 3: The Mob

When Cassian woke the next morning the first thing he noticed was the intense pain in his cheek. This instantly brought back all the shame he had felt yesterday. 

How could he have demanded such a thing? No human could be trusted. That's was the number one werewolf law. Here Cassian was trying to earn the Alpha's trust in one night. As the stinging pain in his left cheek persisted Cassian eyes burned with fresh tears. 

"Get out here Cassian." Xander demanded of the boy as Cassian had failed to notice his master at the door of the cage. The noise of the cage opening must have been what had woken him. 

Cassian didn't speak just scrambled over to the door having to curl in on himself to even stand in the cage. Once out and standing before his master, Xander finally saw the damage he had caused and winced at the sight. He would have sworn to anyone that the smack he had given Cassian yesterday was just a firm flick of his hand. However the now fully formed bruising on the boys face told the story of a brutal punch. 

Cassian’s face was a collage of purple and black. His left eyes was completely swollen shut. Xander felt sick to his stomach at the sight. His mate was severely hurt and it was his fault. Xander practically tripped over himself to get to the bathroom as quickly as possible as he felt his stomach roll. He barely made it in time to expel the contents of it into the toilet. 

Cassian worriedly ran after his mate and watched from the door as Xander puked. Cassian felt so guilty and ashamed. Just the sight of him made Xander sick. Cassian wanted to let out a loud 

sob but knew that wouldn't get him anywhere. Instead he silently watched as Xander got to his feet and washed his mouth out. 

Inside Xander's wolf was raging. Xander wanted to make things better by giving Cassian what he had asked for yesterday but his wolf let out a sharp growl. 

You don't deserve to touch our mate. He's probably terrified of us. You made us a f*****g monster. Even the rest of the pack won't ignore what you've done, human or not! 

I swear I didn't hit him hard enough to do that kind of damage! Xander said desperately trying to defend his actions. 

Take him to the f*****g pack doctor and shut up. 

Xander sighed and new his wolf would say no more so he walked over to his damaged mate. Wincing once more at the boy's discolored cheek he leaned in close to check it out. To his delight Cassian didn't flinch as Xander got close without touching him. 

"We have to get you to the pack doctor. I-I'm so sorry Cassian. I-I didn't think I hit you so hard." Xander tried to explain himself and hopefully be forgiven but to Xander’s surprise there was no negative emotion in Cassian's eye. He actually looked quite stricken to have the alpha practically groveling at his feet. 

"No master! I deserve what I got. I learned my lesson, I won't mention... that anymore. I just hope you will forgive my human tendencies." Cassian replied while dropping to the floor into a full bow, knowing full well that the alpha shouldn't be kneeling in front of anyone let alone Cassian, the most deplorable of slaves. 

Xander was confused. Why was the boy apologizing. Wasn't he the one in the wrong? Xander shrugged not caring as long as this meant that his mate had forgiven him. 

"Let's get the pack doctor to see you." Was Xander's only reply. He was about to leave the room when he suddenly remembered Cassian was in nothing but his shirt. Xander thought for a moment then shrugged. It was the pack doctor, it would be fine until he got his mate new clothes. 

Xander continued leading the way. A few pack members looked their way as they walked by. At first, they smiled at their Alpha and glared at the boy but then they noticed his face. The looks on their faces suddenly changed. Now they were giving Cassian sorry looks and glaring at Xander. 

Shit. Xander thought as he realized his mistake. He should have done a better job of keeping Cassian's left side out of view. 

"Hey Alpha, what's the big idea!" One of the warriors called out as he walked through to get a better look at Cassian. 

"Not now Lucretius." Xander gritted through clenched teeth. He hadn't even thought of the pack's reaction up until now. Of course they would be livid over such abuse to one's mate. Even the alpha wasn't going to get away with it. 

"No! I want answers. What the f**k is our Luna doing all f*****g bruised up?" Lucretius growled. 

The pack started to gather around drawn to the conflict. One male had his human mate beside him. The girl looked terrified. 

"I would never lay a hand on you, Emily." Xander could clearly hear the man comforting his scared mate. 

He let out a low growl, irritated with the looks they were all giving him. 

"It wasn't intentional! Tell them Cassian, tell them that you've already forgiven me." Xander turned to the boy in hopes that his forgiveness would calm the pack. 

"Master did nothing wrong, it was my own fault. I shouldn't have done what I did. I deserved the punishment for it." Cassian said facing the angry mob of wolves. Xander looked expectantly at the crowd, hoping to see them back off. 

On the contrary, the anger in the faces of many of the pack members only grew. 

"I don't know if any of you know number forty-two, I guess his new name is Cassian," Lucretius turned towards the crowd and gestured to the boy. "but I am on night duty at the slave shack, I also oversee new slaves. I can assure you that not one of the guards has had to hit Cass in all the eighteen years of his life. Quite the opposite actually, he has been seen to aid in the integration of new slaves and dispel any agitation among the humans. One time a human actually attacked me and it was Cassian who stepped in his way to take the blow. Now tell me, how has a boy that had never receive even the slightest reprimand from the guards in eighteen years deserve to be hit by his mate in only one night? I think your pack deserves an answer alpha, or shall we also call you master since you don't even let your mate use your name." 

