Chapter 41
The black car rolled to a stop in front of the mansion. Cassia stepped out quietly, her heels clicking against the ground. Damien followed behind her, with Arthur asleep in his arms.
“I’ll take him to his room,” Damien murmured.
Cassia nodded, watching as he disappeared upstairs.
While alone, she let out a deep breath. Tonight’s chaos replayed in her mind, the gasps, the whispers, the shock on their faces. And Aiden… the moment their eyes locked, it felt as though her old wounds had ripped open all over again.
The pain lingered, raw and fresh, yet tangled with something else she hated to admit, a strange, unshakable pull she couldn’t explain.
She walked into the kitchen which was now empty. Kate was already asleep, so the silence weighed heavy around her. Cassia grabbed a cold bottle of water, twisted it open, and gulped almost all of it in one breath.
This is only the beginning. She knew she couldn’t avoid Aiden forever. Sooner or later, they would face each other and she would have to speak to him.
This time, she would not be Amelia, the weak Luna he destroyed, she was Cassia Wrenmoor, Alpha of Velaris, a doctor, and a woman who had risen from the ashes.
But her heart softened at the thought of her mother. Tomorrow, she would begin work at the hospital and find her. That was her first priority.
She turned to leave and froze when she saw Damien standing in the doorway. Her mind instantly replayed the sting of earlier, when people had addressed him as her husband. Worse, when he had allowed it, even confirmed it.
“I put Arthur to sleep,” he said gently, stepping closer.
“Thank you. But we need to talk, Damien.” Her tone was sharp, her anger bubbling. “Why am I being addressed as your wife? We’re not married. We’re not even dating.”
Damien exhaled slowly, bracing himself. “I can explain.”
“I’m listening.”
“They assumed I was your husband. Since we came together, since Arthur’s with us, I couldn’t just deny it in front of James.”
“You could have,” she snapped.
“Cassia, listen.” His voice deepened, steadier now. “Arthur is Aiden’s exact reflection. If I’d told them we weren’t married, suspicion would’ve spread like wildfire, Everyone would start questioning who his father really is. Portraying myself as your husband protects you and Arthur. It’s the only way to keep Aiden at a distance.”
Her lips parted, ready to argue, but the truth of his words settled over her. He was right. His lie had shielded her from unwanted attention and kept her son safe.
“I would never hurt you,” Damien said softly. “You and Arthur… you’re family. And family comes first. Always.”
Her anger ebbed into guilt. “I’m sorry. I misunderstood.”
He smiled faintly and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “By the way, you looked breathtaking tonight. That dress… it suits you perfectly.”
A shiver coursed through her at his words, and heat flushed her cheeks. She forced herself to take a step back, creating distance. “Thank you. I should go to bed.”
The front door opened, and James entered quietly.
Aiden’s head snapped toward him. “Did you know?” His voice was raw, dangerous. “Did you know she was alive?”
James stiffened. “What? No. I was as shocked as everyone else.”
Aiden studied him, eyes narrowing, but the fear etched on James’s face proved he was telling the truth.
“Then the woman in that grave wasn’t her,” Aiden whispered, collapsing onto the couch. His hands trembled against his knees.
“I guess not,” James said quietly.
“What do we do now?”
Aiden’s eyes hardened as he dragged his hands down his face. “I need to speak with her. Alone.”
James hesitated “That won’t be easy. Her husband is always with her and doesn’t leave her side.”
“Then find a way to get rid of him,” Aiden growled, his voice low and deadly.
His growl shook the room. His eyes gleamed with something dark, something James hadn’t seen in year’s, an Alpha desperate, dangerous, and on the edge of losing control.

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