Chapter 3

Cassia’s POV

The birds chirping outside the window were what brought me back to reality. I had a beautiful dream, one I didn’t want to wake from.  I threw my hands up in the air and took a whiff of the air. It smelled expensive and regal. Something I wasn’t used to. 

I ran my hands on the silk sheet the were soft and smooth, like baby’s butt. That’s weird. I gasped. I tried sitting up to take in my environment. But the pain at the base of my skull sent my head back into the pillow. 

I forced my body back up, and that was when I saw it. My dress sprawled on the floor, rough and rumpled. Just then, fragments of last night came rushing back, scattered and vague. The club. The drinks. The hands, strong, jealous, possessive, running over my body. The deep voice grunting and me moaning, begging him to give me more.

I remembered it too vividly, it was the unmistakable consequences of too much alcohol. 

The lingering feeling engrossed me, refusing to let go. The heat, pleasure, and the loss of all reasoning. And also —

The mask.

I took in a sharp breath, my fingers flying to my mouth as if that could stop the flood tide of shame washing over me. I had been so stupid.

I had slept with a stranger… a one-night stand. Not just any stranger, one who had kept his identity hidden behind a mask.

Suddenly, I could hear the sound of water rushing in the bathroom. He had woken up and probably seen my face. Oh, gracious moon goddess, what have I done to myself?

I couldn’t face him. Couldn’t bear to look into the eyes of the man who had made me scream his name — except I didn’t know his name.

If he recognized me, I would be doomed forever. What if this gets out, what will Talon say, what about the rest of the pack, they might think I was a whore

I jumped down from the bed. I had to leave quickly; fear clutched at my heart as I prayed that he wouldn't come out of the bathroom. I stared at my clothes, and then I made a mad dash for them. I put them on immediately, my fingers shaking as I pulled up the zipper. Then I heard it and my heart skipped a beat. The water stopped rushing, and I wanted to pass out.

Go, Cassia, go now.

I grabbed my purse, slightly daring to look around the luxurious room. But something caught my attention: a suit jacket draped over a chair. I didn’t know why I reached for it, why I pressed the fabric to my nose.

The scent. 

Manly. Intoxicating. Dark.

Something in me stirred — a strange pull deep in my chest. But I shoved the feeling down, shaking my head.  It doesn’t matter. It was just one night. 

I needed to leave before he saw me. Before he'd get the chance to ask me what I was still doing here. I didn’t look back as I slipped out the door and ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

The cold morning air slapped against my face, but it did nothing to cool the heat of shame crawling up my skin. Every step home felt like I was dragging chains behind me, the weight of last night pressing down on my shoulders.

I hated myself more than ever. I had only gone to get the pain and betrayal off my chest, but instead, I did the unforgivable.

I knew the answer. 

Going to the bar to push the pain and instead look at what I had done to myself, I wanted to cry as I swallowed hard.

Perhaps he was right. Perhaps that was why he'd cast me away for Jasmine. Why did he look at me with contempt when he told me she was his mate now?

Talon. My mate. 

I had given him my heart, and he'd crushed it beneath his foot.

Talon had to be my mate; he just couldn't discard me like that, and the accusations that I had tried poisoning him weren't true.

I had to find someone, anyone, to help me out of this mess.

I got to the packhouse and crept in slowly, hoping my stepmother wouldn't notice that I had been gone for a long time. Not that she cared, but I was avoiding any kind of trouble.

I had to use the bathroom that I wasn't allowed to use. I put on the shower at full force and scrubbed my body, but it didn't wash away his hands and the kisses he left on my body.

I pressed my forehead against the cold wall, my throat tight. I had to stop this. I had to take control of my life. Talon had said he would banish me if I didn't prove that I was innocent.

Just then, something drummed into my mind. I knew exactly who could help me.

Alpha Magnus Vance. 

The name alone carried something strong. He was a man of power, ruthless, and calculated. I only wanted one thing from him — help.

I stood outside his office, my palms damp with sweat. The two guards bordering the door barely spared me a look before opening the massive doors and letting me step outside.

The room was lined with dark wood, the scent of leather.

And behind the office, like a king surveying his subjects, sat Magnus.

The moment our eyes met, my breath caught.

He was handsome. Power wrapped in an impeccably neat suit.

His sandy blonde hair was so neat and I didn't see a speck of grey hair in his head. He was so hot and handsome for a man his age, and those eyes, they looked so beautiful and seemed to look into my very soul. 

I flinched; those eyes looked somewhat familiar.

“Ms Cassia, huh?” he said as his eyes skimmed through the newspaper in front of him.

My name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine. He was middle-aged and extremely hot. I could already feel the heat from his body fanning my face. Talon didn't even come close.

“I need your help,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

One dark brow arched. “ Help?” He chuckled. 

I swallowed. “I want you to help me. I have been accused by my mate.”

His expression didn’t change, but something shifted in his eyes. “And what are you offering in return? ”

I blurted. “ Anything. ”

Silence stretched between us. 

A small look, then he took his phone and began to scroll through it lazily.

“How is this my business, sweetheart?”

I swallowed hard. “He chose my sister over me and accused me of trying to poison him. I need help to prove my innocence.”

He stood up sluggishly, his movements precise, controlled. He walked around the office, closing the distance between us. My heart pounded as he reached out, running his fingers along the wind of my jaw.

“Such a pretty little thing.” He cooed, and then his fingers dropped as if he had been burned by coal.

And that was when it drifted into my nose — the scent I had ignored since I had walked in. But I shrugged it off and continued.

“My mate is Talon of—”

“None of my business.” He said, turning around and discarding me like trash. “Go sort yourself out.”

My chest tightened, and tears came to my eyes. I would be a rogue, a wolf without a pack, if I didn't get anyone to help me. This was the only place I knew. My origin. The land my mother died.

I turned to go, my hands were already on the knob when he stopped me. A glimmer of hope panged at my heart.

He reached into a drawer, pulled out a crisp document, and held it out to me.

“I have a contract for you,” he said, voice smooth and deliberate. 

I took it fearfully.

“Marry me and give me an heir.”

“W- what?” I stuttered and blinked rapidly, like this was all happening in a movie. 

This was reality. Then a thought crept into my head. He was powerful and would help me with the idea I just had.

Perfect.

An opportunity was presenting itself. I would use him to teach Talon a lesson. If he can choose my sister, then I can choose someone else and forget him

“Think about —” He started, but I jumped in immediately.

“Yes.” I blurted out. “I accept.”