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."

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

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

he said firmly, his hand tightening around mine. "I promise

in, her expression as tense as

us.

me?" she asked, her gaze darting

here," I spoke in relief as I

other. I saw Valerie bite back a laugh, but when I turned to look at Killian, to see what he had told her, he had already turned his back from

and stepped forward, meeting her concerned gaze.

"As a mother?" she echoed, glancing between Killian and me.

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

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

certain," I answered, my tone sharp with suppressed fear. "Cedric

moment, she said nothing. Then she exhaled slowly, stepping closer to

gently. But I do know what it's like to want

me harder than I expected. I swallowed

him to protect them. But Ardan... he's not like anyone we've faced before. He's ruthless, and he plans everything down to the

hand on my arm, her grip steady. "Then

like a mother, not a warrior. A mother always

back to us, his golden

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

en

war talk, but

admitted, "but I know Ardan thrives on fear and chaos. He'll try to unnerve

me, her eyes earnest. "Astrid, your strength isn't just in your