Ch. 261..265: Reclaiming My Broken Luna Chapter 261-265

Chapter 261: Exhaustion

Drystan's POV

I stirred awake, a wave of weakness and lightheadedness washing over me. As I blinked against the light, my gaze fell on Nova, sleeping peacefully beside me.

A soft smile crept onto my face at the sight of her, the warmth of her presence easing the heaviness in my chest.

I thought she had already left. I thought I wouldn't see her again. I thought the last conversation we would ever have was that argument we had.

But here she was, sitting in the chair, her head propped on her arms folded together on my bed. Despite everything that happened between us and the conflict that we had, she still stayed here for me, showing how much she still cared for me.

I watched her body rise and fall as she breathed; her face was turned towards me as she slept, and for a moment, I let myself bask in the comfort of her presence.

I slowly lifted my finger and gently brushed away the tendrils of hair that were blocking her face. My heart sank when I noticed her swollen eyes and the dried tears on her cheeks.

A pang of guilt shot through me. Had she been crying for me? I thought she hated me. I didn't expect that she would even cry for me.

"Alpha, you're awake!" The Pack Doctor exclaimed, his voice a mix of relief and urgency as he entered my room.

I quickly brought a finger to my lips, signaling him to tone down his voice. His eyes widened as he realized his mistake.

He immediately lowered his volume and glanced at Nova to ensure he hadn't disturbed her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his expression softening as he looked back at me. "How are you feeling?"

"I still feel lightheaded," I answered in a soft voice, careful not to wake Nova. "What happened to her?" I asked him, feeling more concerned about Nova than my own health.

The Pack Doctor looked at Nova with pity in his eyes. "She stayed up all night watching you, waiting for you to wake up. Michael and I tried to call her to leave and take a rest, but she wouldn't rest until you were awake," he gently replied.

I glanced back at Nova with warmth enveloping my heart.

"She was so worried about you that she cried until she eventually fell asleep in her tears," The Pack Doctor continued.

A wave of emotion washed over me, mixing gratitude with guilt. The realization that she cared so deeply about me made me understand that what we shared was even deeper than the bond she had with Michael.

I had thought Michael had completely replaced me in her life, but it was clear I still held an important place

in her heart. A surge of triumph washed over me upon this realization.

I grabbed one of the folded blankets on the table beside me and carefully wrapped it around Nova,

wanting to shield her from the cold. I gently tugged at the blanket, ensuring it completely covered her without stirring her from her slumber.

"What's wrong with me, Doctor?" I finally asked, my voice low as I leaned back against the bed, my gaze fixed on Nova.

"It's your wolf," the Pack Doctor replied, his expression serious. "Your wolf has been damaged due to overworking yourself. You've pushed beyond your limits, and now it's taking a toll on both your body and your wolf."

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I

absorbed his words. I had sensed something was off lately. The persistent coughs, the unshakeable fatigue my body had been sending signals, but I had ignored them, too focused on my duties to notice.

"You have a powerful wolf, Alpha," he continued, frustration knitting his brows together. "Things wouldn't have come to this if you'd been eating and sleeping properly. The damage is done, and the strength your wolf has lost... it's irreversible."

"Does Nova know?" I asked, a knot tightening in my stomach at the thought of her worrying.

"Nova was already so worried about

you that I couldn't tell her

everything," he said gently. "She understands that overworking

caused this, but she doesn't know

the full extent of its effects on your

body."

I sighed as the weight of his words settled heavily on my chest. The guilt clawed at me as I imagined the tears she shed for me out of worry. I don't want her to blame herself for something that isn't her fault.

"What day is it today?" I asked him as I glanced up at the clock on the wall that read 12:30 in the afternoon.

"You were only gone for one day," he answered, making my eyes widen in disbelief.

I was supposed to be at the Silvermoon Pack yesterday. I had missed the meeting, and the weight of that responsibility hung heavily on my shoulders.

"What are you doing?!" The Pack Doctor gasped as I yanked the IV line from my hand.

Dizziness washed over me like a wave as I stood up from the bed, the room spinning slightly. I pushed through it; I had to move. I needed to be at the Silvermoon Pack as soon as possible.

