Chapter 9

Cassie's POV

As Mila and Alex turned to leave, Mila shot me a smirk over her shoulder. 

"Don't think you're off the hook, Cassie," she said, her voice dripping with venom. 

"The engagement is still happening, and there's no running away from it."

I watched as they disappeared through the doorway, my heart sinking at the reminder of the looming engagement. 

Just as I was about to sink into despair, I felt Asher's gaze on me, his expression cool and unreadable.

Frustrated and desperate for answers, I confronted him. 

"Why did you sleep with me when you knew you were Alex's brother?" I demanded, my voice trembling with emotion.

Asher remained silent, his face stony and impassive. He turned to walk away, but I grabbed his arm, my anger fueling my determination to get answers.

 I tried to pull him back, but his weight caused me to lose my balance. 

Before I could hit the ground, Asher's strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close against his chest.

I could feel my cheeks warming with a blush, my body acutely aware of his proximity. 

His breath tickled my ear as he spoke, his voice laced with sarcasm.

 "Are you planning on staying in my arms forever, or can I let you go now?"

Embarrassed and flustered, I cleared my throat and straightened up, putting some distance between us.

 "I-I'm fine," I stammered, trying to regain my composure.

Asher raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing.

 "Good. Now, if you're done interrogating me, I have more important matters to attend to."

I watched as he turned to leave, his cold demeanour a stark contrast to the warmth I had felt in his embrace. 

Feeling a mixture of apprehension and resignation, I made my way back to the podium where the engagement ritual was set to take place.

 As I took my position beside Asher, the solemnity of the occasion weighed heavily on my shoulders.

The High Priestess, Adora, stood before us, her voice ringing out in the silent hall.

"Under the light of the Moon Goddess, we gather to witness the union of two souls," she intoned, her eyes shining with a mystical light. 

"Asher and Cassie, you will now perform the Rite of the Lunar Bond, forging an unbreakable connection between your hearts and souls."

With trembling hands, I followed Luna Adora's instructions, exchanging sacred vows with Asher as we each lit a candle representing our union.

 As the flames merged, a surge of energy coursed through me, sealing our fates together in a bond that could never be broken.

Something deep in my mind kept bothering me that Asher didn't pretend and take these sacred vows with me just because of a one night mistake.

I have a feeling that Asher's intentions ran deeper than I could have imagined, his true purpose hidden behind his emotionless facade.

What exactly did he want from me? 

After the ceremony, Asher and I walked around the hall, exchanging pleasantries with various dignitaries, including the Alpha of the neighboring Blackwood Pack, Gabriel, and his Luna, Evelyn, as well as the influential Elder Council members, such as Aurora and Orion.

As we made our rounds, Asher kept his arm wrapped possessively around my waist, a constant reminder of our newfound bond.

 Despite the politeness of our conversations, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if there was something more lurking beneath the surface.

"So, how does it feel to be bonded to the infamous little princess.?" Gabriel asked with a hint of amusement, his gaze shifting between Asher and me.

Alpha Gabriel had always had his eyes on me since we met during a festival held in his pack.

He stared at me, literally eye fucking me without caring that his Luna was standing beside him.

Asher's grip tightened slightly around my waist, as he replied coolly,

 "I couldn't be happier with our union."

"That's good, hope to meet you some other time princess." Alpha Gabriel whispered, stretching out his palm for a handshake but Asher took it instead, causing him to frown as his Luna laughed nervously to ease the atmosphere. 

I could see the sad and disappointed look on her face, but I feel that she doesn't have any say in her marriage. 

What a waste of time and my entire life to marry such a disgusting and irritating man. I would rather hang myself! I thought, trying to control my irritation towards Alpha Gabriel. 

After all, he was a guest, and it won't do the pack any good to treat him in a bad way.

My father is down now, and I wouldn't want to cause him anymore trouble. 

I forced a smile, trying to ignore the tension that seemed to radiate from Asher.

 As we continued our interactions with the esteemed guests, I couldn't shake the feeling that our engagement was merely the beginning of a much more complex and mysterious journey.

*********

The engagement party soon came to an end, and I stood at the centre of the hall, frantically searching for Asher.

He had slipped away when I was not looking, and I have been looking for him ever since.

It clicked in my mind that there was one place I hadn't checked yet, and I dashed towards the veranda of the pack house.

There, I found him leaning against the wall, a cigarette in his mouth as he took in puffs.

"What do you want?" He asked without turning to look at me, and I gasped in surprise.

"Um, you are yet to give me answers, and I'm here for that," I replied, staring at the ground anxiously. 

"Why do you want to know if I'm using you so bad? What if I am? What do you plan to do about it?" He questioned, and I took in a deep breath. 

"If you are, this will be the last time we meet. I have been plotted and skimmed against all my life. I just want some peace and happiness for myself."

He said nothing as if I was speaking to a wall but I continued.

"That isn't too much to ask, I don't want to be with anyone that just wants to stick to me because of the benefits," I responded, and he chuckled in his deep voice.

His chuckles sent shivers down my spine, and I blushed hard.

"Don't worry, I do not have any plans of using you. You do not have any benefits I need." He replied coldly, and I sucked in a sharp breath. 

His words hurt!

Why does it hurt? Was I hoping for him to use me? I thought, stubbornly wiping the tears that had laced in my eyes.

"That's good, I hope we also stay out of each other's business, thanks." I retorted sharply, walking away.

It's ok for us to be strangers. At least, it will save each of us from hurting each other!