CHAPTER 10: NOT READY YET

EVELESSA

Cassain’s car came to a stop outside the house, the engine purring softly as if the car itself could feel the strain hanging between us. The porch light shone—radiant, glaring, an alert, from my father that he was up.

Great.

Cass didn’t shut the engine off away. He remained seated fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel his jaw clenched hard it could slice diamonds. His eyes had softened from the colour it held in the cafeteria before, yet the intensity still lingered… quietly burning.

“Thank you for… the lift and for whatever you did that let me escape without penalty " I murmured.

At first, he remained silent.

Just looked at me.

And God, that look—

It was a look that basically incinerated me and brought me warmth at the same time.

“Eve " he murmured.

My breathing broke.

He extended his hand gently, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear, deliberate and cautious as if it could sting him.

I swallowed hard. "What?”

“You genuinely frightened me earlier.”

I exhaled. "Cass we’ve already—”

“No " he cut in softly. "Not the quarrel. Not the bat. Not even you striking the cafeteria table.”

“This is the time that table offended me.”

“It was a table.”

“It was disrespectful.”

His lips quivered as if he intended to laugh but felt too anxious to follow through.

He moved in nearer, lowering his voice. "You frightened me since I care too much, and I’m genuinely making an effort not to overstep boundaries.”

My chest constricted.

“Cass…”

He glided his thumb gently across my jawline.

“I want to kiss you," he whispered. "More than I have desired anything in a while.”

My heartbeat raced uncontrollably.

I murmured, " Kiss me.”

His nostrils widened.

And then—

He certainly did.

He cradled my face in his hands, lifted it gently, and kissed me as if he'd gone without food for ages and had just discovered a source of nourishment.

I failed to think, failed to breathe and failed to care.

I took hold of his sweatshirt drawing him nearer.

His lips grew more intense eagerly. The kiss nearly made me faint. His hand moved to my waist—steady, warm, gentle yet urgent.

I breathed gently into his mouth.

He let out a groan.

My whole body responded, warmth surging beneath my skin, my heart pounding against my chest.

His forehead rested against mine, his breath uneven upon my lips.

“Eve…" His voice was scarcely audible. "…You’re going to be the end of me.”

I kissed him more.

This time, his reaction was quicker, stronger, less restrained. His hand traced up my side, halting at the bend of my ribs—perilously near - but so considerate it intensified my desire for him.

His mouth brushed against my jaw.

Then, below my ear.

I trembled—strongly.

“Cass…" my voice trembled.

He trailed kisses down my neck, deliberate, with parted lips enough to make my knees go weak despite me being seated.

His hand clasped my thigh.

Each idea, in my mind, turned blank.

I breathed out unevenly. "Cassain…”

He emitted a noise—annoyed, ravenous—that resonated along my whole backbone.

“Tell me to stop" he murmured softly on my skin "if that’s what you wish.”

I shut my eyes.

The instant I acted…

The truth struck me like a blow.

My dad.

Richard.

Emmanuel.

The mystical realm I had promised to flee.

The connection, with a partner I wasn’t prepared to handle.

My breathing faltered.

“Cass…" I softly pressed against his chest. "Hold on.”

He became immobile at once.

Instantly.

His gaze shot up to meet mine, frantic yet watchful. "Did I—did I cross the line?”

“No " I murmured, holding his face gently. "You haven’t done anything ”

He gulped, anticipating, tight, as a drawn bowstring.

“I’m simply…" I breathed out unsteadily. "I’m not ready now.”

Silence.

A long, heavy silence.

Cass shut his eyes, exhaling as though releasing air as though restraining every impulse, every desire, every force, within him.

“Alright " he murmured. "Alright. That’s alright.”

His brow touched mine, his breath ragged and warm.

“When you’re ready, just let me know," he whispered. "Until that moment… I’ll be patient. I’ll be patient for as long as you need.”

Butterflies erupted in my belly.

I murmured, "Thank you.”

He drew away gradually agonizingly slow as if withdrawing from my touch caused him physical pain.

After that, he unlocked the car door.

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you inside.”

We both walked outside the night breeze crisp yet oddly scorching on my skin. He maintained a gap but remained near enough that our arms nearly touched.

Upon arriving at the porch—

The door burst ajar.

