MasukThird 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 POV:Xander shifted his gaze to Trista instead. His tone was polite, but there was an unmistakable hint of possessiveness in it. "I was in the area and wanted to discuss something with Dr. Holmes."Cassian glanced at Trista without a trace of expression.Trista lowered her eyes, avoiding the stares of both Alphas.Her apartment was downtown. The Blade Pack's headquarters, the healing center, and Xander's commercial district were all on the west side of the city.Yet every time he came, he claimed he was "in the area". The man could lie with a straight face.Cassian reached out again and adjusted her wool coat, quietly trying to cover the trace of Xander's scent with his own."It's windy out here," he said softly. "Go inside. Don't catch a cold."Trista smiled through gritted teeth and murmured an obedient, "Okay."Cassian stared at her obedient response, his chest tightening.That gentle obedience h
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
Third Person's POVKeeping busy is the best anesthetic for pain.From the second she learned of Cassian's death, Trista felt a deep, hollow ache, yet she couldn't shed a single tear.She became a high-precision machine, burying herself in a never-ending mountain of work.Some might call her cold-bl
Third Person's POVCassian leaned against the headboard, his eyes fixed on Wynn.His voice was raspy, carrying a steady, almost pleading weight. "I'll agree to your plan, but on one condition: you have to come to the Ironthorns and help me run things."Wynn froze.When she turned eighteen, her gran
Third Person's POVCassian'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."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







