Chapter 48

Cassian’s POV

I watched her nod

It was slow but not enough to be a full agreement, but it was more than silence. And in this moment, I’d take what I could get.

The photographer ushered us toward a decorated arch woven with glowing white roses and charmed crystal vines.

It looked like the moon had been taken from the sky and dropped directly above us.

Sisi stood in the middle, holding both our hands. Mine with a quiet certainty. Selena’s with a giddy, childlike squeeze.

“Alpha, could you place your arm around your mate’s waist?” the photographer asked politely.

I hesitated. Just for a second.

But then Selena moved first. Her body angled slightly toward me, and she stepped just close enough that I could rest my hand on the small of her back.

Warm. Solid.

Real.

I’d touched her before

During the dance.

but this was different.

This was the kind of touch that meant something in front of others. The kind that was witnessed. Measured. Remembered.

The camera flashed once.

Then again.

I didn’t look at it.

I looked at her.

I memorized the arch of her brow.

The slow, steady rhythm of her breathing. The faint rise of her shoulders as she resisted leaning into me further.

And I knew.

I knew she was doing this for Sisi.

But I also knew she wasn’t faking it.

There was something in the way her eyes lingered near mine. Something in the way she didn’t move. Didn’t pull away.

“Perfect,” the photographer said. “You three… you look like something from a painting.”

Sisi clapped her hands. “Can we hang it in my room, Mama?”

Selena smiled at her. Not at me. But it was enough to warm my chest. “If the Alpha allows it.”

She didn’t say it mockingly. She said it with care.

And I nodded. “Of course.”

The moment paused around us like it was waiting for someone to ruin it

then the coordinator returned, clipboard in hand.

“Apologies, Alpha, Luna. The hosts are asking the star couples to assemble by the central dais. You’ll be raising a symbolic toast alongside them shortly.”

Selena tilted her head. “Star couples?”

I muttered, “Public flattery.”

She smirked. A little. “Let’s go, then.”

I held out my hand—not expecting her to take it.

She did.

Not out of obligation.

Out of choice.

And even though I said nothing, my pulse was thundering in my throat.

Because the way she looked tonight….the way she carried herself, the way she held Sisi and stood beside me like we were already something

Like we weren’t just pretending.

We were becoming.

The dais had been transformed into something out of a fairytale.

The music had shifted from its lively celebratory rhythm to something slower now, more wistful.

A dance for closeness. For remembering.

Star couples, they called us. Symbols of unity. Of endurance. Of balance between strength and softness.

And yet all I could think about was the way Selena’s fingers had slipped into mine as we walked toward the platform.

It was more like there was no hesitation. No nerves. Just… presence.

She was standing by my right with sisi between us.

And gods forgive me but this one time, I wanted sisi out of the way.

Even though sisi was happily distracted by the floating flower petals. Her tiny fingers reached up to catch one mid air.

And Selena leaned down to whisper something that made her giggle.

Gods. That sound.

That giggle.

I could give up every throne I’ve ever sat on just to hear it again.

The master of ceremony

a lean, regal wolf named Donovan, stepped up to the front of the dais and cleared his throat. His voice carried across the crowd like a practiced breeze.

“Tonight, we raise our glasses not just to celebrate the union of Alpha Marek and his Luna-to-be,” Donovan began, “but also to honor those couples among us who remind the rest of the realm what loyalty and legacy truly look like.”

My throat tightened.

Selena’s hand was still in mine. Warm. Steady.

“We have seen love survive war. Mates overcome distance. Leaders grow into each other like roots beneath the soil,” Donovan continued. “And among us, there are couples who inspire simply by existing.”

The crowd applauded softly.

And then Donovan smiled….right at me. “Alpha Cassian and his mate, Lady Selena, would you do us the honor of a symbolic toast?”

I could hear Selena’s heartbeat pick up

It increased with so much intensity and I wanted so much to reach her and pat her back

I wanted to assure her that it wasn’t a biggie

But instead, I leaned toward her, just slightly. “You don’t have to say anything. Just raise the glass with me.”

She glanced up at me. Her voice was quiet. “We’ll do it together?”

“Together.”

Donovan handed us our glasses. Mine had the Silvercrest symbol etched into the stem. Hers was designed with a silver moonmark. Fitting. Powerful.

I didn’t take my eyes off her as we lifted them.

“To future bonds,” Donovan declared.

“To unity,” another voice echoed.

“To mates who choose each other again and again,” someone added.

We clinked glasses.

I watched her sip.

Her lips left a faint stain on the rim of the glass….red, like the dress. Like every temptation I didn’t have the willpower to resist anymore.

The crowd cheered again. And the music changed.

This time, it was unmistakable.

A slow, romantic waltz.

Donovan leaned in, barely audible over the applause. “One more thing. The newly joined alphas request a closing dance from their favorite couple.”

I blinked. “You’re joking.”

“Do I look like a man who jokes?”

He turned away before I could argue.

Selena was already setting down her glass.

I should have asked her then. Should have offered.

But instead—I made my move in the way I knew best.

Quietly. Strategically.

I stepped off the dais, sneaked through the back and found Donovan…. Whispered something in his ear.

He nodded once.

Then grinned. “Of course.”

I returned to Selena. Held out my hand. “One more dance.”

She hesitated. Just a second.

Then she slipped her hand into mine.

And I forgot how to breathe.

As we stepped into the dance floor

The crowd parted and made way for us.

My hand settled on her waist. Hers found my shoulder.

And we danced.

Slowly.

Her body moved with mine like it had always known the rhythm of my steps. Like she was never a stranger.

I should’ve said something. Told her she looked like sin and salvation. Apologized for every silence. Asked if she still dreamt about her problems or if I’d finally taken up too much room in her thoughts.

But instead, I leaned in and kissed her.

No warning.

No second-guessing.

Just instinct.

Our lips collided.

The kind of kiss that starts as a question and ends with an answer you didn’t expect. I expected her to pull away. Slap me. Freeze. Flinch.

But she didn’t.

She leaned in.

Melted into me.

And the kiss deepened.

Her hand moved up to my collar. Mine found the bare skin of her back.

I could taste her breath

it was a mixture of wine, lemon balm, something sweeter beneath. I could feel the thrum of her pulse against my chest. Could feel the way her lips opened to me like she’d been waiting for this moment since the first time our eyes ever met.

The crowd was gone.

The music was background.

There was nothing but her.

And I was gone.

Completely gone.

Lost in her.

Until a throat cleared nearby.

Donovan. “I believe that’s enough, Alpha.”

I pulled away, but not entirely.

Selena’s cheeks were flushed. Her lips parted. Her eyes wide.

The crowd—gods….

Sisi was clapping her hands from the maids side like she’d just watched magic.

Selena looked down, embarrassed.

I looked at her.

Really looked.

And I knew I’d never want to kiss anyone else again.