Chapter 19 - Cassandra

One Week Later

“Good morning, baby,” Cyrus whispers, the familiarity of his warm breath curling my lips to a smile.

“Good morning,” I murmur, parting my eyelids to find his penetrating eyes staring into my soul.

Another night of soulful passion leaves a pleasant tingle between my thighs. Reaching out, I slide my fingers through his hair and pull him in for a morning kiss, that’s become a routine since we’ve spent every night together.

“I need to go to the office today,” he says with a sigh, pressing his forehead to mine. “Will you come with me?”

“Do you need me to hack something for you again?” I ask with a light giggle, to which he drops back to the pillow and shakes his head.

“I don’t wanna leave your side.” He shows me the weight of his words by pulling me into his side. “But I have a bunch of meetings to attend to. Then there’s the mission we’re planning tomorrow night.”

I sigh my displeasure. Though I’m aware that the mission to capture the hybrid human-werewolf is important, I wish Cyrus didn’t have to go.

After he was hurt in battle the last time around, the thought of him fighting the beast again is dreadful.

“Fine,” I relent, wanting to spend every waking minute with the man who will be my mate. He’d promised to make our mate bond official as soon as he got this mission out of the way.

I don’t blame him, and I know it’s been a tense, stressful week as they prepared to find the hybrid. The official ceremony to complete the mate bond is something we’re both eagerly anticipating since neither of us can stand to be apart any longer.

So far, only a handful of Moon Shine wolves, and his mother knows that he’s chosen me as his mate and Luna of the pack. Luna Phoebe was ecstatic, taking it upon herself to coordinate the ceremony with Dakota’s help while keeping the details a secret from me. They want it to be a surprise, but I’m stuck doing nothing at all.

It’s made me feel somewhat useless, especially since I’d decided to put my alias identity, “Asuka,” to rest. Kenji was disappointed, but he understood when I told him that I’d decided to retire in the small town of Mysthaven.

After all, becoming the Luna of Moon Shine means that I’ll have other responsibilities to take care of. From charities to ensuring the smooth-sailing of the running of the pack, my time will soon be too filled to leave space for my career.

At least, I’m hoping that will be the case. I’d always kept myself busy, even back when I was a teenager in the pack. I taught myself how to code, then went on to become an underground hacker and, later, a graphic designer for an overseas company.

I’m not sure if I’ll truly be able to adjust to being a housewife. Luna Phoebe made it look effortless, and so did my mother, but I’d never considered the same thing for myself.

It’s not that the idea has me regretting my decision to be the Alpha’s mate. I wouldn’t dream of being with anyone else.

Cyrus climbs off the bed, scooping me into his arms and carrying me to the bathroom.

“Let’s get ready for work, then,” he drums on my lips, setting me on my feet inside the shower stall. When he gently nibbles on my shoulder from behind, hands finding purchase on my waist, I know it’s about to be a very long, pleasurable morning before we make it to the office.

***

“What do you mean this is for me?” I frown, looking around the empty room with only a desk and swivel chair in the center.

“This is gonna be your office,” Cyrus casually explains, leaning against the doorframe with arms folded across his chest. “It’s not much right now, but I thought you’d wanna take care of the furnishings and trimmings. It has a nice view of the city,” he says as he points at the window.

With hesitant feet, I head to the window to confirm his statement. From up here, the bustling streets of Oklahoma City bring a sense of nostalgia. I’m reminded of my job in Tokyo and the office space that’s very similar to this one.

Frowning, I turn around and say, “I didn’t think that being the Luna would call for an office in the city.”

Cyrus chuckles as he peels himself from the doorframe and approaches me. With his hands on my shoulders, he gently turns me back to the window.

“This isn’t for the Luna of the Moon Shine Pack. It’s for you, Cassandra. Or Asuka, if you’d like.”

“What are you saying, Cyrus?” I frown, meeting his playful eyes in the reflection on the glass.

“I want you to work here, at Rudolph Inc.”

My eyes widen with surprise as I turn to face him. “Really?!” I exclaim, a burst of excitement rushing through me like adrenaline.

