Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 435: Deal with the Enemy

Astrid's POV

The journey to Ardan's stronghold felt longer than it should have.

They forced me to walk.

Through the forest, over uneven terrain, my wrists bound in iron shackles laced with wolfsbane, burning against my skin with every step.

I didn't fight them.

Not because I couldn't.

But because every second I stalled, every moment I made them think I was truly broken, brought me closer to Elara.

That was all that mattered.

The rogues surrounded me in a loose formation, their laughter and whispered taunts filling the night air.

They didn't see me as a threat.

Not anymore.

They saw a woman who had given up, a mother who had walked willingly into the lion's den.

That was their first mistake.

Their second?

Letting me breathe.

As we moved deeper into rogue territory, my thoughts remained sharp, focused. I counted our path, memorized the turns, the landmarks, the scent markers.

If I survived this, if I found a way to get Elara out, I needed to know exactly how to escape.

If I didn't... then at least Killian would know where to find us.

A rough shove at my back nearly sent me stumbling.

I gritted my teeth, inhaling slowly through my nose as I forced my posture to remain steady.

I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

A rogue to my right-the one with sunken eyes and a cruel smirk—chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. "What's wrong, Almega? You're awfully quiet for someone who walked right into her own death."

I ignored him.

Another rogue snickered. "Maybe she finally realized what she's done. Traded her own life for a brat that's probably crying herself to sleep by now."

My fists clenched.

"Or maybe she's not crying," a third rogue mused. "Maybe she's learning that her mother isn't coming for her. Maybe she's realizing that—"

before

damned

the trees as

Silence.

rogues

in disbelief, clutching his ribs

straightened, meeting each of

I was still Astrid.

Still a fighter.

Still a mother.

them talk about my

my voice

whistle, stepping forward, clearly entertained. "Still got some bite left, huh?" He crouched beside the rogue on the ground, shaking his head in mock pity. "Damn, Garett. You just got your ass handed to you by a

at me. "She won't be so bold once Ardan gets

I said nothing.

I didn't need to.

who I was

he had taken from

The Rogue Stronghold

as we

damp wood and blood was thick, mingling with the lingering

fortress. Hidden deep within the mountains, built into the cliffs, it was protected from sight, from any

From Killian.

at the entrance barely glanced at us as we passed, too accustomed

saw me-the moment they realized who I

stared in shock. Others smirked,

Let them look.

here for

here for

the stronghold opened with a

went rigid.

power hit

Then the voice.

"Astrid."

I lifted my gaze.

And there he was.

Ardan.

The rogue king.

of the room his presence commanding, his dark eyes gleaming with a mixture of

sent every instinct in me

as

barely moved as he stepped forward, his gaze dragging over me, over the shackles

he mused, voice smooth, arrogant. "The mighty Almega, finally brought to

I didn't respond.

slightly. "No sharp words? No threats?" His smirk widened.

in my throat, forcing my expression into cold

wouldn't give him what he

Not yet.

came alone," he noted. "Smart. I expected Killian to put up more of a