Chapter 430
Chapter 430
Third Person’s POV
“I remember being a kid and always running over to the Ironthorn pack house,” Trista reminisced.
Finished
“Wynn and I were inseparable. Your mom was so graceful, so beautiful–she treated me like her own. Even your dad and grandfather, as scary as they looked, were always decent to me. I truly cherished those years p>
She turned to look at Cassian, her gaze steady. “And remember that time Wynn and I snuck out and got caught in that massive storm? When you and Fred finally found us, the four of us sat huddled under that tiny roof, sharing a single bag of crackers p>
“We were so happy then p>
Cassian kept his head down like a child who knew they’d ruined everything. He was sobbing now, a muffled, broken sound as he whispered her name over and over, pleading for forgiveness.
Trista just shook her head.
“If I hadn’t been so blinded by some fairy–tale idea of love… if I hadn’t been delusional enough to think I had to marry you… Cassian, we could have stayed happy forever p>
“ Trista! ”
Cassian snapped, cutting her off.
His eyes were bloodshot and shattered, his voice a jagged rasp that sounded like it was physically sticking
in his throat.
Trista reached out, her fingertips gently wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
“I know I’ve always been a lot to handle–the drama, the moods. And I know you didn’t love me, but you still bought me whatever I wanted. You put up with me, even when I drove you crazy p>
She looked him straight in the eye. “Silverlight was falling apart back then, and you stepped up and married me despite all the pressure. Whatever your reasons were, you saved my pack. You fixed everything for us.
She pulled her hand back, her tone shifting to a calm, lethal finality.
“So, thank you, Cassian Thank you for putting up with my temper, and thank you for everything you dist for Silverlight p>
Cassian heard the subtext immediately.
He let out a dry, hollow laugh that cut off into a violent shudder. His knees gave out, and he shumpect an
the floor.
His aura was gone; there was nothing left but a man who had completely unraveled.
Trista stood over him, watching him break.
11:08 am
Chapter 430
Finished
“Wynn is like a sister to me, and your mother was a second mom. Of course I care about them,” she said, her words hitting like rhythmic stabs.
“But if cutting them out is the price of getting away from you? I’ll do it in a heartbeat p>
“You can’t!” Cassian scrambled up, his hands locking onto her shoulders as he let out a low, vibrating growl. “You said they were your family for life! How can you be this cold p>
Trista didn’t even blink. “There is nothing I won’t give up to be even with you p>
They stood inches apart.
Cassian’s fingers were trembling against her shoulders, his eyes a map of broken blood vessels. His six- foot–three frame looked fragile now, unable to hold the weight of his own title.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice shaking with every syllable. “Please, Trista… don’t leave me p>
Twenty years as childhood friends. Three years as mates.
She was his wife; she was his Luna. He couldn’t wrap his head around a world where that wasn’t true.
Trista didn’t pull away. She just let him hold her.
Her voice was level, devoid of any warmth. “Cassian, if you want me to keep a single good memory of that family… if you ever truly felt for me for even a second… if you’re actually sorry–then let go. Give me my freedom p>
She felt the strength slowly drain from his arms. Trista gently pushed him back.
Cassian was ghost–white, tears and sweat streaking his face,
He looked vacant, his spine curved as if the very bones were failing him. He looked like he might collapse
at any moment.
Trista draped his jacket back over his shoulders and turned toward the bedroom.
Cassian stood there, an abandoned shell of a man.
She didn’t love him.
She didn’t even want him.
The girl who promised to hold his hand until the end was gone, and he was the one who had driven her
away,
A metallic tang hit the back of his throat. Before he could swallow it down, he retched, coughing up a spray of bright crimson that splattered against the floor
Trista disappeared inside. Cassian slid down the railing, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
He stared blankly at the night sky, letting the tears mix with the blood on his face.
11:08 am PPXX.
Chapter 430
Finished
The girl who used to look at him like he was the sun had died tonight.
A dull, grinding ache twisted in his chest–the physical agony of a dying mating bond spreading through his veins. He curled into a ball, shivering.
The island wind was biting, and as the blood on the floor began to dry, the cold finally jolted him out of his shock.
He struggled to his feet, leaning on the railing for support as he stumbled toward the bedroom door.
It was slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling out.
Through the gap, he saw Trista sitting on the bed, wrapped in a blanket. Her silhouette looked so small, so distant.
Cassian reached out to push the door open, but his fingers froze on the handle.
He looked down at his white shirt, now stained with that vivid, ugly red.
He was too dirty.
Even moving toward her felt like a violation.
He let go of the handle and slid down against the door, sitting on the floor with his back to the wood. He gripped his knees, biting back the sob that was clawing at his throat.
They were never going back.
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.