Richard remained standing there.

Arms folded.

Eyebrows up.

Teeth clenched.

Emmanuel stood against the doorframe behind him, showing no sign of being impressed.

“So…" Richard said slowly. "What’s the rush?”

Cass muttered softly, combing his fingers through his hair. "Not now.”

“Aw seriously," Emmanuel remarked. "Are you moving like that because your engine’s getting too hot or because you ran off from our sister as if she was chasing you with flames?”

Cass gave him such a glare that even I flinched.

“I’m making an effort," Cass muttered with clenched teeth. "I’m doing my best to honour her limits. Which means..." he made a gesture "...I should get going before I lose the ability to breathe properly and just so you know both of you marked your mates when you met them I’ve recognized she was my mate, for years but never laid a hand on her so cut me some slack will you?”

Richard and Emmanuel shared a glance.

Richard raised an eyebrow. ". You’re honouring her decision?”

“Yes.”

“And staying away?”

“Yes.”

“And that’s… difficult?”

Cass chuckled once—dryly wearily exasperated. "Difficult? Richard, the full moon arrives in four days. FOUR." He gestured towards himself. "Are you aware of what that implies for a tribid were-king, with a mate? I’m basically falling here.”

Emmanuel flinched. "Oof."

Richard gave a nod. "Yeah that’s tough.”

Cass opened his arms wide, with flair. "THANK YOU.”

My siblings grew gentle.

For the time… I noticed genuine compassion in their expressions.

“Listen " Richard said, lowering his voice. "We still have no confidence in you.”

“Thanks a lot," Cass murmured.

“But…" Richard exhaled deeply "…we understand.”

Cass paused momentarily. "You… really do?”

“Yeah " Emmanuel said with a shrug. "If I had a girlfriend and she said she wasn’t prepared I’d probably seem like I was holding landmines.”

“A ticking time bomb," Richard remarked.

“A neutron bomb," Emmanuel rectified.

Cass shot a look at both. "Neither of you is being helpful.”

Richard laughed softly. "Take it easy. We’re simply observing you.. We don’t intend to make things harder.”

Cass massaged his temples. "Please don’t. I'm just trying to keep it together. "

“I observed," Richard remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Full moon, right?" Emmanuel inquired.

Cass breathed out. "Yeah. Everything intensifies afterward—the urge, the instincts, the… craving.”

Richard lifted an eyebrow. "Cravinh?”

Cass gave him a glance. "Don’t push me to explain ”

“Kindly don't," I whispered softly to their backs.

Cass sat up quickly, a look of worry crossing his features. "Eve. Are you okay?”

"I'm alright," I replied swiftly. "Just... Paying attention."

Richard glanced back and forth between us. "Are you certain you want him going off this way? He seems like he could explode.”

Cass groaned. "I’m right here.”

I grinned.

Small.

Soft.

“I appreciate you escorting me inside," I said softly.

He stopped abruptly as if my words had struck him physically.

Then his tone lowered.

“Anytime.”

He took a step back, brushing his hand through his hair more as his way of steadying himself.

“Alright " he exhaled. "I’m going now. Before your brothers start questioning me till dawn.. Before I make a foolish move, like kissing you once more.”

Richard scoffed. "Sure, go ahead.”

Emmanuel agreed with a nod. "Get out before Dad wakes and fires at you.”

Cass kept a straight face.

He simply stared at me.

And God—

That expression conveyed all he wouldn’t voice. All he kept inside. All he desired yet chose not to seize.

Then he pivoted abruptly his steps quickly, his stance rigid as if moving away, from me, caused him tangible pain.

Richard observed him leave.

“Damn.”

Emmanuel sighed. "Unfortunate fellow.”

I blinked. "Are you two actually feeling sorry for him?”

Richard shrugged. "Not awfully sorry. Just… moderately sorry.”

Emmanuel agreed. "Yeah, 40% empathy, 60% vigilance.”

I chuckled. "You all are funny.”

“We’re protective" Richard amended.

“We’re cautious," Emmanuel explained.

“We both are," Richard corrected.

I walked up to my room but in the back of my mind…

The only image, in my mind, was Cassain striding off as if escaping a blazing house—with me trapped within its flames.

Aretha feels I should have just let him mark us, but I'm not ready yet.