April’s POV
I turned the phone over in my hands, running my fingers along its smooth edges. I had never owned anything like this before. Never had someone cared enough to make sure I was reachable.
“You like it?” Cassius asked, his voice softer now, uncertain in a way that felt so out of place for an Alpha.
I glanced up at him, and I didn’t overthink my words for the first time in a long time. “I love it.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly, and something warm flickered in his eyes before he smirked. “Good. Because now you have no excuse not to call me.”
I scoffed. “I don’t even know how to use it yet.”
Cassius let out a low chuckle and stepped closer. “I’ll teach you.”
He reached for the phone, his fingers grazing mine as he took it. Even that simple touch sent warmth up my arm. He tapped the screen a few times, then handed it back.
“Now you have my number. First one in your contacts.”
I glanced down, and sure enough, his name was already there: Cassius.
I hesitated, then lifted my gaze. “Should I… test it?”
His smirk widened. “I dare you.”
I huffed but pressed the call button anyway.
A second later, a vibration came from his pocket, and he pulled his own phone out, glancing at the screen before answering with a teasing grin. “April?”
I rolled my eyes, but the smile tugging at my lips was impossible to fight. “Cassius.”
“You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice through this,” he murmured, his tone softening to something more profound.
My stomach flipped.
I quickly ended the call, handing the phone back. “Okay, it works.”
Cassius chuckled, tucking his own phone away. “Now, let’s set up some things.” He took the phone again, his fingers moving effortlessly as he set up my messages and adjusted the settings. Now, if you ever need me-anything at all-just call or text. Day or night.”
I swallowed. “You mean that?”
His eyes lifted to mine, and the humor in them was gone-replaced with something fierce. “Of course, I do.”
The sincerity in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
He meant it.
Cassius was here. He wasn’t going anywhere.
“Tell him you missed him,” Snow nudged.
I bit my lip. I had never been the type to admit things like that. But for him… maybe I could.
“I missed you,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Cassius inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.
Before I could react, his hands were on my waist, pulling me in gently yet firmly. “Come here.”
I let him.
His arms wrapped around me, and I melted against his warmth. His scent-dark, heady, him-wrapped around me, soothing something in my chest that had ached for days.
“We don’t have to be apart for that long again,” he murmured into my hair. “I’ll make sure of it.”
I closed my eyes, gripping his shirt.
“You better.”
Cassius’ POV
Feeling April in my arms again settled something in me that had been restless since the moment I left.
Shadow rumbled with satisfaction. “We belong here.”
I pressed my lips to the top of her head, inhaling the faint traces of her scent. She smelled like whiskey and wild air, but now there was something else-a hint of us.
“I missed you too,” I admitted.
April stiffened slightly, then let out a small breath. “Good.”
I chuckled, pulling back just enough to look at her face. Her cheeks were flushed, but there was a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Damn, she’s beautiful.
“Say it again,” she teased.
I smirked. “You missed me that much, huh?”
She huffed but didn’t deny it. “I just want to hear it one more time.”
I leaned in, brushing my nose against hers. “I missed you, April.”
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, we just stood there, soaking in the weight of those words.
I had never meant something more.