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 voice sharp and

think Ardan's way is better? Murdering innocents, tearing families apart? That's your grand

for a brief moment,

then his eyes hardened, his lips curling into a sneer. "It's not about the method, Astrid. It's about the result. Change requires

the table beside Cedric, splinters

tone like a blade. "You mean like

answer, his silence louder than

patience snapped. He grabbed Cedric by the collar, yanking him forward with enough force

his voice a low, menacing growl.

his teeth, blood dripping from his mouth as

pierced Cedric's shirt, drawing fresh blood as

he growled, his golden

on

froze, his gaze snapping to mine, the storm of anger in

the guard by the door. "Bring

later, carrying a

the dim torchlight, its presence

eyes flicked to the vial, his bravado

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

my voice dangerously soft. "No, Cedric.

fear. It's about truth."

poured a few drops of the liquid onto

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

pressed into a thin line,

wrapped the wolfsbane-soaked cloth

immediate-Cedric cried out, his body jerking

Cedric hissed, his

pulled the cloth away, his expression cold and unrelenting.

his forehead. But even

"You're protecting a system that will destroy you. And when it falls, you'll fall with