The Broken Luna, Now His Regret novel Chapter 22

22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

Morning light filtered through the curtains of Callum Mansion as Mira sat at the breakfast table, Valeblack’s business card positioned between her coffee cup and untouched toast. She’d been staring at it for twenty minutes, the embossed silver lettering seeming to glow in the sunlight. 1

*Valeblack Silverstone, Senior Council Member, Regional Healer’s Division*

“You’re going to burn a hole through that card if you keep staring.”

Mira looked up to find her father Garrett standing in the doorway, his expression/ unreadable. Behind him, she could hear Brielle’s laughter mixing with Freya’s squeals as they played in the living room.

“Dad. I didn’t hear you come in.”

Garrett poured himself coffee and sat across from her. “Want to tell me why you look like you’re trying to solve the secrets of the universe before breakfast?”

Mira’s fingers traced the edge of the card. “I got a job offer. From the Regional Healer’s

Council.”

Her father’s eyebrows rose. “That’s… that’s huge, sweetheart. The Council doesn’t recruit just anyone.”

“It would mean relocating. To Crystalfall. Two hours from here.” Mira’s voice dropped.

“Two hours from Kieran.”

Garrett was quiet for a long moment. “Is that a problem?”

“I don’t know.” The mate bond pulsed gently in her chest, a constant reminder of Kieran’s existence. “Brielle would have to leave everything she knows. Her school, her friends, her father-”

“Her father who she sees twice a week under supervision?” Garrett’s voice was gentle but firm. “Mira, sweetheart, I know you’re trying to do right by everyone. But maybe it’s time to ask yourself what you actually want.”

Before Mira could answer, her phone buzzed. Kieran’s name flashed on the screen, and her stomach clenched.

She let it ring through to voicemail.

20 33

117

<

22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

Thirty seconds later, a text appeared: “Please, I need to see Brielle. Just an hour. I’ll come to you.*

Mira’s hands trembled as she typed back: *Supervised visitation is scheduled for Thursday. Wait until then.*

The response was immediate: *I can’t wait three more days. Mira, please. She’s my daughter.*

*She’s MY daughter too. And I’m protecting her emotional wellbeing Thursday. Not before.*

She silenced her phone and looked up to find her father watching her with knowing

eyes.

“He’s not making this easy, is he?”

“Nothing about Kieran has ever been easy.” Mira stood, grabbing her coffee. “I need to think. I’m going for a walk.”

**Kieran’s POV**

The mate bond felt like shattered glass in Kieran’s chest as he read Mira’s rejection for the third time. Three days. He had to wait three more days to see his daughter because his mate–his *mate*-didn’t trust him.

And whose fault is that? his wolf snarled.

Kieran threw his phone across the office, watching it hit the wall with a satisfying crack. The impact did nothing to ease the burning frustration coursing through him.

“Alpha.”

Kieran spun to find Cassian in the doorway, his Beta’s expression carefully neutral as he surveyed the damaged phone.

“What?” Kieran snapped.

“You asked for intel on Valeblack Silverstone.” Cassian held up a thick folder. “I have it. All of it. And sir… you’re not going to like what I found.”

Kieran snatched the folder and began reading. With each page, his wolf grew more agitated, more furious.

20151

22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

*Subject: Valeblack Silverstone – Pattern Analysis*

*Three documented relationships with female healers he recruited:*

*Dr. Morgana Pierce (2015-2017) – Brilliant geneticist, recruited at age 29, relationship ended when she chose to return to her pack*

*Dr. Elena Bret (2018-2020) – Trauma specialist, recruited at age 31, relationship ended when she accepted position elsewhere*

*Dr. Isabelle Monroe (2021-2023) – Pediatric healer, recruited at age 28, relationship ended when she discovered Silverstone’s pattern*

*Common factors: All recently separated or divorced. All vulnerable. All brilliant. Áll abandoned their previous lives to join the Council.*

*Current status: Silverstone has initiated contact with Dr. Mira Whitmore (28, recently separated, pediatric specialist) following established pattern.*

Kieran’s hands clenched so hard the papers crumpled. “He’s a predator.”

“He’s calculating,” Cassian corrected carefully. “He identifies talented women at their most vulnerable, offers them everything they’ve been denied, and-”

“And sleeps with them before moving on to the next brilliant mind.” Kieran’s voice was

ice. “Does Mira know?”

“I doubt it. Silverstone’s relationships aren’t public record. The women involved all signed NDAs when they left.”

“Get me copies of those NDAs. Get me statements. Get me anything I can use to expose him.”

Cassian hesitated. “Alpha, if you go after a Council member publicly, the political fallout-”

“I don’t care.” Kieran met his Beta’s eyes. “That bastard is targeting my mate. I’ll burn the entire region down before I let him touch her.”

The mate bond suddenly flared with sharp pain, and Kieran gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. Across the connection, he felt Mira’s emotional turmoil–confusion,

attraction, fear, longing.

She was thinking about Silverstone. And part of her wanted him.

The realization nearly brought Kieran to his knees.

20.30

22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

**Mira’s POV – Late Afternoon**

Mira was halfway through her walk when her phone rang again. Not Kieran this time- Valeblack.

