Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 279: Grand Deceit

Killian's POV

I sat in my chair, the weight of guilt still pressing down on me, my mind spiraling with thoughts of Astrid. Regret felt like a physical thing, constricting my chest, refusing to let go. I rubbed my temples, trying to block out the voices in my head, when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

I didn't want to deal with anyone right now. Not after everything. But the knock came again, more insistent. With a sigh, I forced myself to speak.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Beta Ryder stepped in, his face alight with excitement, practically beaming.

I blinked, surprised by the energy radiating from him. He was rarely this enthusiastic, and I wasn't in any mood to deal with whatever news had put him in such a good mood.

"Killian," Ryder began, unable to contain his grin. "I've got something important to tell you."

I tried to mask my exhaustion, but it was a losing battle. "Ryder, now's not really the time="

"No, you'll want to hear this," he cut in, stepping closer. "The results... the DNA test you've been waiting for."

I froze. The DNA test.

In an instant, my fatigue vanished, and I sat up straighter. My heart rate quickened. "The test?"

Ryder nodded, his grin widening. "It's out, and... you're not going to believe this." His voice dropped, almost conspiratorial, drawing out the suspense.

I stared at him, every nerve in my body on edge. "Ryder, just tell me."

excitement. "The test

didn't register. I blinked, my

started skimming through it to check if he

but he pressed on. "Giselle. She's

my chair, disbelief coursing through me as I stared at

possible? I married her because of him. I My mind raced, a thousand thoughts colliding at

was told Ryker was my

shook his head. "I don't know how, but it's true. Giselle

chest. "She lied," I whispered, the realization hitting me like a freight train. "She tricked

my stomach churning. All these years, I had built a life

out of duty, stayed with

—

I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping the family together,

she do this?" I muttered, more to myself than to Ryder. "How could she lie about

throat, shifting uncomfortably.

"What do you mean that's not

else about the test," he said, his voice dropping lower, more serious now. "The test confirmed that Ryker is your biological son,

still reeling from the first revelation. "Of course

we still don't know who his mother is," Ryder interrupted, his tone grave. "That's

suddenly felt too

my chest as the full weight

whisper. "If Giselle isn't his mother, then who is?" Ryder shook his head. "We don't know

to my chair, collapsing into it as the shock

with no mother? Who