Page 42 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

The raw honesty in her voice made Cassius look away, his jaw clenching. "It doesn't matter. I shouldn't have let it happen. You're my best friend's sister, for God's sake. And I'm… I'm not ready for this. For any of it."

Each word was like a knife to Alysa's heart. She clutched Aurora closer, as if the baby could shield her from the pain of Cassius's rejection.

"So what now?" she asked, hating how small her voice sounded.

Cassius met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and resolve. "We go back to how things were before. For Aurora's sake, for everyone’s sake. It's better this way."

Alysa felt something inside her shatter. She wanted to scream, to rage against his words. But instead, she nodded, her face a mask of calm she didn't feel. "If that's what you want."

"Alysa…" Cassius started, reaching out to her.

She stepped back, out of his reach. "I think I need some time alone now. If you don't mind."

Cassius's hand fell to his side, his face a picture of misery. But he nodded, respecting her wish. "Of course. I'll… I'll be in my study if you need anything."

As he walked away, Alysa felt the distance between them grow into a chasm. She looked down at Aurora, who had finally quieted, her tiny hand curled around Alysa's finger.

At least I still have you, little one,she thought, pressing a soft kiss to the baby's forehead.

The next morning dawned grey and overcast, matching Alysa's mood perfectly. Now back in the guest room bed, she'd barely slept, tossing and turning as Cassius's words echoed in her mind.

We go back to how things were before.

But how could they? How could she pretend that nothing had changed when everything had?

Alysa went through the motions of her morning routine, feeding and changing Aurora and helping Abigail with breakfast. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed the sound of voices coming from Cassius's study.

"…be careful with her feelings, Cassius," Aleksander's voice drifted through the partially open door. "She's not just some random woman. She's my sister."

Alysa froze, her hand hovering over the doorknob. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but her feet refused to move.

"I know that, Aleks," Cassius replied, sounding weary. "I'm doing my best here."

"Are you?" Aleksander challenged. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're playing with her emotions. How's she adjusting to all of this?"

There was a pause, and Alysa held her breath, waiting for Cassius's response.

"I… I think I may have to call off our fake relationship," Cassius said finally. "I only did it to protect her from the dangers of the deal with Marcus. Now that it's done, we can go back to how we used to be."

Alysa's heart plummeted.

Fake relationship. Of course. How could I have been so stupid?

"Are you sure that's wise?" Aleksander asked. "What if Marcus decides to make another move?"

"We'll have to deal with that another way," Cassius replied. "For now, it's better this way. Cleaner."

Alysa stumbled back from the door, her vision blurring with unshed tears. Cleaner.

Is that all I am to him? A mess to be cleaned up?

Aleksander’s voice came next, quieter but clear. "Alright then, but you need to be careful with this, Cassius."

There was a pause, and then Cassius spoke again, his words cutting deeper than Alysa had expected. "That’s exactly why I can’t keep this going. She deserves more than this…more than I can give her."

She barely registered Abigail's concerned voice as she rushed past, heading for the safety of her room. Once inside, she leaned against the door, sliding down to the floor as the tears finally fell.

It was all fake.

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