"Drystan, where are you going?"

I stopped in my tracks at the sound of Nova's soft voice. I turned around slowly, and my heart clenched at the sight of her standing up, her eyes wide with concern.

My abrupt movements must have startled her awake, and the last thing I wanted was to alarm her further. "Nova," I said, my voice low and steady, trying to mask the turmoil within. "I need to get to the Silvermoon Pack."

"Miss Nova, please tell him not to leave," the Pack Doctor pleaded as he gripped my arm to stop me.

I turned to Nova, desperation in my eyes, hoping she would understand and that she would let me go. "Let him leave," Nova spoke coldly.

My eyes widened at her words. Instead of feeling relief, a strange heaviness settled in my chest. I hadn't expected her to agree so readily.

"But, Miss Nova-" The Doctor tried to protest, concern etched on his face.

"There's nothing to be worried about," she cuts him off. "He's just going to see Astrid. If that's what he wants, we shouldn't stop him."

 

 

Chapter 262: Matchmaker

Nova's POV

Drystan and I locked eyes for a moment, but then he turned away and left without a second thought. I blinked, almost losing my balance as our connection shattered.

He cared for nothing and no one more than Astrid; it was all too easy for him to abandon me, leaving me in a whirl of worry for her sake.

"Miss Nova, why did you let him go?" The Pack Doctor asked confusion etched on his face as he approached me slowly.

I couldn't answer him, so I remained silent.

"Alpha Drystan is not in good health. He is in no condition to go on a travel. He needs to stay here so we can monitor his health," The Pack Doctor argued, disappointment evident in his tone. "I thought you were worried about him."

I lowered my head, feeling the weight of his words, and remained silent. There's nothing for me to tell him. The Pack Doctor sighed upon seeing the conflict on my face.

"Ever since you left, Miss Nova, Astrid has had the Alpha wrapped around her finger. He was there at her beck and call. She's the reason why the Alpha neglected his health," The Pack Doctor spoke.

"Doctor," I finally spoke, stopping him from his words. I gazed directly into his eyes to show how serious I was. "Astrid is the reason why the Shadowfang Pack offered their alliance to us. On top of that, she's a nice woman, and she's my friend. She had done so much for our Pack."

The Doctor's eyes widened in fear when he saw how I was offended by his words. "Of course, Miss Nova. I also know of those things. Astrid lived with us for some months. I had met her and seen her character. I don't doubt her kindness, but I just don't think that she's good enough for the Alpha."

"The Alpha likes her. Who are we to dictate who he should like and who he should not?" I retorted, my voice firm.

"I'm just worried about him," The Pack Doctor answered defensively.

"If you really care about the Alpha, then you should support his happiness," I snapped back to shut him into silence before walking away to show him that I do not like this conversation anymore.

"But is he happy?" The Pack Doctor questioned, hoping that I would open my eyes and see the problem he was pointing out to me.

"Alpha's health has been deteriorating because of this woman." The Pack Doctor stepped forward, catching up to me. "It's clear that the Alpha likes her and cares for her so much, but does she share the same sentiment?"

I sighed, the weight of his words settling heavily in the air between us.

"If she really cared about him, even for a little bit, she wouldn't have gone to that Pack that ruined her. She would have returned back to us!" The Pack Doctor spoke desperately, almost pleading that I would do something.

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"Please, Miss Nova, go to Drystan and stop him from this madness. If I could, I would have done it even at、 the expense of my life. You know that there's no one he would listen to except for you. You're the only one that can make him realize the truth," The Pack Doctor begged me, hoping that I would take his case.

I slowly turned around to face him and saw the worry etched across his face.

When I arrived, there was one thing I noticed about the members of the Pack. Everyone is worried about Drystan, and hearing him eat on time is enough to make everyone joyous.

"There's no need to speak to Drystan," I muttered. The Pack Doctor opened his mouth about to argue once again, but I beat him to it. "I already spoke to Astrid. I told her about Drystan's situation and gave her my word advice," I assured him.

