The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 282

Third Person's POV

Alaina stared her down, her eyes sharp. "Can you tell the difference? Is it Blue Mountain or Yauco Selecto?"

Samantha lowered her head in embarrassment.

Her usual coffee came from cheap assembly lines—low-grade stuff that was undrinkable without a mountain of sugar and cream. She hadn't developed the palate to distinguish high-end origins.

The older woman was clearly flaunting the gap in their status, using a simple cup of coffee to remind her of the miles between their bloodlines.

Seeing her discomfort, Alaina added smoothly, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not asking to belittle you."

Samantha looked up, startled. Her insecurity was laid bare under the Alpha's gaze.

"I'm just reminding you of how deep the chasm between you and Cassian really is. If you truly want to hold the title of his Luna permanently, you're going to have to work a lot harder behind the scenes."

Samantha tested the waters, her voice suspicious. "Alaina... do you really mean that?"

Alaina gave a faint smile, her voice calm but heavy with authority. "If I weren't sincere, someone of your rank wouldn't even have the right to sit across from me today."

The comment stung Samantha's pride, but she didn't dare snap back.

Ironically, that remark about "rights" actually made her lower her guard. It felt like the honest, brutal logic of a higher-ranked wolf.

She lowered her posture, playing the victim. "Ma'am, I know the pack elders look down on me, but Algernon carries Cassian's blood. For the sake of the child, please help me. Make Luna Trista stop holding onto Cassian so he can come see us."

Alaina stirred her coffee lazily with a silver spoon. "Samantha, for my own grandson, I am willing to give you a hand. But my position is sensitive. Cassian hasn't officially severed his bond yet, so I can't do anything too extreme. If the Pack Council catches wind of me overstepping, I won't be able to protect you."

Seeing Samantha's tense expression, Alaina leaned in and lowered her voice. "The drama between you and Cassian is already the talk of the town. If you want to see him, just take the pup and go to him directly. You have my support."

Samantha looked down, her hands clenching under the table.

She felt a surge of panic. The kid wasn't even Cassian's—how could she dare cause a scene like that?

Samantha felt a cold sneer in her heart but kept her tone polite. "Ma'am, I'm still not quite following."

Alaina arched an eyebrow, her tone turning hard. "Samantha, you come from nothing. Your genetics and background are... unremarkable. You gave Ironthorn an heir, but let's be real: your rank is lightyears away from my son's. If I don't put you right under my nose, how do you expect to survive Trista's reach before the month is out?"

Samantha gritted her teeth. Even now, this woman looked down on her as a low-tier wolf.

Alaina continued, "Cassian always tells us how 'pure' and 'independent' you are—how you don't care about money. I don't want to destroy that perfect image in his head, and I want Howard to see your 'sparkle' too."

"I thought long and hard about this. You sign the lease and pay the market rent annually. But don't worry—it's just for show. I won't actually take your money."

"This way, you and the boy can live with dignity. No one but me will know you didn't pay for it yourself. When Cassian finds out you refused pack charity even in your darkest hour, he'll only admire and pity you more. That gives me the ammunition I need to speak up for you in front of Howard."

Samantha lowered her eyes to hide her excitement.

So that was it! Thank Moon Goddess she hadn't snapped at Alaina earlier.