Where Soft Light Shines Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane 164
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It was cold and sobering.
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Attwater’s chest heaved, his pheromones briefly flaring out of control, but he forced himself to swallow his pride. He stayed at the end of the hallway, glaring in their direction like a wolf ready to pounce the moment Trista was threatened.
A healer performed a full checkup on Algernon.
The examination room smelled of the same primrose oil, a scent so soothing it felt numbing.
The cold light of the equipment swept over Algernon, measuring one metric after another. The result: absolutely nothing was wrong.
Only then did Samantha back down, acting as if she had finally secured the “evidence” she wanted. Even if the evidence proved “no injury,” she could still fold this drama into the narrative she was building.
As they stepped out of the clinic toward the elevators, Samantha straightened her collar.
Her tone suddenly shifted into something friendly, as if the previous confrontation had never happened. “I’m sorry, Luna Trista. Don’t think I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. More than anyone, you should understand Algernon’s… status.”
Trista stopped in her tracks. Her face remained a blank mask.
She kept her emotions and pheromones pushed down low, like a blade hidden in its sheath.
When she spoke, her voice was so level it was chilling. “A ‘status‘ that matters is one that can be brought out into the light. What exactly is Algernon’s status right now?”
The words were like a nail driven into Samantha’s most sensitive spot.
Samantha’s stomach twisted, a wave of genuine discomfort washing over her.
She forced a smile, clearly trying to deflect the embarrassment back onto Trista by making things sound scandalous. “You’re right, Luna Trista. It’s just that Algernon’s father spoils him so much. Even a tiny scratch on his knee makes him hold the boy for hours, and then he blames me for not taking good enough care of our son. I suppose I’m just too tense.”
Right then, Trista’s comm–stone buzzed.
She didn’t walk away; she answered it right in front of Samantha.
Cassian’s deep, focused voice came through–the natural authority of an Alpha crackling through the airwaves. “How is Ulva doing?”
Trista glanced at Samantha, her tone flat. “Fine.”
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“Have you eaten lunch yet?” Cassian continued. “Do you want me to pick you up?”
Trista gave a few perfunctory replies and hung up.
When she pocketed the stone, Samantha’s expression was frozen.
It wasn’t just anger; it was the sheer humiliation of being slapped back into reality.
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Trista decided to twist the knife. “I actually thought you had some real talent. Now I see you’re just… this. Go back to taking care of your kid.”
She turned and walked away, her pace steady and unhurried. She didn’t look back.
Once Trista was out of sight, Samantha roughly shoved her son aside.
The “tender” look in her eyes vanished instantly, the mask falling away to reveal raw calculation and hatred.
She had worked so hard to build her persona, maxing out her credit cards rather than taking another cent from Cassian.
She was grinding as an influencer, taking every brand deal she could get, desperate to climb the social ladder and move from “hidden secret” to “invited guest.”
She thought that if she were pretty enough, worked hard enough, and learned the rules, she could eventually force a title for herself.
But before she could truly win Cassian over, Trista had returned.
Not only had they not terminated their bond, but they seemed… “harmonious.” At least to the outside world, they were still standing on the same side of the line.
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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.