Ch. 11..15: Reclaiming My Broken Luna Chapter 11-15
Chapter 11: Surprise Attack
Astrid's POV
My attention was on the woman as soon she entered. I couldn't take my eyes away from her even if I wanted to. She is so alluring and there's just something unique about her charm.
I watched how her strawberry pink curls bounced as she rushed inside with a huge smile on her face. I could only stare at her side profile.
"Drystan!" She shouted happily in her serene voice.
For a moment I was surprised that she didn't address Drystan as Alpha. It seems like the two of them are really close.
"Nova! You are finally back!" Drystan smiled happily at her as he faced her.
He instantly dropped the business conversation he was having with his assistant when she entered.
I watched as the two of them hugged each other. After that, Nova slaps Drystan on his shoulder.
"What happened while I was gone, huh?" she questioned him, trying to catch up with the days she wasn't around.
"Oh, I wanted you to meet someone," Drystan craned his neck as he searched around the cafeteria.
He smiled when his gaze landed on me. "Astrid! Come here!" He waved me to come over.
I felt embarrassed when he called me out of the crowd. I felt like I fell under the spotlight because of him.
I put down the plate that I was holding and slowly walked towards me. Nova's eyes were on me as I approached them.
"Astrid, this is Nova. She's a friend of mine," he introduced her to me.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Astrid." I smiled at her.
Nova looked at me for a long time, but not in a judging way. Now that she's standing in front of me, I could finally look at her up close. Nova is a cute girl and her strawberry pink curls really suit her. She has smiling eyes and pouty lips making her look so friendly and bubbly. I forced a smile on my face when I sensed something wrong. Nova doesn't seem to like me and I do not know why. "Nice meeting you too," she replied without smiling.
She turned her attention to Drystan and patted his shoulder. "I'll go meet the others." She excused herself and then left. "Sister Nova! Sister Nova!" The young members of the Pack rushed to Nova and hugged her legs as soon as she left.
"We miss you Angel Sister!" The kids crowded around her with smiles on their faces.
Nova laughed when she saw the happy faces of the children around her. Seeing how the kids like her just only show her good character.
There's no way they would call her Angel Sister if she doesn't have the character of an Angel.
"Nova, how was the trip?" Some of the adults also flocked in. They were all excited to welcome her.
I watched them all from afar, Nova was so affectionate towards all of them. Everyone in the Pack loves her it's as if she is their Pack's Luna.
"I'm going to breathe some fresh air," I muttered to Drystan who was just standing beside me.
"Let me come with you," Drystan is about to follow after me, but I stopped him. "You should go join your pack members. I do not need a guard."
Drystan looked at me in silence, but he eventually nodded his head and let me go.
I walked out of the Packhouse to give space for myself. Seeing how Nova is so loved by everyone, I am reminded of how my life used to be when I was still the Silvermoon Pack's Luna.
In my case though, the people only flock around me if they need something from me.
I sighed as I walked away mindlessly at Drystan's unfamiliar Pack. This is the first time I've been here, I don't even know where my feet are taking me.
I just wanted to be away from the Packhouse until I couldn't hear the noises from there anymore. I just want to be alone and walk until I'm free from my depressive thoughts.
The Nightsong Pack is surrounded by the forest. I would be safe as long as I don't go out of the borders.
However, because I am not a member of the Nightsong Pack. I have no indication of where their Pack border ends.
I just continued walking not knowing that I was already putting myself in danger.
I froze when I heard a branch snap not far from me. All of the members of the Nightsong Pack should be at their Pack's cafeteria right now. I'm supposed to be alone in this forest.
en FindNovel
My heart thumped loudly in my chest knowing that I was not alone out there. I searched around to see my enemy, but he hid himself so well. He must be waiting for his chance to attack.
I took in a few deep breaths before
sprinting out of the forest as far as my two legs could take me. When the enemy saw me run, he immediately came out of his hiding place and chased after me
I yelped and was pushed off my feet when the wolf caught after me. He lunged at me and pushed me to the ground.
My face contorted in pain as I tried
to squirm my way out of his grasp. When I turned around to face him, my breath hitched upon realizing that I wasn't attacked by rogues. I
was attacked by werewes.
swnov
Chapter 12: Killer
Astrid's POV
Fear coursed through my body when I realized that this wasn't a simple attack. Someone ordered these werewolves to attack me. Who ordered them to kill me and how did they find out that I'm here? I held my breath and turned to my side when the werewolf tried to claw on my neck to go for an instant kill.
Adrenaline rushed through my body knowing that I merely escaped death there.
I pushed myself backward when the other werewolves started to appear one by one. They growled at me and bared their canines as they approached me like a predator.
I used my trembling hands to search the dirt around me. I tried to look for a rock or anything that I could use to defend myself from the werewolves who were trying to kill me.
I cannot die. If I die, my child will lose his chance to experience life. I don't want to be such a bad mother to him.
I stopped and my breath turned more fast and shallow when my back touched a tree. I also panicked when I did not find anything available near me that I could use to defend myself.
Having no escape, I could only close my eyes and raise my arms when one of them finally lunged for the kill.
