Chapter 274
Chapter 274
Trista’s POV
Howard’s clouded eyes flared with a lethal, murderous light.
+5 Pearls
He stared me down, spitting the words through gritted teeth. “You lunatic… you actually dare to threaten me? ”
“It’s not a threat,” I said, my voice light as air. “It’s called survival p>
Alaina realized things were going south fast and shot Cassian a sharp look.
This time, Cassian didn’t waste words. His hand clamped around my wrist like a steel vice and he started hauling me out.
I couldn’t shake him off, so I let him drag me. But before we cleared the door, I couldn’t resist one last jab. “Try not to drop dead from a heart attack just yet. Look at the grandson you raised -this entire pack is rotten to the core p>
I raised my voice so everyone in the living room could hear me loud and clear. “Your grandson breaks his oath and it’s ‘business as usual,‘ but I do my job and it’s a ‘death penalty.’ Ironthorn logic is really something else p>
“Get out!” Howard screamed, grabbing a stray shard of glass from the table and hurling it at me.
Cassian pulled me into his chest to shield me, half–carrying, half–dragging me until he finally shoved me into the car.
Once we were inside, Cassian was drenched in a cold sweat.
He took several deep breaths, his manic Alpha pheromones slamming against the car walls.
He pinned me against the seat, his face terrifyingly dark. “You’ve got a lot of nerve tonight. Is Alistair the one giving you all this confidence p>
I leaned back against the headrest, staring him down. “Cassian, don’t be ungrateful. If I manage to annoy your grandfather to death, you get to take over the pack early. Then you can finally move your precious lover and your kid into the estate officially. Where else are you going to find a deal like that? ”
A vein throbbed in Cassian’s temple. His voice sounded like it was being pulled from a deep freezer.
“Trista, how many times do I have to say it?” He was vibrating with suppressed rage.
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Chapter 274
“What happened with Samantha isn’t what you think. I never touched her p>
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eyes.
I leaned in until our noses were almost touching, searching every micro–expression in his “Never touched her? Then where did Algernon come from? Did he grow out of the dirt? Did he fall off a tree? ”
Cassian’s jaw locked. His Adam’s apple bobbed once, but not a single word came out.
I felt a wave of pure boredom. I closed my eyes and decided to take a nap.
The rest of the drive was just silent.
Back at the Blue Bay apartment, the silence continued. We ignored each other and went to our separate rooms.
I was just about to turn off the light when Cassian walked out of the bathroom.
He stomped over to the bed and stood over me. “If I don’t speak first, were you planning on never talking to me again for the rest of your life p>
I sat up and gave him a very serious nod.
“Trista, this is emotional stonewalling!” he snapped, his voice rising.
That was it. My face went cold.
I knelt on the bed, looking up at him. “Me not talking is stonewalling? Then what do you call you breaking our oath? What do you call you ditching me in the middle of the night to find another woman? What do you call you ignoring me when I literally fainted? Is that just a ‘pack benefit “? ”
The room went dead silent.
Cassian froze, a flicker of guilt and regret washing over his face.
I remembered every single bloody wound he’d given me. I had the receipts for all of it.
He sat on the edge of the bed and forced my hand into his, abruptly changing the subject. “I’m going out of state tomorrow to handle some pack business. I’ll be gone for about two weeks p>
I looked at him, exhausted by his refusal to face reality.
“Why are you reporting your schedule to me?” I said, ripping my hand away.
He didn’t let go. Instead, he lunged forward, his heavy male scent surrounding me as he locked me in a crushing hug.
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16:59 Fri, Jan 30
Chapter 274
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He buried his face in my neck. His dominant Alpha pheromones were giving me a headache.
“You’re my only bonded mate,” he muttered into my skin, with a twisted sense of entitlement. “Who else am I supposed to tell p>
I felt like I was going to gag. I fought my way out of his arms. “Enough with the ‘devoted husband‘ act. If you’ve got this much energy, go find Samantha. You two can talk until the sun comes up for all I care. I’m tired. Get out p>
I pulled the covers over my head and turned my back on him. “Make sure the door hits you on the way out p>
Cassian stared at my back, his volatile pheromones making the air in the room feel heavy enough to choke on.
“I know you’re pissed,” he said, his voice dropping into a warning growl. “But I have to tell you: Alistair hates the Ironthorns. He is far more dangerous than you realize. Treat him, but keep your distance p>
I didn’t even turn around. “He’s your own uncle. You share the same blood. What’s the big deal if I get close to him p>
Cassian’s brow furrowed. “He spent years abroad with the underground packs. He’s dirty, Trista. I’m trying to save your life p>
I flipped over and gave him a cold, cutting smile. “Cassian, if you keep pushing me, I’ll work a little harder… and become your aunt p>
Cassian’s face went pitch black. “You wouldn’t dare p>
“You were brave enough to break our bond, sleep with another woman, and raise a love child. Why wouldn’t I be brave enough for that p>
The air in the room curdled.
Cassian’s breathing became shallow and fast, his chest heaving. He was right on the edge of losing control. He glared at me for a long time before finally turning around and slamming the door as he stormed out.
The second he was gone, I hopped out of bed and double–locked the door.
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