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

asked, his voice gentle, as if he

It's over. She's dead, and

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

his words - it should have reassured me,

He had no idea.

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

him. I wanted to open my mouth

going to

heart when he was so

could still be happy as long as the wolf hasn't taken control

a burden I have to carry on my own for

reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Astrid, whatever it

weight of the secret

comfort only made the dread worse, and I could feel the space between us

opened his mouth to say something else, a voice called

us.

"Astrid!"

our heads snapped in the direction of the voice, and I saw Nova running toward us, her arms

sight of her was like a burst of sunlight breaking through the clouds, chasing away the darkness, even if just for a

of my worries, all of the fear that had been gripping

My expression softened, and

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

had always been a source of comfort, a reminder of something good,

my steps quickening as the

arms around me in a tight hug,

moment, everything felt normal.

you're here," I

still raced from the earlier conversation with Killian, but seeing Nova brought a strange comfort I hadn't realized I

loosely wrapped around me as if she was afraid to let

up, I saw Drystan standing a few feet behind her, his expression

concern.

me a small nod, but didn't say anything, allowing