جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 100

Third Person's POVWynn was silenced by Cassian's sharp warning. Her shoulders visibly shrunk, as if her throat were constricted by an invisible rope.She dared not argue further, quickly retreating behind her parents, not even risking a glance at Cassian.Wilmot slammed his hand on the table, his fury hot enough to scorch the air in the living room. "The Alpha she-wolf of a long-fallen pack dares to escalate things this far! If she insists on the termination—then let her have it!"Cassian's face darkened, but his voice was chillingly stable. "Dad, I will not terminate the mating bond."Alaina immediately interjected, her pace slow, her words sharp as knives. "Why not? Wait until Trista files the petition with the Werewolf Council, and everyone knows the Ironthorn Alpha can't control his own mate? How long do you plan to wait?"Cassian rubbed the bridge of his nose, suppressing his frustration. "Why is everyone so eager for Trista and me to reach that point?"Howard, who had been sile

Third Person's POVOnly then did Samantha whisper, "Cassian, your mother... she came to see me at noon today."Cassian stood before the floor-to-ceiling window. Dressed in black trousers and a white shirt, his sleeves were rolled up and cinched with cuff keepers, revealing his powerful forearms.His gaze lingered on a scorched patch in the corner of the garden, as if weighing the damage.He didn't respond immediately.Samantha's tone grew more hesitant. "She evicted Algernon and me, and she said... once you and your mate finalize the termination ritual, she will show me no mercy."She clenched her fingers. "Cassian, what am I supposed to do now?"Cassian turned, his tone calm and clear. "Rest assured. Trista and I will not terminate the mating. She cannot threaten you."Hearing this, an undeniable flicker of disappointment and resentment crossed Samantha's eyes.She quickly masked it, her eyes sweeping over the vast, empty living room. "You know my mother is staying with my brother's

Third Person's POVCassian held Samantha's injured hand, pressing her fingers back onto the sheet to keep her still.He didn't use a sweet, soothing scent to placate her. Instead, he compressed his pheromones into a thin, calm layer, acting as a clear boundary, slowly pulling her breathing back into rhythm."Samantha," he stated, word by word. "You are Algernon's only stable support. Stop making these choices."Hearing that, Samantha's reservoir of hurt burst open. Her suppressed sobs broke free.Shoulders shaking, she ripped the old wound open. "Cassian... back then, your grandfather threatened me. He said if I stayed with you, he would strip you of everything—handing the Ironthorn alpha position to your half-brother."Gasping, she continued in ragged bursts. "For your future, I agreed to his terms and broke it off with you.""But he wasn't satisfied. Afraid we'd reconnect, he forced me to leave the States—forced me to marry, to bury myself in another life."Her voice shook with pain

Third Person's POVAttwater blocked Cassian with a fierce glare, then instantly turned to Trista with an expression of fierce protectiveness. "Mom and Dad sent me down to get you."Trista ignored Cassian completely and handed her suitcase to Attwater. "Let's go."Attwater grabbed the bag with one hand and hooked her arm with the other. They walked side-by-side toward the building entrance.Cassian stood motionless, his hand, suspended in the air, slowly dropping.He watched them walk through the community gate, as if blocked by an invisible threshold.Seeing Cassian's distracted look, Samantha turned and walked away.As long as Cassian kept Algernon's parentage a secret, the rift between him and Trista would remain, and she would always have an opening.At the same time, after dinner, Trista was washing dishes in the kitchen, chatting with her parents."Trista, your phone."Attwater handed Trista her phone. Trista glanced at the unfamiliar caller ID.Hesitating, Trista dried her hands

Trista's POVMy eyes instantly burned hot.I bit down hard on my lip, refusing to cry in front of him. "Since you choose to believe her, why bother asking me?"We stared at each other.Finally, he was the one who broke contact.Cassian shoved me away, his voice cooling further. "If there's nothing to say, then don't say anything."I stumbled back several steps, my back hitting the ward wall. The faint outline of the barrier shimmered, mocking my wolf and my position.Attwater saw me pushed and his eyes instantly turned savage red.Ignoring the pain in his wrist, he violently ripped himself from Cassian's grasp.With a "crack," his joint dislocated.Cassian's eyes widened in shock, and he instantly let go.Attwater cradled his arm, his face contorted in pain. He staggered, nearly collapsing."Attwater!"Cassian and I moved forward simultaneously.The next second, I shoved Cassian back, the force large enough to feel like I was tearing the thread of our mating bond.I grabbed my brother