A flicker of joy crossed his features

when he heard my words. "You see, there's nothing to be worried about Astrid knows what to do, and

Drystan is on his way to see het net

After this, Drystan and Astrid will solve their differences. You wouldn't have to worry about Drystan neglecting his health again."

My heart sank as I remembered the personal conversation I had with Astrid. As Drystan's mate and as someone who still hasn't moved on from him, I shouldn't be helping Astrid and Drsytan fall in love with each other. I shouldn't be playing their matchmaker in their relationship.

However, Astrid is a nice woman. She even reminds me of my own sister. There's no other person who deserves Drystan aside from her. At the same time, Drystan is in love with her. How could I be so selfish and keep them both apart for my own happiness?

As a person who was in love, I know how it feels to be not loved back. Although Drystan was the person who caused me that pain, I don't want him to experience the same pain that I felt.

"Thank you, Miss Nova. Thank you so much," The Pack Doctor spoke gratefully.

I forced a smile on my face as I pressed back the pain in my heart. "It's nothing. Drystan had been so nice

to me. He was the one who took care of me when my sister died. It wasn't his responsibility to look after me, but he did."

"But what if Drystan found his second chance mate. What then?" The Pack Doctor asked; his question froze me to the spot.

I chuckled at his worry, surprising him. "Don't worry, that would never be a problem. What matters is that Drystan would surely come back with Astrid as his new mate and Luna."

With that, I stepped out of the room, leaving confusion in his mind and a crack in my heart.

 

Chapter 263: Real Mother

Astrid's

POV

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the playground. Giselle sat on the edge of a park bench, her posture stiff, watching her son, Ryker, who stood a few feet away, transfixed by the swing's rhythmic motion.

He didn't climb onto it; instead, he observed the world around him fading into the background. Giselle didn't bother to approach her son or to keep him company.

Vanessa, sitting next to her, laughed softly as her daughter, Hazel, darted around the playground, introducing herself to other children with ease and grace that came naturally to her.

"That girl," Vanessa mused, smiling fondly, "She could make friends with anyone."

Giselle nodded her smile tight. She watched Hazel charm another group of children, their laughter

reaching her ears like an echo that she wished she could hear from Ryker.

I watched as Giselle's fingers tensed on the edge of the bench as she glanced at her son. He wasn't interacting, wasn't joining in, leaving her nothing to boast about him.

"Ryker is just shy," Giselle replied after a moment, her voice distant as if she felt embarrassed to give that answer. "He's not good with people."

Vanessa waved her hand dismissively. "Oh please, He's just fine. We all have our pace." Her smile was bright; it was so easy to see how delighted she was to rub it on Giselle's face that her daughter was better than hers.

Giselle's shoulders tensed. If they hadn't been at the public playground and no people were watching, she would have responded negatively to Vanessa's words. It's clear what she's doing here.

"Hazel is a talented child," Vanessa spoke boastfully. "She could play both the piano and the violin, and she also knows a little ballet from her recent ballet lessons."

I glanced at Giselle, expecting to see her annoyed. Instead, I saw a different reaction on her face, a hint of sadness and happiness at the same time, almost sentimental.

"How about Ryker? I heard that some autistic children are born geniuses. What is he good at?" Vanessa questioned, pulling Giselle out of the thoughts she had.

"Ryker is not good with strangers, and it's hard to keep him focused on something," Giselle replied. "Killian tried hiring tutors to teach him something and gain his interest, but none of them worked."

Vanessa let out a sigh, though it came off more as a mockery than genuine concern. "As the future Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, this couldn't carry on," she muttered, her brow furrowing.

Giselle shot back with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You don't have to worry, Ryker's health is improving with his therapy sessions. The Crimsonbane Pack won't raise up in the ranks anytime soon," she quipped, a playful challenge hanging in the air between them.

Vanessa's eyes widened in surprise, her composure faltering, not expecting that Giselle would respond negatively to her in front of the public.

Just as the atmosphere threatened to spiral into an open confrontation, Giselle's defenses softened, her expression shifting from sharp to contemplative.

