The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 13

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

**Chapter 13**

As I spoke, my words hung in the air, and the atmosphere in the small living room shifted, feeling almost tangible. Alaina’s complexion drained of color, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern.

Wynn, full of urgency, sprang to his feet. “I know he’s a jerk, Trista, but you are mates! You made a promise before the Moon Goddess herself. Please, don’t act impulsively.” His voice was laced with desperation, as if he were trying to grab hold of something that was slipping away.

Yes, we had sworn before the Moon Goddess. Yet here I was, the only one seemingly fighting to preserve that sacred bond.

I shook my head slowly, feeling the weight of my decision settle in my chest. My voice emerged steady, firm as steel. “I’ve made my choice. I need you to respect that and not try to sway me.”

Ulva’s eyes brimmed with tears once more, her gaze flickering to Alaina, seeking support.

With a gentle, earnest tone, Ulva spoke, “The Ironthorn Pack has been there for us through thick and thin; we will always remember that kindness. But now that he has found his true mate and you two have no children, it’s best for everyone if you part ways.”

Randolph chimed in, his voice steady and reassuring. “We won’t hold anything against your family, Trista.”

Alaina remained silent for what felt like an eternity, her eyes clouded with thoughts unspoken. When she finally rose to her feet, the weight of her years seemed to press down on her, making her appear older than before.

A gust of wind swept through the open doorway, lifting her coat dramatically.

She turned to me, her gaze piercing yet resigned, and without uttering another word, she walked out, leaving a void in her wake.

The door clicked shut, and once again, silence enveloped the house, thick and heavy.

I knew the traits of the Silverlight Alpha wolves: they were shrewd, always focused on their own boundaries and interests, and often devoid of the warmth that one would expect from a family. Howard embodied that coldness. Wilmot was no different. And Cassian… well, he fit right into that mold.

Alaina was a mother, a she-wolf who understood the depths of my pain. That understanding was why she wouldn’t push me further.

I spent two days at my parents’ house. Mid-June had brought the city into its rainy season, and the downpour seemed to echo my internal turmoil.

As I left the confines of Silverlight territory, the rain finally ceased, but the world outside had transformed into a dreary palette of gray. The humidity wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket, squeezing my heart as if it were wrung out like a soaked sponge.

I chose Monday morning for my return. Cassian would be occupied with meetings at the Simmons Group, the company owned by Ironthorn, which gave me the perfect opportunity to gather my things.

I wasn’t the one who had betrayed our bond, yet the thought of facing him again filled me with dread.

Arguing or remaining silent, expressing my anger or holding it in—the result would be the same. I had decided it was best to leave with whatever dignity I had left.

I refrained from Mind-Linking him. Instead, I sent a simple text, informing him I would be waiting for him at the pack today.

As I drove from Silverlight to Ironthorn, the rain resumed, drenching the city once more.

The streets were shrouded in a curtain of water, and the Simmons Group office loomed like a cold slab of glass in the downpour.

At an intersection, I caught sight of him.

Cassian stood beneath an awning, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his posture protective as he shielded someone from the relentless rain. Samantha dashed over from the storm, her long hair plastered to her back, her steps a frantic mix of urgency and stumbling.

He assisted her into the back seat of a car, closing the door with a tenderness that felt like a dagger to my heart.

I couldn’t hear their words, but I could see their silhouettes shifting in the rain. She grasped his cuff, her expression pleading. Moments later, she flung the door open and bolted back into the downpour. He immediately pursued her, catching her wrist and pulling her close, enveloping her in a protective embrace. It was a stance that screamed possession, a declaration of his loyalty.

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