Chapter 8

Asher's POV

The moment we stepped outside, Alex's anger became a palpable force, threatening to consume us both.

 He lunged at me, his fist flying through the air. But I had always been quick on my feet, and I dodged the attack with ease, watching as Alex stumbled and fell to the ground.

"How dare you show your face here after you got banished?" Alex spat, scrambling to his feet. His face was contorted with rage, his eyes burning with a hatred that had festered for years.

"I'm glad you remember me, brother," I replied, keeping my voice calm and controlled. 

"But I'm still a part of this family, whether you like it or not." I muttered with a smirk on my face.

"You gave up that right when you betrayed us all!" Alex roared, grabbing the front of my shirt in a white-knuckled grip.

I refused to let him see how his words affected me, maintaining a stoic expression as I coolly responded, 

"We both know what happened in the past, and you wouldn't want to bring that up today, will you?."

My indifference only served to further enrage him, and he pushed me against the wall, his face inches from mine.

 "Stay the fuck away from Cassie she is mine and mine alone!" He growled and my smirk widened. 

Just then, Cassie and Mila emerged from the house, their expressions a mixture of concern and confusion.

 The moment they arrived, Alex turned his anger on Cassie, his words laced with venom.

"You've been cheating on me this whole time, haven't you?" he accused, his voice filled with hurt and betrayal.

 "How could you pretend to be so innocent when you've been lying to me all along?"

Cassie scoffed, her eyes flashing with defiance.

 "You're one to talk, Alex. You were the one who betrayed me first, sleeping with the one person I hated most! my own stepmother!"

Mila's face paled, her gaze darting between Alex and Cassie as the truth was laid bare. 

"You don't accuse without evidence child! Where is your evidence of our affairs?" Mila asked, a smug look on her face.

"Yes, you have no evidence against me but I have one against you! How dare you accuse me of cheating when you did too?" Alex barked angrily and I watched Cassie's anger increase as she breathes heavily and fold her fist tight.

As the heated exchange continued, I watched with keen interest. 

Despite whatever Cassie's choice is tonight, I would do everything in my power to stick by her side as she is the only piece I need to solve the puzzle. 

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Cassie's POV

" I know you did this to take revenge on me Cassie, now it's done. Are you satisfied?" Alex barked, and I scoffed.

"I loved you, Alex," I said, my voice trembling with emotion.

"But you broke my trust and my heart when you chose to be with Mila."

He reached out to touch my face, but I recoiled, not wanting him to taint me with his touch. 

"Cassie, please," he begged, his voice cracking with desperation. 

"We can work through this. We can still be together."

I shook my head, tears finally spilling down my cheeks as I accepted the reality of our shattered relationship. 

"No, Alex. It's too late for that. You've shown me who you truly are, and I can never unsee it."

Alex's face paled as he processed my words, his gaze shifting between me and Mila in disbelief. 

In a desperate attempt to hold onto our shattered relationship, he grabbed my arm, pleading with me.

"No, Cassie, you're just angry with me," he insisted, his grip tightening around my wrist.

"You're trying to get revenge by making up these lies."

I felt a surge of anger and pain as I glared at him, his betrayal still raw and fresh in my mind.

"I'm not making up anything, Alex," I seethed, attempting to pull away from his grasp.

"I know you love me," he continued, ignoring my protests. "You'd never be with someone else, let alone my own brother."

His words only served to fuel my fury, and I managed to wrench my arm free before shoving him away. 

The sound of my slap echoed through the night as I hit him across the face, my voice trembling with emotion.

 "You're disgusting," I spat, tears threatening to spill. 

"How could you expect me to stay with you after I found out you cheated on me with my stepmother?" I demanded, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

As Alex reeled from the force of my slap, his cheek reddening, I knew that our relationship was beyond repair.

"I had always discussed my insecurities with you, thinking you were on my side. I was foolish to think you were someone I could trust Alex!" I continued, gritting my teeth.

His betrayal had shattered the trust between us, and I could never see him the same way again.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.

"I can't have you in my life anymore, Alex," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. 

"Please, just leave."

He stared at me in disbelief, and I looked away from him to avoid staring into those eyes.

Those eyes I once fell I love with.

As the weight of my words settled over the room, Mila stepped forward, her face twisted with contempt. 

"You ungrateful little brat," she hissed, her gaze trained on me. 

"You can't keep a man to save your life, now you're blaming me for it! Is it my fault you didn't satisfy him as he wanted?"

I flinched at her cruel words but refused to back down.

 "I'd rather be alone than be with someone who would betray me like Alex did," I retorted, my voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

Mila scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. 

"You think you're so much better than us, but you're just a spoiled little girl playing at being a woman." She mocked with cruel laughter. 

I felt the sting of her words but stood my ground, drawing strength from the knowledge that I had done nothing to deserve Alex's infidelity or Mila's cruelty.

"You can insult me all you want, Mila, but it doesn't change the fact that you both are conniving bitches! You cheated on my father, the alpha, while he is still alive."

As Alex watched the exchange between Mila and me with a pained expression, I knew that our relationship was truly over. I could never go back to the way things were, not after everything that had happened.

"You both deserve each other." 

"I want you both to leave," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my heart.