Her heart jumped traitorously as she answered. “Mr. Silverstone.”

“Valeblack, please.” His smooth voice sent warmth through her despite the crisp autumn air. “I hope I’m not disturbing you, but I wanted to follow up on our conversation. Have you had time to consider the Council’s offer?”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

“Of course. These decisions shouldn’t be rushed.” A pause. “I’m actually still in the area There’s a Council facility about forty minutes from Millbrook–smaller than Crystalfall, but it might give you a better sense of what we do. Would you be interested in a tour? Completely informal, no pressure.”

Mira should have said no. Should have maintained professional distance.

Instead, she heard herself say, “When?”

“Now, if you’re available. I can send a car-”

“I’ll drive myself. Text me the address.”

After hanging up, Mira stood frozen on the sidewalk, her wolf practically vibrating with anticipation. This was dangerous. She knew it was dangerous.

But she couldn’t stop herself.

Twenty minutes later, she was pulling up to a sleek modern building nestled in the woods outside town. Valeblack stood waiting at the entrance, and Mira’s breath caught at the sight of him in casual clothes–dark jeans, a charcoal sweater that emphasized his broad shoulders, silver hair slightly tousled by the wind.

He smiled when he saw her, and the expression made her stomach flutter.

“Thank you for coming.” He opened her car door, offering his hand to help her out. His touch sent electricity skating up her arm. “I promise this will be worth your time.”

The facility was impressive–state–of–the–art equipment, spacious research labs, comfortable consultation rooms. But Mira barely registered any of it. She was too aware of Valeblack beside her, his presence overwhelming in the confined spaces, his

< 22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

hand occasionally touching her lower back to guide her through doorways.

“This would be yours,” Valeblack said, opening the door to a corner office with floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking the forest. “If you accept the Crystalfall position. Your own space, your own team, your own rules.”

Mira walked to the window, imagining herself here. Free. Independent. Respected.

“It’s perfect,” she whispered.

“You’re perfect for it.” Valeblack’s voice was suddenly close behind her. Too close.

When she turned, he was right there, mercury eyes intense. “Mira, I need to be honest with you about something.”

Her heart hammered. “What?”

“This isn’t just professional for me.” His hand came up, fingers barely grazing her cheek. “From the moment I read your research, I was captivated. And then I met you, and-” He stopped, searching her face. “Tell me to stop. Tell me this is inappropriate, and I’ll step back. I’ll keep this purely professional.”

Mira knew she should say exactly that. Should maintain boundaries, protect herself.

But she was so tired of being careful. So tired of denying herself.

“Don’t stop,” she breathed.

Valeblack’s eyes darkened. His hand cupped her face fully, thumb brushing over her lips. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

When he kissed her, it was nothing like Kieran.

Kieran kissed with desperate passion, claiming and demanding. Valeblack kissed with controlled intensity, skilled and patient, focused entirely on her response. His other hand found her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, tasting her slowly, thoroughly.

The mate bond screamed in protest, burning in Mira’s chest, but she ignored it. For once, she chose what she wanted instead of what the bond demanded.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Valeblack rested his forehead against hers.

“Come to Crystalfall,” he murmured. “Take the position. Let me show you what your life could be.”

20.33

22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

Before Mira could answer, her phone shattered the moment with shrill ringing.

Brielle’s school. Emergency contact.

“I have to take this.” Mira stepped back, her hands shaking as she answered. “Hello?”

“Ms. Whitmore, this is Principal Hayes. There’s been an incident with Brielle, She’s alright, but we need you to come pick her up immediately.”

The warmth from Valeblack’s kiss evaporated instantly. “What happened?”

“She had a… confrontation with another student. It became physical. We’ll discuss the details when you arrive.”

Mira ended the call, her chest tight with panic and guilt. “I have to go. My daughter-”

“I’ll drive you.” Valeblack was already moving toward the door. “You’re too upset to drive safely.”

“No, I—” Mira started to protest, but he was right. Her hands were trembling, her wolf agitated with maternal fear.

“Please. Let me help.”

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to Millbrook Elementary. Mira rushed inside to find Brielle sitting in the principal’s office, her small face streaked with tears and a darkening bruise on her cheek.

“Baby, what happened?”

Brielle looked up, and the hatred in her eyes made Mira’s heart stop.

“You happened!” Brielle screamed. “Tommy said you made Daddy cry! He said you’re a bad person and Daddy should find a new mommy, and I—I hit him! And it’s all YOUR fault!”

Principal Hayes stepped forward. “Ms. Whitmore, Brielle struck another student. This is her first offense, so we’re issuing a warning, but—”

“I understand.” Mira’s voice was hollow. She knelt in front of her daughter. “Brielle, violence is never-”

“I HATE YOU!” Brielle shoved Mira so hard she nearly fell backward. “I want Daddy! I want Daddy NOW!”

Before Mira could respond, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.

20.39

OF

<

22 Chapter 22 THE WEIGHT OF CHOICES

“I’m right here, baby girl.”

Mira’s head snapped up to find Kieran standing in the doorway, his eyes blazing gold with barely contained fury as they locked on Valeblack Silverstone standing protectively behind her.

Comment 0

20.34