Chapter 38: Hopelessly Romantic
[Lynsandra, I can tell you who it was. However, you have to give me your word that once I do, you’ll let him claim you.]
Lynsandra sat in the backseat of the car, her gaze fixed on the window as her mind drifted back to Enlly’s words from three nights ago.
Enlly had confirmed that she knew who the man from that night was—and in exchange, offered her something that was difficult to refuse.
Lynsandra had almost agreed without a second thought.
Almost.
For her, all she truly needed was the reason he hadn’t marked her. And now that she had that answer, she could survive not knowing who her mate was.
Her reasoning had been simple.
If he truly is my mate... then I’m certain I’ll fall for him organically, whether I know it’s him or not.
[You are still just as hopelessly romantic.]
Thinking back on her reply — and the quiet chuckle that followed from her wolf — Lynsandra felt her lips curve upward.
"Luna, did I miss something?" Virgo’s voice echoed inside the car. He was seated in the front passenger seat, turning slightly to look at her. "You’re smiling, despite not reaching a satisfying conclusion during your last meeting."
Lynsandra glanced at him lazily.
"Because I just remembered something," she hummed, tilting her head. "My wolf and I laughed about something. That’s a first after a long time."
"That’s new," Virgo chuckled. "You two never get along." He paused before continuing, "Anyway, we’re heading to your last meeting for the day. Are you coming with me to pick up Minnie at the airport?"
Her brows lifted. "Is that today?"
"Yes." He smiled broadly. "Finally, I can take a day off."
*****
Meanwhile, in the Luna’s Harem...
"Morning prayer?! This is prayer hell!" Cassian grumbled, throwing yet another tantrum in the garden beside the chapel. "Why is it called morning prayer when it lasts the entire day?!"
For the past three days, Cassian had been abiding by Lynsandra’s punishment, accompanying Evander during prayer services. Much to his dismay, it was nothing like what he had expected.
"Are you trying to turn me into a eunuch or something?!" he huffed, pointing accusingly at Evander. "Or are you doing this on purpose?! Even an angel such as myself can’t endure this!"
This was far more exhausting than juggling back-to-back events. Worse still, he still had a film to promote. At this point, Cassian genuinely believed that kneeling on salt all night would have been far more merciful.
Evander let out a shallow breath as he carried over a tray of light snacks.
"I am not punishing you," he said gently. "But I do understand that you might find this overwhelming."
Cassian gasped. "Overwhelming? It’s torture! Even if you’re collecting good karma, you shouldn’t punish yourself like this! There’s so much more to life!"
Evander chuckled softly. To others, this might seem excessive, but compared to his days in the church — when he prayed and fasted for days on end — this was nothing.
"Let’s take a short break today," he proposed mildly, sensing Cassian was nearing a breaking point. "How about some snacks?"
Cassian frowned at the bite-sized treats before reluctantly grabbing one and flicking it into his mouth.
"You’re not going to tell Lizzie I skipped today’s service, are you?" he grumbled, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"You’ve been diligent these past three days," Evander replied calmly. "You’ve even tried to understand the meaning behind what we’re doing. How could I lie to the Luna?"
Cassian squinted harder. "Promise?"
Evander nodded, smiling. "I do not lie."
"Fine," Cassian huffed. "But if you’re tricking me, I won’t be pushed around. I’m biting your head off!"
He paused mid-complaint, brows lifting as he reached for another snack. "...These are good."
Evander watched him quietly, smiling.
Cassian was, surprisingly, an interesting person. Loud, dramatic, and endlessly exhausting, but also earnest in his desire to please Lynsandra.
Though there was that perverted streak of his that occasionally made Evander consider a cleansing... or perhaps a full exorcism.
"What are these biscuits?" Cassian mumbled between bites. "They’re really good."
"I baked them."
"Huh?"
Evander’s smile widened. "The mansion chefs are always busy accommodating everyone’s diets. Since I don’t have much else to do after morning prayers, I spend time baking snacks for the orphanages under the church."
"What do you mean you don’t have anything else to do?" Cassian deadpanned. "You finish prayer hell at night. After that, you’re supposed to rest. Watch a movie. Play a game. Something."
Evander merely smiled, knowing those were things he never did.
"As for me," Cassian continued cheerfully, "once this punishment is over, I’ll finish my last tutor lessons from my first offense and then take Lizzie out on a date." His face brightened, his delusion apparently far more healing than prayer. "I didn’t do it last time—but this time, I definitely will!"
As Cassian rambled on, Evander tilted his head slightly.
"Now that you mention it..." he said, interrupting him gently. "I find something quite interesting."
Cassian blinked. "Huh?"
"Compared to the others in the harem, you’ve crossed several lines. Yet the Luna keeps forgiving you."
Evander had heard about Cassian forcing Lynsandra to attend the Clarks’ Consortium event by invoking her name. And yet, she had forgiven him. Even this punishment had ended lightly.
Lynsandra was not someone who forgave and forgot. That much had been clear since her return to the Royal Pack.
"Is it because..." Evander began, only to trail off as Cassian chuckled arrogantly.
Cassian smirked, rubbing his nose. "That’s because Lizzie is in love with me."
"...Huh?"
"She just can’t say it," Cassian declared proudly. "She’s royalty, and I’m a half-wolf." He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "That’s why I’m doing all this to prove I’m worthy of her! Once I kick all of you out, she won’t have to hide her feelings anymore!"
The confusion on Evander’s face deepened with every word. "Huuuh?"
"Heh." Cassian’s smirk widened as his eyes gleamed, a memory from years ago surfacing in his mind.
A memory of where — and when — he had first met Lynsandra.
And how she had unknowingly started a love story in his head.
