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."

I choked, a sob breaking past my lips. "She's out there, Killian!

of Elara in their hands, terrified and crying for me, shattered

body trembled violently as I tried to fight

muscles screaming in protest,

needed to

I had to.

chest, his strong arms wrapping

as my sobs

fists weakly pushing against

go.

then, slowly,

body shaking as

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

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

"But what if—”

over my hair. "She's our daughter. And we are going to

my breath coming in uneven

her."

voice breaking slightly. "No, Astrid. This

his face. "You promised," I whispered, the words

in Killian's

with grief and fury. "I know," he said hoarsely. "And

my back, his body so tense it vibrated with restrained rage. "L swore to protect

her"

shook my head, my vision swimming. “No, Killian,

he rasped, his voice raw. "I should have been there. I should

grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me. "Then we fix it," I

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

my body still pressed against Killian's as his

me were firm, unyielding, but even his

Elara was gone.

Taken.

I hadn't been

the sob that threatened to break

strong. I had

Ryker.

stiffening. A fresh wave of panic surged

Where was Ryker?

Why wasn't he here?

hands gripping his forearms as

eyes, usually so steady

I whispered, my voice

his fingers twitching

hesitation, the flicker of