Cassandra's POV As I stormed away from Olivia and Alexander, I allowed my mask of calm to slip, replaced by a scowl that twisted my features. I was seething with anger, a tight coil of rage that throbbed in my chest. Oliveless and her endless meddling made me want to scream. Every fibre of my being screamed for vengeance. Without wasting another moment, I closed my eyes and let my senses extend outward, seeking the familiar connection. **"Meet me where we always do. Now,"** I mind-linked my mate, my thoughts laced with urgency. Almost instantly, his voice resounded in my mind, **"I'm already waiting, Cass. Hurry."** I didn't need any further prompting. Storming through the dimly lit halls of the hotel, I rushed out into the night. The crisp air did little to cool my fury as I headed towards our clandestine meeting place. My steps were swift and purposeful, the shadows of the city passing in a blur. When I arrived at our meeting place, he was tall and dark, and his presence comman
Alexander’s POV It had been a few days since everything happened, and I spent as much time as I could watching over Olivia and the twins, too scared to take my eyes off them in case something happened to them. I still hadn’t had the chance to talk to Cassandra. I'd hardly seen her at all, and I knew that she wouldn’t be so stupid to do something right now, not when everyone was on high alert. I made my way to Victor's room. I had told him this morning that I needed to talk to him about something. He greeted us with an expression that bordered on relief and curiosity. "I need to talk to you, Victor," I said, trying to keep my voice steady while the power within me surged. Victor nodded, "Of course. What’s going on?" Walking into his room, I took a seat. "Something happened when Adam made me stab myself. The wounds should have killed me, but they didn’t. Instead, this symbol appeared," I said, holding up my hand for him to see. Victor stepped closer, eyes narrow with scrutiny. The
Alexanders povI spent the night lost in the pages of the book Victor had given me, desperate for answers. With just seven days until the full moon ceremony, each minute felt like sand slipping through an hourglass. Yet, as I set the book down and rubbed my tired eyes, my thoughts drifted back to Olivia. Time wasn't a promise, and every second wasted in uncertainty was a second I couldn't reclaim. But before I could truly offer my heart to Olivia, I needed to untangle the web of my past. I needed to end things with Cassandra.Years ago, I loved Cassandra with every fibre of my being. Even when I believed she was lost to me forever, my love for her lingered, a painful ghost. I loved her so fiercely that I was blind to her flaws and to the darkness she harboured. Her sudden return had sent my world spiralling—old memories and buried emotions surfaced, confusing me like a fog I couldn’t see through. But clarity struck me hard; what I felt now wasn't love. I couldn't ignore what my heart
Cassandra’s POV The air in the small room felt suffocating as I glared at my reflection in the mirror. The once cool and collected persona I wore around the others had long vanished, replaced by seething rage. My fingers trembled as they touched the cool glass, tracing the lines of my face. “What does that bitch have that I don't?” I muttered under my breath, my eyes hollow yet filled with an uncontainable fire. Just saying it made my blood boil. How could Alexander have picked Olivia over me? Olivia of all people! I had never truly wanted Alexander. Love had never been part of the equation; it was about power and control. Yet, the rejection stung worse than any other betrayal. It wasn't about love; it was about pride. This blow was unforgivable, and I couldn't stand the thought of that insipid girl being chosen over me. A new plan was required, but the very thought of Olivia's victory gnawed at my already frayed nerves. I felt a new wave of anger crashing over me, and before I c
Olivias povThe early morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room as I sat on the floor playing with Liam and Sarah. Their laughter was the sweetest melody, one that I wished could drown out the dissonant chords of my tangled life."Liam, stop stealing your sister's blocks!" I chided gently, my eyes crinkling in amusement as the twins continued to play. Sarah pouted, clutching her favourite purple block tightly while Liam, ever the mischievous one, gave me a toothy grin.A sudden knock on the door startled me, making my heart race a bit faster than usual. I patted the twins' heads, motioning for them to stay put, and then walked over to the door. As I opened it, my breath caught in my throat. Alexander stood there, his presence like a storm on the horizon—both captivating and dangerous."Good morning, Alexander," I greeted, managing a smile despite the whirlwind of emotions stirring within me. "The twins will be thrilled to see you."His eyes, a
Olivias povAlexander's unexpected visit left me feeling like I'd been swept up in a whirlwind—a blend of longing, confusion, and an unsettling sense of clarity. My mind was a tempest of emotions as I wrestled with the choices before me. Seeking guidance, I left the twins with their nanny and made my way to Lidia's quarters. Our relationship had always been complicated, but as of late, it had begun to slowly mend. As I entered her room, the familiar scent of lavender enveloped me, a calming aroma compared to the storm raging inside. Lidia was seated by the window, sorting through some papers. She looked up the moment I walked in, her eyes narrowing in a way that suggested she knew I was troubled. "Well, Olivia, it seems like a hurricane has passed through your soul. What happened? Did Alexander say something to you?" Lidia's perceptiveness was both a blessing and a curse, always cutting straight to the heart of the matter. But it was nice to see that she was turning to her old self
Cassandra povThe evening was deepening into shades of velvet twilight, the kind of darkness that wraps itself around you like a comforting shroud. I sat alone on the stone bench in our secret grove, absentmindedly tracing the ancient runes carved into the wood beside me. My mate was late again, and I couldn't ignore the bitter taste of worry mingling with my growing frustration. "Where is he?" I whispered into the night, feeling the weight of our troubles pressing down on my shoulders. Crickets chirped in a rhythmic symphony, their melody both calming and maddening in the silence that stretched endlessly. With each passing minute, my resolve wavered. Perhaps I should take matters into my own hands. Just as I was about to rise and leave, a rustling in the underbrush made my heart skip a beat. My mate emerged from the shadows, his normally proud stance slightly hunched. His dark eyes met mine, and I could see the weariness etched into his features."Cassandra, I'm sorry I'm late," h
Cassandras pov I watched Alexander all night, waiting for the perfect chance to get him to have a drink with me. My mate and I had come up with the perfect plan, one that couldn’t fail and would lead no suspicion back to me because we both would drink from the same bottle. Alexander stepped away from the people he was talking to, and I knew that this was my chance. Taking a deep breath, I made my way toward him, the silk of my gown whispering against the floor. I held the mandarin duck wine pot in my gloved hands, an invention of both elegance and deception. “Alexander,” I called my voice melodic yet laced with feigned innocence. He turned to look at me, irritation clear in his eyes. “What do you want, Cassandra?” “I was wondering if you might have one last drink with me for old times sake?” I said. He let out a loud sigh before turning away from me. “I made it clear to you, Cassandra, I want nothing more to do with you. My heart belongs to Olivia.” The mention of Olivia's name