--Cassie--"We'll miss you, Cassie," my two friends, Hailey and Michelle, said to me, their eyes welling up with tears, making me laugh.Hailey and Cassie were the only close friends I made when I came to Dream High."Why are you crying, girls, when you know we'll see each other?" I asked, looking at them."We like living in the same neighborhood," I explained as I walked out of the room where I had just received my valedictorian certificate."You're right," they said, wiping their tears away. Their eyes were puffy, and they looked sad."Can I get your number, Cassie?" inquired the school's best basketball player."Give it to him, Cassie," Hailey said, a broad smile on her face. Her mood immediately changed, as if she had not just cried her eyes out."Okay," I said, and he exhaled."Why did you do that?" I asked, taking the pen and paper from his grasp so I could write down my phone number."You always refused to give me your phone number," he remarked.That was Deon, the school's hot
--Cassie--I slipped out of my dress, feeling the weight of the past four years settling on my shoulders. As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to my mom, with her blue eyes and wavy brown hair. Stepping into the bathtub, I let the warm water wash away the fatigue of the journey, wrapping myself in a fresh-smelling towel from the wardrobe. Every item in this room seemed meticulously cleaned, undoubtedly in anticipation of my return.Moving to the closet, I sifted through my dresses, but none seemed to fit anymore. Frowning, I scanned the room until my eyes landed on my suitcase beside the bed. With a sense of relief, I unzipped it, selecting a pair of ripped jeans and a crop top. After applying lotion to my skin, I tied my hair into a neat bun, studying my reflection in the mirror. It was strange seeing how much I had changed over the years.I flopped onto the bed, retrieving my phone from the nightstand. Surprisingly, it already had a SIM card inser
--Cassie--"His wife-to-be is so lucky," Hailey exclaimed, holding up her phone with a picture of Alessandro Leonardo De Luca. Her excitement was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder who this fortunate woman was. And then it struck me—I was about to be tied to Alessandro Leonardo De Luca for life.I studied the picture intently. Alessandro had striking features—sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and a confident smile that could melt hearts. It was easy to see why he was considered a heartthrob. But despite his looks, I wasn't interested in him romantically. My decision to marry him was solely to help my dad out of his financial troubles."How old is he?" I asked Michelle, trying to gather more information about the man who would soon be my husband."Twenty-five," she replied enthusiastically."Thank God he's not much older," I muttered under my breath, relieved that we weren't too far apart in age."What did you say?" Michelle asked, leaning closer to hear me better."Nothing," I repli
--Alessandro--"Pops, I can't do what you're asking me to do, Dad," I yelled at my grandpa angrily. I couldn't marry a girl I knew nothing about, especially a human. The very idea of tying my life to someone I hadn't chosen or even known felt like a betrayal to my own autonomy and the memory of Athena."Yes, you are going to marry her, Alessandro. You don't want to get mated again after Athena died," he mentioned, causing my wolf to groan at him."Alessandro, listen. You will like her. She's pretty and a nice girl. I met her when she was sixteen at the mall. Please, Alessandro, listen to me. You are the mafia don and the alpha of the Rivermoon Pack; you need a woman by your side, and you know that pretty well." His voice softened as he tried to persuade me, but his words felt like a knife."I can look for someone if that's what you want, but you'd have to give me time and stop stressing Mr. Roberts like that. He doesn't deserve all that you're doing," I muttered, trying to guilt-trip
--Cassie--A month flew by in the blink of an eye, and here I was, torn between obligations and my overwhelming desire to flee. The wedding was set for two days from now, yet every fiber of my being recoiled from the thought of it. I hadn’t seen Alessandro since the day I learned of this arranged marriage; even the engagement ring had been delivered impassively by his driver, precisely a week after I received the news. A ring, beautiful but impersonal, lay in its velvet box, coldly glinting under the light—a physical reminder of the life-changing decision that had been made for me, rather than with me.This wasn’t how I had ever envisioned my wedding. I had always dreamed of a love-filled celebration, where my partner and I, bound by genuine affection, would share the joy with close friends and family. In that vision, he would hold my hand, reassure me, laugh with me, and look at me with the warmth and anticipation that lovers do. But reality couldn’t have been further from that dream
--Cassie--We were in the garden, seated around a small wooden table, each of us with a steaming cup of tea in hand. The warm afternoon sun bathed us in a gentle glow, filtering through the leaves above and casting dappled patterns on the grass. The air was rich with the scent of blooming jasmine and roses from the nearby flowerbeds, and every now and then, a soft breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it a hint of fresh earth and summer warmth.Hailey and Michelle were lost in their usual chatter, still gushing over photos of Alessandro. They spoke in excited whispers, eyes wide with fascination, as they scrolled through the images. Their words, though mostly lighthearted, held an almost envious undertone that wasn’t hard to miss. Both seemed to wish they could swap places with me—to be the ones Alessandro had chosen. I thought, only half-joking, how I’d gladly grant them that wish if I could. This entire situation felt surreal, and if I was being honest, slightly overwhelming.“He
