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 determined as Cedric made him out to be..." She trailed

more to myself than to her. “Killian's reinforcing

line. "What can I

spending a lot of time with Elara and Ryker," I

happens-" I swallowed hard, the thought too painful to finish. "Stay with them.

gaze softened, and she placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "I will, Astrid. You have my

respond, Ryder's voice

toward us, his expression grim.

asked, my voice sharp with

from the eastern border," Ryder said, his tone clipped. "There was an

"Did

warriors held them off. But

eyes flicked between

the rogues was

AQUAS

dread and determination coursing through

waiting in the interrogation room. He wanted me to

exchanged a glance with Asha, who

she said. "I'll stay with

you," I said, my voice heavy with

and I moved quickly through the Packhouse, the tension in the

reached the interrogation room, the

us.

rogue

rogue was bloody and bruised, his feral eyes

turning,

inside, my gaze locking onto the rogue.

the hatred in his eyes

sent you?" Killian demanded, his voice sharp

spat blood onto the floor, a defiant sneer curling his lips. "You think I'll tell

tightened,

I stepped forward, my VOIG

I said. "If you cooperate, we might

sound harsh and mocking. "Mercy? From

but I placed a hand on his arm,