The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 271

Trista’s POV

Cassian’s dark eyes were pinned on me.

Finished

Even with the entire room watching the drama unfold, he managed to maintain that final, rigid layer of Alpha dignity.

“Dad, Mom,” he said, his voice so steady it was impossible to find a crack in the mask. “Trista is Alistair’s lead healer. Her session must have just ended, and she escorted Alistair here to meet up with us.”

It was a reach, but it worked. It smoothed things over just enough to keep the peace.

The murderous looks from Wilmot and the others faded slightly, and the wave of gossip was temporarily suppressed by Cassian’s bulletproof composure.

Cassian stepped up to me, his hand clamping firmly around my wrist. He pulled me toward him with a quiet, undeniable strength.

“You’re tired,” he murmured. “I’ll take it from here.” He reached out and took the handles of the wheelchair from my hands.

I was actually surprised.

Cassian was being too calm. No interrogation, no accusations–not even a spike of angry pheromones.

I’d expected this kind of public stunt to send his wolf into a total tailspin.

I took a half–step back and didn’t fight him.

Before I officially tore up our mating bond, I wanted to see exactly how much of a mess the high–and- mighty Ironthorns would tolerate from me.

The Alpha of the Icepeak Pack approached, supported by his attendants.

He stopped in front of Alistair, his clouded eyes shifting toward Cassian.

“Cassian,” the old man said. “Take your uncle to the lounge. It’s quieter there.”

With one sentence, he dragged the secret bloodline out into the light.

He wasn’t just acknowledging Alistair; he was forcing everyone to see the awkward family tie between our two packs.

Cassian shot me a look, then pushed the wheelchair away.

I didn’t follow. Alaina pulled me into a corner, away from the prying eyes of the guests.

“Alphas who have been bedridden and isolated for years are usually twisted,” she warned, her voice sharp. “You’re treating him, but you need to keep your distance. Don’t go looking for trouble.”

3:30 pm GP

Chapter 271

I lowered my eyes and gave a submissive nod.

I didn’t bother arguing.

When I first met Alistair, he was a monster–a feral beast ready to rip out anyone’s throat.

Finished

But under the care of Dr. Halsey and me, that arrogant Alpha had become surprisingly cooperative.

Before Alaina could say more, Cassian pushed Alistair back out of the lounge.

I walked up to them, my eyes on the man in the chair. “Alistair, are you leaving already?”

He gave a small nod.

“I’ll walk you out,” I said.

Cassian’s grip on the wheelchair handles tightened until his knuckles turned white. His brow was a solid knot, and he looked at me with a heavy, oppressive intensity.

Before I could reach for the chair, a group of Shadowfang omegas and guards entered the hall.

“Miss Holmes, we’ll take Alpha Alistair from here,” one said. Their tone was polite, but the distance they kept was deliberate.

I took a step back.

Thinking about the dark look on old Alvin’s face when I stayed the night at Shadowfang, I figured it out: Alvin must have caught wind of my plan to sever our mating.

He was guarding Alistair, making sure a wolf who hadn’t yet scrubbed off the Ironthorn mark didn’t get too close to his heir.

Suddenly, Alistair reached into his pocket and pulled out a string of polished wooden prayer beads. They were dark and glossy from years of use. He held them out to me. “Take these.”

I reached out, but Cassian’s dark voice cut through the air from behind me. “Alistair. Grandpa gave those to you personally.”

I hesitated. If Cassian–a man who had seen every luxury the world had to offer–was speaking up about a wooden bracelet, it had to be significant.

“It’s a personal item,” I said, pulling my hand back. “You should keep it.”

Alistair completely ignored Cassian. He grabbed my hand, forced the heavy beads into my palm, and closed my fingers over them.

After Alistair left, Alaina stared at the beads in my hand, her expression a mess of conflicting emotions. She looked like she wanted to scream.

“How did it go in there?” she asked Cassian.

“He only came back to get his mother’s belongings,” Cassian said, his voice sounding hollow. “He still refuses to reconcile with Grandpa.”

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3:31 pm G P P P

Chapter 271

Finished

I had zero interest in their internal power struggles. “Alaina,” I interrupted, “I have work tomorrow. I’m heading out.”

Cassian caught my wrist in a crushing grip. “Wait. I’m coming with you.”

Before we could move, Wilmot walked over, his face a mask of cold fury. “Both of you. Back to he packhouse. Now.”

Ten minutes later, Cassian and I were side–by–side in the backseat of the car.

Cassian shook out a heavy blanket and tucked it over my legs. He did it so naturally, acting as if the jagged rift between us didn’t exist.

His cold, pine scent crowded my senses as he moved.

He took the dark wooden beads from my hand, his fingertips tracing the ancient carvings with a restrained, careful touch. He seemed to feel the vibration of the history within them.

“This is more important than you realize,” he said, staring into my eyes.

“These were soaked in the sacred springs of the Ancient Pack and blessed by three generations of Great Shamans. The Elder gave them to Grandpa personally before he passed. Other Alphas have offered nine- figure sums for this string, and he never budged. Eventually, he gave them to Alistair.” He handed them back to me. “He gave them to you. Keep them safe.”

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