Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 423: Closing In

Astrid's POV

The meeting dragged on, each word from the council weighing heavier on my mind. The tension in the room felt suffocating, like a rope tightening around my chest. Despite the conversation moving forward, my thoughts were locked on the reports Ryder had just delivered.

The eastern forest. A small group of scouts.

It wasn't unusual for Ardan's rogues to test our borders, but this felt... off. Too timed. Too deliberate.

Killian sat beside me, his golden eyes flicking between the Alphas as they debated strategies. Every so often, his hand would tighten into a fist on the table, his jaw clenching as tempers flared.

"We're wasting time," Alpha Damien growled, slamming a hand against the table. His dark eyes scanned the room. "Ardan's already moving against us, and we're sitting here bickering over details. We need decisive action-now."

"Decisive action?" another Alpha countered, his voice sharp. "Like sending more warriors to die for nothing? Ardan's forces aren't just mindless rogues. They're organized, calculated. Rushing into battle is exactly what he wants."

Killian's voice cut through the argument like a blade. "Enough."

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him.

"We're not here to argue," he said, his tone low but commanding. "We're here to protect our Packs. Ardan thrives on division-if we let him turn us against each other, he's already won."

I watched the Alphas exchange uneasy glances, their arguments momentarily silenced. Killian's ability to command a room never ceased to amaze me, even in the face of such overwhelming tension.

But while they debated tactics and alliances, my mind was elsewhere.

The timing of the scouts' movements, the apparent vulnerability of the supply routes, the council gathering-it all felt like pieces of a larger puzzle. And Ardan was the one holding the key.

I leaned closer to Killian, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "Something doesn't feel right."

met mine, sharp and attentive. "You

"Ardan's playing a deeper game. The scouts... they're either a distraction, or they're preparing for something bigger.

gaze darkened, and he gave a subtle nod. "I'll send word

unease in my

focus split between the debate and their own fears. Ardan's influence was already at work here, sowing doubt

just testing our defenses they were watching us. Studying our

sharper now. "The scouts. They're not just testing the

frowned, his brows knitting together. "What

realization sending a chill down my

the council. He's already

narrowing. "You think

I admitted. "Or

us, Killian. Every move we make, every decision-it's all

leaned back, his expression grim. "Then we stop giving him

chest. "We need

something, we can't wait for

the door to the chamber opened, and

but calm. "You need to come with

rose to his feet, his golden eyes narrowing.

flicking between

My heart stopped.

I repeated, my voice barely

right. A guard reported seeing a figure near

was already moving, my feet

down the hall

two guards stood outside, their faces