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."

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

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

violently as I tried to fight against the hands that

felt weak, my muscles screaming in protest, but I

needed to get

I had to.

his chest, his strong arms

in place as my sobs wracked

against him at first, my fists weakly pushing

go.

slowly, I

shaking as the dam inside

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 voice filled with a quiet, unrelenting conviction. "I swear to you,

"But what if—”

my hair. "She's our

shirt, my breath coming in

her."

exhaled shakily, his voice breaking slightly. "No, Astrid.

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

Killian's

clenched, his golden eyes shining with grief and fury. "I know," he said hoarsely. "And I failed

into fists against my back, his body so tense it vibrated with restrained rage. "L swore to protect you. To protect them. And I didn't.

her"

my head, my vision

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

forcing him to look at me. "Then we fix it," I whispered fiercely. "We bring her

stared at me for a long moment before exhaling sharply, nodding. His hands moved to my shoulders, steadying me

shuddering breath left my lips, my body still pressed

but even his strength couldn't quiet the

Elara was gone.

Taken.

been able to stop

shut, forcing down the

strong. I had to think. I had

Ryker.

A fresh wave of

Where was Ryker?

Why wasn't he here?

my hands gripping his forearms

eyes, usually so steady and unwavering, flickered

whispered, my voice trembling. "Where's

his fingers twitching against my skin.

flicker of something dark in his