Page 44

Cassandra’s POV

I barely slept.

Not because of stress. Not because of nerves.

But because I couldn’t stop thinking about what Alec had done.

The weapon room.

The way he had watched me, waiting for my reaction.

The way he had given me something that was truly mine.

And—most dangerous of all—the way my heart had betrayed me.

I had known, for a while now, that Alec was dangerous.

Not just because he was a king. Not just because he was stronger, faster, and utterly impossible.

But because he was patient.

Because every day, he broke down my walls.

Every day, he made it harder to fight the truth.

Every day, he made it clear that he wasn’t going anywhere.

And I?

I was starting to want him to stay.

I sighed, sitting up in bed. The sun was barely rising, the castle halls quiet.

I needed air.

I slipped out of my chambers, padding through the halls. The scent of waxed floors and old stone filled my lungs as I moved toward the courtyard.

But then—

I stopped.

Because at the far end of the hall, standing in front of a massive portrait of Alexander’s family—

Was someone I had never seen before.

A man.

Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in black.

His back was turned, but something about him made my skin prickle.

A quiet wrongness.

Like he didn’t belong here.

Slowly, I stepped forward.

“Who are you?”

The man stilled.

Then—he turned.

And I sucked in a breath.

Because his face?

I had seen it before.

In the portrait.

Alec’s family portrait.

But there were only three people in that painting.

Alexander.

Amara.

Edgar.

This man?

He wasn’t supposed to exist.

And yet—here he was.

Smiling.

Like he had been waiting for me.

The man smiled.

Not the kind of smile that put you at ease.

Not the kind that welcomed you.

No.

This was the kind of smile that sent a cold shiver down your spine.

I clenched my fists. Stay calm.

I was Luna now. A Queen.

I wouldn’t be intimidated by a ghost from a portrait.

Slowly, he tilted his head. “I was wondering when we’d finally meet.”

His voice was smooth. Deep. Like he had all the time in the world.

I swallowed. “Who are you?”

His smirk widened. “You don’t know?”

I narrowed my eyes. “I know you shouldn’t be here.”

He hummed, turning back toward the massive painting of Alec’s family. His gaze lingered on it, tracing the details with something almost… amused.

Then—he finally spoke.

“My name,” he said, “is Adrian.”

The name meant nothing to me.

But the way he said it—like it should.

Like I was supposed to know.

Like it was a test.

I held his gaze. “And?”

Adrian chuckled. “And, sweetheart… I’m Alexander’s older brother.”

My heart stopped.

No.

That was impossible.

I forced myself to breathe. “Alec doesn’t have a brother.”

Adrian raised a brow. “That’s what he told you?”

I clenched my fists. He’s lying. He has to be.

Alec would have told me.

Wouldn’t he?

Adrian sighed dramatically, turning away from the painting to face me fully. “You know, I have to admit—I was curious about you.”

I didn’t move. Stay sharp. Stay ready.

He took a slow step forward.

“Alexander doesn’t let people in,” he murmured. “Doesn’t let himself get attached.”

His dark eyes flickered with something mocking.

“But you? You’re different.”

I exhaled sharply. “And why do you care?”

Adrian’s smirk returned. Sharp. Amused. Unreadable.

Then—

His voice dropped to something almost too soft.

“Because I’ve been watching, Cassandra.”

My blood ran cold.

---

I knew something was wrong before I even saw her.

I had been heading towards our chambers, ready to sleep after the longest night of our lives.

But the moment I entered the hall, I felt it.

The shift.

The wrongness.

Then I saw her.

Cassandra.

Standing in front of him.

My body locked.

For a second, I couldn’t move.

Couldn’t breathe.

Because Adrian—my brother—was standing in my home.

Speaking to my mate.

His eyes flicked toward me. Slow. Calculated.

“Ah,” he said lightly. “There you are, little brother.”

And Cassandra?

She turned—meeting my gaze.

And in that moment, I knew.

She had questions.

Questions I wasn’t sure I was ready to answer.