The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 23

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

I stood frozen in place, the chill of my fingertips a stark reminder of the power I had just withdrawn. It was as if the very essence of my strength had been yanked back, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Deep within me, my wolf stirred with a soft, plaintive moan, a sound that echoed the weakness it still bore. It had only recently begun to recover, yet the remnants of its frailty lingered like a shadow.

Wynn, ever vigilant, took a half step forward, positioning herself protectively at my side. Her keen eyes assessed the newcomer with a mixture of wariness and suspicion.

Her voice cut through the tension, sharp and judgmental. “Yes, I’m Wynn Simmons. And who exactly are you?”

The woman’s gaze flickered briefly in my direction before returning to Wynn. A polite smile graced her lips, but there was something unsettling about it. “I’m a friend of Cassian’s. My name is Samantha.”

The name hit me like a sudden gust of cold wind, tightening the skin on my palms as a rush of anxiety coursed through me.

Without thinking, my hand clenched at my side, the pressure of my nails digging into my flesh, a physical manifestation of the turmoil brewing within.

There were too many eyes on us, too many people present. If I exposed Samantha’s true nature now, I knew Cassian would side with her, regardless of the consequences.

I didn’t have the luxury of a billion-dollar “clean break.” The thought of the fallout sent a shiver down my spine.

Creating a scene would only serve to humiliate me further.

I took a moment to steady my breathing, forcing myself to maintain an air of calm amidst the chaos swirling inside me.

Wynn, sensing my turmoil, linked her arm through mine, her presence a comforting anchor. “Oh, really? This is our pack’s Luna, Alpha Cassian’s mate, Luna Trista,” she introduced me, her tone dripping with a mix of pride and defiance.

Samantha met my gaze, her eyes steady and unyielding.

She extended her hand toward me, her voice smooth and even. “Luna Trista, you’re stunning.”

I allowed my fingertips to barely graze hers before instinctively pulling back, a rush of discomfort flooding my senses. I managed to force out a mechanical response, “You, too, are well.”

Just then, her personal assistant approached, a look of urgency on their face as they lowered their voice. “Ms. Fernandez, the driver is here. It’s time to go back and rest.”

Samantha nodded toward us, her demeanor unfazed. “Luna Trista, Ms. Simmons, I need to go.”

With that, she turned and walked away, her steps measured and confident. She had an assistant, a driver, and her entire ensemble screamed of expensive taste, each piece meticulously chosen from the same high-end brand.

As I watched her leave, a wave of bitterness washed over me. Cassian had truly given her everything he could.

My chest constricted painfully, a physical reaction to the emotions I had just managed to suppress.

My wolf recoiled within me, its tail curled tightly against my sternum, unable to muster the strength to release any aura or shift. All it could do was whimper in my mind, a sound that mirrored my own internal struggle.

I sank onto a nearby waiting bench, the cold metal pressing against my back. My breath hitched, caught in my throat like a trapped bird.

Wynn leaned in closer, her fury barely contained. “Why didn’t you slap her?” she demanded, her voice a fierce whisper.

My throat felt raw, as if scraped with fine sandpaper, and my lips trembled with the effort to respond.

I almost opened my mouth to speak, but then the memory of Wynn’s temper flooded back to me, and I clamped my lips shut, unable to find the words.

She placed my bag beside me and then, in a sudden burst of determination, turned and sprinted after Samantha. I couldn’t let her confront her alone; I had to follow.

At the elevator, Wynn blocked Samantha’s path. “Ms. Fernandez, one moment?” she called out, her voice firm.

Samantha halted, her expression still mild, but there was a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. “Ms. Simmons, what is it?”

I didn’t respond, the weight of her words settling heavily on my chest. My wolf buried its head in its paws, letting out a soft, defeated sigh.

Cassian had given up on me first.

Feeling the spiral of despair closing in, I made my way home, seeking solace in the pages of books and materials.

If I wanted to terminate the mating contract, I needed to find that million dollars.

But where on earth was I supposed to find that kind of money in such a short time?

My fingertips pressed against the edge of the text, the paper fibers scratching at my skin as I tried to focus. I could hear my heartbeat, each thump echoing in my ears like a ticking clock, a reminder that time was not on my side.

On Monday, I officially began my job as Mr. Dontes’ assistant, a small step toward reclaiming some semblance of control over my life.

After work, I returned to my parents’ apartment, the familiar surroundings a balm for my troubled soul.

The ninety-square-meter three-bedroom apartment felt small yet warm, filled with the comforting presence of my family.

We shared dinner, laughter, and stories, a brief reprieve from the chaos of my thoughts. But soon, I found myself back at the house I shared with Cassian.

I had books and files there for my studies, and the thought of staying with my parents for a few days was tempting, but I needed to face my reality.

After a refreshing shower and slipping into my pajamas, I settled onto the bed with my laptop, determined to study and distract myself from the turmoil brewing within.

Around ten o’clock, I heard the unmistakable sound of an engine revving in the garage.

A moment later, the bedroom door swung open, and Cassian walked in, clad in a dark suit. His expression was grim, and the weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air between us.