Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 412: Weight of Silence

Astrid's POV

The cold air in the dungeon wrapped around us like an iron shroud, carrying the faint, acrid scent of wolfsbane.

Every shadow seemed alive, flickering as the torches danced against the walls.

Cedric sat shackled in the center of the room, his head high, his bloodied face still wearing that maddening smirk of defiance.

Killian paced in front of him, his golden eyes blazing with fury barely contained beneath his skin.

His claws twitched at his sides, itching to tear through the man who had betrayed everything we stood for.

"Talk," Killian growled, his voice low and deadly.

Cedric lifted his head, his dark eyes locking on Killian's.

"Do you honestly think threats will work on me?" he spat, blood trailing from his split lip. "You're just proving my point-you Alphas are all the same. No vision, no foresight. Just brute strength and blind rage."

The words hit Killian like fuel to a fire. He slammed his hand down on the table next to Cedric, the wood splintering under the force.

"You betrayed us!" he roared. "You betrayed your Pack, your council, your people! For what? Power? Empty promises from a rogue king who left you behind the first chance he got?"

Cedric chuckled, the sound low and humorless. "You think I care about Ardan leaving me here?

This was never about him, Killian. It's about something far greater than you or me. Something you'll never understand."

Killian stepped closer, his claws extending as he leaned in, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Then explain it to me. Help me understand how turning against your own people is supposed to save anyone."

Cedric's smirk faded, his jaw tightening as he met Killian's gaze. "Because this system is rotten to its core," he said sharply.

"Alphas like you sit at the top, hoarding power, crushing everyone beneath you. You lead through fear, through blood, through oppression. Ardan is the only one willing to tear it all down and build something better."

over my chest, my voice

you think Ardan's way is better? Murdering innocents, tearing families

flicked to me, and for a brief moment, his

his lips curling into a sneer. "It's not about the

into the table beside Cedric, splinters flying as his voice cut

mean like the lives of

his silence louder

by the collar, yanking him forward with enough force to make the

demanded, his voice a low, menacing growl. "Where is the rogue

mouth as he hissed, "I'd rather

shirt, drawing fresh blood as he

can be arranged," he growled, his

on his arm. We won't get anything out

mine, the storm of anger in his eyes barely

by the door. "Bring it

moments later, carrying a small vial of

gleamed under the dim torchlight, its presence a

the vial, his bravado faltering for the

voice wavered slightly. "I've already given my life to this cause. You

dangerously soft. "No, Cedric.

fear. It's about truth."

vial in his palm Without hesitation, Killian poured a few drops of the liquid onto

his voice a low growl. "This is your last

into a thin

cloth and pressed

out, his body jerking against the

his voice

away, his expression cold and unrelenting. "Where is

in ragged gasps, sweat beading on his forehead.

change anything?" he spat. "You're protecting a system that will destroy