--Cassie--“Get up, Cassie,” I heard Michelle’s voice as she tapped me gently on the shoulder, pulling me from the edges of sleep.“Let me sleep, please,” I murmured, hugging my pillow tighter, wishing that somehow I could stay in this cocoon of comfort and escape reality a little longer.“Today is your wedding, girl!” she replied, her tone a mix of excitement and urgency.The words jolted me awake, and I sat up suddenly, as if struck by lightning. My heart sank as the realization hit me, and a tear slipped down my cheek. So, its today, I thought, as a wave of helplessness washed over me. I wished, desperately, that I could run away. The idea lingered, sweet and enticing, like a dream that would never be. My mind raced with images of escaping, of disappearing into a place where arranged marriages and obligations didn’t exist.“Cassie, everyone is waiting for you,” Aunt Sophia called from the doorway, a soft smile on her face, as though this were any ordinary day. She looked so cheerfu
--Cassie--Looking at myself in the mirror, I could hardly recognize the person staring back. My reflection shimmered with elegance, and for a moment, I found myself mesmerized. The soft glow of the morning light poured in through the window, casting a gentle, golden hue over everything, as if even the world outside was celebrating this day. The delicate lace and diamonds of my gown sparkled as I moved, and I couldn’t deny that I looked beautiful, like a vision straight out of a dream. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the fluttering in my heart.Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. “Cassie,” I heard, followed by my father’s familiar voice. The rest of the room fell silent, and with gentle murmurs, my bestfriends and the makeup artist stepped out, leaving us alone. I turned to see him standing there, his face a mixture of pride and sadness. His eyes softened when he looked at me, and I could see he was fighting to hold back his emotions, just as I was.“Dad…” I whispere
--Cassie--How was I ever going to face him now? It seemed Alessandro was waiting for me in the room, and the thought alone made my cheeks burn. I was too shy to step out of the bathroom, too flustered to gather my courage.For the past ten minutes, I had been standing behind the bathroom door, hoping he might leave. But, of course, I was wrong. He wasn’t going anywhere. The bed creaked faintly under his weight, a reminder that he was still there, waiting patiently.I took a deep breath, steeling myself. You can do this, I thought, though my heart pounded furiously in my chest. Slowly, I stepped out, my towel wrapped tightly around me. His eyes landed on me instantly, and the intensity of his gaze made me want to melt into the floor.Without a word, I quickly made my way to the closet, too self-conscious to meet his eyes. My footsteps felt hurried, almost frantic, as if speed alone could shield me from the weight of his stare.“I’m waiting so we can go for breakfast,” he called out ca
--Cassie--I couldn’t believe it. I had given my virginity to Alessandro. The thought kept replaying in my mind, each time leaving me in a mix of disbelief and wonder. Last night had been something entirely different—a night where all my senses had come alive. It was as though I craved him in a way I didn’t know was possible. At first, I thought I was unwell, but when he entered the room, something shifted. My body, soul, and spirit had yearned for him, and I couldn’t resist the pull.As I lay in bed now, the memories of the previous night lingered vividly. I couldn’t shake the idea that maybe someone had drugged my food or drink. How else could I explain what I had felt? I had never experienced anything like that before.The sound of water running from the shower broke through my thoughts, reminding me that Alessandro wasn’t here in the room with me. He was in the bathroom. I felt a wave of shyness wash over me. How was I supposed to face him after what happened? He knew I was a virg
--Cassie--The next morning Alessandro was already gone. I could not meet with Elise yesterday because something came up I sat up in bed, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. Suddenly, I began to feel incredibly hot. It was as if a furnace had ignited within me. I glanced at the AC, which was on and functioning correctly. What was happening to me? I felt an overwhelming urge to strip off my clothes. Without a second thought, I peeled them off, not caring if someone could enter and see me. The heat was unbearable, and my skin felt like it was on fire.I thought a shower might help, so I rushed to the bathroom and turned on the cold water. But even the cold water did little to alleviate the heat. I sat in the tub, my head pounding, my back aching, my abdomen cramping—every part of my body was in distress. I felt a primal, almost feral need coursing through me."Woooo," I heard howling from outside. The sound was loud and insistent, a chorus of voices that seemed to vibrate thro
