Chapter 5

I sit there, my body stiff, my eyes wide with shock, with only the sound of my heart thumping wildly in my chest ringing in my ears and the feel of his soft, velvety lips moving against my lips.

Cassian is kissing… me? Oh, goddess, my big brother is kissing me.

My mind, which has gone blank from shock when Cassian seals my lips with his, begins to register what is going on, and goddess.

The kiss is exactly what I've imagined, nothing short. I raise my hands to wrap around his neck, my lips parting as I grant him entry.

He wasted no time in plunging his tongue into my mouth, exploring every nook and cranny.

I moan into the kiss.

Moon goddess, please help me. I cannot let what happened in the past repeat, because I will be the one left hanging again.

I push him away with all my strength, and jumping out of bed, I create a significant distance between us, my body trembling with emotions.

“Why did you kiss me? It’s not dark in here for you to confuse me with Melinda.” I ask, adjusting my crooked glasses on my face.

He rises to his feet, a grin spreading across his face as he seriously licks his lips, like a food critic savoring a meal.

“I’m a werewolf, an alpha no less. We have the ability to see in the dark, baby sis. As for why I kissed you, it’s to shut you up. You’re not leaving here, and that’s final.”

What does he mean by "he can see in the dark"? Is he making fun of me for not being able to see even in daylight without my glasses?

How could he of all people be so cruel to me? The thought leaves a bitter taste in my throat, and also my heart squeezes painfully.

How pathetic am I?

It's clear I'm the only one refusing to move on from the past. And thinking too much of his actions. He's changed a lot.

“You're not the boss of me; I'm leaving!” I shout after him as he turns to walk away.

He halts and turns to face me with his brow crooked, the words “Are you sure?” written all over his face.

Of course he's my boss. What was I thinking?

“Fine, you’re my boss, but I’m not a child; I can take care of myself!” I countered furiously.

“You’re staying here, Ella, and this conversation is no longer up for debate,” he mutters coldly before exiting and slamming the door.

I open my mouth, but…

“Achoo…!” I sneezed.

“Dammit!” I curse, lifting the lamp on the nightstand as anger surges within me to toss it at the door as I scream, “That crazy bastard! How dare he…” The remainder of my words catch in my throat as the door swings open, making me pause my action when his annoyingly handsome face comes into view.

“Take a hot bath and come down in twenty minutes," he instructs me, then glancing at the lamp in my hand mid-air, he adds provocatively, “Slam it against the wall for better results.”

“Ahhh! Get lost already!" I yell, hurling the lamp at him, but the bastard doesn’t flinch.

My heart was in a frenzy as I watched in horror, the lamp heading directly for his face.

“Please dodge!” I gasp, covering my face with my shaking hands, my body trembling from panic.

I opened my eyes, and the lamp was in his hand, but there was also a scratch on his face.

“Cassian…” I ran toward him, hugging him tightly, burying my face in his chest.

“I'm sorry. I… I really didn't mean to hurt you.” I cry, apologizing to him. He tosses the lamp away and hugs me back.

“It wasn't serious. Look, I'm already healed.” He murmurs after passing a hand over my hair, but I don't move to look. I've missed him, his warm embrace, and his intoxicating masculine scent.

It's been so long since he hugged me like this.

“What happened? I thought I heard something break.”

The sound of heels clicking hurriedly against the porcelain floor and Melinda's worried voice makes me finally pull away from him.

Brilliant, how did she appear right at this very instance? I scowl internally as I force a smile at her and reply,

“Nothing serious, just broke my lamp by accident,” I explain, looking up at Brother’s face. The scratch has already healed, so I left them immediately, as I’m suddenly filled with another urge to sneeze.

I stand behind the door after closing it, straining my ears and listening to them.

“My love, are you alright? She's having a cold, and you've been so close to her; I'm worried you might…” Melinda is saying, but Brother interrupts her curtly.

“Let go.”

“Okay.” Melinda answers.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding after they left, and I made my way to the bathroom to take a bath.

~~~

I wake up from the sunlight on my face.

“Great, I survived the night.” I mutter sarcastically, then I stretch my limbs, yawning.

I reach for my glasses from the nightstand, putting them on when I notice a dark figure on my sofa. “Oh, my! Big brother.” I yelp in fright when I see clearly who it is. “What in the world are you doing in my room this early?”

“To check on you,” he answers flatly, looking at my face like I'm the one thinking too much about him being inside my room this early.

My skin crawls, making me aware of the fact that I am exposed, but I don't dare look, because his eyes might follow my gaze.

He abruptly rises, and I jump out of fright. What's wrong with him? He's fond of that.

He approaches me, stretching a hand toward my forehead, but I back away.

“I'm perfectly fine.”

“Great. I…” he begins, but is interrupted by the sound of knocking at the door.

Knock…

Knock…

“Who is it?” I ask, but instead of a reply, the door is pushed open, and Brandon peeks his head through.

“Hello, love.”

“Brandon…?” I murmur, surprised he is here. Did Brother call him over because of yesterday? I ponder, glancing up at Brother's face. However, from the thunderous look plastered on his face, he sure as hell has no knowledge about it.

“Brandon. How are you here?” I ask, getting out of bed and hurrying toward him. What got into his mind for him to come here without an invitation from my brother?

He steps inside holding a bouquet of my favorite orchid flowers and a basket of fruits. I couldn't help but smile at that; he's so thoughtful.

That's why I love him; he's the second person to treat me better aside from my brother.

“I met Melinda this morning, and she mentioned you having a cold, so here I am, your one and only personal doctor for today.” He says playfully, smiling contagiously, and I smile back, holding his gaze as he hands me the bouquet.

I take a whiff of the flowers.

“It smells nice. Thank you.” Brandon opens his mouth, but…

“Who gave you the permission to step foot in my house?” Brother's icy and menacing tone from behind makes me freeze in place.

“Get lost!” he growls in his alpha command, releasing an oppressive pheromone that affects even me, an alpha. Imagine Brandon, who is a Delta.

Well, we're doomed. How did I even forget about him being here?