Where Soft Light Shines Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane 163
Third Person’s POV
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He pulled back a corner of the blanket, climbed into bed, and reached out to turn her around, drawing her into his arms.
Trista kept her eyes closed, offering him no response whatsoever.
Her body didn’t resist, but it didn’t lean in either; she felt like a cold stone resting against his chest.
Cassian smoothed her long hair and leaned down to place an incredibly light kiss on her brow.
At that moment, she finally reached her limit.
She opened her eyes, pressing her hands against his chest to push herself back, away from him. Her voice was exhausted but clear, “I’m tired. If you have ‘needs,‘ you can go find her.”
Cassian’s movements stiffened.
A second later, he shifted, pinning her beneath him. His hands braced on either side of her, and he looked down at her from above.
His scent deepened, his Alpha presence spreading silently through the room without fully releasing his aura.
“Trista,” he asked in a low voice, “I am your mate. Why are you so eager to push me away?”
If she was unhappy, he wouldn’t mind if she blew up at him or even tore into him face–to–face.
That, at least, would show she was still fighting.
But her current state of calm left him with nowhere to gain leverage.
Trista kept her hands against his chest, looking him straight in the eye.
Her counter–question was peaceful and lucid, “Isn’t this exactly the result you’ve always wanted?”
The next morning, at Sanctum Healing Center, light fell from the high windows, illuminating the silver–white walls and making everything look clean to the point of indifference.
Trista sat by the bed, trying to convince her parents to move into the downtown villa.
She was patient and articulate, but her parents still wouldn’t agree.
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She understood their hesitation.
They were afraid that one day Cassian would turn on her again, that the Ironthorn Alpha would drag her back to the “settlement table,” and that every debt would be tallied up. They couldn’t afford to humiliated like that one day.
For Silverlight members, dignity was their last remaining hide; once it was stripped away, they wouldn’t even be able to stand.
What her parents didn’t know was that she had already signed the agreement.
As long as she didn’t file for termination, she had the right to use the resources under Cassian’s
name.
That agreement was like a sharp key–Cassian had used it to lock her into his game, but it also meant he had handed a portion of his power over to her.
She was a pawn on his board, and all her counter–moves were still within his sphere of control.
She couldn’t escape yet, but she could learn to cut her losses.
She could maximize the interests of herself and her family without tearing down the facade of decency.
Trista used a calm tone to speak to Ulva. “Ironthorn is one of the top packs in LA. Cassian is the sole heir; he’s handsome, successful, and powerful. His word carries weight in this city. He gave me the title of his Luna, and he’s given me a life of luxury where I want for nothing. What else is there for me to be unhappy about?”
Her tone was slow, as if she were reciting a set of rules she’d memorized.
But Ulva could hear the heartache that Trista couldn’t voice.
Her daughter made it sound easy, but her pheromones were pushed down so low it was clear she was burying all her pain inside.
Since their daughter had already made her concessions, they–as parents–had to accept it, whether they liked it or not.
Near noon, Ulva and Randolph went out to get food.
They were walking back down the hallway with paper bags in hand when they unexpectedly ran into Samantha and Algernon.
Having not seen her for a while, Trista noticed almost immediately that Samantha had undergone subtle cosmetic procedures.
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The changes weren’t exaggerated, but enough to make her features more refined while keeping the original silhouette.
She was dressed in designer brands from head to toe, her posture and expression clearly trained–like she was ready to step in front of a camera at any moment.
Her omega sweetness was expertly masked by perfume, making her noticeable without being offensive.
She’d clearly put in a lot of work behind the scenes.
Seeing that Trista was alone, a smirk played on Samantha’s lips. “Luna Trista, long time no see.”
She spoke with a warmth that felt like an old friend catching up, as if there were no cracks or humiliation between them.
Trista simply gave a curt nod and said nothing, walking straight toward Ulva’s ward.
Samantha didn’t follow her immediately.
She leaned down and whispered something into Algernon’s ear.
Suddenly, Algernon raised a water gun and aimed it at Trista. “Rude woman! Didn’t you hear my mommy talking to you?”
Trista couldn’t dodge in time. She was sprayed from head to toe.
Water dripped from her hair, cold and wet against her skin–a jarring, sudden humiliation.
Samantha stood behind her son, making no move to stop him.
Her expression even held a hint of subtle satisfaction, as if she were silently endorsing this petty provocation.
Just then, Attwater stepped out of the ward and recognized Samantha instantly.
Seeing his sister bullied by a pup made his temper explode.
His young Alpha aura surged out uncontrollably, drowning out the soothing primrose scent of the hallway.
He lunged forward and hoisted Algernon into the air by his collar, his voice low and dangerous. “You little brat. You want to see how hard I can throw you?”
Algernon dropped his water gun and began wailing for Samantha.
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Chapter
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.