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."

tightly over my chest, my

better? Murdering innocents, tearing families apart?

me, and for a brief

his eyes hardened, his lips curling into a sneer. "It's

into the table beside Cedric, splinters flying as

a blade. "You mean like the lives of

silence louder

collar, yanking him forward with enough force to

low, menacing growl. "Where is the

gritted his teeth, blood dripping from his mouth as he hissed,

claws pierced Cedric's shirt, drawing fresh blood as

growled, his golden

forward and placing a firm hand on his arm. We

his gaze snapping to mine, the storm of

the guard by the door. "Bring it

carrying a small vial

gleamed under the dim

vial, his bravado faltering for

me?" he sneered, though his voice wavered slightly. "I've already

asked, my voice dangerously

fear. It's about truth."

hesitation, Killian poured a few drops of the liquid onto a cloth,

leaned in close to Cedric, his voice a low growl. "This is your last

lips pressed into a thin line,

wrapped the wolfsbane-soaked cloth

body jerking against

hissed, his voice laced with

his expression

breaths came in ragged gasps, sweat beading on his forehead.

system that will