Chapter 354

Third Person's POV

"Even if I'm the 'ex' now, I'm still one phone call away from having Howard send an enforcement squad to sweep low-life wolves like you out of LA for good. Do you really want to test me, Samantha?"

The arrogance in Samantha's eyes was finally replaced by cold fear.

She knew exactly how Howard operated-he was a tyrant who crushed anyone in

his way.

She bit her lip, softening her tone, though it remained edged with venom. "Fine, Trista. Since the bond is dead, do us all a favor and stay out of his sight. Stop trying to stay relevant."

Trista knit her brows in disgust. Talking to someone this delusional felt like a waste of air.

"Samantha, instead of wasting your time stalking me, you should be breathing down Cassian's neck to get you back into the Ironthorn estate. Because once Howard picks out his next choice for Luna, you and your brat are going straight to a rogue shelter."

With that, Trista brushed past her without a second glance.

Samantha stood there, seething, hit right where it hurt.

She had clawed her way back to see Cassian single again; she wasn't about to let anyone take that throne.

Trista crossed the street, feeling a strange sense of relief, like she'd finally taken out the trash.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Cassian's number.

He picked up on the first vibration, his breathing heavy and expectant.

"Friday morning. Bring Samantha to my clinic."

Before he could say a word, Trista ended the call. Her clinical coldness was sharper than any claw.

Friday at 9:00 AM, Cassian led Samantha into the healing center.

Trista knew Samantha's "soul damage" was a total fabrication, but she played the part perfectly, following every medical protocol.

She channeled her healing energy, letting it drift over the back of Samantha's neck to probe her bloodline frequency.

"Release your aura. Don't fight it," Trista said, her voice professional and detached.

Samantha had to endure the shivering sensation of having her soul picked apart by a rival.

After an hour of resonance tests and soul-wave sampling, Samantha emerged from the inner room looking pale.

"As of right now, your soul frequency is in a state of unnatural chaos," Trista said, flipping through the dark red energy patterns on her screen. "Start her on these wild-instimet suppressants."

Cassian stood to the side, his dark gold eyes pinned on Trista, searching for even a ripple of emotion in her calm demeanor. "You're the best healer in LA. I trust your word."

"Three times a week. Forty minutes per session. Come back Monday," Trista said, officially logging the appointment into the terminal.

Samantha put on an act, leaning into her "weakness" from the exam. "Miss Holmes, thank you for taking the time."

Trista didn't even look up; she completely ignored the performance.

Cassian stepped forward, his powerful Alpha aura suddenly filling the office, making the air pressure drop. "Can we do the first session this afternoon?"

He was done with this. He was suffocating under the weight of this old debt.

He wanted Samantha's mess handled and scrubbed clean so his fractured soul

could finally have a right to approach Trista again.

Samantha felt a surge of secret joy.

"Cassian is demanding priority for me from his ex," she thought, her vanity peaking.

"Trista, please don't be upset,"

Samantha said, lowering her head

with a fake, submissive pout. "Cassian is just worried about me. If this afternoon is too much can wait until Monday."

Trista locked eyes with Cassian, reading the raw desperation behind his gaze.

"If Cassian is that insistent," Trista said, closing the file with clinical finality, "bring her back at 2:30 sharp."

Cassian didn't waste words. He led Samantha out.

He had a driver take her home while he climbed into Fred's car, which had been waiting nearby.

Back at her place, Samantha couldn't stop bragging to her mother, Georgia, about how Cassian was personally escorting her to her sessions.

Georgia, however, smelled trouble. "They cut ties so easily, and now Trista is actually helping you? Watch out. She could mess with your head while you're under."

Samantha's heart skipped a beat. Trista's aura did make her feel instinctively hunted.

"Mom, you're coming with me this afternoon," Samantha said, gritting her teeth. "Don't leave my side. Don't let her use her 'healing' for revenge."

At 2:30 PM, the two women showed up at the clinic.

Samantha noticed Cassian's gaze shift to Georgia and quickly spoke up. "Cassian if you're busy with pack business go ahead. Now that Trista has agreed to treat me, my mom can stay and look after me."