Chapter 7

CASSIE'S POV 

My heart raced as I waited for the man who would save me from my predicament.

"I am the so-called lover you all are requesting for!" The baritone voice announced, and the hall fell silent as everyone turned around to find the source of the voice. 

 I scanned the room filled with influential pack members and familiar faces until my gaze landed on Asher, the man who had saved me from the lecherous omega just days ago.

"Impossible! How could it be him?" I mumbled, biting my lips anxiously. 

 My cheeks flushed as I remembered our passionate night together, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and confusion.

Asher approached me with confidence and grace, a smile playing on his lips as he addressed the crowd. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to announce that Cassie is my chosen mate," he declared, sending murmurs and gasps through the room.

My stepmother, Mila, stormed towards us, her face contorted with rage. 

"Who do you think you are? You're just an ordinary man trying to get your hands on our pack's wealth!" she hissed, glaring daggers at Asher.

I felt a wave of gratitude towards Asher for standing up to Mila, but before I could thank him, Alex stepped forward, his brow furrowed in confusion. 

"Asher, what the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, the tension between the two of them was palpable in the air.

As Asher and I exchanged glances, everything felt confusing, and I kept wondering how they knew each other.

My mind raced with the implications of this revelation, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for sleeping with someone that probably wants to use me for revenge against Alex since their relationship doesn't seem so pleasant. 

If I find out he planned all of this, I will make sure to kill him and kill myself too! I thought, folding my fist in anger. 

I turned to stare at Asher, hoping for an explanation, but all he did was send a wink my way, and my cheeks turned crimson red.

" Pervert!" I mumbled, using my hair to cover my face to make it less obvious that I was blushing.

Ignoring Alex's question, Asher turned to Mila and offered a sarcastic toast. 

"To the conniving stepmother who thought she could manipulate our family for her own gain."

Mila's face reddened with fury as she pointed an accusatory finger at Asher. 

"You have no right to speak to me like that! You're just a lowly-"

"A lowly what, Mila?" Asher interrupted, his voice cold and commanding. 

"I believe you're the one who has no place in this family. Not when you've done nothing but scheme and manipulate us all." He leaned closer to Mila, whispering in her ear.

For the first time in years, I watched Mila lose control of her fake and polished character as she raced her hand to hit Asher across the face.

"Oh wow, look, everyone. I said it that my stepmother doesn't want me to get married to my chosen mate. Instead, she wants to get me entangled with the one she chose herself!" I spoke in a loud voice deliberately, hoping to gain the crowd's affection.

And sure enough, everyone began whispering and pointing at her with a disgusted look on their faces.

Mila stood there like a drenched cat, clenching her fist in anger, and I had a happy smile on my face.

Alex, who had been observing the heated exchange between Asher and Mila, finally spoke up.

"Asher, we need to talk. Outside, now!" He ordered, and Asher frowned. He was about to react, but I held his hand and shook my head negatively to stop him from creating a scene. 

I felt his tense body calm down as I touched him, and it felt weird.

He bent towards me to peck me on my lips.

"I'd be right back," he whispered hoarsely, and my cheeks turned crimson red.

I swear I had never blushed the way I'm blushing at this moment all my life.

What in the name of the moon goddess is wrong with this man? I thought, clearing my throat to ease the atmosphere. 

"He is probably keeping up with the image of being my fake boyfriend!" I mumbled to myself.

As the two men left the hall, I could feel the weight of the tension they carried with them. 

My emotions were a jumbled mess as I struggled to process the events that had unfolded.

The hatred between Asher and Alex was a sharp contrast to the carefree and tender side I had seen in Asher, and I couldn't help but wonder what their relationship was and the cause of the hatred they had for themselves. 

Left alone with Mila, I braced myself for her wrath.

 But to my surprise, she merely stared at me with a mixture of disdain and disappointment.

"You've chosen the wrong brother, Cassie. Mark my words, and this decision will haunt you for the rest of your life."

"Brother?" I questioned silently, but she heard me.

"Oh, little lover girl doesn't know that her so-called chosen mate is Alex's brother!" She revealed, laughing sarcastically, and I froze. 

Everything sounded distant at this moment with my heart beat racing at the revelation that had just occurred. 

"How do you know he is Alex's brother?" I asked.

" Why don't you throw the question at your chosen mate when he is back." She replied.

I stood my ground, refusing to let Mila intimidate me any longer.

 "I've made my choice, and I stand by it" I said, my voice trembling with a newfound courage.

As the engagement party continued, I couldn't help but feel as though my life had become infinitely more complicated.

My feelings for both Asher and Alex were a tangled mess, and I knew I would need to confront Asher sooner or later. 

But for now, I took solace in the fact that I had bought myself some time and the freedom to navigate the turbulent waters of my newfound relationship.