LOGINA moment later, Vaughn and Cassandra were seated across from each other at a minimalist dining table. The night-time cityscape beyond the large window served as the backdrop, keeping them company as they ate dinner.
Cassandra took her first bite, and her eyes immediately widened. “Oh my God,” she gasped softly. She tried another bite. “So, you don't just know how to cook, Alpha. You’re actually an expert.”
At that moment, Vaughn had one question he
A moment later, Vaughn and Cassandra were seated across from each other at a minimalist dining table. The night-time cityscape beyond the large window served as the backdrop, keeping them company as they ate dinner.Cassandra took her first bite, and her eyes immediately widened. “Oh my God,” she gasped softly. She tried another bite. “So, you don't just know how to cook, Alpha. You’re actually an expert.”At that moment, Vaughn had one question he could no longer hold back. “Do you like it?”“Yes.” Cassandra nodded. “Your cooking is incredible,” she said, praising him openly. “I think it's even more delicious than the dishes prepared by the Palace chefs.”“You’re exaggerating, Cassandra,” Vaughn said quietly.Cassandra curled her lips into a smile. “It may sound like an exaggeration, but I’m just saying how I feel.”Vaughn said
It took Vaughn about fifteen minutes to finish his call and attend to a few other matters. Afterwards, he returned to his private floor.Wynn was standing by the work desk, tidying up several documents, when he saw the lift doors open and Vaughn step out. “Alpha, I’ll join the others downstairs for tonight’s observations.”Vaughn merely nodded in response. He continued towards Cassandra, who was sitting on the sofa, while Wynn left and stepped into the lift.Vaughn’s gaze immediately fell on a cup of tea on the table. He said nothing, but his demeanour clearly revealed his curiosity.“Wynn made it,” said Cassandra, as though she could read Vaughn’s mind.Vaughn let out a short breath. He felt a slight sense of discomfort stir within him. “Perhaps Yona should have come along after all.”“There's no need. Beta Wynn’s tea is quite good.” Cassandra smiled, then took a
For a second, the ground beneath Cassandra’s feet seemed to stop spinning. She stared at Vaughn in stunned silence, then blinked in disbelief, wondering if she had misheard him.“What, Alpha?” Cassandra asked hesitantly.Vaughn answered calmly. “If you want to.”Cassandra’s mind roared. There were so many things she needed to process, yet her brain suddenly seemed incapable of comprehending the conversation.She needed to make sure one more time that Vaughn was really inviting her to go with him. “Your laboratory?”“My private laboratory,” Vaughn clarified. “Not the institute’s facility.”That still wasn’t enough. Cassandra needed to make sure one more time—hopefully for the last time. “Can I go there?”Vaughn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I thought I was inviting you right now.”His answer left Cassandra at a loss for words. “No, I mean...”For a moment, she simply could not speak. She fell silent, overwhelmed by a feeling she could not put into words.Cassandra would not lie—not to her
The sun was almost directly overhead when the car carrying Vaughn and Wynn pulled into the main courtyard of the Palace. They arrived shortly before lunchtime, looking exhausted. Their feet had barely touched the terrace when Darlena greeted them.“Welcome back, Alpha,” Darlena said respectfully.Valerian merely gave a faint nod. He stepped inside, massaging the throbbing bridge of his nose. “I won't be coming down for lunch,” he said heavily. “Bring my meal to my room at around three this afternoon. I’m extremely sleepy.”Darlena nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”“Wynn, you too,” Vaughn called, then glanced briefly to the side. “We’re leaving again at five.”Wynn responded, “I understand, Alpha.”After giving these brief instructions, Vaughn went his separate way. He headed towards the private lift while Darlena and Wynn went in the opposite direction.Inside the elevator cabin, as it moved smoothly towards the upper floor, Vaughn rubbed his stinging eyes. His head felt incredibly heavy and he r
Morning arrived with the remnants of the night’s chill still lingering, even as the sun began to rise. The air still nipped at the skin, but was gradually warming up. There was a knock on Luna’s bedroom door.Zaria arrived, but she was not alone. She was accompanied by a woman Cassandra had never seen before.The woman had a sharp, professional appearance. She wore a trendy, sharply tailored charcoal suit with silver detailing on the collar, reflecting the efficient style of modern aristocracy. Her blonde hair was neatly pinned back, not a strand out of place, and thin-rimmed glasses accentuated a pair of brown eyes that surveyed their surroundings with calculated attention, yet without seeming impolite.“Allow me to introduce you to Luna,” said Zaria with a formal smile. “This is Hadley Juliana Baker. Starting today, she will be your personal assistant. She will help you manage your schedule, accompany you to various events and ensure you don't miss any appointments.”Cassandra turne
The world inside Valerian’s head suddenly turned white, leaving only a directionless consciousness. For a split second, his mind went completely blank, leaving him struggling to piece together the shattered fragments of reality.Valerian did not immediately understand what had happened. One second, he was still speaking. The next, Cassandra’s lips were touching his.Valerian blinked once, forcing his vision to sharpen again. The first thing his eyes registered was Cassandra’s face.She had just pulled away, drawing her lips back after leaving a kiss that had short-circuited an Alpha’s sanity.“Y-You...” Valerian stammered, his voice catching in his throat. “Cassandra.”She looked at him with a tumultuous gaze, harbouring a storm of emotions that were difficult to decipher. “I’m sorry,” she whispered softly.Valerian was stunned. There were so many emotions in her eyes that he did not know which to read first, and her apology only made his thoughts more muddled. “Sorry?”Cassandra’s fi







