Chapter 171
Chapter 171
Third Person’s POV
Finished
Back then, when the whip had lashed across her back, her whole body had jolted. She had turned deathly pale in an instant, but she hadn’t budged.
He had called her a fool under his breath.
She had been shaking from the pain, yet she still managed to give him a small smile.
It was a stubborn, genuine smile, carrying the raw, unpolished spark of a young Luna.
She said she was willing.
She said she just wanted to be his shield.
But now, she stood only a few feet away.
She was close enough to touch, yet it felt like they were separated by an uncrossable border.
She wouldn’t even grant him a glance, as if she had personally buried every trace of that past impulsiveness and devotion.
Alaina stood beside her mate, her fingers twisting unconsciously.
She watched her son kneeling on the floor, taking the hits with a rigid spine, his with red–yet he refused to stop staring at Trista.
eyes rimmed
In his gaze, there was a messy tangle of lupine obsession and the sheer instability of being completely ignored.
Alaina was a mix of fury and heartbreak; she eventually had to look away.
She saw the bloody welts opening on her son’s back and smelled the sharp tang of iron mixing with the cold, medicinal scent of the ceremonial whip. It felt like something was blocking her chest.
She saw the truth clearly now: no matter how brutal the punishment, if the mate offers no reaction, the physical pain morphs into a much more agonizing kind of torture.
The most terrifying thing in a marriage isn’t the fighting.
It’s when one pours themselves out, and the other doesn’t even blink.
Trista’s greatest tragedy was sinking her best years and her most sincere heart into a man who
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never knew how to value her.
A few minutes later, Howard raised his hand.
The Gamma immediately retracted the whip with a crisp motion.
Another omega stepped forward to support Cassian, helping him steady himself.
Finished
The back of Cassian’s white shirt was soaked through with blood, the fabric clinging to his skin, revealing the jagged welts and weeping crimson.
He forced himself to walk over to Trista, his steps steady despite the agony, though his breathing was heavy.
Even injured this badly, his gaze remained locked on her.
Trista still wouldn’t look up.
Howard’s clouded but sharp eyes swept over them, his voice sounding like sandpaper on wood. “There will be a press conference tomorrow morning. Both of you will appear before the media and clear this up p>
Trista kept her eyes lowered, remaining silent for a beat.
Typical. To the Alphas of Ironthorn, infidelity wasn’t a crime–it was a footnote. The only things that mattered were profit and prestige. In their eyes, she was nothing more than a PR cover with the word “Luna” printed on it.
Cassian caught Trista’s silence and stepped in to bridge the gap. “Don’t worry. I’ll have this suppressed as soon as possible p>
Only after he finished did Trista speak up. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough to drop a heavy silence over the entire living room. “I’ll stand up and help clear the air regarding this scandal,” she said slowly. “But I have conditions p>
Wilmot was instantly offended, his voice dripping with his usual arrogance. “You are the Luna of Ironthorn! Protecting our interests is your duty p>
Trista looked up, her counter–question direct and biting. “Which pack law states that a Luna is obligated to cover up her mate’s mistresses and bastards? Or that she has to clean up his messes? ”
Wilmot turned purple with rage, his pheromones nearly spiking. “A she–wolf from a bankrupt pack thinks she’s in a position to negotiate? Know your place! Don’t overestimate your importance here p>
Trista stood tall, her tone getting steadier as she felt the leverage in her hand. “Whether I’m
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‘worth‘ anything to Ironthorn doesn’t matter. If you want me to scrub this scandal clean, then you have to guarantee one thing: from this moment on, no one in this family interferes with my work. And no one uses my family as leverage for any reason p>
After the holidays, she was set to start at the Sheptran family’s private healing center.
That was an opportunity she had earned herself–it was her exit strategy.
Her family and her career were her final lines in the sand.
She wouldn’t let anyone trample them again.
Cassian’s gaze deepened as he watched her.
He finally saw the real motive behind her play.
She had used the media to drag the fire back to Ironthorn and used the scandal to force the elders‘ hands. It wasn’t about revenge; it was about insurance. She was making sure Howard couldn’t reach out and crush her job.
Wilmot snarled, “Ingrate! The Luna of the great Ironthorn pack running out to earn pocket change? You’re making a laughingstock of us p>
Cassian stepped in to block him, his tone light but heavy enough to stifle Wilmot’s fire. “Dad, watch your tone. I support Trista in her career p>
Trista, standing right beside him, didn’t feel a flicker of emotion at that “support p>
She knew the truth.
In the vocabulary of Ironthorn, “support” was a pose that could be retracted at any moment. it wasn’t a guarantee, and it wasn’t a promise.
She wanted a deal that would actually stick.
After a long silence, Howard finally relented, giving his final decree. “It’s good for young people to work. We agree to your terms. But for the press conference tomorrow… you know how you need to perform p>
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.