Chapter 228
Chapter 228
Third person POV
Rae hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the sound of laughter until Cassian showed up at her new apartment with two cups of coffee and a grin that made it impossible not to smile back.
“You know,” she said, leaning on the doorframe as he carried another box inside, “you don’t have to move every piece of furniture yourself. I do have arms p>
Cassian shot her a look over his shoulder. “I noticed. They’re holding coffee, though, not boxes p>
“Exactly. I’m supervising p>
He huffed a laugh, setting the box down beside the couch. “You’re doing an excellent job of it p>
The apartment was small but bright
sunlight spilling through wide windows, the faint scent of new paint still
clinging to the walls. Rae had been living out of borrowed rooms for months, between work and visiting Moonstone, and for the first time in a long while, she felt something that resembled stability.
Cassian filled the space easily. He’d rolled his sleeves to his elbows, and a faint sheen of sweat made his forearms gleam in the light. Rae tried not to stare, but subtlety had never been her strong suit.
Unfortunately, Cassian noticed.
He smirked, pausing mid-lift. “You’re staring, Rae p>
She rolled her eyes. “You’re imagining things p>
“Mm. Am I p>
The teasing lilt in his voice made her stomach flutter. “You’re impossible p>
He grinned. “And yet, here I am, helping you move boxes p>
She snorted, covering a smile. “You volunteered p>
“I didn’t hear you refuse,” he countered easily, setting the last box down. “There. That’s everything from the truck p>
Rae offered him his coffee as a peace offering. “Truce p>
He took it, brushing his fingers lightly over hers. “For now.
They stood like that for a moment, too long to be casual, the air between them humming faintly. Then Cassian cleared his throat and stepped back, breaking the spell with his usual steadiness.
“So,” he said, surveying the room, “what do you think p>
Rae looked around. The furniture was mismatched – a sofa from a thrift store, a rug she’d found at a market, a few plants lining the windowsill. It was imperfect and cozy, and hers.
“I think it’s perfect,” she said quietly.
Cassian smiled, the expression softening his whole face. “Good. You deserve that. But you know, if you wanted it to be a little more perfect, I could help with that p>
The words were simple, but something about the way he said them made her chest tighten. For a man who rarely spoke his emotions outright, Cassian’s sincerity hit harder than any flowery declaration.
“Help how? I’m not letting you buy me furniture or anything,” she said sternly.
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Chapter 226
+25 Bonus
“Not even if I want to?” he asked with an amused smile.
She looked down at her cup, hiding the smile that tugged ather lips. “You keep
saying nice things like that, and people are going to start talking p>
He arched a brow. “Let them. At this point, I’d encourage it’
That earned him a genuine laugh. “You’re not supposed to say that. You’re
supposed to deflect and make a joke p>
“Maybe I don’t want to joke,” he said, tone quiet but certain. “Maybe I’d rather take you to dinner instead p>
Rae froze mid-sip. “Dinner p>
Cassian looked almost amused by her surprise. “That’s the thing where two people sit down, eat food, and pretend it’s casual while one of them tries not to stare too obviously p>
She blinked at him, torn between laughing and blushing. “You mean like a date p>
He tilted his head. “Yeah, Rae. Like a date. A real one, this time. Not carry out at the park p>
The silence that followed was brief but full. Then she smile bright, genuine, a little breathless. “I’d like that. But aren’t you concerned that people will talk? The future alpha of Moonstone on a date with a commoner p>
“Getting hung up about rumors is my sister’s thing, Rae. I don’t give a damn p>
Rae laughed, a startled little huff as she looked into his eyes. She could tell that he was being completely serious.
“You really don’t care,” she said in awe. “You’re supposed o p>
“Why? Because people without enough going on in their own lives might have an opinion on who I choose to spend my time with? The only opinion that matters in this case is yours, sweetheart p>
Rae felt her cheeks warm. “Then it’s a date p>
Cassian’s answering smile was slow and warm, the kind that reached his eyes. “Good. Tomorrow night p>
“Tomorrow night,” she confirmed.
He gathered his jacket and empty coffee cup, pausing at the door. “And don’t lift any
boxes while I’m gone. That’s an Alpha’s order p>
Rae laughed outright. “You’re not my Alpha p>
ć—Ą
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