Chapter 7 - Cassius

The grand hall of the Ironfang Pack's fortress buzzed with anticipation. Alphas from across the territories, both Light and Dark, filled the room with their imposing presence. The air crackled with tension as Pack leaders and their families mingled, their voices a low murmur against the backdrop of clinking glasses and soft music.

Cassius's eyes swept the room, taking in the sea of familiar faces. This wasn't just any gathering—it was the 'exchange of hands' ceremony, a pivotal moment that would officially transfer territory to Aleksander and the Ironfang Pack.

The gravity of the occasion wasn't lost on anyone present. Eyes glinted beneath furrowed brows as each dominant presence seemed to size up the others. The air crackled with anticipation.

As he stood at the entrance, Cassius felt the weight of countless gazes upon him. He squared his shoulders, steeling himself for what was to come.

This is it. No turning back now.

It wasn’t just about Aleksander officially taking control of the land. No, it was also about Cassius and Alysa presenting themselves as a mated pair before their peers—an audience well-versed in the nuances of deception.

"Ready?" Alysa's soft voice beside him pulled Cassius from his thoughts. He turned to her, his breath catching in his throat. She looked stunning in a deep blue dress that hugged her curves, her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves.

She is totally worth being banished.

Cassius swallowed hard, offering her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "As ready as I'll ever be," he murmured, his hand finding the small of her back as they stepped into the room together.

The effect was immediate. Conversations halted, heads turned, and all eyes locked onto the pair. Cassius felt Alysa tense beside him, her nerves palpable. He drew her closer, his protective instincts kicking in.

Just breathe. We can do this.

Across the room, Cassius spotted Articus and Wren. The White Moon Alpha caught his eye, offering a subtle nod of encouragement. Beside him, Wren's pregnancy was evident, her hand resting protectively over her swollen belly. The sight made something twist in Cassius's chest—a longing he couldn't quite name.

As they made their way through the crowd, Cassius caught sight of Rowan Zev and Xander Black, an unlikely pair that drew curious glances. Xander's presence on the Dark Side was still a novelty, his shadow powers a topic of hushed whispers among the gathered Alphas.

"Well, well," a booming voice cut through the murmurs.

Stormborn.

The Thunderclaw Alpha clapped a meaty hand on Cassius's shoulder. "Looks like the mighty Cassius White has finally been tamed!"

Cassius forced a chuckle, his arm tightening around Alysa's waist. "Hardly tamed, Ragnar. Just… pleasantly distracted."

The comment drew laughs from the surrounding Alphas, but Cassius felt Alysa stiffen beside him. He glanced down, catching the flash of hurt in her eyes before she masked it with a smile.

Shit. Nice going, Cassius.

"It's about time you settled down," Darius chimed in; the Stone Claw Pack Alpha’s brown eyes lit up in a smile. "We were beginning to think you'd never find a mate worthy of your name."

The teasing continued, each comment feeling like a dagger twisting in Cassius's gut. He played along, forcing smiles and laughter, all while acutely aware of Alysa's discomfort beside him.

"So, Alysa," Lyra Frost's cool voice cut through the banter. "How did our esteemed Cassius finally win you over? We're all dying to know."

Cassius felt panic rise in his throat. They hadn't prepared for this. He opened his mouth, ready to deflect, but Alysa beat him to it.

"Oh, you know Cassius," she said, her voice light and teasing. "He can be quite charming when he wants to be. I never stood a chance."

The response drew chuckles and knowing looks from the gathered Alphas. Cassius relaxed slightly, grateful for Alysa's quick thinking.

As the night wore on, Cassius felt the weight of countless eyes upon them. Every touch, every glance, every whispered word between them was scrutinized. He found himself hyper-aware of Alysa's presence, the warmth of her body against his, the scent of her perfume.

They moved through the room like a well-rehearsed dance, playing the part of the newly mated couple. Cassius's hand never strayed far from Alysa's waist, his fingers tracing absent patterns on her hip. She leaned into him, her laughter at his jokes just a touch too bright and her smiles a fraction too wide.

We're overdoing it—they'll see right through us.

Cassius thought, panic rising in his chest. But as he glanced around the room, he saw only knowing smiles and approving nods. The act was working. They were buying it.

Cassius's mind drifted to the past two weeks, a whirlwind of staged dates and public displays of affection. They'd shared meals in the Pack's common areas, walked hand-in-hand through the territory, and even cuddled up together during movie nights.

He remembered the first time he'd kissed her cheek in public, the way her breath had hitched, the flush that had spread across her face. It had felt so real, so right, that for a moment, he'd forgotten it was all pretend.

