Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 416: Shadows of Fear

Astrid's POV

The morning light was weak as it filtered through the windows, the overcast sky casting a somber glow over the Packhouse.

The tension from the night before lingered in the air, thick and oppressive.

I sat at the dining table with Elara and Ryker, trying to focus on their cheerful chatter.

Elara was recounting a dream she'd had about flying on a dragon, her bright smile lighting up her face, while Ryker listened intently, his serious expression making him look far older than his years.

But my attention kept drifting. My eyes darted to the guards stationed outside the door, their rigid postures and sharp eyes a constant reminder of the danger looming over us.

Killian entered the room, his presence commanding as always.

His golden eyes immediately found mine, and he gave me a small nod, one that

was meant to reassure but only tightened the knot in my chest.

"Everything is in place," he said quietly as he took the seat beside me.

I nodded, managing a faint smile. "Good."

Elara tugged at my sleeve, drawing my attention back to her. "Mama, did you hear me? I said I dreamed about a dragon! It was pink and had sparkly wings!"

I smiled, brushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "That sounds magical, sweetheart."

"And Ryker was there too!" she continued, her eyes wide with excitement. "He was riding a unicorn, and it had a rainbow mane!"

Ryker rolled his eyes but didn't protest, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

"You two have the best imaginations," I said, my voice soft.

a silent promise, a reminder that

door broke the moment. One

his head. "Ryder has returned. He's waiting for you in the war

I stood, leaning down to kiss each of my children on

here," I told them, my voice

Ryker gave

Killian's hand brushed against mine again. "Whatever Ryder has found, we'll handle it,"

nodded, though my

was alive

table, a map spread out before him. He

Killian said, his tone sharp.

Killian's. "The rogue king's movements have

intercepted a group of rogues heading toward the southern border last

"A siege?" I asked, stepping closer

nodded, his jaw tight. "That's not all. The scouts reported seeing someone they believe to be Ardan himself. He

gripped the edge of the table,

"He's moving," he muttered, his

we believe he's trying to create a diversion. The supplies

he moves closer to his real

breath caught in my throat.

grimly. "It's

claws dug into the table, leaving

fortify the Packhouse, and we wait for him to come to us. If he wants a fight, he'll

on our terms."

to me. "There's one more

I

wolfsbane near the eastern

is planning to use it against

low growl, his fists clenching at his sides.