Page 57 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

He must hate me now.

When he was done, Cassius wrapped her in a fluffy towel, patting her dry with a tenderness that made her heart ache. He helped her into one of his robes, the soft material drowning her smaller frame.

Why is he being so nice to me?

"Come on," he murmured, lifting her once more. "Let's get you to bed."

Alysa expected him to take her to the guest room, but instead, he carried her to his own bed. He tucked her in, pulling the covers up to her chin.

As consciousness began to slip away, Alysa felt the mattress dip beside her. Cassius's warm presence was both comforting and terrifying.

Her last coherent thought before sleep claimed her was a jumble of regret and longing.

I'm sorry, Cassius. I'm so sorry.

The consequences of her drunken revelations loomed on the horizon, a storm waiting to break. But for now, surrounded by Cassius's scent and warmth, Alysa let herself drift into a troubled sleep.

The last thing she remembered was the soft press of his hand against her cheek, his voice a quiet murmur in the dark. "Sleep, Alysa. I’ll deal with everything else."

Chapter 15 - Cassius

The heavy oak doors of the council chamber loomed before Cassius, their intricate carvings a stark contrast to the tension crackling in the air. He squared his shoulders, steeling himself for the confrontation that awaited him.

With a deep breath, he pushed the doors open, the creak of ancient hinges announcing his arrival.

A sea of faces turned to greet him, some etched with disappointment, others burning with barely contained rage. The scent of anger and betrayal hung thick in the air, almost suffocating in its intensity.

Alphas from every corner of the Dark Side filled the circular chamber, and the rogue Alphas, in particular, radiated hostility. He saw Marcus’s face twisted with barely contained rage, his massive frame trembling as he glared daggers at Cassius.

At the far end of the chamber, seated behind a massive stone table, sat the council elders. Their weathered faces were impassive, but Cassius could sense the weight of their judgment.

Elder Greymane, his silver hair a stark contrast to his dark robes, sat at the center, his piercing gaze fixed on Cassius. But even his usual calming presence did little to quell the storm brewing in the room.

Cassius's footsteps echoed in the eerie silence as he approached the center, feeling like a condemned man walking to the gallows.

"Alpha White," Elder Greymane's gravelly voice cut through the tension. "You've been summoned to explain your actions regarding the recent… incident with Alpha Redwood.You stand before this council accused of a grave deception. How do you answer these charges?"

Cassius's hands curled into fists at his sides, nails biting into his palms.

Keep it together. One wrong move, and this whole thing goes up in flames.

Cassius swallowed hard, feeling the weight of every eye in the room upon him. He raised his chin, meeting the elder's gaze. "I admit to the deception," he began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "But I ask the council to hear me out before passing judgment."

"Honorable council," he began, his voice steadier than his first attempt. "I understand how my actions may have appeared, but I assure you, they weren't born from discrimination."

A low murmur rippled through the assembled Alphas. Marcus stepped forward. "We don’t want to hear what you have to say. You lied, White. You manipulated us all for your own gain."

Cassius turned to face Marcus, his blue eyes flashing with determination. "It wasn't about gain, Redwood."

A low growl rumbled from the rogue Alphas' section. Cassius pressed on, his palms damp with sweat. "My claim on Alysa Volkov was not a political move. It was… personal."

Damn it, why is this so hard?

Cassius's jaw clenched as he forced the words out. "I care for Alysa. Deeply. The thought of her being traded like a commodity to anyone was unbearable. I wanted her for myself."

Erik Shadowbane’s hollow eyes bored into Cassius. "Pretty words," he sneered. "But actions speak louder. And your actions, White, reek of prejudice and deceit."

His gaze swept the room, meeting the skeptical stares of his fellow Alphas. "I reacted out of jealousy, not prejudice. Alysa means more to me than I'd realized, and the idea of her with another man… it blinded me."

---