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."

his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The test came back negative. Giselle

the words didn't register. I blinked, my mind struggling to process what I'd just heard.

papers from Ryder's hands and started skimming through it to check if

he pressed on. "Giselle. She's not Ryker's biological mother. The test came back conclusive. There's

chair, disbelief coursing through me as I stared at the paper showing that Ryker was right. The test

can't be right," I stammered, my voice rising. "How is that possible? I married

did a DNA test as soon as Ryker was born, Ryder. I was told Ryker was my son! I married her because I thought she was his mother!

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

felt like it might burst from my chest. "She lied," I whispered, the realization hitting me like a freight train. "She tricked me. She lied to me about all

stomach churning. All these years, I had built

a woman out of duty, stayed

—

child because I thought we shared a bond. I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping the family together, but it had

this?" I muttered, more to myself than

shifting uncomfortably. "That's not

do you mean

else about the test," he said, his voice dropping lower, more serious now. "The test confirmed that Ryker is your biological son, without a

revelation.

Ryder interrupted, his tone grave. "That's the thing, Killian. Giselle isn't

suddenly felt

My heart pounded in my chest as the full weight of what he was saying hit mef Giselle wasn't Ryker's

asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "If Giselle isn't his mother, then who is?" Ryder shook his head. "We don't

stumbled back to my chair, collapsing into it as the shock of the situation overwhelmed

with no mother? Who was the woman who had given birth to him? And why hadn't I