Page 33

Cassandra’s POV

I found Alec in his office, casually leaning back in his chair like he didn’t have a care in the world. The moment he saw me step inside, his smirk deepened.

“I was wondering when you’d bring this up,” he said, tapping a pen against the desk.

I crossed my arms. “The fight ended in a draw.”

He nodded. “It did.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Which means neither of us technically won.”

“True.”

“So,” I said slowly, stepping closer. “How do we settle the bet?”

Alec’s lips curled into something smug, something entirely too pleased with itself. “Simple. We both get what we wanted.”

I raised a brow. “Meaning?”

His voice dropped slightly. “You tell me what to do for a day, and I get to mark you when the time comes.”

I stared at him, my stomach flipping at the way he said it.

“When the time comes?” I echoed.

Alec stood, moving around the desk, his movements slow and deliberate. “I won’t rush you, Cassandra,” he murmured, stopping just inches from me. “But the mark will happen. You are mine, and I am yours. The fight may have ended in a draw, but this—” his fingers brushed my wrist, sending sparks up my arm, “—isn’t a negotiation.”

I swallowed. “So, you’re saying I get to boss you around and you still win?”

His lips twitched. “That’s one way to look at it.”

I huffed. “You’re insufferable.”

Alec chuckled. “So, what’s my first order, Commander?”

I grinned. “Oh, I have plans for you, Your Highness.”

His smirk didn’t waver. “I’m sure you do.”

Little did he know, I was not going to make this easy for him.

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Surprise, surprise!

I know, I know—I've been gone for what feels like forever. But I couldn't just drop one chapter and disappear again, could I?

So, stay tuned because there's another exciting chapter coming your way! I hope you enjoy this one, and as always, let me know what you think.

Happy reading!