Ch. 331..335: Reclaiming My Broken Luna Chapter 331-335

Chapter 331: Hidden Information

Astrid's POV

I had braced myself for questions, for confusion, maybe a hint of curiosity when I showed him the book.

But instead of the reaction I expected, his eyes sharpened, and something flickered across his face-fear, maybe?

Leaning forward, he asked in a low, urgent voice, "Where did you get this?"

The question stunned me, and I froze, letting the weight of his words settle over me.

Where, not what.

He already knew. He knew exactly what this book was.

"You knew," I breathed, disbelief thick in my voice.

Alpha Theron's eyes widened, realizing his mistake. "Astrid... I—"

"You knew about this," I cut him off, my voice stronger, tinged with anger. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He opened his mouth as if to explain, then hesitated, his gaze shifting.

"Astrid, this book... it's fake," he said, forcing a steady tone. "Whatever you think you've read in here, it's not real.

A cold, hard anger flared inside me. I already found out about this thing that he is hiding from me and he still dares to lie to me.

"Don't lie to me." My voice was steady, sharp.

"I know it's real. The wolf-the uncontrollable, powerful wolf the book describes - I've already met it. It has even taken over my body a few times before. So don't you dare try to lie to me about this!"

Alpha Theron's face went pale, and he looked at me in shock, as though he'd just seen a ghost.

For a long moment, he said nothing. His mouth parted slightly, his face caught between disbelief and something deeper - regret, maybe, or guilt.

Finally, he exhaled, a low, defeated sound. "Where did you get this book?" he murmured. "You weren't supposed to find out... not like this."

I frowned, his words fueling a fresh surge of anger. "This concerns my life, my future. You should have told me the moment you found out."

Alpha Theron shut his eyes, his shoulders tense, as if struggling to keep himself together.

"I was going to tell you, Astrid," he admitted, his voice breaking. "I just didn't know how. You were just starting to live, to move past so much pain. I couldn't bring myself to ruin that."

"You thought keeping this from me would help?" I shot back, barely containing the edge in my voice.

He nodded slowly, his gaze cast downward. "I just needed more time. I've been searching for a cure, hoping I could find a way to stop this before telling you everything."

A flicker of hope stirred in me. "Then... have you found anything? A way to stop it?"

But his gaze dropped, and he didn't answer. My heart sank.

Of course, he hadn't found anything yet - if he had, he wouldn't have hesitated to tell me.

Sensing my disappointment, he reached across the desk, his voice steadying, trying to lift my spirits. "Listen to me, Astrid," he urged, his voice steady but pleading.

"You don't have to worry. The Shadowfang Pack has the best resources-everything we need.

We're more advanced than any other pack in medicine and technology, and I promise you, we'll find this cure together. We won't stop until we do."

I knew all this already; I had told myself the same things before coming here. But knowing it didn't quiet the fear inside me.

What if there isn't a cure? I was tired of clinging to fragile hopes, only to have them shatter. Life didn't always bend to hope and promises.

"Astrid," he continued, his tone

softening, "you're my daughter. We've only just reunited, and I know...know I failed you before. wasn't there when you needed a

father. But I won't fail you again. Not

this time."

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I looked up, meeting his eyes, and in his gaze, I saw raw sincerity, an ache to make things right.

I could feel his promise settling over me, and as much as I wanted to believe it, a part of me still wavered.

No matter how sincere he was, no matter how far he was willing to go, finding a cure for my condition wasn't something he could control.

Sensing the conflict in my expression, he leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I promised you, didn't I? That I'd make it up to you?"

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as he reminded me of his promise.

For a moment, a flicker of hope steadied me, but questions still lingered.

"Who else knows about... this?" I asked quietly, searching his face for any sign of secrecy.

He held my gaze. "No one, except for my Beta. He's been helping me look for a cure."

I opened my mouth to ask him to keep it that way, but he had beaten me to it.