I waited for the impact to happen, to experience the immense pain before life was taken out of me. However, that did not happen.
Out of nowhere, another werewolf jumped in and bit the other werewolf's neck in midair.
My eyes went wide as I watched how the huge black wolf tore a chunk of flesh on the werewolf's neck which killed him instantly.
The other werewolves who came to kill me started to back up when they saw what happened.
My savior, the huge black wolf, slowly turned around and faced the remaining attackers with his fur wet with blood.
Their tails started to lower as they looked at him, realizing that they couldn't bring down such a huge and powerful wolf by themselves.
Their sizes are nothing compared to the black werewolf who came to save me. He could easily eat them for lunch and even dinner.
The black wolf snarled as he turned to attack them. However, they instantly ran away, easily giving up.
I placed a hand on my rapidly beating heart as I closed my eyes and thanked the heavens for being safe.
"Astrid, are you okay?"
I don't know how long I've been sitting there with my eyes closed and trying to calm my nerves. When I opened my eyes, Drystan was already in his human form, standing in front of me still with traces of blood all over his body. "What happened?" Someone suddenly arrived, stealing both of our attention.
Nova had a frown on her face as she walked towards us. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw a lifeless werewolf lying near us.
"Astrid was attacked," Drystan answered her as he lent a hand to me so I could get up.
"Were you hurt?" Drystan asked me worriedly as he turned back his attention to me.
"I'm fine," I replied weakly. "You arrived before they could hurt me."
Drystan stared at me with his brows pressed together. He looks like he is blaming himself for what happened to me.
"Look at this," Nova spoke up, calling our attention. She went to check on the dead werewolf while Drystan was talking.
"Doesn't this look familiar?" She asked again.
Drystan and I approached her and took a look at the part where she was pointing at.
At the paw of the dead werewolf's hind leg, there is an imprint of a moon that is shining like silver.
When I saw it, I was no longer confused. "It's the Silvermoon Pack," I answered.
Drystan stood in silence knowing exactly what it meant.
I scoffed bitterly when I realized that my ex-husband just didn't want to get rid of me. He also wanted to kill me. That's how much he hates me. Drystan clenched his fists to his side. If looks could kill, the dead werewolf would die all over again.
Nova stood up with annoyance
etched across her face. "I can't
believe this!" she burst out. "Killian is
so heartless! How could he ask someone to kill his own wife and child?"
Nova shook her head. "I cannot allow this. I must teach Killian a lesson."
I looked at Nova with surprise in my eyes. I thought she didn't like me but when she saw me suffer
injustice, she was too determined to
avenge me.
I guess Nova has a pure heart. She also has a heart for the weak and the oppressed. No wonder why everyone likes her back in the Pack.
"Wait," Drystan grabbed Nova's hand to stop her when she suddenly walked away.
I didn't realize that Nova meant to avenge me now until Drystan had stopped her. It turns out, that Nova is a self-willed person.
"Why don't we use this thing to our advantage instead?" Drystan asked us.
Nova and I looked at him, willing to hear out his suggestion. "Let's just announce that Astrid died. We might as well just let Killian misunderstand that you're dead so he wouldn't try to kill you again," Drystan suggested with his eyes on me.
Chapter 13: Broken Promise
Killian's POV
A week has passed and I still have no news about Astrid. The men I have tasked to look for her, still haven't come back until now.
The only lead we have of Astrid is the CCTV footage. However, no one could identify the stranger who had rescued her. It made things difficult for us to track her.
Every day, I'm growing more impatient as time passes by. It's been a week, but we don't even know if Astrid is safe or not. The longer that she's out there, the higher the chance that she is in danger.
I wanted to look for her myself, but my responsibilities were keeping me from doing anything else.
A lot of meetings, reports, and proposals are waiting for me to handle every day.
Heck! I've sacrificed my sleep and even skipped dinners just to finish everything, only to receive another pile of workload the next day.
My life has been an unending cycle of work recently.
"Are you serious?!" I blurted out in annoyance when our Pack's Beta suddenly entered my office with another stack of documents in his arms.
I haven't even finished the pile of reports that he had sent me earlier for review.
"These are the proposals and important documents from our allied Packs. They have been sending it to you via email, but you weren't responding to them. They printed the documents instead and delivered them to us," Beta Ryder explained as he placed the stack of documents on my table with a thump.
I groaned and wiped my face with my hand in frustration. How could I check my email when I'm constantly receiving printed reports just inside our Pack?
"Aren't you in charge of checking my email? You should have explained my situation to them!" I snapped at him.
Beta Ryder frowned. "I don't have access to your email. Astrid was the one handling all of your accounts," he rebutted.
I fell quiet at his words. I thought he also had access to my email.
"Well, weren't you in charge of our Pack relations? This is practically your job," I asserted like I hadn't just made a mistake.
"Astrid was the one in charge of our Pack relations. She's usually the one who represents our Pack and talks to other Alphas and Lunas," Beta Ryder answered. "Leave," I demanded with a cold voice after hearing his answer.
Beta Ryder looked at me with wide eyes, confused by my response. "A-Alpha-"
"I said LEAVE!" I yelled at him for the second time.
