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

it?" he asked, his

her anymore, Astrid. It's over. She's dead, and she can't

build a life together, like we've

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

He had no idea.

the darkness festering inside me, the monster I was destined to

wanted to tell him. I wanted to open my mouth and confess everything, but the words

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

I break his heart when he was so full of hope for our

and Ryker could still be happy as long as the wolf

on my own for their happiness, even for a short

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

swallowed hard, but the weight of the secret pressed down on me, suffocating

only made the dread worse, and I could feel the space

something else,

us.

"Astrid!"

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

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

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

My expression softened, and

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

of comfort, a reminder

quickening as the

her arms around me in a

everything felt normal. Everything felt...

here," I

conversation with Killian, but seeing Nova

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

few feet behind her, his expression a mixture

concern.

nod, but didn't say anything, allowing