Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 426: Fractured Bonds

Astrid's POV

Long shadows cast down on me as I walked through the halls. Every step felt heavier than the last, the air thick with tension.

I had spent the last hour sitting by Elara and Ryker's beds, watching their peaceful faces, willing my fears to fade away. But they hadn't.

I had always trusted my instincts, and right now, they were screaming at me. Something was wrong.

Killian had tried to reassure me, promising that we had taken every precaution, that the guards stationed around our children were the best of the best. But my gut told me otherwise.

Ardan was methodical. He didn't make reckless moves. If he had stayed silent for this long, it was because he was waiting for the perfect opportunity.

I wasn't about to let him take it.

I turned a corner and found Killian waiting for me outside the war room, his golden eyes watching me closely. He had been expecting me.

"You didn't rest," he said simply.

"Neither did you," I countered, folding my arms across my chest.

He exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair. "Astrid, you have to stop torturing yourself. The guards are on high alert. Ryder is tracking rogue movements. We're not letting anything happen to them."

"I know," I admitted. "But something doesn't feel right, Killian. The rogues haven't made a move in days. It's not normal."

Killian nodded, his gaze darkening. "I don't like it either. Ryder said there were faint rogue scents near the eastern border, but no signs of an attack."

"A distraction," I murmured.

Killian's brows furrowed. "You think Ardan is keeping our attention there while he moves somewhere else?"

I nodded, my mind racing. "It's what I would do. Keep the strongest fighters distracted, make them chase shadows, and strike where it hurts the most."

Killian's grip on the war table tightened. "Then where is he really planning to strike?"

I didn't answer immediately. My mind was already piecing the puzzle together, going through everything Cedric had revealed, everything Ardan had done before.

Then it clicked.

“The Packhouse," I whispered, my stomach twisting.

Killian stiffened. "Astrid-"

turning to face him fully. "His end goal

And what better way to

golden eyes flashing

carry my blood, Killian. They are his key

didn't hesitate. He turned sharply toward the

outside, his expression grim.

his voice sharp and unwavering. "Double the guards around my children. No one gets in or

Ryder nodded immediately. "Understood."

arm. "I want warriors stationed inside their room. Not just outside. If

jaw tightened, but he

carry out the orders, and I turned to Killian. "I'm

and took my

was

of silence that settled

Something still felt wrong.

turned the corner, my steps

as I made my way

the dagger at my waist which is laced with

prepared for our

in time

told me to

But how could I?

stationed at the door nodded as I approached, their shoulders stiff

some of our best warriors, hand-picked by Killian himself. They had sworn their loyalty, their

To protecting my children.

I couldn't shake the feeling clawing

air warm and thick

the open window, spilling across Elara and Ryker's

My heart clenched.

curled on her side, her tiny hand clutching the stuffed wolf she never slept

fluttered against her cheeks, her small chest rising and falling in the slow,

on his back, one arm thrown out as

was tension in his young body, his brow furrowed slightly as if his

before he even

My stomach twisted.