LOGINThird Person's POVTrista fixed her gaze on the distant night sky, her voice barely above a whisper."Sayer has a mother. The three of them are a perfect, happy family. Anyone else trying to force their way in would only shatter that harmony."Every word she uttered so casually felt like a heavy blow directly to Cassian's heart.If only he had understood the weight of her words sooner, he and Trista wouldn't have ended up like this.It was all his own doing. A self-inflicted misery.The pain from the wound on his arm was nothing compared to the agonizing ache ripping through his chest.Swallowing the bitter taste of regret, Cassian opened the car door for Trista and saw her home.The next morning, Trista had just arrived at her office when a knock sounded at the door. It was Verity.Trista smiled, ready to greet her politely, but Verity was already pressing a hand to her forehead, a deep frown creasing her brow."
Third Person's POVA while later, Cassian emerged from the building, cradling Sayer in his arms.The little boy seemed to have fainted from sheer terror, lying still against Cassian's chest.Cassian wore a sharp black suit, but a deep, jagged gash cut across his arm. Crimson blood seeped through the dark fabric, dripping onto the floor. In the dim light of the night, however, no one else seemed to notice.Bianca Manwaring, Elias's wife, was visibly shaken. A female officer and Humphrey supported her from either side, guiding her out.Trista rushed forward, her eyes wide with worry. "What happened to the boy?""He fainted from the shock," Cassian reassured her. "But they're both safe. Mother and son are fine."As a trained healer—and with a werewolf's naturally sharp sense of smell—Trista immediately caught the sharp metallic tang of blood. Her eyes swept over him, instantly locking onto his injured arm.Reaching out
Third Person's POVTwo days later.On her way home from work, Trista received a call from her younger brother, asking her to pick up some late-night takeout for him.While she was waiting for the fast-food order, a woman leading a little boy around three years old walked past her.Hearing the woman call the boy "Sayer," Trista instinctively glanced over.With just one look, she recognized him. It was Sayer, Elias's son.Trista shifted her gaze to the young woman holding Sayer's hand.She was tall, fashionably dressed, and possessed a gentle, striking elegance.Hearing Sayer call her "Mommy" confirmed it—this duo was undoubtedly Elias's wife and son.The woman seemed to be on the phone with Elias, her smile radiant and full of warmth.Trista looked away to pay for her food and prepare to hail a cab. But out of the corner of her eye, she caught a horrifying sight: a group of suspicious-looking men suddenly amb
Third Person's POVBy mid-afternoon of New Year's Day, the servants at the Ironthorn packhouse were already rushing around, making final preparations for the grand feast.Howard sat in the living room, chatting with Cassian's parents and his aunt's family.Fred had dropped by early in the morning to offer his holiday blessings before taking Wynn back to his place, and the two had yet to return.Meanwhile, Cassian stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes glued to his phone screen.In the past, today would have been the day he visited Trista's parents over at the Silverlight Pack.By tomorrow, Trista would have come over to return the gesture and visit his family elders.But when he drove over to the Silverlight territory this morning, their house was completely empty.It wasn't until he called her that he found out she had taken her parents to church for New Year's prayers.She was doing it on purpose.
Third Person's POVXander let out a heavy sigh, keeping up the act. "My oldest brother is great with physical therapy and rehab. Do you mind just dropping me off at home? Sorry to trouble you."Trista stared at his poker face, unable to tell if he was genuinely hurt or just playing the pity card.After a beat of hesitation, she relented, deciding to see her good deed through to the end.Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, after all. If she had actually broken the man with that one kick, he'd probably end up spending the holiday feast stuck in bed.Trista started the ignition, pulling out of the neighborhood and merging smoothly into the main road.Nearby, the window of a black Bentley rolled down.Cassian stared at Trista and Xander in the car. His sharp alpha senses missed nothing, picking up every ounce of intimacy radiating from the vehicle.The expression on his face slowly hardened, a violent wave of emotion churning in his chest
Third Person's POV:Xander's gaze fell on a framed photo of Trista on the nightstand.He strolled around the room, catching her faint scent in the air. With a teasing smile, he said softly, "No wonder this room smells so nice. It belongs to a high-ranking she-wolf."Trista nearly choked on his comment.She stepped in front of him, wishing she had a roll of tape to seal his mouth shut."Alpha Xander, could you please keep your mouth shut for once?"Xander held her gaze without blinking.He leaned in slowly, the presence of a mature Alpha pressing around her. "If I'm a good boy and do what you say, do I get a reward?"His deep eyes seemed to pull her in, and her heart raced.Trista backed away on instinct, but Xander closed the distance with every step.Her calf hit the edge of the bed, forcing her to sit down. Only then did he stop.She had just started to breathe a sigh of relief and stand when Xander sudde
Third Person's POVHoward nodded, satisfied. "Until Cassian officially seals a mating bond, we cannot lower our guard around that low-life rogue.""You're right, Dad," Wilmot added, his tone lethal. "An Alpha of Ironthorn mating with a rogue like her? It's an insult to our bloodline."Alaina sat ne
Third Person's POVTrista stood there, letting out a silent, exhausted sigh.It felt like the entire world was trying to matchmake her and Cassian.To any outsider who didn't know the truth, her choice to jilt him at the altar probably looked like the ultimate act of self-destruction.Cassian looke
Third Person's POVCassian turned a shade paler, forcing a shake of his head and insisting he was fine.While Randolph turned away to talk to the waiter, Cassian instinctively rolled his shoulders to ease the stinging pain—a tiny movement, but Trista caught it. She knew him too well.Even though Ca
Third Person's POVCassian knew exactly what this cost. He had to pay a price to blunt the elders' rage and act as a human shield for the Silverlight pack against the inevitable backlash.Alaina let out a sharp cry, rushing forward to intervene. "Can't we just talk? Is corporal punishment the only







