Alpha Twins 6

Cassandra sat on one of the sofas near the window. Valerian and Vaughn were sitting separately in the chairs facing her, across from her.

“I know you’re worried about me,” she said, looking back and forth between them, “but I don’t think we need to postpone the blessing ceremony tonight.”

Valerian frowned slightly. “We shouldn’t?”

Cassandra nodded. “Yes, Alpha,” she replied. “We shouldn’t.”

Vaughn leaned back in his chair slightly. “Tell us why.”

Cassandra had only started to think about it a few minutes ago, when Vaughn had mentioned the blessing ceremony. However, the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that postponing the ceremony would be the wrong decision.

“I think you’ve already begun to suspect that there is no curse.” Cassandra paused briefly, giving the Alpha Twins time to consider her words. Then she continued. “The deaths of the previous Luna candidates weren’t caused by a curse. They were caused by someone.”

Valerian and Vaughn remained silent. They neither denied nor confirmed it, but their reactions alone gave Cassandra a clue.

Cassandra clasped her hands in her lap. “Wouldn’t a curse be indiscriminate about its victims?”

Valerian looked at Cassandra for a long moment before nodding. “What you're saying makes sense,” he said. “Especially since the curse supposedly affected you as well.”

“You could say that,” Cassandra replied with a faint smile. “The curse did affect me, but it failed. I’m still alive.”

There was a moment of silence. This raised the possibility that the curse was not the only explanation for what had happened.

“If it really were a curse,” Cassandra continued calmly, “it wouldn’t have done things by halves.”

Vaughn crossed his arms over his chest. “However, that still doesn’t change the fact that there is something about you that caused the attack to fail.”

Cassandra turned to Vaughn. “You're right, Alpha.”

Vaughn narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze grew sharper as he asked, without hesitation, “Is there something about you that we don’t know?”

For a moment, Cassandra’s breath caught. However, she kept her expression composed. “Something?”

“Regardless of whether it was a curse or someone’s malicious scheme, the most important fact remains the same,” Vaughn continued. His voice remained flat. “You survived.”

Cassandra did not look away from Vaughn. She repeatedly reminded herself to stay calm, even though she felt that Vaughn’s words were taking on a different meaning.

Vaughn continued. “That alone is enough to suggest that you are different from the previous Luna candidates.”

Cassandra’s heart beat slightly faster. However, her expression remained calm. “That is one possibility,” she said casually. “Another possibility is that an unexpected variable interfered with the plan and caused it to fail.”

One of Valerian’s eyebrows rose. “An unexpected variable.”

Cassandra nodded, realising that she needed to change the subject immediately. She had to regain control of the situation before she found herself backed into a corner.

Cassandra felt slightly uneasy. Her instincts told her to be wary of Vaughn.

In Cassandra’s eyes, Vaughn gave off a different impression. It wasn't that he was difficult to understand because of his cold expression and deliberately intimidating demeanour. Rather, he was simply too calm, which made him difficult to read.

Cassandra was certain that she would not be able to keep pretending to be calm for much longer. Vaughn’s gaze made her feel as though every word she said was being examined.

Fortunately, Cassandra had already found the perfect opening. She could escape before her position became too precarious.

Cassandra looked at Valerian. “Could this possibly have something to do with the staff member who attacked me on the day I arrived?”

Valerian looked slightly stunned. “You still remember her.”

“It's hard to forget someone who suddenly grabbed me and told me I was going to be killed,” Cassandra remarked lightly, making Valerian smile faintly. “May I know who she was?”

Valerian did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Vaughn first. They exchanged a brief look before he finally turned his attention back to Cassandra.

“Her name is Frida Jones,” he said. “Before Yona, she was assigned to serve as the personal attendant to the Luna candidates.”

Cassandra listened to Valerian’s brief explanation. The information satisfied most of her curiosity.

By then, she could already guess what had happened to Frida. This conclusion came naturally as she relived the events of the previous night in her mind.

Yona had panicked. She had been genuinely terrified when Cassandra was in pain. Her face had gone pale and her hands had trembled as though she were experiencing the pain herself.

If Yona had experienced such fear from witnessing just one incident, Frida's experience must have been far worse. She had witnessed death time and time again, to the point that Cassandra could not even begin to imagine the fear she must have endured.

Cassandra drew a brief breath. “How is she doing now?”

“Wynn has called in a psychiatrist,” Valerian replied, his voice turning more serious. “There may still be hope of improving her condition.”

Cassandra nodded once. “I hope so,” she murmured, only then realising that Vaughn was still watching her. She cleared her throat briefly. “Alpha Vaughn, is there something you want to say?”

