Chapter 3

Cassian’s POV

The moment the little voice echoed in the corridor, the palace stilled. I'd lived here for years, but in all my life, I wasn't sure I'd heard such silence before.

“Mummy?” She called out again, and my heart paused. It wasn't out of fear or awe, but in disbelief.

I turned my head slowly. There was no way I could believe it just like that. My eyes narrowed as I followed the voice that didn't belong to any maid or servant in the entire palace.

It belonged to my daughter, and she'd just spoken.

“That's her.” The young woman's voice broke through my thoughts. It was aggravating to listen to, but I had other things to worry about. She was breathless and I didn't miss the relief that washed over her. “She's the one who led me to your room.”

My gaze flickered to Sisi at her words. My Sisi. She was really out of her room, she was out in public and wasn't trembling or shaking. And she was speaking. Really speaking

There was no way this was possible. This had to be a trick.

“Sisi?” I walked towards her, silent against the marble floor. “Are, are you okay?”

Her big blue eyes stared back at me. I wanted her to speak, to call me daddy and even laugh, but something told me she wasn't going to. Not yet, and not to me either.

“Where are you taking my mummy to?” She asked again, pointing to the young woman.

I froze. I didn't want to believe everything that was happening, and the rush of emotions stemming in me all at once wasn't the least bit encouraging.

I was ecstatic that Sisi could finally speak, but why did she want to speak to just her? I had no idea who she was, but somehow my daughter seemed to favour her over me. Sisi hadn't spoken to me or anyone since her mother's death, so why was she calling her mummy all of a sudden?

I glared at the stranger one more time. She had fear written over her face, and even though I wasn't a mind reader, I could tell she was praying for some sort of miracle right now.

I was still reeling from the scenario that had just unfolded when something caught my attention. It was small and almost unnoticeable, but I felt it. It wasn't physical, but it whispered from within my soul.

My wolf had been quiet for years, and buried deep inside me, but suddenly, at the sight of this stranger, it called out.

Mate.

No. No. No. I refused to believe it. How could this be, and what were the odds, that my wolf would whisper such a thing and at a time like this too?

“I'm not, I'm not your mother.” The lady's voice broke through my thoughts again. For a moment I'd forgotten she still existed. She was still speaking to Sisi and I didn't know how I felt about that. “I don't know why you're calling me that, but I was going to interview to be your nanny. If I get the job, I can still play with you…”

“No!” Sisi wasn't having it, at all. She shook her head as she spoke, and I couldn't help but marvel at the sight. “You’re my mummy and I see you in my dreams all the time. I wanted daddy to see you too, that's why I brought you.”

I turned my attention to the woman now. She was young, too young, and didn't look older than twenty one. Her thick hair has been held back in a bun, but thanks to all the ruckus in the last hour, a couple of strands had slipped out of her bun and were now framing her face. Her eyes were wide, and body too small. She was far too human and didn't look like she belonged anywhere near a palace. Even her ears weren't pointed. If she wasn't a full human, then she had to be half blooded at least. Her voice was rough and loud, and I didn't miss the dry jokes she tried to slip in between her comments.

Nothing about her was orderly, and yet, those were the qualities my wolf seemed worthy to make her my mate.

I gritted my teeth in frustration. There was no way this was possible. I was probably being delusional due to stress. My wolf was mistaken. You couldn't just accidentally bump into your mates, there had to be a purpose behind them, because I was yet to see her purpose in all of this.

“Take her away.” I stared at her a little more before the words slid past my lips. My voice dripped with ice, but for some strange reason, a tone dropped to a gentle hush when I glanced at her one more time.

“Gently,” I added, my tone soft but commanding. “She is not to be harmed.”

If the woman in question was shocked, she didn't show it. All she did was glance at Sisi, like she expected her to get her out of this one too. Sisi didn't utter a word, and I couldn't shake off the slight disappointment that rang in my chest.

