Page 43 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

The realization hit her like a physical blow, knocking the air from her lungs. She'd been a fool, reading more into their interactions than was ever there. Cassius had never seen her as anything more than a convenient babysitter.

As the pain threatened to overwhelm her, Alysa felt something harden inside her—a resolve born of hurt and disappointment.

No more.

With shaking hands, she wiped away her tears. She would distance herself emotionally and focus solely on Aurora. That's what she was here for, after all. Not to indulge in foolish fantasies about a man who would never see her as more than his best friend's little sister.

Alysa took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. It wouldn't be easy pretending that her heart wasn't breaking every time she looked at Cassius. But she would do it. For Aurora, for her own sanity, she would find a way to survive this.

As she stood, her gaze fell on her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked different somehow. Sadder, yes, but also stronger. More determined.

With one last deep breath, she opened the door and stepped out. The hallway stretched before her, leading back to the living room where Cassius and Aleksander's voices still drifted from the study, back to a life where she would have to pretend that her heart wasn't shattered into a million pieces.

But she would do it. She had to. For Aurora, for herself, she would find a way to move forward, even if every step felt like walking on broken glass.

She paused at Aurora's room, peeking in to check on the sleeping baby. The sight of the innocent child, oblivious to the emotional turmoil surrounding her, brought a lump to Alysa's throat.

I'll do it for you, little one.

Chapter 11 - Cassius

Cassius paced the length of his study, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room. The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. He ran a hand through his tousled blonde hair, his eyes clouded with confusion and something deeper, something he wasn't ready to name.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The thought ricocheted through his mind, sharp and intrusive. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Alysa's face—her warm honey-brown eyes, the curve of her smile, the way her chestnut hair caught the light. He could still feel the phantom touch of her hand on his arm, hear the echo of her laughter.

This is ridiculous. She's Aleksander's sister, for crying out loud.

But no matter how many times he repeated that mantra, it did nothing to quell the warmth that spread through his chest whenever Alysa entered a room. He found himself seeking out her company, making excuses to be near her. And it terrified him.

He couldn't afford to have these feelings, not with the weight of his responsibilities, not with Aurora to think about. Yet here he was, acting like a lovesick pup. He growled low in his throat, frustration building.

This has to stop. Now.

A knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts. "Cassius? The others are waiting." Aleksander's voice carried through the wood, tinged with impatience.

Cassius took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. "Coming," he called back, pushing thoughts of Alysa to the back of his mind. He had a hunt to focus on.

The crisp morning air hit him as he stepped outside, the scent of pine and damp earth filling his lungs. The other Alphas were gathered at the edge of the forest, a mix of familiar faces from both the Dark and Light sides.

Articus's shock of white hair stood out among the group; his albino features were stark in the early light. Next to him, Xander's brooding presence was unmistakable, his dark eyes scanning the treeline.

"About time," Aleksander grumbled good-naturedly, clapping Cassius on the shoulder. "Thought you might've gotten lost in your own house."

Cassius rolled his eyes, falling into step with the group as they moved into the forest. "Some of us have actual work to do, Aleks. We can't all laze about like you Iron Fang boys."

A chorus of chuckles rippled through the group. Ragnar of the Thunderclaw Pack grinned at Cassius. "Careful there, White. You're starting to sound like us."

"Moon forbid," Cassius shot back with a smirk. "I still prefer my meetings without bloodshed, thank you very much."

The banter continued as they delved deeper into the woods, the Light Side Alphas ribbing their Dark Side counterparts about their more… colorful traditions. It was a dance they'd perfected after Articus visited as their relationship got closer, the teasing masking a deeper respect that had grown between the two factions.

“I figured you Light Side wolves could use a reminder of what real hunting looks like,” Cassius teased, though his tone held a playful edge.

Articus let out a low chuckle. “You Dark Side Alphas do love to get your hands dirty. We, on the other hand, enjoy our leisure a bit more… refined.” He exaggerated the last word, shooting Cassius a wink.

Cassius barked a laugh, shaking his head. “Refined, huh? That’s one way of saying you like putting your feet up while we take care of the heavy lifting.”

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