The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 220

Chapter 220 This Was Astra’s Choice

Cindy’s POV:

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I looked at the room full of worried, drawn faces and felt a deep wave of exhaustion wash over me, but at the same time, an odd clarity settled in.

I understood.

This was why I stood as a duchess, while they remained barons.

This was why Astra had to be raised by me and taught by Prince Adam.

The Kazeks were too kind and too sentimental.

Their love was like cotton. Warm, but soft.

They only wanted to shelter the cub beneath their wings, to keep him from even a drop of wind or rain.

But to forge a true Wolf King, what you need is not cotton, but a whetstone.

“Everyone.”

I stood up, breaking the silence.

My voice was not loud, but in the deathly quiet hall it rang with unusual clarity.

“I came today to fulfill my duty to inform you, and also to hear your opinions. But it’s clear that everyone is struggling.”

I looked around the room, my gaze finally settling on Roger’s anguished face.

“If someone must bear the sin of this choice, then let it be me.”

I took a deep breath, every word firm and sharp. “No sedative. We will go for the standard surgery and let him feel the pain.”

“Cindy!” Fiona cried out in alarm.

I raised my hand to stop her.

“This was Astra’s choice.”

I took out the note Astra had written and gently placed it on the table.

“He wrote, “There has never been a lame king. He remembers the story of his father pulling a spear from his shoulder and continuing to fight. He doesn’t want to be a cripple people that pity. He wants to be a warrior who can run, jump, and fight.

“He’s only eight years old, but he already has this resolve. If we, the adults, take away his chance to become strong because we can’t bear it and because we’re afraid of responsibility-or even destroy his future with

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Chapter 220 This Was Astra’s Choice

our own hands-that would be the real cruelty!”

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I looked at Maya, my eyes steady. “Maya, you once said the Kazeks are his backbone. A backbone is meant to support him when he charges forward, not to seize his ankle when he’s about to take flight.”

Maya stared at the note, tears shimmering in her clouded eyes.

After a long while, she let out a heavy sigh and slowly closed them.

“Alright… Alright…” Her voice trembled. “This child has his backbone, just like his father and our wolf blood.

“Since he’s chosen for himself, what more is there to say?” She waved her hand, as if draining the last of her strength. “We’ll follow Cindy’s decision. Whatever the outcome, the whole family will bear it together.”

Roger covered his face and slumped back into his chair, his shoulders shaking violently. He said nothing

more.

I knew it was settled.

When I left Kazek Manor, the night sky was washed clean, a few cold stars hanging sharp and bright above.

Inside the carriage, I felt utterly drained.

“Well done.”

Diana’s voice lacked its usual teasing and carried a solemn weight. “This is a decision an Alpha must make. For the future of the pack, sometimes you have to push a cub toward the cliff with your own hands. Only the one who climbs back up deserves the crown. Cindy, your heart has finally hardened.”

The next morning.

I went to Astra’s room again.

He was having breakfast. When he saw me, he immediately set his utensil down, a questioning look in his

eyes.

“It’s decided.”

I stroked his head and didn’t hide anything from him. “The day after tomorrow. Dr. Rupert will come to perform the surgery. No red drug. Just the standard one.”

Astra’s eyes

lit

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