Page 2 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Before she could protest, he was out the door, shifting mid-stride. His wolf form burst from his clothes, paws hitting the ground running. The scent trail was faint, but his determination was iron-clad.

Trees blurred past as Cassius raced through the forest. His heart pounded in his ears, a mix of adrenaline and fear driving him forward.

Please let me find her in time.

The scent grew stronger as he neared the edge of Whiteborn territory. Here, the trees thinned out, giving way to rocky outcroppings. Cassius slowed, his senses on high alert. Something was wrong. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood.

A clearing opened up before him, bathed in silver moonlight. Cassius froze, his wolf whining low in his throat.Two bodies lay motionless on the ground, their fur matted with blood.

He approached cautiously, his heart sinking with each step. One of the wolves was unfamiliar, likely a feral rogue. The other… Cassius's nose confirmed what his heart already knew. Aurora's mother.

Carrie.

Shifting back to his human form, Cassius knelt beside her. Her once-vibrant fur was dull, her eyes glassy and unseeing. Claw marks raked across her body, evidence of the brutal fight that had taken place.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, gently closing her eyes. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner."

Grief welled up inside him, unexpected in its intensity. He hadn't known her, not really. But she had given him something precious, something he hadn't even known he wanted until tonight.

This was the fate that awaited so many who lived outside the protection of a Pack. It could have been Aurora's fate if her mother hadn't made the ultimate sacrifice.

Cassius stood, his jaw set with determination. He couldn't change what had happened here, but he could ensure that Aurora never faced such a fate. She would grow up loved, protected, and part of a strong Pack.

The journey back to the Whiteborn estate seemed to take both an eternity and no time at all. Cassius's mind raced, plans and worries tangling together. How would he explain this to the Pack? To the other Alphas? Being a single father was strange among Alpha wolves.

As he approached the house, he could hear Aurora's cries once more. Something tightened in his chest at the sound. He quickened his pace, bursting through the door.

Abigail looked up as he entered, relief clear on her face. "Oh, thank goodness you're back, Alpha. I've tried everything, but she won't settle."

Cassius crossed the room in long strides. Without hesitation, he took Aurora from the housekeeper's arms. The baby's cries softened almost immediately, her tiny hands reaching up to grasp at his shirt.

"It's alright," he murmured, surprised at how natural it felt to hold her. "I'm here now. You're safe."

Mrs. Holloway hovered nearby, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Alpha, if I may ask… what's going on? Where did she come from?"

Cassius took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving Aurora's face. "She's mine," he said softly. "Her mother… she can't take care of her. So now it's up to me."

The housekeeper's eyes widened, but to her credit, she didn't question further. "I see. Well then, we'd best get her settled, shouldn't we? I'll prepare a room—”

"No," Cassius interrupted. "She'll stay with me tonight. Could you get some formula and whatever else she might need to my room?"

"Of course, Alpha. Right away."

As Mrs. Holloway bustled off, Cassius made his way to his bedroom. The enormity of what had happened and of what lay ahead threatened to overwhelm him. But looking down at Aurora, her green eyes blinking sleepily up at him, he felt a sense of calm settle over him.

He sat on the edge of his bed, adjusting his hold on the baby. She yawned, her tiny pink mouth forming a perfect 'O'. Something fierce and protective surged through Cassius at the sight.

"I know this isn't what either of us expected," he said softly. "And I'll probably make a lot of mistakes along the way. But I promise you this, Aurora, you will always be loved. You will always be protected."

Aurora cooed, her small hand wrapping around his finger with surprising strength. Cassius felt a smile tugging at his lips, the first genuine one in what felt like ages.

"You and me, little one," he whispered. "We're in this together now."

As she closed her eyes in sleep, Cassius made a solemn vow. No matter what challenges lay ahead, no matter how it might complicate his role as Alpha, he would give Aurora the best life possible. She was his daughter, his responsibility, his Pack.

And he would protect her with his life.

Chapter 1 - Cassius

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