Vaughn was silent for a moment, as though he were genuinely considering something. “I've thought about it,” he said at last. “It seems your suggestion to go ahead with the blessing ceremony was a wise decision.”

Cassandra blinked once. She had not expected Vaughn to agree so quickly. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Wait a moment,” Valerian interrupted. His hand rose instinctively. “Cassandra, are you sure?”

Cassandra nodded without hesitation. “I'm sure, Alpha,” she answered firmly. “Right now, the perpetrator may think I’m dead. So, let's surprise them.”

Valerian’s brow furrowed deeply. “Are you serious?”

“Of course.” Cassandra’s voice gradually became more serious. “The perpetrator planned all of this very carefully. They exploited the history of the Alpha Twins to corner you. The problem is that they sacrificed the lives of the previous Luna candidates.”

Cassandra felt something press against her chest. She might not have been close to those women, but she knew what it felt like to be a cherished daughter. She didn't want to become a hero fighting for justice, but she knew what it was like to live in fear.

A faint smile bloomed across Cassandra’s beautiful face, carrying a different kind of meaning. “We can’t let the perpetrator feel victorious at the expense of so many families who have lost their daughters,” she said.

Valerian closed his eyes dramatically. He exhaled slowly. “That’s not what I meant,” he said, opening his eyes again. He looked directly at Cassandra. “Are you sure you want to go through with all of this? About becoming our Luna?”

Cassandra finally understood what he meant by his question. “Oh.”

Valerian leaned forward. Both his hands rested on his thighs and he looked serious. “You've seen and experienced firsthand what happened,” he said, not smiling. “Whether through luck or some other reason, you managed to survive. But there’s no guarantee you won’t experience something similar again.”

“What Valerian said is true,” Vaughn added. “So, are you certain you want to take this risk?”

Cassandra smiled lightly. The possibility did not frighten or intimidate her in the slightest. “The good news is that if I take this risk, no other daughters will have to.”

Vaughn nodded, then narrowed his eyes slightly. “What do you want?”

Cassandra was startled for a moment, but then she smiled more broadly. She looked at Vaughn with admiration. “Alpha Vaughn, thank you for making it easier for me to say.”

Valerian raised an eyebrow. “You want to negotiate your sacrifice?”

“Yes, Alpha,” Cassandra answered without hesitation. “I think this will benefit all of us.”

Valerian cleared his throat briefly. “So?”

“To be honest, I don’t want anything, whether it’s wealth or luxury.” Cassandra drew a breath. Her words caused Valerian and Vaughn to stare at her, unable to blink. “I only want the position of Luna.”

Once again, silence filled Cassandra’s room. For the first time since the conversation began, Valerian and Vaughn appeared to be thinking deeply.

Cassandra swallowed as they exchanged another glance. She remained silent for a moment, giving them and herself time to think.

“I know you’re suspicious of me,” Cassandra said, having carefully considered her words. “But I swear I have no hidden agenda.”

Valerian and Vaughn turned their attention back to her. Now, they seemed to be assessing how sincere she was.

Cassandra looked from Valerian to Vaughn. “I only want the position of Luna because of the protection you’re offering.”

Vaughn’s gaze shifted slightly. Then, as though he had already guessed the answer, he asked, “Protection for seven generations?”

Cassandra nodded. “That’s right, Alpha,” she replied, shifting her hands slightly in her lap. “As you know, I’m the only daughter of the Ashbourne family.”

Valerian and Vaughn's expressions shifted slightly. It seemed that this single sentence had already led them to the conclusion that Cassandra had wanted them to reach.

“I am a woman,” Cassandra continued. “There are some things I cannot control, no matter how much the world continues to evolve.”

Vaughn said nothing. He simply stared at Cassandra—that gaze again.

Cassandra fought the urge to swallow. She endured his gaze with everything she had before finally turning her attention to Valerian. “I hope you understand my position, Alpha.”

Valerian nodded. “I understand.”

Cassandra added quietly, “I’m only worried about my family and my parents.”

What Cassandra said was not a lie. In fact, she had been completely honest. She simply hadn't revealed everything that had driven her to take any risk necessary to become Luna.

Cassandra did want the seven-generation protection, but not just because the Ashbourne family had no male heir. She wanted to ensure her family's safety and prevent anyone from harming them in the future because of her.

Besides, the Palace was the only place that offered Cassandra the chance of a longer life. If she could not become Luna, her life would be over within a year.

Valerian turned to Vaughn. “What about you?”

