Chapter 357
Third Person’s POV
Fred was quick. He immediately spotted the angry red handprint on Wynn’s face, and his eyes darkened instantly.
He strolled forward, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Can’t we just sit down and talk? Wynn’s been an adult for a long time, Wilmot. You still think you can handle her like a pup with your claws p>
Having backup made Wynn cry even harder. She clutched the back of Fred’s shirt, hiding behind him. “Fred, he hit me twice! He’s lost his mind p>
Fred pulled her into a protective embrace, releasing a wave of calming pheromones. He leaned down, whispering in her ear. “It’s okay, baby. Stop crying. When this old wolf gets so weak he can barely hunt, we’ll make him wear heavy furs in the summer and send him on ice patrols in the winter. My wolf is keeping a tab for you, I promise p>
Cassian shot Fred a look for the rebellious “comfort,” but his own patience had reached its limit.
Wilmot hadn’t cooled down at all. He pointed at Wynn and roared at Fred, “You tell me if I’m wrong! She’s twenty-four! She’s already passed the prime age for mating! The family found her several pureblood candidates with perfect pheromone compatibility—what’s wrong with that? Look at her! Acting like a traitor to her own
pack p>
Fred kept a polite smile on his face, but his dark gold eyes remained cold. “Wilmot, a pup’s temperament always follows the Alpha’s. Wynn inherited your blood; her standards are going to be just as high as yours. You have to let her find someone she actually wants p>
“It’s all that woman’s fault-Trista!” Wilmot spat, letting out a hateful scoff. “Wynn used to be so obedient. Ever since she started hanging out with her, she’s been completely corrupted p>
Cassian’s brow furrowed. “Dad, stay on topic. Leave Trista out of this p>
“With the size of the Ironthorn territory, we don’t need to sacrifice Wynn for some ‘alliance,” Alaina said, staring her husband down with unwavering conviction. “I gave birth to her. You don’t get to play god with her future p>
Wilmot exploded, pointing a finger at his wife. “This is on you! Years ago, you said we should let Cassian choose for himself, and look what happened p>
His voice was so powerful the chandeliers rattled. “He chose a woman from a bankrupt pack who brought zero value to Ironthorn! She was nothing but a weight around an Alpha’s neck! I am not letting you interfere with Wynn p>
Seeing the situation spiraling, Fred moved like a lightning bolt. He snatched Wynn’s bag and phone from the sofa and hustled her out of the mansion, evacuating the blast zone before anyone could stop them.
Once they were gone, Cassian stepped in front of his mother, his voice a low growl. “Dad, watch how you talk to my mother p>
Wilmot couldn’t believe it. The successor he had hand-picked was actually standing up to him in public.
He pointed a trembling finger at Cassian. “Am I wrong? If your mother hadn’t stopped me back then, you’d be mated to a high-ranking Alpha’s daughter By now You’d have paps in the tunting grounds instead of dealing with a messy divorce p>
Cassian’s face went terrifyingly dark. He suppressed his violent instincts, speaking each word with lethal
precision. “Dad, mating with Trista was my choice had nothing to do with anyone else. Everything that went wrong is on me. My mother has taken care of this family for years; she has every right to have a say in our future p>
Alaina’s eyes welled up. She hadn’t expected her usually stoic son to take her side like this.
She pulled Cassian back a few steps and laid her cards on the table for Wilmot. “Since we’re all here, I’ll make this clear: Wynn picks her own mate. No one forces her. Period p>
“What do you know p>
Wilmot snarled like an old lion
protecting his pride. “As long as I’m
breathing, Wynn is mating for the
pack! She will pick a mate from the top five packs in L.A. and be engaged by the end of the year p>
Alaina’s heart went cold. She turned around immediately. “Omega! Pack my bags p>
Wilmot froze, chasing after her. “We’re just talking! Why are you packing p>
Alaina shoved his hand away, her face full of disgust. “I can’t even protect my own child from being treated like a puppet. Why would I stay here and watch? I’m done p>
She snapped, the words flying out before she could stop them, “I want to end the mating p>
Wilmot panicked, physically blocking her path. “Wait… we’ve been together most of our lives! What are you doing p>
Cassian watched his mother’s resolve and his father’s desperate pursuit, feeling a bone-deep exhaustion. He sank into the sofa, completely drained.
Finally, Howard—who had been lurking in the high chair-released a wave of ancient, suffocating aura.
He stared at Cassian, his voice sounding like dry, cracking leather. “Cassian, bloodline contamination will destroy this pack. This rebellion from your mother and sister? It’s all Trista’s poison p>
Cassian let out a low, warning growl from his throat. “Grandpa, you’re trying to turn Wynn into a political tool. Her fighting back is instinct. It has nothing to do with Trista p>
The two Alphas clashed their aura in the center of the room, the silent impact shattering the crystal glasses on the table.
Cassian pulled back his energy, unable to stand the suffocating, stagnant smell of the old house any longer. He slammed the door and walked out.