Chapter 42 — Possession Without Permission
465 Words
Aurora accepted the invitation out of obligation rather than interest.
The reception gathered some of the most influential people in the country under one roof, which meant the evening would be filled with predictable conversations disguised as opportunities. She had attended enough of these events to know exactly how they worked.
Appear, socialize, leave~ simple, At least, that was the plan.
A familiar investor joined her shortly after she arrived, steering the conversation toward business, acquisitions, and future partnerships. The discussion remained professional, though his growing confidence suggested he was enjoying her company far more than the topic itself.
Aurora handled it with practiced ease.
Polite enough to avoid offense.
Distant enough to avoid encouragement.
The balance worked well until a subtle shift passed through the ballroom.
Nothing obvious happened. Conversations continued. Music played. Glasses clinked.
Yet attention moved.
People became aware Cassian had arrived.
Aurora didn’t need to look to know it.
Years of power had given him a presence that changed the atmosphere long before he spoke.
By the time her gaze found him across the room, several guests were already adjusting their posture and carefully choosing their words. Fear wasn’t always visible. Sometimes it appeared as caution.
And Cassian inspired caution in almost everyone.
The investor beside her noticed him a few seconds later.
His expression changed immediately.
Aurora almost laughed.
Cassian crossed the room with the calm confidence of a man who had never needed permission to occupy space.
When he stopped beside her, the investor suddenly found himself eager to greet someone else across the ballroom.
The escape happened so quickly that it bordered on impressive.
Aurora waited until he disappeared before speaking.
“You chased him away.”
“I wasn’t aware I had that effect.”
The answer carried enough amusement to make her roll her eyes.
“You knew exactly what you were doing.”
“Did I?”
The question sounded innocent.
Neither of them believed it.
A server passed with champagne.
Aurora accepted a glass.
Cassian declined.
For a moment they simply stood together, watching the crowd move around them.
The silence felt surprisingly comfortable.
“You’ve never interrupted one of my conversations before.”
His attention shifted toward her.
“I’ve interrupted many conversations.”
“You know what I mean.”
A faint smile appeared.
Gone almost as quickly as it arrived.
“Perhaps.”
The response told her everything she needed to know.
Understanding settled quietly between them.
Possessiveness rarely announced itself through grand declarations. More often, it appeared through instinctive reactions, small decisions, and an unwillingness to share attention that had never officially belonged to anyone.
Aurora should have found the realization concerning.
Instead, she spent the rest of the evening thinking about it.
And that was probably the greater problem.
- Writer
