Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 372: Shadows of Deception Astrid's POV The Silvermoon Packhouse was quieter than usual, as if the weight of the past few days had seeped into its walls, stifling every sound.

Killian had been unusually distant since the discovery of the locket and the ledger, his thoughts turned inward as we both struggled to decide our next move.

The secrets we carried were a heavy burden, and the consequences of their revelation loomed over us like a dark cloud.

I stood in the courtyard, watching Ryker and Elara chase each other around the garden.

Their laughter echoed through the open space, a brief reprieve from the storm brewing within me.

My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing the tension that lingered just beneath the surface.

"Mama, look!" Elara's excited voice called, breaking through my thoughts.

I turned to see her holding a small bouquet of wildflowers she had picked. Her silver eyes sparkled with pride, and for a moment, the world felt lighter.

"They're beautiful, sweetheart," I said, kneeling to accept the flowers. "Thank you." Ryker ran up beside her, his face flushed with excitement. "Can we show Papa too?" My heart clenched at his words, the innocence in his voice a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding us. "Of course," I said, forcing a smile. "He'd love that." The Council Meeting The council room was filled with tension as Killian, Drystan, Nova, and I gathered to discuss our next steps. The evidence we had found-Liora's locket and the ledger-had left no doubt in anyone's mind that the rogues had coordinated her death with the help of someone from Silvermoon.

Drystan leaned forward, his hands gripping the edges of the table. "The rogues are baiting us, trying to distract us from their true plans. But we can't ignore this. We need to find the traitor." Nova nodded, her expression steely. "This isn't just about Liora anymore. If the informant is still active, they're a threat to all of us." Killian kept his gaze fixed on the table, his hands folded tightly in front of him.

"We'll start an investigation," he said finally, his voice steady but strained. "I'll have the inner circle questioned, and we'll review every record from the tof Liora's death." Drystan's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "That's not enough. Whoever did this has had years to cover their tracks. We need to dig deeper." "We will," I interjected, hoping to ease the tension. "But we need to be careful. If the rogues see us divided, they'll take advantage of it. We can't let that happen." Nova's gaze softened as she looked at me. "You're right, Astrid. But we need answers. If we don't uncover the truth, the rogues will keep using this against us." Killian and I sat in the quiet of our room, the flickering fire casting shadows across the walls.

He hadn't spoken much since the meeting, and I could feel the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "We're running out of time," he said finally, his voice low. "Drystan and Nova are getting closer. If they find out the truth..." I placed a hand on his arm, grounding him. "We'll handle it. But for now, we need to focus on the Rogue King. If we can stop him, maybe... just maybe, we can find a way to make this right." Killian shook his head, his golden eyes dark with anguish. "What if there is no way to make it right? What if this destroys everything?" I swallowed hard, my heart aching at the pain in his voice. "Then we'll face it together. No matter what." Drystan's POV The moon hung high in the sky as I stood on the balcony outside my room, the cool night air doing little to ease the fire burning within me.

The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, but the picture they formed was one I wasn't sure I wanted to see.

Liora's death had never felt right. I had accepted it as a rogue ambush because that was the only explanation I'd been given.

But now, with the locket, the ledger, and the growing evidence of a traitor in Silvermoon, the truth was becoming undeniable.

Someone had betrayed her-someone I had trusted.

Nova stepped onto the balcony, her presence a welcbalm to my restless thoughts.

"You're still thinking about it," she said softly, leaning against the railing beside me.

"How can I not?" I replied, my voice rough. "She deserved better than this. Better than lies and betrayal." Nova reached for my hand, her touch grounding me. "We'll find the truth, Drystan. No matter how long it takes." I nodded, though the anger simmering beneath my skin refused to fade. The rogues thought they could manipulate us, divide us.

But they didn't understand one thing: I wouldn't stop until I uncovered the truth. And when I did, there would be no mercy for those responsible.

The following morning, a scout burst into the council room, his face pale and his breathing labored.

"Alpha Killian, Alpha Drystan," he gasped. "The rogues. They've m attacked one of the outer territories." "What?" Killian demanded, rising to his feet.

"They left a message," the scout continued, holding out @bloodstained piece of parchment. Drystan snatched it from his hands, his jaw tightening as he read the words aloud.

"Divide and conquer. The truth will destroy you before we ever have to." A cold silence fell over the room, the rogues' intent painfully clear.

They weren't just attacking us physically-they were trying to tear us apart from within.

Drystan's eyes burned with fury as he fist.

led the parchment in his won't win.at it takes, we'll stop them." belongs to Killian nodded, his expression hardening. "Together." I glanced between the two of them, my chest tightening with the weight of what we were hiding.

The rogues were right about one

thing: the truth had the power to destroy us. And unless we foundla way to hold everything together, it would.