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.

the table. It was a silent promise, a reminder that we would protect them no matter

broke the moment. One of the

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

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

told them, my voice firm but gentle. "I'll

pouted but nodded, while 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,"

nodded, though my heart

was alive with

before him. He looked up as we approached, his expression as grim as the

said, his tone

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

rogues heading toward the southern border last

siege?" I asked, stepping closer to the

nodded, his jaw tight. "That's not all. The scouts reported seeing someone they believe to be Ardan himself. He wasn't with the main group but was spotted further east, moving

of the table, his

muttered, his golden

a

closer to his

breath caught in my throat.

grimly.

dug into the table,

don't take the bait," he said, his voice like steel. "We fortify the Packhouse, and we wait for him to come to us. If he wants a fight, he'll get

on our terms."

one more thing," he said, his voice

I asked,

scouts found traces of wolfsbane near the eastern border,"

planning to use it against

his fists clenching at