Chapter 2: Finally
Cassia
It’s him. He’s my mate. I would recognize him anywhere. I’ve been dreaming about him for five years. He has dark auburn hair, waves around his neck and forehead, and his golden eyes glow like amber. He’s gorgeous. He’s at least three inches over six feet. From what I can see, his body is strong, tanned, and muscled. His eyes appraised my body with curiosity and a spark of desire. Swallowing hard, I stand there stunned until my mother makes the introductions. My surprise turns into shock at the sound of his name.
My mother waves her hand and gestures for me to take a seat. “Cassia, why don’t you have a seat and hear what Mathias has to say.” I move forward with a surprised sigh when the man pulls a chair out for me. “Thank you,” I whisper silently.
The man…Mathias, nods his head before he turns back toward my mother. “As I was saying, Ms. S…Alandra, the council has charged your former mate, Lukan Garron, of murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to murder several people. Evidence has been brought forth to the council showing that Lukan Garron has been accused of murdering his sister, Galena Garron, and her husband, Samael Kendrick.”
“Oh my god!” My mouth gapes open with shock. My mother is just as shocked. “You…you said there is proof that he killed people?” Her voice quivers.
He nods his head in pity. “Yes, apparently, he kept several videos inside personal files that were recovered by the council.” I try to compose myself and look around the room nervously. “Where is he now?”
Mathias apologetically looks at me before taking a deep breath and pushing a file on the table toward my mother. “Lukan was slain several nights ago after he kidnapped a young woman. Thankfully, her mate found her and called forth the Macto Benficium duellum Sanguis. Lukan agreed and perished.”
My mother nods her head, unsurprised. I guess I can understand; Lukan was never an affectionate husband or father. He rarely came around, and when he did, he treated us like rubbish. I don’t remember the last time I called him father. Whenever he’d visit, I called him Lukan. Even now, I can’t think of him in any other way.
Mathias’s next words snap me out of my thoughts. “The reason that I am here is that we have been unsuccessful in recovering his body. Unfortunately, all of his properties were empty.”
I look back toward Mathias in question. “I thought you said he was killed. How do you know he’s dead?” Mathias looks at me. I can’t help but stare at his luscious lips and feel my body heat with desire. As if he can sense my need, he licks his lips and huskily replies. “I know because I was there when the girl’s mate made it back alive. You know the rules. Only one survives.”
I nod my head in understanding. “So why come here? We haven’t seen him in years. I highly doubt Lukan would show up here of all places.”
My mother stands up quickly, giving me a stern look, then gazes back toward Mathias. “Mathias, I understand that you are trying to find Lukan. However, I can assure you that he’s not here. We wouldn’t have the slightest clue as to where to find him. Lukan was never very close to us. To be honest, I think he preferred that we didn’t associate with him at all.”
Nodding his head, Mathias stands up. He looks at my mother then at me before taking out two cards from his pocket and extending it to us. “Please call me if you remember anything. As of now, he’s wanted by the council, and until we have proof that he’s actually dead, I suggest keeping an eye out for yourselves.”
Heart beating wildly, I take his card and look down at the plain bold letters.
Without another word, my mother moves forward and leads Mathias toward the office door. Before he steps out the door, he gives me one last backward look. His eyes dilate when he notices me rubbing the card subconsciously against my lips. My lips tingle as I watch him walk out the door.
After a few minutes, my mother walks back in. “So Lukan is dead. I should have known that he’d come to a bad end.” I look at my mother, surprised by the venom in her voice. I mean, my mom was never a huge fan of my dad, but I’ve never heard her speak so viciously of him.
“What do you know, mom?” My mom sits back on her chair, poised. “Cassia, there are some things you don’t know about your father. He was not a very kind man when we were together. I’m just glad I was able to get us out from beneath his thumb. Don’t ask, okay. Let’s just let this rest.” I want to push, but I let it go.
“Okay, mom. Well, I better get back to school.” My mother moves forward in surprise. “Do you really need to go, Cassia?”
