Where Soft Light Shines Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane 382
Third Person’s POV
Finished
At 8:00 PM, the cool Los Angeles night was set ablaze by massive stone torches surrounding the Blade Plaza.
The air was a thick, heady mix of expensive champagne and raw, high–tier pheromones.
Trista and her crew had just hopped out of their car at the boundary when they ran into the Manwaring duo.
The moment Sayer caught a whiff of Trista’s scent, he took off like a pup finding his mother, lunging toward her. “Godmom! You look more beautiful than the moonlight tonight!”
Isaiah gave the kid a playful swat on the butt. “Alright, kid, fess up. Did your dad write those lines for you?”
Sayer looked back at the stoic Elias and shouted, “Dad! Isn’t she the hottest one here tonight or what?”
Elias didn’t flinch, but the predatory sharpness in his eyes softened into something rare when he looked at Trista. “Dr. Holmes’s charm is legendary among the L.A. packs. Sayer is just stating facts.”
It was a standard compliment for the wolf social scene, but it still managed to clear the clouds from Trista’s mood instantly.
Attwater laughed, lifting Sayer high over his head to tease him. “Quick, say something nice about me. If you nail it, I’ll take you to the hunting grounds to catch rabbits after the party.”
Sayer wrapped his arms around Attwater’s neck, his voice dripping with charm. “You’re the coolest! You’ve got way more style than my dad in his boring suits!”
Not wanting to be left out, Isaiah gave Sayer’s ear a little tug. “What about me? Am I not the most charming bachelor in L.A. tonight?”
For a kid, Sayer already knew the laws of pack survival–he rotated through the group, showering every male wolf with just the right amount of praise.
Trista couldn’t help but joke with Elias. “Mr. Manwaring, your little guy really knows how to work a room.”
Elias met her gaze, his eyes deep. “A pup’s intuition is the most honest thing there is. To be honest, Dr. Holmes, your family is in a league of its own in this city.”
Trista let a hint of wolfish pride show. “I’ll take the compliment. Thank you.”
The group moved into the heart of the plaza, where the air was growing hot from the concentration of high–tier Alphas.
Trista had chosen an off–the–shoulder gown in a muted apricot–grey–a cool, understated shade that made her skin glow like moonlight.
Walking between Elias and Isaiah, flanked by two powerful Alpha magnetic fields, she became the instant
center of attention.
173
1:19 pm DOD
Finished
“Is that the woman who divorced the Ironthorn Alpha? Where did that ‘Queen‘ energy come from? I thought she was just Cassian’s submissive little pet.”
“Look at the backup she’s got. Elias Manwaring is actually acting as her escort? That guy never shows his face for anyone.”
“The guy with the kid isn’t exactly a nobody, either. Is she trying to make a statement by showing up this many top–tier Alphas right after a divorce?”
with
“Shhh! Keep it down! The one on the right is Isaiah, the ‘Mad Dog‘ of the Lockes. If he hears you talking trash, you might not walk out of this plaza tonight.”
Up on the second–floor stone gallery, Cassian stood looking down at the scene.
His senses were flooded with Trista’s scent, but that crisp fragrance was wrapped in two other strong, unfamiliar, and highly aggressive pheromones.
His knuckles turned white as he gripped the granite railing, the stone letting out a faint, grinding sound under his strength.
Alger from the Blade Pack stood nearby, catching the scent in the air with a smirk. “Alpha Cassian, dial back the aura. That sour stench of jealousy is about to drown out the champagne. You don’t look like a guest right now–you look like you’re ready to jump down there and start a duel for a mate.”
Fred, standing on the other side, added a dry twist, “Probably shouldn’t say the quiet part out loud.”
Cassian’s face was lethal.
Alger patted his shoulder. “Since you’re already here, why not go down and say hi?”
Down in the main hall, Trista had just finished greeting Zander when Madison slithered over, dripping with sarcasm. “It’s Penelope’s big night. I wonder what kind of ‘earth–shattering‘ gift a doctor like Trista managed to bring?”
Trista glanced at her and didn’t even bother to respond.
Two of Madison’s hangers–on purposely raised their voices. “Madison, who is this woman? Which pack is she the Luna of?”
Madison cleared her throat, making sure everyone nearby could hear. “Oh, she’s not a Luna. She’s just the Ironthorn Alpha’s ex–mate.”
As the illegitimate daughter of the Bluestar Alpha, Madison was determined to humiliate Trista on this public stage.
The surrounding guests began to whisper, their eyes turning judgmental.
Isaiah’s mouth moved faster than his brain. He pointed right at Madison and looked at Zander. “Zander, where did you dig this freak up? Tell someone to go bury her back where she came from. She’s an eyesore.”
The crowd burst into laughter, and Madison’s face turned a violent shade of purple.
1:19 pm
Finished
She was terrified of the Lockes‘ reputation, so she could only manage a pathetic, wounded pout. “Alpha Isaiah, I didn’t even do anything to you. You can’t just team up with Trista to bully
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.