Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 403: Council Meeting

Astrid's POV

The tension in the room was suffocating. The large council chamber, usually filled with calm deliberation, was now a battlefield of words.

Alphas and Lunas from across the packs are all gathered around in one room, their gazes heavy with doubt and mistrust.

Killian and I decided to call this meeting to inform everyone about the recent events and to formulate another plan for the future.

"We heard that Andros is back, that he came back to the Pack with you, was that true?" One of the Alphas asked.

I nodded my head. "That's true. Although he is banned to enter any Packs, I made my decision out of careful consideration. While we are unsure of where his alliances lies, it would be safe if he is here with us where we could monitor him."

"Andros cannot be trusted," Alpha Raiden of the Thunderclaw Pack said, his voice cold and unyielding. "He betrayed us once-no, twice. Do you expect us to believe he won't do it again?"

Several heads nodded in agreement, murmurs spreading like wildfire.

"He's a liability," another Alpha added. "We're putting our packs in danger by keeping him alive. He's already proven where his loyalties lie."

I clenched my fists under the table, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from lashing out.

Across from me, Killian sat rigid, his jaw tight and his golden eyes dark with suppressed emotion.

strain was evident

escapes?" Luna Mariel chimed in, her tone laced with accusation. "Rowena fooled us all, played us until the very end. How do we

eyes. I wanted to reach for him, to reassure him, but

enough, Alpha Cedric of the Bloodfang Pack rose

sharp features

to silence the murmurs. “This is about leadership.

wave of silence followed his

the most powerful Pack that leads

suddenly stood up to question

been fooled by Giselle, by Rowena, and now by Andros. Your judgment is flawed, Killian. How many more mistakes can we

the edge of the table, his knuckles white. He was barely containing the storm inside

with disdain. "An Almega, yes. But does that make her fit to lead? You've barely proven yourself, Astrid. You've been thrust into this position, but leadership isn't just

the trust of those

lead."

heat surged through me. I pushed my chair back, the scrape of

and met Cedric's

tension like a blade. The room

has faced betrayal, loss, and unimaginable pressure, and yet he is still here, fighting for all of you. Fighting for every pack in this room." Cedric opened his mouth to interrupt, but I silenced him with

I said, my gaze sweeping the room. “Killian has learned from his

He is the Hey's reason many of us

stepped closer to