62

April’s POV
The night was winding down, the bar nearly empty, and the dim lights flickered as I wiped down the counter. A few regulars had already filtered out, leaving me with just the soft hum of the jukebox and the sound of clinking glassware. I was ready to close up when the door opened, and I looked up, expecting another late straggler.
Instead, I was met with Cassius, his tall frame filling the doorway. His dark eyes met mine, and the faintest smile tugged at his lips.
“Late night?” he asked, taking a step inside.
I leaned against the counter, a grin forming on my lips. “You know me. I’m used to it.”
He chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the nearly empty bar. “I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”
“You could say that,” I replied, giving him a mock tired look. “But it’s about to get better now that you’re here.”
Cassius raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh really? What makes you think that?”
I gave him a playful look, leaning in just a little closer. “Because I’m about to close up, and you’re just in time for the after-party,” I said with a wink.
He grinned, stepping toward me with that confident stride I’d come to recognize. “Well, I’m always down for a little fun.” His hand brushed against my arm as he leaned in, planting a kiss on my cheek. The familiar warmth of his touch sent a ripple of comfort through me.
I couldn’t help but smile as I met his gaze. “And what makes you think you’re invited to my after-party?”
“Because,” he said, his voice dropping a little, “I think you’re ready for something more than just closing up.” He gave me a mischievous look. “How about you join me for the night?”
I couldn’t resist a laugh at his directness. “What makes you think I have the time?”
Cassius shrugged, his smirk widening. “I’m pretty sure you can make time. Besides, I think you’d have fun.”
I eyed him for a moment, pretending to deliberate. But truthfully, the idea of spending more time with him, away from the usual chaos of the bar, was tempting. And besides, the night was still young.
“Who is this, and what have you done with my human half?” Snow mocks, and of course, I ignore her.
“Alright,” I finally said with a small smile. “I’ll join you. But you owe me dinner.”
“Deal,” he replied, a smile tugging at his lips. “And I’ll make sure to treat you to something special.”
He reached for my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I didn’t argue. There was something about the way he made me feel that pushed any hesitation aside.
We walked toward the door, and before we stepped out, I couldn’t resist leaning in for a quick kiss. It was soft, lingering for just a moment before I pulled back.
“Let’s go,” I said, my voice lighter now.
Cassius gave me a knowing smile, his hand still wrapped around mine as we stepped into the night.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice cutting through the silence.
“To the forest,” Cassius replied, glancing over his shoulder at me. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while.”
The forest. That was all he said. No explanation, no further details. A part of me wanted to turn back-to stay where I felt safe, where I could control the narrative. But another part of me, the part I didn’t recognize anymore, felt an odd pull toward him, toward whatever it was he wanted to show me.
The walk through the forest was quiet except for the occasional crunch of leaves beneath our feet. Cassius led the way, his broad back cutting through the moonlight that filtered down from the canopy above. I followed a step behind, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, more from nerves than from the cold.
I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to feel-anxious, curious, maybe a little annoyed that I’d agreed to this in the first place. All I knew was that my guard was firmly in place, even if, deep down, I was fighting the smallest flicker of curiosity about what lay ahead.
“This way,” Cassius said, glancing over his shoulder.
His tone was calm, but there was a confidence in it that set me on edge. He seemed so sure of himself, so at ease in this space, while I felt like I was walking into something far bigger than myself.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going, or are you planning to keep me in suspense?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he said, his lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile.
I rolled my eyes, but I kept walking. There was no point in pressing him; he’d tell me when he was ready-or not at all.
We walked in silence for a while, the path gradually becoming more secluded as we veered further from the town’s lights. The only sounds were the crunch of leaves beneath our feet and the distant rustle of branches overhead. The air grew thicker, and the forest felt alive around us.
The further we walked, the more my nerves seemed to quiet. Maybe it was the way Cassius moved so confidently like he belonged here. Maybe it was the fact that I had no idea what to expect and that uncertainty made everything feel more intense. Or maybe it was being here with nature; I missed running through the forest, and I know Snow missed it, too.
“Now that Cassius knows about us, could you ask him to bring us here again for a run?” Snow asked.
“Of course I will,” I say, smiling.
What the fuck was happening to me? Why did the thought of running with Cassius and his wolf excite me and put a real smile on my face?
“You have got it bad for the Alpha sweet human, “Snow chimed.
I knew there was no point in denying it; she was absolutely right.
Somehow, somewhere, the Alpha had clawed his way gently into my heart, piece by piece, with a tenderness I didn’t expect.
Fuck, I was a goner!
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Cassius stopped and turned to face me. “We’re almost there,” he said quietly, his tone serious. “I need you to trust me.”
Trust. The word hung in the air like a heavyweight. My chest tightened at the thought. I’d learned a long time ago not to trust anyone, not fully. But there was something in his eyes-something I couldn’t name-that made me reconsider.
“I trust you,” I found myself saying before I could second-guess myself.
Cassius looked at me surprised and nodded slightly, his gaze softening. “Good,” he murmured and then turned back toward the path ahead.
We walked for a few more minutes before the trees opened up, revealing a clearing bathed in the soft glow of the moon. At the center of the clearing was a large bonfire crackling brightly, sending sparks into the air. Around it, a handful of people stood, talking in low voices, their faces illuminated by the fire’s glow.
I froze, my heart racing. What was this? This wasn’t what I expected, not by a long shot. I looked at Cassius, confused. He simply smiled.
“Welcome,” he said quietly. “This is where we unwind. Where we come together.”
“What is this?” I whispered, taken aback by the scene. The warmth of the fire contrasted sharply with the chill of the air, and I felt an unexpected rush of emotion-a sense of longing, maybe, or maybe something else.
“This is my pack,” Cassius said simply.