Chapter 96
Third Person’s POV
Only then did Samantha whisper, “Cassian, your mother… she came to see me at noon today.”
Finished
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 family, which is already inconvenient. Now that Algernon and I are back there, the people we are staying with are already getting very impatient.”
She added cautiously, “This house is empty anyway. Could Algernon and I stay here temporarily?”
Cassian barely hesitated. “No.”
His tone was not harsh, but absolutely firm. “This is Trista’s and my house. Whether it’s vacant or not, it does not belong to you.”
Samantha lowered her head, stung by the statement. “I’m sorry… it was just a thought.”
Cassian walked up to her, his gaze lingering on her face. His voice became serious and controlled. “Samantha, I know you have endured much because of me over the years. Raising a pup alone is difficult, and I remember every sacrifice you made.”
He paused, then offered a solution. “But you’ve also seen the reality–my pack members won’t accept you, and the alpha lineage will never allow it. Remaining in this deadlock is not a path forward for anyone.”
He met her eyes, delivering his statement like a business proposal. “Name your price. I will give you sufficient compensation. You take Algernon and relocate.”
Samantha stared at him blankly, as if she hadn’t understood.
The next second, she slumped, collapsing onto the sofa.
She had believed that the moment Trista left the city, her chance would naturally appear.
Now, Cassian was attempting to ‘settle‘ her with money, effectively erasing her and Algernon from Los
1/3
18:20 Tue, Dec 30 Mt.
Chapter 96
Angeles.
Before Samantha could gather her thoughts, tears started to fall.
Finished
She wiped them away, her voice trembling but still forced into a soft, gentle pitch. “Cassian… I left my family for you for six whole years. I just got back. Do you really want to separate us again?”
Cassian didn’t look away, his tone coolly professional. “You can take your family with you. I will give you ample security–not just for this lifetime, but enough to ensure you and Algernon won’t ever worry about survival.”
Samantha shot up quickly, as if stabbed.
Yet she kept her voice low, the sharpness sheathing itself in politeness. “I was sick for too long, I couldn’t work… I admit I accepted your help.”
She sniffled, trying to maintain her dignity. “I’ll find a job once I recover. I never wanted your money, and I never intended to damage your relationship with your mate. Please don’t do this to me.”
Cassian’s expression faltered slightly, as if something was pulling inside him.
He spoke after a few seconds. “You don’t have to leave.”
He paused, choosing his words. “But I must clarify Algernon’s identity. I cannot let Trista continue to misunderstand our relationship.”
Samantha’s face instantly drained of color. She backed away unsteadily, as if the clarification was a knife severing her six years of carefully built leverage.
Her voice suddenly rose, shaking with panic. “How are you going to clarify it?”
“Are you going to let Trista tell Algernon he isn’t your pup, and then what?”
She spoke faster and faster, afraid Cassian would interrupt, afraid that once the truth was formalized, there would be no going back.
“Then is she going to tell everyone: Samantha failed to climb into a higher–ranking pack six years ago, was forced to leave the country, was abused for six years, was assaulted and had a child, and then shamelessly returned expecting you to take responsibility?”
“And then your family will know Algernon isn’t yours–and ‘handle‘ Algernon and me like a problem, just like six years ago?!”
Her words were bitten off, her eyes wide with terror.
“If that’s the case-” her voice abruptly failed, “you might as well just kill me!”
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