TWO

Cassa's POV

Three weeks had passed, and I was slowly recovering. In just three days, I'd be able to walk without these damn crutches. Sabrina had been incredibly attentive, constantly by my side, offering words of encouragement even when I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But despite her efforts, the monotony of being confined to this room was driving me insane. Staring out of the window, unable to move freely, it felt like a prison.

I had met Doctor Adam, expecting some old geezer, but to my surprise, he was a good-looking man just a few years older than me. Every week, he'd visit, checking up on my progress and occasionally mentioning my grandfather, Daniel Sullivan. Apparently, my grandfather was one of the investors of the hospital where Adam worked, and Doctor Adam couldn't sing his praises enough. Not that I cared much; I barely knew my grandparents, having left their strict household to pursue my dreams in Los Angeles after secondary.

"How are you feeling, Ali?" Sabrina's voice interrupted my thoughts as she placed my lunch on the table near the window.

"Getting better every day," I replied, not bothering to turn around. "Thought you were coming tomorrow?"

"It ended early. Had a chat with Aviona; she was worried sick about you not answering her calls," Sabrina explained, arranging the food on the table.

"What did you tell her?" I asked, finally tearing my gaze away from the window to look at her.

"Nothing much. Nathan told me to keep your condition under wraps, so I just said you were busy," Sabrina replied, her voice heavy with conflict.

Over the past few weeks, I had grown closer to Sabrina. She was mortal, working for an immortal, blissfully unaware of the secrets her beloved Mayor was hiding. Speaking of whom, I had only seen him once since our kast conversation. Sabrina hadn't mentioned anything about his whereabouts or when he'd be back. The whole house felt eerily quiet, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Thanks for bringing this," I said, mustering a smile at her.

"As my duty. So what did you eat yesterday when I wasn't here? Did Nathan give you food?” Sabrina's questioning look pierced through me.

"A man in a suit knocked on my door, handed me the food inside a paper bag," I recalled, the memory of the grumpy delivery man still fresh in my mind. Without a word, he had handed me the bag and left, his deep brown eyes distant and indifferent.

“Oh, it's Leo, Nathan's driver. He is not much of a talker, and does what he's ordered," Sabrina explained with a smile. "Why don't you eat? The soup I prepared for you is still hot."

"Maybe later. I want to enjoy this breathtaking view," I deflected, taking in the stunning scenery outside. It struck me as odd that Sabrina seemed to know everyone around the Mayor, but I pushed the thought aside. Maybe that was just how things were in a small town like this.

"It's lunch, and you need to eat. Is something bothering you?” Sabrina's gaze bore into mine, her concern palpable.

"No, I'm just not hungry yet," I replied, trying to brush off her questions.

Sabrina handed me a bowl of chicken soup, urging me to eat. The aroma was tantalizing, and my mouth watered at the sight of it. “Okay,” I agreed, reaching for the spoon.

But before I could take a bite, the door burst open, and my attention snapped to the newcomer.

It's Julius, wearing a simple skirt and khaki pants, stroding in, his expression furious as he snatched the bowl from Sabrina's hands. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice dripping with anger.

Sabrina's face broke into a grin, but to my shock, she shifted into that of an unfamiliar woman. Her appearance was striking, with black eyeliner accentuating her black as night eyes and black lipstick adorning her lips. Her white hair cascaded like snow, and she wore a black corset dress that added to her enigmatic allure. Her nails, sharp and black, seemed to gleam with menace.

I stared in disbelief as the woman's voice rang out, filled with madness. "Oh, Julius, Julius. If I can't have you then all the women that get close to you die," she proclaimed, her pitch-black eyes boring into me. "Who is this woman in your house? A mortal? You choose her over me?"

Julius's expression hardened, his lips flattening into a thin line as he crushed the bowl in his hand. "You're crazy!" he spat, his grip tightening around the woman's neck. But instead of fear, she grinned foolishly. "Where is Sabrina? I won't hesitate to kill you," he warned.

"Sabrina. That innocent woman who fell into my trap. Poor she wolf. Did you miss me?" The woman's finger traced his jawline, her nails leaving a trail of wounds in their wake.

Sabrina a werewolf? But I thought she's human.

Julius's grip tightened, silencing her groans of pain. “Damn it, Nathan. That hurts!” she gasped, her face paling.

"Tell me where she is, and who ordered you to do this?" Julius's gray eyes darkened, his jaw clenching with rage.

The woman held onto Julius's hand on her neck, her smile never faltering. Who's this woman? Is she a werwolf like him?

“Fine!” the woman relented softly, and Julius released his grip. She gasped for air, wiping the blood from her mouth. "Your sister asked me to do this whole drama. Sabrina is safe at the ranch.”

"Catharine..." Julius growled, his anger simmering. "What did you put in the soup you gave her?"

Astallia tucked her long white hair behind her ear, a smirk playing on her lips. “It was poisoned. I know you've been suspicious of me for a week now. It's not easy for you to believe I am Sabrina. Didn't I smell like a she-wolf like her?”

"You're not very convincing. I thought you were still in Mexico. Is your witchcraft still working?” Julius inspected the wound on his jaw, watching as it slowly healed. "Did you use poison on me too?"

Astallia crossed her arms, chuckling. "I wouldn't harm you, Julius. But what's a mortal doing here?" Her eyes flicked to me. I was leaning against the windowsill dumbfounded of what's was happening.