Chapter 275
Chapter 275
Trista’s POV
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The next morning, I slipped out of the apartment early while Cassian was stuck in the study handling pack logistics.
By 9:00 AM, he still managed to track me down at my office.
He set a takeout coffee and some pastries on my desk, looking all business. “I’m heading to the airport soon. Call me if you run into any trouble p>
I didn’t even look up from my charts. I just threw out a casual jab: “Your lover’s mother is still lying in the inpatient ward. Aren’t you going to pay your ‘respects‘ before you leave p>
Cassian’s face fell instantly. I could see the spark of rage he’d been trying to suppress starting to flare up again.
I took the hint and shut my mouth; there was no point in further provoking a wolf who was already on the edge of snapping.
He stared at me for a long time, that suffocating, possessive streak of his starting to show.
Without warning, he pulled me into a crushing hug, as if he needed to physically confirm that I still belonged to him.
“Trista, stop with the sarcasm,” he whispered against my ear, his breath hitching. “I don’t want anyone but you p>
It wasn’t until Humphrey knocked on the door to remind him about the flight that Cassian finally let
We’d been apart a thousand times in the twenty years we’d known each other, but this time, he looked like he was terrified that the moment he left, I’d vanish from his territory forever.
I couldn’t stand the “devoted lover” act. I grabbed his sleeve and shoved him toward the door. “Have a safe flight. Bye p>
The second he was gone, the air in the room felt ten times cleaner.
On my way to the Shadowfang territory that afternoon, I caught a glimpse of Alaina meeting with Samantha.
I didn’t stop. I didn’t even feel curious.
Alaina might pity me, but Cassian was still her flesh and blood.
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Besides, that pup in Samantha’s arms carried Ironthorn blood–a bond that could never be truly broken.
The two weeks flew by. Without Cassian hovering around the territory, I ate better, slept deeper, and even my complexion started to glow.
Alistair’s recovery was moving fast, too; we were down to just three sessions a week.
During those fifteen days, I didn’t send Cassian a single text.
On the rare occasion he called, I gave him two cold words, “I’m busy p>
By April, I found myself sitting down after work and flipping on the TV.
Cassian was being interviewed on a financial channel.
He was in a sharp black suit, his 6’3” frame dominating the screen.
Surrounded by veteran CEOs, his cold, powerful Alpha aura practically vibrated through the glass.
I remembered how I’d been blinded by that exact look years ago, trading my happiness for a pretty face.
If I ever get the chance, I really need to sit my best friend down and warn her: never judge a man by his cover.
I hit the power button on the remote.
Sunday, I had completely taken over the living room, even dragging the poker table from the lounge into the center of the space. Fred, Isaiah, and Alistair were gathered around it, piles of Texas Hold’em chips stacked high on the table.
Paisley was busy in the kitchen while Attwater ran back and forth playing waiter.
Looking at the mountain of chips growing in front of me, I couldn’t stop smiling.
This–money, friends, and zero men to answer to–was the life.
Isaiah was losing, and his predatory frustration was starting to show. “Attwater, go get me something ice–cold. My blood is boiling p>
Attwater scurried over with a drink, completely masking his scent in the presence of the high- tier Alphas. “Here you go p>
Fred flicked his fingers toward a lighter nearby, and Attwater caught it mid–air, clicking it open
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Chapter 275
for him. “Got you,
bro p>
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I glanced at the blanket on the sofa, and Attwater immediately got the hint. He carefully tucked it over Alistair’s legs. “Alpha Alistair, watch out for the AC. Don’t want it flaring up your old injuries p>
Alistair looked at the kid with a hint of approval. “Not bad. Go pick out a car from my garage later, or grab a purebred wolf–horse from the stables. Put it on Shadowfang’s tab p>
Isaiah joined in, clapping Attwater on the shoulder. “Kid, when you’re ready for that leadership program with the old clans in Northern Europe, I’ll cover your tuition and resources. I’ll make sure you walk in there like you own the place p>
Fred laughed, pulling his little brother closer. “Alright, that’s enough. Attwater has me; he doesn’t need a multi–pack charity fund p>
Attwater was a natural, smooth–talking his way through a room full of apex males. “You guys just enjoy the drinks. If you hit it too hard, just crash here for the night p>
The men were chatting away, but I wasn’t listening. I was staring at my hole cards.
“Trista, Attwater leaves for the Academy tomorrow, so you’ll be out of a gofer,” Isaiah said, toying with a chip.
“Want me to send over an assistant from my territory p>
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Paisley jogged over to answer it. A second later, her voice went frantic. “Alpha Cassian! You’re back p>
Cassian stepped through the door with his suitcase, but before he could even set it down, he ran right into a living room full of high–ranking Alphas surrounding me.
His face went from travel–worn to pitch black in a heartbeat. His eyes swept over the men like twin daggers.
He probably never imagined that after being gone for two weeks, his private sanctuary would be turned into a noisy, multi–scented gambling den.
The guys didn’t expect Cassian to air–drop in either. Everyone looked at each other with that awkward, “caught red–handed” vibe.
I was holding a pair of Aces.
I could feel Cassian’s aggressive gaze burning into the back of my neck.
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I didn’t even turn around. I just shoved my entire pile of chips into the center. “All in,” I said, my voice ice–cold.
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