"You mention that Hazel knows ballet and can play the piano and violin," she said, her voice taking on a more genuine tone. "I'd really like to watch her performance."

I followed Giselle's gaze and saw her eyes narrowed, tracking Hazel as she played with the other kids, chatting and laughing as though they'd known each other for years.

Her gaze lingered too long on Hazel, her face softening for a moment - until she caught sight of Ryker again, standing motionless.

I sat next to them, observing the tension growing like a dark cloud between Giselle and Ryker.

Giselle wasn't simply frustrated with her son's silence or discomfort about strangers; it was something colder.

I noticed how Giselle sat with her body angled away from Max as though his mere presence was something to endure rather than embrace.

My unease grew as I watched Vanessa smile warmly at her daughter while Giselle's face remained taut, her attention clearly elsewhere.

I couldn't understand. Is Giselle just amused with Hazel, and that's why she is looking at her so intently? Then, a sudden cry split through the air. Hazel had tumbled off the edge of the jungle gym, landing hard on her knees.

Before Vanessa could even react,

Giselle leaped to her feet, rushing toward the girl. "Hazel!" she gasped, kneeling beside her, her hands trembling as she gently examined the scrape. Her face was a mask of fear as if it were her own daughter lying there hurt.

Vanessa arrived a moment later, chuckling lightly, "It's alright, she's tough."

But Giselle lingered, running her hands over Hazel's hair, her breath coming fast. "You have to be more careful, darling," she murmured, her voice laced with more concern than I had ever heard her use with Byker.

"Oh my God, are you okay?" Giselle's voice was thick with concern when she saw Hazel's knees were

bleeding. She hurriedly pulled a

tissue from her pocket to dab at

Hazel's knee.

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Hazel looked up at Giselle with wide eyes, not knowing how to react. Giselle froze as she locked gazes with Hazel as if she had caught herself doing something she shouldn't have done.

"It's alright, Giselle. She just scraped her knee. She's fine, aren't you, sweetie?" Vanessa spoke up, oblivious to the connection they had.

My brows furrowed when I saw the way Giselle's hands trembled, her attention fixed entirely on Hazel.

She cares more about Hazel than her own son, Ryker. She could put her own son in harm, but she couldn't even bear to see Hazel get hurt.

Giselle lingered by Hazel's side longer than necessary, brushing a stray curl from the girl's forehead. "You need to be careful, sweetie."

My frown deepened. 'Why is she so worried about Hazel?' I wondered.

When Giselle finally returned to the bench, she still looked frazzled, her gaze briefly touching Ryker before slipping away.

That brief interaction only raised more questions in my mind. How could a mother act so cold and detached towards her own son? Is she even Ryker's real mother?

 

Chapter 264: Burning Desire

Killian's POV

I sat at my desk, staring at the reports scattered before me, but the words might as well have been written in another language. No matter how many times I read the same line, the numbers didn't make sense, the words refused to stick.

I'd been at this for hours, trying to focus on pack matters-on the budgets, the patrol schedules, and the ongoing negotiations. All things that needed my attention, things I should care about. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept slipping.

Back to that night.

The night when everything had almost changed between Astrid and me.

I closed my eyes, the memory washing over me like a wave. I could still see her so clearly. The way her eyes softened, the flicker of something vulnerable and dangerous in her gaze.

The way her breath caught in her throat when our lips had come so close to touching. Too close. That

look in her eyes had shattered something inside me, and yet... I had still pulled away.

I could still feel the heat of her body pressed against mine, the moment when temptation had nearly swallowed me whole. I hadn't planned on anything happening that night.

Hell, I'd just gone to her room to update her on the latest discussion I'd had with Damien. It was supposed to be business, pure and simple.

But the air between us had shifted, the boundaries we'd always tried to hold onto crumbling under the weight of what had always been there.

Since that night, my wolf had been restless, growling at me, gnawing at the edges of my mind.

Every night, he bothered me, clawing at my thoughts, demanding that I go to her.

It took all of my strength to remain in my room, to force myself not to give in to what I so desperately wanted. To stay away from her. To not let myself enter her room and ravish her the way I craved.

I wasn't sure how much longer I could resist.

