Cassa's POVIt had been a week, and I tried my best to feel comfortable around him like I did before. But my mind was in chaos, struggling to erase that kiss from my thoughts. We had just returned to the office from a meeting held in advance with some County Executivess. The event for the senior citizens next month was taking a lot of preparation.It was tiring to keep standing, giving files to each member, handing out snacks. I wouldn't have done it, but the Mayor ordered me to. Just as I was about to sit down at the table, the door opened and the Mayor entered, a file organizer in his arm."You need to type these documents. I need them later," he said.My feet and legs were aching, but I stood up, taking the box from him. As my fingers brushed his hand, my heart suddenly raced. I tried not to flinch, feeling that strange current pass through me every time I touched any part of him."Okay," I answered, my smile straining my jaw and cheeks. I had been smiling for half the day.I placed
Cassa’s POVI was in a trance, sitting at the pool's edge, feeling the cool water on my feet. Evalyn had left me to find her brother, and that worried me. Where was he?The word my grandfather had said kept repeating in my mind. Was it good news or bad news for me? I didn't know what I was feeling, but fear was one of the emotions—fear for myself and for this town.Who had spread such rumors? Out of all the possible sources, it had to be them. My palm rested on my forehead, and I felt a headache coming on. I had been thinking about it for far too long.Realizing it was almost night, I knew I needed to talk to Julius. My mind drifted to him answering his phone with an angry reaction. Was he talking to my grandfather? But why hadn't he told me?He had left so suddenly after arriving at his house, without saying anything. In haste, like he was running away. He was adding to my worries.I felt heavy footsteps approaching from behind, so I turned my head. It was the Mayor, with messy hair
Cassa’s POVThe manor had an ancient exterior, but inside, it was a classic interior design, making me feel like I had been transported to the late 1500s. Julius was at my side, guiding me to the room on the left. As we passed the front lobby, I admired the large French window on the second floor that allowed light to flood in. My eyes were captivated by the chandelier hanging above the living room, its detailed artwork wrapped in gold. Was it real gold?Was my grandpa is here?Paintings adorned the walls, depicting what I assumed were their ancestors. How long had they lived in this world? It was fascinating, and I realized I had never asked that question before."It's beautiful," I muttered, gazing around in awe. Julius's warm hand clutched my arm, stopping me just as I almost walked into a door."You are bewitched by its beauty and didn't realize the door," he said in a low, deep tone, his eyes narrowing."Surely," I beamed. "I've never been in a house like this. It's amazing that
Cassa’s POVI gripped the glass in my hand, blinked away my tears, and drained its contents. I wouldn't cry—they didn't deserve my tears, I told myself firmly.My grandparents had left after lunch, and though I tried to eat, a knot of sickness, coldness, and anger tightened in my stomach. I pretended I was fine, but the truth was the opposite.All my things had been moved from the Mayor's house. Not a single item truly belonged to me, and the promised talk with Julius never happened. He left me in this house with his parents.His mother had given me a tour of the house, steering me away from the sharp stare of her husband. We talked like normal people, but the heaviness in my heart grew with every step. Exhausted, I apologized to her and said I needed to rest. As soon as my body touched the bed, I fell into a deep sleep.When I awoke, the Mayor was in my room, closing the door behind him. A cold glass sat on the nightstand.I sat up, placing the empty glass back. Julius was sitting acr
Cassa’s POV I closed my eyes tightly, biting the inside of my cheek, tasting the ironic tang of my blood. A week had passed, and I hadn't seen him since that day. I remembered how the light in his gray eyes dimmed, turning dark, his expression stern and pinched as he looked at me. Desire had evaporated, replaced by a coldness I could feel in that moment. I moved away from him, avoiding his gaze, trying to compose myself. Heavy footsteps reverberated as he stormed out and slammed the door hard. I winced. He was angry at my rejection of what we had almost done, but why did it sting me? It should have brought relief. Breathing in the cold morning air, hands gripping the window sill, I stared out at the vast garden of Montalvo Manor. I had been here once before when I was very young, memories vague, my gaze settling on the rose section of the garden where I had been yesterday with Erish. Erish, the third daughter of the Montalvo family, and we were the same age. At first, I thought she
Cassa’s POV "Oh, you big jackass, you made it!" Erisha chimed with a wide grin, slipping her arms away from mine to embrace the man."Evalyn mentioned Julius's fiancée would be arriving today, so I came to see who this woman is," he replied, smiling as he returned Erisha's hug.I stood there, watching them both, unsure of what to say as they separated."Forgive my manners," Erisha muttered, looping her arm back through mine. "Cassa, the man standing before you is my brother's best friend, Anson Avera. He's a vampire."My eyes widened, and my jaw slackened in disbelief. "Vampires exist?" I murmured incredulously.Anson chuckled softly, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh yes, we don't just exist in legends and books. We are very real, Miss Hansen."My heart skipped a beat as he leaned closer, his fangs glistening in the light, his hand brushing against my neck as he sniffed me. I froze in place, my chest tightening with a coldness that enveloped me."Stop that, Anson! You're scaring he
