Ch. 366..370: Reclaiming My Broken Luna Chapter 366-370

Chapter 366: Coordination

Nova's POV

The hum of the car engine vibrated through my chest, a soothing constant as the trees blurred past the windows. It had been far too long since our last visit to the Silvermoon Packhouse, but life at Shadowfang had left no room for reunions. Rogue attacks near our borders kept us tethered to home, juggling defenses and strategies.

Today was different. Today, we were finally going back.

I sighed, my gaze drifting to Leira. She was practically bouncing in her seat, her excitement bubbling over. Too young to understand the weight of what brought us here, she only saw this as a long-awaited visit to her best friend.

"Are we there yet, Mama?" she asked, her face pressed against the window, her voice brimming with hope.

"Almost," I replied, my lips curving into a smile. Her energy was infectious, a bright spot in the constant tension.

She turned to Drystan, her wide eyes sparkling. "Do you think Elara will be happy to see me?"

Drystan, his hands steady on the wheel, glanced at her briefly. "She's been waiting to see you just as much as you've been waiting to see her," he assured her, his voice calm as always.

As we turned onto the long, tree-lined driveway leading to the Packhouse, Leira let out a gasp of excitement, recognizing the place immediately.

The moment the car stopped and we stepped out, the front door of the Packhouse

flew open.

"Elara!" Leira squealed, already sprinting toward the figure racing toward her.

"Leira!" Elara's laughter rang in the air as they collided in a hug, their giggles blending together.

"I missed you so much!" Leira's words spilled out in a rush.

"I missed you more!" Elara shot back, grabbing Leira's hand. "Come on! I have so much to show you!"

And just like that, they were gone, disappearing into the garden. Their joyful laughter echoed behind them, a fleeting reminder of innocence untouched by the looming danger.

Watching them, I couldn't help but smile. For a moment, the weight pressing on my shoulders felt lighter.

"A good sight, isn't it?" Astrid's voice pulled me back to reality. She stood in the doorway, her expression softening when she saw us.

"It's good to see you," she said, stepping forward to hug me tightly. "It's been too long."

"It really has," I admitted, returning her embrace. "How are you holding up?"

Astrid's smile faltered slightly. "It's been... a lot. But we're managing. Come inside. Killian's waiting."

The room was quiet as we gathered, but the air buzzed with tension. Killian greeted Drystan with a firm handshake, the unspoken understanding between them evident.

"We've been hearing about the rogue attacks near your borders," Killian said, his voice serious. "How bad is it?"

"Bad enough," Drystan replied, leaning against the table. "They're organized-far more than they should be. And we've uncovered something troubling.”

I nodded, feeling their attention shift to me. "We've been piecing together clues

about Liora's past. There are indications she might have had a connection to the rogues before her death."

Astrid's eyes widened slightly. "Liora? Are you sure?"

"We're not certain yet," I admitted, the words heavy in my throat. "But the signs are there. Liora always kept parts of her life hidden, even from me. We found fragments of her journal that suggest she may have known the Rogue King."

Killian's jaw tightened. "That complicates things. If the Rogue King had ties to her,

it could explain his interest in the Packs. He might know more about us than we realize."

Drystan's expression darkened. "And if he does, that makes him even more dangerous. He's not just targeting your Pack or ours. He's playing a much bigger game."

"We think he's after something more than territory," I added. "He's playing a long game, but we haven't figured out his end goal yet."

Astrid exchanged a glance with Killian before speaking. "We've discovered something, too. There's a relic-the Forsaken Amulet. It's said to have the power to suppress Almega abilities."

The weight of her words settled heavily over the room.

"If he gets it," Astrid continued, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation, "it would render me powerless. We believe he's targeting the Emberwood ruins, where the relic is rumored to be hidden."

Drystan's brow furrowed. "If he's after the amulet, it's not just you he's targeting, Astrid. It's every Pack that relies on strong leadership. He's looking to dismantle the entire structure of power."

Killian nodded. "We need to act quickly. If the Rogue King gets his hands on that relic, it won't just be a war. It'll be annihilation."

"We need to form a plan," Astrid said, her eyes narrowing with determination.

Killian crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the table. "If the amulet is in the Emberwood ruins, that has to be our first priority. We can't afford to wait for the rogues to get there before us."

