Page 19 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Later that night, long after Aurora had been soothed and put back to sleep, Alysa lay in bed, wide awake despite the late hour. The soft whir of the ceiling fan was the only sound in the otherwise silent room, but her mind was anything but quiet. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, replaying the events of the evening on an endless loop.

What were you thinking?

She rolled onto her side, punching her pillow in frustration. The memory of Cassius's touch lingered on her skin, a phantom caress that refused to fade.

What was HE thinking?!

The way he had looked at her, the softness in his voice… it had felt like more than just gratitude.

He was just caught up in the moment.

But even as she thought it, doubt crept in. There had been an undeniable tension between them, something raw and unspoken.

Stop it. You're here to take care of Aurora, not fall for her father.

Alysa squeezed her eyes shut, willing sleep to come. But every time she drifted off, she saw Cassius's face, felt the heat of his body so close to hers.

With a sigh, she threw back the covers and padded to the window. The moon hung low in the sky, bathing the garden in silvery light. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.

What am I doing here?

The question echoed in her mind, unanswered. She had come to help Cassius, to be there for Aurora. But with each passing day, it was becoming harder to ignore her feelings for him.

It's impossible. He's your brother's best friend. Your boss. Aurora's father.

The list of reasons why nothing could happen between them was long and logical. But logic did little to quell the ache in her chest, the longing for something she couldn't have.

Alysa rested her forehead against the cool glass, watching her breath fog the window. In the quiet of the night, she allowed herself to imagine a different reality, one where she wasn't just the nanny; where Cassius looked at her and saw a partner, not just a helper. But that was ridiculous.

Get it together.

With a heavy sigh, she turned away from the window and crawled back into bed. As she lay there, staring at the ceiling, Alysa made a silent vow to herself.

She would keep her feelings in check. She would be the best nanny Aurora could ask for, the most efficient helper Cassius could want. And she would ignore the way her heart raced every time he walked into a room.

It's the right thing to do. For everyone.

But as sleep finally claimed her, Alysa couldn't shake the nagging feeling that her heart had other plans.

Chapter 5 - Cassius

Cassius's jaw clenched as he strode into the conference room, the scent of tension thick in the air. Marcus Redwood's hulking frame dominated one end of the long mahogany table, his ruddy complexion deepening as Cassius met his gaze. The challenge simmering beneath the surface was unmistakable.

The Crimson Oak rogue Alpha radiated power, but it wasn’t the kind of power that came with grace or refinement. No, Marcus carried himself with a brute’s confidence, a man who thrived on raw strength and intimidation.

Aleksander slipped in behind Cassius, closing the door with a soft click that echoed in the silence. The muted lighting cast long shadows across the room, amplifying the charged atmosphere.

This better be worth it.

Cassius slid into a chair opposite Marcus, watching the man with narrowed eyes. The air in the room was thick with tension, and every muscle in Cassius’s body was coiled tight, ready for whatever came next.

The territory expansion was crucial, but dealing with the Crimson Oak Pack always left a bad taste in his mouth.

The room itself was a stark contrast to the charged atmosphere—clean, minimal decor. No distractions. Just the wide, polished table between them. But despite the simplicity of the setting, there was an undercurrent of violence in the air, a reminder that this was no ordinary negotiation.

"Let's get this over with," Cassius growled, leaning forward. "You called this meeting, Marcus. What do you want?"

Marcus's lips curled into a smirk. "Straight to business, as always, Cassius. I like that about you." He spread a map across the table, his thick fingers tracing a line along the eastern border. "We're willing to cede this portion of our territory to you, Aleksander. It's prime land, plenty of resources."

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