My Alpha Biker Mate

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 27

NOVA'S POV

I owe Cassian.

Fuck, I owe him with my life.

He still leans over, taking my hand in his as he leads me out of the room to follow the manager and Nate. I turn back one more time, taking in the sight of the children.

Even I can’t believe how careless I was. How wicked I was. Nobody deserves that life. Yet, I was giving it to my brother.

I swallow hard, tipping my chin. He deserves better. And I’m going to make sure that he gets it.

By the time I step into the office, the file is already laid out on the table. I frown, c*****g my head to the side. She couldn’t have gotten the files ready within seconds.

“You prepared them beforehand?” I ask, and she looks up at me, smiling for the first time since we walked into the orphanage.

“I knew you would come to take him home later on. I just didn’t know how long it would take you. How long it would take you to come back to your senses. And that’s the reason I didn’t give him up for adoption. I didn’t want you crying later.”

I can barely keep my tears back, and I quickly wipe them off.

“Thank you,” I whisper, before shakily picking up the pen on the table. I scribble my signature across the paper.

I turn back just in time to see Nate clinging to Cassian. That is enough to bring a smile to my lips.

“You're free to take him home,” the manager says, before standing up and giving me a small hug.

I hold on to Nate’s hand, and I’m more than glad that he even lets me.

His jaw practically drops when he sees Cassian's motorcycle.

“You have a motorcycle?” he asks, looking up at Cassian. Cassian smirks before nodding.

I watch as Cassian gives Nate his helmet.

“Are you sure he'll be safe?” I ask, and he c***s an eyebrow at me.

“You don't trust my driving skills?” he asks, and I press my lips into a thin line.

I can’t deny the fact that I trust him more than life itself.

He looks up at the sky, and the weather is slowly darkening.

“Give me the directions to your place,” he says, getting on the bike. I help Nate get on, placing the oversized helmet on his head. At least he’ll be safe.

I get on as well, and the motorcycle roars to life. The wind whips through my hair once more.

The motorcycle stops right in front of my house, and I feel my throat close up again. After my car broke down in the desert, I didn’t think I would be making my way back here.

It is the one place that holds all my tears, and all my joys.

“Are you sure you want to go in?” Cassian asks, and I nod slowly. I’m not sure, but I can’t keep standing outside. I don’t want to go back to the pack either. Not yet. Not until I’m ready to hear the whispers.

“Let’s go then,” Nate says, and I can’t ignore how excited he already looks.

That’s what matters.

My hands are stuffed into my pockets as I pull out the key. I slip it into the keyhole, and I can’t help but notice the curtains of my neighbors shift.

They’re watching.

Of course they are. This place feeds on gossip.

I push the door open, and we step inside. The tiny furniture and small room look cosy. Just as I remember.

“What do you think?” I ask Nate, and he nods.

“It looks cool. A thousand times better than sharing one room with eight other kids.”

He’s not saying it to hurt me. Just telling the truth.

“Come on,” I say, forcing cheer into my voice. “I’ll show you to your room and order some pizza.”

He does a little happy dance, and I laugh, showing him to his room and asking him to take a bath.

By the time I come back downstairs, I rub my hands against my trousers and notice Cassian is still standing there.

“You're not going to have a seat?” I ask, and he glances around.

“Well, you're the woman of the house. I was waiting for your permission.”

Everything about this feels strange… but not bad.

Just unfamiliar.

And maybe… maybe I can live with that.

“I’ll order pizza for us,” I say, louder than necessary. He nods, watching me as I tap on my phone.

God, I didn’t realize how much I missed being connected to the normal world.

I look up at Cassian, and something settles in my chest.

Maybe… just maybe… he’s enough.

But the pack won’t see it that way.

I slip my phone into my back pocket, and Cassian suddenly holds out his hand. I lean in to take it, and before I know it, he pulls me in, pressing his lips against mine, his hand wrapped firmly around my waist.

“You're perfect, Nova,” he says.

I look up at him, lashes fluttering.

“No,” I whisper. “I’m not. I can't be perfect. Not after everything I've done.”

“You are. And I'm sure you'll prove yourself.”

Fuck. I want to believe him.

I feel the power hum beneath my skin, rising again, and Cassian brushes his thumb over my mate mark. Instantly, the storm inside me quiets.

“Come,” he says softly. “I'll make you feel good.”