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."

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

low whistle. "She's got a mouth on her. Guess even legends know how

refused to react, but the rage inside me simmered dangerously close

wasn't afraid of

come here with a different goal, their

face her wide, terrified eyes, her desperate screams-held

no leverage here.

Only her life.

his sneer barely masking his excitement, took a step closer, looking me over

muttered. "Astrid, the untouchable warrior, throwing herself at our feet. If only

another step, reaching out toward

before I could stop

hold. My nails dug into his flesh, my voice low

"and I will break every bone in

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

my expression settling back into something neutral. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing

Not yet.

a cruel glint

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

keep

I froze.

in temperature, my fingers curling into fists

bit into my

sensed the shift

nerve, did I?"

continued, tilting his head

wonder... is

mother who couldn't protect her? Or has she learned the

she's

tool to bring you to your

in my

my breathing even. But when I spoke, my voice was like a

you touch a single strand of her hair," I said, each word

will burn this entire place

laughter that followed wasn't as confident

in my voice that cut through

powerless now, might believe I had surrendered, but they didn't understand a mother's wrath was something far worse than any

silence settled