Beta Ryder didn't waste any time, he turned around and left.
I sighed as I slumped back in my chair. I feel a headache growing from all the tasks that I have to handle now.
This had never happened to me
before. I never had to handle so much in a day. It turns out, it was Astrid who was doing most of the tasks so I wouldn't have much to deal with.
Astrid... It's all Astrid.
Now that she's gone, I'm left doing everything on my own.
I glanced at Astrid's photo at the corner of my office table as I thought of her again. I remember the past when she and I used to get along with each other.
My heart turned heavy when I suddenly thought of her grandmother who just passed away.
Astrid's grandma was a nice person. In fact, we used to get along well with each other too when she was still strong and alive.
A pang of guilt clawed in my heart when I remembered the promise that I made her.
Back when things were well, I made a promise to her that I would protect Astrid no matter what happened.
It was a promise that I never meant to break despite my indifferences towards Astrid. Yet, I was the one who deliberately put her in danger.
I lowered my head as I counted all my failures against her.
I have stopped her grandchild from meeting her before she died.
I wasn't even there during her funeral.
Now, I have broken the only promise I made to her.
I have failed her big time.
I was pulled back from my thoughts when someone suddenly entered my office.
I stared at Giselle in silence,
surprised to see her here. Cre
conversation that we had. I wasn't
expecting her to visit me.
"I hope you don't mind," Giselle muttered softly as she slowly approached me. "I actually had a dinner reservation and I wanted to invite you."
I opened my mouth, about to refuse
her, but she interrupted me. "I know you are busy and that is exactly my point. You've been skipping dinner and you're barely sleeping. You need to takea break, Killian, or else you might get sick and things would only get worse if that happens, she told
me with concern written all over her
face.
I couldn't respond. Right now, I could already feel that I'm starting to get sick because of exhausting myself too much.
Besides, no matter how hard I work, the work just keeps coming.
Giselle is right. Taking a break wouldn't hurt. I should be prioritizing my health more, especially since the Pack needs me more right now.
I also deserve a rest.
"Alright," I muttered. "Let's go out for dinner."
Chapter 14: Femme Fatale
Giselle's POV
Killian is physically with me, but he isn't mentally there. He has been absent-minded the whole time that he is with me and I had to force out smiles on my face and act like I don't notice anything strange from him. Talking to him felt like I wasn't talking to a man, he was too distant to me. Although he gives me replies, I know he is just doing it out of respect.
I'm actually pissed off that he is treating me like how he was treating his ex-wife. I hope that after this dinner, things will change between us and go back to the way it was.
I know he already clarified that he has no feelings for me and has no plans of having feelings for me in the future. For him, the past is past and I'm planning to change his mind. The first step in doing that is by inviting him to dinner.
It doesn't matter whether he does have feelings or not. I'm just glad that he agreed to have dinner with me which means I might still have a chance with him.
"Hmmm," a moan escaped my lips as I took a bite of prime beef tenderloin cooked to perfection. "Doesn't it taste good?" I asked Killian with an excited smile on my face as I watched him take his first bite. Killian just slightly nodded his head. He had no reaction on his face as he ate. "It tastes good," he muttered emotionlessly.
Instead of showing my disappointment, I beamed instead which is the exact opposite of what I'm feeling.
"I know right? This place is highly recommended so I brought you here," I softly smiled.
I even chose an expensive fine-dining restaurant just to make sure that Killian wouldn't regret coming with me.
Everything inside the restaurant is in top detail from the soft lighting to the tables draped with crisp white linen giving the restaurant an elegant ambience.
I glanced up at Killian again after he did not answer for a long time. My eyes squinted lightly when I noticed that his attention was on someone else.
I'm right in front of him talking to him, but he's not even listening.
I looked back with a sour look on my face to see what had stolen his attention.
A horrified look crossed my face and I gripped the skirt of my dress underneath the table when I saw a familiar figure of a woman whose back is turned on us.
The woman had just sat at their table along with a man that she was with. Now I know why Killian is so distracted.
The woman that he's looking at looks like Astrid. Her figure and her hair look exactly like hers.
Killian looked tense as he continued staring at the woman. My heart hammered rapidly inside my chest, afraid that Killian and Astrid would meet each other again and it's all because I chose the wrong restaurant. Suddenly, the lady stood up, turned around, and showed her face to us as she walked to the restroom.
My body stilled. My heart felt like it would burst out of my chest until I realized that the lady wasn't Astrid.
Killian blinked and slowly turned his attention back to his food. He looked disappointed, but he did not say anything.
Meanwhile, I could finally breathe properly again. Thankfully, she wasn't Astrid.
I smiled at Killian as I placed a slice of steak on his food. "Here, taste this. It's so good," I muttered to place his mind elsewhere.
I didn't mention anything that happened earlier. I pretended that I did not notice anything.
"Killian, I'm just wondering..." I spoke after we had eaten enough.
"Our baby is growing and I will be in labor soon. Someday, he is going to grow up, learn how to speak, and have a mind of his own. What would I say if he started to ask questions
about us? I don't want that to happen. I don't want to break our son's heart." My brows creased
together as I affectionately caressed my belly.
