Chapter 75: Chapter 75

**Cassie's Point of View**

I'm having trouble dealing with Derek attempting to get to my workplace, but I told him I'd be too busy to entertain him. I have something planned for these days that either of those two individuals is attempting to complicate, but I am allowing them to do so since they cannot interfere with my plans for the day.

"Here we are," Dale exclaimed as we came to a halt in the midst of the day beneath this iconic bridge in Claybourne City. Is he playing a joke on me? Because if I learn that my boss is doing another blunder, I will consider putting holy water into his favorite wine bottle, which sounds like a fantastic strategy.

"First and foremost, I am not messing with you! I recognize that expression; are you planning to kill me again?" In horror, Dale responded, "Good, at least he understood his assignment."

"What's the deal with this place?" "I assumed you'd lead me down the path of the hidden society," I told him. It's quite hot here!

He smirks before handing a bloodied stone to a beggar, and I was taken aback when a door appeared on the wall, as well as under the bridge.

“Wow.” As we reach a crowded street in a new environment, I almost drop my jaw on the floor. The sky is black and appears to be filled with stars.

It resembles an ancient bazaar and is as crowded as Claybourne City. Instead of humans, there are other creatures that humanity thought only existed in mythology and novels.

Vampires, werewolves, witches, wizards, were people, merman, and other monsters can be seen. This is incredible!

"Don't show that you're new here, or we'll get in trouble," Dale advised me, which is why I pretended to see nothing strange. Despite the fact that I witnessed a woman consume a whole grown cow. What kind of beast is she?!

“Trouble? You're a member of the council; how will you get in trouble?" "I told him."

He then grins. Now he's utilizing his talent to modify his face, hair, and overall look to the point where I can't identify him.

"That is precisely my point, my dear Secretary! I am a part of something bigger than they can imagine. The greater the responsibility, the greater the risk. Risk exists everywhere, but consider that my life is equally a threat to someone filled with envy or the desire for vengeance." He is correct, as was the case with my colleague.

We stroll until we come to a strange flower shop. I see fairies fluttering around, and I know they're not like the characters from fairy tales. Some of them are evil, while the bulk are mischievous.

We enter the flower shop, and even though the flowers and plants are not typical, you may envision this location as magical as I can explain.

"My good friend!" Dale hugged an elderly woman while watering some of her plants.

“Dale! You're still as stinky as ever!" I can't agree with the old lady who stated I should consider it as praise for him. "And who is this lady?" She appears to be strong! Was it a werewolf? "It's unusual to see a female werewolf alone and in this location," she continued.

"She is my Secretary," Dale boasted to me as if I were some sort of trophy. This individual!

“Oh? That's too horrible! He is hardly the most effective boss you could have. "How unfortunate that you work for this little devil," she lamented. "But anyway, you can work here and leave this stupid vampire," she replied with a smile.

Dale objected. “Hey! "She's mine!" What the hell is this idiot vampire on about?!

“Hmph! Okay, I'm just trying to protect this lovely lady from people like you. "My name is Khan, by the way," she introduced herself.

I bow. "I am Cassie."

Her skin abruptly transformed from a human to a very youthful woman, with branches, leaves, and flowers as her spectacular outfit.

"Are you a Dryad?" I almost whispered it.

They are legendary forest monsters that are few but powerful. They have territory, and they are not to be trifled with. However, due to human deforestation, their numbers are gradually falling.

"Don't feel sorry for us. The Dryads' time has come to an end, yet if we leave this world, humans and other species will suffer and die as well." She is completely honest. Only humanity will be protected by the most evil of all terrible monsters.

"Stop being so lyrical, Granny. We've come to do you a favor!" Dale stated. This guy needs to be taught proper etiquette!

Khan transforms her arm into solid wood and slaps Dale on the back of the head. All I can say is, you deserve it!

“Aw! What's the point of that?" Dale mused, scratching the back of his neck. That must be excruciatingly painful.

"Are you asking for a favor with that tone?" Get away! I can keep this lady entertained, but you?!" Dale was fired from the flower shop, as expected.

"You don't have to tell me; I know what you're up to." I can hear the flowers discussing how you defeated the terrible witch. Follow me here." I follow her to a concealed floor door that leads to another portal.

"This is..." It's like coming home! This gateway is in the form of a forest.

"I know you desperately need this. Get stronger, because you'll still have to deal with the person who tried your core. "He who murdered your lover..." Aron is still alive, to be sure. I will not let him off so easy; he will pay for what he takes from me.

