Chapter 3

• Trista's POV
• I was afraid I would lose control. I was afraid I'd cause a scene.
• I worried my parents would see.
• I also worried I'd go crazy before fixing anything.
• So, I stayed put. I fought hard to suppress the pain and the rising anger of my wolf.
• My wolf had never been this wounded.
• Every time Cassian came close, I should have felt that familiar tug, the yearning from our mating bond. But now, I felt nothing.
• Our connection, thin as a thread, had frayed the moment Samantha returned.
• Every encounter with Cassian felt like ants chewing at our bond. The pain got smaller, the connection weaker, more futile.
• I waited for Cassian to speak, or to just walk away in silence.
• I was done trying to excuse this broken mating.
• Cassian finally reached me. He extended his hand, reaching for the billing forms I held.
• Just then, his comm-stone buzzed a few times. He quickly pulled his hand back, checked the screen, and glanced at the message.
• "Someone needs me. You go on with your business," Cassian said shortly. He turned and walked toward the elevator.
• He was rushing. As he spoke into his comm-stone, his voice was low and gentle, "Be good. Stop fussing."
• That gentle murmur pierced my heart. His patience, his indulgence toward her—I had desperately wanted that. Now, all I felt was emptiness.
• I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and rushed into the restroom.
• I couldn't control myself. Tears streamed out like a flood.
• So he COULD use that tone to comfort someone.
• Twenty-five years I'd known him, yet he had never shown me that kind of patience.
• Now, all his tenderness went to her. I was just the neglected bystander.
• After calming down a little, I came out of the restroom.
• I quickly fixed my makeup, trying not to look so ragged, and returned to the room.
• Mom immediately sensed something was wrong. She sent Dad out and held out her hand to me. "Trista, did you argue with Cassian?"
• I lowered my eyes. I shook my head, feeling guilty. "No, Mom. We're fine."
• Just then, Dad and Cassian walked into the room together.
• Mom smiled when she saw Cassian. "Cassian, you're so busy with the Ironthorn Pack. You don't need to keep coming over."
• Cassian put down the supplements he carried. "I've arranged for an expert doctor. You'll get a full checkup when you leave the Healing Center."
• Dad looked at Cassian, his eyes full of pride. "You're so thoughtful. We owe you so much for all these years."
• Cassian walked to the bedside. He paused, looked at me, then told Dad, "We're family."
• I moved to give him space. He lightly pressed me back down onto the bed. "I can stand."
• Watching the comfortable interaction between him and my parents, I felt a sharp pang of pain.
• Three years ago, my father's company failed. We couldn't afford the huge expenses of running a pack and were deep in debt.
• Cassian solved our problems. He helped us disband the pack members but kept the pack territory intact.
• The Silverlight Pack was no longer worthy of an alliance with the Ironthorn Pack, but Cassian still mated with me.
• Back then, I naively thought he had feelings for me.
• It wasn't until after our mating, when I overheard a conversation between him and my father, that I finally understood. Cassian chose me purely out of calculation.
• To him, I was a tool to solve a problem. And Samantha—she was the only one in his heart.
• The emptiness and pain surged, almost overwhelming me.
• Mom asked Cassian to take me home to rest.
• We walked to the elevator in silence. Cassian suddenly stopped and pulled my arm. "You look terrible. Didn't you sleep well last night?"
• I managed a bitter smile. "No."
• He thought I was just tired. He had no idea what my real pain was.
• I pulled my hand away. I spoke coldly. "You go do your business. I'll walk around myself."
• The elevator doors opened. I started toward the other side of the hall.
• Cassian grabbed my arm again and pulled me into the elevator with him. "I made a reservation at your favorite restaurant."
• I had zero interest. I felt nothing but resistance, maybe even numbness. I just whispered, "Okay."
• I followed him to the restaurant. Cassian ordered for me. I watched his every move, a detached observer.
• Then, he handed me a jewelry box. "Anniversary gift."
• I gripped my water glass and nodded, barely glancing at the box.
• I had loved Cassian for twenty-two years. We'd been mated for three. I knew better than anyone how cold his heart was beneath his polite, gentle exterior.
• I used to beg him for gifts.
• He'd give in when he was annoyed enough. I'd show them off to my friends for weeks.
• After the Silverlight Pack collapsed, I never dared to ask for anything again.
• Seeing my lack of reaction, Cassian opened the box himself. He pulled out a diamond bracelet.
• I could tell instantly it was worth at least $200,000.
• He reached out to put it on me. I didn't resist.
• The bracelet was cold on my wrist. I murmured, "Thank you."
• Cassian frowned but didn't ask anything more. He began serving me food. "Your favorite matcha truffles."
• Seeing Cassian patiently prepare all this gave me a faint flicker of hope.
• I finally spoke, holding onto one last weak expectation. "If I wanted to eat something you made yourself, would you learn to bake it for me once?"