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."

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

like lead, heavy and unwanted. I could feel her hope swelling, her belief in this false idea

way. I needed her to feel comfortable,

so filled with relief that I almost felt guilty. Almost. But

This was our life, whether

and sat down across from her. She reached across the table and lightly touched my hand, her fingers trembling. "Thank you, Killian. This means so much more than

the growing knot in my throat and nodded, my mind already working on how to get through the

a glimpse of movement at

What is she

hit me - Giselle had

this setup, forcing

was never supposed to be

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

saw everything in her gaze anger, hurt, betrayal. And the worst part? The misunderstanding that cut

thought this was real. That I

it seemed. But I couldn't. Not here. Not with Giselle sitting across

turned on her heel, her steps quick, almost desperate, as she disappeared into the shadows of the night. The ache she left behind was a weight I wasn't prepared to

the papers as if nothing had happened, looked up at me with a 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

gesture hollow and automatic. Throughout the entire dinner, I barely spoke. I couldn't wait to leave.

to Astrid, relentlessly playing that