Chapters 4

Cassie's POV

As dawn broke, I awoke to find Asher still asleep beside me with his arms wrapped around me.

I removed his arm and tried to get up but I felt excruciating pain and I groaned. 

'He knew it was my first time and he didn't take it easy with me! Horny bastard!' I cursed in my mind as I pulled myself up.

Guilt and shame washed over me as I realized what had transpired.

I scribbled a hasty note, leaving a sum of money on the table before slipping away, the memories of our passionate encounter lingering in my mind.

As I stepped into the house, I immediately sensed my so- called stepmother's presence. 

Mila had never been my biggest fan, and our relationship had only worsened after my father, the pack's Alpha, fell into a coma a month ago. 

I braced myself for the confrontation I knew was coming.

"So, how was your little date with the omega?" Mila asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

I clenched my fists, trying to control my anger. 

"It was you! You set me up!" I said, tears threatening to fall but I held it in.

"Of course it was me, which other enemy do you have in this pack aside me?" She questioned sarcastically, not even pretending to hide her evil deeds.

"How could you do this to me? Where is your conscience?" I retorted and all she did was chuckle darkly.

"There's no conscience when it comes to power, little girl!" She replied with a smirk.

"So tell me, how was it? I was kind enough to set you up with a slightly handsome, disease free omega. I mean, you're both omegas so that shouldn't be a problem." She muttered, her eyes glinting evilly.

I stared at her and shook my head at the thought of my father never waking up and she having to take over.

She would make life hell for everyone!

She is just like her pathetic father, hungry for power. 

"It was awful, just like I knew it would be," I spat, glaring at her.

"Well, that's too bad," she said, smirking. 

"But you'll have to get used to it. I've already made arrangements for your engagement."

"What the hell? You have no fucking right to meddle in my business!" I barked at her and she frowned. 

"Well technically, I am your father's wife which means I am the only mother figure in your life. I have the right to decide for my stepdaughter, especially issues concerning your future," she said with a smug look on her face.

"That's a pathetic excuse to ruin my life and just to let you know, I will never agree to any of your plans." I responded about walking away when she pulled me back.

"Well, you do not have a choice young lady, you wouldn't want the news of you whoring around last night to spread around the pack? What will people say about you?" She leaned closer to me, whispering in my ear and my body felt numb. 

"You wouldn't dare!" 

"Why wouldn't I? Try me and see if I will dare to spread rumours about you." She replied with a smirk and my shoulders fell in defeat.

Fury boiled inside me, but I knew better than to provoke her further.

 Instead, I gritted my teeth and stormed up to my room, slamming the door behind me.

Alone in my room, I sank to the floor, tears threatening to spill. 

I thought about my father, the powerful Alpha who was now lying helpless in a hospital bed. 

If only he were here, things would be different. He would never have forced me into a loveless engagement with some random omega.

Even if he never considered me his heir, at least he didn't treat me bad. He was always there for me when my mother was alive.

Everything changed when she died, I wish she took me along with her instead of enduring this cruel world.

"Why did you leave me behind to suffer mom? Why didn't you take me with you? 

Why didn't you cheat death so you could stay with me?" I mumbled, crying my heart out as I reminisced about the lovely past I had with my parents before my Mom died.

How she taught me to be strong and always fight for myself, how she taught me honesty above all things.

How she giggled whenever my dad sneaks up on her.

"I miss you mom, I really do" I muttered, pulling my legs closer to my chest.

I was about to doze off when a knock sounded at my door. 

"Who is there? " I asked, not bothering to stand up from my position. 

"Forgive me my princess, I was told to inform you of your engagement party which will be held in seven days time." The maid announced and I sucked in a deep breath.

"OK, thanks," I mumbled and I heard her walking away. 

Wiping my tears, I knew I had to take matters into my own hands. I needed someone to pose as my boyfriend for the engagement party.

Mila thought I had sex with that omega and she is trying to set me up with him but what is even worse is that I don't know the identity of the man I slept with that night, so I must fix this mess quickly.

I quickly posted an online ad, desperately hoping that someone would respond. 

"Urgent need of a boyfriend for hire, payment will be discussed later!"

Days went by with no luck, and I could feel time slipping away.

"I really hope someone will come to my rescue. Moon goddess, I really need your help with this" I prayed silently on the fifth day after not getting any response. 

On the sixth day, I checked to see if I got lucky but I was devastated to see that I didn't receive any message. 

"Why isn't anyone responding? People usually rush into my dm whenever I make a post." I mumbled in frustration, It was like the whole universe was against me.

A few hours to the engagement party, just when I was about to give up hope, a message appeared in my inbox. 

Someone had responded, agreeing to be my fake boyfriend.

 Relieved and hopeful, I described the situation and the location for the party, there was no time to meet up with the person as the engagement was in five hours.

With a flicker of determination, I knew I had to make this plan work.

 My happiness depended on it!.