Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 324

Chapter 324

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But it was keeping him stable. Keeping him from the violent outbursts and emotional storms that had made the first few days after his recovery nearly impossible. So I swallowed my concerns and pretended not to notice when both boys threw most of their ice cream

away.

“Next stop, school,” I announced with false cheer. “We need to get you boys caught up on what you’ve missed.”

The groans from all three children were immediate and unanimous.

Silver Creek Elementary was a sprawling brick building that had been expanded multiple times over the decades, creating a maze of hallways and additions that confused even long-time students. Mrs. Henderson-a stern woman in her fifties who’d been teaching here

since before the boys were born-was waiting for us in her classroom.

“Mrs. Blackwood,” she said, her tone carefully neutral. “I understand the boys have been absent for an extended period.”

“Two months,” I confirmed. “Due to family circumstances that couldn’t be avoided.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line that suggested she had opinions about those family circumstances but was too professional to voice

them.

“They’ve missed significant coursework. Math, reading, science, social studies. I’ll need them to make up everything they’ve missed, no

exceptions.”

“Of course,” I said, even as I internally calculated how much extra work that would mean. Two months of curriculum for two five-year- olds, plus integrating a new student who’d never attended formal school. This was going to be a nightmare.

“And this is?” Mrs. Henderson asked, her gaze landing on Lake with obvious assessment.

“Lake Blackwood,” I said. “He’ll be joining the boys’ class if he passes the placement test.”

“I see.” She handed me a thick packet of papers. “The test is comprehensive. It covers reading comprehension, basic math, science concepts, and social studies. If he fails, he’ll need to be placed in a remedial program.”

Lake took the packet without comment, his expression giving away nothing. Mrs. Henderson directed him to an empty desk while

Ollie and Riley followed me out into the hallway.

“How long will the test take?” Ollie asked, pressing his face against the small window in the classroom door.

“An hour, maybe two,” I said. “Depends on how quickly Lake works through it.”

We ended up waiting in the hallway, sitting on the uncomfortable plastic chairs that seemed designed specifically to make visitors miserable. Other classes were in session, and occasionally students would pass by on their way to the bathroom or the office, their curious gazes lingering on Riley.

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Chapter 324

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Word had spread fast that Riley Blackwood was back. I could see it in the way people looked at him-with curiosity, with pity, with

that peculiar fascination people had with tragedy. Riley seemed oblivious to the attention, or maybe just too medicated to care.

After about twenty minutes, a group of children emerged from the classroom next door-Ollie and Riley’s classmates. The moment

they spotted the twins, the questions came in a rush.

“Riley! Ollie! Where have you been?”

“My mom said you guys ran away!”

“No, my dad said the alpha and luna abandoned the pack!”

“Are you back for good?”

“What happened to you?”

Ollie fielded the questions with surprising grace, his natural friendliness smoothing over the more awkward inquiries. “We had to

leave for family stuff. But we’re back now, and everything’s fine.”

“Is it true you were kidnapped as a baby and raised by bad people?” a small girl with pigtails asked, directing her question at Riley.

Riley’s expression didn’t change, but I saw his jaw tighten slightly. “Yeah. But I’m okay now.”

The lie was so obvious it made my chest hurt. He wasn’t okay. None of us were okay. But what else could he say to a group of five-

year-olds who couldn’t possibly understand the horror he’d survived?

“That’s so scary,” another child breathed. “Were you afraid?”

“All the time,” Riley said quietly, and there was something in his voice that made the other children go quiet.

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Reborn From Regret A Second Chance at Luna’s Heart