When The Luna Broke Her Chains novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Secrets That Could Ruin An Alpha

Astrid knows she shouldn’t feel this broken. She knows she shouldn’t feel anything at all–not for a man who never promised her love, not for an Alpha who only ever summoned her in secret. But her heart doesn’t know that. Her heart only knows that he called her here tonight.

Just like he always does.

She slips through the hidden passage that connects the healer’s quarters to the Alpha’s chamber, her pulse steadying the way it always does when she approaches the concealed door. She knows the pattern of knocks he prefers. She knows how quiet her steps must be.

Cassian told her to come so she

He isn’t alone.

But when she steps into the dim room, she freezes.

A woman stands there–a Guild woman. One of the five who arrived earlier. One whose beauty struck Astrid the moment she saw her because she looked just like her, only… perfected, sharper, and brighter. Almost like some sculptor carved her from Astrid’s outline.

Davina.

Astrid’s breath stops. Xena was right.

Cassian notices Astrid in the doorway, and his expression hardens instantly–cold, irritated, dismissive. As if she is an inconvenience for merely witnessing what he clearly intended to happen.

Her chest cracks.

You told me to come.

Heat burns her eyes. She bows her head and forces the words out. “Forgive me, Alpha. I didn’t know you’d be… occupied at this hour.”

She’s dismissed like she’s nothing.

Astrid turns to flee, but something stops her. Some awful, twisted instinct that wants the truth–wants to see just how replaceable she is.

She slips behind a folding screen instead of exiting. She shouldn’t. Goddess, she should not. But she remains hidden in the shadows, heart pounding so loudly she’s convinced they’ll hear it.

She watches. And what she sees almost kills her.

Astrid’s hand covers her mouth as she watches him kneel in front of Davina–the man she gave her heart to bow between another woman’s legs with a devotion he has never once shown her.

He touches Davina like she belongs to him–tastes her like she’s sacred.

Astrid’s throat closes. She wants to look away, but she doesn’t.

When he stands, lifting Davina onto the table, when their bodies move together in raw, breathless sync, Astrid feels her heart tear with every sound, every gasp every whispered curse.

He has taken her like this. He has whispered in her ear like this. But never–not once–has he looked at Astrid the way he is looking at Davina now.

16.24

, al 22

Chapter 24 Secrets That Could Ruin An Alpha

He is worshipping her.

Finished

Astrid presses a fist to her sternum as if that can keep the pain from spilling out. She watches until it’s over, until Davina pulls him down for a kiss, until she hears them speak.

About Xena. About how they hate her. About how things will be perfect once Davina returns forever.

Astrid breaks, slipping from behind the screen on trembling legs. Neither of them notices. They are too entangled in each other, too lost in their fantasy.

Astrid unlocks the door and steps into the corridor, praying someone–anyone–would walk in and see them like this. A Guild woman and an Alpha. A violation so severe it could topple both.

Guild trainees are sworn to celibacy.

The Moon Guild demands purity during their oath years. Breaking it is punishable–not just for the woman, but for the man she breaks it with.

Astrid’s breath steadies into something sharper: a purpose forms in her heart, a sense of clarity washing over her.

If the Goddess won’t grant justice, maybe this is her chance to take it.

She storms into the healer’s quarters, tears streaking her cheeks. This time, she doesn’t wipe them away. She finds Chief Healer Morrin inspecting ledgers over a lamp.

Morrin glances up. “Astrid? You look pale. What’s happened?”

Astrid opens her mouth–but no words come out. Her throat trembles. Her heart aches. Morrin rises from her chair and steps closer.

“Astrid,” she says, voice firm and low, “speak. Fearlessly.”

Astrid swallows hard. “It’s… the Alpha. And the Guild woman. Davina.”

Morrin stills. A long, slow breath leaves her. “Tell me everything.”

So Astrid does. Only what Morrin must know.

How she entered the chamber, lying that she was there to give him a medicine. How she found them. intertwined. How Davina–still on oath–broke the Guild’s highest rule. How Cassian encouraged it. How he dismissed Astrid like she was filth beneath his boot.

Morrin listens without interrupting.

By the time Astrid finishes, Morrin’s calm has evaporated. “A Guild daughter…” Morrin breathes, voice sharp with disbelief. “During her oath period. And the Alpha risked it–risked everything?”

Astrid nods, tears streaking again.

Morrin’s face darkens. “Astrid, this could ruin him.”

“I know,” Astrid whispers.

“And it could ruin her,” Morrin continues. “A Guild sanction is no small matter. If this gets out-”

12:24 Thu, Jan 22 6 0 D

Chapter 24 Secrets That Could Ruin An Alpha

“It should get out.” Astrid’s voice cracks. “He deserves–She stops, biting her lip.

Morrin steps forward, brushing tears from Astrid’s check with a strangely gentle thumb.

“Astrid,” Morrin murmurs, “this shouldn’t affect you as much as it did.”

Astrid drops her gaze, ashamed.

46%

Finished

Morrin holds her shoulders. “Leave this with me. Do nothing else.” She pauses. “But you were right to come.”

Astrid swallows. “So you believe me?”

Morrin’s eyes harden. “I know you don’t lie, Astrid. And know what Alpha Cassian is capable of.” She exhales slowly. “The Goddess has a strange way of revealing rot.”

Astrid’s knees weaken in relief and fear.

“Go rest,” Morrin says. “Whatever comes next… will not be small.”

Astrid nods, trembling, and leaves.

Behind her, Morrin stands very still–already calculating the consequences of a truth that could shatter the entire keep.

20