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."

voice cool and even. "Do I look like I'm

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

the rage inside me simmered dangerously

afraid of

I could count. If I had come here with a different

her wide, terrified eyes, her

no leverage

Only her life.

excitement, took

the untouchable warrior, throwing herself at our feet.

another step, reaching out

before I

hand shot out, gripping his wrist in a vice-like hold. My nails

murmured, "and I will break every bone

widened for a split second before Scarface let out a bark of laughter. "Still got some fight left in her." He grinned. "We'll

wrist, my expression settling back into something neutral. I wouldn't

Not yet.

forward again, a cruel glint

me, Almega," he sneered. "What's it like knowing you had to crawl to us? Knowing that all

keep

I froze.

drop in

nails bit

rogues sensed

nerve, did I?"

continued, tilting his head

wonder... is she

now? Calling for a mother who

that she's

tool to bring you to your

my veins turned

breathing even. But when

a single strand of her hair," I

burn this entire place

wasn't as confident

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

but they didn't understand

tense silence settled between