Elowen POV
Three months ago, I agreed to meet Cassian in the garden.
Tonight, I'm climbing the old watchtower stairs to give him my virginity.
My hands shake as I push open the wooden door. The circular room at the top is small, open to the stars. Cassian's already here, spreading blankets on the stone floor. Two wine bottles sit beside a pile of cushions he must've stolen from the library.
He turns when he hears me, and his smile makes my knees weak.
"You came," he says softly.
"I always come."
Three months of secret meetings. Three months of stolen moments that saved my life.
It started innocent—talking in the east garden at midnight. Then he kissed me by the fountain, and I kissed him back because I was so desperately lonely. Then came heated touches in empty hallways. His hands in my hair. My back pressed against library shelves. Whispered promises that this was real, that I wasn't crazy for feeling this.
But we never crossed the final line.
Until tonight.
"I brought honey cakes," I say, holding up the basket. My voice shakes.
Cassian crosses to me in three steps, taking the basket and setting it aside. His hands cup my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks.
"We don't have to do this," he murmurs. "Not if you're not ready."
"I'm ready." I've been ready since he first made me laugh. Since he first saw me as more than Thaddeus's unwanted mate. "I want this. I want you."
His kiss is gentle at first, then deeper. Hungrier. I melt into him like I always do, feeling safe for the first time since my parents died.
Cassian makes me feel wanted. Real. Like I matter.
The blankets are soft beneath us. The stars watch through the open roof. And when he touches me—really touches me—I forget about Thaddeus. About Lyria. About being the wolfless Omega everyone pities.
For these stolen hours, I'm just Elowen. And I'm loved.
Afterward, we lie tangled together, my head on his chest. His heartbeat is steady under my ear. His fingers draw lazy circles on my shoulder.
"I'm falling for you," I whisper into the darkness.
Cassian goes completely still. For one terrible heartbeat, I think I've ruined everything.
Then he pulls me closer, so tight it almost hurts.
"I fell weeks ago," he says, voice rough. "Maybe even that first night in the library. You're—God, Elowen, you're everything."
My eyes burn with tears, but happy ones this time.
"What do we do?" I ask. "Thaddeus will never let me go. The land merger—"
"I'll figure it out. I promise." He kisses my forehead. "We'll find a way."
I want to believe him. I need to believe him.
Because for the first time in eighteen months, I have hope.
We stay until the stars fade and dawn creeps across the sky. Then, reluctantly, we dress. Cassian kisses me one more time at the tower door.
"Same time next week?" he asks.
"Always."
I slip out first, taking the servant's passages back toward my chambers. The palace is still mostly asleep. I might actually make it without being seen.
Then I hear voices from the guards' barracks—rough male laughter echoing through the courtyard.
I should keep walking. I should—
"Can't believe Cassian actually did it!"
I freeze behind a stone pillar.
"Bedded the ice queen! That's 500 gold he just won."
The world tilts sideways.
"Easiest money I ever lost. Thought for sure the wolfless Omega would be too scared to spread her legs."
"Cassian Ironhart never fails a seduction. Man's got skills."
"Wonder if she knows it was all a bet? That he only pursued her to prove he could?"
My knees give out. I catch myself against the pillar, bile rising in my throat.
A bet. This was all a bet.
Every kiss. Every touch. Every whispered promise.
Five hundred gold.
The honey cakes I baked fall from my numb fingers, basket clattering against stone. The guards go quiet.
"Who's there?"
I run.
I don't know where I'm going. Just away. Away from their laughter. Away from the truth that's ripping me apart from the inside.
I gave Cassian everything tonight. My body. My heart. My trust.
And it was all for 500 gold.
I slam into my chambers, locking the door. My whole body shakes. The mating mark on my neck burns cold—Thaddeus's mark, reminding me I was already unwanted by one Ironhart brother.
Now I'm a joke to the other.
A bet. A game. Entertainment for bored guards.
I press my hands over my mouth to hold back screams.
How could I be so stupid? How could I believe someone like Cassian would actually want someone like me?
A knock sounds at my door.
"Elowen?" Cassian's voice. "I saw you run. Are you okay?"
I stare at the door, hatred and heartbreak warring in my chest.
"Elowen, please. Open up. Talk to me."
My hand reaches for the handle. Stops.
"Was I a bet?" My voice sounds dead even to my own ears.
Silence. Long, terrible silence.
"Answer me, Cassian. Was I a bet? Did you make a wager with the guards about bedding me?"
"Elowen, I can explain—"
The world goes red.
I rip open the door. Cassian stands there, face pale, eyes desperate.
"Which came first?" I demand. "The bet or the feelings?"
"The bet was before I knew you! Before—"
"WHICH CAME FIRST?"
He flinches. "The bet. But Elowen, I swear—"
I slap him. Hard. The crack echoes down the hallway.
"You made me believe someone could want me," I whisper. "You made me feel safe. And it was all a lie for 500 gold."
"It wasn't a lie! Not after the first night. Everything between us was real—"
"Get out."
"Please—"
"GET OUT!"
My voice breaks on a scream. Cassian stumbles back, and I see it then—guilt written all over his face. Confirmation.
I slam the door and sink to the floor.
Two Ironhart brothers. Two betrayals.
The mating mark on my neck burns so cold it feels like frostbite.
And somewhere deep inside, something breaks that I know will never heal.
A paper slides under my door—cream colored, expensive.
I pick it up with shaking hands.
"Border patrol volunteers needed for eastern territories. Departing dawn tomorrow. Dangerous assignment."
I stare at those words.
Dangerous. Good.
Maybe if I'm lucky, I won't come back.