Chapter 434
Chapter 434
Third Person’s POV
Finished
Ulva stood up and squeezed her shoulder. “Go take a shower and get some sleep. Dinner’s almost ready; I’ll have Attwater come wake you up p>
Isaiah stood as well, guiding Trista toward her bedroom. “You probably haven’t closed your eyes in days. Stop pushing yourself p>
Trista stopped at the door and reached out, messing up Isaiah’s perfectly styled hair. “Thanks for looking out for my parents these last few days, Alpha Isaiah p>
On the way back, her parents had mentioned it. While she was being held on that island by Cassian, Isaiah had stayed at the Silverlight house to keep them calm. He’d slept in his clothes on the sofa for two nights straight just to make sure Randolph and Ulva didn’t spiral into a panic.
She made a mental note to pay him back for that loyalty.
Isaiah swatted her hand away, his brow furrowing into a tight knot. “How many times do I have to tell you? Stop touching my head. I’m not some cub in your territory p>
Trista let out a small laugh. “Fine. How about I invite Penelope over soon and let you play host? Does that work p>
Watching Isaiah turn red with annoyance, Trista smiled and pulled her door shut.
Finally, the noise of the world was gone. She let herself fully decompress, soaking in a hot bath before changing into cozy loungewear and sliding under the covers.
She was convinced that after this island stunt, Cassian–as an Alpha–would finally face reality.
He had to give it up now. Without that forced bond hanging over her, she could finally live life at her own
pace.
She reached for her phone to call Xander, only to find it was completely dead.
As she hopped out of bed to find a charger, she nearly knocked over a small cardboard box on a shelf.
It was full of old high school junk that her mother had packed during the move.
Trista idly sifted through it until her eyes landed on a small clay figurine.
There was a massive crack running through it. Her mind flashed back to a night market years ago, where she’d begged Cassian to make a figurine with her. Back then, as the daughter of the Silverlight Alpha, that was her most innocent, teenage fantasy of what a “mate” should be.
He’d called it childish back then, but he’d still sat there with her for over an hour.
Trista looked at the little trinket and let out a self–mocking smirk. “It was childish p>
The figurine slipped and hit the floor, shattering into pieces.
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Chapter 434
Finished
Just like the bond between her and Cassian–it was beyond repair.
At a downtown private hospital, Fred and Wynn arrived just as Cassian was being wheeled into his room.
The doctor looked grim. He’d pull through, but the internal bleeding was severe, and he needed to stay for observation.
Inside the room. Howard and Cassian’s parents looked like statues made of ice. The heavy Alpha aura from the pack leaders made the air thin and hard to breathe.
Humphrey was hovering by the door, barely daring to take a breath.
Fred scanned Howard’s expression and lowered his voice. “He’s out of the woods for now. You guys should head back. I’ll stay here and keep watch. I’ll call if anything changes p>
Howard didn’t even acknowledge the suggestion. “Wilmot, you’re coming with me. We have pack business to discuss
“But Cassian is in this state… can the engagement wait- Wynn started, but one sharp look from Wilmot shut her down instantly.
Once the Ironthorn power players left. Fred and Wynn looked at the unconscious man on the bed and let out a synchronized sigh.
“Is Cassian’s brain broken or something?” Wynn whispered. “He didn’t give a damn about Trista when he had her, and now that it’s over, he’s acting like his life is ending p>
Fred leaned against the bedframe, his expression complicated. “Trista spoiled him. He relied on the fact that she was obsessed with him. He was convinced that as an Alpha’s daughter, she needed the status of being his mate too much to ever leave. He thought he was untouchable p>
Wynn nodded fervently. “Exactly. You can’t spoil men like that p>
Fred looked over at Wynn, who had already curled up on the sofa and drifted off. He shook his head, a helpless smile tugging at his lips.
He pulled a blanket over her and then adjusted Cassian’s sheets.
Looking at Wynn’s unguarded, sleeping face, Fred reached out and poked her cheek with a long finger.
“You’ve never spoiled me,” he whispered, his tone holding a trace of hidden affection. “With how slow you are, someone’s going to snatch you up eventually p>
He leaned down, pressing a light, fleeting kiss to her lips. He lingered for a second, then licked his own lips, tempted to go back for more–until a cold, raspy voice cut through the silence from behind him. “What do you think you’re doing p>
Fred’s entire nervous system spiked. He jumped like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.
Realizing Cassian was awake and staring at him from the bed, Fred pulled his hand back and lied through his teeth without missing a beat. “She’s breathing sounded weird. I was just checking to see if her throat was blocked p>
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Chapter 434
Finished
Cassian closed his eyes in pure disgust, clearly wanting to be anywhere else.
Right then, Wynn started to wake up, groggy and confused. She opened her eyes, saw the white sheets pulled up on the bed, and–thinking Cassian had flatlined–burst into a loud, hysterical sob.
Before Fred could react, Wynn launched herself at the bed like a cannonball, crying enough tears to flood the room. “Cassian! Don’t scare me like this p>
“The pack is waiting for you! If you leave like this, what am I supposed to do p>
“Trista doesn’t want you, but you still have Mom and Dad! You still have me! How can you be so weak? How can you just give up like this p>
The two men in the room just stared at her, completely stunned.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.