The Heartbroken Luna's Choice Banish Love novel Chapter 9

**Where Soft Light Shines, Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane**
**Chapter 9**

“If you’ve found a way to settle your emotions, we need to have a serious conversation,” he stated, his tone grave yet firm.

He seemed to withdraw his Alpha presence, his scent diminishing to a mere whisper in the air.

It was as if my chest had been lightly tapped, a fleeting sensation that sent a ripple through the mating bond between us, only to fade away almost immediately.

Calm? The word echoed in my mind, a mantra that felt increasingly foreign.

Wasn’t I calm enough?

My wolf stirred restlessly within the confines of my consciousness, letting out a soft whine that barely broke the silence.

Emotions surged within me, a tumultuous tide that quickly froze, leaving me feeling as though ice water had been poured over my heart. The warmth ebbed away, inch by inch, leaving me feeling hollow.

I kept my eyes shut, as if the darkness behind my eyelids could shield me from the reality of the moment. My strength felt sapped, a heavy weight pressing down on my bones that still flickered with remnants of pain.

My wolf, in its own way, retreated, pulling back its claws and leaving behind only a dull throb of discomfort.

He turned his attention to tidying up the bathroom. The soft sounds of running water and the gentle clink of glass echoed intermittently from the doorway, a backdrop to the turmoil swirling within me.

We had fought before, our arguments a familiar dance.

In the past, I had never been one to break things. I didn’t need him to fuss over me; I was independent, or so I thought.

As long as he made even the slightest gesture of care, I would move closer, seeking solace against him.

I had always considered that my version of being “mature.” Now, with the clarity of hindsight, it struck me that I had simply been charging headlong into a half-open door, oblivious to the consequences.

After a quick shower, he slipped into comfortable sweatpants and made his way upstairs, carrying a steaming bowl of broth that promised healing. He set it down gently beside the bed.

“Get up and drink this,” he instructed, helping me to sit up and leaning me against his sturdy chest. “I’m not calling for help, nor am I going to run to my mother because of your little fainting act.”

My throat felt raw, as if it had been scraped. “Cassian, if I were to die right now, would you still think I was just pretending?”

Before the Silverlight Pack faced its downfall, I had lived in a bubble of indulgence, spoiled and self-centered.

Yet, over the past three years of our mating bond, I had tucked that sharp edge away, learning to embody the role of a proper Luna.

Still, in his eyes, I was merely a child, someone who wielded emotions like weapons.

He spoke the words “calm down” as though he were outlining a step in a manual, devoid of the warmth I craved.

He pressed down gently on my shoulder, turning me to face him directly. “It seems you’re not calm enough.”

“Seeing you,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, “makes it impossible for me to be calm.”

He fell silent for a few moments, his gaze unwavering. Then, he released me and stood, his posture rigid. “If that’s how it is, then I’ll step outside. We’ll have this conversation when you’ve truly found your calm.”

The closet door opened and closed with a soft click. He emerged fully dressed, pausing briefly at the foot of the bed before exiting without a backward glance.

The sound of the lock clicking echoed in the empty space, pulling at my heart like a thread unraveling.

The air felt sterile and void of warmth. I lay back, my eyes fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought.

The mating bond stirred again, a gentle tremor in my chest that felt like a desperate plea—or perhaps a quiet farewell.

My wolf curled up, burying its head beneath its paws, silent and withdrawn.

The next morning, Wynn pushed the door open, her presence a welcome interruption from my thoughts. I was still cocooned in bed, reluctant to face the world.

She guided me to the dining table, where she watched as I sipped from a bowl of warm milk, urging me to drink more. Afterward, she insisted we step outside for some fresh air.

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