Giselle and I don't even share the same room. We never have. Even after we married, I never shared her bed-not once.

Not that she ever asked or seemed to care. We were married for one reason and one reason only: Ryker. Our son. The only thing that keeps us tethered together.

And even though Giselle had sacrificed for me, even though she stood by my side, I never felt the pull toward her. I never desired her.

I never looked at Giselle with lust or longing. She had always been... practical. Necessary. But Astrid? Astrid was different.

My body burned for her. Every night. It was like a fire inside me, one that never went out, no matter how many times I doused it with guilt or responsibility.

And in the mornings, when I'd see her, all I could think about was the night I rejected her. The night I stopped something that I had wanted more than anything.

I couldn't forget the way she looked at me after I pulled away. Her disappointment still haunted me. The

hurt, the confusion-hell, the betrayal in her eyes-it was all seared into my memory.

She knew how much I wanted her. She had to know. But I couldn't let it happen. Not then. Not now.

I clenched my fists, my knuckles whitening as I stared blankly at the report in front of me.

Guilt gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, like it always did when I thought about her. I knew I had hurt her.

I had rejected her twice now, and I hated myself for it. But if I had the chance again... I'd still do the same damn thing.

I can't let myself go there with Astrid. It's not just about her. It's about everything else. The promises I made. The life I've tried to protect.

I made a vow to Giselle, a promise that I would forget Astrid. That I would try to love Giselle as my wife, for the sake of our son. For the sacrifices she made to be with me.

I have a family. I have responsibilities. And no matter how fractured things have always been between Giselle and me, I can't abandon that. I won't break my son's heart for my own selfish desires.

But even as I thought those words, I felt the pull toward Astrid. It wasn't just desire. It was something deeper, something more dangerous. It is the kind of desire that had accumulated for a long time.

It made me wonder when these feelings started. It surely didn't start just now. It must have been there years ago, but I was too filled with bitterness to feel and acknowledge it.

Still, what good would it do? I wasn't free. I could never give her the life she deserved. And I sure as hell wasn't going to hurt my son just to satisfy something that could destroy everything.

I leaned back in my chair, staring up at the ceiling. The guilt was like a lead weight in my chest, but it

wasn't enough to change my mind. Astrid deserved more than this mess - more than me.

And my son... he deserved a father who would honor his promises, even if the marriage to his father was just an obligation to me.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake the memory of her face that night.

The way she'd looked at me - hurt,

confused, maybe even a little betrayed. She didn't understand. Maybe she thought I rejected her advancements because I love Giselle so much. She had no idea that it was Ryker that I was thinking

that made me pull away from her.

I couldn't explain it to her, not without breaking her even more. I wasn't free. I wasn't hers. And no matter how much I wanted her, I couldn't have her.

Unless, Giselle is not Ryker's mother, then that would make a difference.

I know there's just a slim chance for that. It's even impossible. Giselle was pregnant and she gave birth inside the Pack. How could Ryker not be her son?

Even so, I still hoped for that slim chance to be true, almost like a desperate plea.

It's been a few days since I gave Beta Ryker that task. There should be some progress by now. I'd been

clear - get her DNA, don't let anyone find out and don't fail.

A sharp knock cut through my thoughts.

"Enter," I called, leaning back in my chair.

The door creaked open and Ryder stepped inside. He moved with his usual purposeful stride, but I could sense the tension in his movements,

the hesitation in his posture. He wasn't here to deliver good news.

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My heart instantly sank. I already knew what the answer would be. It was stupid of me to hope otherwise.

 

Chapter 265: DNA Sample

Killian's

POV

"Are you done with task I gave you?" My voice came out steady and cold, unable to ask for the results directly.

Ryder shifted, his silence stretching a second too long. "Not yet," he admitted, his words clipped, like he hated saying them.

My eyes shot up at him in surprise. I had assumed the DNA test results were already in, mistaking Ryder's gloomy expression for confirmation.

But as it turned out, Ryder's expression had nothing to do with the test - he hadn't even done it yet. "It's been... difficult," Ryder scratched the back of his neck, unable to look at me directly to my eyes.

