Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 417: Final Gambit

Chapter 77: Shadows on the Horizon

Astrid's POV

The Packhouse had turned into a fortress.

Guards patrolled every corner, their presence constant and unyielding.

The sound of boots on the wooden floors, the clang of weapons being readied, and the hum of whispered orders filled the air.

Despite the precautions, a sense of unease clung to me like a second skin.

Killian was in the war room, finalizing defense strategies with Ryder and the other warriors.

I had just left Ryker and Elara's room after checking on them for the third time that morning.

They were playing together, their laughter echoing softly in my mind, but it wasn't enough to ease the fear curling in my chest.

I walked briskly down the corridor, my thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. Ardan's movements were calculated, his methods ruthless.

Ryder's report about the wolfsbane on the eastern border was still fresh in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder what else he had planned.

Turning a corner, I nearly collided with Asha. She looked as tense as I felt, her expression pinched with worry.

"Asha," I greeted, my voice tighter than I intended.

"Astrid," she said softly, her eyes searching mine. "I was just about to find you."

"What is it?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.

She hesitated, glancing around to ensure we were alone.

"I overheard some of the warriors talking," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're worried, Astrid. They don't think Ardan will come through the front lines. They think he'll find another way in."

I exhaled sharply, the knot in my stomach tightening.

"I've been thinking the same thing," I admitted. "Ardan doesn't fight fair. He's too cunning for that."

her

as Cedric made him out to

reinforcing the borders

pressed into a thin line. "What can

spending a lot of

the thought too painful to finish. "Stay with them. Keep

softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "I

I could respond, Ryder's voice echoed

striding toward us, his expression

I asked, my voice sharp with

Ryder said, his tone clipped. "There was an attack. A

stiffened. "Did they

off. But

flicked between

of the rogues was captured. He's being brought

AQUAS

mix of dread and determination coursing through me.

the interrogation

a glance with Asha, who gave me a

she said. "I'll stay

you," I said, my voice heavy with

and I moved quickly through the Packhouse, the tension in the air growing thicker with

the interrogation room, the

us.

rogue tied to a chair in the center

and bruised, his feral eyes darting around the

said without turning, his voice

onto the rogue. He was young, barely

pup, but the hatred in his

you?" Killian demanded,

floor, a defiant sneer curling his lips.

tightened,

my VOIG

I said. "If you cooperate, we

harsh and

placed a hand