I thought that becoming the Luna meant I’d have to give up my work entirely. When Cyrus nods, I can’t contain my excitement, flinging my arms around his neck. He’s just given me the best news ever!

“I don’t believe this!” I exclaim, turning around to take a better look at the office. A flurry of ideas comes to mind, and I envision all the changes and additions I’d like to make to the office space. “I thought that by becoming the Luna, I’d have to give up my work.”

“Are you kidding me?” Cyrus scoffs, lifting my hand to his lips to press a compassionate kiss on my knuckles. “I would never dream of letting you stop your work,” he confesses. “You’re the best at what you do, Cassie. Besides…” he pulls me into his side, draping an arm over my shoulders. “... You also happen to be very sexy when you’re hard at work.”

“Is that why my office is across from yours?” I giggle, my brow raised as I nod toward his office across the hall.

He shrugs nonchalantly. “Perks of being the boss.”

I glimpse the time on the wall clock and clear my throat. “Don’t forget, you’re the Alpha, too. And you have a pack meeting in an hour.”

Cyrus gazes down at me, his eyes full of appreciation. “This is exactly why I need you by my side,” he muses, finding my lips for a quick kiss before we leave the building and make our way back to Mysthaven.

Stealing a few glances at Cyrus while he navigates the Jeep back home, my heart feels so full.

Who would have thought that my mother’s funeral would lead me to this very moment when he reaches for my hand and folds it on his lap while he drives?

Everything feels so perfect right now, and we’ve barely begun living out the rest of our lives. Even when we make our way to the pack den hand in hand, I know that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I barely pay attention to the heads that turn when we enter the den, soaring above the clouds in my own little bubble.

“I’ll find you when the meeting’s over,” Cyrus says, pressing a kiss on my forehead as he reluctantly releases my hand. I smile at him, watching as he climbs onto the stage and gets settled at the altar.

“... That fucking bitch…”

Halfway down the aisle toward the benches at the back of the den, the bitter voice stops me in my tracks and snaps me out of my gleeful buzz.

“What did you just say?” I ask when I find the source of those nasty words seated on the left.

Emily.

Her redhead seems to catch fire when she turns and glares at me ferociously.

“Oh, you heard that?” she chuckles, glancing at her friend beside her as if she needs the support. “Good. I was just telling Cindy what a bitch you are.”

“Oh, am I?” I turn to her fully, crossing my arms. Feeling rather compromised when she stands up, I give nothing away when I remember who I am, who I’m meant to be, and how valiantly I fought for my inner peace. I won’t let her steal it from me.

I glare equally as furiously at her, and she snarls.

“Everyone knows you’re seducing the Alpha,” she bites venomously. “It’s only a matter of time before he chucks you away like the whore you are.”

I didn’t think my bubble could burst, but when it does, I’m flooded with insecurities that have me fleetingly worried that she knows something I don’t.

It took some time for me to trust Cyrus enough to open my heart to him.

Will he disappoint me, make me the laughing-stock of the town if he doesn’t go through with what he’d promised me?

When a soft ringing sound enters my eardrums, like a nod to my attention, I glance at the stage where Cyrus has his eyes on me.

“ Don’t let her get to you, Cassie,” he encourages through the mind link, throwing me a wink. “ I love you.”

Seeing Cyrus mouth the words that I’d been dying to hear him say, it’s as if time stands still, and I’m frozen in place. His telepathic declaration is far grander than anything I could imagine, and it fills my heart with warmth that feels like the most endearing embrace.

That’s all I needed to get my confidence back. Though, I’m not sure why I let it faze me in the first place. Maybe it’s because I don’t have the mark on my neck yet, but Cyrus just confessed that he loves me.

With my lips curling into a self-assured smile, I turn back to Emily and glower. “Sit. Down. Emily,” I grate through my teeth.

My strict order stuns her, eyes growing wide as her face pales when the color seeps from her cheeks.

Without protest, she plops onto her seat and stares blankly ahead of her. It’s almost as if she sensed my powerful aura, heightened by the Alpha’s love, and complied.

