Chapter 43-Seal The Deal

Cassius' POV.

The cold splashes of water all over my body were helping me cool down a bit. I tried stopping myself from being too bizarre the moment I saw Raya clinging to Gael's arm, sleeping. Had I been a little too late, who knows what would have happened? They looked more like a couple than Raya and me. They're close and even talk to each other as if there is no tomorrow. I envy Gael for being too clingy with her.

However, I cannot do anything about it. They became friends first. Gael would always come before me. Would it be the same in her heart? I turned it off and stepped down from my shower room. I love how my shoulder shrugs from the coldness and how my delicate skin forms thousands of wrinkles from too much exposure to the water. I pulled the towel from the holder and rubbed it off my hair. I wrap it around my body and go out; I felt like I had tons of things to do, waiting for me to work them all up finally. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Raya get startled. She looked at me with those eyes of disbelief and even blushed. Her face turned red as she shook her head and turned around to act like she was busy. How cute! As I headed into my closet, I grabbed a shirt, slipped it onto my body, and dressed up.

Raya took her time whistling on the other side, resisting the urge to look at me. "Are you feeling hungry? We could call up some maids to get you food," I suggested. After all, she must have been hungry after sleeping. Her appetite could never be starved to death. I put on a pajama and closed my drawer. I go straight to where she is standing and make sure I announce my arrival.

"No, I think I'm good," she refused after looking at me and confirming that I was already wearing a shirt and a bottom. Raya sat on the bed and stopped feeling so awkward. She's just staring at me now, fidgeting her hands, and sighing. I don't know nor understand what she's sighing for, but she must stop doing so. I might pick up the wrong interpretation.

I run my fingers through my wet hair to dry it up. I'm not too fond of the feeling of it dripping on my newly worn clothes, so I grab the towel sitting by my shoulders and brush my hair off. "I knew you would say that, but I still ordered for them to deliver food here," I said. I knew she would refuse, yet she would be hungry soon, if not already.

All she craved was food and the satisfaction of her stomach. I finally earned her favor. Besides, I would never let her worms growl out. "You need to eat, Raya," I ordered. I turned the lights to look like we were about to sleep. Dimmed color is a perfect representation of it, and it allows me to feel a lot sleepier.

After drying my hair, I took the towel out of my body and threw the towel on the basket. Surprisingly, I still got my moves, and the towel ģoes perfectly inside. I don't know why my eyes landed on Raya, but I felt the need to look back at her.

She had this gaze of worry and anxiety that I would look away. Surprisingly, she was the first to cut eye contact between us and immediately fix her hair, looking so frustrated. I sighed. "The food will be here any minute from now," I said, trying to initiate a conversation.

Her love for food will hopefully light up a spark between us. Or will it not? Raya shook her head in disagreement. She looked like she was thinking about something else right now, and me assuming things never helped. "Actually, I want to talk to you about something," she said in a serious tone of voice. It's not like she's joking around; she is serious about it.

Her sigh of relief makes me realize that she must have been holding onto those words for quite a while now. She must have been very glad that she was able to tell me her concerns without stuttering right now. I stared at her, expressionless. I wanted to know what she wanted to say, and I wanted to hear what her queries were. Who knows if it could help or lift us up from this bottom position?

Besides, maybe I could revoke my brother's stupidity with these words. Something I could probably use against him to save my face, my mate's life, and the Luna's heart from my brother. "The both of us have been really busy, and it's actually rare for us to talk and spend time with each other like this," she started.

So that's just it? She wanted to complain about our lack of communication during these days. What did I even expect? Such a shame. I was too assuming. "And over the past few days, something has actually been going on that I think would help me fix the situation I am in right now with Kairo," she continued.

Of course, it'd be about my brother again with his obsession with Raya and unwise decisions. I crossed both my hands on my chest as I prepared myself to hear all her words. "Hmm?" I said, encouraging her to continue. She picked up her hair and fidgeted with her fingers before continuing. I can sense anxiety deep within her again and the unwillingness to tell me her thoughts.

Although she seemed so scared about it, I could sense trust in her and see how hard she was trying to utter each word. "I talked to Yereah about it, and she agreed," After a couple of minutes, her face turned grey. I could see her sweating like crazy, and her disposition seemed to have been the worse. I wanted to ask her if she was alright, but I couldn't cut through the conversation just to check her up.

