Page 64 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Alysa’s eyes flickered in his mind, her voice soft but sure in his memory, pushing him forward. The thought of her gave him strength, even as doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve.

The council had made it clear: this ritual, this binding, would test his soul. And he had agreed, knowing full well what it meant.

What if he was wrong? What if the oath revealed feelings he wasn't even aware of? The consequences would be… final.

Cassius shook his head, banishing the whispers of fear. He knew his heart. He'd spent too long denying it, hiding behind duty and obligation. But no more. Today, he would lay everything bare.

The sky above was a thick blanket of storm-gray clouds, as if the heavens themselves were holding their breath for whatwas to come. Cassius shook his head slightly, trying to dispel the weight of the moment.

He didn’t have time to dwell on the consequences or the doubts gnawing at the back of his mind. His Pack needed him strong. Aurora needed him alive. But above all, Alysa needed to know the truth of his heart.

As he neared the clearing, voices drifted to him on the breeze. The assembled crowd waited, a mix of anticipation and dread hanging heavy in the air. Cassius squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. Whatever happened, he would face it with the dignity befitting an Alpha.

A crackle in the underbrush caught his attention, pulling him from his thoughts. Marcus emerged from the tree line, his auburn hair catching the dim light that filtered through the branches.

His face was tight, brows furrowed as if he carried the same weight Cassius bore.

The trees parted, revealing the gathering. Alphas from every Pack stood in a loose circle, their faces grim. Cassius's gaze swept over them, noting the tension in their postures, the wariness in their eyes.

Cassius’s gaze drifted toward Alysa, standing beside Aleksander. She was trying to be brave, her posture straight, but the worry etched into her features betrayed her. His heart clenched at the sight.

I’ll prove it to you, Alysa. You’ll see.

Her eyes were wide with worry, and her bottom lip was caught between her teeth. Looking at her lips did something to him the situation did not call for.

Moon, she's beautiful.

Cassius's heart clenched. He wanted nothing more than to go to her, to pull her into his arms and never let go. But he couldn't. Not yet. He had to prove himself first.

The forest clearing was alive with an unnatural stillness, a pocket of silence amidst the towering trees. Cassius’s boots crunched against the frosted earth as he made his way toward the center of the gathering.

Elder Greymane stood near the front, his weathered face impassive, but his silver eyes gleamed with the knowledge of ancient rites. The others, the Alphas of the surrounding Packs, were already positioned in a wide circle, their faces obscured by both distance and shadow.

Selena stood like a wraith at the far end, her dark eyes following his every move. Ragnar's imposing figure was unmistakable, his fiery red hair a beacon even in the dim light.

At the center of the clearing stood a slight figure, her silver hair gleaming in the dappled sunlight. The witch. Power radiated from her in almost visible waves, making the hair on the back of Cassius's neck stand on end.

Cassius’s steps faltered only when he spotted Alysa again, her chestnut hair catching the breeze, strands whipping against her face. Her eyes met his, and for a heartbeat, the rest of the world faded. She was the reason. The reason for every choice, every sacrifice, every painful step he was about to take.

Elder Greymane cleared his throat, snapping the moment like a brittle twig. "Cassius White, Alpha of the Annex Pack," the elder’s voice boomed, "are you certain you wish to go through with this?"

The weight of the question pressed down on Cassius. His eyes flicked to Marcus, who stood beside him, looking moreconflicted than ever. Marcus had always been a warrior, but even he seemed reluctant now.

Marcus’s jaw clenched as he glanced at Cassius. "Cass," he began, voice rough, "you don’t have to do this anymore. If you say you love her, then…"

"I do," Cassius interrupted, his voice steady. "I have to." His gaze shifted back to Alysa.

She needs to know.

"I love her," he said simply, but the weight behind the words was undeniable. Marcus nodded, not pushing further, though the tension remained visible in his clenched fists.

Elder Greymane’s expression remained unreadable as he faced Cassius once again. "Are you sure you are prepared for what is to come, knowing the consequences?"

Cassius met the Elder's gaze steadily. "I am," he said, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hands. "I want—no, I need Alysa to know the truth. I love her. I've loved her for longer than I was willing to admit, even to myself."

A soft gasp reached his ears, and Cassius's eyes found Alysa again. Tears shimmered in her eyes, one escaping to trail down her cheek. He ached to wipe it away, to pull her close and whisper how much she meant to him.

Soon, he promised silently.

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