Alpha of her Heart

CHAPTER 14

CASSIAN woke to the faint scent of herbs and rain. His eyes opened slowly, heavy with tiredness. Then he smelled a familiar scent… Seris. His gaze fell to his side, and he saw her sleeping beside him.

For a moment, he wondered if this was another fever dream, like the ones that had haunted him during the worst of the silver poison. But the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest convinced him that this was true. She was here, lying on the same bed, close enough that the edge of the blanket brushed his arms.

Cassian was confused. He blinked as he was trying to piece together the hours before this moment. Then he remembered the searing pain in his veins, the heat that felt like it would burn him from the inside out.

He smiled as he held Seri's hand on his chest. The cool rush of magic seeps into him, chasing the poison’s grip into the shadows.

He breathes in relief that Seris has finally come out of her room and helped him ease his pain.

Cassian shifted slightly, and the movement made her stir. Her head turned, facing him, and her hair with silver strands slid against the pillow. A few strands clung to her cheek, and he had the sudden, absurd urge to brush them away.

But he didn’t. He didn’t want Seris to wake up to his touch, and it might scare her away.

Cassian wanted to enjoy watching his mate sleep while lying beside him. Her lips parted as she breathed, and for a fleeting instant, he saw her not as the half-witch said in the prophecy and the world feared, nor as the woman fate had bound to him, but simply… Seris.

His eyes shifted to her hand, still resting lightly against him. Even now, he can feel the faint hum where her palm had pressed against his skin. Elena had told him that Seris had a healing power, which is why he could dull the pain of the silver poison in his veins. She must have poured everything she had into keeping him alive. The realization twisted something inside him.

“Why?” he muttered under his breath.

Cassian knew the answer. Mates were bound to protect each other. But this was more than instinct. Healing him like that with her power still unstable, and it could have cost her far more than she seemed to realize.

A small furrow formed between Seris’s brows as she shifted again, as if she had heard his words. Then she opened her eyes.

Seris stopped when she saw Cassian looking at her. She opened her eyes.

They stared at each other for a long moment as if they were memorizing every angle and line of their faces.

But Cassian's thoughts were tangled. He had fought his entire life to keep a distance between himself and anyone who might see what cracked beneath his armor. Yet here she was, sleeping within arm’s reach, having risked herself to drag him back from the brink.

Cassian settled back against his pillows, looking at the ceiling. His blood still had a slight heat from the poison, a reminder of the fight that was still to come. But for the moment, he was grounded by the sound of Seris’s soft breathing.

And he didn’t mind waking up this way, even though he would never say it out loud.

“Sorry,” Seris muttered.

That made Cassian look at Seris again. “Why are you saying ‘sorry’?”

Seris settled against her pillow and stared at the ceiling. “I’m a burden to you—”

“No, you’re not.”

“Why?” Seris asked.

Cassian smiled. “Because you are my mate. I will protect you from anyone who wants to hurt you.”

“Mate?” Seris was confused. He told her that when they first met.

“You will know about it when the time comes. But you have to know that I will always be here for you.”

A small smile crept onto Seris’ lips. “Cassian, you’re the only person in this world who said that to me.” Though she wasn’t sure, this was the first time she had heard those words. “Honestly, I am comfortable with you.”

Cassian smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“I am sorry because I hid in my room for days.”

“Don’t be sorry, Seris. I understand you.”

Seris closed her eyes. “I’m still sleepy.”

“Then sleep.”

Cassian got up and looked at his mate. He pulled up the quilt to cover Seris.

Then a knock on the door caught his attention.

“Alpha,” it was Isla, “breakfast was here.”

Hearing the word ‘breakfast’, Seris opened her eyes and got up. “I’m hungry.”

Cassian chuckled. “Isla, come in.”

The door opened, and Isla walked in, holding a tray.

Cassian left the bed and took the tray from Isla.

Isla bowed her head and left.

Seris touched her belly. Now that she smelled the scent of food, her stomach grumbled. And she could really feel that she was famished, unlike the last few days.

“You haven’t eaten for days. So, you have to eat porridge and bread so as not to upset your stomach.” Cassian put the tray on the bedside table.

Seris as if she didn’t hear that Cassian was just looking at the food.

Cassian smiled and took the bowl of porridge, and gave it to Seris. “Here.”

Seris took the bowl of porridge and ate it. She doesn’t care if she looks like a hungry kid in front of Cassian. She just wanted to eat.

Cassian sat on the edge of the bed. “Seris, please don’t leave.”

Seris suddenly stopped eating—her hand holding the spoon stopped above the bowl and looked at Cassian. She didn’t answer, looked down, and continued eating.

Seris finished her porridge and her bread.

Then she went back to sleep, forgetting that she was not in her own room, but in Cassian’s room.

Cassian let Seris sleep in his room. He stepped out holding the tray.

“Alpha, let me.” Isla took the tray from the Alpha.

Noah and Isla were outside his room.

“Isla, when Seris woke up and when she was in the mood, wanted to get out of the room, tour her around the mansion,” Cassian ordered, even if he knew that Seris would look for an escape route.

Isla bowed. “Yes, Alpha.” Then she left.

Cassian looked at Noah. “What is it?”

Noah straightened. “Alpha, our scouts saw some people from the palace lurking around.”

“Oh,” Cassian reacted. “He really sent some of his people.”

“Alpha, I don’t understand. Why does the Alpha King send his people to spy on us?” Noah asked, confusion in his voice.

“The Alpha King was suspicious.”

Noah frowned. “From what?”

“Of me.”

“Alpha…”

“Just let them spy on us. After all, the person he wants to find will never come back,” Cassian said and turned inside the room. “The Alpha King will never have his eldest son back.”

“Was he dead, Alpha?” Noah asked.

Cassian smiled and tapped Noah’s shoulder. “I’m going to the company today. Take care of our pack.”

Noah bowed. “Yes, Alpha.”

“And also, watch Seris in case she might escape. If she will, call me immediately, but don’t stop her.”

Noah was confused. “Alpha?”

Cassian didn’t answer and walked back inside the room. He stared at his mate before he went to bathe and get dressed.

Before leaving, Cassian kissed his mate on the forehead.

WHEN SERIS WOKE UP, it was already ten in the morning. She looked around the room. It was a typical room for a man. King-size bed, with a solid wood headboard. The floor was smooth, polished, and spotless, interrupted by a woven rug. A matte-black desk is placed near the window. Curtains were covering the tall windows, with light filtering through the small gap.

Seris also saw a double door, which she didn’t know where it leads to.

And then her eyes darted to the full-length mirror in the corner. She left the bed and walked toward the mirror, barefoot.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

And she saw the woman who had fear and doubts in her eyes.

“But, last night… it was different,” she muttered. “I felt safe with him.”

She looked at her palm. She remembered her hand entwined with Cassian. It felt safe and comfortable.

Seris closed her eyes and opened them again… she gasped when she saw her silver eyes glowing, but it was only for a moment.

Then she walked towards the window. She held the curtain and pushed it to the side. Light seeped through the window, brightening the room.

Seris closed her eyes.

“Should I trust Cassian?” she asked herself, looking into the far distance as if the gap would answer her.

But only the wind answers her. The smell of the fresh and cold breeze calmed her.

“Luna, are you awake?” Isla asked from outside the room and knocked. “Alpha had told me that if you’re awake and have rested enough, I will tour you around the mansion.”

A smile appeared on Seris’ lips. “I’m awake.”