Cassa’s POV"It's a dangerous horse. Do you want to get yourself killed?" Julius's voice deepened as he swiftly pulled me away from the imposing stallion.Erisha approached us, her brows furrowed in concern. "What happened?" she asked, her gaze shifting between me and her brother."She was about to touch Brody. He's a dangerous horse, especially to those who haven't tamed him," Julius explained sternly, casting a disapproving look my way.Erisha's mouth fell open as she glanced at Brody. "He's right, Issa. Brody is dangerous. No one should get close to him. He's killed people before, and we've barely managed to keep him under control. It's strictly forbidden to approach him."Julius realized he had gripped my wrist too tightly, and I winced slightly. "Sorry," he muttered, releasing his hold. My hand, clutching the camera tightly, relaxed with relief that it hadn't slipped from my grasp and broken.Feeling Julius's gaze burning into me, I took a deep breath before speaking, cheeks flus
Julius POVI gritted my teeth and swallowed hard against a rising tide of anger. I had to know who that man was and why he was here. Why did he call Cassa Havina his wife? Was he out of his mind?My wolf stirred, sensing the man’s aura, and I caught a glimpse of his wolf through my eyes. Then it warned me not to engage, leaving me with a nagging question that went unanswered. Did Fergan know this guy? Why let him pass the border? Had he done something to one of my pack warriors? I needed to get to the bottom of this, but I couldn’t shake the worry for Cassa. What if that man came back for her? He spoke with such conviction that she was Havina.I glanced at Cassa walking ahead, lost in thought. I knew she was replaying that man’s words in her mind. We were close to the Manor now, and a few servants were outside, cleaning the front. “Are you leaving now?” she asked, looking back at me, concern etched on her face. “Can you stay?”“Yes, I will stay.” I clenched my fists, wanting nothing
Cassa’s POVI paced in my room, frustrated. There was more to the bitterness between my grandfather and my father than I understood, and I felt ignorant. I needed answers, something to shed light on this whole mess.The last time I talked to Julius, I’d struggled to give him any answers. I knew nothing. My grandpa never told me the real reason for his feelings, but I had a feeling my father would.So, I had to see Julius. I was going to my dad's house to get some answers. I stopped in front of my door, opened it, and let the rosy fragrance waft in. It was refreshing, a little delight to start my morning. I closed the door behind me and walked down the hallway to the end room.I knocked on the door. Erisha had visited me this morning to chat and promised me a horseback riding lesson soon. If Julius didn’t approve of the idea, I’d be riding a horse right now just to escape my overthinking.“Is that you, Lina? What’
Julius POVI gritted my teeth and swallowed hard against a rising tide of anger. I had to know who that man was and why he was here. Why did he call Cassa Havina his wife? Was he out of his mind?My wolf stirred, sensing the man’s aura, and I caught a glimpse of his wolf through my eyes. Then it warned me not to engage, leaving me with a nagging question that went unanswered. Did Fergan know this guy? Why let him pass the border? Had he done something to one of my pack warriors? I needed to get to the bottom of this, but I couldn’t shake the worry for Cassa. What if that man came back for her? He spoke with such conviction that she was Havina.I glanced at Cassa walking ahead, lost in thought. I knew she was replaying that man’s words in her mind. We were close to the Manor now, and a few servants were outside, cleaning the front. “Are you leaving now?” she asked, looking back at me, concern etched on her face. “Can you stay?”“Yes, I will stay.” I clenched my fists, wanting nothing
Cassa’s POV"It's a dangerous horse. Do you want to get yourself killed?" Julius's voice deepened as he swiftly pulled me away from the imposing stallion.Erisha approached us, her brows furrowed in concern. "What happened?" she asked, her gaze shifting between me and her brother."She was about to touch Brody. He's a dangerous horse, especially to those who haven't tamed him," Julius explained sternly, casting a disapproving look my way.Erisha's mouth fell open as she glanced at Brody. "He's right, Issa. Brody is dangerous. No one should get close to him. He's killed people before, and we've barely managed to keep him under control. It's strictly forbidden to approach him."Julius realized he had gripped my wrist too tightly, and I winced slightly. "Sorry," he muttered, releasing his hold. My hand, clutching the camera tightly, relaxed with relief that it hadn't slipped from my grasp and broken.Feeling Julius's gaze burning into me, I took a deep breath before speaking, cheeks flus
