Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 422: Meticulous Planning

Astrid's POV

The council chamber buzzed with an undercurrent of tension that made the air feel thick.

The weight of the looming meeting sat heavily on my chest, though I knew I couldn't let it show.

This was where Ardan would aim to make his statement, where he'd strike to spread chaos and fear.

I stood in the far corner, my eyes scanning the room as the Alphas and Lunas filed in one by one.

Their voices filled the space, low murmurs exchanging concerns over Ardan's growing influence and his unrelenting attacks.

Killian stood at my side, his presence as steady as a mountain. His golden eyes scanned the room, sharp and calculating, watching for any signs of danger.

Ryder had already slipped into the shadows, overseeing the security measures with a team of warriors stationed discreetly throughout the area.

"You've been quiet,” Killian said, his voice low, for me alone.

I turned to him, meeting his gaze.

"I'm thinking,” I admitted. “Ardan isn't just about brute force. If he has people here,

if he's planning something, we need to spot it before it happens."

Killian nodded, his jaw tightening. "He won't get the chance to catch us off guard. We've accounted for every angle."

But I wasn't convinced. Ardan was meticulous, and he thrived on misdirection.

layered, each step calculated to leave us questioning what we

council meeting-it was all part of a larger plan, and

room fell into a hushed silence as Alpha Damien of the Crimsonbane Pack

in the room, though his dark eyes betrayed the worry etched across

we're here," Damien began, his deep

everything we stand for. He's not just targeting our Packs-he's targeting the very

room, and I stepped forward, raising

trust we've built to infiltrate and destabilize. Cedric's betrayal is proof enough of that.” The room erupted again, some Alphas voicing their doubts about Cedric, others debating how deeply the rogue king's influence had

voice cut through the chaos. "Enough," he growled, his golden eyes blazing. "We don't have the luxury of infighting. If we let

chamber fell silent, and I felt a swell of pride

rallying others, of making them feel like they could withstand anything with him at

to him, placing a hand on the table where the map

need to anticipate his next move," I said,

a target—and I believe it is—we

furrowing. "Do you

gaze flicking over the gathered leaders. "I don't know. But I wouldn't put it past

the thought of a traitor among us weighing

stepped into the chamber, her expression unreadable but her

sharp gaze sweeping the room as

drew surprised

her voice low. "I thought you might need extra eyes. Drystan and I will be

I.ne

needed. Nova's sharp instincts and Drystan's unyielding determination were

"Keep

gaze softening. "We'll keep them safe,

council. Their words and expressions betrayed their fear, their

and his ability to manipulate people made