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."

a sob breaking past my lips. "She's out there, Killian! Alone! She's scared-what if they hurt her? What if

their hands, terrified and

as I tried to fight against the hands that held me

muscles screaming in protest, but I

needed to

I had to.

his strong

as my sobs

against him at first, my fists weakly pushing against

go.

then, slowly, I

him, my body shaking as the dam inside

promised her," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I promised her

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

"But what if—”

strong," Killian interrupted softly, his hands smoothing over my hair. "She's our daughter. And we are going to bring her

gripped his shirt, my breath coming in uneven gasps. "I should

her."

exhaled shakily, his voice breaking slightly. "No, Astrid. This wasn't

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

Killian's expression

his golden eyes shining with grief and fury. "I know,"

against my back, his body so tense it vibrated with restrained rage. "L swore to protect you. To protect them. And I

her"

shook my head, my vision

his voice raw. "I should have been there. I should have stopped them.

look at me. "Then we fix it,"

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

my body still pressed against

me were firm, unyielding, but even his strength couldn't

Elara was gone.

Taken.

hadn't been able to stop

down the sob that threatened to break

to be strong. I had to

Ryker.

caught in my throat, my body stiffening. A fresh wave of panic surged

Where was Ryker?

Why wasn't he here?

away from Killian, my hands gripping his forearms as

usually so steady

my voice trembling.

his fingers twitching against my skin. His

the flicker of