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—"

moved before I could

the burning pain of the shackles be damned

through the trees as he crumpled to

Silence.

rogues halted, watching,

one I had just struck wheezed in disbelief, clutching his ribs as he

meeting each of their gazes

I was still Astrid.

Still a fighter.

Still a mother.

I wouldn't let them talk about

I said, my voice like ice, "I will

rogue on the ground, shaking his head in mock pity. "Damn, Garett. You just got your ass handed to you

I'd kicked-growled, glaring up at me. "She won't be so bold once Ardan gets his hands

I said nothing.

I didn't need to.

I knew who I was

who he had taken

The Rogue Stronghold

as we reached

of damp wood and blood was thick, mingling with the

wasn't a camp-it was a fortress. Hidden deep within the mountains, built into the cliffs, it was protected from sight, from any

From Killian.

entrance barely glanced at us as we passed, too

moment they saw me-the moment they realized who I

smirked, clearly enjoying

Let them look.

wasn't here for

was here for

the stronghold opened with a deep,

went rigid.

scent of power hit

Then the voice.

"Astrid."

I lifted my gaze.

And there he was.

Ardan.

The rogue king.

commanding, his dark

that sent every instinct

the same as I remembered. Tall. Broad.

over me, over the shackles on my wrists, the bruises already

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

I didn't respond.

sharp words? No threats?" His smirk widened.

bubbling in my throat, forcing my

wouldn't give him

Not yet.

studying a wounded prey. "You came alone," he noted. "Smart.