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

worry about her anymore, Astrid. It's over. She's dead, and she can't hurt us or Ryker ever

can finally move on. We can build a life together,

the hope in his words - it should have reassured me, should have made me feel safe. But instead, dread tightened

He had no idea.

to become. There

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

was going to lose control, to become something that would destroy him and

he was so full of hope for our

Ryker could still be happy as long as the

I have to carry on my own for their happiness, even for a

it gently. "Astrid, whatever it is, we'll get through it together. You don't have

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

words of comfort only made the dread worse, and I could feel the space between us growing, even as

his mouth to say something else, a voice called

us.

"Astrid!"

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

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

that had been gripping me, seemed to melt away at the

My expression softened, and

first time since Ibad left Giselle's

source of comfort, a reminder of something

my steps quickening as the distance

arms around me in a tight hug,

a brief moment, everything

I muttered, still

Killian, but seeing Nova brought

arms still loosely wrapped around me as if she was afraid

few feet behind her, his expression a mixture of relief

concern.

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