Page 41 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

The house grew quieter still after the housekeeper left. The silence stretched like a taut wire, ready to snap at any moment. Alysa paced the living room, glancing at the door every few minutes.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the living room, Alysa couldn't ignore the fear any longer.

What if something happened to him? What if the vampires came back?

She paced the floor, Aurora fussing in her arms, picking up on her anxiety. "Shh, it's okay," she murmured, more to herself than the baby. "He'll be back soon. He has to be."

Where are you, Cassius?

Just as Alysa was contemplating calling Aleksander, the front door swung open. Cassius stepped in, looking haggard and exhausted. Relief flooded through Alysa, quickly followed by a surge of anger.

"Cassius," she breathed, her voice a mixture of relief and accusation. "Where have you been?"

His blue eyes met hers, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. "Alysa, I—”

But Alysa didn't let him finish. The dam of emotions she'd been holding back all day burst forth. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been? After what happened with the vampire, you just disappeared without a word?"

Cassius flinched, guilt flashing across his face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—”

"Didn't mean to what?" Alysa snapped, her voice rising. "Leave me alone after… after what happened between us? Make me think something terrible had happened to you?"

Aurora, startled by the raised voices, began to cry. Alysa instinctively rocked her, trying to soothe the baby even as her own emotions raged.

Cassius took a step forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Alysa, please. Let me explain."

But Alysa wasn't done. The hurt and fear of the past day poured out of her in a torrent of words. "Do you have any idea what it's been like? Waiting here, not knowing if you were safe? If the vampires had gotten you again?"

She saw Cassius flinch at the mention of vampires, but she pressed on. "And what about Aurora? Did you even think about her? What if something had happened to you? What would have happened to her?"

Cassius's face crumpled, the guilt in his eyes deepening. "Of course I thought about Aurora. I would never—”

"Never what?" Alysa challenged, her voice breaking. "Never leave her? Because that's exactly what you did, Cassius. You left us both."

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by Aurora's whimpers. Cassius looked like he'd been slapped, the weight of Alysa's words hitting him hard.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I never meant to worry you. I just… I needed some time to think."

Alysa's anger deflated slightly, replaced by a deep, aching hurt. "Think about what? About how repulsive I am to you?"

Cassius's eyes widened in shock. "What? No, Alysa, that's not—”

"Then why?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you leave like that?"

Cassius ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. "I was in the training hall," he admitted. "I needed to clear my head after… after what happened between us."

Alysa stared at him, her mind racing. She didn’t know whether to believe him or not. The doubt gnawed at her, and she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Next time, at least tell me where you’re going. I thought—” She stopped herself, not wanting to admit just how scared she’d been.

I thought I’d lost you.

Alysa's heart clenched. "Was it that awful for you? Was that why you had to run away?"

"No!" Cassius exclaimed, taking a step closer. "God, no, Alysa. It was… it was amazing. That's the problem."

Confusion swirled in Alysa's mind. "I don't understand."

Cassius sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm your boss, Alysa. I'm supposed to protect you, not… not take advantage of you when you're vulnerable."

"Take advantage?" Alysa repeated, incredulous. "Cassius, I wanted it. I wanted you."

---