"Oh yeah?" I barked. "Because I'm naked, right? Perfect excuse for trapping me like some zoo exhibit!"
My voice bounced off the walls, thick with rage and humiliation. My thoughts turned sharp, dangerous.
"Was it Cassian?" I asked, turning slowly to look at her, eyes narrowing. "Did Alpha Cassian ask you to do this? To record me?"
It had to be him. Only he would stoop to something so invasive, so twisted.
Sophia dropped her gaze but didn't flinch. "Yes, young master. Alpha Cassian couldn't be here to witness your bath himself as he had important duties to attend to. But he wanted… to have a video of your nakedness. For himself."
She said it as if it made sense. As if her words were logical.
As if that wasn't one of the most deranged things I had ever heard.
I blinked.
Then exhaled sharply through gritted teeth as I murmured to myself. "That motherfucker is one hell of a load to deal with…"
I didn't waste another second. Without saying a word, I stormed back to where my clothes had been laid out and dressed as quickly as I could. The outfit I had selected earlier clung to my skin, still slightly damp from the bath, but I didn't care.
I tugged on the white shirt, buttoned the vest with shaking fingers, and stepped into my sneakers. Every movement was mechanical. Controlled. Barely containing the storm inside me.
Once I was fully dressed, I turned back toward Sophia. "Open the damn door," I growled. "I have some things I need to discuss with Alpha Cassian."
Sophia didn't argue. Her expression was unreadable as she stepped forward and unlatched the lock.
Without waiting for her or anyone else, I stormed out of the room, my footsteps echoing through the wide corridor. I tore down the stairs like a man possessed, through the ornate hallways, out into the luxurious living room. Every inch of this mansion oozed elegance, wealth, power but all of it felt hollow right now.
Only then, when I reached the grand foyer, did it hit me, I had no idea where Cassian actually was.
"Shit!" I hissed under my breath, spinning in place.
Why hadn't I asked Sophia where to find him? Why wasn't she following me now?
She's my maid, isn't she? Shouldn't she have come with me?
Unless… this is a trap. Another one.
My skin prickled with unease.
And even worse, what was I going to say to Cassian when I did find him?
March up to him? Demand answers?
Wouldn't that just feed into whatever twisted fantasy he was building? Me storming in, flushed and fuming, looking this good, practically begging for him to fuck me…
Hell no.
Especially not when I looked like this, flushed from the bath, skin glowing, hair curled and shimmering from whatever ridiculous cream they used. And worked up like this? He'd think I was healed, that my libido was returning.
No.
No matter how furious I am, I have to be careful. Strategic. One wrong move and I'd end up giving Cassian exactly what he wanted.
I need to think before I act.
But my hands were still clenched into fists.
My jaw still tight.
My blood still boiling.
Those five bastards want to claim me but I can't allow that. I need to win them over soon, have them at the grasp of my finger, make them give up trying to claim me.
"This might be harder than I thought." I finally said, my hands placed on my waist as I heaved a heavy sigh.
Still… now that I'm already here, there's no harm in walking around a little, is there? I need some fresh air.
I murmured the words under my breath as I slowly ventured farther into the mansion. My steps eventually drew me toward what appeared to be the garden, lured in by the bright, vibrant flowers practically calling out to me like they had a voice of their own.
The moment I stepped near, several servants tending to the greenery bowed their heads in silent respect, stepping aside to let me through. I didn't acknowledge them. My focus had shifted to the burst of color ahead, the scent of fresh blossoms in the air.
I reached the entrance to the garden, brushing my fingers along the vines curling around the archway. Then I stepped inside.
That's when I saw him.
A young man stood at the center of the garden, bathed in golden sunlight. His back was to me, but that golden-blond hair, messy, almost too perfect and the confident way he held himself could only belong to one person.
Cassian.
He had changed his outfit and was now dressed casually, in paint-stained clothes, standing before a canvas set up on a wooden easel. His hand moved deftly across the board, bringing to life a set of butterflies so detailed they looked ready to flutter off the page.
I didn't know he could paint. Honestly? He was… good. Really good.
But there wasn't time to admire his talent. If he saw me, he'd corner me again. I couldn't risk being stuck alone with that horny fool, not when he was probably already plotting new ways to torment me.
I turned on my heel to leave but my foot hit something metallic.
A loud clatter echoed through the garden.
Shit!
I froze.
"Hey?" a voice called out behind me.
I winced.
But something was off.
His voice, it sounded… softer. Gentler. Almost concerned.
I turned around slowly, already scowling, doing my best to control the rage I'd been carrying.
And then I saw his face.
He was smiling at me, sweet and innocent, like someone who had never committed a single sin in his life. "You're…?" he asked, his head tilted slightly in curiosity.
"I am," I snapped, folding my arms across my chest. "And you've got some damn nerve."
I couldn't control my anger afterall.
"You look really handsome," he said, stepping forward with a warm smile.
"Oh, please," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Enough with the flattering nonsense. My voice rose with every word, anger bubbling up as I stepped toward him. "Tell me, did they already hand over the video to you? Did you enjoy watching it? Hmm? Did you end up masturbating to it?!"
"What?!" the man blurted out, his eyes wide with confusion. "What the hell are you talking about young man?"
I narrowed my gaze.
That face. That voice. That ridiculous expression of innocence.
"Oh yeah, let me guess," I sneered. "You're going to pretend it wasn't you. Classic. Was it one of your brothers, then? Or are you just trying to screw with my head?"
"Wait," he said, lifting a hand as if trying to calm me. "Did one of my brothers do that to you? Don't tell me...it was Cassian, wasn't it? Who doesn't know he keeps videos of every omega he's ever slept with on his phone? You're not the first. He's got a collection."
I froze.
Wait. What?
My brain stalled, tripping over itself.
He wasn't denying it as his own act. He was referring to Cassian like he was someone else.
I took a good, hard look at him. And for the first time, I noticed something that made my stomach twist.
Those weren't Cassian's eyes.
Cassian's were ocean blue, icy and sharp, with a hint of arrogance behind every glance.
This guy?
His eyes were round and golden, warm like honey, and completely lacking that usual smirk I'd come to loathe.
And his ears, slightly pointed at the top.
Elven-like.