Chapter 117
Third Person’s POV
Finished
Fred shot him an even more annoying grin. “Between Samantha and Algernon, your mating bond is about to snap, and the two families are at each other’s throats. What are you waiting for? Just move in with Samantha and play happy family already p>
Cassian’s expression was terrifyingly dark. The Alpha aura in the car dropped like a steel blade against the skin, making the air thick and heavy. “I won’t let anyone decide my relationship with Trista for me.
Fred stared at Cassian, acting like he was delivering a medical diagnosis. “Trista loves you, but she’s not an idiot. For the sake of your first love and that kid, you lied to her, hurt her, pushed her away, and manipulated her. You even laid hands on her brother. After treating her like that, if she has even a shred of self–respect left, she’s never coming back p>
Irritated, Cassian lit a cigarette.
The moment the spark flared, his pheromones destabilized. A cold, sharp scent flooded the narrow cabin before he forcibly crushed it back down.
As he looked up, he saw Samantha walking toward his car, and his irritation spiked–like an old wound being repeatedly poked.
Fred looked out the window and offered a blunt reminder. “Cassian, if I recall correctly, Samantha has been staying with her brother lately. He lives in the south end of the city, at least a thirty–minute drive. Yet during the few days Trista’s been back, she’s ‘run into‘ her two or three times. You think it’s a coincidence every single time p>
Cassian wasn’t a fool; he knew exactly what Fred was implying.
He just didn’t respond immediately, forcing himself to maintain his composure.
Fred chuckled, his tone like he was reading a predictable script. “I bet you anything she’s going to tell you she just happened to be passing by, saw your plates, and came over to say hi p>
With that, Fred hopped out of the car, leaving Cassian the space–and the trouble.
Samantha reached the window and offered a gentle smile through the glass. “What a coincidence, Cassian. I was just passing by, saw your license plate, and thought I’d come say hello p>
Cassian couldn’t help but frown.
His wolf had zero patience for this “coincidence,” and the coldness in his chest became more pronounced.
Seeing Cassian’s dark mood, Samantha’s expression became more cautious, as if she were afraid of being pushed away. “Cassian, can I get in? I want to tell you something p>
Cassian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Once inside, Samantha clutched her bag to her knees, her fingers pausing on the zipper as she gauged his
temper.
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Chapter 117
Finished
Then, she pulled out a neatly folded piece of drawing paper, showing the slight indentations from crayons.
ssian’s wolf. “Algernon’s t
Vernon Cacher gave them a holiday
secretly drew you in. I touched up the
She spoke cautiously, as if afraid to startle assignment to draw a family portrait with their parent details a bit. Could you help fill in the colors p>
She held the drawing and a crayon out to movements soft and perfectly deferential.
Cassian didn’t take it.
Aller
He didn’t move a finger. He looked at the drawing, but his gaze as cold as if he were inspecting a piece of evidence that shouldn’t exist. He asked her, “You seem to be around here quite often lately p>
Samantha’s eyes flickered. Her wolf shrank back slightly beneath her skin.
But she reacted quickly, admitting it candidly. “It’s not that I’m here often; it’s that I’ve been running over But she reacted quickly, admitting it candidly. “It’s not that I’n here almost every day this week p>
Seeing the suspicion in Cassian’s eyes remain, she added naturally, “My old home is nearby. My family has been dealing with some issues, so I’ve been coming by to help out p>
The doubt in Cassian’s eyes finally began to dissipate.
He hated interrogating people, and he hated being manipulated even more.
Samantha’s explanation gave him a way out, a reason he could accept.
When he spoke again, his tone was softer, but the boundary remained. “Samantha, I shouldn’t be in Algernon’s family portrait. You can’t keep the truth from him forever p>
The smile on Samantha’s face froze.
She stole a look at his expression, and her eyes gradually reddened. Sorrow welled up like rising water, though she was careful not to let it overflow.
Her voice was a low, pleading whisper. “Cassian, Algernon was never even supposed to be in this world. This poor child has as little luck as I do. He dreams of having a father. But you know what I went through for you during those six years p>
She paused, as if swallowing even more painful words. “I’ll never have the courage to marry anyone again. Just consider it granting him one small wish. I promise it won’t happen again p>
She held the crayon out again, her fingertips lingering on the barrel, writing “please” into the touch.
Cassian’s lashes fluttered.
He lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long time, his throat working as if he were swallowing a bitter pill. The tug of the mating bond was a dull ache in his chest–not a pull toward Samantha, but a primal reaction to the word “responsibility p>
Ultimately, he reached out and took the crayon.
Cassian didn’t look at Samantha. He focused entirely on coloring the “family portrait” with vibrant hues.
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Chapter 117
Once finished, he handed the drawing back to her.
110
Finished
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.