Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 442

Chapter 442

“It’s how practical ethics work,” my father said. “Which is what matters when you’re trying to lead people who don’t want to be led.”

I looked at Lumina for support. She looked back at me with an expression that said she was torn between horror and reluctant admuration.

Your parents just built us a functional coalition in three hours using tactics that probably violate several laws and definitely violate social

norms, she said slowly.

‘I’m aware.

“And they’re teaching our children how to do the same thing.”

“Also aware.”

Should we stop them?”

I considered this seriously. On one hand, my five-year-old sons were learning manipulation, guilt tactics, and strategic blackmail from their

grandparents. That was objectively terrible parenting.

On the other hand, those same tactics had just given us the coalition we desperately needed. Had potentially saved lives by convincing

stubborn alphas to swallow their pride and cooperate.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I genuinely don’t know if stopping them would be the right choice.”

“That’s probably a sign we should stop them,” Lumina said.

“Probably,” I agreed.

Neither of us moved to actually stop them.

“We’re terrible parents,” Lumina muttered.

“We’re practical parents,” I corrected, echoing my mother’s earlier defense. “There’s a difference.”

“Not much of one.”

“Enough of one.”

Zade was laughing quietly, his hand over his mouth to muffle the sound. “Your family is insane.”

“Completely,” I agreed.

“But effective.”

“Also yes.”

My phone buzzed with another incoming message. This one from Alpha Chen, confirming receipt of the security protocols and asking for the next coalition meeting schedule.

<

1/3

We had momentum now. Had allies, intelligence, and a coordinated response forming.

Thanks to my parents willingness to guilt-trip, manipulate, and strategically blackmail their peer group into cooperation.

“Thank you,” I said to them seriously. “For helping. For using your connections and your knowledge to build this coalition. Even if your

methods are… questionable.”

Our methods are proven,” my mother corrected. “Questionable implic uncertainty of outcome. We were completely certain this would

work.”

‘Because you’re shameless, Lyn said.

“Because we’re experienced,” my father countered. “And because we understand that sometimes doing the right thing requires doing things that aren’t entirely right.”

“That’s morally ambiguous at best, Carol pointed out.

“Welcome to pack politics,” my mother said cheerfully. “Where everything is morally ambiguous and the points don’t matter as long as

everyone survives.”

She stood, wincing slightly as her still-healing ribs protested the movement. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to return to our recovery.

Come along, boys. We have more lessons to cover.”

The three five-year-olds gathered their materials and followed their grandparents out of the room like ducklings following extremely

manipulative, morally questionable ducks.

The door closed behind them, leaving the adults in stunned silence.

*We should probably debrief the boys later,” Lumina said eventually. “Make sure they understand that while those tactics worked, they

should only be used as a last resort.”

“Agreed,” I said.

And that there are more ethical ways to build consensus.”

“Also agreed.”

“And that we love them regardless of whether they grow up to be diplomats or crime lords.”

“That’s not ” I stopped, considering. Actually, that’s probably a good clarification to make.”

Zade was still laughing. I love your family. They’re absolutely insane but I love them.”

“They’re something, I agreed.

We spent the rest of the afternoon coordinating with our new allies, setting up secure communication channels, sharing intelligence about Jerome’s coalition, and planning the first official meeting of what we were tentatively calling the Progressive Alliance.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify