Chapter 31: If I May?
"Should we kiss?"
The words echoed in the pavilion, causing a crack in August’s otherwise unchanging calm exterior. His brows twitched slightly, his pupils dilating.
"A kiss?" he repeated, only to see Lynsandra nod.
A light chuckle escaped his closed lips. "Interesting. I didn’t see that one coming."
"Your face... it’s not bad, I like it. Your mind, I think we’ll get along... somehow. Above all, I like everything you said," she replied, returning the same honesty he had given her. "I like that."
Her eyes lowered briefly to the tea before lifting her gaze to meet his. "A marriage where I can co-exist regardless of the absence of romance. It sounds good enough for me."
"Then, shall we?" he suggested, placing his hand on the armrest of his chair to push himself up. "Who knows? Perhaps we might get our answers now."
As he rose to his feet, August leaned over the table. It was small enough for him to reach her fully, so he carefully reached forward and gently pinched her chin.
He lifted her head, his gaze falling on her naturally red lips. August’s eyelids drooped dangerously, his wolf howling her name, recognizing her fully as their mate.
Very slowly, he leaned closer, eyes narrowing on her. Soon, her faint breaths touched his upper lip, yet neither of them closed their eyes, as if watching each other even at this close distance.
Then, he whispered, "If I may."
Lynsandra didn’t move, nor did she resist. Instead, she waited patiently until the apex of his nose brushed against hers, and he tilted his head to claim her lips. For some reason, she clasped a hand on her lap as his lips inched closer.
But right when their lips touched, a loud gasp echoed from the side.
"Ahhh!"
August and Lynsandra arched a brow, and she drew her head away. As she moved back, August frowned in displeasure. Turning his head toward the source of the sound, a murderous glint flickered across his eyes.
Him, again.
Cassian’s breath hitched, his face turning red.
"You—" Cassian huffed as he stormed in, pulling August away and stepping beside Lynsandra. "What the hell are you doing to Lizzie?"
Lynsandra deadpanned, looking at the man standing before her like some unsolicited knight in shining armor.
"I knew it!" Cassian jabbed a finger at August. "Acting all noble and superior, but the moment everyone turns, you sneak in and take advantage of my Lizzie. How dare you?!"
A vein protruded on August’s forehead as his eyes fell on Cassian’s finger. He stared at it for a moment without blinking before lifting his gaze.
This lowlife half-breed... he thought, seeing red at how Cassian kept acting like they were equals. No, they were not.
Humans respected August as a renowned doctor, and wolves bowed to him as the Alpha of one of the largest packs in the western part of the continent. Yet this half-breed, who belonged neither to humans nor werewolves, kept pushing his luck.
But just as the hairs on his arms began to thicken and his eyes started to glow with murderous intent, Lynsandra rose from her seat.
"That’s enough." Her voice was cool and calm, yet it pulled August back to his senses. "Cassian. August."
She shot Cassian a warning look before shifting her gaze to August.
"Let’s continue our conversation another time," she said, giving him a brief nod before walking off. "Tonight... was worth the time."
"Wait—" Cassian turned, but she was already approaching the entrance. "Lizzie, wait~!"
Unaware he had nearly gotten himself killed, Cassian ran after her. However, just before exiting the pavilion to the small arched bridge that connected it to the main grounds, he stopped and looked back at August.
Smirking, Cassian pulled down one of his lower eyelids with his index finger and stuck his tongue out.
"Bleh!"
Giggling, he happily ran after Lynsandra, calling her sweetly at the same time.
Meanwhile, August watched him go with cold eyes.
"That fool," he murmured, loosening his tie. "He’s lucky the luna is around."
Had Lynsandra been even slightly less dominant than August...
"I would’ve silenced his annoying barking," he whispered, letting out a deep exhale as he fell back into his seat. Staring at the empty chair across from him, he slowly calmed down.
"Or... was I the lucky one?" he wondered. "I wonder... which one you saved tonight?"
Did she save Cassian from being mauled by August? Or did she save August from getting kicked out of the harem?
A light, amused snicker escaped him. "She really is interesting."
*****
Meanwhile...
"Lizzie~" Cassian leaped, catching up to Lynsandra inside the mansion. But the moment his foot touched the ground, he felt a force seizing his neck. Before he knew it, his back slammed hard against the wall.
"Ah—" he winced at the abrupt pain shooting through his back, only to realize Lynsandra was holding him by the neck. "Li—Lizzie?"
"Cassian Clark." Lynsandra’s eyes were wide, her pupils constricting. "I don’t care how you knew where I was, but the next time you interrupt me during my affairs, I’ll be sending you home in pieces."
Cassian held his breath, shoulders stiff under her unblinking stare. "But Lizzie—"
"Do you understand?"
He gulped, lips pressed into a tight line. Dejected, he nodded. Still, she didn’t release him immediately, staring at him fiercely. Only after a moment did she let go and walk off.
As soon as his neck was free, Cassian touched it with his fingertips. But then she spoke again.
"Cassian, if you don’t understand what this place is and the kind of people around you, I suggest leaving the harem."
"Huh?" Slowly, he turned, seeing only her back. "Lizzie..."
"If not," she paused, glancing over her shoulder, "learn to play this game. Otherwise, it’ll be game over for you."
She meant it both figuratively and literally.
Today, she had managed to save him from August. The harem’s rules were only fragile protection, but they didn’t guarantee safety.
As she walked away, Cassian frowned, eyes glued to her figure. When she finally stepped out of sight, he touched his neck again. The pressure of her grip still lingered on his skin, and even when she was angry, he couldn’t stop his cheeks from flushing.
"Lizzie is..." he bit his lip, his cheeks becoming redder. "...hot."
