Chapter 4

Cassie’s POV

I woke up before the sun had fully risen, the soft morning light just beginning to filter through the curtains. Asher was still asleep beside me, his arm draped lazily over my waist. I carefully slipped out from under his arm, holding my breath as he stirred slightly. My heart pounded, hoping he wouldn’t wake up. I didn’t want him asking questions, especially about where I was going and why.

Once I was free, I moved quickly. I had already laid out my clothes the night before: something simple but elegant, not flashy enough to draw attention but presentable enough for a meeting of alphas. Quietly, I showered and got dressed, all while keeping an ear out for any sign that Asher might be waking. By the time I was brushing my hair, he was still sound asleep, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

I caught my reflection in the mirror, my eyes lingering for a moment as memories from my past life flooded back. I always knew Asher hated Alpha Damien, but I never fully understood why. I never even questioned it. After all, Asher had told me enough to hate Damien myself.

It had been after my parents’ deaths. Asher had come to me, telling me Damien was responsible for killing them. I had ordered his execution without ever meeting him. Why would I need to? Asher had already planned everything, saying he didn’t want me to worry about the details.

“Focus on grieving,” he had told me back then, his voice so comforting, so full of care. And I believed him.

Now, though, things felt different. I knew little about Alpha Damien beyond the rumors—rumors that painted him as a monster. People said he was ugly, a ruthless womanizer, bloodthirsty, and, for some reason, particularly hated my pack. I never bothered to find out why. I trusted Asher’s word back then, trusted that he was taking care of everything.

But this time, I needed answers. Real answers.

I finished getting ready and slipped out of the room quietly, making sure not to wake Asher. Today, I wasn’t just attending a meeting of alphas—I was seeking out Alpha Damien. My gut told me he was the key to everything. If anyone could help me bring Asher down, it was him.

The meeting was already underway when I arrived, the large hall filled with alphas from all over the region. I scanned the crowd, searching only for one man—Alpha Damien. I wasn’t interested in small talk or pleasantries. This wasn’t about making connections or alliances. I needed to get to him, fast.

As I moved through the room, I noticed several of the young alphas glancing my way, some more boldly than others. A few even approached, clearly trying to get my attention.

“Alpha Cassie, right?” One of them, a tall, handsome alpha with dark eyes, flashed me a confident smile. “I’m from the Silver Fang pack. Would you like to—”

“Not interested,” I cut him off, walking past without a second glance. I didn’t have time for this.

Another tried. “Cassie, it’s an honor to meet you. Maybe we could—”

“Sorry, no,” I said firmly, brushing him off. It didn’t matter how attractive they were or how charming they tried to be. I wasn’t here for them.

Then I saw him. Alpha Damien. And I stopped in my tracks.

The rumors were dead wrong.

Damien was… gorgeous. He stood tall, towering over most of the others in the room. His dark hair was just starting to show signs of gray at the temples, but it only made him more striking, more powerful. His jaw was strong, his eyes sharp and piercing, and his body… well, it looked like he could take down ten hot-blooded werewolves single-handedly. Easily.

He was older, obviously—probably in his early forties, while I was only 22—but that didn’t make him any less intimidating or, if I were being honest with myself, any less attractive. He exuded raw strength, the kind of power that demanded respect without him even having to say a word.

I shook myself. Focus, Cassie. I couldn’t afford to be distracted right now, not when I needed to speak to him.

I moved quickly toward him, but as I neared, two of his guards stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

“Hey!” I frowned, feeling more than a little offended. “I need to speak to Alpha Damien.”

“Alpha Damien doesn’t speak to just anyone,” one of the guards said, his voice gruff.

I bristled. “I’m not just anyone. I’m Cassie, daughter and heir of Alpha Raphael of the Grey Moon pack.”

The guard opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, I caught sight of Damien’s gaze on me. His dark eyes were fixed on me, and the way he was looking at me… I couldn’t describe it. Lustful, hungry, like he was sizing me up—but not just in a threatening way, more like he was picturing me naked.

Something inside me stirred, an unwanted heat rising in my chest, and I tried to ignore it, shaking off the feeling. This wasn’t the time.

I lifted my chin and addressed him directly, my voice firm. “I’d like to speak with you.”

For a moment, Damien just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he stepped forward, his eyes growing colder with each step. When he spoke, his voice was low, almost a snarl. “Cassie, the daughter of Alpha Raphael, huh?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“And Asher’s fiancée,” he added, his tone dripping with disdain.

That caught me off guard. “How do you know about Asher?” I asked, frowning. Asher had told me that in our past life, he didn’t meet Damien until after our wedding, which was still weeks away.

Damien’s eyes darkened, and a bitter smile twisted his lips. “How do I know him? Because, Cassie… Alpha Asher is my stepson.”

The words hit me like a brick to the chest. I stared at him, my mind racing. “What?”

“Didn’t know that, did you?” Damien’s voice was cold, harsh. “He’s kept quite a few things from you, I see.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Asher… Damien’s son? How could that be? Why hadn’t Asher ever told me?

Wait! Did that mean Asher made me execute his own father?! Holy shit!

And why did Damien’s gaze, which had been so filled with hunger moments ago, now hold nothing but icy contempt?

I stood there, frozen in place, trying to wrap my head around what I had just learned while alpha Damien kept glaring at me like he wanted to strangle me.