Chapter 50
“That piqued my interest, Cassie,” I say, glancing between Kessler and Zach.
Zach has tight lips, looking at Kessler as if he’s ready to reveal the information. There’s a look of hurt in his eyes, and I feel a pang of worry.
“You know what? I’m sorry for asking,” I apologize, sensing the tension in the room.
Kessler’s expression softens, and he exchanges a glance with Zach before turning his attention back to me. “Cassie was… she was my first mate.”
A wave of sympathy washes over me. “I’m so sorry, Kessler, but what does that have to do with my father’s death?” I ask, trying to understand the connection between Cassie’s tragedy and my own father’s demise.
“It’s so funny,” I thought to myself, noting the irony of our current situation. We’re both in a room having a civil conversation without tension and saying mean words to each other.
Kessler looks at me, contemplating whether he should tell me or not. Finally, he forces himself to speak. “I killed your father,” he admits, his voice heavy with remorse.
“I found him beside Cassie’s dead body.”
My heart sinks as his words sink in, and I struggle to process the vileness of what he’s just confessed.
I’m in shock with the new information surrounding my father’s death, and my heart feels like it’s stopped breathing in my chest as I try to grapple with the possibility.
“I… something doesn’t feel right,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. “How could my father kill your mate and stand beside her dead body, knowing fully well that you would protect her more than life itself?”
The pieces of the puzzle weren’t adding up, and doubts began to gnaw at my mind. Could there be more to this story than Kessler is revealing?
Kessler’s expression darkens, I can sense the weight of his internal struggle.
“I know it’s difficult to understand,” he finally responds, “But your father… I was consumed by grief and rage. I couldn’t see past my pain, and in that moment of despair, I lashed out.”
“But Cassie… she was innocent,” I murmur, unable to shake the feeling of injustice. “She didn’t deserve to die.”
“But what would make someone stay beside a dead body that he killed, without thinking of fleeing the scene?”
Kessler’s gaze softens, “I wish I had answers to that,” he admits, his voice heavy with regret.
“Perhaps he was compelled by a spell so it would look like he killed her,” Zach suggests, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
“That’s it,” I exclaim, a surge of realization flooding through me. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
Unease grips me suddenly, and I find myself unable to stand being in the same room with Kessler any longer.
Without another word, I turn and hastily try to leave the room, but he stops me abruptly with a loud and menacing tone that makes me shake in fear. “You don’t walk out on your Alpha while he still wants your presence in the room,” he asserts firmly.
I swallow hard, determined not to let him see how much his words affect me. With a forced chuckle, I turn back to face him, masking my fear behind a facade of composure.
With a bright smile, I straighten my posture and meet Kessler’s gaze head-on. “Firstly, the fact that I’m here to discuss a common goal with you doesn’t make us friends,” I assert, my voice steady and firm. “And secondly, you are not my alpha, and I doubt you will ever be. So, stuff your dick in your pants and stop acting like a pussy.”
I refuse to be intimidated or cowed into submission, asserting my independence and standing my ground.
“Wowowo,” Zach says, breaking the tension with a nervous chuckle earning a glare from Kessler. But Zach continued “I didn’t know you were this feisty. Kessler, you have one hell of a mate.”
My outburst seemed to have an unexpected effect, as Kessler’s anger appeared to wane slightly. He moves closer to me, and I instinctively step back until my back meets the wall.
His gaze feels intense, making me feel like I’m being scrutinized, while Sasha purrs with his proximity, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
I had promised myself to lock down any emotions that might try to run high whenever I was around him, so I braced myself for whatever might come.
“So my dick to my pants, uhm,” Kessler remarks, his tone laced with amusement.
I’m not ready to go that far with him, so I place my hand on his chest in an attempt to stop him from moving closer. I ignore the tingling sensation that shoots through my veins as our bodies make contact, feeling him shudder under my touch.
“My voice was strained, but I managed to say, ‘Kessler, please. You have Annie and the baby to think about,'” I recount, feeling the weight of my words. It hurt me to say it, but I needed to state the obvious.
A look of hurt and regret crosses his features, but I don’t give a fuck.
Zach’s words bring me out of my thoughts. “Annie? Baby? Is Annie pregnant?” Zach asks, surprised by the revelation.
Kessler acknowledges Zach’s question with a nod, confirming the news. The revelation adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
“Fuck,” Zach mutters, his disappointment evident in his tone. I can see he’s disappointed in Kessler, but I guess he got a mind link from Kessler that made him leave the matter hanging.
“Please consider Shawn’s request,” I say before turning to leave.
But Kessler’s words make me stop in my tracks. “You seem interested in this Shawn case. Who is he to you?” he asks, his gaze piercing.
I manage to be civil as I reply, “We grew up together. His father was my dad’s beta, so we were close.”
“Do you have a thing for him?” Kessler asks, his eyes not leaving mine, I was unmoved.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
I smile as blood rushes to my cheeks, remembering all the wonderful times we had together. We were childhood sweethearts. Kessler frowned at my reaction.
“Do you still have a thing for him?” he asks.
I look at him, contemplating whether I should answer him or not. With a shake of my head, I reply, “Does it matter if I still do?”