The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 11

**Where Soft Light Shines, Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane**

**Chapter 11**

**Cassian’s POV**

“I understand,” I replied, my voice steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of concern. “Let’s get you back to the Healing Center first.”

Samantha’s gaze softened as she nodded, her fingers lightly tugging at the hem of my jacket, almost as if seeking solace in the fabric. “Cassian, I really don’t want to relive any of that… Please, promise me you won’t tell anyone about my son’s history—not even your Luna, okay?” Her plea hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears.

In that moment, I felt the mating bond within me stretch taut, like a rubber band pulled to its limits. A sharp sting of pain flared up, reminding me of the weight of my role.

My wolf stirred within me, its voice resonating with unwavering loyalty. “A wolf never lies to his mate. That is the essence of our bond.”

I couldn’t deny the truth in my wolf’s words. Yet, I sensed the depth of Samantha’s turmoil; she was teetering on the edge of despair, practically drowning in her emotions.

With a gentle yet firm hand, I placed it on her shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort. “I know. The suffering you’ve endured is partly my responsibility. I swear, I won’t breathe a word of your past to anyone. I will take care of you and your son.”

As if my words had unlocked a dam, she trembled, leaning into me, her quiet sobs breaking the silence. For a fleeting moment, the world around us faded, and all that remained was the fragile connection we shared.

When she finally pulled back to look at me, her cheeks were streaked with tears, yet a small smile broke through her sorrow. “Then I’ll get better quickly, so you don’t have to worry.”

My wolf was restless, its ears twitching in impatience within my mind—it loathed this closeness, this vulnerability.

I escorted her back to the Healing Center, watching as she ate her lunch and took her medications for pain and healing. I lingered for a while, ensuring she was settled before finally making my exit.

It wasn’t until I returned to the packhouse that I dared to check my comm-stone. It had been vibrating incessantly since I left the shopping center, mostly with messages from Wynn.

I hesitated momentarily, then initiated a Mind-Link with Wynn, “So, is she done throwing a fit yet?”

Wynn’s voice flooded the link, raw and unrestrained. “I can’t feel Luna Trista since I got back to the pack. She’s missing. Mom and I have been searching for her, but we still haven’t found…”

Without another word, I severed the connection, the weight of his words pressing heavily on my chest. I stared at the crystal screen for a couple of seconds, my thoughts racing, before striding over to the floor-to-ceiling window.

I could feel Trista’s connection to the pack was still intact; she hadn’t left our territory. No alarms had sounded from the Healing Center, indicating she hadn’t gone there either.

My gut instinct screamed that they were testing me again, using Trista’s “disappearance” to manipulate my actions.

My wolf, however, wasn’t convinced and issued a direct command: Go find her. Now.

I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself that I needed to finish my work first.

Just then, my beta, Humphrey, knocked and entered my office. “Alpha Cassian, is the 2:30 meeting still scheduled?”

“Yes,” I replied tersely, lighting a silver-leaf cigarette, using the nicotine to smother the rising tide of anger within me.

I kept my aura tightly contained, my scent steady—I didn’t want my subordinate to sense the agitation simmering beneath my calm exterior.

Later, as I settled into the back seat of the car, the driver cautiously glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Alpha Cassian, the villa or the Healing Center?”

I paused for a brief moment, contemplating my answer. “Home.” I closed my eyes and leaned back, the weight of the day pressing down on me.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify