Chapter 153
Trista’s POV
After Cassian let me go and turned to leave, I was left alone in the dressing room.
Even with the door shut, his Alpha aura clung to the air and the back of my throat–a taste I couldn’t swallow no matter how hard I tried.
Finished
Our mating bond didn’t let up either. It felt like a thin wire wrapped around my chest; even though it had been stretched dangerously thin, it still bit into my skin, a nagging reminder of what had just happened.
I stood there for a long time until my breathing finally leveled out, then I pushed the door open.
Paisley had been waiting outside. When she saw me, her eyes were swimming with pity.
She kept her voice low, as if afraid of startling my wolf. “Luna Trista, Alpha Cassian had me make some fish and soup for you p>
I shook my head. My voice was a bit raspy, but I kept my composure. “Paisley, I’m not hungry. I need to get to Sanctum p>
Paisley let out a sigh. She gently pulled me into the dining room, her tone firm, as if she were holding the last line of defense for my well–being. “Luna Trista, you have to look out for your own body. No matter how urgent things are, you can’t help anyone if you’re falling apart p>
I looked at her and gave a small nod. I picked up the spoon and whispered, “Thank you, Paisley p>
I managed a few bites. The warm soup hit my stomach like a tiny spark in the cold, but that warmth wasn’t going to last.
I set the spoon down, grabbed my coat, and left the villa.
On the way to Sanctum, the light outside the window receded inch by inch–it felt like I was slowly withdrawing from a territory that didn’t belong to me.
I pushed open the door to the ward and found Ulva.
The moment she saw me, her tears just… fell. It was like a dam breaking; there was no stopping it.
Her lips were trembling, like she was fighting back a pained, lupine howl.
Attwater stood beside her. He was still just a kid, but his shoulders were as tense as a drawn bow.
He wanted to say something, his lips moving soundlessly, but the words wouldn’t come. There was nothing but pure rage simmering in his eyes.
I walked over and ruffled his buzz cut.
Feeling the coarse hair against my fingertips made my heart ache.
I shoved the emotions back down and forced a smile.
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Chapter 153
Finished
I sat on the edge of the bed, took Ulva’s hand, and said softly, “Mom, you and Dad don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine. Seriously p>
Ulva’s lips trembled even harder. Her tears hit the back of my hand, and they felt like they were scalding my
skin.
I tried to keep it light, like I was telling a joke that wasn’t worth crying over. “Look at our cousin, Alma. Her mate was dirt poor when they bonded, and he still ended up cheating on her p>
I kept going, the lighter my tone got, the heavier my chest felt. “At least Ironthorn has money and power. I get the best of everything–clothes, food, a place to live p>
I used those few sentences to shut them down, to stop the questions and the tears before they started.
If I let their concern actually land, the ward would turn into a scene of out–of–control grief, and I didn’t want to rip their wounds open again.
Around noon, I stayed to have lunch with them.
The food tasted bitter, but there was a faint, long–lost sense of warmth.
Then, a knock at the door.
We all looked toward it at once.
The door pushed open, and Cassian walked in carrying a multi–tiered tiffin carrier.
He stood there, perfectly dressed, his scent held in a steady check–it was like he’d folded up his Alpha aura and tucked it inside a polite shell.
I stood up, my voice flat. “What are you doing here p>
He set the food on the small table. “It’s a family lunch day before Christmas. I came to have a meal with you, your parents, and Attwater p>
The second he said that, the three of them froze.
That tiny bit of warmth in the air was crushed by the scent of fire and iron he brought with him, replaced by a suffocating silence.
Attwater glared at Cassian like he was looking at a blood enemy. He stood up abruptly, his voice exploding. “Who the hell wants to eat with you p>
Randolph immediately stood up to block Attwater, his voice a low bark of warning. “Attwater p>
Attwater’s chest was heaving. He stomped over to the sofa and sat down, his knuckles white as he gripped his knees.
Cassian didn’t even blink; he acted completely unfazed.
He opened the tiffin and placed a bowl of specially prepared soup in front of Ulva, his tone almost thoughtful. “I had the kitchen make this nutritious meal for you. Give it a try p>
Ulva looked at the soup and managed a weak, forced smile. “Thank you,” she rasped.
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Chapter 153
Cassian reached out and pulled me down to sit beside him.
Finished
His palm was warm, but the grip was non–negotiable. He looked at Ulva and Randolph, his tone steady, like he was reinforcing a boundary. “Don’t treat me like a stranger. We’re family p>
I knew exactly why he was here. It wasn’t for the food.
He was testing the waters–checking my parents‘ attitude, seeing how far Silverlight would go to protect me, and gauging how much longer this mating could hold up in public.
I also knew that if I stayed, my parents wouldn’t be able to digest a single bite.
I grabbed my bag and stood up. “I need to go to the store. Give me a ride p>
Cassian shot me a look, then stood up as well.
Right in front of my family, he naturally draped an arm around my shoulder, acting as if we were still perfectly in sync.
He said to my parents, “I’m going to take Trista out for a bit. I’ll be back soon p>
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to give Attwater an instruction, sounding like he was managing a pup’s schedule. “Attwater, you’re on break. Spend time with Ulva so Randolph can get some rest p>
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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.