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.

was evident

her tone laced with accusation. "Rowena fooled us all, played us until the very

words cut deep, and I saw the flicker of pain in Killian's eyes. I wanted to reach for him, to reassure him, but this wasn't the place. He didn't need my comfort;

as if the tension wasn't already thick enough, Alpha Cedric of the Bloodfang Pack rose to his

features exuding power. But his tone

the murmurs. “This is about leadership. How can

wave of silence followed his words, and my

always the most powerful Pack that leads whenever

dumbfounded when someone suddenly stood up to

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

his knuckles white. He was barely containing

Cedric said, his tone dripping with disdain. "An Almega, yes. But does that make her fit to lead? You've barely proven yourself, Astrid. You've been thrust

earning the trust of those

lead."

my chair back, the scrape of

and

sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. The room fell

"He's a strong one. A leader who has faced betrayal, loss, and unimaginable pressure, and yet he is still here, fighting for all of you. Fighting for

my gaze sweeping the room. “Killian has

and through loss. He is the Hey's

stepped closer to the table,