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."

crossed tightly over my

is better? Murdering innocents, tearing families apart? That's your

gaze flicked to me, and for a brief moment, his resolve seemed to

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

splinters flying as

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

his silence louder than

yanking him forward with enough force

a low, menacing growl. "Where is the

his mouth as he hissed, "I'd

pierced Cedric's shirt, drawing fresh blood as

can be arranged," he growled, his golden eyes blazing with

placing a firm hand on his arm. We won't get anything out of him if

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

nodded to the guard by

carrying

liquid inside gleamed under the dim torchlight, its

the vial, his bravado

wavered slightly.

dangerously soft. "No, Cedric. This isn't

fear. It's about truth."

hesitation, Killian poured a few drops of the liquid

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

pressed into a thin line, his

wolfsbane-soaked cloth and pressed it

his body jerking against the

hissed, his voice laced

pulled the cloth away, his expression

beading on his forehead. But even

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