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 expression

to be..."

reinforcing the borders and increasing patrols, but we

line. "What can I

been spending a lot of

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

a reassuring hand on my arm. "I will, Astrid. You

voice echoed down the corridor. "Luna

striding toward us,

asked, my

a report from the eastern border," Ryder said, his tone clipped. "There was an attack. A

"Did

held them off. But

eyes flicked between

the rogues was captured. He's being brought here

AQUAS

a mix of dread and determination

in the interrogation room. He wanted me

Asha, who gave

she said. "I'll

my voice

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

the interrogation room, the guards outside opened the

us.

eyes fixed on the rogue

rogue was bloody and bruised, his feral eyes darting around the room like a

turning,

stepped inside, my gaze locking onto

the hatred

demanded, his voice

rogue spat blood onto the floor, a defiant sneer curling

tightened, but

forward, my VOIG

said. "If you

and mocking. "Mercy? From you Alphas? That's

placed a hand on his arm, silently urging him to stay