"It would be best if no one else finds

out about this, Astrid. Let's keep this between us. At least until we find a cure He studied me closely "Agreed?"

I nodded, rètief loosening the tension in my chest. "I was about to say the same thing. Right now, Nova is the only person whom I have told about I this and she could keep a secret."

He nods, relieved to hear my answer.

Then he hesitated, as if weighing his next words. "Where did you get the book?" he finally asked, his voice low.

I straightened, steadying myself before answering. "Giselle gave it to me," I answered watching his reaction closely. "I don't know where she got it."

Alpha Theron turned tense when he heard my answer. Was he still keeping something from me?

I was about to ask when his expression shifted, and he glanced toward the door, his gaze sharpening with purpose.

"I have a meeting in here soon," he said abruptly, standing. "You should go rest, Astrid. We'll talk more later."

The abrupt dismissal surprised me, but I didn't protest. I'd had enough secrets for one day.

"I'll keep this book for now. It's best that I keep it and make sure it won't fall on other people's hands."

Alpha Theron instantly grabbed the book before he even finished speaking

I nodded and left, casting one last glance over my shoulder as I stepped out.

As the door closed behind me I managed to steal a glimpse of his face before I left.

He was angry, and I don't know what made him feel that way.

 

Chapter 332: Facade

Alpha Theron's POV

The moment Astrid left my office, I reached through the Pack Link, calling for Beta Alek.

My voice came out raw and unfiltered, the unmistaken anger pulsed through the link sending their wolves into submission.

I could sense Beta Alek's panic, could feel his wolf bristle at the force of my command. He knew I wasn't pleased.

Moments later, the door opened, and Alek entered, his face pale, but his steps were urgent.

I didn't give him a chance to speak before hurling the book at him. It hit him squarely in the face, making him stagger.

As he caught the book, his face drained of color even further when recognition flared in his eyes.

"Didn't I tell you to burn that book?" My voice was low, lethal, and I didn't miss the way he trembled at each word.

Alek fell to his knees, the weight of his guilt bearing down on him.

"Alpha," he choked out, "I admit my irresponsibility. I failed you. I'm willing to accept any punishment for my insubordination," he answered readily, prepared for this scenario.

He knew the consequences of his action when he kept the book instead of burning it, defying my orders.

I gritted my teeth as I towered over him. "You know the penalty for treason, Alek." I growled, my voice cold as stone. "You're aware it's execution. Go now and carry it out yourself."

He looked up, eyes wide with horror. "Alpha, I swear I am loyal to you. I have never committed treason." His words were a desperate plea, his voice breaking.

He was so ready to accept his punishment, but when he heard that his punishment is death, he instantly broke from his character.

"If you were loyal," I sneered, "then explain how that book ended up in Giselle's hands!"

Alek's brows furrowed in confusion, so I explained further. "Giselle gave the book to Astrid, and she came here to confront me with it."

"Now, tell me - why did you give that book to her knowing full well that it contains sensitive information?" My chest heaved in anger.

Giving that book to someone that is not even a member of our Pack is an act of treason itself.

Alek's face twisted with shock, clearly caught off guard. "Alpha, I didn't give it to Giselle. I... I gave it to Andros. I swear, he is the only whom I have told about the book."

I blinked, trying to process his words. "What did you say?" The question slipped out, sharper than I intended.

Alek lowered his gaze, his shoulders hunching "Andros was... concerned. He noticed the book in my hand and wouldn't stop asking questions so I could only tell him the truth.

He is your son, so I naturally he could be trusted. I even told him to burn the book after he was done with it."

Alek's face twisted with shock, clearly caught off guard. "Alpha, I didn't give it to Giselle. I... I gave it to Andros. I swear, he's the only one I told about the book.'

The room suddenly felt small, airless, as if someone had struck me in the chest.

My mouth went dry, and for a heartbeat, I could only stare at Alek, his words echoing through my mind. Andros...

I staggered back a step, reaching blindly for the edge of my desk.