Perhaps I was born to be the Luna, I think smugly. Smirking and tilting my chin with superiority, I head to the bench at the back and take my place beside Dakota.

The meeting commences as Cyrus gives the pack an update about the recent events. It’s the first time since the war broke out that he’s addressing his pack. He updates them about their success in recovering Alpha Dorian and tells them about their next mission, urging his werewolves to stay alert until the Council captures the hybrid wolf.

The pack den is silent as the Moon Shine wolves process this new information. Until recently, the members of the pack were only aware of an unknown danger that posed a threat to us. It was only after I returned that Cyrus decided to bring everyone on board. He’d been hoping to protect the she-wolves without telling them of the dangers until he realized that she-wolves were quite capable of holding their own.

Like me, he said, during one of our passionate trysts this past week.

“... And finally …” he says when he meets my eyes across the den. “... I have an announcement to make.”

Dakota squeezes my hand with excitement beaming on her face while my heartbeat steadily picks up pace.

Is this really happening now?

This wasn’t a part of our plan...

“I have chosen a mate amongst us,” Cyrus goes on. “Cassandra Chikara will be this pack’s Luna, and our mating ceremony will take place.

I shake my head slowly, eyes widening as shock renders me speechless.

He’s really doing this now, outstretching his arm and waving me over.

“Go on, Cassie,” Dakota encourages, snapping me from my momentary shock and compelling me to join Cyrus on the stage. A small part of me thought that the only reason he declared his love through the mind link was to encourage me to stand up to Emily.

This is so much more I realize as I make my way toward him, reaching out and slipping my hand into his. Our surroundings fade, his face the only thing in focus now as I gaze at him with wonder-filled eyes.

He didn’t tell me about this because he wanted to surprise me. I see it in the playful glint that flashes across his eyes, his mischievous grin as he pulls me toward him and crushes his lips to mine.

If he’s trying to make up for all the misgivings in the past, he’s been outdoing himself, I’ll give him that much. My heart swells with joy, but the feeling isn’t strong enough to go further than my chest.

Why does a knot suddenly twist in the pit of my belly when he pulls away?

We’d just given the Moon Shine Pack a show to remember, but a nagging sense of unrest crawls along my spine and has me staring at the Alpha, waiting for some imaginary ball to drop.

Something isn’t right.

***

I stare disbelievingly at the two red lines on the screen, pressing a hand to my temple as I shake my head.

I can’t believe I spent the rest of the night unable to put a single morsel of food in my mouth.

Especially now that I need food in my system. Not just for me but for the pup that grows inside my belly. Instinctively cupping a hand below my belly button, I chuckle nervously and apologize.

“Sorry for depriving you, little one,” I pout, lifting my eyes to my reflection as if the window to my soul can act as a pathway to the baby’s ears. “I didn’t even know you existed until now.”

Openly speaking to the pu,p who is probably a little over three weeks old, I feel as if it’s the most natural thing to do. After Cyrus’s announcement at the meeting earlier tonight, I’d been gripped with a sense of uneasiness.

Dizziness that had me rushing back to the main house to throw up despite not being able to stomach the beef stew his mother cooked for the pack.

I thought something was wrong, a moment of weakness when I thought my faith in Cyrus was slipping again. The only thing that was wrong with me was that I’d neglected to keep track of my cycle, only realizing that I’d skipped my menses when I was done barfing my guts over the toilet pan.

That’s when I rushed to the hospital to pick up a pregnancy testing kit, rushing back before Cyrus left the den, eager to take the test.

Clutching the positive test in one hand as if my life depended on it, I make my way to the bedroom to wait for Cyrus.

Ever since he professed his desire to take me as his mate, he’s made it abundantly clear that he wants to have pups.

More than one, even if Moon Shine Pack’s lore insists that the Alpha will only have one son.

This is a start, and I can’t wait to tell him that I’m expecting. I take a seat on the bed, waiting for him to return from the pack den.