Besides, what she's talking about isn't odd anymore. "Uh-uh? What did you two talk about?" I blurted out in a tone of being uninterested. I can't have her thinking that she finally has my attention. Fear of being misunderstood, I faced my opposite side and sighed deeply before putting an act. The above knows how hard it is for me to avoid her and neglect her, but I can't do anything about it.

I am still in battle with my demons about whether I should accept my brother's offer or I should fight for those who are under my umbrella. I knew very well that everything would be as easy and a piece of cake just to accept his sentiment and stay silent. Besides, I could also have a huge share of power using this agreement and never let it spill away.

However, what should I choose? Power or love? What is more beneficial for me? To grab the opportunity and enjoy the power while watching my lover suffer in my brother's arms? Or to fight for her and watch me slowly get torn into pieces without receiving any help?

"Are you going to listen?" Raya said, trying to take a small peak of sight from my shoulders. I tried acting so busy again without looking back at her. It was such a challenge for me not to become interested, but I knew I couldn't do anything about it. This won't stay for long, and I promise to end this as soon as I have the chance. I opened some books and acted like I was signing some important documents to shift my attention. I sat on the chair and leaned my back as I read them one by one without looking back at Raya.

My peripheral vision told me that this woman was being sad and melancholy about my behavior, and her standing behind me never really helped. I pity her. I could almost hear her thoughts from here, even though I was reading the documents one by one. Her breathing was too loud, and the awkward silence was deafening for me. I hear her fingers fidgeting one another, and it's a habit.

I couldn't help but look back, so I sighed as loud as possible; I had no choice. When did I become this fragile when it comes to her? This woman is driving me insane... I took all the courage I could find before continuing my words. "Yeah. Maybe, I can try to listen if all your words were worthy enough to be acknowledged," I said coldly as if I didn't care. I had to maintain my cold poise so I could think of possible solutions to this problem. I have to make myself appear cold to prevent her from drowning in anguish in case I decide to grab the chance." Yeah. Okay," she murmured sadly before continuing.

I can feel like she had intrusive thoughts of silencing herself. "Well, after some incident, I visited the Luna a couple of days ago. We did chat a lot- "I cut her off.”You went there with Eloise?" I tried guessing things to stop her from chatting with me. Luna? A couple of days ago? Is that when Kairo talked to me as well? Has she gone insane? What would happen once Kairo finds out about this?

"Uh... how'd you know when you're not supposed to be aware of this. It's not exclusive to you," Raya said, trying to make everything a joke. I can feel her voice's distress, and body language proves my point. She's thinking too hard, trying to get a grasp of things. I must have stirred some kind of stuff in her mind. Is that my fault?

"How am I supposed to silence myself? Everyone in here must have been aware," I said as her mouth went fully shut. She was silenced and at a loss for words. Who knows if my guess will turn out to be right? She and Eloise together? What has gotten into her mind? She could have died hanging out with her, but she pushed it still. I don't know how tiny her mind is. Can somebody please slap her and make her realize the danger she's put herself in?

"I can't believe you're actually buying some rumors. Is that the latest gossip of the town?" she laughed the words out and walked pretentiously. Her feet trembled, and I knew she was trying to lighten the atmosphere. But she cannot...

"Besides, even Kairo's aware of your doing," I cut through her words and started guessing again. At the end of the day, I am the winner of the guessing game. I dropped my pen and looked back, staring at her face. I was waiting for the right moment that I could spot her emotions getting leaked. I knew she wanted to say something. Her brows and mouth weren't in sync.

She's forcing her face to be of the same expressionless face, just like what my brother could pull off. "Hmm.. have you talked to him already?" she asked, making it sound like I had no choice but to answer her. She must have been aware of that trivial matter.

In my defense, Kairo must have come up to her and told her what needed to be done. Maybe, he used that interaction to prove that I was seeing him and would abandon this woman someday. Or else...Maybe he started making his move. A move I'll never expect to see...

