Chapter 16 - Cyrus

“Talk,” Cassandra says.

I nod dolefully, my eyes hanging on the table with shame in my gut.

I deserve her bluntness, her unwillingness to hear me out. I should consider myself lucky that she’d chosen to sit back down.

Just as lucky as I am that I’ve been the only man she’s ever been with.

I take a deep breath, but it does little to ease the unworthy feelings that unsettle me. But I have to persist if I have any hope of fulfilling my duties tonight.

Looking up, I notice the way her eyes flit around, searching for something other than me to settle on.

It’s amazing how a misunderstanding—or, in our case, miscommunication—can harbor such a strained distance between us.

I’m not willing to give up. I am Cyrus Rudolph, the Alpha of a distinguished werewolf pack in Oklahoma. This is a battle I’m not about to lose.

I can’t lose her again.

“I wasn't sure if you'd be the one at this meeting,” I say.

Cassandra looks up through narrowed eyes. “Our clients think I'm just the assistant. It's safer that way.”

Realization hits me, then. “So it was you who came to the meeting before…”

Cassandra only scoffs in response, tearing her gaze away.

It all makes sense now.

It wasn't Asuka's assistant who fled our previous meeting in the Japanese restaurant.

It was Cassandra herself, who fled when she saw me flirting with a human woman.

It's no wonder she was appalled to hear that I had no intention of taking a mate.

She saw firsthand how I'd behaved in that restaurant.

Fuck!

“I guess we’re picking up where we left off…” I chuckle, hoping to cut through the icy coldness that surrounds the air. Despite my trepidations and Cassandra’s obvious inhibitions toward me, I can’t ignore that she’s breathtaking in that dress. Memories of the night when I felt most drawn to her come tumbling back, the beginning of my inability to fight my urges and desire for the she-wolf.

A fleeting frown of recognition passes by her sharp features, magnified by the touch of makeup that amplifies her facial structure. I know her mind goes where mine has drifted, and the blush on her cheeks heats up with a more distinct color.

She bats her eyelids pointedly, any trace of the softness in her eyes leaving now as she clears her throat.

“I want answers, Cyrus,” she says firmly, this time staring directly into my eyes.

I gulp down on the bundle of nerves that form a lump in my throat. I didn’t think it was possible to feel so unnerved by a she-wolf, but her demeanor tonight was imposing enough to shake me.

She’s not Cassandra, but Asuka tonight.

The smart, iron-willed genius who knows her worth and can hold her own.

I shouldn’t have expected anything less. Even if a moment of emotional impulse had her fleeing from Mysthaven again, she’s picked herself up.

Clearing my throat, my attention is pulled to the waiter when he returns to our table. To reinstate my intrinsic domineering force, I take it upon myself to order for both of us. Cassandra remains quiet, her face softening momentarily.

There’s nothing like a show of masculinity to woe a female, even one as independent as the she-wolf at the table.

“Firstly…” I begin, hanging my head penitently. “... I had this meeting set up with the help of a friend. Alpha Simon of the Misty Creek Pack.”

I let the moment of silence stretch to allow Cassandra to process this information. She finally nods slowly and says, “I see.”

It’s my cue to continue. “Secondly, I’m here to explain myself to you.”

“There’s nothing to explain. Your mother—”

“My mother knew only as much as I told her. Before what occurred between us,” I interject quickly.

“It changes nothing,” Cassandra says flatly, lifting her head to meet my eyes with a stubborn stare.

“It changes everything…” I admit. “Before you, I was a womanizer.” It pains me to confess this, but I push through and continue. “... I guess I was distracting myself all along. Every time I tried to hurt you, it was only because I was attracted to you.”

Cassandra’s eyes soften now, recognition and realization dropping her shoulders as if she’d just turned pliant.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because…” I whisper earnestly, reaching across the table and folding her hand in mine. The relief that washes over me deserves a moment of appreciation as I let it sink in that I’m holding the hand of the she-wolf who I can no longer stay away from. The one who brings me peace and soothes my brokenness.

“... I want you to come back with me.”

“Cyrus, I—” She shakes her head and tries wringing her hand away.

It only makes me hold her hand more tightly, unwilling to give up on what I’d set out to do tonight.

