Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 352: Document Astrid's POV

Her words made me flinch, but I didn't respond. Asha reached into her bag and pulled out a document, holding it out to me.

"This," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "is from our father. It's proof that he wanted you to lead the Shadowfang Pack. Not Andros."

I took the paper with trembling hands, scanning the words. My father's

handwriting, so familiar and yet so distant, stared back at me. The weight of his decision settled over me like a crushing burden.

I fell silent, I had no idea that despite my cold treatment towards him, he still chose to hand me his position before he died. Overwhelming grief enveloped my heart once again as I remember how he died.

"I can't do this," I said, shaking my head and thrusting the document back toward Asha. "I can't lead the pack."

"Astrid—” Asha began, but I cut her off.

"You don't understand," I said, my voice breaking. "My wolf... it's getting stronger. Harder to control. I can feel it-the power, the rage. One day, I'm going to lose control completely, and when that happens..."

I looked away, tears stinging my eyes. "When that happens, I'll be nothing but a killing machine. I can't risk that. I won't risk that."

Killian stepped closer, his expression pained. "Astrid, you're stronger than you think. You can fight this."

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "You don't understand, Killian. There's no hope for me. And I won't let Ryker be part of this nightmare."

His face darkened. "Ryker deserves to know who you are. He deserves to know his mother."

I clenched my fists, anger and sorrow battling within me. "No," I said firmly. “He can't know. He's safe with you, Killian, and that's how it has to stay. I'm going to die eventually, whether it's by Andros's hand or my own wolf. I don't want Ryker to go through the pain of losing me."

Killian stared at me, his jaw tightening. I could see the conflict in his eyes, but I refused to back down.

"I came here to hide, to protect everyone from what I've become," I said, my voice quieter now. "Please, just... leave me be."

Asha's eyes glistened with unshed tears, and Killian's hands clenched at his sides, but neither of them moved.

sight of them, at the love and worry etched into their faces. But I couldn't let them get closer.

and footsteps

eyes narrowing as he turned towards the door. Asha moved closer to

asked, dread pooling

expression grim. "Alpha,

My heart stopped. "What?"

harm Ryker unless

body went rigid, his fists clenching so tightly his

bastard," he growled, his voice laced with

me, my mind

toward the door. "I'll go to him," I

I don't, he'll hurt Ryker," I said, pulling free. I can't let that

stepped forward, his expression firm. "Astrid, we'll protecty Ryker. We'll defend the pack. You don't have to

shook my head. "You don't understand. Andros will kill everyone here if he has to. He won't stop until he gets what he

the anguish on his face. "This is my fight," I said softly. "Please, protect

stepped outside, Andros was waiting, a cold, smug smile on

weapons gleaming in the fading light. And there, in his

my son, his small face pale

said, my voice steady despite the storm

his head, that infuriating smirk still on his lips. "And why would I do that, dear sister? You know the terms. Come

the surface. I wanted nothing more than to rip him apart for

I said, my

bet

shock. "You've forced my hand, Astrid.

the

to bring you in.

have come quietly."

sound of distant footsteps reached my

grew louder, accompanied

as he turned toward the noise. Moments