My son. My own blood. Andros, exposed this secret to Giselle, willingly putting his sister in danger.

"That's impossible. Andros... he wouldn't do that," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper, clinging to disbelief even as the truth clawed its way in.

Beta Alek's eyes widened, a pleading

look etched across his face. "Alpha, I would never make up a lie like that You know me, If I had really committed treason I would willingly accept to be executed for my actions."

I forced myself to swallow, but each breath tasted bitter.

"You're saying that Andros gave that book to Giselle?" The words slipped out, low and tight, each one laced with barely restrained fury.

Alek fell silent, sensing the rage simmering beneath my tone. "I don't know exactly what happened, Alpha.

It would be best if you called?

here and let him explain.

Perhaps he can shed light on this before we draw any conclusions."

I drew in a steadying breath, bracing myself against the weight of betrayal that threatened to consume

me.

Andros is a good child. I raised him myself. Even if our relationship wasn't perfect, I knew him.

He was a good child, thoughtful, dutiful, and I had always trusted his loyalty. Andros and Astrid had even grown close, in ways that Asha never had.

Unlike Asha, whose hostility toward Astrid was evident from the beginning, Andros had approached her with a quiet warmth, almost as if he'd sensed the connection between them long before I had revealed it.

BUMS

Where Asha met Astrid's every word with suspicion, Andros had always treated her as he would a true

sister, protective and compassionate.

The thought of him betraying her of him betraying me - left me feeling hollow.

But Alek's words gnawed at me, refusing to let me dismiss them entirely.

If there was even a possibility that Andros had been careless enough to let the book fall into Giselle's hands, I needed to hear it from him directly.

I clenched my jaw, every muscle tensed. "Call him," I commanded, my voice a sharp edge.

Beta Alek nodded quickly, lowering his head and reaching out through the Pack Link.

His expression shifted as he made contact with Andros, the summoning immediate and unrelenting.

Moments stretched, each one tighter than the last, until finally, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Andros appeared in the doorway, his face a mask of confusion and apprehension.

It seems I didn't have to explain anything to him when I saw recognition flash through his face when he saw the book.

 

Chapter 333: Performance

Alpha Theron's POV

Andros entered, his eyes darting between me and the book lying on the desk.

He tried to mask his apprehension, but I caught the flicker of recognition in his gaze.

I wasted no time.

"Did Beta Alek give you this book?" I asked, my voice steady but taut.

He blinked, feigning innocence. "I've seen the book before, yes. Beta Alek showed it to me and explained what it was."

His eyes held mine, the picture of calm. "Is there something wrong?"

Besidehim, Beta Alek looked stricken but hopeful. He took a step forward, his voice shaking with urgency.

"Andros, explain everything to your father and tell him that I'm being wronged. I gave you the book didn't I? I even told you to burn the book for me," Beta Alek spoke up, trusting that my son would prove his innocence.

Andros raised his brows, feigning confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone soft and innocent.

"That didn't happen. You never gave me the book - I've never even touched it."

Beta Alek's face went pale, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Andros, y-you," Beta Alek paused unable to properly form his words.

"I trusted you! You begged me to have the book, just tell your father the truth!" Beta Alek raised his voice, unable to control his outburst.

But Andros remained unbothered, his expression impassive as he looked Beta Alek in the eye and answered him, "Beta Alek, you must be mistaken. You showed me the book but you never gave it to me. Have you possibly forgotten it?" Beta Alek took a sharp intake of breath and he looked like he was about to faint at the height of his anger. I stepped in before Beta Alek actually falls unconscious.

"If that's true, then how did the book end up with Giselle?!" I shot out, stealing their attention.

Beta Alek remained quiet as he turned his sharp gaze on Andros.

"Father," Andros began in a calm, even tone. "If the book somehow ended up in Giselle's hands, Beta Alek must have given it to her. I don't know why he would lie about this, but it's not my doing."

