Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Xenois

When I returned to the kitchen, Luna was wiping down the counter, her movements slow and precise.

Ollie had abandoned his half-eaten breakfast and was now busily stuffing dinosaur toys into his backpack by the door.

“I have to head out early,” I said, lying easily to her as I continued speaking.

“Council meeting before office hours.”

Luna stopped in what she was doing and for a moment, I thought she would call me out on it. Challenge me on this and demand the truth.

Part of me almost wanted her to-wanted the fight, the confrontation, anything else but this strange silence that she seemed to be

using whenever she was around me.

But she only nodded her head slowly. “We’ll be fine.”

“Daddy, are you taking me to school?” Ollie came over, filled with eager energy and hope.

The naked longing in his eyes felt like I was being stabbed in my heart.

When had I last done something as simple as drive my son to school?

“Not today, buddy. Daddy has important Alpha business.” I said bending down to his level, straightening the collar of his shirt.

“But how about we do something fun this weekend? Just you and me?”

The lie was flowing out of my mouth tasting bitter even as I said it.

I already knew I’d find some reason to cancel, some obligation that would take more importance over my son.

Ollie’s smile fell, but didn’t disappear completely. He nodded his head, as if he’d expected nothing more.

“That’s okay. Mom said we can go to the park after school and feed the ducks.”

“That sounds great.” I ruffled his hair, avoiding Luna’s eyes. “Be good for your mom, okay?”

“I’m always good,” he said seriously, th vrapped his small arms around my legs in a quick hug before racing back to his backpack.

I stood, straightening my tie, and finally met Luna’s gaze. Something in her expression made me hesitate, a silent challenge I couldn’t quite decipher.

“Is there something you want to say?” I asked, carefully watching her for a reaction.

She studied me for a long moment, her head tilted slightly to one side.

Then she exhaled slowly, as if coming to some private decision.

“No,” she said finally. “Nothing that would make any difference.”

Her resignation to this was somehow worse than anger. At least anger would have given me something to point out. And to justify my own behavior.

“I’ll try to be home for dinner,” I lied again, hoping to see something like hope.

Luna just nodded, turning away to help Ollie with his shoes. The dismissal was clear. I was no longer needed here.

Outside, the morning air was fresh as it carried the scent of damp soil and flowers.

My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, agitated by the strange tension in my home.

I got in my car, but didn’t start the engine immediately.

Instead, I watched through the front window as Luna helped Ollie onto the porch, kneeling to check his backpack one last time.

She said something that made him laugh, his head thrown back in laughter as he looked happy while Luna grinned back as well, both

of them enjoying this moment..

My hands gripped the steering wheel tight as I was distracted when my phone chimed with a text from Sophia: Just boarding now.

Can’t wait to see you.

I started the car, burying the uncomfortable thoughts into a mental cabinet and shoving it to be forgotten.

This was my life now-divided loyalties between two different women. I’d made my choices, and while they might not be the right one, they were mine to live with.

As I pulled away from the garage, I glanced in my rearview mirror. Luna stood on the porch, watching me leave, one hand on Ollie’s shoulder.

Something about her posture, seemed to send a chill down my spine.

Her response was immediate, as my phone buzzed with a text: I know.

That was only what she texted to me.

It seemed like she didn’t care. There was no anger, no disappointment. As if she’d already expected me to fail her again.

The text should have relieved me, there was no fight or any guilt trip but instead, it left me feeling uneasy.

The Luna I knew would have not given in quite easily. She would have demanded explanations, and made me work for her forgiveness.

This quiet acceptance was something that I could not see her doing.

Is everything okay? I texted back,. This was a rare moment, feeling genuine concern for my mate.

The three dots appeared, indicating she was typing, then it disappeared. Appeared again. Disappeared.

Finally my phone buzzed with a reply: Everything’s fine, Xenois. Take care of your ‘something.’ We’ll manage without you. We always

Her using my full name felt like I had been punched out of nowhere. Luna hasn’t called me “Xenois” since we got mated. The only time she used that full name was when she was still keeping me at arms length, still trying to decide if this forced bonding between us

was something she could grow to accept.

Before I could respond, my phone rang. It was Thorne, my Second, who was calling.

“Alpha,” he said when I answered, “we’ve secured the place at the airfield. No unusual activity reported at all during the preparation of

Kingston pack’s return.”

“Good.” I said as I turned around in my chair, looking out over Silver Creek, the town I’d sworn to protect.

“Any word from our contacts in the city? Any movement from the Blackwater pack?”

“Nothing solid yet, but there are rumors going around that they’re expanding their territory. If they continue pushing towards East with their current pace, they’ll be at our borders within the year.”

I frowned, considering the implications behind this move. The Blackwater pack was well known for their aggressive traits, demanding land and taking it as theirs, killing Innocents and weak ones who presented as an obstacle to them. If they set their sights on Silver

Creek…

“Double the border patrols,” I decided. “And send our best scouts to check and monitor their movements. I want to know the moment they make a move in our direction.”