My Alpha Biker Mate

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 25

Nova's POV

My hands tighten around Cassian as he rides like his life depends on it. It doesn't matter. I can barely stop smiling. I love having my hands around this man.

I can feel his abs underneath his shirt, and it takes a lot for me not to slip my hands beneath it.

I’m supposed to be focused on what’s going to happen after now, aren’t I? But I can’t even do that in peace.

The wind blows through my hair, and it feels nothing less than amazing. It’s almost like I can feel hands running through it.

My hands trail downward in Cassian’s shirt, and I feel him stiffen.

“What are you doing?” he asks, his voice low, but I can hear it through the wind.

“Nothing,” I say, and I can feel him smirk even through his helmet.

“I wouldn’t mind getting us killed just so I can touch you,” he says, and I smile.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

I can’t deny the fact that he’s the reason I’ve smiled the most in the past few days, and there’s no way I’m taking any of that for granted.

Before I know it, we’re back in the human world. The huge buildings tell me everything. We’re no longer in the desert. I feel the change in the air immediately, and I start directing Cassian to where the orphanage is.

My heart is thudding in my chest more than I want it to, and I can barely breathe.

Nate would hate me. I just know it. He must be feeling the same way I did when our parents died. The same way I did when my aunt dumped us at the orphanage.

I close my eyes at the thought. What if someone has already adopted him? I know I would never recover from something like that.

“Right here,” I struggle to say, and the motorcycle comes to a stop. The sound of the engine dies, and I immediately feel the sun on my face.

As I take my helmet off, Cassian does the same.

He takes a step toward me, placing a hand on my cheek. “He’s not going to hate you,” he says, and I lick my dry lips.

“I’m not going to assume until I see him for myself.”

I can already imagine the look of disgust on his face when he sees me. But I don’t want to think that way.

“We’re going to get him, adopt him, and bring him home with us,” Cassian assures, and I give him a small nod.

Fuck, I want to believe him with everything in me.

He takes my hand in his, leading me into the building.

The moment we step in, I smell baby powder. Food. I can hear the laughter of children coming from a room.

By the time my eyes land on the receptionist, she’s looking at me from head to toe. Then she looks at Cassian, and a smile spreads across her lips. I don’t miss the look of interest written all over her face.

She leans forward, trying to showcase her breasts. If I wasn’t irritated before, I am now.

“What do you need, love?” she asks, pushing her chest forward.

I look over at Cassian, and he’s barely even looking at her. Much to my satisfaction.

“We want to adopt a child,” he says, and she immediately leans back.

“Is she your wife?” she asks.

Cassian c***s an eyebrow at her.

I swallow hard, holding my breath as I wait for his answer. The worst he could say is no, right?

“Yes, she is. Do you have a problem with that?”

She presses her lips into a thin line. I glance at her name tag, then c**k my head slightly and smirk.

“Jane, are you going to take us to the person in charge?” I ask.

She looks at me from head to toe again before looking back at Cassian.

“Of course,” she finally says. “Follow the hallway. Third office on your left.”

Cassian gives her a firm nod as he takes my hand again, leading me inside.

By the time we’re out of her sight, I can hear the blood rushing in my ears. I can barely focus on anything anymore. All I can feel is that moment when my aunt dropped Nate off, and how unbothered I was.

It was so wrong. And I hate that it’s only hitting me now.

I can’t help but hate myself.

I’m just about to tell Cassian that there’s no need to pick Nate up, but that would only make me more selfish. More stupid. And Cassian has already raised his hand to knock.

Nate deserves this. At least, I try to convince myself that he does.

“Come in,” a voice calls from inside, and Cassian walks in, pulling me along just like before.

The woman in charge is seated behind her desk, and she blinks the moment she sees me.

“Nova?” she asks, and I swallow hard.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“What are you doing here?” The way she asks makes it sound like she’s upset with me, but I can’t quite place it.

I feel tears prick the back of my eyes.

“I wanted to come back and pick him up. I just didn’t find the time. I’m so—”

“You don’t have to apologize for anything. Those are your problems. You’re allowed to react,” Cassian says.

She looks at him, narrowing her eyes.

“What do the both of you want?” she asks, her tone stricter now.

“We want to see Nate. And possibly take him home.”

“He doesn’t want to see you.”

I don’t even think before I drop to my knees, my hands folded in front of me. I feel Cassian’s jaw tighten, his hands balling into fists at his sides.

“Please,” I beg. “Just once. I want to see him. Please.”

Cassian swallows hard, I watch his throat move. His eyes close, then open again as he looks at the woman.

“Please,” he says.

She hesitates, but finally gives him a small nod.

“Fine. Come with me.”