The Broken Luna, Now His Regret novel Chapter 20

20 Chapter 20 BREAKING POINTS

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Mira’s POV

The morning sun barely pierced the curtains when Brielle’s scream shattered the peace of Callum Mansion.

“I want Daddy! I want Miss Astrid!”

Mira bolted upright, her heart hammering as she rushed to Brielle’s room. Her daughter stood in the center of the floor, tiny fists clenched, face blotchy and red. The carefully arranged dollhouse Mira had set up last night lay overturned, miniature/ furniture scattered like debris from an explosion.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Mira knelt, reaching for her daughter.

Brielle jerked away. “Don’t touch me! You made Daddy sad! You made him cry on TV!”

The accusation hit like a physical blow. Brielle had seen Kieran’s public confession–his tears, his broken apologies, his declaration of love. To a four–year–old, it looked like Mommy had hurt Daddy.

“Baby, it’s more complicated than-”

“I hate it here!” Brielle’s wolf flashed in her eyes–gold overtaking brown for just a second. “I want to go home! I want my real home!”

Blissfield Villa, Mira realized. The mansion where Kieran and Astrid had played house with her daughter. That was what Brielle considered home now.

“This is your home too,” Mira said gently, reaching out again.

Brielle slapped her hand away. “No it’s not! Freya’s room is prettier than mine.

Grandma Estelle doesn’t make the pancakes right. And you-” Her little face crumpled. “You don’t even love me anymore.”

Mira’s heart shattered. “That’s not true. Brielle, I love you more than anything—”

“Then why did you leave me?” Brielle’s voice broke into sobs. “Why did you go away for so long? Why didn’t you come to my school? Why didn’t you-”

She dissolved into crying, and this time when Mira pulled her close, Brielle didn’t fight. She just collapsed into her mother’s arms, small body shaking with the weight of confusion and pain no child should have to carry.

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“I’m sorry,” Mira whispered into her daughter’s hair, her own tears falling. “I’m so sorry. baby. I never meant to hurt you. I was just trying to-” Survive. Escape. Save myself from drowning.

But how did you explain that to a four–year–old?

Downstairs, Violet appeared in the doorway, her expression sympathetic. “Mira? Breakfast is ready. And… your phone’s been ringing. Someone from the Healer’s Council?”

Mira nodded, still holding Brielle. “Tell them I’ll call back.”

After Violet left, Mira pulled back to look at her daughter’s tear–stained face. “Brielle, know everything is confusing right now. And I know you miss Daddy. You’re going to see him this afternoon, okay? For your supervised visit.”

Brielle’s face brightened slightly. “Really?”

“Really. And maybe…” Mira hesitated. “Maybe we can talk to the judge about letting you see him more often. Would you like that?”

Brielle nodded eagerly, then caught herself, as if remembering she was supposed to be mad. “But I still don’t want to live here.”

“I know, sweetheart. But this is where we are right now. Can you try? For me?”

Brielle considered this, then finally nodded. “Okay. But only because Freya is teaching me the hand–clapping game.”

It wasn’t much. But it was something.

Millbrook Café – 2:00 PM

Julian Brooks sat alone in the back corner booth, checking his phone for the tenth time. Astrid Sinclair was now twenty minutes late.

He’d spent all morning rehearsing what he’d say, how he’d demand answers about whatever “truth” she’d promised to reveal. But as the minutes ticked by, unease settled

in his stomach.

Finally, a text came through. Not from Astrid–from an unknown number.

Mr. Brooks, this is Astrid. I apologize, but I won’t be able to make our meeting. After reflection, I’ve realized that some truths aren’t mine to tell. Whatever Mira needs to know about her marriage, she’ll discover on her own terms. I wish you both well. – AS

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Julian stared at the message, frustration and relief warring in his chest.

What had changed Astrid’s mind? What truth had she planned to reveal?

And more importantly–should he tell Mira about this conversation at all?

Astrid’s POV – Oakwood Airport

Astrid Sinclair stood at the departure gate, boarding pass in hand, watching planes take off into the grey afternoon sky.

The flash drive in her purse felt like it weighed a thousand pounds–packed with every secret, every dirty dealing, every piece of leverage she’d compiled on the Ravencrest family.

Last night, she’d almost gone through with it. Almost met with Julian Brooks, handed over the evidence, watched Kieran’s world burn from a safe distance.

But this morning, she’d woken up and realized something.

Revenge rushed was revenge wasted.

Kieran had destroyed her publicly, humiliated her on national television, cast her aside like garbage. He deserved to suffer. But not yet. Not when he was already drowning in guilt and regret.

No, the best revenge would come later. When Kieran had rebuilt himself. When he thought he was safe. When he finally believed he might actually win Mira back.

That’s when Astrid would strike.

She’d wait. Watch. Let him think she’d moved on, given up, disappeared.

And when the time was right–when her information would do maximum damage- she’d detonate every bomb she’d so carefully prepared.

“Flight 237 to New York City now boarding,” the announcement echoed through the

terminal.

Astrid picked up her carry–on and walked toward the gate, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Patience was a virtue.

And revenge was a dish best served ice cold.

