Where Soft Light Shines Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane 380

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Finished

Third Person’s POV

Cassian took an umbrella from a pack guard and held it over Trista. “It’s pouring. Let me walk you to the

car.”

Isaiah let out a dry scoff. He stripped off his expensive jacket and draped it over Trista’s head to shield her from the rain himself.

Cassian stood frozen in the downpour, holding his useless umbrella. He watched as Trista stayed close to Isaiah, the two of them jogging toward the sports car.

Just then, a black Lincoln pulled up behind them.

An omega from the Ironthorn estate stepped out and bowed slightly. “Alpha Cassian, Howard is waiting for you at the main house. He demands you return immediately.”

Cassian pulled his gaze away from the retreating taillights and got into the car without a word.

Inside the sports car, Trista was busy checking Isaiah’s face. “Are you sure nothing’s broken?”

Isaiah gave her a sly, mischievous grin. “I didn’t try to go toe–to–toe with him in a real fight. I just got under his skin and annoyed the hell out of him. Trust me, he’s feeling it more than I am.”

Trista let out a sigh of relief but added a warning. “Isaiah, L.A. is his home turf. Even the old–money families think twice before crossing Ironthorn. If you can win, fight. If you can’t, bail. Don’t go looking for trouble with him.”

Isaiah muttered under his breath, “I just can’t stand it. How does he get to hurt you, break the bond, and then act like nothing happened? He’s got some nerve hanging around you.”

Trista went silent for a moment, letting out a soft sigh. “Because, at his core, he’s just an asshole.”

An hour later, the second Cassian stepped into the Ironthorn estate, he was hit by a suffocating wave of aura that made him frown.

His grandfather, Howard, sat in the high chair, his face like stone. His father, Wilmot, was fuming, and his mother looked like a storm cloud was hanging over her head. Only Wynn sat tucked away in the corner of the sofa, her eyes red and puffy.

Howard tapped his cane against the floor, his voice cold. “What, now that you’re the Alpha, you’re too busy to even come back?”

Cassian skipped the pleasantries. “Grandfather, it’s late. Why did you call me here?”

Howard looked at his son.

Wilmot spoke up, his voice heavy with authority. “It’s about your future. Both of you.”

Before he could finish, Cassian cut him off. “Dad, whatever happens with me or Wynn’s mating is our

business. We make the call.”

1:18 pm D

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Finished

Wilmot pointed a finger at Cassian, a low, aggressive growl vibrating in his chest. “You wasted years of your life on that woman only for it to end in a public severance! I haven’t even settled that debt with you yet, but this time, you aren’t doing whatever you want!”

Alaina sighed, trying to dial down the hostility. “Cassian, since you and Trista have completely severed the bond, just let each other breathe. Go start a new life.”

Cassian stood in the center of the room, his aura as cold as a frozen wasteland. “I have my own plans. No one interferes.”

Howard’s face darkened, and he slammed his cane down. “If you hadn’t insisted on bringing that Trista home years ago, your alliance with the Tundra Pack would already be sealed. If you’d just listened, you’d have pups running around this house by now.”

At the mention of the “Tundra Pack,” Cassian’s brow shot up in a knot.

Howard let out a cold scoff. “I’ve already had people check. That she–wolf has been busy expanding her pack’s territory and hasn’t found a mate yet. She was very clear–she still thinks highly of you, and she doesn’t care that you had a previous Luna.”

“Grandfather, I’m warning you. Don’t push me!” Cassian’s tone was lethal.

Howard announced his decree. “I’ve already settled it with the Tundra elders. In a few days, we’ll pick a date and announce the engagement.”

Cassian felt like the air had been vacuumed out of his lungs. It felt like being locked in a cage.

“I’ll die before I accept that.”

With that, Cassian turned and walked out.

He didn’t even look back as his father’s roar of rage followed him, accompanied by the sharp sound of a porcelain vase shattering against the floor.

He finally understood why Trista used to hate coming here so much.

There was no family here–only territory and power plays.

Late at night, at the Imperial Club, Fred pushed open the door to the private suite, and the stench of hard liquor hit him immediately.

He frowned, moving a few unopened bottles out of reach as he sat down next to Cassian.

“Wynn told me everything,” Fred said, watching him. “Even if you lose your mind over this, you probably can’t stop Howard’s plan.”

Cassian was slumped into the sofa, his white shirt wrinkled and his tie tossed aside.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he was rubbing his temples, radiating a sense of total, soul–crushing exhaustion.

“No one dictates my life,” he muttered.

1:18 pm DD

Finished

Fred went silent for a moment before asking, “You aren’t actually thinking about going back to beg Trista, are you?”

When Cassian didn’t answer, Fred just shook his head.

“I warned you when you first decided to make her your Luna–when you gave her hope. With your personalities, you were either going to be a perfect match or you were going to destroy each other. You almost ripped her soul apart for Samantha. You can’t change that fact.”

Cassian lowered his head, his fingers threading through his hair as if trying to catch his chaotic thoughts.

“You and Trista are cut from the same cloth,” Fred added, twisting the knife. “You’re stubborn, but she’s more definitive. If she hadn’t forced that severance, you’d probably still be stringing both women along, convinced you weren’t doing anything wrong. This obsession you have now? It’s just guilt and a habit you haven’t broken. Cassian, can you honestly say you really love her?”

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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.