جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 150

Cassie's Pov The time for the final confrontation was upon us. I heard the raised voices before I even reached the strategy room door.“You should have seen it coming,” Luka was saying, volume already too high. “Your parents never stopped. The decree was only the visible piece. There are still accounts moving, still quiet meetings happening in the border towns. Residual influence doesn’t vanish just because the council stripped their titles.”Caspian’s reply was sharp enough to cut. “I am not defending them. I am telling you that charging in half-informed is how we create the exact opening they want. You think every problem is solved by force. That is why Northwood keeps finding itself in unnecessary fights.”“And Southwood solves everything by calculating until the threat has already landed,” Luka shot back. “If we had moved faster on the messenger, the decree never would have been read. Your caution cost us time we did not have.”Asher’s voice tried to cut between them. “Both of yo

Cassie's Pov The safe-house door clicked shut behind us, and the silence that followed was heavier than any noise could have been. The three of them stood in the small living room, their presence filling every corner of the space, and I pressed my back against the door, watching them."I can feel you shaking from here," Luka said, his voice low and rough. "Are you nervous?"I let out a breath that was almost a laugh. "Nervous? That's putting it mildly. I just stood in front of the entire council and declared that I'm mated to three Alphas. Three. And now I'm in a room with all of you, and I don't know where to start.""Then let us start," Asher said, stepping forward. His green eyes were soft, but there was something burning beneath them. "We've been patient, Cassie. We've waited. We've given you time. But tonight, we need you to understand what this means.""What it means?" My voice cracked slightly. "I don't even know what I'm doing. I've never—I mean, I've been with one person bef

Cassie's Pov "Finally," he growled against my skin. "Finally alone with you.""Luka—""I've been watching you for three days," he cut me off, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. "Three days of you standing in that inquiry room, answering their questions, holding yourself together like you weren't terrified. Do you know what that did to me?""What did it do to you?""It made me want to break something." His jaw was tight, his eyes blazing. "It made me want to drag you out of that room and remind you that you're not alone. That you don't have to be strong for everyone all the time.""I wasn't being strong for everyone," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I was being strong for us.""Then let me be strong for you now." His hands came up to cup my face. "Let me take care of you, Cassie. Just for a little while. Let me make you forget all of it.""Make me forget," I agreed, and something in my chest cracked open. "Make me forget the questions. The stares. The way they looked at me

Cassie's Pov I saw her before she saw me. Lily stood near the low stone wall that bordered the public gardens, hands clenched around a small wrapped package, shoulders drawn in like she expected the ground to open. The three of them refused to stay farther than an arm’s length from me. Luka on my left, Asher slightly ahead, Caspian just behind my right shoulder. People walked the gravel paths around us, far enough to give privacy but close enough that every word would carry if voices rose.Lily’s eyes found mine. She took one step forward and stopped.“Cassie.”“Lily.”She swallowed. “I didn’t think you’d come.”“I almost didn’t,” I said. “You asked for five minutes. You have them. Talk.”Her gaze flicked to the three men. “Can we… speak alone?”Asher answered before I could. “No.”Luka’s voice stayed even. “We’re not leaving her side. You already know why.”Caspian added, quieter, “Public place was your idea. We’re staying.”Lily nodded once, sharp. “All right. I deserve that.” She

Cassie's Pov In the small private room off the main hall, I stood still in the dark dress I’d worn under the graduation gown. The lawyer, Mr. Halden, set a sealed envelope on the table between us. Luka stayed at my left, Asher at my right, Caspian just behind my chair. None of them sat. None of them looked away from the envelope.Mr. Halden cleared his throat. “Miss Cassie, your father left instructions that this be delivered only after your graduation ceremony concluded. The seal is intact. I have witnessed it myself.”I stared at the heavy cream paper. “My father has been gone for years. Why now?”“Because that was the condition he set,” Mr. Halden said. “Before the divorce was finalized, he made certain arrangements. He was very specific. No earlier disclosure. No exceptions.”Asher’s voice was quiet. “Open it.”I broke the seal. Inside was a single folded document and a smaller envelope of keys and access cards. My hands did not shake, but only because I forced them still.Mr. H