Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 267: Dinner Date

Killian's

POV

I stood in the Pack garden, surveying the scene Ryder had arranged. The twinkling lights, the candles, and the soft, romantic music of violins floating in the air.

I exhaled slowly, feeling a mixture of discomfort and obligation tightening in my chest. This was supposed to be simple a casual dinner to get Giselle's DNA sample. But Ryder whom I placed in charge of the arrangements, had gone overboard.

'Overly romantic,' I thought, resisting the urge to grimace. I had only asked Ryder to make some basic arrangements. I didn't expect this.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Giselle approaching, her face lighting up the moment she saw the garden transformed into what could only be described as a romantic haven.

She smiled brightly when the musicians appeared seemingly out of nowhere, playing their violins in a melody so delicate it almost made me wince.

I tried to push down the discomfort as I pulled out the chair for her, forcing a polite smile as she settled into the seat. Her smile was wide, too wide, and her eyes shone as if she were on the verge of tears. This wasn't what I intended.

"Thank you, Killian," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked up at me. Her gratitude was clear, but it was laced with something deeper-hope, something I didn't want to give. "This is our first date," she added, as if the realization had just struck her.

I clenched my jaw, nodding but staying silent. 'First date.' The words hung heavily in the air between us. Astrid and I never had that chance. How I wish that Astrid is the person in front of me now.

Giselle continued, her voice growing more emotional. "I honestly thought you didn't care about me. Ever since we got married, you've been so distant. I thought I wasn't important to you."

glistened with unshed tears, and she smiled again, this time more fragile. "But... this-this shows me

could feel her hope swelling, her belief in this false idea that tonight was about

way. I needed

so thankful, so filled with relief that I almost felt guilty. Almost. But as she looked up at

now. This was our life, whether I liked it or

tight smile and sat down across from her. She reached across the table and lightly touched

knot in my throat and nodded, my mind already working on how

turned into a stop when I caught a glimpse of movement at the edge of the garden, a shadow approaching, and

is she doing

it hit me - Giselle had called her. She orchestrated

of this

something that was never supposed

as our eyes met for a split second, but that fleeting moment

hurt, betrayal. And the worst part? The misunderstanding that cut deeper than

was real. That I

that this wasn't what it seemed.

on her heel, her steps quick, almost desperate, as she disappeared into the shadows of the night. The ache she left behind

soft smile, oblivious to the devastation she'd just caused. "She's always so reliable," she said, her tone light and casual as if this were nothing

the entire dinner, I barely spoke. I couldn't wait to leave.

off to Astrid, relentlessly playing that look in her eyes -