Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 431: Breaking Point

Astrid's POV

The words on the paper blurred before my eyes, my grip tightening until the edges crumpled in my shaking hands.

My breath came in sharp, uneven gasps, my pulse hammering so loudly it

drowned out everything else.

Killian was speaking — his voice low and urgent — but I couldn't hear him.

All I could see was Elara.

Trapped. Alone. Scared.

The paper shook violently in my grasp as a sob tore from my throat.

My daughter was out there, in his hands. And he wanted me.

The weight of it settled over me like an iron cage.

This was never about the Pack. Never about a war.

It had always been about me.

A hand touched my wrist, firm and grounding. "Astrid."

Killian's voice finally cut through the haze of panic suffocating me. I looked up, meeting his golden eyes-burning with unspoken fear.

For me.

For Elara.

For all of us.

my throat raw.

tightened immediately, his entire body

from his grasp. "Killian, he has her. What do you expect me to do? Sit here? Wait for another letter? Hope that he won't—" My

message get into your head!" Killian raised his voice, thinking that would

He won't give us this chance

trap. He knows exactly what he's doing. And he knows you well enough to be sure you'd go running to him the moment he sent

out there, Killian! She's alone, and she's—" My breath hitched, a sob breaking free despite how hard I

I clutched the paper to

voice broke as I gasped for air. "I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't even breathe without wondering if she's okay. If she's alive. If she's scared. If she's crying for me and I'm not

me, but I shook my head

she hasn't eaten?" My voice was

if she's calling for me and I'm

me, his arms wrapping tightly around me. But I

live another day not knowing, Killian!" My hands fisted in

him as I sobbed. "I have to go. I have

rigid. "No," he growled, his voice

lifted my tear streaked face to

desperation twisting my expression.

raw, trembling. "Please, let me do this. Let me trade myself for her. She's just a child. I can't let her suffer for

on my arms, his golden eyes burning with something fierce and

said, his voice

at his chest, but he didn't move. "I won't risk her life! I won't gamble my daughter's life on the chance

curling into

her go?” His voice was harsh, almost furious. "You know what he wants, Astrid. He doesn't care about Elara he wants you. He wants your power. Your blood. You're the

he wants,"