"Thank you so much, Khan. "I will go to any length to avenge Kaiden," I declared.

"But he is not yet dead," Khan pointed out. My strength was departing my body. What exactly did she say? It is not possible!

"This is..." I had no idea how magical this site was until I saw it with my own eyes.

It's like coming home. It's as though I've returned to the same location and time. My heart is racing, and I can feel the excitement and need within me.

"You are correct, this is a euthymia." A location where you can finally find tranquility, yet I knew you were here for more than just peace and calm. You've come to get back on track, haven't you? Then, since I see you have a good aim and purpose, let me offer you this precious key," she said, handing me a gold key. Thankfully, it is not composed of silver!

She laughed. "Don't be alarmed; it looks like metal, but it's made of a special wood that can mimic any mineral." Dryad, after all, cannot touch anything metallic." That is correct, and it is for this reason that mankind can be our biggest adversary at times. They primarily took advantage of other creatures' flaws.

"I appreciate your faith in me. I will be eternally grateful to you. But, contrary to what you mentioned, my friend died a year ago. "It's painful; I remember how painful it is as if it happened days ago, a minute ago, and as if time never flies," I murmured, a sorrowful smile on my face. The wind blew in my face, and I realized that I was gradually embracing the truth.

I can't thank Dax and Derek enough. They are such a wonderful person that helps me a lot, and as a consequence, the grief is bearable for me, even though the notion and the moment I lost Kaiden cannot be cured.

"When the time comes, destiny will reveal the truth to you." Even if Khan's remarks have left me befuddled, I am grateful for them.

But now I'm up against another war. I'm aware that it won't be long before Xander finds us; we've managed to remove all traces of where we're staying, but that doesn't mean we're safe. If the devil in disguise has the heart to kill his sibling, he also has the drive to eliminate another danger to his alpha position.

I eventually managed to leave the flower shop after a brief conversation with Khan; I am grateful to know this place, as well as to my boss. Dale can be a touch too much at times, but overall he is a kind vampire, a very unusual type of vampire. Perhaps because he is a hybrid.

"Ah, that Granny kicked me like that again," Dale said as we walked down a crowded street in Claybourne City; I'm still not sure how we get inside the hidden society.

"That gem or crystal you gave to the beggar isn't just any ordinary gem, is it?" "I told him."

“Yes! It isn't; that gem contains a lot of mana, as well as some crystal-like substance that contains other precious items that may be traded for," he stated. So that crystal is nothing more than a container for something to be traded. Such as magic, weapons, gold, materials, and rare things such as living creatures or souls.

"That appears to be illegal. "How am I going to go back to the flower shop?" I expressed my disappointment.

He laughed. "Do you have the key?" This is no ordinary key. "You put that in any keyhole on any door, and it will connect directly to the forest of that old Dryad," he continued. So this is a magical item! I completely forgot to ask her!

"How did you find out I had this key?" I inquired of this cunning vampire. He hurried as fast as he could because he knew if I saw him, he'd be unable to sleep for the rest of his life without the aid of sunlight.

"I am at home!" I remarked, and Tom handed me my son, who appears to be in a rush.

“Mom? "You're late," my kid, who had just awoken from a deep slumber, exclaimed.

"I will show you," I exclaimed joyfully.

I put the key in the kitchen door, and Dale is correct. It's linked to the forest.

"Am I still dreaming, Mom?" wondered my kid, who couldn't believe what he was witnessing, which was my initial reaction as well.

I told him everything, as in everything that had transpired that day. When we got inside, I let him practice his wolf form. He is content because I have always told him what he should and should not do. But I recognized that the alpha blood runs through his vein; it is his fate, and it is not my option whether to let him stop or not.

We both transform into wolves, and even though my son is still young, I can't deny that I am just a few inches taller than him, and Charlie will become larger as time passes.

"Son," I addressed him. "Come on, we need to rest, okay?" "It'll be morning soon," I murmured to him, noting that we appeared to be having a good time.

"Okay, mom!" We returned home, and I shut the door. Everything returned to normal, and because my son is very enthusiastic and engaged in numerous activities, it is not surprising that he fell asleep so quickly.

I'm tired as well, yet the words Khan jumped into my head. I can't deny that he has a valid point. I have a feeling that my mate is still alive, but I can see with my own two eyes how he left this world. I want to think that Kaiden is still alive, but isn't that too strange?