Chapter 437
Chapter 437
Third Person’s POV
Cassian’s eyes were bloodshot, reflecting a bone–deep exhaustion. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m just… not ready to let go yet. Just give me some time p>
Alaina didn’t back down. “Look, if you want to push back the engagement, I’ll run interference with your father. But you have to promise to follow the doctor’s orders. You owe it to Trista to get better, but you also owe it to this pack p>
Cassian just stared at the floor and gave a hollow, non–committal grunt.
Alaina sighed and grabbed her bag. “As for your sister, your dad and grandfather are forcing her to meet. Zachary from the Bluestar pack tonight. She’s probably just going to go through the motions, but I need to go keep an eye on her before she causes a scene p>
Cassian stood up to see her out. “Mom, Zachary is a terrible match for Wynn p>
“I know,” Alaina frowned. “But when it comes to pack politics, she doesn’t exactly get a vote p>
6:00 PM. Downtown.
The second Trista parked her car, Fred materialized from the backseat and hauled her into a high–end steakhouse.
The lighting was dim, but Trista immediately spotted Wynn sitting in a booth.
Fred put a finger to his lips, and they ducked into the hidden booth directly behind her.
For werewolves with super–hearing, they might as well have been sitting at the same table.
Trista watched Fred’s shady behavior and rolled her eyes.
Everyone knew how he felt about Wynn; he’d been her shadow since they were kids.
But the guy was as stubborn as a rock and refused to admit it.
Wynn was dressed in a loud, bright orange outfit that made her look like a neon sign.
Across from her sat Zachary–the poster child for “trust fund elite.” He was rocking a white casual suit with a deep–V pink shirt, topped off with a diamond stud and a pinky ring. He was slumped in his chair with a look that said, “I’m just here to kill time p>
They didn’t even make it five minutes before the “suicide mission” date began.
“Let’s skip the small talk,” Wynn said, cutting straight to the chase. “Bluestar wants our Northern hunting rights, and my dad sent you here to close the deal, right p>
Zachary let out a dry laugh and leaned back. “Bingo. And my old man thinks the Ironthorn bloodline is ‘prestigious‘ enough for our family tree p>
3:54 pm M &
Chapter 437
Finished
Wynn nodded. “Cool. Then let’s get one thing straight: I am never getting marked. I don’t want anyone’s brand on my skin, and I am definitely not popping out a litter of pups just to keep a bloodline going p>
Zachary shrugged. “Works for me. I’m way too selfish to want a mate tracking my scent and nagging me about my freedom p>
Wynn took a breath and went for the kill. “I plan on being a full–time socialite. I need a five–million–dollar monthly limit, zero joint assets, and we stay out of each other’s business after the mating ceremony p>
Zachary didn’t even blink. He puffed out his chest. “Money isn’t an issue. I’ve got plenty. As long as you stay out of my club life, I can sign off on that p>
Wynn slammed her hand on the table. “And p>
“Save it,” Zachary interrupted. “Keep your ‘rejection speech‘ for someone else. You don’t want to marry some meathead who only talks about territory and pack interests, right p>
Wynn’s energy deflated. She slumped in her chair, looking at him with genuine pity. “Zachary, I’m a total parasite. Anyone who ends up with me is in for a bad time. We went to school together; I really don’t want to screw you over p>
She continued, “I’m not picky, I just really don’t want to step into the grave of mating p>
Zachary smirked and leaned in. “Your grandfather has vetted every single Alpha in the city, and you haven’t said yes to one. I’m not buying the ‘parasite‘ act. Who is it p>
Wynn didn’t hesitate. “Are you kidding? I’m not crazy enough to actually like a man p>
“Come on,” Zachary pressed. “You and Fred grew up together. He’s dodging his engagement, and so are you. Is it him p>
Wynn burst out laughing. “Me and Fred? Please! That’s pure sibling energy right there. He’s more of a brother to me than my actual brother. Touching his hand feels like touching my own–I feel absolutely nothing p>
She started gesturing wildly as she kept digging the hole. “His abs feel like a bag of gym weights. Zero chemistry. Honestly, he could stand in front of me butt–naked and my heart rate wouldn’t even skip a
beat p>
“If I were into him, I would’ve made a move years ago. The fact that I haven’t says it all, doesn’t it p>
Behind them, Fred’s face was a mask of pure, unadulterated fury.
He sat in the shadows, his knuckles white as he gripped the leather seat. He was vibrating with a primal wolf rage that was seconds away from boiling over.
More like a brother?
Feels like gym weights?
Zero heart rate?
Trista tried to hide her smirk and patted Fred’s rigid shoulder.
2/3
Chapter 437
Finished
Fred closed his eyes and took a jagged breath, forcing his instincts back into a box.
“What a heartless brat,” he thought.
He’d spent his whole life looking out for this little troublemaker. If she really ended up an old maid, he figured he’d be the one stuck cleaning up her mess for the rest of his life.
4.6K
3/3
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.