Chapter 318
Third Person’s POV
Cassian carefully tucked the thin blanket around Trista, his fingers lingering on the soft fabric for just a second. He breathed in the faint, steady rhythm of her scent before forcing himself to turn and walk away.
That evening, Cassian headed straight back to the Ironthorn estate.
He ordered the pack chefs to prepare a full spread of Trista’s favorite dishes, then began pacing anxiously in front of the floor-to-ceiling window that faced the territory border.
As the Alpha, he felt the exact moment Trista’s car crossed the red line. The familiar pull of her Luna essence made his soul shudder.
The rain was coming down hard now. He didn’t even wait for the butler to bring an umbrella before sprinting out into the downpour.
Standing on the porch, Humphrey watched Cassian chase after his mate with a sigh. That was the power of the bond—even the strongest wolf couldn’t outrun the pull of fate.
Cassian held the umbrella over Trista, ushering her inside to shield her from the biting cold.
They had barely stepped into the foyer when Wilmot’s voice boomed through the hall, heavy with age and authority. “You disgrace! You’ve pushed your grandfather’s wolf soul to the brink of collapse—he’s practically regressing! And you have the nerve to bring this traitorous woman back here p>
Trista didn’t give an inch. Her eyes were as sharp as blades. “He’s only reacting to the ‘gift’ his precious heir gave him. Don’t blame me. If you think the territory is restless, maybe you should start by clearing out the half-breeds who actually polluted your bloodline p>
Wilmot’s face went purple. A low, bestial growl vibrated in his throat.
Cassian didn’t even acknowledge his father’s rage. With a protective hand on Trista’s back, he led her straight to his mother’s quarters.
Alaina was slumped on the sofa, radiating a cloud of pure exhaustion. She barely managed to summon enough energy to look up when they entered.
Trista shot a cold look at Cassian, who was hovering like a shadow. “Pull back your pheromones and get out,” she ordered.
Cassian stood there, looking stunned and a little pathetic. His restless wolf side felt a sting of rejection at her bluntness.
Alaina shot him a look of her own, using her maternal aura to finish him off. “She told you to get out. Stop bothering us p>
His face darkened, but Cassian had no choice. He backed out and closed the door.
“Alaina, you should just end the bond. Walk away from this rotted family and be free p>
Cassian froze in the hallway, his spine going rigid at the scandalous suggestion. He spun around to go back in, but Trista had sensed him coming; she locked the door from the inside before he could touch the handle.
Half an hour later, the two women emerged.
Cassian was still waiting in the hall like a statue, his gold eyes searching their faces for any hint of what they’d discussed.
Alaina sighed, looking at Trista. “If you aren’t staying for dinner, head back now. Take care of yourself-don’t let that damaged wolf turn into a permanent scar p>
“It’s pouring. I’ll walk you out; you’re shivering,” Cassian said, immediately opening the umbrella. He stayed glued to her side, using his body as a shield against the wind and rain.
Trista treated him like he was invisible, walking straight to her car. In a fit of pure desperation, Cassian grabbed the edge of her car door, his knuckles turning white from the grip.
“Trista,” he pleaded, his voice dropping into the low, humble tone of a wolf before the Moon Goddess. “Just fifteen minutes… we need to talk p>
Trista stopped and looked around at the oppressive atmosphere of the estate. “Say whatever you have to say right here p>
Cassian frowned, looking genuinely confused. “Trista, how could encourage my mom to get a severance? Do you really think that’s appropriate p>
“Your father never gave her an ounce of respect,” Trista snapped. “What’s wrong with telling her to leave? I’m telling her to find her.
freedom, not to go out and find a
string of lovers like your father did p>
Cassian lowered his voice. “They’ve been fighting for a lifetime. That’s just how they
are. They’d never actually break the bond p>
Trista shoved him back.
Her expression was dead serious. “Cassian, you know perfectly welt she stayed for you and Wynn. she
Swallowed her pride
under your
father and grandfather just to make sure you two had a life p>
“Now that you’re all grown up, even
Wynn has the guts to stand up for her. But you? As her son, all you care about is keeping up appearances. What right do you have to talk down to her?
Seeing her temper flare, Cassian immediately softened his tone. “Okay, okay. Don’t
be mad. We won’t talk about it p>
Trista felt a wave of exhaustion.
Cassian had been brainwashed by Howard’s cold survival tactics since he was a pup. He’d grown up in such a twisted power structure that his heart had turned to stone.
That numbness had bled into their mating.
Every time they had a conflict, his only move was silence and avoidance.
It was in his DNA—a gift from his family that he couldn’t seem to shake.
Cassian tried to change the subject. “I haven’t been sleeping. My wolf is restless. Do
you still have that sedative you used to make for me p>