CHAPTER THREE — WHEN THE ALPHA STOPS HOLDING BACK
998 Words
Mira woke before the sun.
The fire had burned low, casting the cabin in a soft amber glow. She was warm—too warm—and when she shifted, she realized why.
Cassian’s arm was wrapped around her waist.
His chest pressed firmly against her back.
His breath tickled the side of her neck in slow, steady waves.
He was holding her like she belonged to him.
“Don’t move,” he murmured, voice thick with sleep and dominance. “Not yet.”
Her heart fluttered. “You’re awake.”
“I’ve been awake.”
His nose brushed her neck.
“Your scent changed while you slept.”
“What…what does that mean?”
“That you’re calming. Accepting.”
His hand slid slowly up her waist, warm and controlled.
“My mate getting comfortable in my arms is enough to wake every instinct I have.”
Her breath caught. “And what are those instincts telling you right now?”
He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear, slow and deliberate.
“To pull you under me and make you forget the name of every man you’ve ever known.”
Heat washed through her, pooling low and deep.
“Cassian…”
He growled softly. “Say Alpha.”
Her eyes fluttered shut. “Alpha…”
A shiver rippled down his spine. He tightened his hold, dragging her closer—just before something outside snapped.
Cassian’s entire body went still.
His arm locked protectively around her as his head lifted, eyes glowing gold.
He inhaled sharply.
“Stay behind me,” he whispered.
“What is it—”
Another snap. Footsteps. Too familiar.
Mira’s stomach twisted.
“No. No, it can’t be—”
Cassian moved in a blur, positioning himself between her and the door, muscles coiled and ready to tear something apart.
The doorknob rattled.
“Mira? Are you in there?”
A voice she recognized far too well.
Her ex.
Cassian’s growl shook the cabin.
Mira’s blood froze. “How did he even find me—?”
“He followed your scent,” Cassian said darkly.
“Humans can’t smell it, but wolves can. He has a wolf friend with him.”
The door opened.
Her ex stood there, breath fogging the air, eyes wide when he saw her…and even wider when he saw the man in front of her.
“Mira, I can explain—”
Cassian stepped forward, blocking the entire room with his body.
“You have five seconds,” Cassian growled.
“Say whatever pathetic excuse you came here with. She won’t hear a word of it. But I want to know exactly why you think you can approach what’s mine.”
The ex paled. “Yours? Mira, what is he talking abo—”
“Four seconds.”
Mira touched Cassian’s back, trying to calm him, but the moment her fingers brushed his skin, his power surged like wildfire.
He was shaking—rage and instinct battling inside him.
“She was upset,” the ex sputtered. “I didn’t mean for her to see anything, it didn’t even mean—”
Cassian moved.
Not to attack—though he easily could have.
He simply stood over the man, tall and terrifying, his voice a low snarl.
“You broke her heart while she was preparing Christmas for you.”
His fists clenched.
“She cried in the snow because of you.”
“I—I didn’t—”
Cassian leaned closer.
“If I ever see you near her again, I won’t speak first. I won’t warn you. I won’t hesitate.”
The ex stumbled back.
Mira watched silently, breath shaking.
Cassian didn’t look at her ex when he delivered the final blow.
He looked at her.
“Turn around,” Cassian commanded the man.
“And look at the woman you threw away. You won’t get another chance.”
The ex turned to Mira.
She stood tall, chin lifted, wrapped in Cassian’s flannel shirt that hung off her like a mark of ownership.
Her ex’s expression crumpled.
“Mira…I’m sorry.”
Cassian’s growl vibrated the floor.
“No,” Mira said quietly. “You don’t get to be sorry.”
She walked to Cassian, placing a hand on his arm.
“I’m done with you.”
Cassian’s entire body relaxed under her touch—not completely, but enough to keep from ripping the man in half.
Her ex swallowed hard, looked between them, and slowly backed away into the snow.
When the door finally shut, Mira turned to Cassian.
His jaw was clenched, eyes still glowing, breaths sharp and ragged.
“Cassian… it’s okay. I’m okay.”
He grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against him so fast she gasped.
“No,” he growled. “You’re not okay. You’re shaking.”
She looked down.
She was.
Cassian cupped her face gently, a contrast to the violence he had barely contained moments before.
“You came to me,” he whispered hoarsely. “You chose me.”
“I did.”
“And when he walked in…” He swallowed hard, voice thick and raw.
“I thought I was going to lose you before I ever had the chance to claim you.”
Her breath hitched.
“Cassian…”
He pressed his forehead to hers, trembling with restraint.
“Tell me to stop,” he murmured.
“Or I swear I won’t. Not this time.”
She slid her arms around his neck.
“I’m not telling you to stop.”
His breath broke.
“Mira…”
She leaned in, lips brushing his.
“I’m telling you,” she whispered, “to claim me.”
The last thread of the Alpha’s restraint snapped.
Cassian kissed her—hard, hungry, unrestrained—lifting her off the ground as the fire flared behind them.
The mate bond surged like heat through her veins.
And this time…
He didn’t hold back.
Fade to black.
- Writer
