Chapter 149
Chapter 149
Trista’s POV
3 Finished
I fought with everything I had to keep my emotions from boiling over. I didn’t push him away this time; I just gave a small, defeated nod.
Every time I cave, it feels like another scar on my heart.
Cassian shut the door with a satisfied click and led me toward the kitchen. “Paisley heard you were coming back before the Blood Moon Festival tomorrow. She’s been slow–cooking Moonlake fish with Silverthread grass – says it’ll help level out your pheromones p>
Paisley, who was busy in the kitchen, quickly wiped her hands and hurried out. She gave me a respectful Luna bow. “Luna Trista, dinner is almost ready. Please, take a seat and rest. I’ll brew you some Primrose tea p>
Paisley was a senior omega housekeeper from the ancestral Ironthorn estate. She’d been serving the family for over twenty years; she’d watched Cassian and me grow up. She knew the pack rules–and Cassian’s mind -better than anyone.
It was obvious. Cassian had been betting on the fact that I’d eventually surrender to reality.
I glanced at Cassian. A faint, ghost of a smirk played on his lips, and his eyes were full of the calm confidence of a man who owned the world.
I asked a question I already knew the answer to, my voice dripping with a subtle irony. “How were you so sure I’d actually come back tonight p>
Cassian didn’t answer right away. Instead, he led me into the bedroom and reached out to help me off with my coat–the one embroidered with the Silverlight crest. He hung it up with practiced care.
Then he turned back to me, his gaze locking onto mine. “I had faith that you’d make the best choice for yourself–and for Silverlight p>
Standing there, every ounce of my defiance was smothered by his aura. I didn’t even have the strength to fire back.
I took a deep breath and cut straight to the chase. “I’m here. I’m back to fulfill my duties as Luna. Now, can you call Dr. Sparrow for my mother p>
Dr. Sparrow was the elite healer of the werewolf world. He was the one who had spearheaded my mother’s initial treatment.
Without a second of hesitation, Cassian pulled out his comm–stone right in front of me and gave a few brief, authoritative commands.
After hanging up, he looked at me. “Dr. Sparrow happens to be visiting family at the LA werewolf sanctuary. He’ll be at the Sanctum Healing Center in twenty minutes p>
I wanted to laugh.
It was all so predictable.
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15:16 Fri, Jan 2
Chapter 149
Finished
Cassian always thought ten steps ahead. He’d laid all the groundwork, just waiting for me to admit defeat and walk right into his trap.
Alaina was right. I wasn’t the one who had messed up–he was the one who betrayed our bond, and he was the one who pushed me to the edge.
Why should I sacrifice my life and my pack responsibilities for an Alpha who only understands profit and loss?
From this moment on, there would be no “love” left in our mating bond. It was a cold, hard corporate
merger.
I looked him in the eye, my voice flat as I stated my terms. “The case against me. When are you dropping the charges p>
Cassian didn’t give me a direct answer. Instead, he reached out, took my hand, and led me toward the dining room.
As he let go, his fingertips brushed intentionally against my wrist–a calculated probe. “What’s the rush? Let’s eat first, get your pheromones back in check, and then we’ll discuss the fine print of our deal p>
His slow, methodical pace–his total control over the rhythm of the conversation–lit a fire in my gut.
My inner wolf bristled, and my pheromones turned sharp, carrying the metallic tang of iron. My voice rose, unable to keep the accusation out of it. “Cassian, what kind of game are you playing now p>
Cassian let out a soft sigh and pulled me closer. His palms were warm, carrying that steady Alpha heat. He brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his fingertips lingering on my cheek.
His eyes held the cold, complex glint of pack moonstones.
His aura softened, his gaze turning gentle–almost indulgent.
A second later, he leaned in and pulled me into a light embrace. His warm palm rested against the small of my back, his steady pheromones acting as a silent sedative. “You’re my Luna,” he murmured. “You’re the she–wolf mated with me. What would I gain for my pack interests or the stability of Ironthorn by ‘playing‘ you p>
He let his voice soften, using that specific tone Alphas use to soothe their mates. “Go eat something first. Your pheromones are all over the place. We’ll talk everything through later p>
It sounded like a suggestion, but the underlying authority left me no room to say no. He never really gave me a choice, did he?
I let him lead me into the dining room.
Feeling the cold hardness of his palm against mine, I could only sneer internally. He was so composed, so calculated. First, he does the unforgivable–crushing my dignity and betraying our bond—and then he tries to paint over the cracks with sweet talk.
If I hadn’t experienced his cold–blooded pragmatism firsthand, I might have actually fallen for this fake
tenderness.
After we sat down, Paisley brought over a tureen. Cassian took it, testing the temperature with his finger
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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.