Chapter 2

• Trista's POV
• Cassian never came back to the Ironthorn Pack that night. He didn't come home.
• For the next three days, I stayed with my mother at the Healing Center.
• My father, Randolph, insisted I needed rest. He said Mom's condition was stable.
• Only when it was late did I finally relax a bit. I drove back to the Ironthorn territory, hoping to fall asleep quickly from sheer exhaustion.
• I was just drifting off when I heard the bedroom door click open. Then came the sound of running water from the bathroom.
• Drowsily, I turned. Cassian was already beside me in bed.
• I felt his body heat. It was a simple movement, but it told me he was finally back.
• He'd been gone a month for his "trip." I guessed he was happy with his new family.
• His hand wrapped around my shoulder. Instinctively, my body stiffened.
• Cassian realized I was awake. He pulled me close quickly, turning me to face him.
• His warmth radiated next to me. The air filled with his familiar scent—his pheromones.
• My body reacted almost automatically. I felt my wolf stirring.
• It let out a low growl inside me, yearning for him, wanting his deep strength.
• My heartbeat quickened. The blood in my neck began to warm.
• My wolf urged me closer, desperate for the warmth of his hands.
• My skin started to flush. I could hear my own breathing get ragged. A simple touch from him felt like a match to tinder.
• But my mind was clear. I couldn't do this.
• I took a sharp breath, trying to regain control.
• Cassian's hand tightened around my waist. He yanked me against him. His big, familiar hand didn't hesitate. He pulled down the strap of my nightgown, touching my bare skin.
• In that instant, those images flashed through my mind: him and Samantha at Sacred Springs Valley. The flare of the fireworks. His arm tight around her waist. His eyes full of tenderness—a look he'd never given me.
• His hand held her child. His wedding ring hand was wrapped around Samantha's own.
• I couldn't stop the scenes from playing. Every detail tore at my heart.
• My wolf fought inside me, but my reason was stronger now.
• I couldn't be a casualty of his betrayal.
• "Don't," my voice was low, but shockingly firm.
• Cassian paused. Maybe he thought I was shy. Maybe he thought it was a game.
• He didn't stop. He grew bolder.
• His kiss became more aggressive. His hand explored my body, searching every inch of my skin.
• I pushed hard against him, trying to break free of his weight. The longing burned like fire inside me.
• My wolf wanted to rush forward, but I knew I couldn't.
• The second I pushed him away, my stomach turned over violently.
• All the desire and emotion converged into unbearable pressure. I couldn't stop it. I shoved Cassian off and leaned over the side of the bed, dry-heaving violently.
• The low lamp flickered on, driving away the tension and intimacy.
• Cassian rolled off the bed. He patted my back lightly. His tone was concerned. "Are you sick?"
• I forced myself to stand. I rushed to the bathroom and closed my eyes.
• I wasn't sick. I was disgusted by him. That revulsion and humiliation, rising from my core, were too much to bear.
• Cassian didn't seem to get it. He stood behind me, frowning slightly, watching me leave. He walked downstairs to get me water.
• He hadn't noticed my red eyes, my scratchy throat, or the cuts on my ankle.
• A few minutes later, he came back with a glass of water. He held it out. "I'll book a restaurant tomorrow. We'll make up the anniversary."
• "Make up?" He didn't even sound sorry. He just offered a mechanical arrangement.
• I looked at the water. I couldn't believe he was so casually trying to move on.
• "You remembered our anniversary?" I asked.
• Cassian seemed surprised. He hesitated a moment before answering, "Of course I did."
• His eyes held no sincerity. My heart was already ice.
• He remembered the date, yet he chose his ex-lover and her son. He threw away three years of vows.
• He made her lemon cake. He celebrated with her. I got nothing from this mateship.
• I didn't answer him. Only anger and despair remained.
• The betrayal and rage swept over me. It was a sharp blade slicing through my chest.
• I felt powerless, yet stuck.
• The air went rigid again. Cassian didn't push me further. The atmosphere turned instantly cold.
• Just then, his comm-stone flashed.
• He glanced down. He quickly sent a low, short reply. Then he turned the screen off.
• He looked up at me, clearly distracted. "Go to sleep."
• I wanted to respond, but I stayed silent. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself.
• Yet, Cassian and Samantha's images kept flooding my mind.
• Suddenly, Cassian's comm-stone lit up again.
• He checked it, then stood up and left the house.
• I slowly opened my eyes. I heard his car engine fading away.
• A text message. One simple text was enough to make him leave in the middle of the night.
• It was Samantha. She had taken over his world again.
• I wanted to scream, to unleash all the pain. But my body felt drained of all strength. I couldn't even make a sound. All I could do was breathe.
• The next day, I forced myself to get ready. I took breakfast to my parents.
• My mother, Ulva, looked at me, worried. "Trista, what's wrong?"
• I quietly reassured her, "Don't worry, Mom. I just didn't sleep well."
• Randolph stood beside me. He handed me a bottle of water. "Your mother is recovering well. The doctor says she can leave the Healing Center in a few days."
• Seeing my mother doing better, I went to the main treatment hall.
• Passing the billing office, I saw Cassian.
• He should have been at the packhouse, leading the morning meeting. My gut told me why he was here.
• I wanted to confront him. But I knew I couldn't.