“I know that there’s a lot to consider, but there is no doubt in my mind. I want you as my mate. And you do not have to give me an answer yet. Just come home.”

Cassandra stares at me for a long while, the deep, earthly depths of her eyes glowing with wonder as she considers my determined statement. Even her fingers grow vulnerable in my hand.

“Are you—Are you sure that’s what you want?” she asks hesitantly, brows furrowing.

I nod my conviction. “You’ve made me realize how wrong I was in my ways.” I sigh, stroking the pad of my thumb across her knuckles. “For the longest time, I was convinced I didn’t need a mate, a Luna for the pack. When my father died…” I gulp at the mention of my father, the recollection leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

“You don’t have to speak about him…” Cassandra assures me, but I shake my head softly.

“I must,” I relent, straightening my spine. “When he died, I felt lonely. I felt the absence of having no siblings. That void left me determined never to find a mate if it meant that I’d be convicting a child to the same loneliness I felt growing up. I realize how wrong I was because the truth is, I need a Luna by my side.”

“Wh—why me?” she asks softly, and I squeeze her hand in gentle reassurance.

“It’s always been you, Cassie,” I confess. “Every time I uttered bitter words at you, it was only because I was denying the inevitable. If there’s anyone who should be my mate, it’s you.”

Another moment of silence stretches, and I see the memories of my past behavior flashing before Cassandra’s eyes. She doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t need to. I feel her fingers tensing in my hand.

So I fold my other hand over hers, guilt brimming to the surface.

“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. Will you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“I forgive you, Cyrus,” she relents immediately. “But I’m not sure if I can trust you…”

I open my mouth to dispel her concerns when the waiter comes back with our meals. We end up eating in silence that hangs densely in the air around us. A few stolen glances at Cassandra, and I can see that she’s deep in thought. Processing everything I’ve said tonight, she eats her meal with little eagerness.

As the Alpha, I could demand that she come back with me. I could demand that she accept my offer to be my mate. It’s my birthright to command whatever decisions I make.

Coming out here tonight, I thought I would do just that. I thought I’d voice my commands, and naturally, she’d just follow my orders.

But seeing her again made me realize that I couldn’t force her into anything. My heart squeezes in my chest, bursting with a sense of remorse for everything I’ve put her through. I had never felt undeserving of anything in my life, except now, while Cassandra silently laments her choices.

I wouldn’t blame her for choosing never to come back. I’d walk away, following my previous decision to never have a mate.

If I can’t have her, I won’t have anyone else. She needs to know that.

Picking up a napkin, I’m about to pat the corners of my mouth before embarking on a confession to Cassandra when a mind link pushes through my mind.

“ Alpha Cyrus? Where are you?” Jarrod asks, his voice full of worry as it enters my mind.

Closing my eyes and sighing discontentedly, I reply to the Beta and inform him I’ll be on my way soon.

For a moment, I had forgotten all about the Council’s plans for tonight.

We’re about to infiltrate the rogue headquarters in Wichita Falls.

I open my eyes to find Cassandra staring at me with worry.

“What’s wrong?” she asks. I go on to inform her about everything that’s been going on with the Council ever since she successfully located the warehouse.

“... We’re moving in tonight.”

Cassandra’s eyes bear the weight of my own concerns, and she sets her cutlery down and lifts her bag off the side of her chair.

“Let’s go,” she affirms with a curt but determined nod, rising to her feet.

Confusedly frowning, I stare at her while I remain in my seat. “You’re coming with me?”

She nods again, taking a deep breath. “We have a lot to discuss, but I know that tonight is important for you. For all the Alphas. I’m willing to hear you out, but for now, you must go and do what you need to.”

I almost can’t believe it; I am only aware that this is happening when Cassandra follows me out of the restaurant once I’ve paid the bill. She’s right—we have a lot to discuss. I have so much to do to make up for all my mistakes.

Her valiant conviction remains unwavering, and it only serves to confirm that I’ve made the right decision in choosing her as my mate.

My Alpha duties come first, but she won’t let me go without giving me the hope I need to see this through. It’s almost like she knows that leaving unfinished business between us would only weaken my resolve.

Cassandra Chikara will be perfect as the Luna of the Moon Shine Pack.