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 I

the burning pain of the shackles be damned as I spun and slammed my heel into the rogue's

echoed through the trees as he crumpled to the

Silence.

other rogues halted,

I had just struck wheezed in disbelief, clutching his ribs

straightened, meeting each of their gazes

I was still Astrid.

Still a fighter.

Still a mother.

I wouldn't let them talk

I said, my voice like ice, "I will break more than

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

me. "She won't be so

I said nothing.

I didn't need to.

who

who he

The Rogue Stronghold

we

scent of damp wood and blood was thick, mingling with

mountains, built into the cliffs, it was protected from sight,

From Killian.

at us as we passed, too accustomed to their own filth

saw me-the moment they realized who I

shock. Others smirked, clearly

Let them look.

wasn't here

here

the stronghold opened with a deep, resounding

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

every instinct in

as I

me, over the shackles on my

voice smooth, arrogant.

I didn't respond.

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

my throat, forcing my expression into cold

give him

Not yet.

me like a woff studying a wounded prey. "You came alone,"