Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

Astrid's POV

The weight of Cedric's words sat heavily in my chest as I paced the length of the council chamber.

The sun had barely risen, but the Packhouse was already alive with movement.

Orders were being given, warriors were being reassigned, and tension buzzed in the air like a live wire.

Killian stood at the head of the room, his golden eyes scanning a map spread across the table.

His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, the fingers twitching every so often. Ryder was beside him, his expression grim as he relayed information from the scouts.

"We'll triple the guards around the Packhouse," Killian said firmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

"No one enters without my approval. Double patrols along the eastern and northern borders. I want reports every two hours."

I stopped pacing, my arms crossing tightly over my chest. "It's not enough," I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

Killian looked up, his brows furrowing. "Astrid, we've covered every vulnerability

"No," I interrupted, stepping closer to the table. "Cedric warned us. He said Ardan always gets what he wants. If he's planning to use our children... if he's already planned for this..." My voice faltered, and I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "Then we need to be smarter. Stronger."

Ryder exchanged a glance with Killian before stepping forward. "The guards assigned to Ryker and Elara are the best we have," he assured me. "They'll be shadowed at all times, even in the Packhouse."

"It's not just about the guards," I said, shaking my head. "Ardan doesn't play fair. He doesn't fight clean. If he wants them, he'll find a way."

Killian moved toward me, his hand brushing mine in a silent attempt to calm me. "Astrid," he said gently, though his voice carried the same steel as his gaze. "We won't let him get close to them. I won't let him."

I looked up at him, wanting to believe his words, but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen. "I'm not doubting you, Killian. I just... I can't lose them. I can't

"You won't," he said firmly, his hand tightening around mine. "I promise you, Astrid. We'll protect them. All of us."

The door opened, and Valerie stepped in, her expression as tense as the rest of

us.

"You summoned me?" she asked, her gaze darting between Killian and me.

"Thank goodness, you are finally here," I spoke in relief as I pushed Killian away from me.

Valerie and Killian shared a glance with each other. I saw Valerie bite back a laugh, but when I turned to look at Killian, to see what he had told her, he had already turned his back from us.

I faced Valerie again and stepped forward, meeting her concerned gaze. "I need your perspective-not as a Luna, but as a mother."

Valerie's brows furrowed, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "As a mother?" she echoed, glancing between Killian and me. "What's going on?"

Killian sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "We've received information that Ardan... the rogue king," he corrected, his voice tightening, "may target Ryker and Elara. He needs the blood of an Almega to restore the forsaken amulet."noveldrama

Valerie's face paled, her hand instinctively flying to her chest. "Your children?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Astrid, Killian... are you certain?"

"We're certain," I answered, my tone sharp with suppressed fear. "Cedric confirmed it."

Valerie's lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then she exhaled slowly, stepping closer to me.

"Astrid, I can't begin to imagine how terrifying this is for you," she said gently. But I do know what it's like to want to shield your children from the world, even when it feels impossible."

Her words hit me harder than I expected. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.

"I've already told Killian that I trust him to protect them. But Ardan... he's not like anyone we've faced before. He's ruthless, and he plans everything down to the smallest detail."

Valerie placed a hand on my arm, her grip steady. "Then you plan for him, Astrid.

You think like a mother, not a warrior. A mother always finds a way."

Killian turned back to us, his golden eyes narrowing.

"We've already doubled the guards around the children and fortified the Packhouse," he said firmly. "But if you think there's something we're missing, Valerie, I'd like to hear it."

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Valerie hesitated, clearly uncomfortable in the midst of war talk, but her voice didn't waver when she spoke.

"I'm no strategist, Killian," she admitted, "but I know Ardan thrives on fear and chaos. He'll try to unnerve you, make you second-guess every decision."

She turned to me, her eyes earnest. "Astrid, your strength isn't just in your power.

It's in your heart. You've survived so much because of your resilience.

If you show Ardan that his threats won't break you, it might be the one thing he doesn't expect."

Her words, simple yet profound, sparked something inside me—a flicker of clarity amidst the storm of my emotions. "You're saying I should focus on what I can control," I said slowly.

"Exactly," Valerie said with a nod. "You can't predict Ardan's every move, but you can make sure your children feel safe and loved.

And you can remind him—and everyone else that you're stronger than anything he throws your way."

Killian stepped beside me, his gaze softening.

"She's right," he said, his voice quieter now. "You've always been our strength,

Astrid. And we'll get through this together."

I looked between them, my resolve solidifying.

"Then let's make sure he knows exactly what he's up against," I said firmly. “If Ardan thinks he can break us, he's going to learn just how wrong he is." Valerie smiled faintly, her tension easing just slightly. "That's the Astrid I know."

Killian's hand brushed mine briefly, a silent promise of support. "Ryder is already preparing the next steps," he said. "We'll be ready."

As Valerie excused herself to check on her own children, I turned to Killian, my voice quiet but steady. "I won't let him take them from us."

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his golden eyes meeting mine with unwavering determination. "Neither will I," he promised.

But even as his words reassured me, I couldn't shake the lingering unease that curled in my chest.

Ardan was out there, planning his next move. And I knew, deep down, that he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.