Ravencrest Estate – Kieran’s Study, 3:00 PM

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The supervised visitation had been cancelled. Again.

Kieran stared at the text from the court–appointed supervisor: Miss Brielle is experiencing emotional distress. Dr. Whitmore has requested we postpone today’s visit. We’ll reschedule for later this week.

His daughter was in distress, and he couldn’t even go to her.

Couldn’t hold her, comfort her, tell her everything would be okay.

Because the court–because Mira–didn’t trust him with his own child.

The mate bond throbbed in his chest, a constant reminder of Mira’s anger and pain. Even now, he could feel her emotional state through their connection: exhausted, heartbroken, determined.

Determined to what? Leave him? Move on? Forget they’d ever been anything?

“Alpha.” Cassian appeared in the doorway, his expression grim. “The pack council has called an emergency meeting. Tonight. They’re demanding answers about the divorce proceedings and the… public spectacle.”

Kieran’s jaw tightened. “Tell them I’ll be there.”

“Sir, there’s more.” Cassian stepped inside, closing the door. “I’ve been hearing rumors. About the Regional Healer’s Council making inquiries about Dr. Whitmore. About someone from the Council reaching out to her directly.”

Kieran’s wolf immediately went on alert. “Who?”

“I don’t have a name yet, but-” Cassian hesitated. “If the Regional Council is recruiting her, it could mean they’re offering her a way out. Council healers operate outside pack jurisdiction. She’d be autonomous, independent, answerable only to-”

“Find out who contacted her.” Kieran’s voice dropped to Alpha command. “Name, position, history. I want everything by tonight.”

After Cassian left, Kieran pulled out his phone and dialed Mira.

It went straight to voicemail.

He tried again. Same result.

She’d blocked him.

Kieran stood and walked to the window, staring out at the grounds where Brielle used

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to play. Where he and Mira had once walked together, early in their marriage, before everything fell apart.

Before he’d destroyed it all.

Mira’s POV – Callum Mansion, Evening

After Brielle finally fell asleep–exhausted from crying and confusion–Mira retreated to her own room and pulled out her phone.

There was one call she did need to return.

Valeblack Silverstone from the Regional Healer’s Council.

She dialed, and he answered on the second ring.

“Dr. Whitmore. Thank you for calling back.” His voice was smooth, professional, cultured. “I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

“It’s fine. You said you wanted to discuss a professional opportunity?”

“Indeed. The Council has been following your research for some time–your work in pediatric supernatural trauma, your innovations in cross–species healing. You’re quite brilliant, Doctor.”

Mira felt a flush of pride despite herself. “Thank you.”

“I’d like to discuss this further in person, if you’re amenable. I’ll be in your area on Council business tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps we could meet for coffee?”

Mira hesitated. After everything with Kieran, jumping into meetings with strange men felt dangerous.

But this wasn’t personal. This was professional. A chance at the career she’d always

wanted.

“Tou

ow works,” she said finally. “Main Street Café in Millbrook. 2:30?”

I look forward to meeting you, Dr. Whitmore.”

Hanging up, Mira sat in the darkness of her room, listening to the house settle and her.

Tomorrow might change everything.

Or it might just be another disappointment in a long line of them.

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Either way, she was done waiting for permission to live her own life.

Kieran’s POV – Pack Council Meeting, 10:00 PM

The council chamber was packed with pack elders, all of them staring at Kieran with varying degrees of disapproval and concern.

Elder Thomas spoke first, his voice grave. “Alpha Ravencrest, this council is deeply troubled by recent events. Your public confession, the custody battle, the exposure of pack business–all of it reflects poorly on our community.”

“I’m aware,” Kieran said evenly.

“Are you?” Elder Marcus leaned forward. “Because from where we sit, it appears you’ve allowed personal matters to compromise your position as Alpha. Your mate has filed for divorce, taken your daughter, and publicly humiliated this pack. And you’ve done nothing to stop her.”

Kieran’s wolf snarled beneath his skin. “Dr. Whitmore is within her rights—”

“Dr. Whitmore is your Luna,” Elder Thomas interrupted. “She has responsibilities to this pack, to you, to the position she accepted when she became your mate. Pack law

is clear about-”

“Pack law,” Kieran said quietly, “is also clear about an Alpha’s duty to protect his mate. Which I failed to do. For three years, I failed her. The divorce is my fault, not hers.”

Shocked silence filled the chamber.

Finally, Elder Marcus spoke. “Are you suggesting you won’t contest the divorce?”

“I’m suggesting that if Mira wants to leave, I won’t force her to stay.” Kieran met each elder’s eyes in turn. “And if that means I lose my position as Alpha, so be it.”

The council erupted in shocked murmurs.

“You can’t be serious-”

“The precedent from 1847—”

“This is insanity-”

Elder Thomas raised his hand for silence. “Alpha Ravencrest, this council will take your… confession under advisement. But be warned: if you proceed with this divorce, if you break the mate bond, there will be consequences. For you and for this pack.”

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“I understand,” Kieran said. “But my decision stands

He walked out of the chamber, feeling the weight of centuries of tradition crushing down on him.

But for the first time in three years, he felt like he was finally doing the right thing

Even if it destroyed him in the process,

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