Chapter 136 Intruder In My Home

Chapter 136 Intruder In My Home

Cassian's Perspective

I stare up at the ceiling, a lazy, permanent smile resting on my face.

Nova is sleeping like a log right beside me, completely worn out from last night. I glance over at her—the thin white sheet is barely draped over her waist, and her skin looks gorgeous bathed in the warm morning light streaming through the blinds.

Last night felt like a dream. Getting everything I’ve ever wanted isn't something I thought was in the cards for me.

Even though I always felt deep down that Nova was my mate, having the bond actually snap into place confirmed that fate is on my side.

I turn onto my side, reaching out to gently trail my knuckles along her cheek.

Her skin is insanely soft. Honestly, I could lie here and just look at her for the rest of the day and be completely happy. Listening to the quiet, steady breaths slipping through her parted lips, watching her long lashes rest against her cheeks... it feels unreal.

I decide to let her sleep in. Though... maybe I could slip between her thighs and wake her up nice and slow instead.

"Cassian... get up."

I bolt upright, my pulse spiking as I catch my mother standing right in the doorway. How she managed to unlock and open my door without me hearing her can only be blamed on how completely distracted I was by Nova.

"Mother? What the hell are you doing in my room?" I snap in a low whisper, though keeping my voice down doesn't do much good. Nova stirs beside me anyway, blinking her eyes open groggily.

"Get dressed. Both of you," my mother orders sharply, her hands tight around her bathrobe. "Then come downstairs immediately. We can deal with whatever... this is after we handle this situation."

My mother never acts this rattled unless something is going horribly wrong. She turns and rushes out of the room just as fast as she came, visibly shaken.

A cold, heavy pit settles in my stomach. Something is very wrong.

"What situation?" Nova asks nervously, pulling the sheets tight around her chest.

"I have no idea, but we need to move fast."

I jump out of bed, grabbing my jeans and scrambling to get dressed. That look on my mother's face—it's the exact same look she had the night my father passed away, when she walked into my bedroom to break the news without a single tear falling from her eyes.

"Do you think it's about us sleeping together?" Nova asks nervously, her breath hitched as she pulls her clothes on in a rush.

"I doubt it," I say, extending my hand to her. "Come on, sweetheart. Stay close."

Her palm is cool and damp in mine as we hurry down the grand hallway. She keeps glancing back and forth between me and the stairs ahead, a messy mix of anxiety and fear written all over her face.

The moment we hit the landing at the top of the staircase, I freeze dead in my tracks.

Zion is standing right in the center of my foyer, pacing back and forth with his head lowered. My heart skips a beat. He is the very last person I expected to see standing inside my home today.

My guards stand frozen against the walls, completely stiff and uncertain of what to do. The housemaids have shrunk back into the shadows, watching the scene unfold with terrified, wide eyes.

Zion looks up, catching sight of me, and a lazy, effortless smirk spreads across his face.

"Cassian! How lovely to see you," he calls out, opening his arms wide as if he's the one hosting me in his own living room.

"How the hell did you cross my borders?" I demand, my voice hard as I start down the steps, pulling Nova along behind me. She looks pale enough to pass out, and I honestly can't blame her for reacting that way.

"Oh, it's simple, really. When your visit involves official business," he says smoothly, his eyes drifting from me over to Nova. His gaze lingers on her a second too long, setting off an instant, burning flame of rage deep in my chest.

Nova suddenly slips her hand out of mine, taking a small step back. I can't tell if she's bracing for a physical fight between Zion and me, or if she's just trying to avoid catching his attention.

"If this was so official, why wasn't I given any heads-up?" I bark.

I glance over at my mother, who is standing near the doorway with a stony, solemn expression. Why does it feel like every single person in this room knows something I don't?

"Well, I was worried you'd try to hide what I came here for," Zion says, the corner of his lip curling up as he casually slides his hands into his pockets.

"And what exactly did you come for?"

He tilts his head slightly toward my mate.

"I came for Nova."