Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 414: Preparation and Paranoia

Astrid's POV

The weight of Cedric's words sat heavily in my chest as I paced the length of the council chamber.

The sun had barely risen, but the Packhouse was already alive with movement.

Orders were being given, warriors were being reassigned, and tension buzzed in the air like a live wire.

Killian stood at the head of the room, his golden eyes scanning a map spread across the table.

His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, the fingers twitching every so often. Ryder was beside him, his expression grim as he relayed information from the scouts.

"We'll triple the guards around the Packhouse," Killian said firmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

"No one enters without my approval. Double patrols along the eastern and northern borders. I want reports every two hours."

I stopped pacing, my arms crossing tightly over my chest. "It's not enough," I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

Killian looked up, his brows furrowing. "Astrid, we've covered every vulnerability

"No," I interrupted, stepping closer to the table. "Cedric warned us. He said Ardan always gets what he wants. If he's planning to use our children... if he's already planned for this..." My voice faltered, and I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "Then we need to be smarter. Stronger."

Ryder exchanged a glance with Killian before stepping forward. "The guards assigned to Ryker and Elara are the best we have," he assured me. "They'll be shadowed at all times, even in the Packhouse."

"It's not just about the guards," I said, shaking my head. "Ardan doesn't play fair. He doesn't fight clean. If he wants them, he'll find a way."

moved toward me, his hand brushing mine in a silent attempt to calm me. "Astrid," he said gently, though his voice carried the same steel as his gaze. "We won't let him get close

looked up at him, wanting to believe his words, but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.

his hand tightening around mine. "I promise you, Astrid. We'll protect them.

stepped in, her expression as tense as

us.

summoned me?" she asked, her

I spoke in relief as

I turned to look at Killian, to see what he

her concerned gaze. "I need your perspective-not as

parting slightly in surprise. "As a mother?"

received information that Ardan... the rogue king," he corrected, his voice tightening, "may target Ryker and Elara. He needs

her chest. "Your children?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Astrid, Killian... are you

tone sharp with suppressed

for a moment, she

how terrifying this is for you," she said gently. But I do know what it's like to want to shield

expected. I swallowed the lump in

not like

arm, her grip

like a mother, not a warrior. A

turned back to us, his

children and fortified the Packhouse," he said firmly. "But if you think there's something we're missing, Valerie, I'd

en

of war talk, but her voice didn't waver when

Ardan thrives on fear and chaos. He'll try to unnerve

earnest. "Astrid,