"It could be a trap," Drystan pointed out, his voice calm but firm. "If the Rogue King knows we're looking for the amulet, he'll expect us to go after it. He might already have forces waiting to ambush us."

Astrid leaned forward, her

expression resolute. "We don't have a choice. If it's a trap, we'll deal with

it. But if we wait, the amulet could

fall into his hands, and then we'll lose any chance of stopping him."

QUMS

I nodded in agreement. “Astrid's right. The amulet is too dangerous to ignore.

Even if it's a trap, we have to take the risk."

Killian glanced at Drystan, his jaw tight. "Can you spare warriors to join us on this mission? If we go in with a larger force, we might be able to overwhelm any resistance."

Drystan's lips pressed into a thin line. “I'll send a team, but we need to move carefully. A large force could draw attention, and the last thing we want is to alert the Rogue King to our exact movements."

“We'll need scouts,” Astrid suggested. “Someone to survey the area ahead of us and report back before we move in. If the rogues are lying in wait, we'll know before walking into their trap."

"I can handle the scouting," I offered, meeting Drystan's gaze. "I'm good at staying unnoticed, and I know how to track."

Drystan frowned, clearly uneasy. “Nova—”

"This is about Liora, too," I interrupted. "If the Rogue King had ties to her, this

mission might lead us closer to the truth. I need to do this."

Astrid exchanged a glance with Killian. "Which brings us to our second priority," she said. "We need to investigate Liora's past. If there's any connection between her and the rogues, we need to know exactly what it is."

Killian's expression darkened. "And we need to figure out what my mother knows about all of this. If she's hiding something, it's time we uncover it."

Everyone nodded, the room filling with a shared resolve. The stakes had never been higher, but for the first time in weeks, we had a plan.

 

Chapter 367: The Trap

Astrid's POV

The forest around the Emberwood ruins was a tangle of shadows and silence.

Every crunch of leaves beneath our boots and rustle of branches above felt amplified in the eerie stillness.

My wolf stirred uneasily within me, its senses sharp as if anticipating an ambush. Killian walked at my side, his posture rigid with tension.

Drystan and Nova followed close behind, their weapons at the ready, and a small group of warriors flanked us.

We'd planned this mission carefully, but the weight of the Forsaken Amulet and the shadow of the Rogue King made every step feel like a gamble.

As we approached the ruins, the crumbling stone walls loomed into view, covered in moss and vines.

A cold wind blew through the trees, carrying a faint metallic tang that made my stomach churn.

"It's too quiet," Killian muttered, his eyes scanning the treeline. "I don't like it." Drystan nodded grimly. "If the Rogue King knows we're here, he's waiting."

"We don't have a choice," I said, gripping my blade tightly. "We need to find the relic before he does."

We stepped cautiously into the ruins, the air growing colder as the trees gave way to crumbling archways and uneven stone paths.

The ruins stretched out before us, a maze of fallen towers and collapsed chambers.

"Spread out," Killian ordered, his voice low but firm. "Search every corner. If the relic is here, we'll find it."

As we moved deeper into the ruins, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

My wolf growled softly, a warning I couldn't ignore. I scanned the shadows, but there was nothing-only the oppressive silence and the distant whispers of the wind.

Nova paused near a collapsed wall, her fingers brushing over an ancient carving. "Liora mentioned these ruins in her journal," she murmured. "She wrote about the rogue leaders meeting here, but... something's off."

"Off how?" Drystan asked, his voice tight.

Nova turned to us, her brow furrowed. "She described the ruins as abandoned, untouched. But these markings... they're recent. Someone's been here."

A low growl echoed through the ruins sending a shiver down my spine.

My wolf bristled within me, and I knew we weren't alone.

The air grew heavier, and before any of us could react, figures emerged from the shadows—rogues, dozens of them, their wolves snarling and ready for blood.

"Ambush!" Drystan roared, his voice carrying above the growls.

Killian and I exchanged a glance. No words were needed. The moment the rogues lunged, we shifted in unison.

The transformation was instant, muscles stretching, bones snapping into place as our wolves took over.

My wolf, silver and sleek, growled with fury, ready to defend.

Drystan's massive black wolf was already tearing into the nearest rogue, his movements powerful and precise.

Nova's wolf, smaller but quick, darted between attackers, her teeth flashing as she ripped into her enemies.

