Page 58 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Selena Nightshade, her dark eyes narrowed, leaned forward. "And you thought lying was the best way to show that care?"

Cassius's chest tightened as he spoke, the truth of his words hitting him like a physical blow. "I know I handled the situation poorly. But my intentions were not to slight the rogue Packs or perpetuate prejudices. I simply couldn't bear the thought of losing her."

"So you took that choice away from her?" Ragnar's booming voice filled the chamber. "That doesn't sound like care to me, White. It sounds like control."

Cassius flinched at the accusation, but he didn't back down. "You're right, it was wrong. But my intentions were never to control her. I wanted to protect her, to give us time to… to see if what I felt was real. If what we could have together was real."

Lyra, her ice-blue eyes unreadable, spoke up. "And now? Now that your lie has been exposed? What are your intentions now, Alpha White?"

Cassius turned to face her, his voice softening. "Now, I want to make things right. With Alysa, with all of you. I want to prove that my feelings are genuine, that this wasn't about politics or alliances."

The silence that followed was deafening. Cassius could practically hear the disbelief radiating from the assembled Alphas. Elder Greymane's bushy eyebrows furrowed as he leaned forward, his ancient eyes searching Cassius's face.

"Your words are passionate, Alpha White. But how can we trust them? How can we be sure this isn't simply another manipulation?"

Cassius felt a flicker of desperation. He looked around the room, seeking any sign of understanding. "I know I've given you reasons to doubt me. But I swear I'm telling you the truth now."

"A convenient explanation, Alpha White," Selena Nightshade's cool voice sliced through the quiet. Her dark eyes glittered with suspicion. "But how can we be certain you're not simply covering your tracks?"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the chamber. Cassius's stomach churned as he saw the doubt etched on face after face. Even those who'd known him for years seemed to be questioning his integrity.

"I understand your skepticism," Cassius said, fighting to keep his voice level. "But I give you my word as an Alpha that I'm speaking the truth.”

Erik, his pale face a mask of disdain, stepped forward. "Your word?" he scoffed. "The word of a man who lied about claiming a mate? Forgive us if we find that less than reassuring."

Aleksander, who had been silent until now, moved to stand beside Cassius. "My friend may have made a mistake," he said, his voice firm, "but he is not without honor. I've known Cassius for years. He's not the type to sell out his principles or his people for personal gain."

Marcus sneered. "No, he just lies to them instead. Tell me, Volkov, do you condone what he's done? Using your sister as a pawn in his little game?"

Aleksander's eyes flashed dangerously. "Watch your tone, Redwood. My sister is not a pawn."

The chamber erupted into a cacophony of angry voices. Accusations flew from all corners, the tension that had been simmering finally boiling over.

"You expect us to believe this farce?" Marcus roared, slamming his fist on the table. "You've always looked down on those of us who weren’t pure Alphas. This was just another way to keep us in our place!"

Cassius's wolf snarled beneath his skin, itching to defend itself. He clenched his fists, forcing back the shift. "That's not true," he ground out. "I've always advocated for cooperation between all Packs."

"Cooperation?" Erik’s eyes flashed with anger. "Is that what you call snatching away a she-wolf from an Alpha who first staked his claim?"

The pure-blooded Alphas bristled at the accusation. Lyra’s icy voice cut through the chaos. "Are you implying that we treat our women as bargaining chips? That's barbaric!"

"Barbaric?" Nadia hissed, her lithe form coiled with tension. "You dare call us barbaric when it's your precious pure-blood who tried to manipulate us?"

The room devolved into chaos, centuries of mistrust and prejudice bubbling to the surface. Cassius stood in the eye of the storm, his heart sinking as he watched years of progress crumble before his eyes.

This is my fault.

Guilt gnawed at his insides.

I've set us back decades with one stupid, impulsive decision.

Suddenly, Aleksander's voice rang out above the din. "Enough!" he roared, his commanding presence silencing theroom. "We don't sell our women as part of business deals. That's not who we are, any of us."

For a moment, stunned silence reigned. Then, like a match to gasoline, the rogue Alphas exploded.

"Are you saying we do?" Darius bellowed, his scarred face contorted with rage. "You think we treat our women like cattle to be traded?"

Zara Moonsinger's usually serene features twisted with disgust. "How dare you imply such a thing? Our women are the heart of our Packs, not commodities! And you disappoint me as a Dark Side Alpha—here we have women Alphas."

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