Chapter 217
Chapter 217
Third Person’s POV
Faced with Cassian’s interrogation, Trista let a tiny, mocking smirk play on her lips.
+5 Pearle
“Honestly, Cassian,” she said, her voice flat. “Compared to you, I think my attitude is actually pretty damn great p>
She didn’t stop there. “Look, I know I messed up by leaving without telling you. I was focused on the situation with Isaiah and it slipped my mind. But the second I was done, I called you and sent a text. What else do you want p>
Cassian’s pupils constricted, his Alpha instincts flaring. “Your text said you were already home!” he corrected her, his voice dropping to a lethal chill.
Trista shrugged, not even bothering to fight him on the small stuff. “I was at the front door of the building. Close enough. As an Alpha with a whole territory to run, you really shouldn’t be obsessing over a few floors of distance p>
Cassian stared at her, his chest heaving as he struggled for air. The rage was visible in every jagged breath he took.
“And as for Isaiah answering my phone? That was an oversight,” Trista continued, her tone bordering on bored. “I had my hands full. I didn’t want to miss your call, so I asked him to pick up. Don’t read too much into it p>
“As for making his bed in the middle of the night… I’ve got nothing to tell you. It’s what healers do. I was fixing his sleep environment. It was a professional courtesy, not whatever twisted scenario you’re dreaming up p>
Cassian’s breathing grew even heavier.
He ripped off his custom blazer and slammed it onto the sofa.
Seeing him so worked up, Trista actually put on a show of “professional patience” to comfort him. “Cassian, relax. It’s not like I stayed out all night, and it’s definitely not like I brought home a half–blood love child. Over a little thing like this? You’re acting like your pheromones are about to go nuclear p>
They locked eyes. Cassian felt like he was suffocating.
Every single word she used to shut him down felt dangerously familiar–because those were the exact same excuses he used to use on her.
Seeing that he looked genuinely sick with rage, Trista actually helped him sit down on the sofa and poured him a glass of water.
“I’ve told you everything. Anything else you want to get off your chest p>
Cassian stared at her, his jaw locked tight, refusing to say a word.
Trista checked her phone.
Jan 14
Chapter 217
“Since we’re done here, I’m gonna go wash up. I have a shift at the center tomorrow, and I’m not staying up all night for this.” Without waiting for a reaction, she walked straight into the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, Trista walked out to find Cassian still on the sofa, chain–smoking those bitter cigarettes of his.
She sighed and walked over. “It’s late. You have a pack meeting at the estate tomorrow. Just take a shower and go to bed p>
Cassian looked up at her and took a long, violent drag of his cigarette, the smoke curling around his fingers.
Trista didn’t try to stop him. She just tossed one last comment over her shoulder: “Just so you know, the clinical data says the sudden death rate for chronic sleep deprivation is between 5% and 10%. Do with that what you will p>
Then, she went to the bedroom and crashed.
Cassian crushed his cigarette, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes, taking one shaky breath.
He sat there like a statue for a long time before finally getting up to wash.
By the time he crawled into bed, Trista was already out cold.
The next morning, the alarm went off right on time.
Trista stretched and sat up, only to find Cassian sitting there looking like a ghost.
He was wide awake, staring into space with massive, dark circles under his eyes.
“Is your grandfather riding you that hard?” she asked, sounding casually concerned. “Is that why you can’t sleep p>
Cassian shot her a look that could have dropped a man where he stood.
Trista acted like she didn’t even notice. She slid out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
Cassian followed her in, his face dark.
He’d spent the entire night drowning in a toxic soup of jealousy while she slept like a baby. Not only had she not asked how he was, she hadn’t even given him a second look,
As Trista started packing her bag for work, Cassian blocked her path.
“It’s early. Eat breakfast, and I’ll drive you p>
“Eat by yourself,” she said, not even looking up. “Zelda said she’s bringing me something. I’ll eat with my team p>
Cassian grabbed his coat, his tone turning hard. “I’m driving you p>
Trista jingled her car keys in his face. “No, thanks. I’m driving myself from now on. No point in you running back and forth; it’s a waste of energy p>
She headed for the door but stopped at the last second.
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11:10 Wed, Jan 14 MG.
Chapter 217
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She turned back, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick, ritualistic kiss on the corner of his mouth–the bare minimum for their bond.
Cassian instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, trying to deepen the kiss.
But the second he leaned in, Trista pulled away without a trace of emotion. She turned the handle and walked out.
Cassian stood in the foyer, feeling like a heavy weight was crushing his chest.
He suddenly remembered what his mother had told him.
He and Trista… they didn’t look like mates anymore. And this apartment? It was starting to feel less like a home and more like a cage.
Paisley walked over after hearing the door close. “Alpha Cassian, breakfast is ready.” Cassian gave a cold grunt. He had no appetite. He turned around and walked back into the bedroom.
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