Killian stopped and looked at me, but he didn't say a word. Seeing no negative reaction from him, I continued to test him by using our son.
"Astrid has left the pack without
giving you an heir, and I'm carrying your son. Why don't we get married? In that way, our son won't get confused and we could establish his future as the Alpha heir. No ghe would question his credibility if I became the Pack Luna."
I awaited his answer with trepidation knowing that was pushing my chances too much. Killian's reaction could only be two things. First, he might be convinced by my words or he would be so angry at my shamelessness and ruin whatever relations that we had.
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Before he could give his answer though, something urgent interrupted in our pack link.
Killian stormed out of the restaurant and I chased after him. When we got back to the Packhouse, he went straight to his office to hear the urgent report. Driven by curiosity I eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Alpha, we found news on Astrid."
"Where is she?"
"Astrid is dead. She was seriously injured and died in the Nightsong Pack."
A strangled gasp escaped Killian's lips, his body froze in shock as the weight of the tragic truth sank in, leaving him numb and speechless.
Chapter 15: Complications
Astrid's POV
The news of my death has finally spread all over the other Packs with the help of Drystan and his connection.
Right now, I'm sure Killian had already received the news. However, I'm not sure if he would believe that I'm dead. With Drystan's help and the careful preparation that we had, there's nothing I should be worried about. I groaned weakly as I sat on the couch that is inside my room just in front of my bed. I've been feeling weak and lightheaded recently. No matter how much I rested and took care of myself, I wasn't getting any better. Ever since I was attacked two days ago, my wolf has been getting weaker and weaker. I don't know what the cause was which makes it more alarming.
I could just feel the changes happening in my body and I'm doing everything that could help to make my health better.
My body is turning weaker and weaker. It is also the reason why I'm not able to use my strength during the attack, apart from the fact that I was pregnant. "Ingrid? Ingrid, are you there?" I tried reaching to my wolf when I felt my body worsen.
My wolf did not responded. She's been silent for a long time now. The last thing that she told me was that she might not be able to stay with me anymore.
I don't know exactly what she meant. I tried to wake her up, but she haven't surfaced until now. I just hope that my health would get better soon.
I jolted up and straightened my posture when someone suddenly entered my room. I forced a smile on my face and pushed back my unpleasant feelings as I look at Drystan.
"How are you feeling?" Drystan asks me as he sat across from me.
As an Alpha without a Luna to help him by his side, Drystan must be so busy handling his new Pack all by himself.
Even so, he always takes time to check on me, always showing how much he deeply cares for me.
"I'm feeling much better now," I lied to him.
Drystan had already done so much for me. I do not want her to worry about me anymore and be a burden to him.
Drystan just stares at me as if he is trying to see through me. I started to feel uneasy because of my lies.
"We have a newly hired Pack Doctor that could help you. You must meet with him and do everything he says," Drystan offers.
I shook my head. I feel bad for accepting more help from him.
"I'm fine, Drystan. My injuries are healing. I wasn't even hurt the last time I was attacked," I argued with him.
"I know, Astrid, but you are also pregnant. Your body and your baby's health must be closely monitored by a doctor to avoid complications. We need to make sure that everything is okay Drystan tells me straight into my eyes with concern written all
over his face.
I fell silent as I locked gazes with Drystan. My heart melted with his genuine concern and the kindness that he is showing me.
Of all the people that I've known. He is the only one who cares for me so deeply. "Why are you being so nice to me?" I blurted out pulling Drystan out of his reverie.
I'm just genuinely curious. Drystan and I are not even related. He is my ex-husbands uncle, but he is doing so much just to help me, including helping me in spreading the news that I'm dead to fool his nephew.
I haven't done anything good to Drystan for him to owe me anything. Why is he doing all of these?
Drystan fell silent when he heard my question. He pulls back from meand averts his gaze from me.
It was just a simple question. Why does he look so flustered.
Before things could turn awkward between us because of Drystan's silence, someone barged into the room, interrupting our conversation. "Alpha Drystan!" An urgent voice called out.
Drystan and I both turned to look
where the voice came from. We stilled when we saw the Nightsong
Pa Beta with a frantic look on his
face.
"What is it?" Alpha Drystan asks him in serious mode.
It is the face he pulls in front of everyone except for me.
"Alpha Killian of the Silvermoon Pack has finally arrived," he reported, causing the hairs at the back of my neck to raise.
I swallowed hard.
Drystan glanced back at me and gave me an assuring squeeze to comfort.
"Let's meet him," Drystan muttered in a cold voice as he wears his game face on and left my room.
I hope Killian wouldn't see through our lies and believe that I'm truly dead.
Chapter 16: Astrid is Dead
Drystan's POV
"ASTRID! I know you are hiding here, Astrid! Come out this instant!"
Killian's voice rang inside the packhouse as I walked down the stairs to meet him.
As soon as I saw his face, my blood boiled in an instant. How dare he cause a scene here in my Pack and pretend that he really cares about Astrid after he sent his men to kill her? Isn't this what he wanted? To see her dead? His audacity baffles me.