The rogues were fast, but we were faster.

I lunged at the nearest rogue, sinking my teeth into its shoulder and throwing it to the ground.

It yelped, struggling beneath me, but I didn't hesitate.

With a swift motion, I ended its threat and turned to face the next one.

Killian's wolf was a storm of strength and speed, his jaws snapping at a rogue that had tried to flank him.

He slammed into it, pinning it beneath his paws, and growled low in warning before finishing it off.

Blood spattered his dark fur, but he barely seemed to notice.

"We're surrounded!" Nova's wolf howled, her voice sharp with urgency as she leapt away from an attacking rogue.

She spun, her claws raking across its side before it could land a blow.

Drystan's wolf let out a thunderous snarl, his sheer size and strength cutting through the chaos.

He charged at a group of rogues, scattering them like leaves in a storm.

One rogue tried to latch onto his hind leg, but he whipped around, throwing it off with a vicious bite to its neck.

That's when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. There was someone standing from afar, silently watching us.

Is that the Rogue King?

“He's here!” I shouted through the link. "The Rogue King is here!” I sprinted off to chase after the figure.

He ran away as soon as he saw me coming after him.

"After them!" Drystan roared.

He bolted toward the treeline, his massive frame disappearing into the undergrowth.

Killian and Nova followed their wolves tearing through the forest in pursuit.

The figure moved with impossible speed, their footsteps barely audible over the rustle of leaves.

My wolf pushed harder, determined to close the distance.

But just as we thought we were gaining on them, they disappeared.

We skidded to a halt in a small clearing, Qur wolves panting heavily. The figure was gone, but something was left behind-a single piece of parchment pinned to a tree with a dagger.

Killian shifted first, his body tense as he pulled the parchment free. His eyes darkened as he read it. "This... this is about Liora."

Drystan shifted back next, his face hard as he stepped forward to read over Killian's shoulder.

Nova and I followed, our hearts pounding. The document was weathered but intact, its contents chilling:

•Name: Liora Duskwatch

•Target Designation: Silvermoon Threat

•Elimination Plan: Utilize Pack informant. Stage as rogue ambush. Ensure no survivors.

My blood ran cold as I read the words.

"Pack informant," Drystan growled, his voice a dangerous rumble. "Someone

from Silvermoon worked with the rogues to kill her."

Nova's face paled, her hands

trembling as she reached for the et

document. "They... they planned it. Her death wasn't an accident. They orchestrated it."

I froze, my chest tightening as my wolf stirred uneasily. Does Rowena had something to do with this? Was this the deal she made with the rogues?

Killian was silent, I couldn't tell what he is thinking.

 

Chapter 368: What then?

Astrid's POV

The clearing was unnervingly quiet. The parchment in Killian's hands seemed

heavier than it had any right to be, the words scrawled across its surface burning into my mind like a brand.

Elimination Plan. Pack informant. No survivors.

It seems that there is something more behind Liora's death. It was planned, she

was targetted. Her death wasn't a simple accident.

And worse, someone from Silvermoon had helped them.

I felt the weight of Killian's silence beside me, and my stomach twisted.

I'm sure he is already suspecting his mother. Aside from Rowena, who else could have made a deal with the rogues?

If it was Rowena, it would make sense why she made a deal with us in exchange of escaping punishment.

I reached for Killian's hand and squeezed it in comfort. Killian looked at me and I stared back at him with understanding.

There's no evidence yet. All we know is that someone from the Silvermoon Pack had something to do with Liora's death. We aren't sure yet if it was Rowena.

Drystan broke the silence first, his voice a low growl. "They lured us here." He clenched his fists, his gaze dark as it flicked to the parchment. "This was never about the relic. The rogues wanted us to find this."

Nova nodded, her expression pale but resolute. "They wanted us to know the truth about Liora's death-or at least, part of it."

Killian's grip on the parchment tightened, and I saw the faint tremor in his hands. He turned away slightly, his jaw clenched, his golden eyes shadowed with unreadable emotion.

The rogues were really trying to divide us so we could be an easier prey for them.

If Killian's mother really had something to do with Liora's death. I'm sure Nova and Drystan wouldn't forgive her, and I'm not sure if Killian would side with them or with his own mother.

I swallowed hard, the knot in my stomach tightening. The rogues were clever, far more than I'd given them credit for.

