Chapter 75

Chapter 75
“I already answered your question,” Lance replied angrily. “I have nothing left to say about it. Now get out of my face.”
“What about you?” one of the reporters asked, shoving the microphone toward Cassian again. “Your father’s a little bit older, so maybe it would make sense for you to run for King. After all, you’re next in line for Alpha of Moonstone.”
“What exactly are you implying?” Cassian asked, raising one eyebrow as he stared the reporter down. The intensity of his gaze was enough to make the man back down with a nervous chuckle.
“Not implying anything-just curious,” the reporter said.
“Well, do ensure that your curiosity doesn’t override your sense of propriety,” Cassian responded coldly.
Lance watched with amusement as the reporters exchanged nervous glances with one another before finally creating an opening for the two of them to continue down the sidewalk.
“Well, that was something,” Lance said as they put some distance between themselves and the reporters.
“The press is always so pushy,” Cassian said, his mouth twisting slightly with distaste. “Sometimes you simply need to remind them that there’s a certain degree of propriety expected when they’re speaking to a member of an Alpha family.”
Lance made a thoughtful sound and shook his head. “Going to be honest with you about something-I absolutely hate being part of an Alpha family. It’s more of a pain in the ass than anything else. Not worth the benefits of the notoriety and status.” “You really feel that way?” Cassian asked, looking at Lance with surprise.
“And I always have. Ever since I was a kid,” he admitted. “And it only got worse after-well, after Nolan became Alpha. Don’t get me wrong, I make the best of it. I’m able to use the resources I have access to, to help my friends and their families. And as Ellie has pointed out to me numerous times, I do have a lot of benefits that normal people don’t have. But still… there are times I really wish I could just be a normal person and not have everything about my life scrutinized and planned out for me.”
“The pressure can be a lot,” Cassian admitted after considering his comments for a moment. “This is about the marriage proposal, isn’t it?”
“Yes and no,” Lance replied. “I do have that hanging over my head, but it’s not the reason I feel this way.”
“Has there been any progress on that front?” Cassian asked.
“You mean, has Nolan told me fucking anything about the woman I’m supposed to marry?” he snapped angrily. No. Nothing. Other than she’s around my age and decent-looking by his standards, I guess-which, considering the type of woman he goes for, doesn’t mean much.”
“That’s a bit harsh.”
“I don’t mean Ellie. I’m talking about Felicity. Ellie only ended up stuck with my brother because of the mate pull. It wouldn’t have mattered what she looked like-he just wanted a strong heir to elevate the pack.”
Cassian lapsed into deep thought for a moment before he responded. “Every new detail I learn about your brother makes me want to punch him in the face.”
Lance barked a laugh, nearly tripping on his own feet at the unexpected comment.
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Chopter 75
“Holy shit,” he laughed. “I didn’t know you had a sense of humor.”
“Hilarious,” Cassian said, rolling his eyes. “But you know what I mean.”
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“Yeah, I know,” Lance agreed. “He’s kind of a bastard. But at least you won’t have to deal with him for much longer. You’re heading back to Moonstone after the party, right?”
“Yes, the next morning. That’s the plan,” Cassian confirmed.
The two of them fell into a companionable silence as they walked side by side. Over the past few weeks, they’d become friends, and thinking about Cassian leaving made Lance feel strangely depressed-as if something terrible would happen when he finally went.
CHI
Chapter 201