I nod my head, tired. “Yeah, mom. I have a midterm tomorrow, and I need to study. You know what…maybe I should stay. I don’t trust the fact that the Council thinks Lukan is dead….” My mother waves her hand in dismissal. “Nonsense. Lukan has no reason to come here. Either way, I’m planning on calling Thompson to provide protection for me. Go…go to school. You’re so close to graduation.”
I think of Thompson. He is my mother’s boyfriend. The man is as big as a house and worships the ground my mom walks on.
“Okay, but you have to call him now.” She rolls her eyes, reaches for her phone, and waves it to me, showing me that she’s going to call now. I observe quietly as she dials the number and waits for Thompson to agree.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I move toward the door. “Good then. I’m leaving now.” Smiling grimly, my mom walks forward and places a kiss on my cheek. “Go, Cassia, and be careful. If you see Lukan run the other way and call the council.” I nod my head, recalling Mathias’ face. “I’ll be fine, mom. The sorority is pretty big, and girls are coming in and out all of the time. Trust me, he would be pretty stupid to show up there.”
As I walk back toward the campus, I keep a vigilant eye on the grounds. A couple of girls from my Phi Beta Kappa house wave as I make my way into the door.
It’s only when I get to my room that I feel the tension drain from my shoulders. Exhaling deeply, I throw my bag on the floor, jump on the bed, and lay an arm over my head. When I close my eyes, the first thing I see is my angel; Mathias. Over the years, my body ached for him. I dreamt of us making love and would sometimes wake up sweating and frustrated. For so long, I was scared that I hadn’t met him yet.
After a moment, I roll onto my stomach, reach for my bag, retrieve his card, and run my fingers through it. I want to call him. I want to hear his beautiful voice again. At the thought, my body becomes heavy with arousal. Damn him!
On the one hand, I’m happy to finally know who he is, and on the other, I can’t help but feel angry that he didn’t acknowledge me. Why didn’t he say something? Releasing a sigh of regret, I close my eyes and consider my next step.
Chapter 3: UnsettledMathiasIt has been two weeks since I’ve met Lukan Garron’s former mate and daughter. Yet, I still feel a little unsettled. My mind keeps returning to the vision of Cassia’s exquisite face. Why is she haunting me? I’m very confused by my reaction. Closing my eyes, I try to clear my mind of this strange fascination.I’m currently in the council chambers debriefing my enforcers, but my mind is miles away. “We need to continue looking further into Lukan Garron’s disappearance. There has to be something we’re missing. All of his assets were frozen, and we’ve locked down all of his properties. Right now, we’re guessing that someone he works with might have found his body. In the meantime, I want to continue to search.”Gadriel and Corbin nod their heads in agreement. “Yes, sir. What do you want to do?” I think for a moment. “I would like for you to
Chapter 4: Fate’s planCassiaI was hoping to see Mathias weeks ago. I mean, I’m his mate. He should have called me as soon as he left my mother’s house. However, he never came around or called. I’m so confused because he should have known who I am. Mates are supposed to feel a call. Angel mating is intricate. When an angel female is ready to find her mate, she dreams of him. The male angel will also begin feeling a lure to a certain place where they will find their other half. It’s different with some half-angels, but pure angels know by the dreams they share and the unmistakable lure. An angel that finds his or her mate usually becomes restless. As if we’re searching for something. I’ve been feeling that way since I saw him. So why hasn’t he come to see me? Groaning with frustration, I bury my head in my pillow.Another thing that has worried me lately is the constant creep factor. When I l
Chapter 5: Coincidence?MathiasNevaeh and I are strolling through the Cal State campus, enjoying the tour. Neveah smiles with excitement every time she sees something she likes. When we arrived, we had to tell the admissions office that I was her brother. Unfortunately, even though she’s my daughter, Nevaeh and I don’t look very far off in age. It has been fun anyway. Right now, we are walking to a coffee shop for a quick break. Clapping with excitement, Nevaeh turns to me. “So, how do you like it?” She waves her hand around the campus.Quirking a brow, I give her an approving smile. “I think it’s a great school, and you’ll fit right in.” Her smile widens, and suddenly she’s in my arms, her arms tight around my shoulders. I stand there, stunned for a moment. Even though we have been spending more time together, we’ve never hugged. It’s nice.Feeling comfortable, I pull
Chapter 7: DoubtsMathiasI walk back to the coffee shop, feeling like a complete and utter ass. Mikhail and Nevaeh are sitting in a corner kissing and cuddling. It’s as if they’re in their own little world. Their affection brings me back to that kiss with Cassia. I’m still feeling unbalanced by how good it felt. It was an incredible kiss, but we can never be. I cannot betray Marael again.As soon as she sees me, Nevaeh rises up from the chair. “Hey, Mathias, is everything okay? Did you catch up to that hot girl?” She turns back, to Mikhail who gives me an inquiring look. “You should have seen her, Khail. She has long blond hair and green eyes. She gave me this what the fuck looked when I wrapped my arm around Mathias. I think she likes him.”Mikhail turns to me with an amused smile. “Wow, Mathias, you’re picking up college girls again? Aren’t they a little too young for you?
