April’s POV
The morning melted into the afternoon, but neither of us moved from the couch. Cassius and I lay tangled together beneath the soft throw blanket, the muted sounds of the television playing in the background. Neither of us was really watching. His fingers lazily traced circles on my arm, his warmth pressed against me like a shield from the outside world.
I felt… safe. It was such a simple thing, yet so foreign to me. Safety had always been something I had to fight for, something I could never fully trust. And yet, here I was, wrapped in the arms of an Alpha, his steady presence making me feel like nothing could touch me.
I had a boyfriend.
The thought alone made my heart race, though not with fear. Cassius was nothing like Jake. Jake had been a cruel twist of fate-a mate who had rejected me, who had destroyed my family. But Cassius? He was a choice. My choice.
I shifted slightly, tilting my head up to look at him. His dark eyes flicked down to me, soft and warm in a way I wasn’t used to seeing.
“What?” he murmured, a lazy smile playing on his lips.
I swallowed, suddenly feeling too exposed. “Nothing. Just… thinking.”
“About?”
I hesitated, but this was Cassius. The man who had seen me at my lowest held me when I had no strength left. “How weird it is to have a boyfriend,” I admitted.
“Well, get used to it,” He said with a playful smile.
“Like… I’ve never had one before.” I admitted feeling myself getting shy for the first time ever.
His brows lifted slightly in surprise, but there was no mockery in his gaze. “Never?”
I shook my head. “Nope. You’re the first.”
Something flickered in his expression. It wasn’t pity-thank the Goddess. It was something deeper, something almost possessive. His fingers tightened slightly on my waist, pulling me in closer.
“Good,” he said simply.
I raised an eyebrow. “Good?”
A smirk tugged at his lips, but his voice was serious when he spoke. “Means I get to be your first everything.”
Heat flooded my face. I scoffed, shoving his chest lightly. “Cocky much?”
His grin widened, but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he dipped his head down, his nose brushing against mine. “I’m serious, April. You deserve this. You deserve someone who doesn’t hesitate to claim you. Someone who knows exactly what he has in his arms and lucky for you, I’m that guy.”
My breath caught in my throat. His words settled deep in my chest, cracking open something I hadn’t realized I’d locked away.
I deserved this.
I had spent so long believing I wasn’t worthy of love, care, or being put first. But here Cassius was, looking at me like I was his entire world.
I exhaled shakily. “I don’t know if I’ll be good at this.”
His thumb brushed over my cheek. “Then we’ll figure it out together.”
Goddess, this man was going to ruin me.
I barely had time to think before he closed the distance between us, capturing my lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn’t rushed, wasn’t desperate. It was certain.
Like he told me, with every movement, that I was his.
And I liked it a whole lot.
Cassius’s POV
The day passed in a blur of warmth, laughter, and stolen kisses. April fit against me like she had always belonged there, her presence something I hadn’t realized I was missing.
But even as we lay curled up together, my mind refused to stay in the moment.
The rogues.
They had come for her. That much was clear. But why? Were they the same ones my warriors had run into? And if so, had I led them straight to her doorstep?
A growl rumbled in my chest before I could stop it.
April shifted beside me. “What’s wrong?”
I forced myself to relax, not wanting to ruin this for her. “Nothing.”
She wasn’t buying it. Her fingers traced over my forearm, her touch grounding me. “Cassius.”
I sighed. “I just… I don’t like that you were alone last night.”
“I handled it,” she reminded me.
“And that’s the problem.” I sat up slightly, running a hand through my hair. “You shouldn’t have to handle it alone. I should’ve been there.”
April propped herself up on her elbow, watching me carefully. “Cassius… this isn’t your fault.”
I clenched my jaw. “Isn’t it? What if they were tracking me? What if they came because of me?”
“Then we’ll deal with it,” she said simply as if not realising the full impact of what she just said.
We.
The word shouldn’t have hit me as hard as it did, but Goddess-it did.
I turned toward her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You trust me?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I do.”
It was a simple answer. But it meant everything.
I exhaled, pulling her back against me. “Then I swear, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She melted into me, and we just lay there for a while.
But I knew this peace wouldn’t last forever.
And I wouldn’t wait until the next attack to do something about it.
Tomorrow, I’d start digging. I’d find out what the rogues wanted. Who sent them.
And if they came back?
I’d be ready.
But for now, I held April closer and let myself enjoy this moment.