Chapter 61 Lands on Nova
Cassain's Perspective
“Oh please, you must have rigged it,” Lexa says, rolling her eyes dramatically.
A few people chuckle, but I barely hear them.
My focus is locked on Nova.
Jax rises from his seat before anyone else can move. With an easy confidence that immediately irritates me, he reaches down and pulls Nova up with him so they can meet in the center of the circle.
For a moment, time seems to slow.
I didn’t think the bottle would actually land on her.
Of all the people in this room… it had to be Nova.
His hand slides behind Nova’s head, fingers threading into her hair as if he has every right in the world to touch her like that.
Then he kisses her.
The sight sends something dark and vicious clawing through my chest.
Jax doesn’t keep it brief like the others did. His mouth presses hard against hers, holding her there while he deepens the kiss far longer than a stupid party game requires.
My fingers tighten around my glass.
I’ve never seen Nova kiss anyone before.
Not once.
And now that I have… I realize something with absolute clarity.
I hate it.
Every second of it.
Watching another man’s mouth on hers sends a dark, possessive fury crawling beneath my skin. The thought pounds inside my head over and over.
That mouth should be on mine.
Not his.
Not anyone else’s.
The kiss drags on for several seconds before Jax finally pulls away.
Nova immediately steps back and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand as she sits down again, clearly uncomfortable.
Her gaze drops to the floor, carefully avoiding mine.
“Alright,” Alex says, clapping once. “You’re turn, Nova.”
Nova leans forward and spins the bottle.
The glass spins quickly across the rug, catching the firelight as it circles.
My heart beats faster than it should.
If it lands on me…
I don’t even know what I would do.
For years, years, I’ve imagined what it would feel like to kiss her.
And now, suddenly, there’s a chance.
The bottle slows.
It wobbles once.
Then stops.
Rowan.
“This is… awkward,” Rowan mutters with a crooked smile, though the curiosity on his face is obvious.
I watch them carefully, my jaw clenched.
“Go on,” Lexa urges.
Nova brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear before leaning forward.
She presses a quick, polite peck to Rowan’s lips and pulls back almost instantly.
The moment it’s done, she leans back into her spot.
And I finally release a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
Across the circle, Alex groans dramatically and covers her eyes.
“Oh gods, this game is painful.”
“Rowan, spin again,” Lexa says eagerly. “You barely got anything.”
Rowan laughs under his breath but reaches forward anyway.
“Fine. Let’s see who’s next.”
The bottle spins again.
Then stops.
Pointing directly at Violet.
She stares at it.
Then groans loudly.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Rowan grins.
“Well. Looks like we’re doing that again.”
Lexa bursts out laughing while Alex drags a hand down her face.
“Fantastic,” she mutters sarcastically.
She leans forward again, and Rowan meets her halfway this time. Their second kiss is slightly longer than the first, though still clearly more playful than romantic.
When they pull apart, Alex shakes her head.
“That’s enough of that,” she says firmly. “Your turn, Alpha.”
All eyes turn to me.
I hesitate for only a second before leaning forward and spinning the bottle.
There are several women here who would be thrilled if the bottle landed on them.
But if I’m being honest with myself… there’s only one person I want it to choose.
I reach forward and give the bottle a spin.
It glides across the rug smoothly, circling once… twice… three times.
The room grows quieter as it slows.
My eyes follow the spinning glass carefully.
It turns once more.
Then finally stops.
Pointing directly at Nova.
For a moment, nobody moves.
Nova’s lips part slightly in shock.
Her eyes lift to meet mine.
A strange warmth flares in my chest.
But almost immediately, doubt creeps in behind it.
She doesn’t want this.
“This game is ridiculous,” I mutter, sending a glare toward Lexa.
“Oh come on,” she protests. “She’s your mistress.”
Her voice carries a hint of annoyance now.
“You’ve literally fucked. What’s one little kiss?”
I glance back at Nova.
She still looks stunned.
Then my gaze shifts briefly toward Jax.
He’s staring straight at me now, his expression dark with anger.
If it were anyone else, that look might make me hesitate.
But seeing his reaction only tempts me more.
“I suppose you’re right,” I say quietly.
The truth is, I can’t deny the situation.
Everyone here believes Nova is my mistress. Admitting otherwise would unravel the entire illusion we’ve built.
Which means there’s only one option left.
I shift closer to her.
Nova doesn’t move away.
Instead, she tilts her head up slightly, looking at me with wide eyes that seem almost too bright in the firelight.
For a second, the noise of the room fades away.
It’s just the two of us.
I lean down slightly so only she can hear me.
“Are you alright with this?” I whisper softly, my voice is low enough that no one else in the circle can catch the words.