CHAPTER 6

Cassia's POV

I laid on the bed assuming different positions.

Tossing and turning aimlessly wasn't getting me anywhere, if it's anything, it made me feel worse. I stared at the ceilings for hours and even lost track of time.

Then it dawned on me.

I hadn't showered and I had to go to work.

I drew a shaky breath before throwing my legs off the sheets. I wasn't new to disappointment, but Magnus made me feel the safest. He loved and adored me. He treated me with intentionality and fragility. I never would've believed he would keep something of such weight from me.

Taking off my nightwear, I stepped into the shower. I sat under the water allowing it to cascade over my body. When I decided to scrub my body, it still wasn't enough to scrub his betrayal off my skin.

I refused to cry. I just allowed the tears to burn and bloom at the back of my eyes. My heart ached so badly, and I felt like ripping it out of my chest.

How could I have been so stupid to allow myself to be used?

I had fallen. Tripped. For a man who is responsible for my father's death? How do I come back from that? How do I move from this point to the point where I can actually bring myself to believe that this isn't a nightmare.

The man that I had thought was going to be different from every other person. Turned out to be the worst.

I went from pan to fire.

He managed to heal my wounds.

He managed to make me happy.

He protected me.

ENOUGH!

A voice screamed in my head, and immediately I stopped recounting all the good things he had done for me. I stepped out of the bathroom, legs felt like jelly. I moved slowly and tentatively to my wardrobe. As I put on a red-body con dress, my hands suddenly didn't feel like mine, trembling uncontrollably.

I staggered backwards, sinking into the bed. The tears I had held flowed down my cheeks freely. Bile formed in my throat but I choked it down.

As I sat on the bed, allowing the sound of the ticking clock to envelope me. My mind was swirling with thoughts. Thought of HIM.

I checked my phone. No call. No text from him.

Not that I needed an apology. He’d have to do more than that.

But, I wasn't going to sit here and sulk all day. No, I can't let him do me dirty like that. I’m done with men who think they can walk all over me. With that mental note, I drew a breath, packed my work laptop, car keys, a few essentials, cleaned my face dry and descended the stairs.

“Good Morning, Luna Cassia,” Jacinta, the maid, smiled, “Will you be having your breakfast?” She muttered, the words heavy on her tongue.

“Yes, please,” I forced a wide smile.

To get to the bottom of this I needed my strength.

In a few minutes, the food was kept in front of me. And it had a good aroma. I used my hand to fan the aroma into my nostrils. It was tantalizing. I took time to appreciate the plating.

When I finally picked the fork and sliced the beef into my mouth. It melted on my taste buds.

My revenge on Magnus and his sorry excuse for a step-son should be this delicious when I serve it to them.

After eating I thanked the maids, and left.

My slick black Mercedes stopped in front of my company. Magnus had opened it for me.

I used the VIP elevator to the office, to avoid bumping into a lot of people. Jess greeted and grabbed my bag. She is my secretary. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A beautiful soul.

I settled into my executive seat, flicking a pen between my fingers.

“You’re awfully quiet, Ma’am. Is there anything wrong?” She asked sweetly.

“No. Just woke up on the wrong side of bed.” I lied through my teeth. Flashing a smile to look believable.

She walked towards the shelf and returned, with a stack of documents tucked under her arm. “Here are all the documents that need to be tended to.” She muttered. "The investors meeting is happening tomorrow by 9AM, seems you have a lot on your mind...I want to remind you just in case you forgot."

“It's okay. I haven't forgotten. You can drop it on the table, I will work on them now.”

“I will leave you to it then.”

“Shut the door behind you.” With that she left.

“I hope you are enough of a distraction for me.” I muttered to the pile of yellow files staring back at me.

Just as I started working. My phone chimed.

Magnus. A

This should be one of the times I would smile when his name pops on my phone. Now my chest burned with an intensity.

“What do you want?” I snapped.

“If you’d give me the chance, I'd love to explain things to you. I didn't kill your father. But I won't say I didn't entirely not have something to do with his death.” He breathed hesitatingly, “I’ll come pick you up after work, there is someone I’ll like you to meet.”

“I don't trust you anymore Magnus, You hurt me and…” Tears brimmed in my eyes, voice cracking under the weight of the words that burned in my throat. “I don't think I can ever forgive you.”