Beta Alek's hand shook, panic seeping into his eyes as he turned to me, his voice breaking. "Alpha, please, you know me! I would never betray you - Andros is lying!

I swear I would never give that book to Giselle or anyone outside the pack.

The only mistake I admit on doing was not burning the book and keeping it secret as you have told me to do."

"Enough!" I thundered, the command reverberating through the room. "Leave us."

Beta Alek hesitated. His eyes darted from me to Andros, desperation plain on his face. He wanted to plead, to defend himself, but he held his tongue.

Even though he is already being wronged, accused of betraying me, he still couldn't bring himself to defy my orders even now.

With a defeated glance in my direction, he bowed and left the room with anguish written all over his face.

As the door clicked shut, I caught a glimpse of something that made my blood run cold — a smirk tugging at the corner of Andros's lips.

It instantly vanished as he looked at me, almost making me believe that it was just

a figment of my imagination.

No doubt he thought that I had taken his side.

My gaze hardened as I welcomed his gaze. The satisfaction in his expression faded, replaced by wary confusion.

Without delaying any longer, I asked him the question. "Why did you do it, Andros? Why did you give Giselle the book?"

I watched as his eyes widened, surprise rippling across his face, and for a moment, he was speechless.

But then his expression darkened, disappointment and betrayal flashing in his gaze.

"You'd rather believe him over your own son?" His voice was low, a mixture of wounded disbelief.

If I hadn't known the truth, I would have felt bad and regretted accusing him.

"Andros, I already know the truth before I even called you in," I muttered not bothering to mask the pain in my voice.

"I asked you to come here just to give you a chance to redeem yourself. was hoping that you would tell me the truth and explain your side so I would understand, but you lied. You were even willing to hand Beta Alek to death just to protect your lies."

I watched as his face shifted, the carefully constructed mask of innocence slipping

away.

The softness drained from his eyes, replaced by something cold, calculating.

He no longer looked like the son I'd raised, the boy who'd once shown kindness to his sisters.

His lips twisted into a faint, almost mocking smile.

"So you and Beta Alek were just acting? You two planned all this to try to catch

me?" he spoke, his tone now sharp, his voice stripped of the pretense he'd held

onto.

I felt a surge of anger rise, but I held

my ground. "I just wanted you to be

honest

believed you were innocent

that you would never willing betray me, or your sisters."

"But I had told you that I had nothing to do with this!" he bursted out. "You've already decided who the traitor is."

I slammed my hand on the desk, the sound reverberating through the room, and

he flinched. "Your lies are laid bare, and yet you still try continue this act?!"

I leaned forward, letting him see the

fire in my gaze, daring him to

e2

continue his charade. "Don't you even have fear? Don't you even have conscience? If you had done those things willingly, I thought you would have regretted it by now."

Andros's face remained impassive, a cool defiance in his eyes. But I pressed on,

letting my words cut through the silence.

"I don't need this performance. I only want to know why." My voice dropped, filled with a weight that made him glance away.

 

Chapter 334: Crowned Alpha

Alpha Theron's POV

A long silence settled over the room after I asked the question, heavy and tense.

I kept my gaze fixed on Andros, waiting, hoping for a sign of remorse or an explanation.

But what I saw instead shook me to my core. Andros looked back at me, and in that gaze, I saw a stranger.

The gentle son I thought I knew was gone, and in his place stood a man cold and unyielding.

Then he spoke, his voice sharper and louder than I had ever heard it, filled with a defiance that sent a chill through me.

"You want to know why I did it?" he snapped, his tone a mix of anger and something darker. "I did it for us, for this pack. I was doing you a favor by doing what you could never bring yourself to do."

His words stunned me. Andros had never raised his voice to me, not once in all the years I'd known him.

Even when I was harsh or demanding — as I always was, he had always accepted it in silence, never challenging me.

But now, he stood before me, speaking without restraint, and I realized with a sinking feeling that I never really knew who my son was.

