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 sharp and

better? Murdering innocents, tearing families apart?

me, and for a brief moment,

a sneer. "It's not about

beside Cedric, splinters flying as his voice cut

his tone like a blade. "You mean like the lives of our warriors? Of our

answer, his silence

yanking him forward with

a low, menacing growl. "Where is

blood dripping from his mouth as he hissed, "I'd rather

pierced Cedric's shirt, drawing

his

hand on his arm. We won't get anything

the storm

nodded to the guard by the door. "Bring

returned moments later, carrying a small vial of

the dim torchlight, its presence

eyes flicked to the vial, his bravado

sneered, though his voice wavered slightly. "I've already given my life to

I asked, my voice dangerously soft. "No, Cedric. This

fear. It's about truth."

hand, and the guard placed the vial in his palm Without hesitation, Killian poured a

low growl. "This is your last

lips pressed into a thin line, his defiance

cloth and pressed it

jerking against the restraints as the poison

his

cloth away, his expression cold and

on his forehead.

system that will destroy you. And when it falls, you'll fall with