Alpha’s Pink Luna

Chapter 6: Alpha Prince Cassian Gonzales

The Queen Mother guided me across the marble floor toward a tall man dressed in a tailored gold-and-green corset coat paired with elegant slacks that fit him perfectly. He looked every bit the prince out of a storybook—though something about his stillness made him seem carved from stone rather than born from warmth.

“Now,” the Queen Mother began, her tone light but proud, “here we have Prince Cassian Gonzales. He’s been waiting to meet you for quite some time, my dear. Once you’ve become acquainted, call for me and I’ll escort you to the second prince. For now, allow me to introduce you both in your proper royal manner.”

When Cassian turned to face me, I forgot to breathe. His hair was a soft light brown threaded with golden strands that caught the light like silk. It curled gently at the ends, framing a face too handsome for comfort. His eyes were an arresting shade of green—the kind of color that could see through a lie and never blink.

In my mind, Rose hummed with obvious interest.

‘He has a black wolf,’ she purred. ‘And I’m dying to meet him in person.’

I tried not to react, but my curiosity was already building. Cassian looked fierce, composed—like someone used to being obeyed. I couldn’t help but wonder what his talents were. Was he the kind of prince who hunted for sport? A strategist? Or maybe, secretly, a chef who could make poison taste like honey?

When the Queen Mother finished the formalities, Cassian’s expression made it clear he was a man of limited patience. His bored stare said he’d rather be anywhere else, and the moment she left, he finally spoke—his voice smooth but sharp-edged.

“Finally, we’re free to speak,” he said. “I know what the Queen Mother has told you, but I’d rather hear the truth from you. Tell me—are you still the brat everyone remembers, or is the rumor true? Did you really have some out-of-body experience that changed you entirely?”

The bluntness caught me off guard. I’d dealt with plenty of men before, even dated a few, but none had ever come at me quite like this—half accusation, half fascination.

Before I could form a response, Rose’s amused purr slid into my thoughts.

‘His wolf is… very creative with body reflexes. Loves aerobics.’

I closed my eyes, half-smiling despite myself. “Really?” I muttered under my breath.

‘Says the wolf lecturing me about self-control,’ I shot back silently. ‘Are all wolves this easily distracted by each other?’

She only purred louder, a low, delighted rumble that made me roll my eyes.

When I opened them again, Cassian was watching me closely, his green eyes glinting with curiosity. That’s when I noticed the subtle gleam of a single earring catching the light on his left ear—an insignia shaped like a claw made of silver.

The mark of his lineage.

Prince Cassian Gonzales of the Gonzales Silverclaw Pack.

The second largest pack in the realm—rivaled only by the one we have been owned recently by.

And suddenly, this meeting felt much more dangerous than I’d expected.

Knowing I hadn’t replied right away, I decided to just… be myself.

That was always risky. In the past, being myself usually meant saying something awkward enough to make a man run for the hills.

Maybe that’s why, despite dating two guys, my longest and most reliable relationship had been with my vibrator, that’s what took my virginity.

At least that one never judged me.

But here—this life—I was a virgin again. A clean slate. Maybe that meant I had a chance to do better… or at least to not completely humiliate myself in front of a prince.

I extended my hand toward him, trying to look composed even as my pulse pounded in my ears. Cassian’s gaze flicked to my hand as if it might bite him. Instead of taking it, he slipped both hands casually into his pockets, studying me with an expression halfway between curiosity and amusement.

Fine. If he wasn’t going to play polite, I’d take the first swing.

“It’s nice to meet you—not your rumors,” I said honestly. My voice was steadier than I felt. “To clear the air, yes, I had a very strange and bitter awakening. It changed a lot of things, and apparently, a lot of opinions. I can’t remember much of my past, but my wolf can—and she’s helping me take back my life one step at a time.”

His eyebrows shot up, that cool indifference slipping just enough for me to see a spark of interest. His gaze swept over me like he was weighing the truth of my words—or maybe just testing how far he could push before I broke.

My hand was still hanging there awkwardly between us, my palm starting to sweat. Just as I thought of dropping it and retreating into the comfort of pretending this hadn’t happened, he reached forward.

Cassian’s hand was warm, firm, deliberate. He shook mine slowly, deliberately, his fingers lingering just long enough to make the air between us thicken. A smirk curved his lips—not kind, not cruel, just confident, dangerous, knowing.

And gods help me… it made my skin burn.

Rose’s voice purred in the back of my mind, far too pleased.

‘Oh, you’re in trouble now, little one.’

I tried to play it cool, placing a lone, casual smile on my face. Inside, though, I was screaming.

‘Shut up, Rose!’ I snapped internally. ‘He’s gorgeous, clearly works out, and looks like he was sculpted just to ruin people’s self-esteem—but I get the feeling he’s the kind of man who schedules his emotions.’

Rose chuckled, agreeing a little too easily. ‘Strict, impatient, dominant… I do see the appeal.’

Before I could even guess what she meant by appeal, Cassian spoke again, his voice smooth enough to melt metal.

“Seems you did have that small accident,” he said with a faint smirk. “I’m sorry for the incident, but I must admit—your change has its charms. I find your new behavior… intriguing. Princess Mishka, would you allow me the honor of taking you on a date tomorrow?”

