And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Chapter 202: Brotherly Issues

Cassie.

Left in the kitchen, I stood there with everybody trying to figure out exactly what it was I was going to do, and that was the moment I felt the air in the room shift. Lo and behold, Sam, my brother's best friend, came walking around the corner towards me with a solemn expression upon his face. One that told me I wasn't going to like what he had to say.

I should have known that after all these years, Sam would have ended up becoming my brother's beta, but I had never really taken it into consideration as my life from here had ended long ago. Asgard was the 0nly realm I was meant to focus on, and while there, it never occurred to me I would forget the importance of family… among other things.

“Sam, I see that you've taken up your position next to my brother, as I had always expected you to." He chuckled before his laughter quickly died. His eyes softened on me as if he had so many things to say, but wasn't exactly sure how to say them.

“I'm sorry that all of this is going on. Things have been a little strained lately, but on a positive note, I have gotten your brother to agree to at least let you stay near the pack house. He said that the cottage outback is where you can stay, and of course, you can still have your meals and everything here in the main house. That way you can spend time with your family."

“Are you serious, Sam?" I gasped, not believing my warm welcome home was completely gone and I was left to live with this.

“I'm sorry, Cassie. He hasn't been himself lately."

That was an understatement.

I knew exactly what cottage they were talking about. It was the one that my mother used to live in a very long time ago, and since then it had stayed abandoned for the most part, except for the occasional guest that came to visit—I knew there wasn't going to be much there.

Not that I would complain. I wanted more time with my family, and if I had to stay out there then so be it. All I wanted was to make him see I wasn't a danger to anyone. I was his sister no matter the changes that had happened with me.

“That's fine. I've noticed that my brother isn't himself. I thought maybe it had something to do with the altercation he and I got into this morning. I hadn't meant to upset him the way I did, but for him to act the way he is—"

My words cut off as I cast my glance around the room, trying to understand exactly what it was that it had happened. Even though I had acted the way I did, nothing that I had did showed any real kind of violence. I had only pinned my brother against the wall out of anger and frustration that he had kept something from me.

It wasn't like I had viciously attacked him or that he had gotten seriously injured, or that anybody else did for that matter. Yet I could see why he would be upset, considering his wife and his child were in the same room when this had happened.

but cause the void inside me to grow just a little bit more. “Come on, let's go ahead and

Finn? Will they be allowed to stay in the house?" I was concerned for the guys, but as Finn went to protest Sam

are supposed to stay

The cottage only had one bedroom, which meant the two guys were gonna have to sleep in the living room, if anything, and that

and what not… but still

understanding but

son," my mother exclaimed as she let out a heavy breath and stormed off down the same direction my brother had gone. Even my fathers

the three of you are having to go through this," Hale replied as he stepped towards me, placing a hand on my shoulder, giving it

one out of the four of my dads. He had, from what I understood, taken over the position of alpha of the pack under uncertain circumstances regarding Damian. I had heard various stories growing up about

even though he had his own internal battles at one point

they were expecting when they thought coming here was a good idea. However, as their gazes met mine, I felt a wave of comfort flow from them into me giving me the reassurance

Bidding everyone goodnight, I turned quickly and made my way back through the kitchen door I had come through earlier. The sound of the guys coming through the door

this. Don't let your brother get to you," Finn replied as he came down the trail, following me towards the cottage. I didn't have words for him. He had no clue what my family dynamic was, and the only thing he knew were the small

going to let my brother get to me, but I will tell you that this is not his normal behavior. Something is wrong, and

the moment I approached the cottage, I stopped in my tracks, staring in disbelief that this was going

did nothing but confuse me

was I supposed to continue staying here under pretenses that were more hostile than inviting and be able to realize what I needed to do to be the person

was a child. The white walls, brown roof, and black trimmed windows were familiar, but the greenery that grew around it and up the walls wrapping it

the door to the cottage and stepped inside, taking in the very minimalistic aspects of it that were within

was. White comforters with a white headboard sat next to a window, overlooking the thick grassy

A long day of spending time with both my mother and Finn was wonderful. But the

not

I was an asset to him. I was his