The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 36

**Chapter 36**

**Trista’s POV**

I stood there, a quiet observer, my heart heavy with the weight of the moment.

Having shared my life with Cassian for three long years, I had come to understand the rigid structure that governed our world. The insistence on order was not merely a preference; it was a necessity, a lifeline for those who lived under the shadow of the Ironthorn legacy.

Howard, though aged and no longer the acting Alpha, still commanded respect. His words carried the weight of authority, an unspoken law that resonated throughout the pack.

Wilmot, his unwavering loyalty to Howard evident in every action, never questioned the elder generation’s decisions. His strict demeanor towards Cassian was a reflection of the expectations placed upon him, a constant reminder of the legacy he was meant to uphold.

Alaina, in stark contrast, radiated compassion. Yet, her gentle nature afforded her little power in this hierarchy.

Cassian and Wynn, despite their prominent status, were bound by the same rules that governed us all. The pack laws were not merely guidelines; they were the very fabric of our existence.

And then there was me—the so-called “daughter of a fallen Alpha,” the Luna of Ironthorn, forever standing on the periphery, never fully embraced. My identity felt like a shadow, lingering just out of reach.

I straightened my posture, forcing my aura to remain tightly contained within me. The faint prick from my back-neck gland was a reminder of my emotional turmoil, but I quelled it, unwilling to let my feelings surface.

Cassian had been molded by both Howard and Wilmot, trained to be the pack’s heir. In many respects, he was a reflection of their strengths and weaknesses, a blend of their legacies.

If it weren’t for the scandal that had erupted—my anger, the fear that I might expose our family’s secrets at the Stone Circle—he would never have entertained the idea of me working at the Royal Healing Institute.

Just then, the Gamma pushed the door open, the scent of the night rain still clinging to him like a cloak.

He set his tools against the wall, the whip soaked in wolfsbane extract glistening ominously. The barbs nestled within the leather grain seemed to shimmer, a chilling reminder of the pain they were designed to inflict.

Wilmot’s voice cut through the silence, cold and unyielding. “According to Ironthorn Pack law, we will conduct the first formal interrogation, followed by the whipping. If the Alpha fails to admit his fault or correct the breach immediately, this matter will escalate to the Pack Plaza for public punishment.”

Gamma Ares nodded, his demeanor serious as he turned to face Cassian. “First question: Do you admit that allowing your Luna to work at an external institution violates the ‘Duties of the Luna’ clause of the pack law? Second, are you prepared to issue a corrective command immediately, ordering your Luna to resign from her position within seven days and return to her pack duties? Third, are you willing to accept internal whipping now as punishment for your lapse in judgment? Please answer each question clearly.”

Cassian lifted his chin defiantly, his eyes sharp and piercing like blades. “I told you, don’t drag her into this. The punishment should fall solely on me.”

Wilmot’s voice remained flat, devoid of emotion. “Execute the order. Begin now, and do not stop until he admits fault and promises a correction.”

Gamma Ares accepted the command, raising the whip with a grim determination before bringing it down with a swift motion.

The first strike sliced through the air with a sharp crack.

The second strike followed, the sound reverberating off the walls like thunder.

I turned my face away, unable to bear witness to the agony unfolding before me.

In the stillness of the drawing-room, only the sound of the whip, its echo, and Cassian’s stifled grunts filled the silence.

Though the wolfsbane-soaked whip would not leave permanent marks on an Alpha werewolf, its effects were insidious, interfering with the natural healing process and amplifying the pain.

After a few agonizing strikes, Alaina’s composure shattered. She burst into tears, her voice breaking through the tension. “Stop! That’s enough!”

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