Page 72 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

"Okay," she said finally, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Give me fifteen minutes to Pack?"

"Take your time," Cassius replied, his thumb caressing her cheek. "We've got all weekend."

As Alysa hurried upstairs to Pack, Cassius leaned against the wall, letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

This is really happening.

Twenty minutes later, they were on the road, the city lights fading behind them as Cassius drove toward their destination.

The Audi was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft music playing on the radio and the occasional question from Alysa about where they were going.

"You'll see," Cassius would reply each time, enjoying the way her curiosity grew with each mile marker they passed.

As they neared their destination, Cassius couldn't help but sneak glances at Alysa. The moonlight filtering through the car window cast a soft glow on her skin, highlighting the gentle curves of her face.

Her scent, an intoxicating mix of vanilla and cinnamon, filled the car, making his wolf rumble with contentment.

Calm down.

Finally, they pulled up to the grand entrance of the Evergreen Resort, a luxurious hotel nestled in the heart of a lush forest. Alysa's gasp of surprise was music to Cassius's ears.

"Cassius, this is… wow," she breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the elegant facade of the building.

He grinned, pleased by her reaction. "Only the best for you," he said softly, reaching over to squeeze her hand.

As they stepped out of the car, the cool night air enveloped them. Cassius quickly moved to Alysa's side, his hand finding its place on the small of her back as he guided her toward the entrance. The doorman greeted them with a respectful nod, recognizing Cassius immediately.

"Welcome to Evergreen Resort, Alpha White. Your suite is ready for you."

Cassius nodded his thanks, feeling Alysa tense slightly beside him—he knew she was still getting used to the attention. His thumb traced soothing circles on her back as they made their way in.

As they walked inside, the hotel lobby was lavish—marble floors gleaming, chandeliers casting a soft glow over the room. But none of it held his attention.

Her hand feels right in mine.

Once inside their suite, Alysa's eyes widened even further. The room was spacious and elegantly furnished, with a panoramic view of the surrounding forest. A king-sized bed dominated one side of the room, while a cozy sitting area with a fireplace occupied the other.

"This is beautiful," Alysa murmured, moving to the window to take in the view.

Cassius watched her, drinking in the sight of her silhouette against the moonlit forest.

"I'm glad you like it," he said, moving to stand behind her. His hands found her hips, and he felt her lean back into him. "I wanted somewhere special for us."

Alysa turned in his arms, her honey-brown eyes meeting his blue ones. "Well, this is definitely special," she said softly, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

Cassius took a deep breath. "You deserve every bit of it. And more."

A mix of emotions played across Alysa's face—hope, fear, excitement. Cassius wanted nothing more than to kiss away her doubts, but he held back.

Not yet.

"Why don't we order some room service?" he suggested, breaking the tension. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Alysa nodded, grateful for the momentary reprieve. As Cassius called down to order their meal, she wandered around the suite, taking in the luxurious details.

Room service arrived not long after, and they settled on the plush sofa, plates balanced on their laps. The scent of fresh pasta filled the room, but Cassius’s attention was fixed on Alysa.

The initial awkwardness began to fade as they ate, replaced by a comfortable familiarity. She twirled her fork through her food, her movements slower than usual, her mind clearly elsewhere.

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