“You’re here,” Cyrus breathes in relief when he enters the bedroom, breath coming in hot pants as if he’d been in a hurry. When he meets my eyes, he crosses the room with firm steps of determination, sinking to his knees and pressing his cheek on my lap. His breathing steadies audibly when he sighs. “Why did you leave so soon?” he asks.

“I—” hesitantly glancing at the pillow under which I’ve hidden the test, I search for an excuse. “I wasn’t feeling too good.”

“Fuck…” Cyrus lifts his head, apology flashing across his eyes as he pouts. “There’s been a change of plans,” he says reluctantly. “I just received communication from Alpha Simon. The Council is planning on moving in tonight.”

“Tonight?” I pout despondently. I was hoping I’d share the news with him tonight before he left. But right now, the way his shoulders tense signals that he isn’t in the right frame of mind to drop such big news on him.

He nods timidly. “But if you’re not feeling well, I won’t go.”

“Cyrus…” I shake my head firmly, placing a loving hand on his cheek. “I know how important this is for you. I’ll be fine.”

He perks up a skeptical brow. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Of course not!” I exclaim with a click of my tongue. “But I’m not gonna keep you away from your duties.”

Cyrus looks up, his eyes softening into iridescent green orbs with glittering gold specks of mesmerization. He takes my hand to plant a soft, lulling kiss on my knuckles, keeping his eyes on mine.

“You really are born to be this pack’s Luna…” he praises, voice so low that it tugs on my heartstrings, creating a song of melodious notes that serve as the soundtrack of my feelings for him.

It almost pains me how badly I want to tell him that I’m pregnant. I actively bite my tongue to hold off the urge to blurt out the news.

That’s not the only thing I want to tell him…

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” I ask, cheeks warming with a blush.

He nods sheepishly, his eyes drinking in the way the color spreads on my cheeks. “I did mean it,” he says, lifting a hand to cup my face as he leans in to steadily stare into my eyes. “Did you think I was lying? Is that why you left dinner?”

I shake my head slowly. “No, I just…” I pause, trying to find the appropriate words, when all I can think of is how sweet he’d been tonight. “I love you too, Cyrus.”

Audibly gasping, Cyrus closes the short distance between us and kisses me sweetly on the lips. The kiss isn’t hurried or greedy as he usually is when he’s about to rip my clothes off.

This time, it attests to the truth of what he declared tonight while showing gratitude for my reciprocation as he doesn’t beckon my lips apart, keeping the kiss chaste and demure. My toes tingle, my fingertips ignited with a surge of awareness that isn’t as fiery as passionate lovemaking.

It’s patient, kind, and peaceful as it affirms that the man who elicits these warm feelings is “home” to me.

Just as I am “home” to him when he draws back and gazes lovingly into my eyes.

“You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that. For a moment…” his voice falters off, and I know it’s because he had insecurities of his own.

Somehow, I’m able to bring the Alpha to his knees, literally and figuratively, when he shows a side of himself that only I get to witness. A vulnerable side, which indicates that his humanity is still very much intact despite being the powerful leader of the Moon Shine Pack. It means his love is true, and I am his peace, his home.

No longer afraid of seeing him leave, my resolve is strengthened by the love we share and the confidence that it’s my love that will give him strength out there.

“I was wrong about what I said before,” I say gently. “Getting hurt out there is the worst move you could ever make.”

“Then I promise to come back unscathed,” he declares proudly, his shoulders sharpening as he lifts his chin. “I never wanna see you so worried ever again.

“Good, ‘cause I’ll slap you if you don’t!” I warn with a playful giggle, but there’s a hint of dread that I can’t ignore.

Cyrus catches it, too, and wraps his arms around me reassuringly.

“I will never give you another reason to slap your Alpha,” he taunts with a curt chuckle, arms tightening around me. I hear his long intake of breath in my hair, and I know he’s drinking in my scent, filling up his airways to have me close by when he’s out there.

All I can do is internally pray to the Moon Goddess that no harm comes to the Alpha of Moon Shine, my future mate and the father of the pup growing inside me.

He has to return so I can surprise him with the best news.