Cassius POV
The drive back to my pack grounds was silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting near April’s thigh. I wasn’t touching her, but I could feel her warmth, her presence grounding me. She was staring out the window, her thoughts locked away somewhere I wasn’t sure I could reach. But I would.
Tonight wasn’t about strategy or war. Tonight wasn’t about rogues or danger. Tonight, I just wanted her here with me.
When we reached the outer edges of my pack’s territory, I took a different path than the one leading to the main pack house. The warriors stationed at the gate immediately stepped aside as they recognized my car, their heads lowering in respect. But I didn’t stop. I didn’t want to deal with anyone right now. I wanted to get her inside first.
April straightened beside me, noticing we weren’t heading to what she assumed would be the pack house.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice steady, but her fingers curled slightly against her lap. She was on alert. Always ready.
“My place,” I said simply, glancing at her for a second before focusing back on the road. “I don’t want anyone knowing you’re here yet. You’ll meet them in the morning.”
She scoffed lightly, turning to face me fully. “So, what? You’re smuggling me into your pack like some sort of secret?”
I smirked at her choice of words. “Not a secret. Just… keeping you to myself for a few more hours.”
April rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in them. She didn’t push further; she just exhaled and sank back into her seat.
It didn’t take long before we reached my personal cottage-a mansion, more like. Still, I preferred the privacy it provided compared to the main house. It was deep within my territory, surrounded by acres of forest, quiet and secure. The moment I pulled up, I could feel the tension in April’s body.
She wasn’t used to this-being taken care of, being given space to just… breathe.
I cut the engine, stepping out first before walking around to open her door. She didn’t move at first; she just glanced at the massive home in front of her and then at me.
“This is yours?” she asked, raising a brow.
I chuckled. “Where did you think I lived? A cave?”
She smirked. “Well, you do have the caveman, ‘me Alpha, you mine’ attitude sometimes.”
I huffed a laugh but didn’t deny it. Instead, I held out my hand, waiting. She hesitated for a second before sighing and placing her hand in mine. I pulled her out gently, my grip tightening slightly as I led her inside.
The warmth of the house immediately wrapped around us. It was modern yet had a rustic feel, a mixture of stone and wood with large windows that let the moonlight seep in. April took a slow step inside, her eyes scanning every detail.
She was still tense, still expecting some kind of battle. I wasn’t having that.
“Come,” I murmured, leading her down the hall.
April followed, not questioning, just watching. When I pushed open the door to my private bathroom, she blinked at the large bathtub already filling with steaming water. A faint scent of eucalyptus filled the air.
Her eyes snapped to mine. “You planned this?”
I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “I knew you’d need to relax. You’ve had a long day.”
Her gaze softened just a fraction, but then she scoffed, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculously smooth, you know that?”
I smirked. “I’ve been told.”
She rolled her eyes again, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. That was enough for me.
I stepped closer, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Take your time. I’ll have food ready when you’re done.”
She blinked up at me like she wasn’t sure what to say. Like she didn’t know how to react to being taken care of.
And then she did the last thing I expected-she reached up and softly kissed my jaw.
Just a whisper of warmth.
Before I could react, she was already pulling away, her eyes flicking to the tub. “Alright, Alpha. Out you go.”
I smirked but obeyed, closing the door behind me.
Leaning against it, I let out a breath, running a hand through my hair.
She was safe.
Aprils POV
The moment the bathroom door closed, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
This was… different. I wasn’t used to this.
Cassius-this big, powerful Alpha-was treating me like I was something to be cherished. Protected. Like I was his world.
It was terrifying.
But at the same time… something in me warmed at the thought.
I sighed, stripping off my clothes before sinking into the tub. The heat instantly soothed my sore muscles, the scent of eucalyptus filling my lungs. My head fell back against the edge, and for the first time in days, I let myself just… be.
But my mind wouldn’t stop.
I thought about tonight, about the rogue, about how Cassius had fought for me like he was ready to tear the world apart if it meant keeping me safe.
And then I thought about the way he had looked at me afterward-like I was something precious, and his eyes burned with hunger so deep I could feel it in my core.
My stomach twisted, and my wolf, Snow, stirred restlessly inside me.
“He’s strong. Fierce. Protective,:” she mused.” He fought for us,”
I swallowed. “I know.”
“Do you trust him?”
I hesitated for a second before whispering back, “…Yeah. I ofcourse I do.”
A satisfied rumble vibrated through my chest, and I let myself sink deeper into the water, closing my eyes.
For now, I could let myself have this moment.
Tomorrow would bring more questions and more battles.
But tonight…
Tonight, I was just a girl in a warm bath, in a house that smelled like cedar and firewood, with an Alpha who was already making himself a permanent part of my world.
And maybe, just maybe… I was okay with that.