I locked gazes with Killian as I approached him. Our pack guards held him back, stopping him from entering the Pack.
He stopped fighting against the guards and forcing himself to enter when he saw me coming.
"You!" Killian's face was red in anger as he pointed his hand out at me. "I know you are hiding Astrid. Show her to me now!" Killian demanded.
I scoffed in disbelief as I approached him. What game is he playing now?
"Don't worry Killian, your wish had already come true. Astrid is dead and she's never coming back," I told him, knowing that he only came all the way here to confirm if Astrid is really dead.
Hearing my words, the muscles in his jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed into slits. "That's not true!" Killian shouted. "You think I would believe that?"
"If you don't want to believe me, then see it yourself," I answered.
"Guards!" I called my men's attention. "Show him."
The Pack guards did as they were told. They moved to the side and allowed Killian to enter.
Killian had a smug look on his face as he sauntered inside like he owned this place.
As Killian walked in, I noticed another woman follow after him. My brows furrowed when I saw the woman's familiar face. For a moment I couldn't remember who she was until I realized that she was Killian's ex-girlfriend from before. What is she doing here? Why is she with Killian?
I quietly followed behind them to see what their reaction was going to be. My Beta also followed behind me, never leaving my side.
Killian stopped in his tracks when the guard finally showed him the place where Astrid's memorial service was taking place.
Killian's jaw dropped to the floor when he saw Astrid's big picture in front and the people who were wearing black clothes to mourn for Astrid's death.
His eyes turned moist with tears, but he blinked them back in disbelief.
If I hadn't known that Killian sent his men to kill Astrid, I would be fooled by him. I would have easily believed that he truly cared about his ex-wife.
The smug look on Killian's face finally vanished, replaced with shock and denial as he slowly walked in front to see his ex-wife.
Killian swallowed hard and his lips trembled slightly as he tried to wrap his head around the news.
He stopped and stared at Astrid's photo where she was smiling beautifully. After a minute of staring at her, he looked down and saw the fake um we prepared to make Killian think that it was Astrid's ashes.
QUMS
Killian suddenly scoffed and shook his head. "That's not Astrid," he muttered with his gaze fixated on the urn. "Astrid is still alive!"
Killian clenched his jaw as he slowly turned his head to look at me. "Astrid must be in here somewhere, you are hiding her!" Killian glared at me. "Killian," Giselle spoke in a soft whisper and placed a hand on Killian's shoulder to stop him. "Let's calm down first, okay?" Giselle whispered to him. Killian harshly shook his shoulder, making Giselle's hand drop off him. "I know you are hiding her. Show her to me!"
I glanced at Giselle, wondering what was her relationship with Killian when I saw how she tried to stop him before turning my attention back on Killian. "You've already seen her ashes, Killian. Is this not enough for you to make sure that Astrid is already dead?" I questioned.
I held my breath when Killian suddenly grabbed me by the collar.
"You!" he hissed angrily. "You killed her. You allowed her to die!"
I pushed him off me angrily causing him to stagger backwards. My nostrils flared in anger when I heard his accusations.
Wasn't it enough for him that he ordered his men to kill Astrid? Now he is accusing me of killing her?
"If there is anyone who should be
blamed for Astrid's death, it's you Killian!" yelled at him, knocking him back to his senses. “You killed Astrid! Don't you ever put that blame on me?"
Killian suddenly roared in anger as he thrashed the room and scattered the flowers around, destroying the memorial service that we prepared.
His voice was raw with unbridled fury as he threw and pushed everything away, leaving only Astrid's photo and the urn untouched.
"This is fake! This is all fake!" Killian yelled out loud as he ravaged the place.
My Beta stepped forward to stop him, but I held him back. I just stood there and watched Killian without stopping him.
Whatever Killian is playing, I wanted
to see it. I didn't know that my
nephew had a talent for acting.
Anyone who could see him rightnet
now would think that he is really devastated at his ex-wife's death.
"Bring Astrid to me!" Killian demanded. "I know that she's alive."
Chapter 17: Infidelity
Killian's POV
"Astrid is already right in front of you, Killian," Drystan answered me with a straight face. "What else should I show you to prove that Astrid is already dead?" Drystan asked me with disdain. I laughed at Drystan's words knowing that this was all a lie. "Have you forgotten, Drystan? Astrid is my mate, I will know it if she is really dead."
Even though Astrid had rejected me as her mate, I still had a little connection left with her because I did not accept her rejection. My wolf could still feel traces of connection with Astrid's wolf.
If Astrid was really dead, we would have known. We wouldn't even have the smallest connection that we have with her right now.
"It's normal for your wolf to be confused, Killian. I also lost my mate and it took me months for my wolf to accept that our mate is dead," Drystan answered.
I shook my head as tears pricked the back of my eyes. My whole body felt numb as I stared at Astrid's picture and on her urn once again. I couldn't accept it. I just couldn't accept that Astrid was dead.
If Astrid is still alive, I know Drystan will have no reason to hide that from me. He wouldn't go all the way and make a great effort to fool me and make me think that Astrid is dead.
