Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 434: Into the Lion's Den

Astrid's POV

The rogues had been waiting for me.

They lingered in the shadows, motionless, like predators poised for the perfect moment to strike. Their eyes glowed eerily in the dim light of the moon, flickering with something sinister-anticipation.

They knew I was coming.

My stomach twisted, but I forced my expression into something unreadable, my shoulders squared as I stepped forward. I came alone. No weapons. No resistance. Complete surrender.

It was the only way.

If I fought back, if I hesitated for even a second, Ardan might change his mind. He might keep Elara. He might hurt her.

And that was a risk I wasn't willing to take.

I took slow, deliberate steps into the clearing, my heartbeat steady despite the way my wolf clawed at the inside of my skin, urging me to turn back, to fight.

Not yet.

I exhaled, tilting my chin upward as I finally stopped before them.

The group of rogues at least a dozen

remained silent for a moment, assessing

me. Then one of them, a tall, lean man with sunken eyes and a wicked grin, let out a sharp laugh.

"Well, well," he drawled, stepping forward.

"Look what we have here, boys." His gaze dragged over me, his amusement clear. "The great Astrid, the Almega, reduced to nothing but a desperate mother."

A ripple of cruel laughter followed.

I clenched my fists at my sides, but said nothing.

My silence only seemed to encourage them.

Another rogue, this one broader with a scar running down his cheek, smirked. "Didn't think it'd be this easy," he mused. "I figured we'd at least get a fight out of her."

before me," I said flatly, my voice cool and even. "Do I

out a low whistle. "She's got a mouth on her. Guess even

react, but the rage inside me simmered

wasn't afraid

had killed more rogues than I could count. If I had come here with a different goal, their blood would already be soaking

terrified eyes,

had no leverage here.

Only her life.

his excitement, took a step closer, looking me over like

the untouchable warrior, throwing herself at our feet. If

took another step, reaching out toward

body moved before I could

gripping his wrist in a vice-like hold. My nails dug into

me," I murmured, "and I will

a bark of laughter. "Still got some fight

something neutral. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction

Not yet.

a cruel

you had to crawl to us? Knowing that all your strength, all your

to keep your little

I froze.

drop in temperature,

nails bit into my

sensed the shift

nerve, did

continued, tilting his head

wonder... is

who couldn't protect her? Or has she learned

she's nothing

tool to

blood in my veins turned

when

touch a single strand of her hair," I said,

this entire

followed wasn't as

in my voice that cut through their amusement, something that made them

think me powerless now, might believe I had surrendered, but they didn't understand a mother's

silence settled