"Yeah. Actually, I've heard a lot." I said. I can't hide it, so I think all I have to do is tell her. I know she's clever. She'll think I'll lie to so, avoid further mistrust between us, and I will give her the information. "But, won't you hear mine- “I cut her off again. "I heard you'll become his Luna eventually. Is that the reason why you spoke to the current Luna? To ask her what your position means and what you must do if you replace her?"

I questioned her and cut through her words. I need to test her patience and see how far she can go. How beautifully she creates her words and what's her capacity to lie about things. I can't be unsure. "What are you blabbing about? Have you finally lost your cool, Cassius? I talked to her in hopes that we could both get out of this situation ship. We are clearly just finding out some escape plan and trying to help each other," she explained her point clearly.

The battle, battle, battle, unbelievable. "She's helping me to get Kairo to leave me alone while I help her so she can win her alpha back again," she said, whispering through the air. She's concerned as to whether I'll hear her explanation or I'll let her be. So just like that, while my brother asked for Raya to be his Luna, Yereah was asking for her lover back. And while I'm thinking of sacrificing Raya for the position of being the alpha, she's been fighting alone to redeem everything back and be normal.

Raya lets out a sigh. "It's for us. It's for our relationship," Us? What us? she said and clenched her teeth, bowed her head. My gaze turned darker and darker, and I didn't particularly appreciate talking about this matter. I felt quite uneasy about this, but I knew we must continue. This might be the last chance we have to discuss “us,” so I must allow it.

"What could it be that you talked to the Luna about this matter?" I said, clicking the head of my pen. It was now getting more and more exciting, and the atmosphere was getting heavier. The tension between us was too hard to handle, and I am enjoying it.

"I want to end every single connection I have with Kairo. I also heard a lot about the brother relationship between the both of you," she said, which made me stop writing something off some piece of paper. Brother relationship? What did she mean by that? She'd heard all about us? What would happen if she learned about the growing grudge between us both? The once happy and lively children who would do anything for each other had now turned into their greatest enemy.

How will she react when she realizes my past was too much to recall? Our past was too much to handle."What about us? Did you finally get to choose who to love?" I asked sarcastically. I have to confirm what she has heard. I can't be swayed over some filthy relationship before. "Of course not. It has always been you. How can you assume that me and the Luna conversing with each other meant I wanted to be Kairos' new Luna? I actually finally found who to love. Is that how low you think of me?" She asked, wanting me to feel bad.

I mean, she could never guilt trip me. After all, this is all for my confirmation, and I never intended to look at her that way. I have never even looked at her like she was crucial and a danger to my heart. Ironically, she's the one who made my flowers bloom inside and chipped all my thorns out. What she did for me was an overall change I will never forget. "I've heard that Kairo has always been snatching every single woman of yours from you. I don't know why but one thing is for certain for me, he is actually enjoying all the attention he's receiving by making you his rival in love," she explained. Where did she hear these things from? No one had ever told this story to anyone as it is a secret that I have to bury myself.

I don't want anyone to know what happened in the past that keeps on repeating and repeating. It is only just that, and it's only a woman. I lift my head at her and stare for a minute. I am in huge disbelief at what I just heard and never want to hear it again. Of all the people that could pick up the story, why her? I was drowning in shame and scared that she'll be next. The last time Kairo took a woman away from me, he succeeded in making her his woman. Apparently, he killed her after getting tired of her. Raya can't fall into the same fate.

"Cassius, I've heard about the superiority and inferiority complex between you and your brother. Do you even understand what it would cost us? If he keeps stomping on your name and you keep on allowing that, we will never be able to move forward," she said with both her palms open in front of me.

"He clearly sees you as an enemy, and you're also very aware of that. Why can't you just take things into your own hands and turn them around so that you can save us both?" she demanded. I laid my back on the chair and crossed my hands on my chest. I lift my face to see her face clearly. "I am aware of everything," I mumbled. "It's just that me being his enemy has been more beneficial for me since day one," I blurted out, laughing myself to death.

If he's a psychotic jerk, I can be one as well. "I could manipulate everyone to think that I was the victim, and I could get away with almost everything since everyone pities me," I muttered, sure of everything. "Their eyes would be on me, and that would give me an open stitch for my plan," I said, which made Raya became interested in me. She leaned close to my body and asked for the plan. Her curiosity can kill her, and I fear that incident.

