Chapter 224
Third Person’s POV
Finished
The second Isaiah let those words fly, Samantha was the first one to lose her cool. She looked at Trista, her face a mask of awkward desperation. “Luna Trista, your friend sure has a… colorful sense of humor.”
Isaiah just muttered under his breath, “I don’t waste my jokes on low–level rogues.”
Trista shot Isaiah a warning look that screamed back off. “Isaiah, knock it off. Cassian is t biological father here; don’t go trying to join the family tree just for kicks.”
Then, Trista caught Samantha’s eye.
Samantha took the hint and whispered something into her son’s ear. Right on cue, Algernon pointed his tiny finger at Cassian and declared at the top of his lungs, “I want this daddy! Daddy loves me most–he buys me all the expensive toys!”
Cassian’s hand tightened around his lighter until the metal started to groan and creak.
His jaw was set so hard it looked like stone, and he was radiating a chill that made the hair on everyone’s neck stand up.
Fred saw the train wreck happening and decided to fan the flames by ribbing Isaiah. “You really are a glutton for punishment, aren’t you? Trying to poach the Alpha’s kid? This boy is Cassian’s most precious bloodline–you don’t mess with that.”
Around the table, everyone’s expression was a mess of hidden agendas, but Cassian’s face was pure, unadulterated darkness.
On the surface, it looked like a nice dinner, but the air was heavy enough to suffocate a wolf.
Trista could feel the explosion brewing inside Cassian, but she couldn’t care less.
In her mind, Cassian was probably doing backflips of joy internally; he just couldn’t drop his “stoic leader” mask yet because of the Howard’s politics.
She cleared her throat and gave Cassian a look that was half–mocking, half–serious. “You know, you shouldn’t suppress your instincts just because people are watching. Algernon is your flesh and blood–your heir. If you break his heart now, don’t be surprised if he treats you like a stranger when you’re old and gray.”
Trista stared him down in front of everyone.
In Cassian’s deep eyes, a storm of violent rage was swirling, threatening to tear the room apart.
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Chapter 224
Finished
He fought his wolf with everything he had, then suddenly shoved his chair back and stood up. “I need some air,” he bit out through clenched teeth.
He didn’t look back as he stormed out of the dining room.
The remaining guests exchanged awkward glances, the mood officially killed.
But Trista just calmly raised her glass. “Well, since Cassian didn’t say no, I’m taking that as a yes to the godparent thing. Cheers, everyone.”
Trista knew exactly what she was doing. No matter how much of a scumbag Cassian was elite Alpha upbringing would never let him lose it in public.
But it baffled her–she’d laid it all out for him, yet he still wouldn’t publicly claim the kid.
He was protecting Samantha and the boy with an almost obsessive level of caution.
She cut a side–eye toward Samantha, a flicker of contempt crossing her mind.
She thought Samantha was pathetic.
Cassian had risked everything–the pack laws, his reputation, even fathering a kid with her- and she still didn’t have the backbone to secure a real title.
If she wanted Cassian to finally give up and sign those severance papers, Trista realized she needed to pour more gasoline on the fire.
Samantha stared at her steak, biting her lip so hard it hurt.
When she first came back, Cassian had been all about her–so protective, so warm. Why was he acting like a stranger now?
Was Howard’s pressure really that suffocating?
But she quickly checked herself.
“Stay calm,” she thought. “After tonight, my son is officially Trista’s godson.”
That meant at any pack function, her boy could call Cassian “Daddy” out in the open.
Once the bloodline was public, it was only a matter of time before her and Cassian were official.
“I’m heading out for a smoke,” Fred said, giving Trista a meaningful look. He dropped his fork and followed Cassian out.
On the balcony, Fred sauntered up behind Cassian. “So, tell me,” he drawled, his tone dripping
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Chapter 224
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with sarcasm. “How’s it feel? Seeing your Luna and your mistress playing nice together? Must be a real ego boost.”
Cassian was leaning on the marble railing, his back a rigid line. The cherry of his cigarette glowed in the dark.
He stared into the distance, refusing to bite.
But Fred wasn’t done.
He lit his own cigarette and stood shoulder–to–shoulder with Cassian. “I never knew Trista hod it in her to be this ‘understanding.‘ You really hit the jackpot, Cassian.”
A low, guttural grunt escaped Cassian’s throat. “She’s lost her mind.““If she’s crazy, it’s because
drove her there with that hot–and–cold bullshit,” Fred shot back with a cold laugh.
you
Cassian closed his eyes, taking several jagged breaths to steady his erratic pheromones.
When he finally spoke, his voice was a broken whisper. “I never wanted her to be ‘understanding.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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