Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 448

Chapter 448

SHAWN

These five-year-olds were the strangest children I’d ever met.

“Why did you come out here alone?’ Samuel asked, his voice gentler now. Without telling anyone where you were going or what you were

planning?”

I hesitated, not sure how to explain the tangle of fears and doubts that had driven me into the woods.

‘I didn’t want to hurt anyone,” I said finally. “My power-it’s not like Lake’s portals or Lyn’s gravity manipulation. It’s not controllable or

reversible. When I hit someone, they’re just… gone. Completely. And I was scared that if I lost control, if something startled me or I got angry,

I might accidentally hit one of the kids. Or you. Or anyone else in the house.”

Silvia and Samuel exchanged a look I couldn’t quite interpret.

“So you came out here to practice,” Silvia said. “To figure out your limits and learn control. Without asking for help or supervision because

you didn’t want to risk hurting anyone.”

“Yes,” I said, feeling defensive. “Is that wrong?”

“It’s responsible,” Samuel said. “And also slightly stupid.”

“Samuel, Silvia chided.

“What? It is,” he defended. “Practicing powerful magic alone, without backup, in case something goes wrong? That’s exactly the kind of

thing we used to yell at Xenois about when he was young.”

“Fair point, Silvia conceded. Then, to me: “Next time you want to practice, tell someone. Ask Lynn or Lyn to supervise. They’re healers—if something does go wrong, they can help. And they understand magic in ways purely werewolf pack members don’t.”

“I don’t want to be a burden,” I said quietly.

“You’re not a burden,” Silvia said firmly. “You’re family. Or about to be officially, once we finalize the adoption paperwork.”

There it was. Confirmation of what I’d overheard.

“About that,” I started, my voice coming out smaller than I intended.re you sure? I mean, Xenois-he lost his sister. And you’re adopting me, and I’m nothing like Xena probably was, and what if he sees me as a replacement or-”

“Stop,” Silvia interrupted. “Xenois doesn’t see you as a replacement for Xena. Nobody does. Xena was our daughter, and nothing will ever change that. But Xena’s gone. And you’re here. And you need a family, and we want to give you one.”

“But what if Xenois doesn’t want a stepbrother?” I pressed. “What if-

“Then he’ll adjust, Samuel said simply. “Because that’s what family does. We adjust, we adapt, we make room for new people even when it’s uncomfortable. And Xenois is good at that. Better than Samuel and I ever were at his age.”

“We haven’t even really talked,” I pointed out. “How can he be okay with me becoming part of his family when we barely know each other?”

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So get to know him, Silvia suggested. “Talk to him. Ask him questions. Let him ask you questions. Family isn’t something you have to be perfect at from day one. It’s something you build over time.”

The boys had been listening to this entire exchange with fascinated attention.

“We like you,” Ollie announced. “So even if Dad is weird about it at first, we’ll make sure he comes around.”

“We’re very persuasive,” Lake added.

“We once convinced Dad to let us have ice cream for breakfast by presenting a detailed nutritional analysis showing it was basically frozen

yogurt with different marketing, Riley said proudly.

‘It worked for three days before Mom found out, Ollie added.

“Worth it, all three boys said in unison.

Despite everything-the fear, the doubt, the burning forest around us I felt a laugh bubble up.

These weird, brilliant, powerful children apparently had decided I was acceptable. That was something.

“The fire’s spreading,” Riley observed, ever practical. “Should someone do something about that?”

“Lake, can you portal us some water?” Silvia asked.

“From where?” Lake asked.

“The pool at our estate,” she suggested. “Just open a portal directly above the flames and let gravity do the work.”

Lake’s face scrunched up in concentration, then a shimmer appeared in the air above the burning trees. Water started pouring through- gallons and gallons of it, enough to quickly douse the flames.

“That’s so cool, I breathed, watching magic I’d never dreamed was possible being used as casual firefighting.

“Lake’s portals are very versatile, Samuel said proudly. “Though we should probably refill the pool before anyone notices it’s missing

several thousand gallons.”

“Details,” Silvia said dismissively.

The fire was out now, leaving behind charred trees and the lingering smell of smoke. The forest looked like a disaster zone,

practice session carved into the landscape.

evidence of my

“Sorry about the trees,” I said.

“They’ll grow back, Samuel assured me. “And if they don’t, we’ll plant new ones. Trees are replaceable. You, however, are not.”

“That’s surprisingly sentimental for someone I’ve seen threaten multiple people in the last three days,” I observed.

“I contain multitudes,” Samuel said with dignity.

“He’s old and emotional,” Silvia stage-whispered. “We’re working on it

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Chapter 448.

I can hear you.”

I know. That’s why it’s called stage-whispering and not actual whispering.”

The boys were giggling at their grandparents’ bickering. And I found myself smiling too, some of the tension that had been sitting in my chest for days finally loosening.

Maybe this could work. Maybe I could be part of this chaotic, powerful slightly insane family.

Maybe being adopted by legendary war veterans and becoming stepbrother to an alpha and uncle to three five-year-olds wouldn’t be as

terrifying as I’d imagined.

“Come on, Silvia said, gesturing back toward the house. “Let’s get lunch. And Shawn? Tomorrow we’re going to set up proper training sessions. With supervision, with safety protocols, and with actual instruction instead of you trying to figure everything out alone in the woods.”

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