Chapter 7: Doubts
Mathias
I walk back to the coffee shop, feeling like a complete and utter ass. Mikhail and Nevaeh are sitting in a corner kissing and cuddling. It’s as if they’re in their own little world. Their affection brings me back to that kiss with Cassia. I’m still feeling unbalanced by how good it felt. It was an incredible kiss, but we can never be. I cannot betray Marael again.
As soon as she sees me, Nevaeh rises up from the chair. “Hey, Mathias, is everything okay? Did you catch up to that hot girl?” She turns back, to Mikhail who gives me an inquiring look. “You should have seen her, Khail. She has long blond hair and green eyes. She gave me this what the fuck looked when I wrapped my arm around Mathias. I think she likes him.”
Mikhail turns to me with an amused smile. “Wow, Mathias, you’re picking up college girls again? Aren’t they a little too young for you?
Chapter 6: RejectionCassiaI feel as if I can’t breathe. Mathias rejected our mating without a thought. Am I that forgettable and easily dismissed that he didn’t care how it would make me feel? Of course, Mathias isn’t the first man to reject me. The first man to ever make me feel worthless was my father. Lukan never cared much for me and viewed me as an intruder in his life. I clutch my chest as the pain threatens to burst through my body.I’m so distracted by my pain that I don’t see the form in front of him until I run into him. Crying out in surprise, I pull back and prepare to apologize.The man before me peruses my body then gives me a wicked smile. He is incredibly beautiful with dark as sin hair and icy silver eyes. He’s what my friend Kendra would call rugged with high cheekbones and sexy five o’clock stubble. His six-foot-five body is massive. He has large shoulders and a tapered waist. Feeling uncomfor
Chapter 8: UndoneCassiaThe party is going well. Kendra and I decided to split up and look at the new art displays. I’m shocked to find my own art on display. My aunt and uncle, Arabella and Draco, approach me at that moment, glowing with pride. Arabella and Draco are art professors at the school. They are also a beautiful couple. They have been mated for over two hundred years. Arabella has long red hair and green eyes, and Draco is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.Aunt Arabella places her arm around my shoulder and mutters enthusiastically. “Cassia, this one is brilliant. People love it.”Frowning with chagrin, I turn to Arabella and mumble reproachingly. “I wasn’t ready for this painting to be shown, Arabella. I told you I wanted to wait.” Arabella waves her hand dismissively. “Nonsense Cassia, your work is exquisite.
Chapter 9: AwakenedMathiasI don’t know where I’m going, but my mind is mixed up. That painting was incredible. It was obvious who it was. She showed me her heart, and now I don’t know what to do about it.“Mathias!” I hear Mikhail call out to me. Turning around, I hold my palm up to stop the incoming deluge of recriminations. “Look, Mikhail, I just want to be alone right now.”Mikhail waves away my words. “No, Mathias, you need to listen to me. When I met Nevaeh, I was scared. I was scared of what I felt for her and what might happen to her if she entered my world. Since we’ve gotten here, you’ve experienced a variety of things that have shaken your world. But I have to tell you, you’re being an idiot.”My head snaps forward at his comment. Not a lot of people dare speak to me in such a tone. I’m Mathias Black, head of the Council. A centuries-old Sera
Chapter 10: Bad newsCassiaLukan is alive. Oh my god. I listen as Nevaeh tells Mathias and the other guy about Lukan’s reappearance, but I refuse to participate. I’m still shocked by the night’s events.It also doesn’t help that I’m still feeling a bit heated after struggling in Mathias’ lap. What the hell am I doing? This man rejected me, and I’m turned on.My thoughts are halted when Mikhail parks in a garage and turns off the ignition. Without a word, everyone files out of the car. Nerves frayed, I look around the unfamiliar surroundings. Nevaeh must notice my nervousness because she moves toward me and takes my hand. “Are you okay, Cassia?” I nod my head. There’s no way that I’m going to tell her that my body is still thrumming with arousal from Mathias’ touch.“Have you ever been to the Council headquarters?” She asks softly. I shake my head. “No, I have
Chapter 11: Inconvenient ReincarnationMathias“What do you have?” I ask Gadriel with a grim frown. I’m sure that everyone in the room can hear my teeth grinding as my rage escalates. Gabriel nods his head and reaches into his pocket, presenting me with an old, weathered page. “We were unable to find Lukan. However, we did find this in one of his houses. We had a few witches review the sheet in hopes that they’d know what it means. They all agree that the symbols on the page refer to Lazarus’ tears. The theory right now is that Lukan did, in fact, actually die. From what we gleaned, he somehow found a vial Lazarus tears and was resurrected.”I’m stunned by the news. I had heard about Lazarus' tears, but I didn’t believe they were real. If this is the case, this changes everything, and I can see that everyone else is coming to the same realization. However, I can’t focus on that. Right now, all
Chapter 12: Bittersweet miseryCassiaIt has been days since Mathias has brought me to his house. For the most part, he has ignored me. I guess if I had to label it, I would say we co-exist. Sometimes I look at him and wish that he would take me in his arms and kiss me. Other times, I wish he would just let me go and let me get over him. It hurts to be around him. To know that he does not feel the same way. To anyone, this would be odd, but when it comes to Supernaturals, mating is a beautiful fated bond that develops before mates meet. It’s love in its truest form. Well, for everyone except me, apparently. When the dreams revealing my mate began, I was so happy. I had finally discovered that someone out there was fated for me. I built up a dream around a man that I thought would love me. You’d find this odd, but mating dreams are rare. Not everyone finds a mate right away. Some have to wait centuries or don’t get one at all. Oh, how bitter real
Chapter 13: Fated to be happy?MathiasCassias’s words pierce my brain. I know I’ve been unfair to her with my indecisiveness. She’s right. I don’t have the right to get angry after I’ve made a choice not to be her mate. It’s just that my body refuses to listen. Moving forward, I grasp her elbow. “I don’t know what to say, Cassia. You’re a sweet, beautiful woman. and I just… You have to understand that I only loved one woman. Then after years of mourning. I meet the one I’m fated to be with.”Cassia frowns warily. “Then why don’t you let me go, Mathias. This is not working for us. I can’t keep doing this. It might be okay for you, but for me, it…” Her eyes glaze with tears that she refuses to let falls as she takes a step back. “…it’s not what I want.” Her voice quivers as she looks down at her hands. Jaw ticking, I reach for her hand
Chapter 14: Not fated?CassiaI run my brush over the canvas as the music plays in the background. Today, I’m in the school’s art building working on a new art piece in hopes of forgetting my reality. Mathias had to drop me off earlier because he had to go to a Council meeting. To be honest, I think he needed some distance from me. He has pretty much avoided my presence since the other night. A part of me is relieved to be away from me, while another is angry that he needs to be away from me.Whenever I come to the art building, I close and lock the doors behind me. There’s plenty of sunlight coming from the building’s ceiling. The ceiling is made of beautiful stained glass flowers with rich, vibrant colors. Needing to distract my thoughts, I sift through my playlist, extend my easel and place my blank canvas on it. My second bag has my paints on it. I like to play music while I paint. It enhances my feelings and helps me focus on my pain