Cassa’s POV "Oh, you big jackass, you made it!" Erisha chimed with a wide grin, slipping her arms away from mine to embrace the man."Evalyn mentioned Julius's fiancée would be arriving today, so I came to see who this woman is," he replied, smiling as he returned Erisha's hug.I stood there, watching them both, unsure of what to say as they separated."Forgive my manners," Erisha muttered, looping her arm back through mine. "Cassa, the man standing before you is my brother's best friend, Anson Avera. He's a vampire."My eyes widened, and my jaw slackened in disbelief. "Vampires exist?" I murmured incredulously.Anson chuckled softly, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh yes, we don't just exist in legends and books. We are very real, Miss Hansen."My heart skipped a beat as he leaned closer, his fangs glistening in the light, his hand brushing against my neck as he sniffed me. I froze in place, my chest tightening with a coldness that enveloped me."Stop that, Anson! You're scaring he
Cassa’s POV I closed my eyes tightly, biting the inside of my cheek, tasting the ironic tang of my blood. A week had passed, and I hadn't seen him since that day. I remembered how the light in his gray eyes dimmed, turning dark, his expression stern and pinched as he looked at me. Desire had evaporated, replaced by a coldness I could feel in that moment. I moved away from him, avoiding his gaze, trying to compose myself. Heavy footsteps reverberated as he stormed out and slammed the door hard. I winced. He was angry at my rejection of what we had almost done, but why did it sting me? It should have brought relief. Breathing in the cold morning air, hands gripping the window sill, I stared out at the vast garden of Montalvo Manor. I had been here once before when I was very young, memories vague, my gaze settling on the rose section of the garden where I had been yesterday with Erish. Erish, the third daughter of the Montalvo family, and we were the same age. At first, I thought she
Cassa’s POVI gripped the glass in my hand, blinked away my tears, and drained its contents. I wouldn't cry—they didn't deserve my tears, I told myself firmly.My grandparents had left after lunch, and though I tried to eat, a knot of sickness, coldness, and anger tightened in my stomach. I pretended I was fine, but the truth was the opposite.All my things had been moved from the Mayor's house. Not a single item truly belonged to me, and the promised talk with Julius never happened. He left me in this house with his parents.His mother had given me a tour of the house, steering me away from the sharp stare of her husband. We talked like normal people, but the heaviness in my heart grew with every step. Exhausted, I apologized to her and said I needed to rest. As soon as my body touched the bed, I fell into a deep sleep.When I awoke, the Mayor was in my room, closing the door behind him. A cold glass sat on the nightstand.I sat up, placing the empty glass back. Julius was sitting acr
Cassa’s POVThe manor had an ancient exterior, but inside, it was a classic interior design, making me feel like I had been transported to the late 1500s. Julius was at my side, guiding me to the room on the left. As we passed the front lobby, I admired the large French window on the second floor that allowed light to flood in. My eyes were captivated by the chandelier hanging above the living room, its detailed artwork wrapped in gold. Was it real gold?Was my grandpa is here?Paintings adorned the walls, depicting what I assumed were their ancestors. How long had they lived in this world? It was fascinating, and I realized I had never asked that question before."It's beautiful," I muttered, gazing around in awe. Julius's warm hand clutched my arm, stopping me just as I almost walked into a door."You are bewitched by its beauty and didn't realize the door," he said in a low, deep tone, his eyes narrowing."Surely," I beamed. "I've never been in a house like this. It's amazing that
Cassa’s POVI was in a trance, sitting at the pool's edge, feeling the cool water on my feet. Evalyn had left me to find her brother, and that worried me. Where was he?The word my grandfather had said kept repeating in my mind. Was it good news or bad news for me? I didn't know what I was feeling, but fear was one of the emotions—fear for myself and for this town.Who had spread such rumors? Out of all the possible sources, it had to be them. My palm rested on my forehead, and I felt a headache coming on. I had been thinking about it for far too long.Realizing it was almost night, I knew I needed to talk to Julius. My mind drifted to him answering his phone with an angry reaction. Was he talking to my grandfather? But why hadn't he told me?He had left so suddenly after arriving at his house, without saying anything. In haste, like he was running away. He was adding to my worries.I felt heavy footsteps approaching from behind, so I turned my head. It was the Mayor, with messy hair
Cassa's POVIt had been a week, and I tried my best to feel comfortable around him like I did before. But my mind was in chaos, struggling to erase that kiss from my thoughts. We had just returned to the office from a meeting held in advance with some County Executivess. The event for the senior citizens next month was taking a lot of preparation.It was tiring to keep standing, giving files to each member, handing out snacks. I wouldn't have done it, but the Mayor ordered me to. Just as I was about to sit down at the table, the door opened and the Mayor entered, a file organizer in his arm."You need to type these documents. I need them later," he said.My feet and legs were aching, but I stood up, taking the box from him. As my fingers brushed his hand, my heart suddenly raced. I tried not to flinch, feeling that strange current pass through me every time I touched any part of him."Okay," I answered, my smile straining my jaw and cheeks. I had been smiling for half the day.I placed