Chapter 4

Cassia’s POV

There was something in his eyes, something like amusement, and he stared at me like a six-year-old.

He leaned into his chair. “You just accepted?” 

If only he knew I had no choice. It was either this or I go back to my pack and have Talon rub this in my face. I wanted my pound of flesh, and he wouldn't understand, but I couldn’t tell him this was just a means of getting back at Talon.

“I wonder why a sane man would leave someone like you.” He drawled, his eyes focused on me like he had met me before.

“Since you have said yes already then I have to let the cat out of the bag. Just incase you want t change your mind.” He said and poured himself a glass of vodka.“I’m Talon’s stepfather, and last night's carnal encounter has bound us in more ways than one.”

I blinked, to be sure I had misheard him. I knew there was something about him. Something that called to me. But now, even after finding out, I wanted to be on all fours so he could pleasure me. 

Snap out of it. Cassia. Do you know what this means? I thought quietly, cautioning myself from my dark desires.

He folded his arms as he scowled. “What's wrong? You didn't enjoy it? Oh, no, wait. Don't tell me you are surprised? ”

The room tilted slightly. My heart was beating loudly in my ears. He is my ex's stepfather; I fucked him, and I just accepted to marry him. What's worse? I was willing to do it over again if the opportunity presented itself. To hell with whatever rules my pack had against that.

A bitter laugh gurgled in my throat, but it never came out. Of all the people I could have ended up with — of all the men I could have thrown myself into a deal with — it had to be him. 

Talon never mentioned he had a stepfather, let alone an incredibly sexy one. 

I gripped my fists, trying to hold my breath. I didn't know if I should be angry for being played or happy that the most endearing Alpha went down on me.

“And you didn’t care to mention that before I signed the contract and agreed to marry you? ” I asked the words sounding harsher than I intended.

Magnus sighed, his golden eyes flashing with amusement. “You agreed rather snappily, didn’t you? It can't be undone.” His lips twitched as if he was fighting back a laugh.

He was right. I hadn’t asked questions. I hadn’t asked who he was, only that he had power, influence, and the means to help me exert revenge.

Magnus tilted his head, watching me as if I were an entertaining object. He leaned in and pressed a feathery kiss on my cheeks.

The touch sent an unanticipated jolt through me. “Don't bother about that, Kitten.”

Before I could reply, he smiled at me, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “You’re mine now, Kitten, and I take care of what’s mine. But first, let’s get you out of those, into something more deserving,” He said, referring to my clothes.

As we stepped outside a humming sound of a white rolls-royce car filled the air, drawing my attention. A man, probably the chauffeur, came down and stood beside it.

My breath caught.

Magnus chuckled, “Is something wrong?”

I swallowed. “You—you didn’t—” Of course, his entire poise drips with power and wealth. Even his home last night was nothing short of elegant.

He scowled, stepping behind me. His hands skimmed down my arms before resting on my midriff. Then he leaned towards my ears, his hot breath melting through my skin, his masculine yet expensive cologne wafting through my nostrils.

Heat pooled in between my legs, and I had no choice but to press my thighs together and bite down gently on my lips.

The attraction I felt for my ex-mate's stepfather was what I would describe as forbidden yet intoxicating. It was a spark that ignited a fire within me. The thrill of being drawn to someone so taboo, someone who was supposed to be off-limits, was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

 “You think I'm just an old, boring old man? Did you not learn anything last night?”

The words lingered in my ears, sending a shiver down my spine. 

Then his next action blew my mind. Magnus brushed his lips against my neck before kissing me on the cheeks. “Get used to it, Cassia. I'm going to make you forget all about him. ”

<<Five Months Later>>

The hall was magnificent, chandeliers hung above and made the whole place so beautiful, laughter that felt too loud, and the scent of power in every corner. This was a world I was still getting used to. Magnus took an excuse to greet a friend of his, after planting a kiss on my cheeks.

And then I saw him.

