Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 488

Chapter 488

XENOIS

Then we’ll reassess your imprisonment,” I said. “Possible parole, possible exchange, possible permanent imprisonment. Depends on your level of cooperation and what happens in the final confrontation.”

“Fair enough, Lazarus said. “For what it’s worth, Alpha Xenois-you did what you needed to do. Jerome respects strength. The fact that you were willing to torture prisoners to protect your pack? He’ll hear about that. And it might actually make him reconsider his assessment of you as weak.”

‘I don’t care what Jerome thinks of me,” I said.

“You should, Lazarus advised. ‘Because Jerome’s next move will be influenced by his perception of your capabilities. If he thinks you’re still playing by progressive rules, he’ll be more aggressive. If he knows you’re willing to use traditional methods when pushed-he might be more cautious.”

That was uncomfortably close to something my parents would say.

“Thank you for the insight,” I said. “Thorne, ensure Lazarus’s cell modifications are implemented today.”

‘On it, Thorne confirmed.

I left the holding area, my hands still slightly shaking, my mind replaying what I’d just done.

I’d tortured someone. Broken bones, caused deliberate pain, extracted information through suffering.

I’d become my parents’ son in the worst possible way.

But I’d also gotten intelligence that might save lives. That might help us identify our traitor and stop Jerome’s next attacks.

Was that worth the moral compromise?

I didn’t know.

And the fact that I was even questioning it-that I couldn’t immediately say yes-suggested Lynn might be right about something changing in me.

I found Lumina in our bedroom, and the moment she saw my expression she knew.

“What did you do?” she asked.

“What I had to,’ I said. “What my parents would have done. What Jerome forced me to do.”

She pulled me into her arms, and I let myself be held even though I wasn’t sure I deserved comfort.

Tell me,’ she said.

So I did. Every detail of the interrogation, every broken bone, every scream, every piece of information extracted through deliberate cruelty.

When I finished, she was quiet for a long time.

“Are you angry?” I asked.

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Chapter 488

“No,” she said slowly. I’m sad. Sad that Jerome pushed you to this point. Sad that protecting our family required you to do something you’ll carry guilt about. But not angry. You got information that might save lives. That might stop more attacks. That’s leadership.”

“Lynn thinks I crossed a line,” I said.

‘Lynn’s not wrong, Lumina acknowledged. “But he’s also not responsible for keeping this pack safe. You are. And sometimes that means making choices

that are morally complicated.”

‘I went straight to violence, I admitted. ‘Didn’t even try conversation first. Just broke her arm immediately to establish that I was serious.”

“That troubles you, Lumina observed.

“It should trouble me,” I said. “The fact that it was so easy-that I didn’t hesitate-that’s concerning.”

“Then stay troubled, Lumina advised. ‘Stay concerned about crossing lines. The moment you stop questioning these choices is the moment you’ve

actually become dangerous.”

She was right. As long as I was uncomfortable with what I’d done, as long as I questioned whether it was necessary, I hadn’t completely lost myself to

brutality.

But I’d definitely taken a step in that direction.

A step I couldn’t take back.

Our children can never know about this, I said suddenly. “Lake, Riley, Ollie-they can never know their father tortured someone.”

“They’ll find out eventually,” Lumina said gently. “Nothing stays secret forever. And when they do find out, we’ll explain that leadership sometimes requires difficult choices. That protecting people you love means sometimes doing things you’re not proud of.”

“They’re five, I protested.

“They’re five-year-olds who defended our pack house against infiltrators,” Lumina reminded me. “They’re not as innocent as you want them to be. They’ve already seen violence. Already participated in combat situations. Pretending they can’t handle knowing their father made, hard choices isn’t protecting them-it’s underestimating them.”

I knew she was right. But I still hated it.

Hated that my children lived in a world where torture was sometimes necessary. Where their father had to brea protecting family meant becoming someone you’d rather not be.

stract information. Where

‘Come on, Lumina said, pulling me toward the bed. “You need rest. You need time to process what you did. And then we ll figure out next steps for

using that intelligence.”

‘I should-‘

“Rest, she insisted. The intelligence isn’t going anywhere. Jerome isn’t launching attacks in the next few hours. You have time to recover before dealing with the operational planning.”

She was using Luna authority on me. Making it clear this wasn’t a request.

I let her guide me to bed, let her hold me while I processed everything that had happened.

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Chapter 488

M

I’d tortured someone today.

Deliberately. Methodically. Effectively.

I’d become the kind of leader I’d promised myself I’d never be.

But I d also gotten information that might save my family.

Might protect my children.

Might stop Jerome before he could hurt anyone else.

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