I fixed him with a hard stare. Difficult? This was supposed to be a simple task.

"Difficult?" My tone was sharp. "I gave you simple instructions, Ryder. Do it quietly, without anyone knowing. What seems to be the problem about that?"

He clenched his jaw, frustration clear in his eyes. "It's Giselle, she never walks around without her attendants. She's always guarded and every time I get close enough to her to try, she picks up on it - senses something's wrong. I can't get anything from her without raising suspicion."

I tapped my fingers against the task, my mind working through the situation. I should have expected this. Ryder and Giselle were never close, and it would make sense for her to be suspicious if he approached her out of nowhere.

Even so, I expected more from Ryder. I gave him this task because I believed that he could handle it. "You're telling me you can't collect one simple trace of DNA? A hair? A glass she's touched?" My patience was wearing thin.

He sighed, and I could hear the weariness in it. "But you told me to do this alone. No backup. I can't involve anyone else, and she's wary of me. I can't just take something from her without raising suspicion. His words echoed in my head - "alone". Yes, I'd told him that for a reason. The fewer people involved, the cleaner this would be. That's why I don't want him to involve any person.

In this pack, there's no one I could trust with this except for him. But now, his lack of results was testing my patience.

I want to know the truth as soon as possible. I want to know as earlier as possible if Giselle is really

Ryker's mother. In that way I could plan ahead and find out if Astrid and I still really stood a chance to be with each other.

I want to fix all this once and for all.

I leaned forward, meeting his gaze. "Then you need to find a way. This task is too important for mistakes, and I'm not interested in excuses. If you can't get it done, I'll find someone who can."

I watched as his body tensed, the pressure weighing on him, and I wanted him to feel it. This wasn't just a task; this is crucial.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've already secured Ryker's hair for DNA testing," he spoke with a low voice. "He spends more time with his nanny than with Giselle, so it was easy to get a strand of his hair.

I gave a sharp nod, satisfied at least with that much. "And Giselle?"

Ryder shifted uncomfortably. "As for Giselle... I can't think of anyone better suited to collect her DNA than you."

I stilled at his words.

"You are the only who could easily

get close to her without raising suspicion," Ryder continued cautiously, as if he feared pushing too far. If you took her out, spent time with her... she'd welcome the attention. It wouldn't be hard to obtain a sample without her knowing."

His suggestion hung in the air between us could see the logic in it, but the very thought of taking Giselle out on a date of pretending to show her affection when I hade none - made my skin crawlo

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But Ryder was right. Giselle wouldn't suspect me, not if I played it carefully. If I gave her the attention she

craved, she'd let her guard down.

And then, it would be easy. A brush of my hand, a stray hair, something. Anything to get the proof I needed.

Even if it repulses me.

I leaned back in my chair, considering Ryder's suggestion. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for my reaction, nervous that he might have pushed too far.

But he hadn't. In fact, he'd provided the solution to my problem, even if it left a sour taste in my mouth. Taking Giselle out, playing the role of the doting husband - it would all be an act, a means to an end. For Ryker. For Astrid. For the truth.

I ran a hand through my hair, tension coiling in my chest. "Fine," I muttered, hating the words even as they left my mouth. "I'll handle Giselle."

Ryder nodded, relief flickering across his features. "I'll stay in the background, keep watch. Just in case." I didn't respond, my mind already shifting to how I would play this. How I would stomach it. The thought of pretending to be the husband she wanted made me sick. But it was necessary.

I'd do whatever it took to get the answers I needed. Even if it meant playing this twisted game a little

longer.

I looked up at Ryder. "This is the last delay I'll tolerate. Make sure the test on Ryker is done. And once I've got Giselle's DNA, you're not to waste another second."

He gave a sharp nod. "Understood, Alpha."

As he turned to leave, the weight of what I'd agreed to settled heavy on my shoulders.

I wasn't just lying to Giselle. I was lying to myself, pretending this could be the key to fixing everything, when deep down, I knew that even with the truth, nothing would ever be that simple.

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And Astrid... she would never forgive me if she knew what I was about to do.