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."

stepped forward, my arms crossed tightly over my

way is better? Murdering innocents,

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

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

into the table beside Cedric, splinters flying as his

"You mean like the lives of our warriors? Of

his silence louder than

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

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

from his mouth as he hissed, "I'd rather die than

shirt, drawing fresh

he growled, his

said sharply, stepping forward and placing a firm hand on his

his gaze snapping to mine, the storm of

nodded to the guard by the door. "Bring

moments later, carrying a small vial of

gleamed under the dim torchlight, its presence a promise of

his bravado faltering for the

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

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

fear. It's about truth."

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

close to Cedric, his voice a low growl. "This

into a thin line,

wolfsbane-soaked cloth and

out, his body jerking

hissed, his voice laced

cloth away, his expression cold and unrelenting.

breaths came in ragged gasps, sweat beading on his forehead. But even through the pain, his

protecting a system that will destroy you. And when