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."

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

their hands, terrified and crying for

body trembled violently as I tried to fight against the hands

screaming in protest, but I

to get

I had to.

into his chest, his strong arms wrapping

place as

first, my fists weakly pushing against him,

go.

slowly,

shaking as the dam inside

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

his jaw pressing against my temple. "She will be safe," he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet, unrelenting conviction.

"But what if—”

Killian interrupted softly, his hands smoothing over my hair. "She's

my breath coming in uneven

her."

slightly.

head, my eyes burning as I searched his face. "You promised,"

Killian's expression

shining with grief and

restrained rage. "L swore to protect you. To protect them. And I didn't. I

her"

my vision

should have been there. I should have stopped them. I should

at me. "Then we fix it," I whispered fiercely. "We bring

long moment before exhaling sharply, nodding. His hands moved to my

body still pressed against Killian's as his steady heartbeat pounded beneath my

were firm, unyielding, but even his strength couldn't quiet the storm

Elara was gone.

Taken.

hadn't been

down the sob that threatened to break

be strong. I had to think. I

Ryker.

throat, my body stiffening. A

Where was Ryker?

Why wasn't he here?

hands gripping his forearms as I searched his

golden eyes, usually so steady and unwavering, flickered

my voice trembling.

sharply, his fingers twitching against my

saw it—the hesitation, the flicker of something dark in his