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, tearing families apart? That's

a brief moment, his resolve seemed

hardened, his lips curling into a sneer. "It's not about

beside Cedric, splinters flying as his voice

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

his silence louder than

collar, yanking him forward with enough

his voice a low, menacing

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

shirt, drawing

he growled, his golden

hand on his arm. We won't get anything

to mine, the storm of anger

by the

guard returned moments later, carrying a small vial of

dim torchlight, its presence a

the vial, his bravado faltering

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

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

fear. It's about truth."

held out his hand, and the guard placed the vial in his palm Without hesitation, Killian poured a few drops of the

Cedric, his voice a low growl. "This

into a thin line, his defiance

the wolfsbane-soaked cloth and pressed it

was immediate-Cedric cried out, his body jerking against the

Cedric hissed, his voice laced with

cloth away, his expression cold and

gasps, sweat beading on his forehead. But even through the pain, his

change anything?" he spat. "You're protecting a system that will destroy you. And when it falls,