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!

hands, terrified and crying

to fight against the hands that held

arms felt weak, my muscles screaming

needed to

I had to.

into his chest, his strong arms

place as my sobs

my fists weakly pushing against him, but he didn't

go.

then, slowly,

body shaking as the dam inside

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

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

"But what if—”

his hands smoothing over my hair. "She's our daughter. And we are

coming in uneven gasps.

her."

breaking slightly. "No, Astrid.

as I searched his face. "You promised,"

in Killian's expression

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

her"

shook my head, my vision swimming.

been there. I should have stopped them. I should

"Then we

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

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

me were firm, unyielding, but even

Elara was gone.

Taken.

I hadn't been able to

the sob that threatened

I had to think. I had

Ryker.

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

Where was Ryker?

Why wasn't he here?

pulled away from Killian, my hands gripping his

steady

I whispered, my voice trembling.

his fingers twitching against my skin. His jaw

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