They didn't just want to destroy us physically-they wanted to shatter us from within. To sow distrust where it mattered most.

Drystan turned to Nova, his expression hardening with determination. "We need answers. We can't let this stand."

Nova nodded, her hands trembling as she reached for the parchment. "We'll dig deeper. Investigate Liora's death. If someone from Silvermoon worked with the rogues, we'll find out who it was."

Killian's voice cut through the tension, steady and resolute. "I'll help."

Drystan turned to him, surprise flickering across his face.

Killian continued, his gaze unwavering. "This is my Pack. If there's an informant in Silvermoon, it's my responsibility to uncover them. I'll do everything in my power to find out who betrayed Liora."

I slowly nodded my head in agreement.

Nova's eyes softened, gratitude breaking through her anguish. "Thank you, Killian. That means a lot."

Drystan nodded, his posture easing slightly. "Your help will make a difference. This isn't just about justice for Liora-it's about stopping the rogues from using this against us."

Killian inclined his head, but his silence afterward spoke volumes. I knew him too well.

As we prepared to leave the clearing, my thoughts spiraled. The rogues had accomplished part of their plan-they'd planted the seed of doubt, the shadow of betrayal.

I glanced at Killian, his jaw set, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

"We will get through this," I whispered, stealing him away from the scary thoughts he was having.

"What should we do?" Killian asked me, for the first time he's unsure. "If my mother had something to do with this, what should we do?"

I fell silent upon his question. Even after everything his mother had done, he still

cared about her even though he was still angry with her.

I placed a comforting hand on Killian's arm, my thumb brushing lightly against his sleeve. "Killian," began softly, trying to steady both our nerves, "we don't know the full story yet. Jumping to conclusions will only make things worse

He shook his head, his eyes dark with doubt. "But if it's true, Astrid-if my mother really did this-it's not just about Liora. It's about everything. Drystan, Nova, thei Pack. They'll see it as a betrayal

that can't be forgiven."

I let his words hang in the air for a moment, the weight of them pressing down on

us like an invisible force.

Killian was right.

If Rowena's guilt was proven, the damage wouldn't just affect Drystan and Nova.

It would ripple through both Packs, unraveling alliances we couldn't afford to lose -not with the Rogue King looming like a storm on the horizon.

"We are still not sure about that, Killian. There are lots of possibilities. There's no evidence pointing to Rowena and we still haven't ask her about it yet. We cannot deem her guilty," I answered, trying to raise his spirits.

"If Drystan and Nova find out that Rowena made a deal with the rogues to kill Liora, the

consequences will be catastrophic Killian replied, his brows pinched anxiously. "The bond between our Packs would shatter, and the trust We'd fought so hard to build would be irreparably broken."

"That's only if Rowena had something to do with this," I shot back hoping that he

would easen up.

"If she had something to do with this, what shall we do then?" Killian asked.

A long silence fell between us.

 

Chapter 369: Interrogation

Astrid's POV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

her eyes.

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

her up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ryker is really too smart for his age.

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

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

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

us.

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

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

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

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

Rowena's lips thinned, but she said nothing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

was better than your father in every

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

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

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

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

the path for your husbandclear

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

Killian took a step back, his face a

l.ne

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

power?!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Chapter 370: Secrets

Astrid's POV

I stared at Rowena, my heart pounding in disbelief. My wolf stirred uneasily within

me, sensing my anger, my sadness, my... disgust.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You have no remorse," I said, my voice trembling, a mix of anger and sorrow. "After everything that happened.

After the pain you caused to Drystan and Nova. After taking someone's mate, someone's sister, you stand here and act as if it was just... business. Just a means to an end."

Rowena's cold, detached gaze met mine. "It wasn't personal, Astrid. It was survival.

You have to understand when you're protecting what's yours, you'll do whatever it takes. Drystan would have taken everything from us."

I took a step forward, my fists clenched, my wolf growling within me. "Do you even hear yourself? You didn't just take everything from Drystan; you destroyed him.

You tore apart a bond stronger than anything in this world. Do you know what it feels like to lose your mate? To live every single day with half of your soul missing?"

Rowena's lips thinned, but she didn't respond.

"I've seen how much Nova grieved for Liora," I continued, my voice rising. "I've seen Drystan bury himself in guilt and misery. And you... You just watched it happen, carrying this secret all these years like it was nothing."

