Chapter 3 Chapter 0003

•CASSANDRA•

When I woke up the next morning, Mason still wasn’t beside me.

The other side of the bed was cold, and I stared at the empty space for several seconds before sitting up on the bed.

Something felt wrong.

After changing clothes, I headed downstairs to check on Rowan. The television echoed through the living room before I even entered.

Rowan sat on the couch eating pancakes while laughing at a cartoon.

“Good morning, baby,” I greeted softly before kissing the top of his head.

Usually, Rowan hugged me the second he saw me. Today, he barely looked away from the screen.

“Morning, Mom,” he replied casually.

I frowned. “Did you already eat breakfast?”

“Yeah.” He pointed toward the kitchen happily, and the pancakes on the table counter. “Nadia made pancakes.”

My chest tightened. “She cooked for you?”

“She’s really good at it too,” Rowan answered with a grin. “Way better than Theo.”

"I see," I smiled, and cleared my throat. “Where’s your father?”

“I think he’s with Theo in the training yard.”

Something sharp twisted in my stomach. I stood quietly for a moment before heading toward the kitchen.

Nadia stood near the counter pouring coffee into two cups. She looked relaxed and comfortable. And she smiled the moment she noticed me.

“Good morning, Luna Cassandra.”

Lyra stirred uneasily inside me. “Good morning,” I replied calmly.

Nadia lifted one of the cups. “I made extra coffee if you want some.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Her smile stayed in place, but I noticed the amusement behind it. “I hope you don’t mind me helping Rowan this morning,” she continued. “He looked hungry.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Rowan has servants, cooks, and a Luna who can take care of him.”

Nadia tilted her head. “I was only helping.”

“Then next time, ask first.”

She scoffed before she leaned closer and closed the small gap between us. “You don’t need to feel threatened by me, Cassandra.”

Lyra growled instantly.

“I don’t feel threatened,” I answered. "But I won't stand here and let you do as you please in my house and with my son."

Nadia’s eyes flickered with something smug. “Oh, love,” she replied. “Mason invited me here himself, and he told me to make myself at home. So, maybe you should talk with him about that.”

Before I could respond, footsteps entered the kitchen. Mason walked in wearing black training clothes with sweat still clinging to his neck.

The moment he noticed the tension between us, his expression darkened. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I answered immediately.

Nadia lowered her eyes. “We were just talking.”

Mason looked between us. Then his gaze settled on me. “Cassandra.”

That tone alone irritated me. I looked at him. “I thanked Nadia for helping Rowan, and that's all. We weren't fighting if that's what you're worried about.”

Mason exhaled, as if he already expected trouble. “Then leave it at that. I don't want the pack to think that the Luna is not making our guest feel welcome in the pack house.”

My chest tightened. “You think I’m creating problems?”

“I think the pack is watching everything right now,” he replied coldly. “The last thing we need is unnecessary tension.”

Lyra snapped furiously inside me.

Unnecessary tension?

Nadia stood in our kitchen making breakfast for my son after arriving yesterday, but somehow I was the problem.

Mason grabbed one of the coffee cups Nadia prepared, but that simple action hurt more than it should have.

I couldn't believe that they were making me a fool, and disappearing together the entire night, just for Mason to come back and side with her in everything.

It felt like a terrible nightmare that wouldn't end.

Nadia glanced at him before smiling. “I should probably get ready for training,” she murmured.

“And I need to sort out a few things in my office,” Mason answered immediately.

Something inside me cracked. The two of them walked past me together. Just before leaving, Nadia looked back at me.

That same calm smile remained on her face before the door closed behind them.

I stood alone in the kitchen trying to breathe through the anger building inside my chest.

Lyra paced violently beneath my skin. 'She’s challenging us, Cassandra. She wants to see how much we can take.'

“I know,” I whispered.

I headed outside needing air before I lost control completely.

Several she-wolves stood near the garden speaking quietly until they noticed me approaching.

Their voices lowered immediately, but not fast enough.

“Did you see Nadia with Alpha Mason this morning?”

“They look close already.”

“I heard they knew each other before Luna Cassandra.”

“That explains everything.”

I stopped walking, and the women froze instantly. One of them lowered her head nervously. “Luna.”

I looked at them calmly despite the rage burning inside me. “If you’re finished gossiping, the eastern storage rooms still need organizing.”

“Yes, Luna,” they answered quickly.

I walked away before they could see the hurt on my face.

For six years, I had done everything for Silvercrest. I managed disputes, organized alliances, protected pack members during shortages, and raised Rowan like my own son.

But one woman arrived yesterday, and suddenly everyone looked at me with pity.

I hated it.

I returned upstairs needing to clear my head.

The moment I entered the hallway near our bedroom, Mason appeared from the opposite side.

His expression hardened immediately when he saw me. He tried walking past me, but I grabbed his arm before he could.

“Mason.”

He stopped but didn’t look at me.

“What?”

I swallowed heavily. “Talk to me honestly for once.”

His jaw tightened.

“You’ve been distant for months,” I continued. “Then Nadia arrives, and suddenly she’s living here beside us. I deserve an explanation.”

Mason finally looked at me. For a moment, guilt flickered across his face, then it disappeared.

“What exactly are you asking me, Cassandra?”

My throat tightened painfully. "I want the truth, Mason. I know something is happening between you, and Nadia.”

Silence stretched between us. Then Mason answered quietly. “Fine. Nadia and I were together years ago.”

I already suspected that much. But the next words destroyed me completely.

“She’s the woman who was there for me when you were occupied and couldn't see how much I was drowning when my father died.”