Page 58 of Unknowingly Adopting the Alpha
“You do realize I’m already married, right?” Cass asked, pointing to me. “That handsome man over there is mine.”
I couldn’t help a grin from forming at those words. We weren’t married, yet, but my claiming mark on his neck was way more permanent than a piece of paper. It had been Cass’ wish to get married too, so that was happening, in exactly eight months.
Vanessa pushed forward, glaring at Cass’ father. “He’s gay!?Andmarried?!”
Cass’ father waved that off. “He’s just going through a phase.” He turned his icy glare at my man and I stepped closer to Cass’ side. “Cassian, you need to stop this charade and come back home. The wedding is all planned and everything. A spring wedding, like me and your mother had.”
That seemed to break something in my innocent mate. His eyes held an anger I’d never seen before. “Do not ever mention mother like that,” he stated, his tone cold and detached. “I won’t say this again, father. I am done with you and your business. I’ve tried to get to know you as my father. I’ve tried working for you. For years I’ve pushed aside my own happiness, for you. I will never do that again. I am happy now. Happily married to a wonderful man.”
His father tsked, but Cass continued. “Why are you even so desperate to get me back? You never paid this much attention to me before, only replying to my emails when it suited you. So why do you even need me?”
Vanessa was surprisingly the one to answer that. “Oh, he didn’t tell you?” She shot Cass’ father a glare. “His company is dying because of my father’s genius. Your father has customers my father needs, so they agreed to unite the companies, in marriage and contract. With me and you. And, I was promised you were waiting eagerly to marry me.”
That had Greg, Silas, Cass, and I frowning in confusion. It was Greg who eventually asked the question we all had. “Why was it so important to you and your father that you marry Cass?”
“Because,” Cass’ father hissed. “Vanessa’s and Cassian’s mothers were best friends.”
“My mother wanted Cassian to be a part of our family and since it seemed that was what you wanted, too, Cassian, I agreed to it.” She turned to face Cass’ father. “I do not agree to marrying a man who’s already spoken for. You can take your contract and shove it for all I care. Let’s see how long your customers remain loyal to a man who’s set in his old ways and can’t see the future for what it is.”
And with that, she turned around.
Silas had stayed near the doors, not saying anything, until now. “I’ve looked into things, Cass. It seems your father lost a lot of partners when you resigned. It seemed your positive attitude helped them get through the harsh work days. Without you there many ended up on extended leave and many couldn’t bear a normal work week anymore.”
“But…” Cass’ expression was full of shock. “I only talked to them. I didn’t do anything special.”
Silas shrugged. “Seems that without you there they lost the willpower to continue working for your father. I’ve also noticed a steep decline in employees, many new recruits not even lasting their first month there.”
Cass’ father seemed done with us, grabbing Cass like he would try to force him to go with him. But I was allowed to hit, so, hit him, I did.
My fist connected to his left eye. Silas had broken his nose last time, so I really wanted to put my mark on his face someplace else. He went down hard and this time, I was glad to be the reason for it.
“Stay away from me,” Cass spat at his father, then stomped out of the shelter, leaving his father on the floor with a black eye.
“I trust you two can deal with him?” I asked Silas and Greg. “Make sure he stays away for good this time?”
Silas’ smile was filled with malice as he eyed Cass’ father on the floor. “It will be our pleasure.”
Cassian
I loved getting kidnapped. Especially if there were muffins involved. Jeremy, however, did not agree on that.
“You need to start telling me when you have sleepovers!” Jeremy demanded, glaring at Greg.
“But then it’s not a surprise!” Greg argued.
It was honestly fun seeing them argue when Greg was dressed in his Christmas onesie. I had my matching one on, a Christmas gift from Greg last year. I really hoped I would get a new one this year.
“I don’t care!” Jeremy argued. “If it hadn’t been for the lingering scent of muffins, I never would’ve known where my mate was!”
I waved that off and shared a knowing look with Greg, then we both sighed. Jeremy could besodramatic sometimes.
“I was kidnappedonce,” I muttered.
“You’d think it had happened more often,” Greg agreed, both of us giving Jeremy the look disappointed parents gave their disobedient child.
He threw his hands up.
I wasn’t about to tell him this had been a kidnapping, too. It had been fun though!
