Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Third Person’s POV
Finished
Eight o’clock in the evening. A black Bentley rolled slowly into the Ironthorn Pack borders.
As the car drove down the long, tree–lined road, the boundary aura of the Ironthorn territory swept lightly across the chassis.
Cassian instinctively looked up toward the deep woods.
His Alpha senses usually picked up Trista’s pheromones the moment she was within the pack territory.
But tonight, the air was clean.
The scent of Ironthorn guards, the faint smell of patrolling wolves–they were all there. She
wasn’t.
His scent gland tightened, then he forced himself to relax, rationalizing: maybe she was just suppressing her scent completely, not wanting to be easily tracked.
The car stopped at the Alpha villa.
He checked the time.
After chasing around with Attwater’s school drama for hours, it was nearly 7:30 p.m.
He grabbed the gift box for Trista and stepped out.
The villa’s main door was open, spilling a warm light onto the steps.
Watching the scene from afar, his expression involuntarily softened.
Trista should have dinner ready, waiting for him.
She had impeccable taste. He was almost looking forward to seeing what the house looked like after her impulsive remodel–maybe sleek, colder minimalist furniture, or perhaps some daring new lines.
Humphrey handed him the luggage from the trunk.
“You all go rest,” Cassian took his bags. “I’ve got it from here p>
He walked up the steps.
1/3
15:35 Mon, Dec 29 d
Chapter 77
The moment he pushed the door open, a strange she–wolf scent hit him.
It wasn’t Trista.
Finished
His gland tightened slightly from the unfamiliar scent being aggressively thrust into his “mate territory.” He instinctively wanted to reject it.
He suppressed the discomfort. He dragged his bag into the living room, setting it aside.
Standing in the foyer, he surveyed the room. He couldn’t help but frown-
The frosted shoe cabinet handles were replaced with antique bronze. The massive glass–and- marble feature wall was gone, replaced by an arched, carved wooden screen. The walls were now a soft cream instead of cool white.
The entire style was distinctly sweet and romantic.
He remembered Trista preferred minimalist, modern luxury
When they mated, she personally chose every throw pillow, refusing to allow any “clutter p>
Why had she changed the house to this creamy style neither of them liked?
His frown deepened.
She was still angry, clearly.
She had intentionally remodeled the house like this, hoping to irritate him—to make the “home” feel nothing like the place they had furnished together.
He looked down. His eyes caught a new pair of matching indoor slippers by the door mat.
The male and female sizes were neatly placed side by side, perfectly arranged.
The tension in his brow slowly eased.
Forget it.
As long as she agreed to live here, as long as she was willing to step back into this house, everything else was negotiable.
He glanced at Trista’s gift in his hand, slipped on the male slippers, and started to walk inside.
Just then, a small noise came from the staircase.
Samantha, wearing the intentionally revealing negligee beneath a loosely tied housecoat, walked down with her son in hand. “Cassian, you’re finally home p>
2/3
Chapter 77
€623
Finished
Hearing her voice, Cassian whirled around.
The next second, Algernon rushed forward like a small pup, hugging his leg, looking up, his eyes bright. “Daddy p>
Cassian saw them on the stairs. His pupils contracted violently. “What are you doing here p>
His reaction was purely instinctive. He yanked his leg away, accidentally throwing the boy off.
Algernon hit the floor, paused for half a second, then burst into a piercing wail–the sharp sound of a pup crying exploded in the Alpha villa’s living room, instantly irritating Cassian.
He quickly strode toward the center of the room, fighting the painful sense of rejection that flared in his gland.
Samantha hadn’t expected this reaction.
She quickly helped her son up, her eyes instantly filling with tears. “Cassian, please don’t be like this p>
Cassian regained his composure. He glanced at them briefly. “I apologize. I lost control p>
Samantha desperately tried to change the subject. “You’ve been flying for hours. You must be exhausted p>
She spoke softly. “I have dinner ready. Go wash up and eat something. We can talk slowly tomorrow p>
Her voice, her scent, everything was carefully creating the illusion that “someone is waiting for you at home p>
Cassian’s face was cold. He ignored her script and pressed the real question. “Tell me, where is Trista p>
Trista’s pride was absolute.
Even if she was forced to accept this situation, she would never live under the same roof as Samantha.
She certainly would never allow Samantha and Algernon to swagger into their house and claim. it as their den.
100
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.