Chapter 88
Third Person’s POV
It happened during Cassian’s third year at the werewolf academy, just after the Ironthorn pack acquired a new territory.
He was kidnapped by a group of anti–wolf hunters who seized an opportunity.
Trapped in a warehouse, the suppression collar around his neck kept tightening. His wolf fought savagely inside, but couldn’t break the silver lock.
Samantha was the one who broke in to save him.
At the time, she was just a rogue omega–the type who should have instinctively run the furthest away.
But she fought through the hunters‘ traps, buying time for the Ironthorn rescue team. She almost suffered severe burns to her own scent gland in the process.
Afterward, Samantha pursued him.
She brought him homemade herbal salves, finding reasons to visit the Ironthorn pack constantly.
He thought for a long time before agreeing to “try dating p>
During that time, he genuinely felt she was unique.
She was guarded with the outside world but compliant and obedient with him, always yielding.
She carefully learned his preferences, shielded him from unnecessary social demands, and had a perfectly temperate coffee waiting when he left a meeting.
At that age, he sincerely believed she was principled, innocent, and possessed a reckless
courage.
He seriously considered mating with her.
But the moment he decided to take Trista’s hand, step into the Stone Circle, and speak the vows under the Moon Goddess three years ago, he locked that old affection away in a deep corner of
his heart.
He had too much to manage in his life: leading a pack, defending territory, managing business ventures in the human world…
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Chapter 88
He was never the kind of man to prioritize “love p>
Trista listened, feeling completely hollowed out, only a shell of herself remaining.
Finished
She stared at him numbly, but her voice was steady. “True love means willingly stepping forward, giving yourself completely. It’s not holding on tight while saying one thing and doing another p>
She looked at him, her eyes cooling. “This just proves your feelings for Samantha run deeper than you realized p>
Cassian’s hand moved slowly up her arm, stopping at her shoulders, his fingers tightening.
He was silent for a long time.
Only their breathing filled the small room. The mating bond was suppressed to near silence. He could only hear his own wolf turning restlessly inside his chest.
“Trista,” he finally spoke, his voice rough. “Does it have to be your way? Do you have to see it like this p>
Trista looked up, her counter–question immediate. “Then tell me, did you ever love me p>
She paused, making her meaning brutally clear. “Even for one minute, one second p>
Their eyes met again. The air seemed sucked from the room.
Cassian’s lashes fluttered. His gaze broke away, and the hands gripping her shoulders slowly slid down, finally dropping to his sides.
The reaction was its own answer.
Trista lifted her chin, ruthlessly forcing back the moisture stinging her eyes.
She had always known he didn’t love her.
But hearing that “no love” delivered through his silence hit her directly–a pain so sharp it made her legs tremble.
She turned and walked to the door, placing her hand on the handle, her back to him. “Just go p>
She said, “I don’t want to see you anymore p>
Cassian stood there, looking at her excessively slender back. His chest constricted. He took two steps and pulled her into an embrace from behind.
He didn’t know what to explain or where to start.
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Chapter 88
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宜
Finished
The embrace was pure instinct–his wolf lunging forward to claim its mate before she could walk out the door.
He rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice low. “Trista, are you going to keep fighting me like this p>
She struggled violently, turning into a hissing, frantic pup. “Cassian, I want to terminate the mating bond p>
He turned her body to face him, forcing her to confront him. “That’s not what you said the day we mated at the Stone Circle p>
Trista’s eyes instantly welled up with fury. “I regret it now! Is that not allowed p>
Cassian’s grip eased. “I know that’s not what you mean. Stop trying to wound me with those words p>
Trista swallowed her pain and pulled free.
She spoke deliberately. “Cassian, you admitted you still have feelings for Samantha. You simply don’t love me. Isn’t it better for us to break the mating bond, so the three of you can live like a complete family p>
Cassian stood before her, his eyes full of exhaustion, his scent noticeably subdued.
“Trista,” he said. “We’re adults p>
“If you’re willing to accept Samantha and Algernon’s existence, the Luna position is always yours. I can sign over all my assets to you. You remain the matriarch of the Ironthorn pack, with all the rights and respect you
deserve p>
He looked at her, trying to organize everything back into the controllable order he preferred. “Can’t you let go of those fairy–tale notions of love and just be realistic p>
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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.