He said it so directly, so confidently, that it took me a second to process it. Cassian Gonzales was not the kind of man who played games. He asked for what he wanted—and expected to get it.

My heart hammered, my palms turned clammy, and my brain promptly abandoned me. My boldness had apparently done something right, because it was working. Too well.

“I—uh—where are we going?” I stammered, trying to sound calm. “I just… want to be ready before we go out.”

The last word cracked embarrassingly high, and Cassian’s low laugh followed instantly. The sound wrapped around me like heat, making my stomach flip and my face burn.

Mortified, I snatched my hand back and covered my face. “Oh, perfect. I’m sure that sounded so regal,” I muttered, half to myself.

Cassian didn’t stop laughing. Instead, he moved to a nearby waiter, plucked a small, delicate pastry from a silver tray, and turned back toward me. The dessert was golden, flaky, with white cream on top and something sweet glinting inside its cracked shell.

Before I could ask, he stepped close—too close—and tilted my chin up with his fingers. His touch was warm, commanding.

“Open wide, Princess,” he said in that husky, deliberate tone that could probably make the palace guards faint. “Something this sweet will help your nerves, I know your sweet self has helped me tonight.”

Rose purred in the back of my mind, practically swooning. ‘He’s feeding you dessert, Mishka. Either he’s flirting or planning to ruin your self-control entirely.’

I could barely think. My legs felt like they might give out. Against every ounce of logic I had left, I parted my lips, letting him place the pastry between them.

The taste was divine—soft, warm, and melting against my tongue. But it wasn’t the dessert that made my pulse race. It was the way he looked at me while I ate it.

Damn, I thought weakly, as Rose’s laughter filled my head. He’s good at this.

I swallowed too fast. The sweet pastry crumbs went the wrong way, and before I could stop myself, I started coughing—loud, graceless, embarrassing. Perfect. So much for looking like the mysterious new princess. I’d just choked on dessert like a toddler on her first solid food.

Cassian didn’t laugh this time. He moved quickly, fetching a glass from a nearby table and returning with the calm efficiency of someone used to fixing other people’s messes.

“Easy,” he said softly, holding the drink out to me. His voice had lost that teasing edge; it was warm now, almost protective. “You’re nervous about this arrangement, but I assure you—I’m no monster, young lady. Here, drink this. It’s strawberry wine. Sweet, but soothing.”

I took the glass and sipped, my throat finally settling. The flavor was soft and sugary, with just enough warmth to chase the embarrassment away.

“I do hope you know,” Cassian added with a small smile, “that you’re a very bold woman. Bold enough to capture my attention, at least—in all your splendor.”

His words caught me off guard. They weren’t just polite; they were genuine. I felt the compliment settle somewhere deep inside, where I hadn’t realized I still wanted to feel wanted.

‘How long that will last, I’m not sure,’ Rose’s voice interrupted, half teasing, half cautious. ‘He’s a serious man with little patience, but no fool. His dealings with other kingdoms are careful and deliberate. Numbers come easy to him. He values culinary arts, craftsmanship, even poetry—but he doesn’t waste time on small talk or meaningless flattery. Unlike the last prince… the one who can’t resist chasing skirts.’

Her insight made me pause. Cassian didn’t look like the kind of man who’d fall easily, but something about the way he was watching me—attentive, evaluating, like I was a problem worth solving—made my heart speed up.

Maybe Rose was right. Maybe he wasn’t a man of games.

But he definitely knew how to play me.

A small, involuntary purr slipped out of me before I could stop it.

Rose’s satisfaction echoed through me like silk and smoke, and the heat that rushed to my face was immediate.

Cassian’s smirk returned the second he heard it. His green eyes glimmered with that same dangerous amusement — the kind that could melt confidence and pride in a single look.

Desperate to recover, I tipped the rest of the strawberry wine down my throat, ignoring how sweet and strong it was. When I set the glass back down, Cassian plucked it effortlessly from my hand, his fingers brushing mine with deliberate care.

“Now,” he said smoothly, “you’re loose enough for a little game, Princess Mishka.”

The way he said game made my brain short-circuit for a moment, and I had to blink just to catch up.

“A… game?” I echoed weakly, hoping my face wasn’t as red as it felt.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he offered his arm and led me toward a nearby table set against the wall. The soft flicker of candles danced over polished wood — and there it was. A chessboard.

Not just any chessboard.

An ornate, carved masterpiece of gold and silver pieces, each one shaped into miniature wolves, crowns, and moons.

I let out a small laugh, both in relief and disbelief. “You play chess?”

Cassian glanced sideways at me, that sly smile never fading. “I strategize, Princess. The game just helps me practice.”

Rose purred softly in my mind. ‘Oh, he’s dangerous. Be careful — he’s not trying to win a game, he’s studying you.’

My pulse quickened as I sat down opposite him. He gestured for me to make the first move, his fingers resting lightly on the edge of the board.

For a man who seemed so restrained, there was something electric about him — like every word, every glance, was designed to see how far he could push before I broke.

And gods help me…

I was ready to play.