Chapter Three

Chapter Three : One night with the stranger

Cassian’s POV

Pain. That was the first thing I felt when my eyes opened. But then, something was different. My leg—it wasn’t aching anymore. I moved it slightly, expecting a sharp sting, but there was none.

I frowned, sitting up on the bed. The last thing I remembered was collapsing in the forest, blood pooling beneath me. I had lost a lot of it, and I was sure I wouldn’t make it. But then… she came.

Aurora.

I glanced to the side and found her still asleep, her face turned slightly away. Even in rest, she looked troubled. Her dark lashes rested against her cheeks, and her lips were slightly parted, as if she had cried herself to sleep.

I ran a hand over my face and exhaled. She was the one who helped me. I remembered now—she had pressed something against my wound, whispering words that I was too weak to hear. She must have used those leaves.

I swung my legs over the bed and stood, testing my weight. I was stronger. Almost as if the wound had never happened.

That woman… she wasn’t just some random wolf.

She had power.

I turned back to her, watching as she stirred slightly. She had been rejected. I heard her drunken words last night, the pain in her voice, the betrayal she felt. I knew that kind of pain. I had felt it before.

I needed a shower.

Without another glance, I walked into the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away the dirt and dried blood. The heat soothed my tense muscles, and I took my time, trying to push the strange thoughts from my mind.

When I was done, I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped back into the room.

And that’s when I saw her.

Aurora was awake now, standing in front of a small mirror. Her back was turned to me, her long, dark hair falling down her bare shoulders. She was half-dressed, slipping into a simple dress, not expecting anyone to walk in.

For a moment, I froze.

She hadn’t noticed me yet. Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled up the fabric, her posture tense, as if she was forcing herself to move forward despite everything.

I should have looked away. I should have walked out.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I stepped forward, the sound of my movement making her turn.

Her eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. “You’re awake…” she whispered, her voice hoarse. I said nothing.

Her gaze shot down, settling on the towel wrapped around my waist. A sudden rosy flush spread over her cheeks, and she whirled away quickly. “I— I didn’t know you were—”

I moved closer.

She braced herself.

I didn’t know why, but she was pulling me toward her. Maybe it was because she had saved me. Maybe it was because of the naked vulnerability I had seen in her the night before.

Or maybe it was simply that she appeared to require someone.

I didn’t hesitate when I touched her, my hand skimming over her bare shoulder. She trembled at my touch, but she didn’t move back.

Her breath hitched. “Cassian…”

I said nothing. No words were necessary.

I raised her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. Her lips trembled barely perceptibly, and I could see the doubt in her eyes.

But I also caught something else—something deeper. I edged closer.

And she didn’t push me away.

When our mouths met, everything else faded.

She breathed on my lips softly, her hands hesitantly resting on my chest. I could feel the warmth of her skin, the wild thunder of her heartbeat.

I took her mouth, drawing her deeper into me. She melted, as if resisting for a very long time. My towel fell off my waist.

Her dress landed on the ground.

And for that one moment, nothing else mattered.

Not her past. Not mine. Not the betrayal.

Not the rejection.

Just this, just  us.