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
Cassandra's POV The glass was inches from Alexander’s lips when Ethan, his beta, appeared beside our table. “Alpha Victor would like to speak to you,” he said, his eyes trained on Alexander.Rage began to boil inside of me, and I knew that I needed to come up with something fast, or my plan would be wrecked. Alexander started to lower the glass towards the table. In a split second of clumsiness, the glass slipped from his hand, spilling the dark wine across the table and onto the floor. The rich, dark liquid spread like a guilty stain, consuming the pristine surface. My heart stopped. I quickly masked my shock with a neutral expression, but inside, a storm of curses and panic swirled. Did he sense the strangeness in the wine? Was it a mere accident, or had he somehow known? “Damn it,” Alexander muttered, his eyes fixed on the spilt wine. The intensity in his gaze made my skin crawl, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he saw through my façade. I forced a light laugh, feigning casu
Alexander's POV The moment the dark wine spilled across the table, I knew I had to maintain my composure. Every interaction with Cassandra recently had been laced with suspicion, her every move calculated, her motives always hidden beneath a veneer of charm. I had hesitated allowing her into such close proximity, but I needed to gather conclusive evidence. Tonight, it seemed, was the climax of her duplicity. "Ethan," I ordered, not bothering to turn my head, "get the Elders here immediately." From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan bow slightly before he disappeared to execute my command. Cassandra’s grip around the glass tightened, and her face paled ever so slightly—a sure sign she was rattled. I caught her trying to edge away, but my hand shot out, grabbing her forearm. Rage simmered under my skin, threatening to break free. “Where do you think you’re going?” I demanded, my voice a low growl. Her eyes met mine, filled with a mix of defiance and fear. “Alexander, let me go,” sh
Cassandra's POV The chains clanked loudly as I was dragged forcibly, each metallic clatter echoing my growing despair. My wrists chafed painfully within their iron bindings, already raw from previous struggles. The guards' indifferent faces showed no sign of compassion as they flung me into the cell and slammed the door shut. "This is a mistake!" I screamed, my voice cracking. But my cries bounced off the cold stone walls unanswered. The hall on the other side of the bars fell silent except for the sound of footsteps retreating into the distance. I fell back against the grimy wall, sliding down until I was sitting on the cold floor. My pulse thrummed with anxiety as I closed my eyes and reached out through the bond that connected me to my mate. "Help me, please," I whispered into the tenuous link that tethered us together. But there was nothing—no comforting response, no warm reassurance. I was met with a void, a black hole where I should find solace. Panic clawed at my insides, b