Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 372: Shadows of Deception

Astrid's POV

The Silvermoon Packhouse was quieter than usual, as if the weight of the past few days had seeped into its walls, stifling every sound.

Killian had been unusually distant since the discovery of the locket and the ledger, his thoughts turned inward as we both struggled to decide our next move.

The secrets we carried were a heavy burden, and the consequences of their revelation loomed over us like a dark cloud.

I stood in the courtyard, watching Ryker and Elara chase each other around the garden.

Their laughter echoed through the open space, a brief reprieve from the storm brewing within me.

My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing the tension that lingered just beneath the surface.

"Mama, look!" Elara's excited voice called, breaking through my thoughts.

I turned to see her holding a small bouquet of wildflowers she had picked. Her silver eyes sparkled with pride, and for a moment, the world felt lighter.

"They're beautiful, sweetheart," I said, kneeling to accept the flowers. "Thank you."

Ryker ran up beside her, his face flushed with excitement. "Can we show Papa too?"

My heart clenched at his words, the innocence in his voice a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding us. "Of course," I said, forcing a smile. "He'd love that."

The Council Meeting

The council room was filled with tension as Killian, Drystan, Nova, and I gathered to discuss our next steps.

The evidence we had found-Liora's locket and the ledger-had left no doubt in anyone's mind that the rogues had coordinated her death with the help of someone from Silvermoon.

Drystan leaned forward, his hands gripping the edges of the table. "The rogues are baiting us, trying to distract us from their true plans. But we can't ignore this. We need to find the traitor."

steely. "This isn't just about Liora anymore. If the informant is

the table, his hands folded tightly

strained. "I'll have the inner circle questioned, and we'll review every

this has had years to cover their tracks. We need to

will," I interjected, hoping to ease the tension. "But we need to be careful. If the rogues see us divided, they'll take advantage of it.

at me. "You're right, Astrid. But we need answers. If

our room, the flickering fire casting shadows

I could feel the

low. "Drystan and Nova are getting closer. If

on his arm, grounding him. "We'll handle it. But for

him, maybe... just maybe, we can find a way to make this

if there is no way to make it right?

the pain in his voice. "Then we'll face it

Drystan's POV

high in the sky as I stood on the balcony outside my room, the cool night air doing little to ease the fire burning within

were falling into place, but the picture they formed was one I wasn't sure I

never felt right. I had accepted it as a

now, with the locket, the ledger, and the growing evidence of a traitor in Silvermoon, the truth was becoming

had betrayed her-someone I

balcony, her presence a welcome balm

about it," she said softly, leaning against

me.

replied, my voice rough. "She deserved better

reached for my hand, her touch grounding me. "We'll find the truth, Drystan. No matter how long it

simmering beneath my skin refused to fade.

thought they could manipulate

didn't understand one

the truth. And when I did, there would be no mercy for those

into the council