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

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

worry about her anymore, Astrid. It's over. She's dead, and she

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

it should have reassured me, should

He had no idea.

inside me, the monster I was destined to become. There was no "forever" for

my mouth and confess everything, but the

I was cursed? That I was going to lose control, to become something that

his heart when he was so full of hope

least he and Ryker could still be happy as long as the wolf

to carry on my own for their happiness, even for a short

"Astrid, whatever it is, we'll get through it

hard, but the weight of the secret pressed down

dread worse, and I could feel the space between us growing, even

mouth to say something else, a voice called out, shattering

us.

"Astrid!"

in the direction of the voice, and I saw Nova running toward us, her arms wide

a burst of sunlight breaking through the clouds, chasing away the darkness, even if

worries, all of the fear that had been gripping me, seemed

My expression softened, and

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

a source of comfort, a

my steps quickening as

I reached her, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight

brief moment, everything felt

here," I muttered, still

with Killian, but seeing Nova brought a strange

arms still loosely wrapped around me as if she

standing a few feet behind her, his expression a mixture of relief

concern.

nod, but didn't say anything, allowing Nova to be the one to break