Now, standing in this room full of Alphas, Cassius felt the lines blurring. The way Alysa fit against him, the sound of her laughter, the warmth in her eyes when she looked at him—it was becoming harder to remember that this wasn't real.

Marcus cleared his throat, pulling Cassius from his thoughts. It was time to get back to business.

“I believe we still have land to discuss,” Marcus said, his voice smooth but firm.

Aleksander nodded, leaning forward. "Yes, the land," he began, tracing a finger along the worn edges of the map Marcus produced, marking out the Crimson Oak territory. "As we discussed, the eastern portion of your land will be ceded to us in exchange for financial compensation."

“I take it you’ve brought what we agreed upon?” Marcus asked, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Aleksander slid a matching black briefcase to him. “Every cent,” he said evenly. “Plus, the compensation for the mineral rights.”

Marcus’s grin widened as he opened the briefcase, revealing stacks of cash neatly bundled inside. His fingers skimmed over the money, counting the stacks with precision. After a moment, he closed the case with a loud snap and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, well, gentlemen," Marcus said, his voice heavy with satisfaction. "It seems like you've held up your end of the bargain."

Aleksander remained stoic, unbothered by Marcus’s obvious glee. “We always do.”

Marcus chuckled, clearly enjoying the tension. He flicked open a small tablet sitting beside him. “Here’s the deed to the eastern land. Once the funds are confirmed, I’ll transmit it electronically to your Pack’s records, and the land will officially be yours.”

Aleksander didn’t hesitate, pulling out his own tablet. He tapped a few commands, sending the funds directly into Marcus’s account. The briefcases of cash were a show, but the real deal was handled electronically, like all high-stakes transactions between Packs.

Marcus’s tablet pinged with a notification, and his smirk widened as he confirmed the deposit. “Well, boys, it looks like we’re done here. Pleasure doing business with you.”

Aleksander’s voice was ice-cold. “We’ll expect the land to be vacated within the week. Any delays, and we’ll have a problem.”

Marcus leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of delaying such a lucrative deal. You’ll have your land, Aleksander.”

Cassius’s gaze sharpened as Marcus slid a paper across the table. “Here’s your ceremonial deed. You know, for tradition’s sake. The real one’s being processed as we speak.”

Aleksander didn’t take his eyes off Marcus as he reached for the document, his fingers brushing the thick parchment. “I trust we won’t have any further issues?”

Marcus stood up slowly, his hulking frame casting a shadow across the table. “Oh, I’m sure our paths will cross again, Aleksander. And when they do, I’ll be ready.”

With that, Marcus grabbed the briefcase of cash and handed it to one of his Pack members, who briskly strode out the door.

Cassius exhaled sharply, breaking the silence. “That went about as well as I expected.”

Aleksander stood, folding the deed and slipping it into his coat. “Agreed. But for now, we’ve gained what we came for. Let’s make sure the territory transfer goes through without any surprises.”

“Looks like everything went smoothly,” Articus said, his voice low but carrying the weight of an Alpha. He approached Cassius, his hand resting on the small of Wren’s back. She glanced up at Cassius, her expression cautious but curious.

“For now,” Cassius replied, his gaze shifting briefly to Wren before returning to Articus. “But I don’t trust Marcus. He’ll play his cards when it suits him.”

Wren’s voice was soft but steady. “People from the Dark Side don’t often have the luxury of waiting for the perfect moment. We take what we can when we can.” There was no bitterness in her tone, just a quiet understanding of how the world worked on the other side of the mountains.

Cassius regarded her with a slight nod. “True enough. But now that you’re here…” He trailed off, his meaning clear. Wren wasn’t just any rogue; she was now tied to the Light side, bound by her connection to Articus and their unborn child.

Her fingers tightened slightly on Articus’s arm as if reminding herself of her new reality. “It’s different, being there,” she admitted. “I’m still adjusting.”

“You’ll adjust,” Rowan’s deep voice cut in as he and Xander approached. The two Alphas had been lingering nearby, listening. Rowan’s tall frame loomed, his brown eyes piercing yet warm as he addressed Wren.

Xander, as silent as ever, offered only a brief nod of acknowledgment, his black eyes sharp and unreadable.

A commotion near the entrance drew Cassius's attention. He instinctively pulled Alysa closer, scanning the room for potential threats. It was just a minor disagreement between two beta wolves, quickly settled, but Cassius's protective stance didn't go unnoticed.

