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."

hand, squeezing it tightly as more tears

"For what?"

For believing in me, even when I didn't

in, his forehead resting against mine. "You've always deserved it, Astrid. And I'll always be here for you. For both

us, giggling, and the tension broke. We laughed

fast asleep in my arms, Asha entered the

sitting up straighter. "Is

her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I needed to talk to

frowned, my chest tightening. "What

hesitated, glancing at

"I... I can't do this," she said, her

them. I

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

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

I began, but she shook

saw something in you-something I see too. You have the strength to lead this pack, to guide them the way he would have wanted. You've already

peacefully, and then at Killian, who gave me an

Killian said gently. "You're already doing

with doubt. "I was once a Luna. I'm not sure if

to relive again,"

words,

guilt. "You

my fault for being hard on you and