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 that my mood was all

Astrid. It's over. She's dead, and she can't hurt us or Ryker

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

in his voice, the hope in his words - it should have reassured me, should have

He had no idea.

idea about the darkness festering inside me, the monster I was destined to become. There was no

open my mouth and confess everything, but the words wouldn't

I was going to lose control, to become something that would destroy

I break his heart when he was

this way. At least he and Ryker could still be

a burden I have to carry on my own

fear in my eyes, Killian reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Astrid, whatever it is, we'll get through

hard, but the weight of the secret pressed down

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

say something else, a voice called out, shattering the tension

us.

"Astrid!"

Nova running toward us, her arms wide open, a huge

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

had been gripping me, seemed to

My expression softened, and

time since Ibad left

a source of comfort,

my steps quickening

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

moment, everything felt normal. Everything

you're here," I muttered, still in

Killian, but seeing Nova brought a strange comfort I

loosely wrapped around

I saw Drystan standing a few feet behind her, his

concern.

small nod, but didn't say anything, allowing Nova to