Chapter 6: RejectionCassiaI feel as if I can’t breathe. Mathias rejected our mating without a thought. Am I that forgettable and easily dismissed that he didn’t care how it would make me feel? Of course, Mathias isn’t the first man to reject me. The first man to ever make me feel worthless was my father. Lukan never cared much for me and viewed me as an intruder in his life. I clutch my chest as the pain threatens to burst through my body.I’m so distracted by my pain that I don’t see the form in front of him until I run into him. Crying out in surprise, I pull back and prepare to apologize.The man before me peruses my body then gives me a wicked smile. He is incredibly beautiful with dark as sin hair and icy silver eyes. He’s what my friend Kendra would call rugged with high cheekbones and sexy five o’clock stubble. His six-foot-five body is massive. He has large shoulders and a tapered waist. Feeling uncomfor
Chapter 8: UndoneCassiaThe party is going well. Kendra and I decided to split up and look at the new art displays. I’m shocked to find my own art on display. My aunt and uncle, Arabella and Draco, approach me at that moment, glowing with pride. Arabella and Draco are art professors at the school. They are also a beautiful couple. They have been mated for over two hundred years. Arabella has long red hair and green eyes, and Draco is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.Aunt Arabella places her arm around my shoulder and mutters enthusiastically. “Cassia, this one is brilliant. People love it.”Frowning with chagrin, I turn to Arabella and mumble reproachingly. “I wasn’t ready for this painting to be shown, Arabella. I told you I wanted to wait.” Arabella waves her hand dismissively. “Nonsense Cassia, your work is exquisite.
Chapter 9: AwakenedMathiasI don’t know where I’m going, but my mind is mixed up. That painting was incredible. It was obvious who it was. She showed me her heart, and now I don’t know what to do about it.“Mathias!” I hear Mikhail call out to me. Turning around, I hold my palm up to stop the incoming deluge of recriminations. “Look, Mikhail, I just want to be alone right now.”Mikhail waves away my words. “No, Mathias, you need to listen to me. When I met Nevaeh, I was scared. I was scared of what I felt for her and what might happen to her if she entered my world. Since we’ve gotten here, you’ve experienced a variety of things that have shaken your world. But I have to tell you, you’re being an idiot.”My head snaps forward at his comment. Not a lot of people dare speak to me in such a tone. I’m Mathias Black, head of the Council. A centuries-old Sera
Chapter 10: Bad newsCassiaLukan is alive. Oh my god. I listen as Nevaeh tells Mathias and the other guy about Lukan’s reappearance, but I refuse to participate. I’m still shocked by the night’s events.It also doesn’t help that I’m still feeling a bit heated after struggling in Mathias’ lap. What the hell am I doing? This man rejected me, and I’m turned on.My thoughts are halted when Mikhail parks in a garage and turns off the ignition. Without a word, everyone files out of the car. Nerves frayed, I look around the unfamiliar surroundings. Nevaeh must notice my nervousness because she moves toward me and takes my hand. “Are you okay, Cassia?” I nod my head. There’s no way that I’m going to tell her that my body is still thrumming with arousal from Mathias’ touch.“Have you ever been to the Council headquarters?” She asks softly. I shake my head. “No, I have