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.

yet, but the strain was evident

accusation. "Rowena fooled us all, played us until

in Killian's eyes. I wanted to reach for him, to reassure him, but this wasn't the place.

as if the tension wasn't already thick enough, Alpha Cedric of

commanded attention, his broad shoulders and sharp features exuding power.

leadership. How can we trust Astrid and Killian to lead us when their judgment has been

wave of silence followed his words,

it was always the most powerful Pack that leads whenever there are

dumbfounded when someone suddenly stood up to question

piercing gaze to Killian. "You've been fooled by Giselle, by Rowena, and now by Andros. Your judgment is flawed, Killian. How many more mistakes

He was barely containing the storm

make her fit to lead? You've barely proven yourself, Astrid. You've been thrust into this position, but leadership isn't just about power-it's about

trust of those

lead."

pushed my chair back, the scrape of

I stood and met Cedric's gaze

sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. The

yet he is still here, fighting for all of

has learned from his mistakes, and those lessons have made him

crises, and through loss. He is the Hey's reason many of

closer to the