Chapter 371
Third Person’s POV
Sayer looked up, his expression stubborn. “But… I want you to be my mommy p>
Trista gently pinched his chubby cheek. “Sayer, besides having a godmother, you’re going to have a mom who loves you even more one day p>
Sayer pursed his lips and his eyes darted around. He was clearly trying to process a decision he didn’t particularly like.
Elias returned just in time to hear Trista setting the record straight on the titles.
He sat back down and backed her up in a gentle tone. “Sayer, listen to your godmother. She’s still going to spoil you just like always p>
Sayer pouted, clinging to Trista’s arm. “If I call you Godmom, can I still go to your house on weekends to play with Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Attwater p>
Trista smiled and held out her pinky to make a promise. “Of course you can p>
Elias watched the two of them, looking a bit helpless. “Dr. Holmes, I’m sorry. Sayer is far too clingy. I hope he’s not being a burden p>
“Don’t say that. Sayer and I just clicked p>
Trista had a lot of respect for this father and son, and her tone became more relaxed. “Mr. Manwaring, if you ever need a hand with anything, just let me know p>
Elias set down his fork, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips. “Dr. Holmes, calling me ‘Mr. Manwaring’ makes us sound like total strangers p>
Trista blinked, momentarily losing her words.
Even though they’d only known each other a few months, Elias’s character was beyond reproach.
Plus, since Sayer was calling her “Godmom,” keeping him at “Mr. Manwaring” did feel a bit stiff.
But Elias was a disciplined, high-tier Alpha. He wasn’t like Isaiah, whom she could joke with, or Alistair, whom she could bicker with like an uncle. He was the picture of decorum.
She hesitated for a long beat, unable to come up with a better way to address him. Elias didn’t pressure her; he just continued elegantly cutting his steak.
Trista bit the bullet. “Would it be… okay if I just stuck with ‘Mr. Manwaring’ for now p>
Elias set down his cutlery, his smile refined. “I was just making conversation. Don’t overthink it p>
Trista gripped her water glass.
“This guy always talks in circles,” she thought. “If you aren’t quick on the uptake, you’ll miss his frequency entirely p>
“I’ll give the name change some serious thought,” she replied politely.
In Los Angeles, an Alpha of the Manwaring caliber was a top-tier connection. For the sake of the
Silverlights’ future, she needed toet
maintain this relationship. Worst case scenario, she’d just drag Alistair, Isaiah, and this father-son duo into a “Territory Mutual Aid Network” and treat everyone like family to avoid the awkward titles.
Elias spoke up out of nowhere. “Dr. Holmes, you aren’t planning on dragging me before the Moon Goddess to swear an oath as non-biological siblings, are you p>
“Ahem! Ahem p>
Trista choked on her water.
Elias stood up gracefully and handed her a couple of napkins, his tone carrying a hint of mischief. “Just a joke. Don’t take it to heart p>
Trista leaned over the table, taking the napkins while her face turned beet red.
Except for Cassian, she’d never embarrassed herself this much in front of a man. She wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Elias sat back down, smoothly changing the subject to save her. “I heard Alistair got back to L.A. yesterday. If you’re free this
weekend, we should get even net
together. Ive been looking for excuse to see how you handle yourself at a Texas Hold’em table p>
The mention of cards sparked Trista’s interest instantly.
But then, a thought hit her.
If Alistair was back in Shadowfang territory, why hadn’t he called her for a follow-up?
That afternoon, Trista called Alistair.
His voice sounded strained and irritable. He just muttered, “Stay away from Shadowfang for now,” and hung up.
The more Trista thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. She grabbed her medical kit, jumped in her car, and drove straight to the Shadowfang territory.
Alistair was sitting in his wheelchair in his study, dressed in dark loungewear. His face was terrifyingly pale. “Didn’t I tell you to stay put? What are you doing here p>
Trista ignored his attempt to kick her out and set her kit down. “If I actually listened to you, you’d be calling me a heartless pup later. You said you’d see me as soon as you got back to L.A., and you’ve been dodging me for a week p>
Alistair slowly toyed with his
obsidian prayer beads. His dark gold eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion. His presence, usually as hard as steel, now carried a layer of frantic energy he was clearly trying to hide. “I appreciate the thought.
to od rejection hasn’t finished
The
yet. Go back to your own territory p>
Trista’s sharp nose caught the faint scent of blood in the stagnant air.
It wasn’t the smell of old rot; it was the hot, metallic scent of fresh blood seeping from torn flesh.
She could even sense that the beast inside Alistair was in a state of sickly silence.
She didn’t dare call out the old wolf’s pride. She just lowered her eyes and retreated from the suffocating study.
Her instincts told her that this Shadowfang Alpha had taken a massive hit-and the wound was so deep even his healing factor couldn’t keep up.