The little speech left Xander dumbfounded. When had his pack gotten so attached to the little human? Before he could come up with a response the pack doctor came to his rescue. 

"Everyone calm down! Xander, I'm sure you are sorry and feel terrible about hurting your mate. You all need to understand something though, humans are fragile. They are much weaker than wolves, and our new Luna is even weaker than that. Even the slightest flick of Xander’s wrist would have left a bruise. You all 

know your alphas history as well. It's not his fault he's a lot more insecure when it comes to humans." Aemilia explained. 

Xander breathed a sigh of relief but some of the pack members were still glaring. The human girl was looking at Cassian's bruised face with such fear, she didn't notice her mate reaching for her. She flinched back at the touch, her mate sent a glare at Xander before sweeping her away from the crowd and down the hall. 

"Whatever doc. I understand the Alpha's issues but a mate should never be abused in such a way. I refuse to respect an alpha that would do such a thing." With that Lucretius turned away and the rest of the mob dispersed. 

Xander wanted to attack the warrior so bad right now! How had things turned out like this? The whole pack was pissed, it seemed the ones with human mates were even angrier. 

"Thanks for the help doc. Can you please check him out quickly so people can stop f*****g staring." Xander sent a glare to a few nosey people. 

"Of course alpha." Aemilia agreed. 

Cassian felt even worse now. He hadn't made anything better by speaking on his master's behalf. Xander was probably going to punish him when they got back to the Alpha suit. Cassian bowed his head in shame, he knew he would deserve it. Two mistakes in less than twenty-four hours. Cassian couldn't wrap his head around it. He used to be such a good slave, just like that warrior had said. Cassian had even told Xander he was a good slave, now Xander was probably thinking he had lied about it. Cassian just wanted to be good for Xander. 

Cassian also had a new hurdle to overcome. The doctor had said Xander himself had personal issues with humans beyond that of the average wolf. What had happened? Cassian wished to know 

but wasn't sure if he was welcome to ask. He didn't want to get into even more trouble. Luckily for Cassian when they entered the doctor's office Xander didn't fallow. 

"I'm going to go find him some clothes," Xander announced before walking off. 

Once alone Cassian hesitated slightly before deciding to just ask the doctor about Xander. 

"Excuse me, Mistress?" Cassian spoke up timidly not wanting to bother the poor woman as she checked Cassian's wounds. 

"What is it, love? And please call me Aemilia." The older woman said kindly. 

"Sorry to bother you when your working but may I ask what Xander's issue with humans is?" Cassian finally asked. 

Aemilia gave Cassian a sympathetic smile but shook her head. "That's something Xander should tell you." 

Cassian nodded. "Very well Mistress... are you going to tell Xander I asked?" 

The doc let her eyes trail down the left side of Cassian face obviously taking that into consideration before answering. "No, I won't, but good luck asking him about it. Make sure you do it carefully. I don't want to see you in here for something more serious." 

Cassian tried to swallow around the lump in his throat at the doctor's words. He still felt so much guilt over what had happened earlier and also last night. He only hoped Xander would forgive him. 

While Cassian finished getting checked out Xander was having a difficult time. He had knocked on several pack members rooms to 

get some better fitting clothes for his mate and all of them had refused him. There was only one pack member left that could get Cassian new clothes and Xander was now knocking at his door. 

"Oh hello Alpha, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Titus, a middle- aged male who ran a convenience store in the human world, asked as he answered the door. Sadly Titus was also the wolf mated to the human Emily, making his greeting utterly sarcastic. 

"Titus, I need new clothes for my mate and your the only person with human money that hasn't refused me yet." Xander refused to go as far as pleading with the man. 

"Oh, clothes for Cassian? I didn't know he was allowed. I just assume he would be kept in his slave attire. I mean he sure doesn't get treated like a mate." Titus sounded nonchalant but his glare was ice cold. 

"Please, Titus can we not? Don't do it for me but at least do it for my mate." Xander finally broke down on the no begging rule. 

Titus sighed. "Fine, what's his size?" 

Xander drew a blank on that one. He hadn't checked before throwing out Cassian’s old slave clothes. 

"I don't know." He admitted. 

"Then we either have to guess or you have to let him come to the store. We can put him in some of Emily's clothes while we are searching. They are about the same size." Titus thought aloud. 

Xander didn't like that plan at all. "He can't be out and about in the human world! Plus the whole reason I want to buy him clothes and haven't asked for some hand me downs is because I don't want him smelling like another person." 

"Did you not listen to a word Lucretius said? The boy can definitely be trusted. As for wearing Emily's clothes, there is no way around it." Titus shrugged. 

Xander had to think for a moment. Titus was the only one even willing to help, he couldn't refuse that help now. 

"Fine but I'm coming with you and I want to scent the clothing before Cassian wears it." Xander compromised. 

"Of coarse alpha. It would be unsightly for me to take your mate out by myself. Almost as unsightly as the bruise on his face." Titus stepped back and closed his door before Xander could reply. 

Curse him an the rest of the pack.