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."

mine, sharp and attentive. "You think this

either a distraction, or they're preparing for something bigger.

"I'll send word to Ryder. He'll tighten the patrols and

the unease in my chest

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

our defenses they were watching

"The scouts.

brows knitting together. "What do you

I said, the realization

doesn't need to infiltrate the council. He's

jaw tightened, his golden eyes narrowing.

I admitted. "Or maybe

the scouts to gauge our reactions. He's studying us, Killian. Every move we make, every decision-it's all

expression grim. "Then we

determination hardening in my chest. "We need to

for him to

respond, the door to the chamber opened, and Nova stepped inside, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto

urgent but calm. "You need to come with

his golden eyes narrowing. "What's going

her gaze flicking between us. "It's

My heart stopped.

barely above a whisper. "What

not right. A guard

I was already moving,

the hall with

guards stood outside, their faces pale and