Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 325: Future Hope Astrid's POV

I stepped outside, the cold air biting at my skin as I tried to clear my head.

The sky was a dull grey, and the world around me seemed muted, like everything had been drained of

color.

Giselle's execution had already taken place by the time I arrived. Her body had been taken away, and there was no trace of her left-no lingering presence, no echo of her voice.

She was gone. And yet, the weight of her words, the darkness she had awakened inside me, still clung to my soul.

I should have felt relief. I should have felt free. But I didn't.

I saw Killian across the courtyard, his face lighting up with a smile the moment he saw me.

He ran toward me, his expression filled with joy, completely unaware of the storm that raged inside me.

I wanted to return his smile, to let his warmth melt away the cold fear gripping my chest, but I couldn't.

I felt... detached. Distant. As if there was a wall between us that hadn't been there before.

"Astrid!" he called, reaching out for me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his warmth, but I barely felt it.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching my face, still smiling. "Where have you been? I was looking for you."

I swallowed, trying to push down the dread that bubbled inside me, but the weight of the truth was too heavy to ignore. I forced a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes.

"I... I needed some air," I muttered, my voice sounding hollow, even to myself.

Killian's smile faltered for a moment, his brow furrowing as he studied me. "Are you okay? You seem... distant. Is there anything bothering you? You know you could trust me, right?"

I tensed at his words, guilt clawing at me. He was so open, so loving, and here I was from him.

Hiding this dark secret that would destroy everything we had been working toward.

hiding the truth

in me, and his expression softened. "It's Giselle, isn't it?" he asked, his voice gentle, as if he had already decided that

about her anymore, Astrid. It's over. She's

We can build a life together, like we've always wanted. We're going to be happy.

me, should have made me feel safe. But instead, dread

He had no idea.

about the darkness festering inside me, the monster I was destined to become. There was no "forever" for us. Not the way he

my mouth and

I tell him that I was cursed? That I was going to lose control, to become something that would destroy him

his heart when he was so full

could still be happy

burden I have to carry on my own for

the fear in my eyes, Killian reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Astrid, whatever it

but the weight of the secret

feel the space between us growing,

his mouth to say something else, a voice called

us.

"Astrid!"

I saw Nova running toward us, her arms wide

of sunlight breaking through the clouds, chasing away the darkness, even if just for

been gripping me, seemed to melt away

My expression softened, and

her smile. For the first time since Ibad left Giselle's room, I felt

source of comfort, a reminder

toward her, my steps quickening as the distance

her arms around me in

everything felt normal. Everything

here," I

Killian, but seeing

me, her arms still loosely wrapped around me as if she was afraid to

few feet behind her, his expression

concern.

anything, allowing Nova to be the one to