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.

we show them," Nova said, her voice cold. "The ruins, the

the weight of her

council dispersed, I found Nova sitting alone near the edge of the forest. She stared out at the horizon,

resting,"

a faint

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

pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

paper from her, my hands trembling slightly as I unfolded it. The

just a weapon. It's tied to a bloodline, one that must be protected at all costs. My death was a part of that protection. Please don't

as I read the words. "She

jaw tight. "And she gave her life

figure out what she meant," I said. "The bloodline, the protection-it's all connected to the Rogue

"Then we'll find the answers. And we'll make sure he pays for what he's

Drystan joined us near the ruins' edge, his expression dark. "The scouts

later, his shoulders tense. "What did they

Drystan's voice was cold.

King has fortified his position there And he's training wolves-rogues and

QUMS

rumbled in Killian's chest. "He's building

it's only going to grow. If we don't move soon, he'll outnumber us

let him

said, her voice filled

also can't face him, blind. We need more information We need to understand what the Amulet means to him and how

gaze steady. "Astrid,

was clear. "If anyone knows

We have

preparing for the journey to Shadowfang

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

lay ahead pressed heavily

continued, I caught Drystan alone