Chapter 5
Caius and I were living apart now.
I had no idea where he’d gone. And I didn’t care.
What I didn’t expect was for his cousin to DM me screenshots from Thalia’s socials:
[Who else gets grounded from clubbing at twenty–four? Caius is soooo overprotective, lol. Obviously, I’m going anyway.]
Attached was their chat.
And another post:
[Domestic husband Caius feeding me again–today’s chef special.]
The selfie showed him spoon–feeding her, doting and gentle.
Then there was one with her curled up on the couch in an oversized button–up.
His button–up.
[Tried the whole ‘men’s shirt‘ thing y’all keep raving about–turns out, it’s super comfy…]
Caius was visible in the background, focused on his laptop.
I just stared at it all and smiled faintly.
Strange.
The old me would’ve marched straight to wherever they were and slapped both of them. Hard.
But now?
Now I felt nothing. Just… tired amusement.
When the message came in from Caius’s Beta about the bond–severance proceedings, Orion happened to walk in with a cup of coffee.
What can I say–Orion was good at his job.
Barely two weeks into the role, and he already knew all my likes, all my habits. He could tell what I wanted before I even asked.
He slid onto the edge of my desk, grinning lazily.
“We should celebrate,” he said. “Something good happened, right? Feels like a whiskey kind of mood.”
I raised a brow and tugged playfully on his tie.
His eyes darkened just a little.
“But I’m not in the mood for whiskey tonight.”
}
I used his tie to bind his hands. Then led him straight to my private quarters in the pack house.
H
I didn’t expect to run into Caius again so soon–let alone at a bar.
Thalia had apparently attracted the wrong kind of attention. A couple of drunk guys had gotten too handsy.
And Caius–Grayspire Pack’s ever–composed Alpha–was brawling like a damn street wolf.
I leaned back against the bar, sipping my drink, watching the scene unfold with mild interest… until his eyes locked with mine.
I didn’t move. Just kept sipping like it had nothing to do with me.
Someone quickly stepped in to handle the aftermath.
Caius dropped the handkerchief he’d used to wipe his hands and gave the order for his Beta to get Thalia into the car.
Then he walked straight toward me.
His gaze flicked briefly to Orion standing at my side.
Recognition sparked.
Chapter 5
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Of course he remembered him.
Anyone would.
火<
Orion wasn’t just handsome–he was sculpted. Broad shoulders, lean waist, six feet three, abs practically visible beneath his fitted gray dress shirt.
I handpicked him for a reason.
Caius narrowed his eyes. “Were those men sent by you?”
I gave a short laugh and slid my hand around Orion’s waist.
“You think I’m that bored?”
The look in Caius’s eyes darkened instantly.
The tension in the air dropped like a stone.
Still, he kept it together. Barely.
His pride kept him poised, composed.
“Just checking,” he said coolly. “Didn’t want to assume you’d gotten so jealous you’d lost your mind.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my purse. Then reached for Orion’s hand, lacing our fingers together.
“I’m done here. Let’s go.”
What I didn’t expect –was for Orion to out–petty me.
He slipped an arm around my waist and leaned down, smirking wickedly against my ear.
His voice was low but not quiet enough.
“By the way… we ran out of those last time. Should I grab another box?”
I froze.
My ears burned red.
After we left the bar, Orion swung by a convenience store. I waited in the car.
Then the passenger door opened–and it wasn’t Orion.
Caius slid in, calm and silent.
In the stillness, he spoke softly, “I know what you’re doing. That Beta? You brought him in to mess with me.‘
Then he said my name–softly, the way he used to. Familiar. Intimate. Dangerous.
“Zira,” he murmured, “I’m taking Thalia back to Oakshade tomorrow. School starts soon. Once I’m back… let’s talk.
He reached for my hand, holding it firmly.
“Let’s go back to the way things were. Please.”
I thought of what he said two weeks ago.
“Come home early. Tell me what you want–I’ll cook just for you.”
That day, I almost believed we could make it,
Almost.
But I also remembered what I’d told him–one more lie, and I’d never forgive him again.
So I smiled.
“Sure. When you’re back, we’ll talk.“.
We’d talk, all right.
About what happens after a mate bond is broken.
”
Chapter 5
