Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 420: Astrid’s Plan

Astrid's POV

The Packhouse buzzed with urgency, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.

I stood at the head of the war room table, my fingers tracing the lines of the map spread out before me.

Every detail had to be perfect. Every possibility accounted for.

Killian stood across from me, his golden eyes sharp as he listened to Ryder's report.

The scout had just returned with a worn piece of parchment, its edges frayed and stained.

"This was intercepted near the northern border," Ryder said, placing it on the table. "One of Ardan's rogues was carrying it."

Killian grabbed the parchment, his eyes scanning the words with a growing scowl.

I leaned closer to read over his shoulder.

"The amulet's fragments are within reach. Secure the northern stronghold. The Almega's blood will ensure victory. Prepare the way for our future.”

The words sent a chill through me. The knot of fear in my chest tightened, but I forced myself to remain calm, to think.

I couldn't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment.

Killian's jaw tightened, his hand curling around the hilt of his blade.

"The northern stronghold," he muttered. "We assumed it was abandoned."

"It's not," Ryder confirmed grimly. "Scouts have reported rogue activity. They're fortifying it—laying traps, building defenses. It's clear they're preparing for something big."

I straightened, my eyes narrowing as I processed the information.

"This isn't just about the amulet anymore," I said, my voice steady despite the unease twisting in my stomach. "Ardan is using the stronghold as his base. He's consolidating his forces there, preparing for an attack."

grim. "Then we'll strike first. Take the stronghold and stop him before he gains any

shaking my head. I placed a finger on

we focus all our attention on the stronghold, we're leaving

He'll exploit any

golden eyes flicked to me, a flicker of

"What are

the map, my mind racing. “Ardan thrives on chaos,” I began, organizing my

us, make us spread ourselves too

It's too perfect. He wanted us to

frowned. "You think it's a

The stronghold is real-he's definitely fortifying it. But

stage smaller diversions elsewhere to keep us distracted

laced

gaze. "And he knows we'll do

on the stronghold without securing

claws twitching at his sides. "Then what

into place like pieces of a puzzle. "First, we need to ensure the Packhouse is impenetrable. Triple the guards around Ryker and Elara, not just in their

to patrol

"Consider it

I continued, my voice firm, "we need

other borders, hoping

stationed at each border with strict orders to observe and report no engagements

a flicker of pride

"And the stronghold?"

it hard and fast," I

we don't send everyone. A

rest of our forces stay back to

for a long moment, his golden

It's about survival. Ardan thinks he knows how to break us, but we won't

years of being a Luna and a female general, is what developed my instincts in

burst open, and a guard entered, his face pale. "Alpha, Luna, there's movement near the eastern