Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 176: Two Years Astrid's POV "I request an audience with Alpha Theron," I spoke with a stoic demeanor on my face when I finally arrived in front of Alpha Theron's office.

The Pack Warriors, who stood guard in front of Alpha Theron's office, exchanged glances with each other, and then one of them stepped forward.

"Greetings, Beta Astrid," he greeted, inclining his head respectfully. "The Alpha is currently meeting with another guest. However, we will inform him of your arrival, and he will see you soon as he is able." I fell momentarily silent when I heard his words. Yesterday, Alpha Theron toldto cto his office at this tof the day so we could discuss my title. Who suddenly cto visit him? "Very well," I spoke and nodded curtly without showing what was going on inside my head. "I will wait." The guard offereda sympathetic smile. "It should not be long, Beta Astrid. It just so happened that the visit was delayed which is why it occupied your schedule. Don't worry, Alpha Theron won't keep you waiting unnecessarily." "I understand. I'll just wait here," I replied, forcing a polite smile in return.

I turned and paced the length of the hallway with my mind racing. "Who could the Alpha be meeting with? How important was it that it would delay our schedule? I composed myself together with a straightened posture as I waited outside Alpha Theron's ornate office doors, not far from the Pack Warriors who were guarding his office.

I couldn't wait to enter his office and be dismissed as their Pack's Beta. Drystan is arriving soon, and I don't want to keep him waiting. I know he is also looking forward to the news.

After what felt like an eternity, the door finally creaked open. I approached the guards, knowing that it was finally my turn to enter.

However, the excited expression on my face dropped when my gaze landed on the familiar courier from Beta Alek, who was leaving Alpha Theron's office.

He stopped when he sawblocking his path. He slowly lifted his chin until our eyes met. I watched as his throat bobbed up and down when he recognized me.

What is he doing here? Where is Beta Alek? Why is he here instead of him? I thought Beta Alek would be returning today.

"Greetings, Beta Astrid," he quickly greeted and bowed his head before he scurried past me, leavingconfused and unsettled.

I turned around and watched as he rushed down the hallway. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as I watched how his typically stoic demeanor was visibly shaken What news could he have delivered that had rattled him so? "Beta Astrid, Alpha Theron is waiting for you," the guard spoke, stealing my attention.

I held myself together as I entered Alpha Theron's office. I hoped that whatever news he had delivered would have nothing to do with me.

"Astrid, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Are you still having difficulty with your task?" Alpha Theron asked as soon as he sawapproaching.

I turned my attention to Alpha Theron, who was seated regally behind his massive desk.

"That doesn't matter anymore," I replied as I sat on the chair across from him. "My year as your Pack's acting beta is going to end now." I took a deep breath as I sat comfortably on the couch. Today, Alpha Theron is finally going to temporarily take back the title he gave me.

I watched as Alpha Theron's expression turned grave. The knot in my stomach tightened upon seeing his expression. Something was wrong - very wrong. I hope it is not what I think it is.

"I'm sorry, Astrid," Alpha Theron muttered as he wrung his hands. "You're going to need to continue serving as Beta for two more years." I stared at him in stunned disbelief. My jaw dropped open as his words sank in. "Two more years?!" I sputtered. "But my term is supposed to end today! I thought I could finally leave!" The pain and shock must have been written all over my face because Alpha Theron actually winced. "I know, Astrid, but we had no choice. There had been complications in Beta Alek's mission. I received his report just now. He was askingfor two more years," he spoke, his voice laced with regret.

My hands started to tremble as a wave of fury and devastation washed over me. "But I can't!" I cried, standing up abruptly, and the couch moved backward behind me. "I don't even know how I managed to tast for a year. I don't know if I can last for two more years." I began pacing the office, my mind racing. "Just what mission did you give him?!" I raised my voice out of frustration.

"You're the only one who can do this, Astrid. Just givetwo more years, I'll try my best to help you," Alpha Theron pleaded helplessly. "I can't... I won't accept this," I whispered brokenly. "I can't." I could just imagine how much Astrid would hateafter this and

how much she would do all the means to make my life harder. Dealing with his daughter is already hitself, How about the tasks that hard I'm going to have as the beta and his people who don't show respect to me?

"I wish there's another way around this, but this is something we had no choice about, Alpha Theron muttered as I buried my face into my hands. I have no choice again but to be the Pack's Beta for two more years.