Page 29 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

As he stood at the entrance, Cassius felt the weight of countless gazes upon him. He squared his shoulders, steeling himself for what was to come.

This is it. No turning back now.

It wasn’t just about Aleksander officially taking control of the land. No, it was also about Cassius and Alysa presenting themselves as a mated pair before their peers—an audience well-versed in the nuances of deception.

"Ready?" Alysa's soft voice beside him pulled Cassius from his thoughts. He turned to her, his breath catching in his throat. She looked stunning in a deep blue dress that hugged her curves, her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves.

She is totally worth being banished.

Cassius swallowed hard, offering her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "As ready as I'll ever be," he murmured, his hand finding the small of her back as they stepped into the room together.

The effect was immediate. Conversations halted, heads turned, and all eyes locked onto the pair. Cassius felt Alysa tense beside him, her nerves palpable. He drew her closer, his protective instincts kicking in.

Just breathe. We can do this.

Across the room, Cassius spotted Articus and Wren. The White Moon Alpha caught his eye, offering a subtle nod of encouragement. Beside him, Wren's pregnancy was evident, her hand resting protectively over her swollen belly. The sight made something twist in Cassius's chest—a longing he couldn't quite name.

As they made their way through the crowd, Cassius caught sight of Rowan Zev and Xander Black, an unlikely pair that drew curious glances. Xander's presence on the Dark Side was still a novelty, his shadow powers a topic of hushed whispers among the gathered Alphas.

"Well, well," a booming voice cut through the murmurs.

Stormborn.

The Thunderclaw Alpha clapped a meaty hand on Cassius's shoulder. "Looks like the mighty Cassius White has finally been tamed!"

Cassius forced a chuckle, his arm tightening around Alysa's waist. "Hardly tamed, Ragnar. Just… pleasantly distracted."

The comment drew laughs from the surrounding Alphas, but Cassius felt Alysa stiffen beside him. He glanced down,catching the flash of hurt in her eyes before she masked it with a smile.

Shit. Nice going, Cassius.

"It's about time you settled down," Darius chimed in; the Stone Claw Pack Alpha’s brown eyes lit up in a smile. "We were beginning to think you'd never find a mate worthy of your name."

The teasing continued, each comment feeling like a dagger twisting in Cassius's gut. He played along, forcing smiles and laughter, all while acutely aware of Alysa's discomfort beside him.

"So, Alysa," Lyra Frost's cool voice cut through the banter. "How did our esteemed Cassius finally win you over? We're all dying to know."

Cassius felt panic rise in his throat. They hadn't prepared for this. He opened his mouth, ready to deflect, but Alysa beat him to it.

"Oh, you know Cassius," she said, her voice light and teasing. "He can be quite charming when he wants to be. I never stood a chance."

The response drew chuckles and knowing looks from the gathered Alphas. Cassius relaxed slightly, grateful for Alysa's quick thinking.

As the night wore on, Cassius felt the weight of countless eyes upon them. Every touch, every glance, every whispered word between them was scrutinized. He found himself hyper-aware of Alysa's presence, the warmth of her body against his, the scent of her perfume.

They moved through the room like a well-rehearsed dance, playing the part of the newly mated couple. Cassius'shand never strayed far from Alysa's waist, his fingers tracing absent patterns on her hip. She leaned into him, her laughter at his jokes just a touch too bright and her smiles a fraction too wide.

We're overdoing it—they'll see right through us.

Cassius thought, panic rising in his chest. But as he glanced around the room, he saw only knowing smiles and approving nods. The act was working. They were buying it.

Cassius's mind drifted to the past two weeks, a whirlwind of staged dates and public displays of affection. They'd shared meals in the Pack's common areas, walked hand-in-hand through the territory, and even cuddled up together during movie nights.

He remembered the first time he'd kissed her cheek in public, the way her breath had hitched, the flush that had spread across her face. It had felt so real, so right, that for a moment, he'd forgotten it was all pretend.

Now, standing in this room full of Alphas, Cassius felt the lines blurring. The way Alysa fit against him, the sound of her laughter, the warmth in her eyes when she looked at him—it was becoming harder to remember that this wasn't real.

Marcus cleared his throat, pulling Cassius from his thoughts. It was time to get back to business.

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