Chapter 11

Cassian’s POV

I forgot.

I genuinely forgot

That’s the only excuse I have.

The only reason I walked into my room like nothing he changed, pulled off my shirt, and jumped knot bed wogboutveven bothering to turn on the switch.

Not like I ever turned it on anyway

What was their to see, except that maybe sisi had curled up in my bed again.

Escaped her Nannies and is hiding under the duvet.

The room was dark. Quiet.

The way I liked it.

A small figure was already nestled in the sheets. I assumed it was Sisi.

So when I reached out and grabbed a waist—not a child’s but a woman’s—my blood ran cold.

“Still awake, Sisi?” I murmured.

The figure stiffened beneath my arm. Definitely not Sisi.

And then it occurred to me.

“Selena?” I sounded shocked and I hated it, I was never startled.

At least not until now.

She turned toward me slowly, I could see the reflection of the moonlight in her eyes.

“I’d say ‘surprise,’ but you look more confused than startled.”

“I thought…” I dragged a hand down my face. “Forget it.”

“You forgot I’d be here,” she proved, raising an eyebrow at me.

I didn’t respond.

“You forgot you made an arrangement. That your so-called Luna would be sleeping here.” She shook her head slightly. “Classic.”

I sat up straighter. “You’re on the wrong side.”

She snorted lightly. “Didn’t realize there were designated zones. I wasn’t handed a map.”

“Sisi sleeps in the middle.”

“Well, she was just…” she paused, her hands searching the entire bed, “ not here.”

“I can see that.” I spat back.

She probably wouldn’t be lying about sisi being in the bed earlier right?

“Then maybe this side isn’t wrong at all,” she continued, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Maybe,” she dragged, “ it’s just empty. I mean you didn’t exactly draw a diagram.” She added with a nonchalant shrug.

I bit back a retort. “You could’ve asked.”

“You could’ve remembered.”

“Look,” she began, turning to face me properly, “I’m not trying to make this harder than it already is, Alpha,” she expressed, her voice softening. “I’m just… doing what I agreed to.”

“Didn’t realize sleeping arrangements were part of the deal. But I don’t exactly have my own room, do I?” she said. “Unless you want to throw me into your prison again.”

My jaw clenched. “You’re not my prisoner.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” she muttered.

I didn’t say anything.

And not because I didn’t know what to say… but because she might have a point.

She was really just keeping to her side of the deal.

“I won’t react, if that’s what you’re waiting for,” she said suddenly. “Call me a pauper. A nobody. I’ve been called worse. But I’ll gladly be humiliated if it means paying my aunt’s hospital bills. Or watching my sister chase a future I never had a shot at.”

I felt something stab my chest.

Hurt?

Concern?

Either way I didn’t care.

I turned away. “Sleep wherever you want. Just… don’t talk.”

She rolled over, facing the wall. “Perfect. Talking to you is exhausting anyway.”

**

Sleep was a joke.

I was hyperaware of her breathing, her presence, the way she occasionally shifted under the sheets.

At some point in the night, she must have rolled onto her back, because our arms touched. Just lightly. But enough to keep me awake for another hour.

And what I hated the most was the way her scent found it’s way into my system

It was exactly the way sisi had described

Like forests and honey.

I hated how close she was.

I hated that I didn’t hate it more.

Thats it, I couldn’t take it anymore.

It was barely four o’clock when I ran out of bed.

. I needed the cold air, the speed of my run, the silence of the woods. I needed control.

and I needed it fast.

I ran. Hard. Fast. Until my lungs burned and the cold air stung my skin.

By the time I returned, I was soaked, starving, and still irritated.

After a quick shower and coffee strong enough to peel paint, I buried myself in the study, pretending the day could go on without her face creeping into my thoughts.

Then Conrad walked in like he owned the damn place.

“I let you sleep in one night and now you’re hiding from your bride?” he asked, plopping into the chair across from me.

“I’m working,” I replied flatly keeping my eyes on the document in front of me.

“Right. And brooding. And avoiding eye contact.” He smirked. “So, how was the first night with the mysterious redhead? consummated yet?”

I didn’t answer.

He leaned in. “Don’t tell me you made her sleep on the floor.”

“She slept in the bed.”

“Ooh. Scandalous.”

“On the other side,” I added, coldly.

Conrad gave a mocking gasp. “Such virtue. So chivalrous.”

I set down the mug. “Is there a reason you’re here?”

He shrugged. “She’s not bad, that’s all I’m saying. A few new dresses, decent grooming, and she might pass for Luna at a glance. That hair’s a wild mess though—like she got in a fistfight with a bird’s nest and lost.”

“She’s not here to impress you,” I snapped.

He raised a brow. “Touchy. If you’re that bothered, maybe I shouldn’t have joked.”

I folded my arms. “When the deal’s over, you can have her. If she’s still alive.”

Conrad chuckled, shaking his head. “Wow. I was teasing. Easy there, Alpha.”

I exhaled sharply and stood, pacing toward the window.

“She’s stubborn,” I muttered. “Proud.”

He grinned. “Sounds like someone I know.”

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled because of the eyes i shot him, raising his hands in surrender. “Let’s focus. You want to pull this off, right?”

“I wouldn’t have dragged her here if I didn’t.”

“Then you need to sell the story. Fast.”

“And how do you suggest I do that?”

He smirked. “Long-distance relationship.”

I blinked. “Long-distance what?”

“Relationship,” he said again, like I was slow.

“What the hell does that mean?”

He grinned wider. “It means you and your precious Luna have been apart for months due to political training. Or some spiritual bonding ritual in the east. Whatever sounds official.”

I crossed my arms. “That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s convincing. She suddenly returns. You claim her. Public mating ceremony coming soon. Everyone eats it up.”

“I don’t have time for—”

“I’ll handle the details,” he cut in. “You just play along. A few public appearances, a little closeness. You can manage that, right?”

I didn’t answer.

Conrad was already heading for the door.

“Try not to growl at her before breakfast next time,” he called over his shoulder. “Makes the act more believable.”

Then he was gone.

And I was left standing in the study with a half-empty coffee mug.

Half lit cigarette

And ofcourse, a stranger in my bed.