Page 20 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Cassius's eyes narrowed. The offer was too good to be true.

"And what do you want in return?" Aleksander asked.

"That's where things get interesting." Marcus leaned back, his chair creaking under his weight now facing Aleksander. "We've heard rumors about a certain member of your Pack. Your sister, I believe."

The air in the room seemed to thicken. Cassius's muscles tensed, a low growl building in his chest. "What about her?"

Marcus's eyes glinted with interest. "She's unmated, isn't she? Young, beautiful… I am looking for a suitable mate. Money’s one thing, but a union between our Packs, a marriage… now that would solidify the deal, wouldn’t it?"

The growl in Cassius's chest erupted into a snarl. His vision blurred, rage clouding his thoughts.

How dare he? Alysa isn't some pawn to be traded.

"Absolutely not," Aleksander snapped, his face contorted with disgust. "My sister isn't part of any deal."

Marcus held up his hands, a placating gesture that did nothing to calm the storm brewing in Cassius's chest. "Now, now, let's not be hasty. It's a generous offer. She would be well-cared for, and the alliance between our Packs would be stronger than ever."

Cassius's hands clenched into fists, his claws threatening to break through. The wolf inside him howled, demandingretribution for even suggesting such a thing. He could feel his control slipping, the urge to shift and tear Marcus apart growing stronger by the second.

Breathe, he commanded himself.

But the image of Alysa, forced into a loveless marriage, her spirit broken, flashed through his mind. His protective instincts surged, overwhelming his rational thoughts.

Cassius's fingers dug into the wooden table, the edge biting into his skin. He fought to keep his voice steady, but the words were thick in his throat. “Alysa isn’t part of this negotiation,” he growled, the words escaping before he could stop them. "Because she is my mate."

The room fell silent. Aleksander's head snapped toward Cassius, his eyes wide with shock. Marcus's smug expression faltered, replaced by confusion and then suspicion.

What the hell did I just say?

Cassius's own words echoed in his ears, surprising him as much as everyone else in the room. But he couldn't back down now. The thought of Alysa with anyone else, especially as part of some political deal, made his blood boil.

His wolf, usually controlled and disciplined, growled beneath his skin, demanding protection for what was his.

"Your mate?" Marcus's eyes narrowed. "That's… unexpected. I wasn't aware you had claimed her."

Cassius straightened in his chair, forcing his features into a mask of calm authority. "It's recent," he lied smoothly, his mind racing to catch up with his mouth. "We've been keeping it private."

Aleksander, to his credit, recovered quickly. He nodded, though Cassius could see the questions burning in his friend's eyes. "That's right. It's not common knowledge yet."

“Interesting,” Marcus leaned back, his earlier enthusiasm deflating. "I see. Well, that certainly changes things." He drummed his fingers on the table, his gaze darting between Cassius and Aleksander. "I suppose we'll have to discuss other forms of compensation for the territory."

Relief washed over Cassius, but he kept his expression neutral. "Yes, we will. Monetary compensation would be the most straightforward option."

Aleksander jumped in, steering the conversation back to numbers and logistics. Cassius forced himself to focus, but his mind kept drifting to Alysa.

What have I done? How am I going to explain this to her?

As Aleksander and Marcus haggled over figures, Cassius could feel Marcus's suspicious gaze on him. The other Alpha's eyes narrowed every time Cassius spoke, clearly not entirely convinced by the sudden revelation.

"We'll need time to gather the funds," Aleksander said, pulling Cassius back to the present. "How about we set the exchange for two weeks from now? That should give us enough time to make the necessary arrangements."

Marcus nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Cassius. "Two weeks. That's acceptable. And I expect to see your new mate at the ceremony, Cassius. It's only fitting that she be there for such an important event."

Cassius's jaw clenched. "Of course. Alysa will be there."

Shit. This is getting more complicated by the second.

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur of negotiations and thinly veiled tension. When Marcus finally left, the door closing behind him with a resounding thud, Cassius slumped in his chair, exhaustion washing over him.

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