Chapter 176
Chapter 176
Trista’s POV
Finished
Back in France, as Isaiah’s primary healer, I’d learned the hard way just how high–maintenance this young Alpha from an ancient European lineage could be.
His insomnia wasn’t just a glitch in his nervous system; it was a full–blown crisis of shifting aura and sensory overload. Every emotional spike he had acted like a trigger for an involuntary semi–shift.
Because of that, he was pathologically picky about everything–environments, scents, personal space, and especially people’s attitudes.
I snatched my communication stone back from Isaiah before addressing him. “Alpha Isaiah, tell me you actually have a place to stay in LA p>
His deep brown eyes lingered on me for a beat, calculating. Then, with zero filter, he said, “I want to stay with you p>
My face went stone–cold, and my voice dropped an octave. “Watch it, ‘Pickiness King. You’re crossing a line p>
Isaiah had the pedigree of a pureblood but the temperament of a brat.
He did whatever he wanted. He was obsessed with aesthetics and scents–a total ‘visuals‘ snob- which had earned him a flippant nickname behind his back to mock his impossible standards.
And he hated that nickname.
If anyone dared to say it to his face, he’d flip on a dime, dropping every ounce of Alpha etiquette.
If his insomnia hadn’t been so severe that it threatened his stability, and if I wasn’t the only one capable of fixing him, even I wouldn’t have survived saying it.
But here was the thing-
My situation with Cassian was already so tense that the protective barriers around our house felt like they were about to crack.
If I brought Isaiah–an emotionally volatile Alpha with leaking aura–into that house, I wouldn’t be treating a patient; I’d be lighting a fuse.
Isaiah caught the shift in my tone and realized he’d pushed too far.
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Chapter 176
He cleared his throat, pulling back his sharp edges just a bit. “…Fine. A hotel it is p>
I didn’t press the issue. I took him to a hotel and handled the check–in.
Finished
Once the paperwork was done, Isaiah leaned in, dropping his voice. “Trista, I had one of my cars shipped over. After dinner, I want you to show me around LA p>
I didn’t hesitate. I nodded.
Facing my high–profile VIP patient was infinitely better than going back to the suffocating standoff waiting for me with Cassian. At least this was a world I could control.
While waiting for Isaiah to get his key cards in the lobby, I ran straight into Samantha.
She looked me up and down, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re out here acting like everything’s fine while you’re telling the world you want out of your bond. Honestly, Trista, I’ll never understand how you play these games p>
I looked at her, my eyes devoid of warmth. “Samantha, I gave you a chance. I told you to take that kid to the press conference and claim your place. You’re the one who was too chicken to do it p>
I had more than one trap set for her, of course.
But she was just cautious–and guilty–enough not to take the bait.
Stung by the truth, Samantha’s face darkened. “Titles and status? I couldn’t care less about that stuff. As long as I have Cassian’s heart, that’s enough for me p>
Suddenly, Isaiah appeared behind me.
He leaned over my shoulder, his tone light but his words cutting like a razor. “Well, since you’re so open–minded, I guess I should wish you–and your kids, and their kids–a long and happy legacy of being ‘the other one p>
Samantha looked like she’d been slapped.
She started to size Isaiah up, but the raw, unbridled Alpha energy rolling off him made her realize she was out of her league. She didn’t dare say another word.
“Excuse me,” she muttered, trying to salvage what was left of her dignity as she hurried away.
I turned to Isaiah. “How much of that did you catch p>
Isaiah scowled, looking disgusted. “Who even was that? Her face gave me a headache. Let’s get out of here–I need a palate cleanser p>
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Chapter 176
I went quiet for a second, took a deep breath, and led the way.
By 8:00 PM, I had Isaiah at a high–end sushi spot.
The moment we sat down, he ordered a drink.
Finished
I checked the menu and told the server to cancel it immediately. “Alpha Isaiah, you’re in treatment. No alcohol. It messes with your REM cycles and spikes your nighttime sensitivity p>
Isaiah groaned. “You’re worse than
my mother p>
I ignored him.
By the end of dinner, the bill came out to $160,000.
Without a second thought, I swiped the secondary credit card Cassian had given me.
We stepped out into the night air, which smelled of sea salt and exhaust.
Isaiah pointed to a custom, two–toned supercar parked at the curb. It was a beast–sharp lines, track–ready tires, and an exhaust note that purred low, clearly meant to avoid unwanted attention.
I held out my hand for the keys. “You don’t know the roads. I’m driving. And in your state, you shouldn’t be focusing on traffic p>
Isaiah flinched, instinctively guarding his car. “This is a track–grade custom build, Trista p>
2
“I started racing when I was five,” I told him flatly. “I’ve won trophies. Trust me, I can handle it. More importantly, your insomnia is flaring up–your reflexes and temper are shot. You’re safer in the passenger seat p>
I paused for a split second after saying that.
I remembered who I used to be–bright, bold, sharp as a blade.
Then, for Cassian, I’d sanded down all those edges.
The result? I was worn down to the bone.
The next second, I slammed the gas.
The car lunged forward like an arrow, slicing clean through the ribbons of light that made up the LA night.
3/4
He meartbroken Luna’s Choice: Banish Love
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.