Killian stepped forward, his voice low and trembling with anger. "This is why you offered to help, isn't it?

This is why you made that deal with us to escape punishment. To escape the consequences of what you did."

Rowena's silence was damning.

Killian's eyes darkened, his voice breaking as he spoke again. "You knew this would come out eventually, didn't you? You knew that if Nova or Drystan ever discovered the truth, they wouldn't stop until you paid for it.

So you came to us, made yourself indispensable, knowing we'd protect you because of Ryker, because of Elara. Because of me."

I felt my breath catch as his words sunk in. It all made sense now-her sudden offer of help, her eagerness to align herself with us after years of animosity.

It wasn't out of some newfound loyalty. It was self-preservation.

"You used us," I said quietly, my voice cold and sharp. "You used your own son, your grandchildren, just to save yourself.

Do you have any idea what you've done? What this could do to our Packs? To our alliance?"

Rowena finally spoke, her tone unwavering. "What I did, I did for this Pack. For you, for Killian, for Ryker and Elara.

If Drystan had become Alpha, the Silvermoon Pack would have fallen apart. He didn't have the strength to lead after Liora's death."

Killian's voice was low, dangerous. "He didn't have the strength because you took

it from him. You killed the one person who made him whole.

Don't stand here and justify this as some act of loyalty to the Pack. This was about power. Your power. Father's power. Nothing more."

"Who else knew about this?" I asked, trying to find out if there was someone else behind this.

"No one," Rowena answered emotionlessly. "It was my own idea. I took everything in my own hands, not even your father knew about this," she spoke while staring at Killian."

"You're unbelievable," Killian said, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Drystan and Nova trusted us. They trusted me. If they find out about this-"

"They don't have to," Rowena interrupted. "The past is the past. What matters now is keeping the Packs united against the Rogue King. If this gets out, it will destroy everything we've built."

Killian turned away from her, his hands trembling with fury. I reached for him, my touch grounding him as he struggled to compose himself.

"This is bigger than just keeping the Packs united," I said, my voice trembling but firm. "Rowena, what you did what you're still trying to justify-it's not something that can just be buried."

Rowena's gaze hardened, her posture unyielding. "It has to be buried, Astrid. For the sake of everyone."

I couldn't believe her audacity. She had taken a life, shattered the future of Drystan and Nova, and still had the nerve to demand silence as if it were the easiest solution.

My wolf snarled within me, furious at her lack of remorse, but I kept my composure. Barely.

"We can't let this divide us," Killian muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

His jaw tightened, and I could feel the weight of the decision pressing on him. "Not now. Not with everything at stake."

Rowena stepped closer, her

expression softer now, almost pleading. "Killian, I did this for you. For our family. Don't let this ruin us. Think of Ryker, of Elara. If the truth comes out, they'll lose everything

we've worked to protect."

I flinched at the mention of my children. My wolf bristled, torn between the instinct

to protect them and the rage clawing at my chest for what Rowena had done.

"Don't you dare use them as an

excuse," I snapped, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "You didn't do this for them. You did this for yourself and for power. Don't

try to twist this into sove

noble."

Rowena's eyes darkened, her mouth opening as if to argue, but Killian silenced

her with a glare.

"You're right about one thing," Killian

said, his voice cold and steady now. "If this comes out, it will destroy everything. But that doesn't mean you're absolved, Mother. You'll have to answer for this-one way or another."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken consequences.

Rowena's expression faltered, but she quickly masked it with a stoic front. "Do what you have to, Killian. Just don't let it destroy the Packs. That's all I'll say."

Killian turned away from her, and I followed him, the tension between us palpable as we walked back toward the Packhouse.

My mind raced, replaying Rowena's confession and the implications it carried.

"We have to decide what to do," I said softly, breaking the silence as we reached the edge of the courtyard.

Killian stopped, his golden eyes filled with a mixture of pain and determination. "We can't tell them. Not yet."

I hesitated, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "If they find out we hid this from them..."

"I know," he interrupted, his voice heavy. "But right now, the Rogue King is the bigger threat. If the Packs fall apart because of this, we're done. Everyone's done."

I nodded reluctantly, understanding his reasoning but hating it all the same.

This secret wasn't just a shadow over Rowena anymore. It was a shadow over all

of us.