Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 385: Gathering Allies

Astrid's POV

The Emberwood ruins were quiet, but the air felt heavy. The scars of the siege remained-bloodstains on the stone, shattered barriers, and weary warriors moving through the wreckage.

The Rogue King's retreat had left a bitter aftertaste, not a victory. We all knew it wasn't over.

Scouts arrived at dawn, their reports grim. The Rogue King was rallying in Shadowfang territory, an area long abandoned after his rise to power.

Worse, his forces weren't just rogues anymore. Several smaller Packs had joined him, their banners seen flying alongside his.

"He's not just uniting rogues," Killian said as we gathered in the council chamber. "He's turning wolves against their own Packs."

The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief and anger.

"What kind of Alpha betrays their kind for a rogue?" one elder growled.

"A desperate one," Nova said, her voice sharp but steady.

She leaned against the table, her injuries still evident. "The Rogue King's offering them something we can't: freedom from structure, revenge against those who've wronged them. He's exploiting every crack in our alliances."

Drystan stood behind her, his arms crossed, his expression hard. "And every wolf that joins him makes us weaker."

The tension in the room was suffocating as Killian addressed the council.

"We can't afford to wait any longer," he said. "We need to rally the Packs who still stand with us. If we let this divide grow, it'll destroy us before the Rogue King ever has to lift a claw."

"Rally them with what?" an elder countered. "Promises of unity? Look around you, Killian. Our warriors are wounded. Our defenses are in ruins. What Alpha is going to stand with us when we can't even protect ourselves?"

I stepped forward, my voice steady. "We remind them what's at stake. The Rogue King isn't just a threat to us. If he wins, he won't stop. He'll tear through every Pack, rogue or not, until nothing is left."

"And if they don't believe us?" the elder pressed.

Nova said, her voice cold. "The ruins, the

silent, the weight of her

the council dispersed, I found Nova sitting alone near the edge of the forest. She

to be resting,"

gave me a faint smile.

the silence between us comfortable but heavy. "What's on

and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "I found this while we were searching the ruins. It

paper from her, my hands trembling slightly as I

The Amulet... it's more than just a weapon. It's tied to a bloodline, one that must be protected at all costs. My death was

I read the words. "She knew,"

tight. "And she gave her life

said. "The bloodline, the protection-it's

And we'll make

ruins' edge, his expression

shoulders tense. "What did

Drystan's voice was cold.

The Rogue King has fortified his position there And he's training wolves-rogues and Pack wolves alike. Some of them are barely more than

QUMS

in Killian's chest. "He's

only going to grow. If we don't

can't let him grow

said, her voice

need to understand what the Amulet means to him and how it

to me, his gaze steady. "Astrid, do you think

answer was clear. "If anyone knows the

her. We have

Pack began preparing for the journey to Shadowfang

sharpened their weapons, fortified their armor, and whispered prayers to

weight of what lay ahead pressed

continued, I caught Drystan