Page 45 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

As they raced through the forest, Cassius's mind whirled. Articus's words echoed in his head, mixing with his own confused thoughts. Images of Alysa flashed before him—her smile as she cradled Aurora, the determined set of her jaw when she stood up to him, the vulnerability in her eyes when she thought no one was looking.

Could I actually be falling for her?

The hunt passed in a blur, Cassius's body moving on instinct while his mind grappled with his newfound realization. By the time they returned to the house, the sun was setting, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink.

Cassius shifted back, his muscles aching pleasantly from the exertion. As the other Alphas said their goodbyes, clappingeach other on the back and exchanging good-natured insults, Cassius found himself scanning the house, searching for a glimpse of chestnut hair.

He found her in the kitchen, her back to him as she prepared dinner. Aurora was in her rolling crib, happily dozing, her teddy bear between her chubby fingers. The sight made Cassius's heart clench with an emotion he couldn't quite name.

"Hey," he said softly, not wanting to startle her.

Alysa turned, a soft smile spreading across her face when she saw him. "Hey yourself," she replied. "How was the hunt?"

Cassius moved closer, drawn to her warmth like a moth to a flame. "It was good," he said, his eyes never leaving her face. "How was your day?"

"Oh, you know," Alysa shrugged, turning back to the stove. "The usual. Aurora and I had a thrilling adventure in the world of pureed carrots."

Cassius chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. Without thinking, he stepped closer, close enough to catch the scent of her shampoo—something floral and sweet. "Sounds exciting," he murmured.

Alysa stiffened slightly at his proximity, her breath catching. She turned to face him, her honey-brown eyes wide. "Cassius?" she whispered, uncertainty coloring her voice.

He should step back. He knew he should. But he couldn't make his feet move. "Alysa," he breathed, her name a prayer on his lips.

"I…" she started, then stopped, biting her lower lip. The action drew his gaze, and suddenly, all he could think about was how soft those lips would feel against his own.

"You what?" he prompted gently, his hand moving of its own accord to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Alysa's eyes fluttered closed at his touch, a soft sigh escaping her. When she opened them again, they were filled with a mixture of fear and longing that made Cassius's heart race. "I need to tell you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cassius nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb tracing the soft curve of her jaw.

"I…" Alysa took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "I've had a crush on you for as long as I can remember," she rushed out, the words tumbling over each other in their haste to be free. "I know it's stupid, and I know you probably don't feel the same way, and I have now decided to focus on Aurora as her nanny, but I just… I needed to tell you just once. Before I explode."

Cassius froze, his mind struggling to process her words.

She has feelings for me?

The realization sent a shock of heat through his body, followed quickly by a wave of guilt.

I don't deserve her.

But even as those thoughts raced through his mind, his body was moving. Before he could talk himself out of it, he cupped Alysa's face in his hands and brought his lips crashing down on hers.

The kiss was everything he'd imagined and more. Alysa's lips were soft and pliant beneath his, opening on a gasp that he swallowed hungrily. His hands slid into her hair, angling herhead to deepen the kiss as her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer.

Cassius groaned, the sound vibrating through both of them. He backed Alysa up against the counter, his body pressing against hers as if trying to meld them into one being. She arched into him, a soft whimper escaping her that sent fire racing through his veins.

He couldn't stop. Not when she tasted so sweet, when she fit so perfectly in his arms.

It was Aurora's happy squeal that finally broke them apart. They pulled back, both breathing heavily, their eyes locked on each other. Alysa's lips were swollen from his kisses, her cheeks flushed a beautiful pink. Cassius had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.

"Cassius," Alysa breathed, her voice husky in a way that made his wolf howl with desire. "What… what was that?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. What could he say? That he was falling for her? That he wanted her more than he'd ever wanted anyone in his life? That he was terrified of what that meant?

In the end, he didn't say anything. He just pulled her back into his arms, capturing her lips in another searing kiss. Alysa melted against him, her body soft and yielding in all the right places.

They stumbled out of the kitchen, barely breaking apart long enough to check that Aurora was secure in her rolling crib and that her baby monitor was turned on. Cassius's hands roamed Alysa's body, mapping every curve and dip as if trying to memorize her by touch alone.

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