Vaughn let out a short breath. “No more questions for now.”

Valerian furrowed his brow. He looked back at Cassandra. “If he has no more questions,” he clarified immediately, “that means he understands.”

Cassandra did not feel the same way, but she did not argue. What mattered most to her was that the blessing ceremony would still take place tonight.

Valerian glanced at his watch. “All right,” he said, standing up. “It’s time for us to get ready.”

Vaughn stood up too and said to Cassandra, “See you tonight.”

Cassandra nodded. “All right, Alpha.”

Valerian and Vaughn left. They walked out of Cassandra’s room without saying anything else.

As soon as the door closed, Cassandra let out a long breath. The tension that had enveloped her entire body slowly began to dissolve.

Cassandra raised a hand and pressed it against her chest. She could feel her heart pounding erratically.

Oh God, thought Cassandra, lowering her head. I hope everything is all right.

Unfortunately, her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Vaughn's jacket, which he was still wearing. She froze for a moment, then closed her eyes. Once again, she remembered Vaughn's gaze from earlier.

I hope Alpha Vaughn doesn't suspect me, Cassandra prayed anxiously. Please. I really don't want to take advantage of them. Besides, I haven't lied at all. I simply haven't told them everything.

Cassandra opened her eyes. “Just one more step,” she told herself. “I'll be Luna soon.” A faint smile appeared on her lips. A glimmer of hope shone in her eyes. “I hope nothing goes wrong tonight.”

Ironically, fate chose to toy with Cassandra's prayer. It seemed to listen to her hopes, only to mock them. Truthfully, it did not take long for chaos to ensue.

The bright day gradually began to change. As evening approached, clouds started to cover the sky.

Cassandra turned towards the window while the make-up artist and stylist busied themselves with the final touches. From where she stood, she could see grey clouds moving steadily above the palace, growing darker by the moment.

Yona followed Cassandra's gaze. “Looks like it's going to rain.”

Cassandra looked at the sky. “I hope not.”

But fate had other plans. Night fell, the clouds were thicker than before. The full moon, which should have been the centrepiece of the blessing ceremony, was nowhere to be seen.

The sky was dark, very dark. A cold wind swept through the trees and along the palace walls. Every now and then, thunder rumbled in the distance.

The Alpha and Luna's blessing ceremony was supposed to be a bright, festive night illuminated by the full moon. But this time was different. That night, it felt as though the sky itself were hiding something.

Cassandra watched the scene from behind the window while the staff finished touching up her appearance. She was completely ready.

Yona smiled in admiration. “You look absolutely beautiful, Lady.”

Cassandra merely smiled. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she tried to convince herself that her wish would finally come true.

In her heart, Cassandra praised all the staff who had worked on her. She looked impeccable, so much so that she could hardly believe that only a few hours ago, she had still been hooked up to an IV after nearly losing her life.

Yona approached Cassandra. “Lady, it’s time.”

Cassandra nodded. As she took her first step towards the door, she reminded herself once again that there was no turning back.

The blessing ceremony began. Ottilie presided over the entire ceremony.

Cassandra did her best to keep her mind calm. She followed every instruction, recited every vow and completed every ritual she had learnt over the past few days.

Before Cassandra stood Valerian and Vaughn, dressed in their formal ceremonial attire. They looked different that night—more commanding and more difficult to approach.

At that moment, Cassandra truly realised what was about to happen. She was about to become their Luna, the Luna of the Orvanthor Pack.

Thunder rumbled again. For a moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky behind the open-air structure where the ritual was being held.

Cassandra did not move. Despite the increasingly unfavourable conditions, she went through the entire ceremony with solemn devotion.

Ottilie stepped forward. She stood before them, her gaze shifting between the two of them.

Cassandra began to feel nervous. She could even hear the beating of her own heart.

“In the name of the Moon Goddess,” Ottilie declared, raising both hands. Her voice echoed throughout the ceremonial grounds. “Before the ancestors of the Orvanthor Pack, you are now the Alphas and Luna of the Orvanthor Pack.”

Cassandra drew a breath as the wind blew strongly once again. She had achieved her goal. She had become Luna.

Ottilie smiled and said, “You may kiss your Luna.”

Cassandra’s sense of relief came to an abrupt halt. The nervousness she had held back all this time suddenly turned into something far more complicated.

For the first time since she had nearly died, Cassandra found herself completely unable to move. She froze. Her gaze shifted from Valerian to Vaughn and back again.

Cassandra was confused. Her mind went blank.

Oh God. Who am I supposed to kiss first?

*