Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

Astrid's POV

The Silvermoon Packhouse was unusually quiet as we arrived, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the grounds.

My wolf stirred uneasily within me, sensing the tension in both Killian and myself.

nWe hadn't spoken much on the way back, but the weight of what we'd uncovered hung heavy between us.

As we approached the front steps, the sound of laughter broke through the silence.

I turned toward the sound and saw Rowena in the courtyard, her face

uncharacteristically soft as she knelt in the grass, playing with Ryker and Elara.

"Mama! Papa!" Elara's bright voice rang out as she spotted us.

Ryker followed close behind her, his grin wide as he sprinted toward Killian. "You're back!"

I knelt just in time to catch Elara as she threw herself into my arms, her small hands clutching at me as if I'd been gone for days. "I missed you, Mama!"

I smiled, seeing her melted all my worries away. Although I wasn't gone that long

it felt like I haven't seen her in ages upon seeing just how much she misses me in

her eyes.

"I missed you too, my little warrior," I said, kissing the top of her head before lifting

her up.

Killian ruffled Ryker's hair, his smile tight but genuine as he greeted our son. "Have you been keeping everyone safe while I was gone?"

Ryker nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! Grandma says I'm going to be a strong Alpha one day!"

I glanced at Rowena, who stood watching us with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

The sight of her with our children-so warm, so grandmotherly-made my stomach churn.

If what we suspected was true, then the woman before me wasn't just a grandmother. She was a traitor.

"Rowena," Killian said, his voice measured, "we need to talk."

Her smile faltered, and I saw a flicker of unease in her eyes.

"Of course," she said, straightening. "Ryker, Elara, why don't you go inside and

find Asha? I'm sure she has something fun planned for you."

"But I want to stay!" Elara protested, her arms tightening around my neck.

"Go on, little one," I said gently, setting her down. "We'll be right behind you."

"Is grandmother in trouble?" Ryker whispered towards me.

Killian and I held our gazes for a moment upon hearing Ryker's question.noveldrama

Ryker is really too smart for his age.

"Me and grandma just have something to talk about sweetie. Go and take your sister," Killian answered for me.

Reluctantly, she and Ryker ran off toward the Packhouse, their laughter fading as they disappeared inside.

Rowena folded her hands in front of her, her posture regal as she turned to face

us.

"What's this about?" she asked, her tone calm but guarded.

Killian didn't waste any time. "Liora," he said bluntly.

Rowena's expression didn't change, but I saw the slight tension in her jaw. "What about her?"

"We found something," I said, stepping forward. "A document left behind by the rogues. It detailed her death, Rowena. It wasn't an accident. It was planned."

Rowena's lips thinned, but she said nothing.

"And there's more," Killian added, his voice hardening. "The rogues had help. Someone from Silvermoon worked with them to kill her."

Rowena's gaze flickered, and for a moment, I thought she might deny it.

But then she sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as if the weight of the years had finally caught up with her.

"It was me," she admitted, her voice quiet but steady.

Killian froze, his golden eyes widening. "What?"”

"I worked with the rogues," she said, lifting her chin defiantly. "I arranged for Liora's death."

The air seemed to leave the room, and I felt my heart drop. Even though I'd suspected it, hearing her admit it was like a punch to the gut.

"Why?" Killian demanded, his voice shaking with barely contained anger. "Why would you do that?"

"It wasn't personal," Rowena said, her tone firm. "It was about survival. About securing your father's position as Alpha."

Killian's fists clenched at his sides. "Explain."

Rowena's gaze softened, but there was no regret in her eyes. "Drystan

was better than your father in every

way. Stronger, smarter, more capable. The Pack wanted him to be Alpha, even though he was the younger brother. And he had found his mate-Liora."

She paused, her voice growing colder. "Your father didn't stand a chance against him.

The Pack would have chosen Drystan, and I couldn't let that happen. Your father deserved to be Alpha, and I would do whatever it took to make sure he got there."

"So you killed her," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "You worked with the rogues to kill Liora, knowing it would destroy Drystan and clear

the path for your husbandclear

Rowena nodded, her expression unflinching. "Yes. And it worked. Without a mate, Drystan couldn't lead the Pack. After that, the Pack turned to your father instead."

Killian took a step back, his face a

l.ne

mask of disbelief. "How could you do that? How could you easily take someone's life just for power? Drystan was my father's brother. How could you kill his mate just for

power?!"

I held Killian as I felt his sadness and anger merging all together as he stared at

his mother like she was the most evil thing he had ever laid his eyes on.

"You sacrificed everything-our family, our Pack's honor-for power," Killian added.

"I did what I had to do," Rowena said sharply. "You wouldn't be standing here as Alpha if I hadn't."

Killian clenched his jaw as his mother held no remorse for taking someone's life.

It has been years already since Liora's death. I couldn't believe that Rowena was carrying that blood all along.

I've seen how much Nova grieved for her sister's death and how Drystan lived in misery after his mate's death.

Rowena knew all this, but seeing how she had no regrets in what she did just is just beyond me.