Chapter 162
Chapter 162
Trista’s POV
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I knitted my brows and countered, “Is it not because you left me behind without a single word, leaving before me p>
Cassian’s dark gaze settled heavily on my face.
He was just about to speak when I cut him off, my voice calm and clear. “You don’t need to explain anything about you and her. I understand p>
Just because I was forced to stand in this position didn’t mean I wanted to hear a single detail about Samantha.
Once those words entered my ears, they would seep into my bones like pheromones.
At night, I would be forced to replay them over and over; the lingering pull of the mating bond would drag me back into those mental images, making my wolf waver, tremble, and lose control–as if my head were being held down to smell a scent that had rotted long ago.
I didn’t want to subject myself to that torture anymore.
The color in Cassian’s eyes darkened, and his tone turned cold. “I haven’t said anything yet. What exactly do you ‘understand p>
I lifted my head, meeting his deep, impenetrable gaze.
I didn’t retreat, and I didn’t hide.
I enunciated every word. “I understand that you and Samantha are sincere about each other p>
“I also understand that you can’t bring her out into the open p>
“I understand that you’re protecting her–protecting her reputation, her safety, and that child’s identity p>
“And I understand that you’re pushing back against the rules of the pack p>
My voice was crisp. “You don’t accept the elders‘ arrangements; you want to do things your own way p>
I paused. My throat felt tight, but I pushed the words out anyway–because I had finally laid bare the things he least wanted to hear. “So, you keep her in your shadows, and you let me stand by your side as the ‘decency‘ you need p>
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“Trista p>
Cassian’s face darkened, and he interrupted me in a low voice.
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It sounded like a suppressed wolf’s growl. The aura didn’t explode, but it was enough to make the surrounding air tighten instantly, like an invisible wire strangling my throat.
My breath did hitch for a second.
But I looked Cassian straight in the eye. When I spoke the next sentence, my voice was eerily steady–even I was surprised. “Actually, I can understand you even more now p>
I watched him, articulating every syllable. “Your heart clearly belongs to her, yet you have to face me every day. Your mood must be just as terrible as mine p>
At that moment, our mating bond tightened slightly in my chest. It wasn’t pain; it was a cold, clear tug, as if reminding me of the weight of those words.
Cassian instinctively reached out to pull me toward him.
My heart surged with a sudden revulsion, and I reflexively shoved his hand away.
The movement was forceful and decisive. I took two steps back to put distance between us, my spine held perfectly straight.
“To the outside world, I am your partner by law and by pack decree,” I continued, my tone bordering on cruel in its detachment. “But between you and her, the one who isn’t loved is the extra one p>
I paused, my throat constricted, but I finished it.
“And that person is me p>
Cassian’s expression shifted visibly.
I didn’t give him a chance to cut in; I had no intention of sugarcoating anything for anyone
anymore.
“You don’t have to remind me over and over that you have another home out there, with a woman you truly care about and your son p>
I clenched my fingers, my nails digging into my palms. “I know my place perfectly well p>
Emotions surged in my chest. I could feel my wolf agitating, but I crushed her down ruthlessly.
Cassian sensed my imbalance and leaned in, reaching to embrace me.
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Chapter 162
I used all my strength to push him away, like pushing against a wall that was closing in.
“If you want to go to them, if you want to love them, then go p>
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My voice finally trembled, but it didn’t break. “I promise I won’t cry, I won’t cause a scene, and I won’t look for trouble p>
“But you don’t need to rip open the wounds in my heart over and over again, repeating the details of how much you love them p>
I looked up at him, my eyes burning, yet I didn’t let a single tear fall. “I am a human being, too. I have a heart p>
After saying that, I turned and went into the bedroom.
Third Person’s POV
Cassian stood there for a long time without moving.
This was the first time Trista had ever spoken about Samantha so calmly to his face.
She didn’t cry, she didn’t get hysterical, and she didn’t threaten him with termination or legal action.
She simply laid out the facts, peeling away the layers of disguise and placing the ugly truth under the light.
He had always wanted her “understanding p>
Now, she had given it.
And she had given it completely.
Yet, in that moment, he felt no sense of relief.
On the contrary, his chest felt blocked. The mating bond weighed heavily on him, making even his breathing feel uneven.
He dragged his feet into the bedroom.
Trista was already lying down, the blanket pulled up to her chest, exposing her thin shoulders.
She was lying on her side, her long hair scattered across the pillow. The lamp light fell across her face–silent and distant.
Even without makeup and with her eyes closed, she was still stunning.
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Cassian stood by the bed, watching her for a long time before finally turning into the bathroom.
When the sound of the water stopped and he came back out, he found her still in the exact same position.
He knew very well that she wasn’t asleep.
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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.