Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 355: Leader of the Shadowfang Pack Astrid's POV

The night was heavy with silence as the warriors dispersed, the battlefield now empty save for those I loved most.

Andros was gone, banished to a rogue's life, and with him, the storm that had loomed over my family and the Shadowfang Pack for so long.

I stood near the edge of the forest, my legs trembling under the weight of exhaustion, both physical and emotional.

The moon hung low, its light casting a gentle glow over Killian and Ryker, who approached me hand in hand.

"Mommy?" Ryker's voice was soft, hesitant, as if he wasn't sure I would respond.

I knelt down, opening my arms. He didn't hesitate. He ran to me, throwing himself into my embrace, and I held him tightly, burying my face in his soft hair.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "I should have protected you better. I should have been there."

Ryker pulled back just enough to look at me, his small hands resting on my cheeks.

"You did protect me," he said firmly, his young voice full of conviction. "You're the strongest Mommy ever."

His words broke me in the best way, and I held him closer, my heart swelling with love and relief.

Killian knelt beside us, his hand resting gently on my back. "He's right, you know," he said, his voice warm. "You've always been stronger than you gave yourself credit for."

I turned to look at him, my vision blurry with tears. “Killian, I—”

He shook his head, cutting me off. "You don't have to explain anything, Astrid. I've seen you fight for this pack, for your family, for Ryker. You don't have to prove anything to me or anyone else."

squeezing it tightly as more tears fell. "Thank you," I whispered,

"For what?"

staying. For believing in me, even

softened, and he leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. "You've always deserved it, Astrid. And I'll always be here for you.

and the tension broke. We laughed softly, the sound strange but welcome after

that evening, as we sat in the packhouse with Ryker fast asleep in my arms, Asha entered the room. Her face was pale but determined,

up straighter. "Is everything

front of her. "I needed to talk to you, Astrid.

chest tightening. "What

hesitated, glancing

can't do this," she said, her voice trembling, I

lead them. I don't

besides...." She paused, her eyes filling with tears. "Father didn't want me to be Luna. He wanted

a blow, and I felt the weight of my father's wishes settle over me once

she shook

strength to lead this

and then at Killian, who

said gently.

doubt. "I was once a Luna.

want to relive again," I muttered as

words, Killian's

and in his eyes I saw guilt. "You were the best Luna that

was my fault for being hard on you and picking on you for no reasom At