Chapter 319
Third Person’s POV
Trista saw the look of total exhaustion on his face.
For a split second, the bond they still shared pulled at her heartstrings. She felt a sharp, involuntary pang in her chest.
She almost reached out to smooth the stress lines on his forehead, wanting to soothe those tired, golden eyes.
But then reality hit her like a bucket of ice water. She shut down that flicker of pity instantly, her face turning back to stone.
“If you’re feeling that bad, go to the clinic and find the doctor on duty,” she said coldly.
She reached for her car door, but Cassian grabbed her wrist. His grip was a little too tight, his voice cracking with frustration. “You’d run across town in the middle of the night to help Isaiah, but our three-year mating isn’t worth as much as one of your patients p>
Trista shook him off. “No. It’s not p>
She started the engine, her headlights cutting through the pouring rain as she drove away.
Alaina stood at the door, watching Trista leave the Ironthorn territory. Then she looked at her son, standing in the rain like a hollow shell of a man, letting the water soak him to the bone.
You reap what you sow.
Alaina shook her head and called for the butler. “Go get Cassian. I need to talk to him p>
At the packhouse’s private lounge, Alaina poured Cassian a glass of Bourbon. He set his phone facedown on the table, his voice deep and heavy. “Mom, don’t take what Trista said to heart p>
Alaina looked at him, her disappointment obvious. “Cassian, you know better than anyone that this pack only looks strong because I’ve been holding it together with my own silence p>
She stared into his eyes. “The world keeps spinning whether you’re here or not. I’m your mother, but I’m telling you right now: stop taking my sacrifices for granted p>
A flash of guilt crossed Cassian’s face.
He opened his mouth but only managed a whisper. “It sounds like she really got into your head p>
Alaina’s face went stern. “I’m actually listening to her. Cassian, you’ve got the bloodline, the brains, and the career. To the world, you’re a perfect gentleman. To Samantha, you’re incredibly loyal. But have you ever stopped to think about how you actually treated Trista p>
“You’ve been draining her dry to pay for Samantha’s drama. The pain you put her through made her feel more hopeless than a mating severance ever could p>
“Because she loved you, she let you control and push her around. She was so intimidated by you that she didn’t even dare to keep her own kid. You always acted like you were better than her-you didn’t even ask her before deciding to adopt that stray. You thought you could control everything, including your wife p>
“Cassian, this relationship was broken from the start. Take my advice: sign the papers and pay her what she’s owed. If you’re man enough to win her back later, that’s your luck. If you can’t… well, that’s your karma p>
As Cassian left the house, those words were ringing in his head.
He’d pay her, sure. But the severance? Not happening.
A few nights later, Fred was back in L.A. and called everyone together for a drink.
Cassian cornered Trista in the hallway near the restrooms.
“Samantha says she can’t get an appointment with you,” he said.
Trista didn’t blink. “She’s a liar and a snake. I’m not treating her because I don’t want
her trying to blackmail me later. It’s a liability p>
12
When Cassian didn’t say anything, Trista let out a mocking laugh, “If you’re really that worried about he Cassian, I could make an exception. But I have a condition p>
“What is it p>
“Sign the papers. I guarantee she’ll be ‘cured’ the same day p>
Cassian’s face darkened instantly. His energy turned violent. “Don’t even dream about it p>
He stormed off, but after a few steps, he spun around and marched back, staring her down. “Trista, if told you there’s a real reason I’m
keeping Saman net
even believ
reason would you. me p>
good
Trista gave him a cold smirk. “I’d believe in ghosts before I believed a word out of your mouth, Cassian p>
They locked eyes in a tense standoff. Cassian turned on his heel, fuming, but he stopped again after a few paces.
He reached into his pocket and shoved the expensive emerald pendant from Europe into her hand. “If you don’t want it, throw it away,” he snapped, then disappeared.
Trista stood there for a second, her fingers tracing the cold stone.
She pulled out her phone, sent Fred a quick text, and tossed the pendant into a nearby trash can.
Once she was gone, Fred poked his head around the corner, clicked his tongue, and fished the jewelry out of the trash.
Back in the private room, Trista
turned to Fred. “Fred, I’m moving
into my new place this weekend You and Wynn better be there for the
housewarming, We’re popping
champagne p>
“Invite some more people,” Fred suggested. “Let’s get a game of Texas Hold’em going p>
The mention of poker made Trista think of Alistair.
The next afternoon, in the Shadowfang gardens, Trista watched Alistair try to stand
up from his wheelchair.
After two rounds of treatment, his wolf soul was healing. He could only stand for about a minute, but his temper had definitely cooled down.
As he sat back down, Trista asked, “Alistair, I’m having a housewarming party next week. Want to come over for some poker p>
Alistair shot her a look, his sharp tongue as active as ever. “With your skills? You’d just be an ATM for the rest of us p>