Chapter 64 - Finding Forgiveness
- Cassie -
- Sitting across from Maddie I finally feel like I have come into myself. I see myself, as I am now, halfway through my pregnancy, my adoring mate pacing the office next door as if I can’t sense his worry through the bond, and I realise, Maddie has no power over me anymore. Yes she may have been cruel, and I may need her to acknowledge that and perhaps even explain herself, but I feel no fear as I used to, I feel no sense of inferiority, I feel calm, collected, ready to hear her out and forgive her. We will never be friends, I will never fully trust her, but I know that I will be able to spend time in the same room as her, be able to put the past behind me and accept her as a part of my life even if I never want to be alone with her. I already know that I will forgive her for the sake of my friends. Jack has told me that part of the reason Dave is hesitating to mark her is because of our shared history and I refuse to be the one getting in the way of somebody’s happiness. I let my eyes wander over her and I notice that she isn’t the same she-wolf who tormented me, she seems more introverted somehow, like she has been diminished by her time as a rogue with Ace. I feel a wave of sympathy wash over me but I quickly suppress it. I may know the outcome of this meeting already, but I intend to make her work for it.
- I pour a drink for each of us and settle back into my squishy armchair that Jack hates, he says it is too soft, no support, but I love it, it is like sitting in a cloud. Placing my hands protectively over my bump I face Maddie head on and wait. I don’t intend to make this easy on her, so I don’t speak and Daisy, taking my lead, also stays silent. If Maddie wants my forgiveness then she is going to have to break the ice, I did my part, I allowed her into my home, I provided refreshments, now it is up to her.