Male lead is that you?

Cassian POV

She thought I was a gigolo.

The thought lingered long after the door closed behind her, echoing through the quiet suite like a private joke meant only for me.

I let out a low breath… half laugh, half disbelief and shook my head.

A gigolo.

I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had dared reduce me to something so small, so… transactional. And yet, the way she’d said it… shy, panicked, already halfway out of the door hadn’t been insulting.

It had been… fascinating.

I crossed the room, poured myself a glass of water, then stopped short when I noticed the necklace lying on the bed. I picked it up carefully, She must have dropped it in her escape.

The space still smelled like her… soft, warm. It was faint but unmistakable.

I turned the necklace slowly, examining it.

It was old and delicate silver chain. Nothing extravagant. Nothing meant to impress.

I moved to the window, watching the city wake below. Somewhere out there, she was probably curled into the back of a cab.

A corner of my mouth lifted.

I checked my watch, then reached for my phone.

“Alex” I said when my assistant answered. “I need information”

There was a brief pause on the other end. “On who?”

“A woman”

I replied easily. “Name’s Arabella. No last name yet”

Another pause. Longer this time.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it” I confirmed. “She was at the Black vault last night. Left with me around one”

Alex exhaled softly, already typing. “Physical description?”

“Dark hair, Omega” I thought for a moment. “Pale skin, round green eyes”

Alex hummed softly, the sound of keys clicking in the background. “Any distinguished marks?”

““She has a small mark” I said. “Right at the corner of her left eye, easy to miss if you’re not looking closely”

“That’s…poetic”

I could almost hear his eyebrow arch through the line.

“Start with public records” I said. “Family, job, I want the basics first”

“Understood”

I hesitated, then added “And Alex?”

“Yes?”

“Fast”

The call ended, leaving the room quiet again.

I set the phone down and leaned back against the desk, arms folding loosely as my thoughts circled back to her again.

Arabella.

The way she’d clutched the sheets like armor, the way her eyes had darted to the door while she apologized. And the way she’d looked at me… not with desire, just gratitude.

I poured myself a coffee and took a slow sip, letting the bitterness ground me.

Women didn’t usually run from me.

They stayed. They asked questions. They tried to use me, my name, my status, my influence to elevate themselves. They lingered, testing boundaries, seeing how much they could extract before they were asked to leave.

Arabella hadn’t asked anything.

She’d assumed the worst and still tried to make it right.

Interesting.

My phone buzzed less than twenty minutes later.

“That was quick”

I chuckled as I answered.

“Arabella Hart”

Alex replied “Twenty two, Omega. Lives with her father and stepfamily in the north district”

I frowned slightly but said nothing.

“No registered mate, no criminal record. Works part time”

I listened, still saying nothing.

“Nothing notable on paper but…” he paused. “She was at the succession ceremony last night”

That caught my attention.

“Go on”

“She was involved… with your nephew” he said carefully “They’d been dating for two years. He didn’t choose her, chose her stepsister instead”

I closed my eyes yes briefly, so that was it.

Rejection. Humiliation. And betrayal. No wonder she’d unraveled at the bar.

“And the family?”

I asked.

Alex didn’t hesitate. “Unpleasant. Step mother controls most household decisions, father’s present but does nothing”

The usual.

“There’s something else” Alex hesitated, then continued “The council called before dawn”

I leaned back against the desk

“And?”

“The succession didn’t take place” Alex continued “without you present, it was impossible to continue”

“They’ve scheduled an emergency meeting” he added and I hummed.

“They want an explanation, on whether you intend to step back or step forward”

A slow smile touched my lips.

“Schedule it, I’ll attend” I announced.

“Already done”

I thanked him and ended the call, the silence returning heavier this time.

I turned the necklace over once more before closing my fist around it, the faint warmth of it lingered against my skin like it had absorbed her body, refusing to let go. A slow smile curved my mouth.

“Arabella”

The name slipped from my lips, following my thoughts into the empty room.