Take You Down by Caitlin Valdez (book club suggestions .TXT) 📖

CASSIE'S POV

Wow. I actually survived two years without him. It was hell but I survived and I'm back. At my hometown, taking a break from college in New York, hoping to be a lawyer, but now, I was back, in Michigan. I could bump into him any time of the day.

My jacket was wrapped tightly around myself, protecting myself from the cold winter air, as I stood in front of the jewelry store, gazing at the necklace. It was beautiful. It was a locket covered in diamonds.

"Hey," I heard the voice that I was hoping to not hear ever again. The voice that rejected me.

I turned towards the voice and I saw him. I saw those gorgeous blue eyes that I haven't seen for two years, the eyes of my mate.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I couldn't find anything to say to him but I could feel my heart beating fast.

He hasn't changed at all, who am I kidding? In fact, he grew hotter. His eyes just got more captivating, his pink full lips, his still perfect body, his masculine jaws, god, he just grew more flawless.

I didn't know what to say to him anymore. After that night, and the next morning I went home, got the letter that I got into Harvard, I left.

I didn't really think that I could face him anymore or any of this rejection crap so I left. I was such a coward. I couldn't even face my own problems. I just had to run away and leave the town using college as an excuse. I just left everything I had behind for two years, too afraid to face it. I didn't want to see him after everything I told him. I felt so embarressed.

"I'm sorry," we both blurted out at the same time.

I glanced up at him, "Should I go or you?"

"I'll go," he said, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I done to you to hurt you. I'm sorry that I rejected you because that was the worst mistake of my life. Rogues and hunters wanted to take down the pack and I didn't need a weakness with you and because you're my mate, they would go for you. I'm sorry that I'm such a coward to not tell you why I rejected you. I'm so sorry for everything. For the past two years, all I could ever think about was you and I broke down. I was a wreck but I never screwed anyone or dated anyone when you were gone. I couldn't find it in myself. I was such a bastard and I was stupid that I didn't realize that the most amazing girl was in front of me. I just had to reject you because I thought all about the pack. I shouldn't have, I know I'm not supposed to say that but I should be caring about you most and Cassandra Morgans, you are the most important thing in my life and I learned that the hard way. Cassie, I love you."

My heart stopped at the last three words. I ran towards him and threw my arms around his neck, catching him by surprise as the sparks flew through me. I started to cry hysterically.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I sobbed, "I'm sorry I left without telling you anything and that I went to New York. I'm sorry I used college as an excuse to get out of here because I couldn't see you after that last night. I'm sorry for teasing you and for everything!"

His arms wrapped around me comfortingly. "I'm more sorry," he said, "My speech beat yours. Mine is longer."

"Shut the hell up Brady," I grumbled.

"But I promise that I'll have you to say I love you," he swore.

I pulled away just a bit and smiled at him, "I'm pretty sure you can," I said as he smirked.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked.

I didn't answer, I just pressed my lips against his. "I," kiss, "Love," kiss, "You," kiss, "So," kiss, "Much," kiss.

He was so sweet!

I pulled away as he asked, "Did you have a boyfriend in college?"

"Nope," I said, "My wolf with stab me."

"Good," he said protectively.

I've never seen this side of him and...I liked it. He was so possessive and it was...a turn on.

"So, have you been a good Alpha?" I asked as I linked my arms through his, just walking having no destination.

"Honestly? Not really," he answered, "I refused to get out the room or to any pack meetings and don't blame yourself, Angel. It was my fault, I chose not to go and be a bad Alpha and role model."

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said.

"It's not your fault Angel, what did I say?" he said, "Would you like to go anywhere?"

"Well...you can come shopping with me," I suggested.

"Shopping? With a girl? No thanks," he said.

"Come on!" I pouted, "Please?"

"Okay, okay," he said as I started to drag him towards the mall.

When we were inside Us Trendy as I pulled out a couple of dresses.

"The pack is having a Christmas party, would you like to come?" he asked.

"In fact, I would. Now, I have to go find a dress and look presentable," I said.

I made Conner sit in front of my dressing room as I pulled on a a blue ombre dress as he shook his head. I got so many more dresses until I found the perfect one. It was a white strapless one and...I didn't know how to describe it. But it good really good on me.

"Now the shoes," I said scanning the store and my eyes landed on a strappy white one as I grabbed that as headed to the cashier and paid.

"Let's get you something," I suggested, "We have to make you look hot yet formal and serious."

"Are you saying that I'm not hot?" he teased.

"Trust me, you are," I said pulling him into Brooks Brothers.

I got him a 1818 One-Button Fitzgerald Tuxedo but instead of the bow, I gave him a tie, then black dress pants and some black loafers.

