Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 327: Sacrifice Astrid's POV "I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. "I'm so, so sorry. I never wanted this. I never wanted to hurt you." Nova's eyes widened in shock. She had expected anger, maybe even disappointment, but not this. Not tears. Not this kind of raw emotion.

She quickly reached out, grabbing my hands, her own eyes shining with unshed tears.

"No, Astrid, don't do this," she said urgently, her voice shaking. "None of this is your fault. Don't blyourself." "But it is my fault!" I sobbed, unable to stop the flood of guilt that consumed me. "You've been hurting because of me. Drystan rejected you because of me. You ran away for three years because of me. I caused all of this " "No!" Nova interrupted, her voice firm, though her hands trembled as they held mine tightly.

"None of this is your fault, Astrid. You didn't cause any of this. You didn't know, and even if you did, it doesn't change anything.

Drystan and I... we had our own journey. Please don't blyourself for something you had no control." I shook my head, tears still falling, but her words slowly began to sink in. I didn't want to believe her, but deep down, I knew she was right.

I hadn't asked for any of this. I hadn't known. But that didn't stop the guilt from gnawing at me.

And then, through the blur of my tears, anger flared. Not at Drystan. Not at myself. But at Nova.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded, my voice filled with hurt and frustration.

"Why didn't you tellthat Drystan was your mate when you found out? Instead, you ran away and leftfor three years, Nova. You should have told me!" Nova flinched at the anger in my voice, but she didn't let go of my hands. Her eyes softened, and her expression turned to one of regret.

"I... I thought I was doing the right thing," she admitted, her voice quiet.

I scoffed, how was she doing the right thing? "Nova, you had always been a fighter. When it comes to me, you were never afraid to step forward to protect me. Drystan is your mate, you should have fought for him even if it means fighting me." Astrid bites her lower lip and then she averts her gaze, unable to look at me.

"Last time, you even encouragedto give Drystan a chance. Why would you do that, knowing everything I've been through?" My voice wavered with emotion as I looked at Nova.

"You knew the pain I felt when Killian rejected me, when he chose someone else over me. You were there - you saw what it did to me. I would never wish that kind of hurt on anyone, especially not on you." I swallowed hard, the weight of betrayal settling in my chest. "How could you keep this from me? How could you hide the truth? If Drystan and I had ended up together, what difference would I be from Giselle?" Nova's eyes widened now that she realized the weight of her mistake. "I'm sorry, Astrid. I—I didn't mean too. I thought I was helping.' "At that time, all I wanted was for both of you to be happy," Nova said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "Drystan had lost his mate, and you had been rejected. You were both hurting in different ways, but I thought maybe you could heal each other. He was in love with you, Astrid. And to me, you seemed perfect for him." She paused, her eyes glistening as she tried to explain. "I didn't want to be selfish. I convinced myself that if the two of you could find happiness together, then it would be worth it.

I thought as long as you were both happy... I could live with it. Even if it meant stepping aside." I let out a shaky breath, my chest tight with the overwhelming emotions coursing through me.

I wanted to be angry at her for making this decision by herself without even thinking of what I or Drystan would have felt about it, but at the stime, I understood.

I know what it's like to wish someone happiness even if it means sacrificing your own.

Tears filled my eyes again, but this time, they were less about guilt and more about the love I had for her - my best friend, my sister in everything but blood.

I wrapped my arms around her tight and then she huggedback. After a long hug, I pulled back slightly.

"You silly," sniffed, lightly punching her arm, though my voice was still thick with emotion. "Don't do that again. Don't ever sacrifice anything forwhen I'm not even asking it." en Nova let out a soft laugh, the kind that comes when emotions run too high and all you can do is release it somehow.

"I promise," she said, her voice gentle but sincere. "I won't act on my own again. You're stuck with me." We sat in silence for a few seconds, the quiet settling over us like a warm blanket. There was a peace between us now, but as the calm lingered, I could feel the weight of what I hadn't said pressing down again.

I took a deep breath, my heart already pounding in my chest as I prepared to tell her.

She had been the one person I trusted with everything, and I knew I needed her now more than ever.

"Nova, there's... something else," I started, my voice quieter now my hands fidgeting in my lap as I tried to find the right words. "Something I've been meaning to tell you." Her brows furrowed, and she tilted her head slightly, her expression shifting from relief to concern. "What is it, Astrid?"

I swallowed hard, feeling my throat tighten as the reality of the situation ccrashing down again.

"It's about me. About... the book I found in Giselle's room." Nova blinked, her worry deepening as she straightened in her seat, givingher full attention. "What did you find? What's wrong?" I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the edge of my shirt as I gathered the strength to say it. " think think I'm not just any werewolf, Nova. I'm something far more dangerous." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1