Chapter 358
Third Person’s POV
Late night, Cassian stepped in the apartment, Fred trailing right behind him.
Cassian ripped off his suit jacket—which still reeked of the gunpowder and tension from the Ironthorn estate—and tossed it onto the floor. “Where’s Wynn p>
“She bolted to the Silverlight place,” Fred said, rubbing his scratched arm as he sat down.
He winced. “No one can calm that pup down when she’s in a frenzy except Trista. Also, is it a genetic defect in your family? You Ironthorns use your Alpha rank like a sledgehammer the second you get annoyed. She almost used my arm as a chew toy on the way over p>
Cassian stared into space, silent for a long beat, before suddenly standing up.
Fred lunged forward and grabbed his collar. “Whoa, hold it. You think you can just sniff the air and crawl back to Silverlight? Get a grip, Cassian. You officially cut ties. If you step onto Trista’s turf without an invite, you’re an intruder. They’ll tear you apart p>
Meanwhile, at the Silverlight villa.
Wynn was curled up on the sofa in Trista’s bedroom. Her pupils hadn’t come down from the stress yet; they were a terrifying shade of red.
“If my dad tries to force me into some Alpha’s bed, I’ll cripple my own wolf soul first,” she choked out.
Trista released a gentle wave of healing energy, trying to soothe the girl’s frayed nerves. “Wynn, Ironthorn is a powerhouse. Your parents are always going to want a bloodline that matches yours p>
Wynn’s ears drooped in total defeat. “But I don’t feel a thing for any of the males Grandpa picks. Their scents make me sick. How am I supposed to accept a marking from someone like that p>
Trista watched her, carefully floating an idea. “Fred’s family is one of the Great Eight. You guys grew up together. What about him p>
The mention of Fred was like a bucket of cold water.
Wynn looked at her palms, her expression borderline horrified. “Me and Fred? We’re practically blood! Growing up with him was like having a brother. I have zero-and I mean zero-biological urge to mate with that guy p>
Trista shook her head with a small smile.
Suddenly, she caught a familiar, frantic Ironthorn scent on the wind.
She checked a notification on her phone-a location request from Cassian. “Your brother is here,” Trista told Wynn. “He’s waiting at the boundary. You want to go back with him p>
Wynn winced, remembering her father’s hand across her face, but she slowly stood up.
Trista threw on a coat and walked her out.
In the darkness, Cassian was leaning against his car. The second he saw Trista, his aggressive Alpha energy turned completely submissive.
He glanced at Wynn, his voice low and firm. “Wait in the car. I need to talk to your Luna p>
Despite the divorce, Wynn instinctively obeyed her brother’s aura and scrambled into the passenger seat.
Cassian stepped up to Trista and handed her an envelope stuffed with cash.
“I can’t make it to a friend’s wedding the day after tomorrow. Can you give this to him for me p>
Trista hesitated. She didn’t take it. “If you’re busy, just Venmo him p>
Cassian’s eyes locked onto hers, his voice thick with an emotion he couldn’t quite
name.
“Trista… do we really have to be this much of strangers p>
Just then, Ulva opened the front door. “Trista Come inside, honey p>
Trista looked back and gave a quick nod.
Cassian’s hand instinctively twitched toward her arm, catching it for a split second.
Trista hesitated, then finally took the envelope. “Fine. I’ll get it to him p>
She turned and jogged back into the yard without looking back.
Cassian stood at the gate for a long time, unable to make himself leave.
Wynn called his name several times before he finally snapped out of it and got in the
car.
“Cassian,” Wynn asked quietly as they pulled away. “Do you regret it? The severance p>
Cassian looked at her.
Despite the ache in his chest and the sheer gravity of what he’d lost, he didn’t regret giving Trista her freedom.
He wanted to start over.
He was going to put in the work to win her back—not through a bond, but by choice.
The next morning, Trista had breakfast with her parents.
Since leaving Cassian, she cherished these quiet moments more than anything.
She loved the simplicity of her new life.
Ulva looked at her daughter, concerned. “Is Cassian still bothering you? Is he not letting this go p>
Trista put down her fork to reassure them. “Don’t worry, Mom. He only came by last night to pick up Wynn. He just asked for a small favo that’s all
Ulva let out a sigh of relief.
Randolph added, “We watched that boy grow up. He’s got manners; he’s a decent man Trista gave everything to let him be with that other she-wolf-he got what he wanted. He shouldn’t have any reason to trouble her anymore p>
Trista didn’t correct her father about Samantha.
She knew the truth: Samantha had killed Cassian’s half-brother Cassian wasn’t getting “getting what he wanted with her he was hunting her.