--Cassie--Waking up in the room alone, I immediately noticed Alessandro’s absence. The emptiness of the bed beside me only added to the quiet of the morning, but my rumbling stomach quickly reminded me of a more pressing need. I needed food, and I needed it now.Throwing off the covers, I got up and headed straight for the dining room. As I entered, the familiar hum of conversation filled the air. Everyone was there except for Marco and Alessandro.“Good morning,” I greeted the room with a polite smile before finding a seat at the table. My eyes briefly scanned the room, landing on Lalia. She was here too, sitting a few seats away, and she looked much more relaxed than she had yesterday.I focused on my plate, letting the aroma of the warm meal soothe my morning haze. As I ate, I couldn’t help but notice Lalia’s gaze lingering on me. She wasn’t being subtle, and her curiosity was palpable. It made me wonder if she wanted to say something. But she didn’t. She just kept staring, her ex
--Cassie--Yesterday had been an exhausting day for all of us. The events, the tension, and the overwhelming social games had drained every ounce of energy I had. I thought the day’s drama was behind us, but I was wrong.Yesterday as we were seated at the table when Lalia returned, her eyes still red from earlier. Shortly after, five young women approached her. They moved with practiced ease, their perfectly styled appearances giving them an air of confidence that Lalia clearly lacked.It didn’t take long for their intentions to become clear. Alessandro leaned over and whispered, “They’re here to hook up with wealthy men. Happens at events like these—through the connections of a certain powerful woman.”I looked at him, stunned. “You’re saying they’re...?”He nodded subtly, confirming my suspicion. “Escorts. High-end, expensive ones. It’s normal at these types of galas. Lalia must be new to this. Look at her—she doesn’t even know what she’s gotten herself into.”My heart sank as I tur
--Cassie--The auction had finally come to an end, and Alessandro and I were making our way out of the booth toward the gala hall. The atmosphere was electric, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Tonight, I had seen greed in its rawest form, and I was certain this night would be etched into my memory for a long time—perhaps forever.A commotion happened near one of the booths caught my attention. Two celebrities, both renowned for their glamorous but controversial lives, were at each other’s throats over a diamond necklace. Voices were raised, insults thrown, and it didn’t take long for the argument to devolve into a full-blown physical altercation.“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, watching the chaos unfold.The security team acted quickly, stepping in to separate the two women before they would have brawl could escalate further. Despite their scuffle, they had been so distracted by their heated exchange that neither noticed when another
--Cassie--“We will now begin the auctioning of the goods,” Lorenzo’s voice boomed, his tone infused with grandeur.From behind the velvet curtain, a sleek, elegant drawer was wheeled onto the stage, drawing the crowd’s attention. Atop it sat a stunning pair of antique clocks, their polished gold frames gleaming under the spotlight. The intricate patterns on the surface and the subtle chime that echoed in the silence gave them an otherworldly aura.“This pair of clocks here,” Lorenzo continued with dramatic flair, “is known as the Clock of Money. Legend has it that every tick blesses your business with abundance—every second, every moment.”I blinked, startled. My first instinct was to scoff. How could anyone believe something so ridiculous? A clock that brings wealth? It sounded like one of those myths that people desperately clung to for comfort.Alessandro must have noticed the incredulous look on my face because he leaned closer, his voice low and amused. “It’s not true, of course
--Cassie--The room was breathtakingly glamorous. The chandeliers, massive and intricately designed, hung high above, casting a golden glow that shimmered off every polished surface. The atmosphere was opulent, almost surreal, as though I had stepped into a world reserved for the elite.As we made our way further inside, the stares continued. Alessandro, however, seemed completely unfazed. He moved with a natural confidence, exuding an air of authority that made it clear he belonged here. He looked like the man of the hour, and judging by the way people murmured and whispered, he was enjoying every second of it."Oh, she’s so young," I heard someone mutter nearby."Look at those curves—and that face. She probably went under the knife."The words stung, but instead of ignoring them, I turned and met the speaker’s gaze directly. She froze, her expression shifting from smug confidence to startled surprise. I held her gaze for a moment longer, making it clear I had heard her, then turned
“You look beautiful.”Those were the first words I heard as I stepped onto the staircase, and they immediately wrapped around me like a warm embrace.I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, my lips curling into an involuntary smile. The happiness blooming inside me was impossible to contain.Alessandro stood at the bottom of the stairs, dressed impeccably in a sleek tuxedo. His hair was neatly gelled back, and the way he looked at me, like I was the only person in the world, made my heart race."I knew this was the best dress for you, and I was right," he said with a satisfied grin.His words made me feel lighter, like I could float down the stairs instead of walking. I reached out, and he took my hand, his touch grounding me in a way that felt both reassuring and thrilling.As we descended together, I caught the girls staring at us, their expressions a mix of admiration and envy. Their gazes lingered on my dress, and I noticed how stunning they looked as well, their own gowns sparkling und