"K-Killian," Giselle's voice trembled as she placed a hand on my shoulder to comfort me when she saw my difficulty. "I'm so sorry," she whispered with a sad look in her eyes.
Even though Astrid had tried to harm her so many times before. She never held a grudge against Astrid. She is still sad to find out that Astrid's dead.
As my world shattered around me, Drystan suddenly laughed at us while we were hurting at the news of Astrid's death.
"Did you suddenly have a change of heart, Killian?" he spoke bitterly. "Didn't you want Astrid to die? Can't you give her a little respect now that she's dead and spare us your fake tears?"
My brows furrowed when I heard Drystan's hateful words. I never wanted Astrid to die. What makes him think that?
"Fake tears?" I questioned, feeling offended by his words. "I never wished Astrid to die. She's the one who chose to divorce me and leave the Pack. No one had forced her."
Drystan scoffed at my words. "Astrid is not crazy, Killian. She wouldn't choose to divorce you and leave your Pack without reason. Tell me, is she the reason why Astrid is pushed to make those decisions?" Drystan glanced at Giselle, referring to her.
I couldn't speak because Drystan was right. If Giselle never came back to our life, maybe Astrid would still be alive and everything will be fine with her by my side.
"I know who she is. She's Giselle, your ex-girlfriend. You even brought her here to show her that your mate is dead," Drystan spoke maliciously.
He is making it sound like I murdered my own mate so I could be with Giselle.
"What's your problem, Drystan?" I clenched my fists. "I came all the way here because I'm worried about my mate. Ever since I arrived you're making it sound like I actually
murdered my wife." FindNovel
Drystan scoffed. "You don't have to hold a knife to be a murderer."
I turned more confused at his words. I was about to ask what he truly meant when Giselle suddenly joined in.
"This is all my fault," Giselle blurted out making our attention turn to her.
Suddenly, Giselle burst into tears, surprising us. "If I hadn't become pregnant, Astrid wouldn't have left," she sobbed harder.
"What?" Drystan was aghast. "Y-You're pregnant?" He stammered in disbelief.
I swallowed hard and averted my gaze.
"Y-Yes," Giselle sniffed. "But this is all
my fault. You shouldn't blame Killian. If I didn't come back to their Pack, this wouldn't have happened 1-" Giselle's words were cut short when Drystan's fist landed on my face.
Giselle shrieked out loud and ran towards me when she saw what Drystan had done. "Killian!" she shouted worriedly as she checked my face.
A sharp searing pain spread throughout my face and I felt blood form on my broken lip.
"You bastard!" Drystan yelled. He was about to attack me again, but his Beta had stopped him. "No
wonder why your mate chose to divorce and leave you. You impregnated another woman and you are letting her stay by your side!"
I did not respond. I couldn't even look at Drystan. Giselle shielded me from him to protect me.
"Please, Drystan. Killian knows his mistake, but it was still Astrid who chose to leave," Giselle rebutted.
Drystan pushed away his Beta from him. "Leave," Drystan commanded. "I said LEAVE! I don't want to ever see you again."
The Pack guards arrived to drag us out, but I refused to let them touch us. We willingly left their Pack, knowing that we had already caused so much inconvenience.
"I'm sorry, Killian. I shouldn't have said that. I was just trying to protect you," Giselle muttered as soon as we left.
I was supposed to come here alone, but Giselle insisted on coming after she eavesdropped on us and heard that Astrid was dead.
"It's okay, Giselle. I think Drystan is hiding something from us. I think Astrid is still alive," I told her.
Chapter 18: Truths and Lies
Giselle's POV
My eyes blinked when I heard Killian's words, but I didn't let him know that I was confused. "What do you mean?" I asked him.
I don't know if Killian is still in denial or if he just couldn't accept the truth right now.
I thought he had already accepted that Astrid was dead. We just saw her memorial service going on and even her ashes were there. What evidence does he need for him to believe that Astrid is dead?
"I think Drystan is hiding something from us. There is definitely something going on that we had to find out," Killian answered making my brows furrow.
Drystan doesn't seem to be acting strange earlier. Although, it's normal for Killian to think that Drystan is acting strange because he doesn't know one thing.
Killian doesn't know that I sent werewolves to kill Astrid. I also imprinted the Silvermoon Pack's mark on their paws to frame Killian so they would think that Killian was the person behind Astrid's attack.
The reason why I insisted on coming with Killian is to make sure that Killian and Drystan won't find out that I'm the person behind Astrid's attack.
Before Drystan could tell Killian that he sent his men to kill Astrid, I interrupted them and revealed my pregnancy to change the conversation which actually worked.
Thankfully, Killian agreed to bring me along and I was able to keep everything a secret.
"What makes you think that Astrid is still alive?" I asked him.
"As I have said earlier, Astrid is my mate. My wolf and I will know if she's dead. My wolf could still feel a faint connection with Astrid's wolf. For sure, she's still alive," Killian insisted.
"I thought Drystan had explained this already. His mate also died. He knows what it feels to have your mate taken suddenly," I replied.