Talon.

I blinked rapidly trying to understand what I was seeing. It's been five months and that was Talon.

He looked nearly the same, except for the way his blue eyes darkened when they fell on me.

He stared at me like I was something he'd lost.

He whispered to the man he was talking to and came up to me. I looked away and walked hastily out of the hall, anger surging through me.

I slightly made it past the chamber doors before a hand wrapped around my wrist.

Heat shot up my arm.

I  ripped his hand down, spinning to face him. “Don’t you dare lay those filthy hands on me ever again.”

His jaw tightened. He was taken aback, “Cassia?” He called, disbelief dripping from his tone.

The sound of my name on his lips made a sharp twist inside me.

I schooled my features into a cold mask of anger, raising my brows higher than his. “What the fuck do you want, Talon?”

His throat bobbed. “To talk. Please.”

I scoffed, letting out a mechanical laugh. “Talk? Now you want to talk? ”

His eyes darkened with something different. “I made a mistake.”

I rolled my eyes.

Talon motioned, trying to come closer, but I raised my hand in the air. "Don't take another step. Or I'll make you regret it. Say whatever you have to say from over there."

He lowered his head. "Fine. I never should have let you go.”

My chest tightened, but I forced a bitter laugh. “You didn’t let me go, Talon. You rejected me in front of the whole pack, called me wolfless, as if it wasn't because of you I lost my wolf. But guess what? It doesn't even matter.” I threw my head to the other side, avoiding his gaze

He flinched. “I thought I was doing the right thing. ”

I shook my head. “No. You did what was suitable for you.”

His voice dropped low. “I was wrong.” His voice dropped, nearly hopeless. “ Cassia, I want you back. I don't care if you married my stepfather.”

A jolt of electricity surged through my veins as I relived that day. I hit him hard across his cheeks.  “Want me back?” I repeated.

He said nothing but just rubbed where I had hit him.

I took a step closer, tilting my head. “Tell me something, Talon. What about Jasmine and your heir?”

His jaw tensed. “ We’re done.”

I arched my brow. “Oh? Just like that? Does she know that? ”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “Not yet. But I — ” He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I should have fought for you. I should never have chosen her over you. ”

I let out a sharp breath. “Should have. But you didn’t .”

His blue eyes burned into mine. “I’ll make it right.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “It’s too late, Talon. You already know I have a mate.”

Talon’s body stiffened. Jealousy shifted in his expression before he lessened it back into something else.

“You think he’s a better man than me? ” he asked, his voice eerily calm. “That monster of a stepfather?”

I lifted my chin. “He is a better man than you could ever be.”

Talon’s anger returned, but it was different this time. I could see him turning red like a tomato.

“Is that so?” he muttered. Something in his tone sent a chill down my spine.

Talon leaned in slightly, his voice low, intimate. “Then why hasn’t he told you?”

I blinked. “Told me what?”

He smirked, and for the first time that night, I saw happiness in his eyes.

“That he’s responsible for your father's death.”

The world stopped.

 My body went numb.

I stared at him, shocked .“W—What do you mean?” 

Talon tilted his head, glaring at me. 

“You didn’t know?” His voice was nearly mocking. “I thought you would have figured it out by now.”

My stimulus dropped, and I felt like passing out.

This wasn't happening. My father had died in an accident, leaving me in the care of my stepfather, since my mother died while giving birth to me.

“You are lying.” I croaked.

As if just in cue. Alpha Magnus' voice thundered behind me. "What's going on here?"

I walked up to him, angrily, “Is it true? Did you have a hand in the death of my father?”

“Yes.. I mean..no…I don’t know what he told you, but that’s not the whole story.” He said, and I could hear the guilt in his tone and for the first time his usual powerful voice was trembling.

“All these months I have spent with you? You knew? Even when I told you my doubts about how he died. You looked me in the eye and told me I was exaggerating. You lied to me. I can never trust you ever again,.”