April’s POV
Cassius showing up at the bar had already become a routine, but tonight, something was different. He came in early-too early for his usual drink-and instead of his brooding stares, he carried a gift box tucked under his arm.
I eyed him warily from behind the counter as he approached. “What now?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Now,” he said, placing the box in front of me, “you open this.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m working.”
“Not anymore,” he replied smugly, gesturing toward Dave, who was conveniently already waving me off from the back.
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” I muttered, untying my apron. Cassius just grinned.
I opened the box to find a pair of boots. They weren’t overly fancy, but they were sturdy, sleek, and looked like they could handle just about anything. My old pair was on its last legs, and somehow, he’d noticed.
That was so sweet, and he noticed the little things.
“Practical,” I said, holding them up. Trying to conceal my excitement.
“You look like someone who appreciates practicality,” he replied, leaning against the counter. “Put them on. We’re going for a walk.”
He was taking the initiative, and I really liked it.
—
The night air was crisp as we stepped out. Cassius’s presence beside me was solid and steady, though I kept a careful distance. The new boots felt like clouds under my feet, but I didn’t say a word about that. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.
“Why the boots?” I asked as we walked down a quiet street.
“Because the last time I saw yours, the soles were falling apart,” he said. “And because I wanted an excuse to get you out of there.”
Even though I was embarrassed, I liked that he saw a problem and provided the solution.
“Right. Because flowers and awkward conversations weren’t enough.”
He chuckled, his deep voice breaking the silence. “I’ll take awkward over silence any day. Besides, I’m not just here to talk, April. I’m here to figure you out.”
Gulp.
The words sent a shiver down my spine-not because they were threatening, but because they felt… sincere. Too sincere.
“And why would you want to do that?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.
He paused, his gaze shifting to the moon above us. “Because there’s something about you I can’t shake. Something that makes me want to keep coming back, even when you make it clear I shouldn’t.”
I stopped walking, turning to face him. “Maybe you should listen to that,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended.
“And maybe,” he said, stepping closer, “you should tell me why you’re so determined to push me away.”
His closeness made it hard to think. I took a step back, crossing my arms. “Because I’ve been here before, Cassius. I’ve let people in. And every time, it’s ended the same way.”
“Well, I am not ‘people and every time,'” he said, his tone steady but firm.
“Maybe not,” I admitted, glancing away. “But you haven’t exactly given me a reason to believe otherwise.”
I know I was being mean, but I could not help it.
For a moment, we stood in silence, the tension between us stretching thin. And then, to my surprise, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tin of mints.
“What are you doing?” I asked, frowning.
“Winning you over, one ridiculous gesture at a time,” he said, popping a mint into his mouth and holding the tin out to me.
I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re stubborn,” he shot back with a grin.
He was so right.
—
We ended up on a winding path that led to a clearing overlooking the town. The view was breathtaking, the lights below twinkling like stars, but it was the man beside me who held my attention.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said softly, breaking the quiet.
“I did,” he replied, his voice just as soft. “Because I wanted to. And because I want to know you, April. The real you.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over me. “You might not like what you find.”
“Let me decide that,” he said, his gaze steady and unwavering.
For a moment, I thought about telling him the truth. About who I was-what I was and that I am on the run in case my demented ex-mate is looking for me. Did I forget to say that I am a rogue? Imagine telling an Alpha that you are a rogue. Absolutely crazy.
The fear of rejection, of seeing him look at me differently, kept the words locked inside.
Instead, I said, “What about you, Cassius? You keep showing up, but you never talk about yourself. What are you hiding?”
He hesitated, the confidence in his expression faltering just enough for me to notice. “Everyone has secrets,” he said finally. “But some are better left buried.”
“Fair enough,” I replied, though his answer left me more curious than ever.
I can’t lie; I was intrigued by his aura of mystery.
“So am I,” Snow said, and I could feel her smiling.
Somehow, that freaked me out even more because she had never reacted this way before.
The walk back to the bar was quieter, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. When we reached the door, Cassius stopped, his hand lingering on the handle.
“Thank you,” I said, surprising myself with the sincerity in my voice.
He smiled a real smile this time. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And just like that, he was gone, leaving me standing there with a pair of boots and a head full of questions.