Chapter 356

Third Person's POV

Outside the healing center, Cassian signaled his driver to take Samantha home first.

Samantha lingered, looping her arm through his with naked greed in her eyes. "Cassian, my birthday is in a couple of days. Are you free?"

Cassian looked down at her, the corners of his mouth twitching into a chilling smile. "I've been too busy lately; I know I've neglected you. Don't worry. On your birthday, I'm giving you a 'gift' you'll never forget."

Overjoyed, Samantha's head filled with visions of diamond rings or territory deeds. She nodded eagerly. "As long as you're there, I don't care about the gift."

Cassian gave a small nod, and she finally climbed into the car.

Watching him through the rearview mirror as he walked toward Humphrey's vehicle, she actually let out a laugh.

She felt like after three years of playing the long game, she was finally about to claim the Ironthorn crown.

On the curb, the warmth vanished from Cassian's face the second the car pulled away.

His expression turned to ice. He climbed into Humphrey's car and slammed the recorder into his hand, his gaze terrifyingly dark.

"Every dirty secret is in there."

Cassian ground his teeth, issuing the final hunt order. "I'm giving you three days. Consolidate the evidence and run a rush paternity test on that brat. Then, bring them to me."

Humphrey felt the air pressure in the car reaching a breaking point. He nodded quickly. "Understood, Alpha Cassian. I'll handle it clean."

Cassian hopped out of the car just after 5:30 PM.

Seeing Trista exit the building, he immediately intercepted her.

"Why are you still here?" Trista asked, stopping in her tracks.

Cassian reached for her handbag, but she pulled it away.

His hand froze in mid-air before dropping uselessly to his side. "Thanks for today. I booked a table at a restaurant."

Before he could finish, she shut him down. "I helped you because of my promise. No thanks necessary. My parents are waiting for me for dinner."

"I'm headed your way. I have some questions about bloodline logistics," Cassian said, lowering his posture in a rare show of humility.

Trista glanced around. To avoid a scene in front of her colleagues, she led him to the small park across from the clinic. "Whatever you have to say, say it here."

Cassian stared at her for a long time.

Without the bond, he had to rely on his raw senses to read her. "The black card I gave you why did you return it?"

Trista wasn't surprised. Her voice was flat. "Cassian, getting that severance was the best result I could've hoped for. I don't need a payout."

Cassian's control snapped. He lunged forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her close.

His Alpha aura exploded as he glared into her eyes. "You really want to be done with me that badly? To just cut me out like I never existed?"

Trista shoved him back hard, creating distance. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Cassian paced back and forth, his energy wildly unstable.

"Trista, I know I hurt you! That money is the compensation you deserve!"

"I don't want it," she said, her voice like steel.

They locked eyes, the air thick with tension.

After a moment, Trista's tone softened slightly, but it only made her seem more distant. "Cassian, you know your father and

grandfather better than I do. The

Ironthorn men are selfish and cold. Respecting women isn't in your DNA."

She looked him dead in the eye. "If they found out you transferred that kind of wealth to me, they'd never stop hounding me just got my freedom; I'm not letting the onthorn hounds drag me back into the dirt."

Cassian stood frozen, a sharp cramp seizing his heart.

He went to step toward her to explain, but his phone started vibrating violently.

He glanced at Trista and answered.

Wynn's sobbing on the other end was so loud it pierced through the speaker. She was hysterical, screaming for him to get to the house immediately.

Trista could hear the panic in Wynn's voice, and her concern for the girl overrode her annoyance with Cassian.

She gave him a push. "Wynn sounds like she's in trouble. Go. Now."

One hour later, Fred stepped out of the car right behind Cassian.

"This is a pack feud. Why am I being dragged into this?" he complained.

Cassian ignored him and marched toward the front door.

An omega met them, looking frantic. "Alpha Cassian, Alpha Fred-thank god you're here. They're tearing each other apart in there. Please, you have to stop them." fo

The two men traded a look and stepped into the living room.

The atmosphere was sub-zero. Shards of expensive glass were scattered across the floor.

Howard sat in the high chair, looking like a petrified ancient god.

Wilmot stood in the center of the room, his face flushed purple, his Alpha aura still rolling off him in waves.

Alaina had her arms wrapped around Wynn, who was buried in her mother's chest, her sobs echoing through the entire mansion.

When they saw Cassian and Fred enter, the tension in Alaina's shoulders finally broke, just a fraction.