Page 14 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

"Hey," he said, suddenly awkward in his own home. "Everything going okay?"

Alysa turned, a bright smile on her face. "Great! Aurora's been an angel. We were just about to have lunch, weren't we, Sweetheart?"

Aurora babbled happily, reaching for Cassius. He took her, inhaling her sweet baby scent.

"Thanks," he murmured. "For… you know. Everything."

Alysa's expression softened. "It's my pleasure, Cassius. Really."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken words.

Dangerous. This is dangerous.

He cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "I should get back to work. Let me know if you need anything."

As he retreated to his study, Aurora secure in Alysa's capable hands, Cassius couldn't shake the feeling that his carefully ordered world was shifting beneath his feet.

***

The clock on Cassius's desk read 11:23 PM. He rubbed his eyes, bleary from hours of staring at reports and emails.

Another glamorous night in the life of an Alpha.

But for once, the house didn't feel oppressively silent. He could hear the soft hum of the baby monitor, Aurora's gentle breathing a soothing rhythm.

And somewhere down the hall, Alysa slept. The thought sent a strange thrill through him.

She's here. In your home. Caring for your daughter.

Cassius leaned back in his chair, letting out a long breath. The day had gone… well. Better than he'd expected. Alysa was competent, kind, and Aurora adored her already.

So why did he feel so unsettled?

Because she fits too well. Because having her here feels right in a way it shouldn't.

He stood, pacing the length of his study. This arrangement was supposed to make things easier, not more complicated. He was an Alpha, a single father. He didn't have time for… whatever this was.

You're overthinking it.

It's nothing. She's Aleksander's sister, Aurora's nanny. That's all. But even as he thought it, Cassius knew he was lying to himself.

The nursery was bathed in soft moonlight as Cassius crept in for one last check on Aurora. His daughter slept peacefully, tiny fists curled against her cheeks.

A floorboard creaked behind him. He turned to find Alysa in the doorway, wrapped in a soft robe.

"Sorry," she whispered. "I heard movement on the monitor. Wanted to make sure everything was okay."

Cassius nodded, suddenly aware of how close they were standing in the small room. "Just checking on her," he murmured. "Old habits."

Alysa smiled, the gesture soft in the dim light. "She's perfect," she said, gazing at Aurora. "You're doing a great job with her, Cassius."

The sincerity in her voice caught him off guard. "I… thank you," he managed. "For everything. Today was… good."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed charged with possibility. Cassius found himself leaning in, drawn by some invisible force.

No. Stop.

He cleared his throat, taking a step back. "We should get some sleep. Early start tomorrow."

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