Things would be easy if Killian just accepted that Astrid is already dead and is never coming back. In that way, it would be easy for me to replace her in Killian's life.
However, it would be far more dangerous to believe that Astrid is dead when she's not. It's better to be sure that I have gotten rid of her for good this time.
Killian scoffed. "What Drystan said is a lie. As an Alpha, we don't get confused so easily. Even if we are in denial, we know it. Doesn't it seem strange to you that Astrid is already inside an urn? Unless I see her body, I won't believe that she's dead."
An uneasy feeling crept over me when I realized that Killian might be right. It's indeed weird that Astrid is placed in an urn already when her memorial service is not finished yet.
Also, the men I hired to kill Astrid
had told me that they never saw ber die with their own eyes. They said they managed to hurt her, but I'm not even sure if they are telling the truth.
en FindNovel
Since Killian is having his own doubts, I need to make sure that Astrid is truly dead.
I need to hire someone who could spy in the Nightsong Pack for me to find out if Astrid is alive. If she is, then I must make sure to get rid of her the next time.
For now, I just had to convince Killian that Astrid was dead. I must make sure that their paths won't ever cross again.
Actually, the fact that he agreed to
let me come with him just shows that our relationship went up a notch. Before, Killian never included me in any of his matters. He always entrusts those things to Astrid.
In just a week that Astrid is gone, he is starting to open up his life to me and he is even sharing his thoughts that he wouldn't be normally sharing with me right now. This just shows that he trusts me. FindNovel
Things improved between us ever since Astrid was out of the picture.
Before, Killian only showed more care towards me than Astrid because I was pregnant.
Without my baby, he would never have paid any attention to me. The fact that he is not the father of my child makes everything more dangerous for me.
Once he finds out that he never impregnated me and nothing happened to us in the first place, he would surely hate me.
He had no idea that night he was drunk, he slept with his own mate, not me. I was already carrying someone else's child when I arrived at his Pack.
I was supposed to sleep with him, but something happened and he ended up in Astrid's room and he had done it with her instead of me.
Luckily when he woke up he couldn't remember anything and I was able to fix things and make him think that he slept with me.
The truth is, I was already pregnant with another man's child when I arrived at his Pack. The man who impregnated me didn't want to do anything with my child so I had to leave.
Afraid and hopeless, I found new hope when I found out that Killian was never intimate with Astrid so I came up with a plan.
Killian and I would have ended up together if Astrid didn't steal him from me. I was only taking back what was supposed to be mine.
Chapter 19: Nightsong Pack’s Luna
Astrid's POV
My body is tense as I wonder what's happening outside. I hope Drystan will be able to convince Killian, and that Killian won't give him such a hard time.
I wish I could go out and see what's happening so I wouldn't have to be left in the dark, anxiously waiting for Drystan's news.
Being left alone in my room, my mind couldn't stop thinking about worst-case scenarios.
What if Killian doesn't believe us? What if he sees through our plans? I just don't want anything to do with Killian anymore. I want to cut him off my life completely and that could only happen if he thinks that I'm dead.
I jumped in my seat when someone twisted the door open. My heart pounded in my chest thinking that Killian was here. He has found me and he is taking me back to his Pack.
I was so horrified until Nova peeked inside. I shut my eyes tight and clutched my dear heart as I slumped back on my couch.
Nova slowly entered and locked the door behind her. "Astrid, are you okay?" Nova rushed to my side with her brows wrinkled together when she saw my state.
"You frightened me!" I exclaimed. My heart is still racing inside my chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," Nova bit her lower lip. She really felt bad for causing me distress.
She held her hands together, not knowing how to help me.
I took deep breaths to calm myself. Even though Nova pulled me out of my wits, I can't be angry at her for not knocking before entering when she's the official member of this Pack and I'm just staying here with them. I paused when Nova grabbed me a glass of water which I willingly accepted.
"Is there something I could help you with?" I asked her after drinking water and calming myself down.
Nova and I aren't particularly close, and we also don't talk much. I wonder why she came here to see me.
When we first met, I could sense that she didn't like me. When I saw how kind she was, I wanted to get close to her, but I didn't know how to approach her.
Nova pursed her lips together and lowered her head in shame. "I just want to apologize," she muttered in a soft voice.
I shook my hands in front of me. "No, no, it's okay," I smiled at her and also felt bad when I realized how guilty I made her feel just because of the incident earlier. "I'm fine now, no need to sweat it."
The only reason why I was so startled was because I wasn't expecting Drystan to be back so early. Drystan had just left, so I'm not expecting any news from him just yet.
I mistook Nova for Killian because I was overthinking about him.
"No, no that's not it," Nova's eyes widened when I mistook her words. "I want to apologize for being rude to you."
The whole room turned silent when I heard her words, leaving me speechless. I wonder why she's apologizing now and why she was rude to me in the first place.
"I should have gotten to know you more before rushing to conclusions," she added.
Now I'm curious about the conclusions that she's referring to.
"It's okay, It was nothing. I never held a grudge." I smiled at her.
