Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 428: Mother’s Desperation

Astrid's POV

The world felt distant, muffled by the thick fog of unconsciousness.

My body was heavy, weighed down by pain and exhaustion, yet my mind clawed for clarity, for awareness.

Then, all at once, reality came crashing down.

Elara.

My breath hitched, my body jolting as I forced my eyes open. A sharp pain seared through my back, but I ignored it, my heart hammering against my ribs.

My surroundings swam into focus-the soft glow of candlelight flickering against the stone walls, the scent of herbs lingering in the air.

I was in my room.

Someone had carried me here.

A shadow shifted beside me, and my gaze landed on Killian.

He sat in a chair beside the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his golden eyes dark with something raw and unguarded.

His face was drawn, his usual sharp confidence buried beneath an overwhelming weight.

The moment he saw me stir, he straightened. "Astrid," he breathed, relief washing over his features.

But I barely heard him.

"Elara," I gasped, my voice hoarse. The panic surged through me like wildfire, burning through every ache and pain.

I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt weak, trembling beneath me.

Killian was there in an instant, his hands catching my arms, his grip firm but gentle. "Astrid, stop," he said, his voice low, steady.

I shoved against him, my breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. "Where is she? I have to go "

"Astrid, listen to me." Killian's hands tightened, his golden eyes locking onto mine. "She's gone, but we're tracking them. My men are already on their trail."

Gone.

The word slammed into me, stealing the air from my lungs. My vision blurred, my pulse roaring in my ears. I shook my head violently, my nails digging into Killian's

arms.

"No, no, I have to "

"You can't," he said, his voice strained. "You're injured. The doctors just treated you-you had wolfsbane in your system. If you go after them now, you won't make it past the border."

breaking past my lips. "She's out there, Killian! Alone! She's scared-what if

terrified and crying for me, shattered something inside

as I tried to fight against the hands

arms felt weak, my muscles screaming

needed to get to

I had to.

his strong arms wrapping

place as my sobs wracked through

fists

go.

slowly, I

shaking as the dam

promised her," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I promised her she'd

around me, his jaw pressing against my temple. "She will be safe," he murmured, his voice filled

"But what if—”

interrupted softly, his hands smoothing over my hair. "She's our daughter. And

shirt, my breath coming in uneven

her."

exhaled shakily, his voice breaking slightly.

lifted my head, my eyes burning as I searched his face. "You promised," I whispered, the words barely escaping my

Killian's

eyes shining with grief and fury. "I know," he

fists against my back, his body so tense it vibrated with restrained rage.

her"

my vision swimming. “No, Killian, you

should have been there.

to look at me. "Then we fix it,"

sharply, nodding. His hands moved to my shoulders, steadying me as if grounding us both. "We

my body still pressed against

arms around me were firm, unyielding, but even

Elara was gone.

Taken.

been able

eyes shut, forcing down the sob that threatened

to be strong. I had to think. I

Ryker.

throat, my body stiffening. A fresh wave of panic surged through me, sharp and

Where was Ryker?

Why wasn't he here?

gripping

so steady and

my voice

sharply, his fingers twitching against my

I saw it—the hesitation, the flicker of something dark