The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 48

48 /210

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

**Chapter 48**

**Trista’s POV**

**Finished**

As I stepped back into the familiar embrace of home, Ulva was already busy changing the sheets on the guest bed, her movements fluid and practiced. She rummaged through the linen closet, searching for a fresh duvet cover, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration. Meanwhile, Randolph had taken it upon himself to venture out with a grocery bag, determined to procure food that would nourish our weary souls.

I inhaled deeply, forcing my breath to settle into a steady rhythm. The physical act of helping my mother fold the blanket and organize the closet provided a much-needed distraction, a way to silence the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. Each fold of the blanket felt like a small victory against the chaos inside me.

As the evening settled in, the inviting aroma of cooking wafted through the open kitchen, where Randolph was busy preparing dinner. The rhythmic clanging of pots and pans created a symphony of sounds, a beat that resonated with the unsteady cadence of my heart.

Ulva and I stood side by side at the counter, meticulously prepping salad greens. The moment felt charged, and the words I had been holding back were finally ready to escape my lips. I turned to my parents, heart racing. “Dad, Mom, I plan to separate from Cassian.”

Randolph’s head dipped lower, his expression shifting as if he were absorbing the weight of my words. Ulva’s response was immediate, a fierce protectiveness shining through her eyes. “Be honest. Did he cheat on you?”

I struggled to maintain my composure, my voice wavering as I fought back tears. “Cassian’s first love, that rogue she-wolf, returned to LA. She had his son. He’s housed them outside Ironthorn territory.”

The sound of the frying pan crashing against the quartz countertop echoed through the room, sharp and jarring. The rich scent of butter and garlic lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the bitterness rising in my throat.

Randolph stormed out of the open kitchen, his apron still tied around his waist. His voice was taut, strained with emotion. “Even if our pack has fallen so low that we can’t protect our own land, we won’t stand for this kind of insult.”

Ulva didn’t miss a beat. “Listen to us. A mate who betrays you—you don’t keep them.”

I looked at them, feeling the weight of their concern. I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out steadily. “He agreed to file for termination at the Stone Circle, but the precondition is that Silverlight repays him one million US dollars.”

Randolph’s hand trembled slightly, betraying the turmoil beneath his stoic facade.

Ulva rushed to my side, her grip on my wrist warm and grounding. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

I shook my head, trying to comfort them instead. “Dad, Mom, don’t worry. I will follow the pack law to dissolve this relationship. I won’t drag you two into this again.”

Within me, my wolf let out a low acknowledgment, a fleeting presence that quickly receded beneath the surface, leaving me feeling both empowered and vulnerable.

Randolph looked at Ulva, a man who had always carried himself with pride and strength. Now, his eyes glistened with unshed tears, a stark reminder of the pain we were all facing.

Ulva released my hand and turned, retreating into the master bedroom. A moment later, she emerged carrying a black combination lockbox, the metallic click of the lock echoing in the tense atmosphere.

Inside, instead of jewels, lay a tightly wrapped object, its significance palpable. She slowly unwrapped the linen cloth, revealing an obsidian staff that gleamed with a deep, black luster under the ceiling light. A silver-white moon crest sigil was embedded in its head, and a faint glow seemed to pulse along the stone texture, as if it held untold stories within.

Ulva’s voice was resolute as she spoke. “This is a sacred artifact passed down through my family. It received the Moon Goddess’s blessing. It’s been in my family for four generations. When Silverlight went bankrupt, we sold everything that was liquid, but I couldn’t bear to sell this. I was saving it for you and your brother.”

She turned the base of the staff toward me, allowing me to see the engraved family crest—a testament to our lineage and legacy.

“When Cassian cleared the Silverlight Park’s external debt, I intended to give this to him, but he didn’t take it. Since he now explicitly demands money, we will repay the debt owed. This staff is valued at over one billion dollars by legitimate foundations or high-end auction houses. You pay him back. I support your decision to terminate the mating contract.”