Nova is such a genuine and kind person. She didn't have to apologize for such simple things, but she did. I've never seen someone as kind as her, she continues to amaze me. "Come, sit there with me." I smiled at her and pointed at the couch in front of me.
"I heard Killian just arrived and Drystan went to meet him. I came to visit you to keep you company also," Nova explained.
"I'm glad that you came, I really need someone who can keep my mind off things," I replied.
"Nova, is it okay if I ask you a question?" I asked her after a long pause.
Ever since met Nova, I've been so curious about her. She's so close to Drystan that she calls him by his name. Now that we are close, could finally ask her the question that has been bugging me.
"Just ask away," Nova encouraged me.
"Can I ask about your relationship with Drystan?" I asked her cautiously. As soon as the question left my lips, I realized how early it was for me to ask. Thankfully, Nova did not take it in a bad way. "Oh, Drystan is my older sister's mate," she answered straightforwardly.
My jaw fell open, not expecting such an answer.
It's been so long since Drystan's
mate died. Hever even had the chance to meet her. According to the rumors though, she was a kind person and I wish that I met her. I
had always been curious about her.
QUMS
I never knew that Drystan's mate had a younger sister and I'm so happy that I got to know her.
"Ever since my sister died, Drystan
took care of me like I was his own
sibling. He took it as his duty to be an older sibling to me on behalf of my sister," Nova explained with a sad smile, making my heart ache for the both of them.
Chapter 20: Second Chance Mate
Astrid's POV
As a person who had lost her mate to another woman, I think that's enough for me to understand what it feels like to lose your mate to death.
Although both things are entirely different, I still know how much Drystan suffered when his mate died.
Drystan lost half of him when his mate died and he never recovered from her death. After many years had passed, I know he still loves his mate now and he would choose to have her over and over again if he could.
If there was a way to bring someone back to life, he would have traveled around the world to find the procedure that would bring her to life instead of searching for his second chance mate to replace the first one that he had and loved. As an Alpha, Drystan needs to have a Luna that could lead his Pack by his side. He did not look for his second chance mate because he had already moved on, he searched for her for the sake of his Pack.
It must have hurt more for him to be forced to find your second chance mate when you haven't yet recovered from the death of your first.
Drystan's life is the saddest story that I know, yet I'm proud of him for still holding on.
"My sister and I only have each other," Nova smiled at her memory.
For Drystan, they only had each other too. Everyone knows the story of how Drystan was the most powerful son and how he deserved to be the Silvermoon Pack's Alpha. However, he was excluded just because he wasn't the firstborn. His mate must have been with him during those hard times.
"My sister was born ten years earlier than me," Nova continued. "When I was only four, our parents died and she had to be both a mother and a father to me. At such an early age, she could have just abandoned me or put me up for adoption, but she raised me on her own. She was never able to enjoy her teenage years because of me."
I felt sad for Drystan's mate, but at the same time, I am amazed by her resilience and courage to raise up her sister alone at a young age.
If she's still alive, I know she would be happy to see how her sister grew up and it's all because of her.
I didn't have to meet her to see what a great person she had been. Just looking at her younger sister, speaks volumes to what she had been like.
"Your sister would be so proud of you," I smiled at Nova to lift her spirits up.
Nova forced a smile on her face. "When I was little, I was so excited to grow up so I could take care of her, but she never gave me the chance to do that."
My heart tightened at her words. "I'm sure she wouldn't want that. You will always be her younger sister. She would be more happy to take care of you than the other way around."
"I know it is selfish of me to say this,
but I'm glad that my sister met Drystan before she died. The times she was with Drystan were the happiest moments of her life.
for just a short time, I'm glad that she had her chance to be happy." Nova confesses.
"I'm sure Drystan is also thinking the same thing. Kknow he never mentions anything, but just as how your sister has been a blessing to you, she must have been a blessing to her mate also. Wherever your sister is right now, I'm
happy as long as there she'd be
both of you are happy," I comforted her.
I leaned forward and hugged Nova, knowing that warmth and a tight hug were what she needed right now.
I thought she came here to comfort me, but it had turned the other way around because of my question.
Now that I heard the whole story, everything started to make sense. It turns out Drystan is treating Nova as his own younger sister on behalf of
his mate who devoted her life to
taking care of her younger sister.
QUMS
At first, I thought Nova was Drystan's second chance mate. I have never seen Drystan become so close to any women before except for Nova, and all of the Nightsong Pack members also like Nova so much.
It turns out it's all because Nova is the younger sister of their late Luna. If Drystan had found his second chance mate, all of the Packs would know about it including me.
I gasped and I held my throat when I suddenly couldn't breathe.
"Astrid, Astrid!" Nova was alarmed when she saw me suddenly having difficulty breathing.
I've never experienced something like this before. I think it has something to do with my wolf.
Nova summoned a Pack Doctor through the Pack link for an emergency. She held me together with a panicked expression on her face, wondering what was happening to me. "The Pack Doctor is coming, Astrid. Just hold on," Nova assured me.
I couldn't explain what I was feeling. I've been feeling weak and hazy lately, but I have never in some kind of pain before.
I'm glad that Nova is here with me or else I'd be writhing in pain and no one would even know about it.