Chapter 290
Third Person’s POV
In her youth, Veronica Simmons was the fiercest she–wolf in the Ironthorns.
To tear up a political mating contract built on lies, she didn’t just walk away from her cheating mate–she went out and had a child with another man.
She famously crashed the mating ceremony of her former mate, baby in arms, and broadcasted footage of his betrayals for the entire pack to see.
She didn’t just reject him; she exiled him.
It took the powerful Alpha father of her child six years of relentless pursuit before she finally allowed him to
mark her.
Once mated, Veronica ruled with an iron fist, birthing four strong heirs and keeping the entire pack under her thumb.
Trying to play mind games with a woman who had clawed her way through that much blood was a death wish, and Samantha was too delusional to realize it.
That night, Trista went back to the Silverlight territory.
She delivered the gifts from Veronica and stayed the night.
Cassian, possessing a rare moment of self–awareness, didn’t try to track her scent or bother her.
Five days later, Trista walked out of the healing center.
Even from a distance, she could smell the suffocating pine scent of Cassian’s pheromones.
He was leaning against his car and straightened up as she approached, his tone testing the waters. “I’m here to take you home p>
Trista hesitated for a second, then nodded.
She had successfully dodged his monitoring for five days.
If she could just hold out until the end of the month–away from his prying senses–she could take care of the “burden” in her womb, and this would all be over.
The drive was silent.
Back at the villa, the house had been meticulously cleaned. The air smelled of roses and cleaning supplies.
Cassian was trying to use floral scents to mask the pheromones he knew she hated. He had even placed their wedding photo on the nightstand.
Trista ignored the cheap attempts at affection and went straight to the shower.
Half an hour later, she stepped out to find Cassian on his comms stone.
1/3
Chapter 290
+5 Pearls
He cut the call the second he saw her. Looking at his shifty expression, Trista didn’t need her nose to know who was on the other end.
She pushed down the rising nausea and sat at her vanity for her skincare routine.
Cassian walked up behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. He watched her through the mirror. “Humphrey just messaged. Algernon scratched a classmate at school. The other kid is an Alpha pup, and the parents are playing hardball. They won’t take a settlement p>
When Trista didn’t react, he added, “I have to go handle it. I’ll be back soon p>
Trista squeezed a drop of facial oil into her palm, her voice flat. “Are you asking for permission, or just informing me p>
Cassian’s fingers tightened on her shoulders. His claws started to unsheathe before he forced them back. “If you tell me not to go, I’ll stay p>
Trista let out a mocking laugh. “That’s your own flesh and blood. If I stood in your way, the Moon Goddess herself would punish me. Go p>
She brushed his hands off and climbed into bed.
Cassian lingered, leaning down to kiss her forehead, but she instinctively flinched away.
He froze for a moment. “I’ll make it quick,” he whispered.
The second he left, Trista locked the bedroom door.
She just wanted one night without his anxious pheromones crowding her space.
The next morning, Trista woke up in Cassian’s arms.
She froze, certain she had locked the door. Apparently, he broke the lock.
Before 8:00 AM, she was ready for work.
Cassian stepped out of the kitchen, blocking her path. “I made breakfast. Eat, and then I’ll dive you to the healing center p>
Trista frowned. “Cassian, the fact that you made it is exactly why I’m not eating it. It’s nauseating p>
Cassian’s face went dark, his Alpha aura filling the narrow hallway. “Humphrey couldn’t handle the situation last night. I had to go p>
“My appetite has nothing to do with where you went last night,” Trista interrupted.
“It’s the fact that seeing you in a kitchen reminds me of the cake you made for Samantha. It reminds me of those ‘intimate‘ photos on the beach. Cassian, I haven’t erased those social media posts from my brain yet.
She looked him dead in the eye. “You know a wolf’s instinct. If the prey isn’t exclusively mine, I won’t touch it p>
“Since you’ve already cooked for another female, don’t play this part for me. I’ll just throw it up p>
Cassian stood there, paralyzed. It felt like lead had been poured down his throat.
8:30 AM. Trista was in her scrubs, her hair tied back in a businesslike low ponytail.
She signaled to her assistant, Zelda. “Next patient p>
Instead of a patient, Xander walked in.
Trista’s gaze moved past him to the man standing behind him, holding a child.
The man was in a charcoal–gray business suit. He had sharp, deep features and radiated a calm, powerhouse Alpha aura.
He was patiently soothing the sobbing pup in his arms–who had a bandage on his head–his eyes showing a hint of exhaustion.
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