Chapter 231
Cassian’s wolf–like eyes darted between the two she–wolves. Amougi un n Alpha aura still made the air feel stagnant, he finally stopped being stubborn.
Trista seized the moment to break the ice. “Since you’re already here, let’s just all eat together. I’ve already got a table booked p>
The three of them headed to a nearby restaurant. Cassian made a point of sitting Trista right next to him, his intense, territorial possessiveness leaving Samantha to sit awkwardly across from them.
Trista had just opened the menu when a few women from across the room walked over quickly.
Judging by their starstruck and slightly nervous tone, Trista realized they were employees from one of the Ironthorn Pack’s subsidiaries.
“Luna, it’s such an honor to meet you,” one of the women said. Eager to make a good impression, she gave a deep bow–straight toward Samantha.
The other two quickly crowded around, piling on the flattery.
Samantha’s face went from pale to flushed as she shot a guilty, panicked look at Cassian.
Cassian’s expression turned so dark it was practically bruising. “You’ve got the wrong person,” he corrected coldly. “She isn’t mate p>
my
Trista chose that exact moment to snap her menu shut and stand up, looking like a total outsider to the drama. “Alpha Cassian, since you clearly have some family business to attend to, I won’t interrupt you and your ‘Luna.‘ I’m going to the restroom p>
Before Cassian could stop her, she had already pushed back her chair and walked away.
To any onlooker, her words were a verbal stamp of approval on Samantha’s status.
The employees, still oblivious to the danger, chirped, “Alpha Cassian is always so serious at the office; who knew he liked to play jokes like that in private p>
“Well, we’ll leave you two to your meal. Have a wonderful afternoon p>
Once the employees left, Samantha barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief before realizing Cassian’s pheromones had turned lethally cold.
She scrambled to explain, “Cassian, don’t be mad. It’s probably because Trista had me drop off
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your meds at the office the other day–everyone must have gotten the wrong idea p>
Finished
Seeing Cassian remain silent, Samantha glanced down at her phone. She saw a text from Trista saying she’d already slipped out the back door. Samantha took a chance. “Cassian, Trista said she had something come up p>
Before she could finish, Cassian stood up and walked away without a word, the draft from his exit making Samantha shiver.
She sat there alone, watching his back as he strode away, and bit her lip hard. “Cassian, I sacrificed years for you. I suffered for you. You are never going to dump me on someone else p>
Near the fountain in front of the healing center, Cassian finally caught up to Trista.
Spotting several colleagues nearby, Trista quickly dragged him behind a large oak tree in the greenery.
When Cassian spoke, his voice was laced with that classic Alpha “short–fuse” energy. “Am I that much of an embarrassment? Is acknowledging me as your mate actually beneath you now p>
Trista gave him a bland, soothing pat. “Why so much fire in the middle of the day? If your people think Samantha is your Luna, that’s on you for not keeping your boundaries clear. Don’t blame me p>
Cassian’s chest heaved as he stared at her, his eyes searching for a crack in her mask. “Do you really not care at all? Does seeing another woman step into your shoes not spark even a little bit of rage p>
Trista looked him in the eye, her voice steady. “I promise you, I wouldn’t care even if you asked me to babysit a newborn for your ‘true love‘ right now p>
Cassian let out a sharp, frustrated breath and paced in a circle.
After a long silence, he suddenly shifted gears. “You were on the computer in my study, weren’t you p>
Trista blinked. The jump in logic was so fast she almost missed it.
Since he’d already caught the scent, she decided to own it. “I forgot my work laptop, so I borrowed
yours. Sue me p>
Internally, she was cursing Isaiah. “So much for being an uncatchable hacker p>
“By ‘borrowed,‘ you mean ‘cracked the encrypted files‘?” Cassian pressed, every word a challenge.
They stood in the shadows of the old tree, locked in a stare–down. After a beat, Trista gave it to
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fangs at any moment p>
Cassian’s pupils constricted as he scanned every micro–expression on her face. “The contract is gone. The fake evidence that could have sent you to prison is shredded. You’re free, and I’ve got zero leverage left. You still don’t trust me p>
“Cassian, I will never forget how heartless you were to me,” she replied calmly. “I don’t think I can ever trust you again. As long as you want to, you can find a new way to ruin me. This current truce? It’s just temporary peace p>
Cassian took a step forward and gripped her hands tight, his voice turning raw. “You promised
my back?” we’d give this relationship a fresh start. Why would you do this behind
Trista looked up into those wolfish eyes, now filled with pain, and her tone stayed clinical and cold. “I promised you that to keep the peace. Whether I can actually do it in my heart… well, that’s a completely different story p>
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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.