Page 71 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

They stayed like that for a long moment, holding each other close as they caught their breath. Alysa felt boneless, utterly sated in a way she'd never experienced before.

Finally, Cassius pulled back just enough to look at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I love you," he said simply, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Alysa's heart soared. She knew they still had much to figure out and many challenges to face. But in that moment, wrapped in Cassius's arms with the promise of a future together stretched out before them, she couldn't bring herself to worry.

"I love you too," she whispered back, sealing the words with a kiss.

As they eventually made their way upstairs, Alysa couldn't help but marvel at the turn her life had taken. Justdays ago, she'd been certain she was losing Cassius forever. And now…

She glanced at him as they settled into bed, taking in the contentment on his face. As Cassius pulled her close, pressing a soft kiss to her temple, Alysa felt a deep sense of peace settle over her.

Chapter 19 - Cassius

Cassius's fingers drummed against the steering wheel, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts as he navigated the winding road back to the Whiteborn estate. The Pack meeting had dragged on longer than expected, but he couldn't keep the smile from his face.

Two days had passed since the witch's oath, and the memory of that moment still sent a jolt through his system.

His wolf rumbled contentedly within him, pleased with the outcome. The rogue Alphas had accepted his confession, and the tension that had threatened to tear apart their fragile peace had dissipated. Now, he could focus on what truly mattered.

Alysa.

He grinned, thinking of her warm brown eyes, the way she always managed to fluster herself whenever he got too close. The urge to court Alysa properly buzzed under his skin, a hum of anticipation that wouldn’t be ignored.

If I’m going to do this, I’ll do it right.

Cassius smirked to himself, already planning. The details were coming together in his head. A weekend away, just the two of them, away from Pack responsibilities and the constant chaos of their lives.

As he pulled into the driveway, his keen eyes caught sight of her silhouette in the window. His heart quickened.

She's waiting for me.

The thought both thrilled and terrified him. This was new territory for both of them, and he was determined to do it right.

Cassius took a deep breath, steeling himself before stepping out of the car. The crisp evening air filled his lungs as he strode toward the front door, his resolve strengthening with each step.

The door swung open before he could reach for the handle. The sight of her nearly took his breath away. Her long chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders, the caramel highlights catching the last rays of the setting sun. Her curvy figure was accentuated by a simple sundress that hugged her in all the right places.

"Hey," she said softly, a hint of shyness in her voice. "How was the meeting?"

Cassius stepped inside, closing the distance between them. His hand found the small of her back, and he reveled in the way she leaned into his touch. "Long," he admitted with a chuckle. "But productive. How's Aurora?"

"Fed and sleeping soundly," Alysa replied, a tender smile lighting up her face. "She missed you today."

Not as much as I missed you.

But he held his tongue. Instead, he let his fingers trail up her spine, feeling the shiver that ran through her body. "Pack your bags," he said, his voice low and husky. "We're going on a little trip."

Alysa's eyebrows shot up, surprise and excitement dancing in her eyes. "A trip? Where? What about Aurora?"

Cassius couldn't help but grin at her rapid-fire questions. "It's a surprise. And don't worry about Aurora. I've arranged for Lena to take care of her for the weekend. Abigail will help. She’ll be in good hands."

"The whole weekend?" Alysa's voice was a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

Cassius nodded, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just you and me, Alysa. No Pack duties, no interruptions. I want to do this right."

A blush crept up Alysa's cheeks, and Cassius found himself captivated by the sight.

Moon, she's beautiful when she's flustered.

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