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."

and attentive. "You

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

gave a subtle nod. "I'll send word to Ryder. He'll tighten the patrols and

glanced around the room, the unease in my chest growing.

their own fears. Ardan's influence was already at work here, sowing doubt and

they were watching us. Studying

I said, my voice sharper now. "The scouts. They're not just testing the borders-they're gathering

knitting together. "What do

I said, the realization sending a

the council. He's already getting what he needs- through

tightened, his golden eyes narrowing. "You think someone's feeding him

I admitted. "Or maybe

gauge our reactions. He's studying us, Killian. Every move we

leaned back, his expression grim. "Then we

determination hardening in my chest. "We

for him to make

opened, and Nova

her tone urgent but calm. "You need to

to his feet, his golden eyes

hesitated, her gaze flicking

My heart stopped.

barely above

said quickly, raising a hand to reassure me. “But..... something's not right. A guard reported seeing a figure

an explanation. I was already moving, my feet carrying me out

chamber and down the hall with Killian

we reached Elara's room, two guards stood