My Alpha Biker Mate

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 24

NOVA'S POV

I don't even wait to hear more from the priestess as I head out of her lair. I can already sense Cassian, so it doesn't take me anything to locate his office.

My hands are balled into fists as I raise my knuckles to rap at the door.

“Come in,” I hear another voice say, and I immediately recognize it as Jason's voice. That should have been my cue to turn back, but I can't. Instead, I wrap my fingers around the doorknob, pushing the door open.

Just as expected, Jason and Cassian are sitting in front of each other, only separated by the table.

Their eyes are fixed on me, and I notice the way Cassian's eyes seem to light up. I like that look on him. And I can't help but imagine that I actually have an effect on him.

“I need to talk to you,” I mutter, and he gives me a small nod, looking over at Jason.

For the first time since I knew the both of them, Jason isn't giving me the death stare. He simply has his hand in the air, in mock surrender as he heads out of the office.

Cassian suddenly leans in, and I catch a whiff of his perfume. Everything about it reminds me of my old life. The beach, the sand.

Why didn't I catch it before?

“What do you need?” He asks, and that is when I suddenly look around, taking in the sight of the mahogany furniture, the novels that are on the bookshelf. The spines alone show that they are well read.

I can't help but c**k an eyebrow. I didn't see him as a reader. It takes a lot for me not to run my hands through them.

“I'm your mate,” I say, tipping my chin. “You don't have to be so formal.”

There is a smirk threatening to spill from his lips.

I tip my lips even higher. “Anyway, I want to head back to the city,” I say.

There.

I have said the words.

I watch all the color drain from his face, but it doesn't matter at that point. It is probably the only chance I have to check up on the things that I actually care about.

“For how long?” He asks, and I press my lips into a thin line.

“I don't know. I just want to see…”

Cassian looks away for just a second, and then he looks back at me. “You're not about to run away, are you?” He asks, and I frown at him.

“What are you talking about? I have…” my voice trails off, but I know that I have to give him the answer he is looking for. “I have a brother.”

He narrows his eyes immediately.

“Where is he? And who has been taking care of him?”

I can't even ignore the look of worry on his face that he is giving me. He is genuinely worried about my brother. He has genuinely won me over at that point.

“My aunt is alive, but she's nothing less than a hooker. She can't take care of him. He's at the orphanage.”

Cassian closes his eyes, before getting on his feet. “The maids are going to pack your things. Let's go.”

With that, he grabs my arm, leading me along. I notice how his jaw ticks.

“What's his name?” He asks calmly.

“Nate,” I say, and he gives me a small nod.

“You're not going to have an issue if we adopt him, are you?”

I stop in my tracks, and I notice that he is looking down at me. He wants my approval for this. But at the same time, the words are stuck in my mouth. I don't even know what I want at that point.

My whole body is shaking at that point. “I don't know if I have the capacity to take care of him,” I say, and Cassian nods, swallowing hard.

“There are a whole lot of people that will be willing to take care of a little boy. Do you agree?”

This time, I know that I won't be able to disagree. He doesn't give me any more options.

“Fine,” I say.

“I'll make arrangements for a place to stay.”

I shake my head. “I still have my apartment. The rent isn't expired yet.”

“Even better.”

“We don't have to carry much.”

By the time we get to the room, there are maids already throwing clothes into suitcases, folding them neatly.

“How did you get them to do that?” I ask in a whisper, and Cassian gives me a small smile. The relieved look that he is giving me for the first time in minutes.

“Mind link,” he says, and I give him a small smile.

The maids manage to strap the tiny bag to the back of Cassian's bike. I change into leather trousers and some boots that are perfectly my size.

I look up, watching Cassian as he looks at me from head to toe.

“Is there something wrong?” I ask, and he smirks, shaking his head.

“Nothing. You just look like a biker's mate.”

I look away, hiding my own stupid ass smirk that is on my lips. “Are we going to go or not? The orphanage is going to close soon.”

Cassian takes a step towards me, and I take one back, until my back hits the wall.

“It won't be wrong if we take a few minutes, would it?”

I swallow hard. The priestess' words are in my head immediately, and my smile seems to waver.

I hate the fact that I am worried about the thought of him dying. I never gave a f**k about people. So why do I care so much about this man?

“Yes,” I whisper in response. “It would be very wrong. Now, if you'll excuse me, we have to meet Nate.”

Cassian wraps his arms around me, leading me outside, placing me on the bike, and putting his extra helmet on my head. By the time he sits down, and I wrap my arm around him, he puts on his own helmet as well, and my hand around him tightens.

“I won't lose you, Nova,” he says, and I can feel my own throat close.