"When they all looked at me and everyone's eyes stuck onto us, I want to do something with you. Something you couldn't resist," I said as I slowly walked up to her place. Surprisingly, she did not step back. Instead, she was invested in my words. Her face seemed to be getting a little more worried. I can feel her hands trembling and her brows arching at me. Her heart was beating fast, and her neck was waving; she was gulping hard. My fast pace walking made her walk back a little more confused. She somehow fell a little but managed to support herself. Is she intimidated?

"I want to bite you," I said lowly, whispering in her ear. I can feel her body twitch when my breath reaches her earlobe. "I want to claim you as mine and savor you as a whole. I want everyone to see that you belong to me and that; no one could ever take you away from me. I want the whole world to see you tomorrow being officially mine," I muttered.

I caressed her face with my warm palms and held her silky curled-up hair, sending it to the back. I was staring at her neck lustfully as if I was craving for her delicate flesh and could not resist the urge to bite her anytime now. I am lost in my desires. The desires that need to be done otherwise, everything would fall apart.

With my index finger tapping on her and my other hand gripping her hair to tie it using mine, my mind went blank. I can feel my veins getting filled and filled with electricity as her body becomes too hot to bear. She was aroused. Her trembling hands and heavy breathing say otherwise. Her gaze and dilated pupils were giving me something like an exciting nerve shaking inside me. I am in trouble. I stared at her and shifted my hands to her cheeks, gently caressing her chin as I helped her look at my entirety. She was stiff but slowly became gentle.

"Can you take it?" I asked her. Raya panicked hard and took her glance away from me. Was she shaking from fear? And was too scared of me. What have I done? She tapped my fingers and removed my hands from her hair. She pushed me away from her and started walking backward, slowly and steadily. I was so confused... Her feet seemed to be getting ready to run away. Just before I could reach her hands, she flew away from me. She opened the door as fast as she could and held her skirt. I was confused, and it took me a while to get up and chase after her.

Everyone was staring at my room, and as soon as I left to find her, her shadows seemed to be hiding from me. What did I do wrong? Did I do something to make her run away from me? "Look at you getting abandoned by the woman of your dreams," Kairo said as he appeared out of nowhere beside me.

He was looking at me with eyes of disbelief and mockery. Who did he think he was? Also, us being seen talking to each other in broad daylight about a woman would seriously get us in trouble. Did he fear nothing with all the maids here and the possible gossiping? "I can see why she never really wanted to be by your side. You can't give her what she wants, can you?" he asked, full of ascertainment. He affirmed that I was an irresponsible mate, and my not chasing after her confirmed his suspicions. He thinks he's better than me and could give her the world?

"Is that what you promised her? You promised her forever and the power and every single thing she could ever desire? Did you promise her your sugar-coated words when even you, yourself, lack the skills to do that? I can't believe you think Raya would fall for that," I laughed sarcastically and slapped him with the fact. He's not supposed to be giving all the things he's got for a woman.

What has gotten into him, and who broke him? Besides, there are many different women worldwide; some could be identical to Raya. How dare he choose to steal what's mine? "Yeah, I know she's going to believe me. I mean, look at yourself in the mirror. Don't you think I am far better compared to you? I've got all the things you lack, and I stand out the most-“I cut him off angrily.

"You think she thinks the way you do? Do you think she sees you in that kind of perspective? Well, you better sleep down and put your kneel on the floor because she doesn't," I said, giving him the hardest pill to swallow.

"You may have seen yourself as the most compatible person for her, but she doesn't. Can't you at least respect the woman's decision?" I faced him and grabbed him by his collar. He reeks of alcohol, and I can smell the cigar from his mouth. Since when did he turn out to be a jerk? He was not like this before. Or maybe, I never really got to know this other side of him. I am just assuming that I know everything, but I know nothing. I put him down and watched him brush his collar off.

"Let's make another deal," he suggested and kept both his hands in his pockets.

"Whoever gets to find Raya first has the chance to lay his hands on her," he said. The tone he used made me wonder if I even had a choice. "Whoever finds her first is far more worthy, so, Will you accept it?"