Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 274: Attachments Astrid's POV A small smile tugged at my lips as I tilted my head back, gazing up at the moon above us. Its soft, silvery glow offereda soft silence and peace that I really needed right now.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I shivered slightly as the cool breeze brushed against my skin.

I missed the late night walks that I used to have back at Nightsong Pack when my life was more free and easy, without any responsibilities to think about.

I was grateful Drystan had pulledout of there. The bright lights, the endless chatter, I never liked those types of things. I always preferred the silence that loneliness offers than the noise of the crowd.

Finally, I could be out here in peace, I never liked attending any gatherings.

Out here, under the stars, in the quiet of the night, everything seemed simpler. I found solace in the calm that the night provided.

I glanced at Drystan, walking beside me, his smile easy and genuine. His steps were light, as though just being nearwas enough to fill him with contentment.

He didn't need to say it - I could feel it. His presence had always been a comfort, a steady warmth beside me. Even now, I could sense the quiet reassurance he offered without words, as we strolled in silence, the moonlight painting a soft glow over the path ahead.

The Silvermoon Pack's grand estate loomed in the background, fading as we walked further from the noise and the people.

Out here, it felt as though the world had shrunk to just the two of us. Under the stars, beneath the moon, the weight of everything seemed to lessen, just for a while.

I had always found comfort in Drystan's company, and it felt the same, even now.

"What are your next plans now?" Drystan's voice broke the quiet, his tone soft but deliberate.

I blinked, pulled out of my calm reverie by his question. I hadn't really been thinking about that lately, at least not as much as I should have.

I turned to look at him, catching the glint of anticipation in his eyes. "The birthday party is coming up soon," he continued after a beat, his words slow and careful. "It's the perfect opportunity... for revenge." Revenge. The word lingered in the air between us, sharp and heavy, and I felt a sudden discomfort in my chest.

I had thought Drystan calledout just to escape from the gathering and have speace and quiet.

I thought he really just calledout to catch up as he said. But now it was clear he had something else on his mind - my plans. He wanted to talk about what I would do next, that's why he calledout in private, away from prying eyes and ears.

I sighed, trying to shake off the strange unease that had crept up onafter the topic was brought up.

I had already laid out my plans, meticulously, piece by piece. I had thought I would feel eager to talk about them, to see them unfold. But now, standing here in the moonlight, I wasn't sure anymore.

"I'm planning to use the party," I replied, my voice steady despite the twist of in my stomach that gnawed at me. Drystan smiled at my answer, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. He mistook my hesitation for something else. He thought I was feeling uneasy because I could no longer wait to see my plans in action.

"You can't wait, can you?" His voice was low, almost conspiratorial. He stepped closer, his gaze full of the santicipation I had seen before. "Just a few more days, Astrid. Just a few more, and you won't have to act kind toward them anymore the people who wronged you, the ones who betrayed you." He paused, his eyes searching mine, as if looking for the fire he expected to find there. "You won't have to stay in this place that's filled with bad memories. You'll finally get to show them what they deserve." His words that were meant to comfort and encourage me, only deepened the knot in my stomach. Once, I might have felt a thrill at the thought of bringing Silvermoon to its knees. But now... now I wasn't so sure.

What had once been a burning desire to exact revenge felt strangely hollow. Why wasn't I more excited? Why wasn't I feeling the satisfaction I had expected? I had been doing this for my son, and not for myself. Guilt seized me, a cold and merciless grip, as I realized that I'm letting my son down again.

The anger that had once fueledfelt distant, almost unreachable, and in its place was a growing discomfort - a doubt that hadn't been there before.

I swallowed hard as I reached into my pocket. my fingers closing around something small and smooth. Slowly, I pulled out a heart shaped stone. The one that Ryker had given it to me.

I clutched the rock in my hand, and rubbed it with my hand. This rock was his way of showinghow much he trustsand how he likes me.

His innocent gesture also madedraw closer to him. Even though Giselle is his mother and harming him is the best way to have my revenge, I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I'm just not as vicious and cruel as Giselle. I couldn't hurt someone innocent.

My plan is to just cause chaos on the day of Ryker's birthday party. Chave no plans of harming him, but even that, I'm hesitating to do it.

I couldn't hurt Ryker's feelings by ruining his birthday. As I held then weight of my hesitation pressed down oneven stone in my hand, the wild more. This wasn't part of the plan. I wasn't supposed to care. I wasn't supposed to feel this... attachment. But I did.

And that was the problem.

Ryker trusted me. He sawas K

someone who cared for him. How could I break his trust? How could I destroy everything, knowing that in the process, I would be hurting an innocent child who had done nothing but offerhis friendship? I felt bad for Ryker, for having a mother that is nothing like him.