Where Soft Light Shines Darkness Fades From Tired Hearts by Evan Holt Crane 409

Third Person’s POV

Finished

Trista looked at the three of them–grinning like they’d just won the lottery–and didn’t blink. Her voice was steady but sharp as a razor. “I’m not a piece of property she can just ‘deal with. What makes her think she has that kind of leverage over me?”

“You really don’t know when to shut up, do you?” Madison stepped closer, emboldened by her new backup. “Soon enough, this entire city is going to treat you like a leper. You won’t have a single place left to hide.”

Trista let out a dry laugh, looking at Madison with pure contempt. “Madison, if a parasite like you–a girl who does nothing but cling to whoever has a title–can make it in L.A., I think I’ll be just fine. I’m a Healer; I actually have skills. Do you even know what the word ‘competence‘ means?”

Trista’s gaze turned ice–cold as she scanned all three of them. “Cassian was the one who personally hauled Samantha off to a cell. You don’t have the guts to bark at Ironthorn, so you come here to snap at me? Your hypocrisy is actually pathetic.”

Seeing Xander signal her from across the room, Trista ignored their furious stares, reined in her pheromones, and walked away.

Xander caught the residual tension in her shoulders. “Those hyenas giving you a hard time again?”

Trista gave a small shake of her head. Xander didn’t push it. “Let’s move,” he whispered. “I want to introduce you to a real power player. She’s the one who can open doors with the top–tier packs.”

Half an hour later, Trista and Xander stepped out of a side parlor and walked straight into Cassian and Fred.

After a few stiff greetings, Cassian stayed rooted to the spot. His dark, bloodshot eyes were pinned on Trista, but he didn’t say a word. Trista completely blocked him out.

“You guys talk,” she said flatly. “I’m going to the restroom.”

She turned and headed for the stairs.

Nearby, George, Angela, and Madison traded a lethal look.

Using the crowd as cover, they suppressed their pheromones and shadowed her up to the second floor like predators stalking a lone target.

Trista pushed open the heavy restroom door.

She’d thought that by cutting the cord on that toxic bond, she could finally build a life in LA

But reality had other plans.

To Howard, she was just a speed bump on Cassian’s road to a strategic mating

And now, Samantha’s aunt had secured her spot as the Blackthorn Luna using the pup in her womb.

2:31 pm

Finished

Trista knew that despite the polite social mask, Thomasina had the same poisonous blood in her veins as Samantha.

Between Howard, the Porters, Madison, and now Thomasina, they were all circling her for one reason: Cassian still wouldn’t let her go.

She was already planning her exit when she realized she wasn’t alone. Thomasina and Madison were already inside.

Seeing Thomasina’s baby bump, a primal chill ran down Trista’s spine. She didn’t even stop to wash her hands–she turned to leave immediately.

But it was a setup.

As they passed, Madison’s lipstick “accidentally” swiped across Trista’s white satin gown, leaving a jagged

red streak.

‘Oh! Oops! My hand slipped!” Madison shrieked. It sounded as fake as a cheap knockoff. “How much was he dress? I’ll write you a check for the full amount. Just don’t go blowing up over a little accident.”

Trista looked at the stain, then at the doorway. Madison’s cronies, George, and Angela were already crowding the entrance, craning their necks to watch. Her internal alarms went off. She backed away.

Thomasina grabbed some paper towels and stepped forward, her “concern” making Trista’s skin crawl. “Dr. Holmes, let me help you with that.”

‘I’m fine, Luna Thomasina,” Trista said, backing up again.

But Thomasina stuck to her like glue, suddenly lunging forward and grabbing Trista’s arm. “Don’t be modest. Since Madison is paying, I’ll take you to change. We can’t have you looking like this at a Blackthorn event.”

‘Let go of me.” Trista just wanted out of there.

She tried to wrench her arm back, but in that split second, Thomasina’s grip tightened–her sharp nails digging deep into Trista’s skin.

The pain was sudden and sharp. Acting on a wolf’s combat reflex, Trista gave a hard shove to free herself.

Thomasina took the momentum and threw herself backward with a scream. She hit the floor hard, right in the doorway for everyone to see,

“Dr. Holmes…” Thomasina gasped, one hand on the floor and the other protectively clutching her stomac her face twisted in a mask of agony. “I know I’m related to Samantha, but I never wished you any harm. You hate her so much that you’d kill an innocent baby just to get even?”

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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.