Chapter 140
Chapter 140
Third Person’s POV
Finished
Cassian’s fingers hitched slightly against the glass, but he didn’t bite. He just took a slow sip of his drink, letting the shadows swallow his expression.
Fred stared at him for a few beats, as if finally making a call. “I can’t just stand here and watch you play her like this. I’m going down there to post bail and get her out of that holding cell p>
He turned to leave without a backward glance.
Cassian rose slowly, his aura expanding until the very air in the room felt heavy. “Fred, this is between me and my mate. You stick your nose in this, and whatever happens next–don’t say I didn’t warn you p>
Fred froze. When he looked back, he was wound tight.
His emotions were redlining, his wolfish scent flaring as he snarled at Cassian. “We’ve known Trista for years! She’s your Luna, but she’s also the kid sister I watched grow up. I’m not gonna let you destroy her p>
He slammed the door on his way out, the force of it rattling the entire apartment.
Silence rushed back into the living room, leaving only the empty glass and the sharp tang of alcohol.
Cassian walked to the floor–to–ceiling window and stood there, spine straight, motionless for a long time. He looked like an Alpha who had tucked away his fangs–not releasing any active pressure, yet somehow making the entire space feel suffocating.
Finally, he picked up his phone, his knuckles whitening as he dialed Fred’s father.
The next morning, Cassian headed out for headquarters in a sharp, dark suit.
At the gates of the Ironthorn house, an omega of Howard was waiting. He bowed low, eyes averted. “Alpha Cassian, you’re needed at the pack estate immediately p>
An hour later, as soon as Cassian stepped out of the car, he was intercepted by a fuming Wynn.
She blocked his path, her eyes bloodshot. “Cassian, you threw Trista in jail! Do you even have a heart p>
Cassian’s expression soured, his voice dropping to a freezing sub–zero. “Watch your tone. What happens between me and Trista is none of your business. Stay out of it”
An omega quickly stepped in to pull Wynn back.
Cassian strode into the living room,
Alaina was on the sofa, her usual polished, high–society grace nearly scorched away by fury. “If Fred hadn’t called, how long were you planning on keeping us in the dark p>
Cassian kept his head down–no pushback, no excuses.
Alaina looked at her son, the boy she’d raised on a silver platter, and felt a lump in her throat. “Trista’s been locked up all night, and you’re worried about going to meetings? Go get her. Now. Find a way to bring her
1/3
Chapter 140
home p>
Finished
But Cassian remained infuriatingly logical. “Mom, the police are involved. We have to let the process play
out p>
Alaina felt a wave of dizziness from the sheer frustration and sank back into the sofa, her chest heaving.
Wilmot, sitting nearby, looked at his son with a touch of pride–as if he were admiring a perfectly sharpened weapon. “Cassian’s right. A man shouldn’t let his emotions call the shots p>
Before the argument could escalate, an omega arrived with a message: Cassian was summoned to Howard’s study.
The study smelled faintly of ink. The curtains were half–drawn, slicing the light into rigid blocks that gave the room a sense of oppressive order.
Howard stood by the desk, leaning on his obsidian cane. A freshly signed document lay open, the ink still tacky; beside it sat a fountain pen, its nib aligned with clinical precision.
He lifted his gaze to his grandson. His eyes were steady and razor–sharp. “The bond isn’t dissolved yet, and now this mess is all over the news. What’s the plan p>
Cassian stopped a few paces from the desk, maintaining a respectful, calculated distance. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything impulsive for Trista p>
That answer seemed to satisfy Howard.
“Cassian,” he began, every word carrying the heavy weight of Alpha authority. “= Silverlight has beèn bankrupt for years; they’re useless to you now. If Trista can’t truly stand on the front lines with you, then what’s the point of keeping her p>
Cassian lowered his eyes, his voice soft. “You’re right p>
Howard pushed further. “Whether she stays or goes is your call. But if her presence damages your future, drags down Ironthorn’s name, or shakes our interests, I will not tolerate her p>
The room was suddenly flooded with a crushing aura, like an invisible hand squeezing the back of one’s neck.
Cassian’s face turned deathly pale, his fingers twitching at his sides. “As long as you promise not to touch the Silverlight pack, I’ll get everything back on the track that benefits Ironthorn most p>
Howard withdrew his gaze and handed his cane to a waiting omega, picking up his pen to sign another file.
The meeting was over.
Cassian turned and left, closing the door with practiced restraint.
A short while later, as Cassian’s car pulled out of the ancestral gates, someone blocked his path.
He recognized the figure, and his brow furrowed in a barely perceptible flinch. “What are you doing here p>
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.