Chapter 424: Fear

Astrid's POV

The eerie silence of the Packhouse had never felt more oppressive.

The warmth of the torches lining the halls failed to chase away the chill that seemed to settle deep in my bones.

I paced outside Elara's room, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

The image of the guard's frightened expression, the mention of a rogue scent, it all played on a loop in my mind.

Killian stood nearby, speaking in hushed tones to Ryder.

His golden eyes were sharp, every ounce of his Alpha authority pouring into the conversation as he issued orders.

His presence was reassuring, but the fear gripping my chest refused to ease.

Elara.

The thought of her so close to danger made my stomach churn. She was too young, too innocent to be dragged into this nightmare.

Ardan's shadow was creeping closer, and it terrified me.

"Ryder," Killian said, his tone steady but laced with anger. "I want a full sweep of

the Packhouse and the surrounding forest. If there's even a trace of rogue presence, I want to know about it."

Ryder nodded, his face grim. "Understood, Alpha. I'll personally oversee the search."

Killian turned

said quietly, stepping closer. "Elara's safe. The

my voice trembling. "But he's testing us, Killian. He's getting closer, and we're running out

my shoulder, his

of time," he said. "We're ahead

in the depths of his golden

we're not?" I whispered. "What if this is just

but before he could speak, Asha emerged

softly, her gaze shifting between us. "Whatever happened, she wasn't

slowly, some of the tension in my chest easing. "Thank you, Asha," I said, my voice barely

her. "Astrid, I know this is hard," she said gently. "But Elara needs you to stay

think about what could have happened..." My voice

thumb brushing against my knuckles.

he said firmly. "Ardan won't take anything

in this, Astrid. We're

were a balm to my frayed nerves, but the fear

I said quietly, my voice cracking. "I

"Not while you have Killian, Ryder, the warriors, and me. Ardan may be ruthless, but he underestimates what

me, stirring something deep within. I nodded slowly, drawing on the strength of her unwavering

said, my voice steadier now. "He doesn't know what

squeezed my

softening. "Exactly," he said. "And you've always been the strongest person I

won't break

even come close."

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