"You are doing me a favor?" I shot back in disbelief. "Hiring someone to attack your sister and working with Giselle. In what way was that helpful to me?"

"She's dangerous, father!" he interrupted, his voice rising, filled with conviction.

"We both had read the book and you know full well that the book is a hundred percent accurate. She'll become a killing machine if we don't stop her. And you—“ he sneered, shaking his head in disdain.

"You'd never be able to do what was necessary. I know you could never bear to kill her, not even if she threatened everyone in this pack," he spoke straightforwardly without any hesitation.

My shock quickly turned into anger as his words strikes deeper, cutting away the image I had of him.

"You had read the book and this is the solution you have thought of?" I demanded, my voice hard.

“Instead of protecting your sister and helping her get through with this, you thought killing her was the best solution."

He laughed bitterly, meeting my gaze with an icy defiance. "Father, there's no cure! There's no other solution!" Andros yelled back.

"Someone had to do what you couldn't. I'm protecting this pack from the monster she's destined to become. I'm saving you from the burden of doing it yourself."

I clenched my fists, feeling the fury surge within me. "Protecting this pack? You are not doing this for us, Andros. This is just your own selfish ambition. You're just fooling me and yourself into thinking that you were doing this for someone other than you."

His face remained calm, almost arrogant. "Think what you want,” he replied coldly. "But when the time comes, you'll realize I was right. I did this for us."

I took a slow, steady breath, keeping my gaze hard as I looked at my son.

"Andros," I began, my voice colder

and firmer than it had ever been. "You leave me no choice. I cannot pass down the title of Crowned Alpha to someone who thinks that betrayal and bloodshed are the answers. You've shown me that you lack the qualities of a true Alpha."

Andros's eyes widened before narrowing, his face twisted in disbelief and anger.

"What are you saying?" he demanded, his voice almost a growl.

"Who else is fit to lead this pack if not me? Since I was a child, you drilled it into me that I was the future of this pack.

You trained me, molded me - I sacrificed everything to meet your standards!

I never had a worthwhile childhood like Asha who had always lived freely.

Since I was born, I was bound by my duty, my title, my future as the Alpha. You can't just take that away from me."

I shook my head, the weight of disappointment settling heavily in my chest.

"You speak as though sacrifice alone makes you worthy. But being an Alpha isn't

about fulfilling some lifelong duty or following a path set out for you.

It's about putting the well-being of this pack and your family above

—

everything else - above even

yourself. And that... that is what you have shown me you lack.

You see only your ambition, only your fears. You would sacrifice your own sister to

appease those fears, yet you claim to be protecting us?"

His fists clenched, and he looked at

me, his voice barely above a whisper

but filled with fury. "You're wrong. I did what was necessary. I made the choice you were too weak to make."

I looked at him, feeling the ache of betrayal sink deeper. "No, Andros. A true Alpha

does not justify cruelty or betrayal in the name of strength.

A true Alpha protects his family, not out of duty, but because he values every life in his charge.

That is the mark of an Alpha-and that is something you simply do not have."

My words seemed to strike him like a blow, and for a moment, he was silent.

Andros's anger flared, laced with desperation.

"If you don't believe I'm worthy to lead this Pack, then who do you think is?" he demanded, his voice rough and challenging.

I lowered my gaze, silent in the face of his question.

"I am your only son," he pressed, his voice rising, "and you don't have any

nephews or cousins to inherit your title.

Asha would have been perfect, but you kept her away from Pack matters, never letting her learn or get involved.

That only leaves... Astrid."

My mouth stayed shut, unwilling to confirm his suspicions.

 

Chapter 335: Birthright

Alpha Theron's POV

Andros scoffed, his disbelief clear as he tilted his head back. "You are choosing Astrid over me?" he spat out.

"You're going to make her the crowned Luna of this Pack? It's only been three years since you met her, and you think she's worthy of this title?

What do you think Asha would say? Astrid isn't even your legitimate child!"

I met his gaze, my own expression resolute. "Astrid has proven herself capable.