“Sisi.” I knelt in front of my baby the moment the stranger was out of sight. Sisi’s eyes lingered on the door for a minute, but I cupped her face in my hands. “ You just spoke, and you led her here. Why?”

My daughter stared at me, like she was debating her next move. She'd always been a special child, so I wouldn't be surprised if she was weighing speaking to me or not. After what seemed like forever, she pressed her lips together, just before lifting her hands.

Sign language, just like before. She didn't utter a single word after that, and I bit back a curse.

I hated to admit it, but the girl who had called a stranger “mummy” was gone.

“Come on, Sisi.” I was practically begging, but she wasn't the least bit concerned. “Talk to me.”

She didn't. No matter what I did, she refused to speak.

I stood slowly, after finally accepting defeat. Fury and confusion bubbled in my skin, and no matter what I tried, it just refused to die down

“What just happened?” I muttered to no one but myself. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“Do you want my honest opinion?” A voice came from behind. I hated that I recognized whom it belonged to, and I hated that he was going to have a solution I wouldn't like.

I turned to find Conrad, a friend turned brother leaning casually against a column. His arms were crossed, and from how comfy he looked, there was no way he'd missed a single detail.

“I think the moon goddess just brought you a gift.” He didn't wait for my response, he just went ahead with his answer. “Or a challenge. Depends on how you see it.”

“She's nothing but a desperate girl with no status.” I exhaled harshly through my nostrils. “She’s loud, uncouth and not on my level. You know this.”

“But Sisi doesn't.” He countered. I wanted to speak, to shoot back at him, but I couldn't, so I settled for running a frustrated hand over my face. “She doesn't mind even.”

“Your daughter spoke because of her.” Heet out again, and at this point, I liked to think he was rubbing it in my face. “Left her room for her. Your wolf wasn't left out either. He woke up for the first time in years, all because of her.”

I wasn't sure how he'd found out about the last part, but there wasn't a lot I could do to deny it.

“What if she's the one, Cassian?” Conrad moved closer when I didn't respond. “The one meant for the Luna ritual. Sisi is getting worse, you said it yourself, now that you've found a potential solution, you just want to throw it away? Araya doesn't care. The doctors have tried their best and have nothing more to offer.”

“She's our best bet.” He continued, and I huffed. “Maybe not as Sisi’s mother, but something else.”

“Conrad…”

“Don't tell me you don't at least want to try.” He cut me off.

“She’s human.” I blurted out. “She's young too.”

“But she's effective.” He raised a brow. “Stop overlooking the important fact.”

I pressed my eyes shut, only for a second, just to be reminded of my predicament all over again.

Mate.

“This really could be your last chance.” Conrad's voice dropped. “ What if Sisi brought her to you for a reason?”

“But the Luna ritual is supposed to be her mother's job.” I shot back. “Araya…”

“Doesn't care.” Conrad shook his head. “Need I remind you? She doesn't care. All she does is spend her time and the pack’s money on expensive vacation trips. That's all. The only time she ever visits is when Sisi is away.”

He was right, and it burned.

“You could even use her to your advantage too.” He was talking about the stranger, and before I could ask how, he spilled. “Her presence here could also be a subtle way of teaching Araya a lesson. She's bound to be threatened when she learns you have a new woman.”

I allowed Cassian's words to settle inside me. Footsteps shifted beside me, and Sisi came to view. She had no words on her lips, but her eyes shone, like she'd been listening in on our conversation the entire time.

“Well, Sisi?” I asked my daughter. “What do you think? Do you want her?”

The words had barely slipped past my lips, before she nodded excitedly. I shouldn't have expected anything less from the girls but her side grin tempted me to break into a grin of my own.

Almost.

“Guards.” I yelled. “Bring her back.”

While I waited for them to round her up again, I couldn't shake off the unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. It seemed like I'd done the right thing, but why couldn't I shake off the anxiety that clawed at my throat and nipped at my skin then?

She was trouble, that's why.