Chapter 349
Third Person’s POV
They stood inches apart. Trista looked away, avoiding those dark gold eyes that were practically screaming his undying devotion.
She didn’t bother arguing with his vague promises. She just tapped her watch. “The Priestess is heading to lunch. Let’s get moving p>
Cassian stared at her, a wave of panic hitting him. He had this gut feeling that once they stepped through those doors, some things would be lost forever.
Ignoring the curious looks from the crowd, he pulled her into one last, careful embrace.
Trista patted his back, treating him like an agitated puppy. “Come on, Cassian. It’s just end the mating. It’s not like we’re never seeing each other again. Don’t be so dramatic p>
Cassian slowly let go.
They shared one last look before he took her hand, and together they stepped into the marble silence of the Altar.
The last Monday of May, 11:45 AM, it was over.
The two of them walked out of the hall together.
Trista hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly.
She held up the severance certificate, complete with the Moon Goddess’s official seal, and squinted at it in the bright L.A. sun.
So, this was what freedom tasted like.
No drama, no elders blocking the way. All it took was Cassian’s signature to kill the bond for good.
A smile slowly spread across her face. The weight she’d been carrying for years just evaporated. She looked and felt-totally light.
That smile cut right through Cassian’s nerves.
He clutched his own copy of the papers so hard the thick cardstock began to crumple.
“You’re really that happy to be rid of me?” he asked, his voice thick with bitterness.
Trista realized he was still standing there and quickly wiped the grin off her face, tucking the papers safely into her bag.
Her phone was buzzing nonstop in her pocket. “Since we’re done here, I’ll let you get back to Ironthorn business,” she said, her voice noticeably peppier. “Just give me my suitcase. I’ll call a car p>
Cassian swallowed the lump of salt in his throat. “It’s lunchtime,” he said stiffly. “Let’s eat together, then I’ll drop you off p>
Before she could say no, he added, “I have some major intel on Samantha we need to talk about p>
Trista weighed her options and finally gave a nod. “Fine. But this ‘goodbye meal’ is on me, Alpha Cassian p>
The cold formality of “Alpha Cassian” made his face go dark.
In the car, Cassian was a wall of silence.
Trista didn’t care; she was busy admiring her new papers, even pulling out her phone to snap a picture of the seal.
Now that the bond was officially severed, that spiritual tether was gone.
She felt zero “post-breakup” sadness-she felt like she’d just won the lottery.
Cassian reached over and blocked her camera lens.
Trista shoved his hand away. “Alpha Cassian, we are officially nothing. You don’t get a say p>
“I’m the head of Ironthorn. News of my divorce could wreck our stocks,” Cassian said, his face a mask of cold professionalism as he stuffed the papers back into her bag.
“Humphrey is still drafting the official statement. Until we have the PR strategy ready, you are not posting anything on social media p>
Trista considered it. He had a point-pack politics were messy. “Fine. I was just excited. I’ll wait a few days p>
Cassian stared at her, his jaw tight. He felt like he was suffocating.
They went to a high-end, private restaurant.
The second the server left, Cassian instinctively started cutting her steak and tried to swap plates with her.
“Cassian, we’re separated,” Trista said, sliding her plate back. “Stop. You don’t have to do that anymore p>
Cassian’s expression went dead serious, a hint of his old obsession flickering in his eyes You promised me that if signed those papers, you’d give me a chance to win you back p>
He locked eyes with her, enunciating every word. “Trista, starting right now, I am officially pursuing you again. And I’m not stopping until you say yes p>
Trista actually laughed. She didn’t even try to play nice. “I mentioned that, sure. But
you didn’t agree to it on the spot. That offer is expired, Cassian p>
Cassian lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with irritation. “If I’d known the offer had an expiration date, wouldn’t have signed a damn thing I don’t care who Shadowfang sent to back you up p>
“You signed to save Samantha, not for me,” Trista shot back, not giving an inch. “Don’t act like this was some romantic sacrifice. I’m not buying it p>
Cassian stared a Fat this woman who seemed completely unaffected by the loss of their soul bond. The veins in his hand were bulging. “I don’t care you accept it or not. Im bringing you home. I’m going to make you see exactly whose name is carved into my soul p>
Trista just rolled her eyes.
Even without the bond, Cassian’s “Alpha-knows-best” attitude was still exhausting.
She finished every bite of her meal while Cassian barely touched his fork.
After lunch, Trista wanted to go to her parents’ house. Cassian insisted on driving. Trista’s parents, Randolph and Ulva, were already waiting at the gate.
When they saw Cassian step out of the car with their daughter, the air around the two old wolves turned lethal.