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 in

chimed in, her tone laced with accusation. "Rowena fooled us

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

already thick enough, Alpha Cedric of the Bloodfang Pack rose to his

features exuding power. But his tone was

enough to silence the murmurs. “This is about leadership. How can we trust Astrid and

silence followed

powerful Pack that leads whenever there

suddenly stood up to question our position, and

piercing gaze to Killian. "You've been fooled by Giselle, by Rowena, and now by Andros. Your

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

to lead? You've barely proven yourself, Astrid. You've been thrust into this position, but leadership isn't just about

trust of

lead."

surged through me. I pushed my chair back, the scrape of wood against stone loud

I stood and met

but sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. The room fell silent, all eyes

leader," I continued, my tone rising with conviction. "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 every pack in this room." Cedric opened

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

through loss. He is

to the