“You are right to feel that way. I messed up and if I could go back in time, I will.” He trailed off. “I will come pick you up by 4PM. I love you baby,” The line beeped abruptly.

I slammed the phone on the desk. I took a fistful of my hair burying my head in my palms.

I hated this—the effect he has on me. A part of me hates every fiber of his body but the part that still gets butterflies in her belly whenever she hears his voice is still dominant.

I’m supposed to hate him and I don't think I’m doing it enough.

I went back to the document I was working on and buried my thoughts in them. I didn't let myself feel. Didn't let myself think of Magnus. I just read contracts and signed budget proposals.

After a while of drowning in grief, a light knock tapped on the door, and opened. “Ma’am he is here?” Jess uttered.

“Who?”

“Your husband ma’am, Alpha Magnus,”

My eyes darted to my wrist watch. 4PM. “Tell him I’ll be with him in a minute,”

She stared at me, her eyes glinting with mischief as though she knew something that I didn't.

“What? Speak up, Jess.”

“He….”

“I will take it from here, Jess.” She got cut off.

That voice.

Magnus.

Setting my eyes on him, my jaw tightened at will. Despite the flames that coursed through me, I still took time to appreciate how sexy he looked in that suit. I was pissed, yes, but I couldn't ignore the sparks that bloomed within me. The tingles. The palms twitch, itching to be as close to him as possible.

But between us an invisible wall put a space between us.

“You could’ve waited in the car,” I snapped intending to sound harsh but my voice came out softer than I intended.

“And let my queen walk all by herself?” He teased, talking a step closer.

I glared at him, “Not funny,”

His face fell, “I’m sorry, pumpkin, you know I would never hurt, not intentionally.”

“You should’ve considered my feelings when you decided to kill my father,”

“I didn't kill him, Pumpkin, trust me. I can tell you all about it, just not here.”

I looked into his eyes, my heart wanted to believe him, to trust the words that kissed those lips of his.

My head repelled.

“How am I not sure you are going to lie to me again?”

He grabbed my hand placing it on his chest. As I locked eyes with him, his heart thrummed against my palms, slow and steady. Too steady for someone who had been lying straight to my face for months. Or maybe he had years of practice.

In that moment of stillness. His gaze lost in mine. His fingers grazed my lips. I swallowed the moan that clawed up my throat and ignored the jolt that climbed up my spine.

He leaned in, cocking his head to the side. My breath hitched as I shut my eyes instinctively. Bobbing my neck to grant him access.

But thoughts warred in my head.

This was wrong.

I wasn't supposed to feel this way.

My folds wasn't supposed to throb in need the way they are right now. I pressed my thighs together to ease the built up need.

His breath fanned my face.

I gulped, he was close. I could taste him before his lips claimed mine. When it finally did, I forgot to breathe. No. I gasped. Kissing him back fiercely.

Our tongues danced in synchronization, our bodies merging together, as I ravished in the taste of sin and surrender. Every breath was stolen, every moan a prayer to the heat simmering between us.

Then I tasted him again. I didn't taste like mint mixed cinnamon. It tasted bitter like vile and poisonous like venom.

I broke the kiss.

Pulling away, I scrubbed my lips threatening to draw blood “This is not right. You can't keep using my weakness against me.” I seethed, “It feels wrong. I feel wronged.” Tears streamed down my cheeks.

His eyes darkened. Not from anger, but from possession and obsession. “Then say it Cassia.”

“Say what?” I choked.

“Tell me you don't love. Tell me that I don't make you make you feel alive in ways no one ever has.” He took several steps forward and I took some backwards till my back collided with the wall.

I was trapped but he kept coming.

“Don't, Magnus.” I pleaded.

“Then say the words and I’ll leave,”

I shook my head, hot tears blurring my vision.

“I can't.” I mumbled.

“Why is that?” His voice dropped to a deadly whisper, one that said —I know the answer but I still want her to admit it shamelessly.

And I did.

Not with words but with a kiss that tasted like fire and betrayal.

When I pulled back, breathless and ashamed, he whispered against my lips, “Come with me. It’s time you met the person who actually pulled the trigger.”