Third Person's POV
"I don't care how 'elite' his wolf is. I don't want to be his mate, and I'm sure as hell never having his children."
Trista's voice was steady, like she'd built a fortress around her soul. "If you want to drag this out, fine. I've already lost everything. Let's see who caves first in this war of attrition."
Howard turned a shade of purple, his chest heaving with rage. He slammed his hand down on the armrest, the sound of cracking wood echoing through the hall. "I spent enough territory resources to buy half a state just to get rid of that trashy stray you were obsessed with!"
He glared at Trista. "I thought I was getting Cassian a submissive Luna. Instead, he brings back a stubborn brat like you. You're a disgrace to the Ironthorn name!"
By the time Cassian arrived, the room was a war zone of violent pheromones.
Howard was slumped on the sofa, gasping for air as his aging wolf buckled under the stress.
Wilmot was pacing like a rabid animal, snapping at shadows.
And there was Trista—standing in the center of the chaos like a ghost, watching the family unravel with total indifference.
Cassian went straight to Trista. "Are you okay?"
Once he saw she wasn't hurt, he whispered, "Go wait in the car."
Trista gave him one long, unreadable look and walked out without a word.
Once she was gone, Wilmot turned on his son. "Cassian, I'm warning you—Elias never loses a case. Trista is dead set on tearing this bond apart. You need to hit first and take control of the narrative! And that parasite Samantha? If you don't take her out, your grandfather and I will do it ourselves!"
Cassian didn't flinch. "Dad, for the last time—my life, my business."
Back in the car, Cassian glanced at Trista. She was staring at her phone, ignoring him completely.
He hesitated, then started the engine. They drove home in a silence so thick it felt like they were underwater.
Inside the house, Trista went straight to the master bedroom and locked the door.
Cassian stood outside for a long time before finally knocking. "Open up. I need a towel."
The door cracked open an inch. Trista shoved a towel through the gap and slammed it shut again. Locked.
Elias stood politely to see him out, completely unfazed.
Cassian marched out of the firm, where Humphrey was waiting. "Did he back off?"
Cassian got into the car and yanked at his collar, his Alpha frustration boiling over in the cramped space.
He couldn't believe it. How long had Elias even known her? And yet the old fox was willing to go to war with Ironthorn for her.
He leaned back and closed his eyes. "Any word on Samantha?"
Humphrey lowered his voice. "Nothing yet. It's like someone scrubbed her entire history clean."
Cassian's jaw tightened. "Take me back to the territory."
Over the next few days, Cassian was buried in pack business, but he kept a constant eye on Trista.
He started to notice something. She was acting strange—very strange.

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