She's been our acting Beta for three years and led as the Luna of the Silvermoon Pack for five years before that.

She has the qualities, the skills, and the strength needed to lead. In terms of ability, Andros, she does her job far better than you."

Andros's fists clenched, his expression darkening with insult and rage. "This is madness! The Pack won't accept it!

My mother is your true mate and the Luna of this Pack. Giving your position to someone who isn't her child is an insult to her legacy and to this Pack!"

I took a step forward, my voice unwavering. "I am the Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, Andros, and that means I put the well-being of this Pack above all else — above tradition, above sentiment, and even above you.

If ensuring the Pack's safety means breaking a few rules, ignoring a few customs, then so be it.

My duty is to protect this Pack, even if it means defying expectations. And when I'm gone, I need to know that the Pack is in capable hands."

He glared at me, his pride and fury simmering, but I held his gaze, showing him that my decision was final.

Andros's glare intensified, his voice laced with frustration and a bitterness I hadn't seen in him before.

"What makes you so certain she's better than me, Father?" he demanded, taking a step forward, his gaze hard and unyielding.

"You honestly believe this Pack will be safe under her rule? Astrid is a monster, and putting her in charge is no different from handing the Pack over to its own destruction. You're not securing its future — you're endangering it!"

I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I kept my expression steady. Andros continued, his voice rising, a mix of desperation and disbelief.

"How can you possibly trust her over me? She's only been here for three years — just three years and you think she understands this Pack, its history, its

people?

-

I was born into this Pack. I know it, I know our people, I know what they need! I've trained my entire life for this!"

He clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles white as he struggled to contain his fury. "You keep talking about safety, about protecting the Pack, but don't you see? Astrid is dangerous!

She's been holding back, playing the obedient Beta, but that's all an act. Sooner or later, she'll turn on us, on all of us, and then what? You won't be here to stop her, to fix what you've set in motion."

I didn't flinch under his accusations, though his words struck deep. I know Andros's was basing his reasoning on truth, but I also knew Astrid's strength, her resilience her

loyalty qualities that had been tested time and again.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with disbelief, as if searching for any sign that I might relent.

"Father," he said, his voice quieter but edged with anger, "I am youre son. I was born to lead this Pack And now you're telling me that all of that, all of my training, my sacrifices, mean nothing?

You're ready to hand the Pack to a ticking time bomb, someone who could turn on us the moment it suits her?"

I held his gaze, a weight of sorrow settling on me as I saw the desperation in his eyes, a desperation that came from fear and a need for validation.

"Andros," I said, my tone firm but quieter now, "Astrid is not a monster. Sooner or later, I'm going to find the cure to her condition.

As for you, well, she's proven her loyalty, her strength, her commitment. I know this is hard for you to accept, but she is the best choice to lead."

Andros's expression darkened, his voice barely a whisper. "You're making a mistake, Father. A terrible mistake."

He turned away, his jaw clenched, and for a moment, I could see the storm brewing within him.

Andros paused, his back to me, shoulders tense with barely-contained fury. He turned his head just enough that I could see the glint of anger in his eyes.

"I won't let this happen, Father," he said, his voice low but filled with an intensity that sent a chill through me.

"I will never allow Astrid to steal everything that belongs to me. She's not going to take what's rightfully mine."

He straightened, his fists clenched at his sides. "You'll regret this, all of it. You're putting your trust in the wrong person, and one day, you'll realize it.

But by then, it will be too late. I am the only rightful Alpha of this Pack, and I will be the one to lead. I am your son, and I am the future Alpha of this Pack — no one else."

Andros stepped away, his gaze cold and unyielding as distance grew between us both physically and emotionally.

I took a step forward, raising a hand as if to stop him, but my voice caught in my throat.

Without another word, Andros stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor, each step heavy with his resolve.

I stood there, feeling the weight of my decision settle upon me, but also a growing

unease that lingered like a shadow in the silence he left behind.