Chapter 125: A Secret Meeting

Kenna

My grip tightened around the steering wheel as the headlights cut through the dark road ahead.

My heart had been pounding wildly in my ears since I left the Blood Moon Pack Villa.

I was very certain that Cassian died five years ago. Yet here I was, driving to meet him.

I exhaled slowly and turned my attention back to the road. The motel was nearly an hour from Bleeding Rose.

Cassian had deliberately chosen a location far from it.

The thought alone made something twist inside my stomach.

What exactly did he know about me?

That question had haunted me since the night he called.

If he knew everything, he would have already exposed me.

So why was he taking his time with it?

A few minutes later, the motel came into view. I slowed down and pulled into the parking lot, stopping beneath a dim streetlight.

For several seconds, I didn't move.

My fingers remained wrapped around the steering wheel. Then I reached for the small mirror above me and looked at my reflection.

My makeup was still perfect.

My hair was in place.

No one looking at me would know that I was terrified.

Good.

Without a second thought, I stepped out of the car and shut the door quietly. The cool night air brushed against my face as I walked toward the reception desk, keeping my head lowered.

The receptionist looked up.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm here to see someone."

"Room number?"

"119.”

The woman's eyes flickered toward the register.

"Mr. Cassian?"

I nodded.

"You can go inside.”

Without another word, I turned and made my way toward the hallway. My gaze swept across the narrow corridor, moving from one closed door to another.

A few moments later, I was standing in front of Cassian’s room. My hand hovered over the handle for a brief moment before I finally knocked.

The door opened almost immediately, as though he had been waiting on the other end.

And then I saw him.

Cassian.

He stood at the doorway, faint lines circling his eyes that hadn't been there years ago. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his eyes...

They were the same.

Cold.

Dangerous.

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke. A faint smile curved across his lips as he stepped aside.

“Come in, Kenna.”

I hesitated before stepping inside. The door clicked shut behind me, the sound echoing through the small room.

"You look nervous."

I spun toward him.

"I'm not."

A humourless laugh escaped him.

“You were never a good liar when you were afraid—“

"Why did you call me here?" My voice cut through his before he could finish.

"You know why."

"I don't."

For a few seconds, neither of us moved. Cassian leaned against the edge of the table, watching me.

Before he could say anything else, I stepped closer until there was barely any space between us.

"Cassian..." My voice softened. “I never wanted any of this to happen.”

For a moment, his expression didn’t change. A quiet laugh escaped him, but this time there was no humor in it.

"You never wanted any of this?" His voice was frighteningly calm. “Just cut the bull shit, Kenna.”

"I loved you, Cassian…” The words barely left my lips. “And I still do.”

For the briefest moment, something flickered across his expression. I stepped closer, my fingers slowly reaching for his hand.

His eyes dropped briefly to where my fingers rested against his skin.

“We had something real between us.” I allowed my fingers to curl gently around his. “Don’t stand here and pretend that everything we had meant nothing.”

For a brief moment, I thought I had reached him. Then Cassian pulled his hand away.

"We had something poisonous!” His voice echoed through the room. “How can you claim to love me when you want me dead?”

“I…” I swallowed hard. “I only did it because I was scared."

"You were selfish."

"I had no choice."

"You always had a choice."

I looked at him, searching for the man who would have brought the entire world down to my feet just to make me happy.

He wasn't there.

Whatever love Cassian had once carried for me had been burned away. Only resentment remained.

The softness disappeared from my face.

"What do you want?"

"Everything."

My brows pulled together.

"What does that mean?"

"I’m going to take everything from you, Kenna.” His voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper. “And when I'm finished, you’ll understand exactly what it feels like to lose everything."

The words hit me harder than I expected. I looked away quickly, blinking once before he could see the fear flash across my face.

Slowly, I turned back to him.

"Name your price." I reached into my purse and pulled out my checkbook. “How much would it take for you to keep quiet?”

A sly smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You still think everything can be solved with money." He pushed away from the table and took a step toward me. “You've spent five years living comfortably while I lived knowing that the woman I loved wanted me dead."

My hands curled into fists.

"Cassian, please." I opened the checkbook and placed it on the table between us. “Leave Bleeding Rose. Take whatever money you want and disappear."

Without saying a word, Cassian picked up the checkbook from the table. For a second, hope rose inside me. Then he tore the check cleanly in half.

The sound of paper ripping echoed through the room. He dropped the pieces onto the floor between us.

"Aren’t you curious about the secret I know about you?” He put the glass down. “I’m sure you want to know.”

My throat tightened.

“What…” I swallowed hard. “What secret are you talking about?”

Cassian didn’t answer.

Instead, he stepped closer until I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes. For a brief moment, he searched my face, almost as though he was enjoying every second of my discomfort.

“How long were you planning to hide the truth from me, Kenna?”

The words hit me like a physical blow.

“What truth?”

A faint smile curved across his lips as he leaned closer.

“…I know that Jayden is my son."