Chapter 266
Chapter 266
Third Person’s POV
+5 Pearls
At the Ironthorn estate, Alaina slammed a report onto the side table, her voice icy. “Trista is in and out of the Shadowfang packhouse every single day. She’s even getting personal access to Alistair during his rut cycles. Why was this kept from us? This is a massive liability p>
Cassian sat across from his parents, his face half–hidden in the shadows, looking hollow and defeated.
“The Shadowfangs and the Gilberts have a history, sure, but the Ironthorn Pack isn’t at war with them,” Cassian said coldly.
“Trista is treating Alistair for insomnia because grandpa requested her. It’s not going to blow up in our. faces p>
Howard tapped his cane on the floor. “Bad blood needs an outlet. Since Alistair trusts Trista, let her be our eyes and ears. See if she can’t smooth things over between our packs p>
Cassian stood up abruptly. “Grandpa, she’s in over her head. Trista shouldn’t be a pawn in some territory dispute p>
“How do you know she can’t handle it if you don’t let her try?” Howard shot back.
Cassian let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “You haven’t been able to set foot in the Shadowfang packhouse in decades. You really think Trista is going to fix that for you p>
His father, Wilmot, finally chimed in. “I heard Alistair can’t even stand up. He must be desperate if he’s gambling on a rookie healer p>
“Listen,” Howard said, his eyes burning. “If Alistair refuses to cooperate, then Trista stops the treatment. It’s better for us if the Shadowfang Alpha stays a sleepless, manic mess p>
Cassian felt a suffocating pressure from his elders, making his wolf snarl with agitation.
“I’ll handle the pack politics myself,” he rasped, his voice tight. “Stay out of her work p>
Late that night, Cassian returned to the Blue Bay apartment alone.
The place was dead quiet. Trista’s clean, comforting scent had almost entirely faded.
In the master bedroom, Cassian stopped in front of their large wedding photo.
Trista was in her white gown, leaning into him with total trust.
Back then, her eyes were full of light, as if he were her entire world.
He reached out, his fingers tracing the curve of her smiling face in the picture.
They had grown up together, their scents mingling since they were pups. It was twenty years of shared life.
From the moment he decided to complete the mating, the concept of “breaking up” had never even
8:49 pm P P P M
Chapter 266
crossed his mind.
+5 Pearls
Looking back on the month he brought Samantha back, he realized he’d lost his head.
The shock, the guilt, and that protective instinct for a “weaker” wolf had blinded him.
He’d promised Samantha protection and a decent life, but he never intended to shred his mating with
Trista.
At 3:00 AM, Cassian was still standing there.
In the photo, the diamond on Trista’s finger caught the light.
When they mated, she had looked him in the eye and sworn she’d never take that ring off as long as she lived.
But in the end, she’d tossed it in the trash with her own hands.
The scene on the street from earlier that day played on a loop in his mind–Trista looking at him like he was a total stranger.
Cassian stumbled back, his shoulders hitting the wall hard.
He was her Alpha. He was the brother who’d watched her grow up.
And yet, in that mess of a public scene, he’d stood by the she–wolf who started it all.
He’d even questioned her instincts as a healer.
That look in her eyes… it wasn’t just disappointment. It was a clean break.
Cassian closed his eyes, his breathing heavy.
He knew better than anyone that once Trista’s line was crossed, she never looked back.
He couldn’t let this mating rot anymore.
He had to pull her back before everything collapsed for good.
The next morning, at the healing center, Trista was finishing up Isaiah’s final charts and going over his maintenance routine.
Zelda poked her head in, her voice a low whisper. “Trista, a woman named Samantha has been waiting in the hall for thirty minutes. She says she has to see you p>
Trista traded a look with Isaiah. She didn’t even look toward the door. “Tell her to leave. I don’t have time p>
Isaiah leaned back in his chair, a mischievous, trouble–making grin spreading across his face. “Want me to go take care of her for you p>
Trista sighed, stacking her files. “She’s Cassian’s little darling. If you break her, his wolf will come for your throat p>
2/3
8:49 pm
Chapter 266
Isaiah gave her a “watch ine” look, tilted his chin up, and swaggered out of the room.
Trista didn’t stop him. She moved on to her next patient.
Pearls
She had zero interest in talking to Samantha, but if the girl wanted to start drama on Trista’s home turf, she was fine with her getting a reality check.
Outside, Isaiah had ditched his professional look for a pink shirt, white pants, and a heavy metal chain around his neck.
His lavender–tinted hair messy and his brownish–gray eyes full of “rich kid” arrogance.
He spotted Samantha nearby and walked straight up to her, his aura instantly crowding her out.
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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.