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 in

with accusation. "Rowena fooled us all,

saw the flicker of pain in Killian's eyes. I wanted to reach for him,

already thick enough, Alpha Cedric of the Bloodfang

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

about Andros," Cedric said, his voice loud enough to silence the murmurs. “This is about leadership. How can we trust Astrid and Killian to lead us when

of silence followed his words, and my

was always the most powerful Pack that leads whenever there are crises like

up to question

by Giselle, by Rowena, and now by Andros. Your judgment is flawed,

gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white. He was barely containing the storm inside him, but before he could respond, Cedric's attention shifted to

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

earning the trust of

lead."

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

I stood and met Cedric's

tension like a blade. The

a flawed 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 his mouth to

the room. “Killian has learned from his mistakes, and those lessons have made

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

closer to