Page 60 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Elder Greymane leaned forward, his ancient eyes boring into Cassius. "Are you certain, Alpha White? This is not a decision to be made lightly."

Cassius nodded, his resolve firm despite the fear coiling in his gut. "I'm certain. If this is what it takes to prove my sincerity and save our alliance, then so be it."

The atmosphere in the room shifted, tension giving way to a mix of awe and apprehension. Even Marcus looked taken aback by Cassius's willingness to put everything on the line.

He barely registered the hand that clasped his shoulder until Aleksander's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. "Are you out of your mind?" his friend hissed, steel-gray eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and concern.

Cassius turned to face him, forcing a wan smile. "Probably," he admitted. "But what choice did I have, Aleks? You saw how it was in there."

Aleksander’s face was etched with concern. "Cass, think about this. There's no going back once you take that oath. Aurora—”

"Will be fine," Cassius cut him off, though his heart clenched at the thought of his daughter. "Because I'm not lying, Aleks. I care for Alysa more than I've ever admitted, even to myself."

Aleksander sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're a fool," he muttered. "A brave fool, but a fool nonetheless."

Despite everything, Cassius felt a smile tugging at his lips. "Isn't that why you keep me around?"

Elder Greymane's weathered voice cut through the murmurs. "Very well. If this is your decision, Alpha White, we will reconvene tomorrow to perform the oath. This gives you time to… put your affairs in order, should the worst come to pass."

The elder continued heavily. "We shall summon a witch to perform the oath. But know this, Cassius White—there is no turning back once the ritual begins."

The finality of those words settled over Cassius like a physical weight. As the council began to disperse, whispered conversations filling the air, he remained rooted to the spot.

What have I done?

The enormity of his decision crashed over him. In less than twenty-four hours, he would either prove his feelings for Alysa beyond a shadow of a doubt… or die trying.

His mind wandered to Alysa, probably still angry and hurt from his earlier actions.

As he left the council chamber, his steps heavy with the weight of what was to come, Cassius's resolve hardened. He had to see Alysa and he had to make things right between them, explain everything.

The cool night air hit him as he stepped outside, a stark contrast to the heated atmosphere of the council chamber. Cassius took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. For the first time since this whole mess began, he felt a glimmer of hope.

I'll make this right.

Chapter 16 - Alysa

"He what?" she whispered, her fingers clutching the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Alysa's world had shattered with a single phone call. Her brother's voice, usually so steady, trembled as he delivered the news. The words echoed in her mind, each repetition amplifying her shock.

Aleksander's sigh crackled through the line, repeating the words he had said seconds earlier. "He's going to prove his feelings for you, Alysa. With a witch oath."

The news hit her like a punch to the gut. Alysa blinked, her breath snagging as the words settled in. She sank onto the nearby couch, her legs suddenly too weak to support her. A witch oath. The most binding, potentially lethal form of magic. And Cassius had agreed to it. Because of her.

No, this can’t be happening.

The room spun, but her thoughts whirled faster. Cassius had made the decision. He’d put his life in the hands of ancient magic—magic that could end him if he wasn’t telling the truth.

Her mind swirled with questions. How could he? Why would he? The words Aleksander had just thrown her way echoed in her ears, filling the silence like a ringing bell. She hadn’t even had a chance to speak to Cassius yet, hadn’t been able to ask him why he’d do something so drastic.

Emotions crashed over her like relentless waves. Fear clawed at her throat, threatening to choke her. Hope, fragile and unwelcome, flickered in her chest. And overwhelming guilt, a crushing weight that threatened to pull her under.

This is my fault.I’m the reason he’s risking his life.

The thought burned through her mind, inescapable and damning. She'd gotten drunk and spilled everything to Marcus in a moment of weakness. And now Cassius was putting his life on the line.

Alysa's stomach churned as she remembered that night at the bar. The burn of whiskey, the comforting haze of alcohol dulling her pain. Marcus's concerned face as she poured out her heart, revealing the lie that now threatened to tear everything apart.

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