"You're good to go," I said patting his chest as he paid for it...$768.00 plus tax.

"I'm excited for Christmas," I said, "I have to get presents. What would you like?"

"Surprise me," he grinned.

"Conner, I also have something else to confess," I started as he nodded, gesturing for me to continue. I took a deep breath and let out, "I have a kid."

CONNER'S POV

She. Has. A. Fucking. Kid?! Someone else's child?!

"You have a what?!" I snarled.

I felt ready to kill and I could already picture myself killing a man who gave her a child that wasn't me. It had to be me. I was her mate, not whoever he was.

"Conner," she said, gripping my biceps, calming me down, just a bit, "It's okay. Calm down. I didn't do it  with someone. He was adopted. I found him on the streets crying. Conner, you can't expect me to not feel bad. He was just a baby. He's two now."

I relaxed, okay. Fine. At least some other man didn't give her a sperm and got her pregnant.

"Princess, at least he adopted. If I found out some other man gave you a sperm," I said nibbling her earlobe as she moaned, that was the sexiest sound ever, "I am going to hunt him down."

She giggled, "C'mon. Help me out. I'm going to get Will his Christmas persent. He's been bugging me about it and he thinks I bought it already. After, do you want to meet him?"

I perked up, "Yes I do."

We headed into Toys R Us and looked around. We ended up buying him a lego set because he loved building stuff.

It felt good to have Cassie back. I missed her so much I didn't even realize it, I mean, I did but I missed her a lot more then I expected.

I didn't know how I survived two years without her because every sceond I was with her, I just fell more in love and I was determined to get her to say I love you.

I felt alive again. It felt really good to have her back.

Now, I was sounding like a whipped dick but if it was for her, I was willing to do it. Now, I'm just sounding plain cheesy, I should probably stop.

"C'mon," she said, "And if you talk about werewolf or any of that supernatural stuff, you wouldn't dare."

"He doesn't know about it?" I asked, surprised.

"Conner, he's two but he might not be able to talk but he understands but I'm gonna tell him when he gets older," she said then added quietly, "Hopefully."

We got into her car as she drove over to an apartment, "My mom is taking care of him."

The apartment building even seemed smalled, I wondered what it would look like inside.

When we walked inside and headed upstairs to the fourth floor and walked into her apartment, I realize this place was extremely squishy.

"This place is small," I commented.

"It's big enough for me, Will and my mom," she retorted, "Plus, I don't really need such a big apartment. I'm just staying here for two weeks."

As she said that, my heart dropped. I remembered she was going back to...where she was after her winter break. She was leaving.

"Will!" Cassie called out, walking into the living room after putting down her stuff.

"Hey mom, how was my baby boy today?" Cassie asked a middle aged women, looking around her late 30s.

"In fact, Willy Billy has been extremely good today, I think he's expecting some candy," said Cassie's mom, handing Will over to Cassie as she sat down, bouncing Will on her lap lightly, kiissing his chubby cheeks. "Who do you have with you?"

Cassie looked up from Will, "Oh, he's..."

She trailed off, not knowing what to say. "A friend," I finished.

Cassie's mom stood up, "No, no. You're not a friend," Cassie's mom said, narrowing her eyes as I rose my eyebrows. "Aren't you the Alpha? My name is Stephanie, by the way."

"Um, mom! Uh, let's go get the Alpha a drink!" Cassie butt in ushering her mom out the living room and into the kitchen.

"Yes! Yes! Where did my manners go! Alpha, what would you like?" she asked and before I could answer, Cassie dragged her into the kitchen.

When Cassie appeared again and smiled sheepishly, "Sorry about that. Mom can get a little weird around guys that she thinks I'm 'dating'."

I smirked, "I can see. Can I hold him?"

First she looked confused then she handed Will over as I craddled him in my arm.

She sat next to me and turned around to face and me cross her legs as I also turned around to face her. We were silent for a while.

"It's been a while," she whispered, her hand hestiantly coming up and press against my left cheek, "I missed you."

For a moment, I forgot Will was in my arm and it felt like it was only me and her in the room.

Suddenly, Will started wailing as Cassie blinked and broke the stare, taking Will in her arms, "Shh, it's okay baby. Would you like to get some sleep? It's late. Let's get you some sleep."

She took him in her room and came out moments later. I couldn't help but think about how good she was with kids the minute she started cooing to him, he stopped crying.

"Cassie?" my voice asked breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" she answered.

"I was wondering if you could move into the pack house with me," I asked.

She bit her lip. Shit, that was a huge turn on. "I don't know. I'm only staying for two weeks and I'll be going back to New York," she replied.

"Then please, at least stay in the pack house for two weeks. You can bring