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.

table. It was a

broke the moment. One of the

said, bowing his head. "Ryder has returned. He's waiting for

us. I stood,

here," I told them, my voice

Ryker gave

we made our way to the war room, Killian's hand brushed against mine again. "Whatever Ryder has found, we'll handle it," he said, his

my heart

was alive with

stood at the head of the table, a map spread out before him. He looked up as we approached, his expression as grim

Killian said, his tone

straightened, his dark eyes meeting Killian's. "The rogue king's movements have

group of rogues heading toward the southern border last night. They were carrying supplies-enough for an extended

churned. "A siege?" I asked, stepping closer to the

jaw tight. "That's not all. The scouts reported seeing someone they believe to

the table,

moving," he muttered,

create a diversion. The supplies heading south are meant to draw

moves closer

caught in my

grimly. "It's

dug into the table, leaving shallow

said, his voice like steel. "We fortify the Packhouse, and

on our terms."

flicking to me. "There's one more thing," he said, his

I

found traces of wolfsbane

Ardan is planning to use

let out a low growl, his fists clenching at his