登入Third Person's POVSamantha saved the number with shaking fingers and hit dial immediately.On the other side of the ocean, Cassian was pacing in front of his floor-to-ceiling windows.The moonlight outlined his lonely, towering frame. His thumb repeatedly brushed against his screen; he was just about to initiate a video call.Suddenly, an unknown number popped up.He declined it without a second thought and tapped the only profile picture that ever made his heart race.The video connected.Trista had just finished her skincare routine. A silk nightgown draped over her graceful figure, revealing a glimpse of her pale neck at the collar.Cassian's Adam's apple bobbed. His tone became softer than it had ever been. "Are you adjusting okay over there? If you aren't used to the scent of a foreign pack, I'll send a private jet to bring you home right now.""Hold on," Trista said, hearing a knock at her door. She looked a bit p
Third Person's POVThat same night, Samantha grabbed her toddler and left with Thomasina without looking back.Watching their retreating figures, the smile on Angela's face vanished instantly, and she spat toward the door."If I didn't know better," Angela snapped at her husband and mother-in-law, "I'd think Samantha was Thomasina's secret love child!"At 10:00 PM, Thomasina brought the mother and son to the top floor of a high-end beauty spa she owned."Samantha," Thomasina said, pushing open the door to a luxury suite. "This spa is my private property. I usually use this place for naps or meeting clients. It's quiet, and the Simmons family's spies can't get in. You and the boy can stay here for now."Samantha gripped Thomasina's sleeve like a lifeline. "Auntie, I've completely offended Cassian. I can't go back to France, and that bastard Ainsley has people looking for me. What am I supposed to do? My life is ruined."Thomasina sighe
Third Person's POV"Angela, don't do this." George started to step in, but a fierce glare from Angela shut him down instantly."I ended up like this because I was trying to help this family!"Samantha's eyes were red, her pride completely shattered. "I have zero cash left. Where am I supposed to go with Algernon? Sleep on the street?""That's your problem!" Angela waved her arm at the cramped apartment. "Every inch of this territory is mine, and there's no room for a stray like you bringing trouble to my door!""I paid the down payment on this place with the money I gave you back then!" Samantha shrieked."How can you say I can't stay?""Do you have a receipt? Legally, that was a gift. By pack rules, that was a tribute!"Angela went full scorched-earth, turning her finger toward Georgia. "And you! Look at this daughter you raised. You can pack your bags and get out with her!"George was caught in the middle, trying to sa
Third Person's POVCassian glanced down at the check and let out a cold laugh. "You really think I'm doing this for the money?""Of course not. This is just a small gesture for the... emotional distress you've dealt with.""Fine." Cassian finally gave in. "Since you're willing to give up territory for a 'friend,' I'll give you this win."After Edwin left, Humphrey looked baffled. "Sixty million out of his own pocket plus giving up land, all for an outsider? Since when did Edwin become a saint?"Cassian let out a sharp scoff. "He's not saving Samantha. He's saving his own dirty secret."Back at his desk, Cassian opened his phone again.By now, Trista should be busy at the healing center.He hesitated, typing and deleting several times, before finally sending a short text.In his past life, every time he coldly left LA for a business trip, Trista was the one staring at her phone, suffering through the silence.Now,
Third Person's POVFred strode away.Cassian pulled out his phone, but the screen remained cold and dark. No missed calls, no new messages.An uncontainable anxiety clawed at his chest.He paced back and forth in the living room, his lonely silhouette stretched long against the wall.After hesitating a dozen times, his finger finally trembled as he sent a single message.Ten minutes passed. Nothing but silence.Ten more minutes, and Cassian could no longer hold back. Gathering every shred of courage he had left, he dialed a video call.When the call connected, Trista had just finished a shower. Damp mist still clung to the ends of her hair.Seeing who was on the screen, her expression remained perfectly flat. "Cassian? Something up?"On the screen, Cassian fought to keep his voice from shaking. He asked if she'd eaten dinner, and if her new environment was safe.Trista offered a few polite, scripted respons
Third Person's POVGeorge was stuck between a rock and a hard place. His face was pale as he helped his mother up. "Mom, this is on you... I told you that Alpha wasn't someone to mess with, but you insisted Samantha lie to him. Now the truth is out. Not only are we getting zero cash, we're all going to rot in prison!""That damn Cassian..." Georgia's hands shook as she gripped her son's arm, a final flicker of madness in her eyes. "I never thought he'd dig this deep... George, hurry! Call your Aunt Thomasina! She's always loved Samantha like her own pup. She'll find a way to bury this!"3:00 PM. Top floor of the Ironthorn Group, CEO's office.Humphrey knocked and entered, placing two gold-trimmed invitations firmly on Cassian's desk."Alpha Cassian, there is a charity gala coming up. It's officially for charity, but the hosts specifically invited you to bring Wynn so they could introduce her to their son."As he spoke, Wynn pushed the door o
Trista's POVThe mattress sagged. My wrists were securely pinned, unable to brace myself, unable to turn over.I lay on my back beneath him in the most intimate, yet most humiliating position. Blood rushed to my face. Shame and fury exploded simultaneously.I gritted my teeth, my voice shaking but
Trista's POVI stood in the bathroom for a long time, hands braced on the counter, staring at my reflection.My face was pale, but my eyes were hard and cold.I didn't cry.I just suddenly realized I had endured this exact scenario too many times.When I emerged, the living room was already full of
Cassian's POV"My love for you doesn't make me your bargaining chip." Trista violently released her pressure, letting it collide with mine. The air rippled invisibly. "You have no right to use my happiness to pay for your guilt toward her."I took a step forward, grabbing her shoulders, trying to e
Trista's POVI opened the door.The instant I saw Cassian, my first instinct was to slam it shut.He was faster. As the door started to swing closed, his palm braced the frame, and he forced his way in.The single room dormitory was small. With him standing there, the air instantly filled with his