"My, my," Selena Nightshade's silky voice drifted over. "Aren't we the possessive Alpha? Better watch out, Alysa. He might never let you out of his sight."

Alysa laughed, the sound slightly strained. "Oh, I don't mind. It's nice to feel so… cherished."

The word sent a jolt through Cassius.

Cherished.

Is that how she felt? Is that how he wanted her to feel?

As the night wore on, Cassius found his thoughts in turmoil. He'd entered into this arrangement to protect Alysa, to keep her safe from Marcus's advances. But now, holding her close, breathing in her scent, he wasn't sure who he was protecting her from anymore.

This is dangerous

He thought about his actions even as his thumb traced circles on her hip.

But every time Alysa looked up at him, her honey-brown eyes filled with warmth and trust, Cassius felt his resolve weakening. The line between pretense and reality was blurring, and he wasn't sure he wanted to redraw it.

"You two are so in love," Zara Moonsinger's dreamy voice cut through Cassius's thoughts. "It's beautiful to see. When's the official mating ceremony?"

Cassius froze, panic rising in his throat. They hadn't discussed this far ahead. He opened his mouth, not sure what would come out when Alysa squeezed his hand.

"We haven't set a date yet," she said smoothly. "We're just enjoying being together for now."

Cassius nodded, grateful for her quick thinking. But Zara's words echoed in his mind.

In love.

Was that what this looked like to others? Was that what it felt like?

Before he could ponder it further, Cassius felt Alysa tense beside him. He followed her gaze to see Marcus approaching, a predatory gleam in his eye.

No. Not now.

Without thinking, Cassius pulled Alysa closer, angling his body to shield her from Marcus's view. He felt her surprise, but she melted into him, playing along.

And then, without warning, Alysa was turning in his arms, her hands sliding up his chest to link behind his neck. Her eyes met his, a silent question in their depths.

Do it , they seemed to say.

Time seemed to slow as Cassius lowered his head, his lips meeting Alysa's in a kiss that started soft but quickly ignited into something more. Her lips parted beneath his, a soft gasp escaping her as he deepened the kiss.

The world fell away. There was only Alysa—the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against his, the intoxicating scent of her skin. Cassius lost himself in the kiss, his hands spanning her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.

It was Alysa who finally broke the kiss, pulling back with a soft gasp. Cassius blinked, reality crashing back in as he became aware of the hushed silence around them. Every eye in the room was on them, expressions ranging from shock to approval to knowing smirks.

What have we done?

Cassius cleared his throat, fighting to regain his composure. He kept Alysa close, hyper-aware of her rapid heartbeat, the flush on her cheeks.

"Well," Marcus's voice broke the silence, thick with barely concealed anger. "I suppose that settles any doubts about your… relationship."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Cassius nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His lips still tingled from the kiss, his body humming with an energy he couldn't quite name.

As the crowd began to disperse, whispered conversations breaking out, Cassius felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Aleksander, his expression unreadable.

"Can we talk?" Aleksander's voice was low, his eyes flicking between Cassius and Alysa. "Alone?"

Cassius nodded, reluctantly letting go of Alysa. He followed Aleksander to a quiet corner of the room, his mind racing.

He knows. He has to know.

"What the hell was that?" Aleksander hissed once they were out of earshot. "That kiss… Cassius, tell me you are still pretending."

Cassius ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts in turmoil. "I… I don't know, Aleks."

"You don't know?" Aleksander's eyes narrowed. "Cassius, this is my sister we're talking about. If you're playing with her feelings—"

"I'm not," Cassius cut him off, his voice firm. "I would never hurt Alysa. You know that."

Aleksander studied him for a long moment, his expression softening slightly. "Do I? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like lines are blurring. And if this ends badly…"

"It won't," Cassius said, more confidently than he felt. "I promise, Aleks. I won't hurt her."

Aleksander held his gaze for a long moment before nodding. "You better not," he said, his voice low and laced with warning. "Because best friend or not, Alpha or not, if you break her heart, I'll break you."

With that, Aleksander turned and walked away, leaving Cassius alone with his tumultuous thoughts. He looked across the room, his eyes finding Alysa. She was talking with Wren, her smile bright, but he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes kept darting around the room.

What have we gotten ourselves into?

As Cassius made his way back to Alysa, he felt the weight of Aleksander's words, of the kiss, of the past two weeks pressing down on him. The line between pretense and reality had blurred beyond recognition.

All he knew was that when he looked at Alysa, he felt something he'd never felt before. Something that both terrified and exhilarated him.

Something that felt dangerously close to love.