Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

Chapter 78: A Chilling Revelation

Astrid's POV

The air outside was still, an eerie contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. The rogue's words echoed in my mind: Ardan always gets what he wants.

The Packhouse was alive with activity as I made my way to the war room.

Warriors were moving in and out, relaying reports and receiving orders. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to taste.

Killian was already there when I arrived, standing at the head of the table with Ryder at his side.

The map was spread out in front of them, marked with red circles and lines denoting potential weak spots in our defenses.

He looked up when I entered, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

"Astrid,” he said, his tone softer than it had been moments ago in the interrogationnoveldrama

room.

"Do we know anything new?" I asked, stepping closer to the table.

Ryder shook his head, his expression grim. "The rogue we captured is a low- ranking pawn. He doesn't know anything valuable, or if he does, he's not talking."

Killian clenched his jaw, his claws twitching at his sides. “Ardan's planning something. We just don't know what."

I studied the map, my gaze settling on the eastern border where the attack had occurred.

"He's testing us," I said quietly, my thoughts forming as I spoke. "He's looking for weaknesses, seeing how we respond."

Ryder nodded. "That's what we thought too. But there's more."

Killian exchanged a glance with him before turning back to me. "Ryder's patrol found something near the border."

My heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

Ryder pulled a folded piece of parchment from his pocket, placing it on the table. "This was found on one of the rogues. It's addressed to Ardan."

Killian unfolded the parchment, and I stepped closer to read over his shoulder.

The handwriting was jagged, almost frantic, and the words made my blood run cold.

"The eastern perimeter is holding, but they're stretched thin. We'll weaken them with smaller attacks before moving in. The children are the key. Without them, she'll break."

I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the edge of the table. "The children," I whispered.

Killian's claws dug into the parchment as his golden eyes darkened.

"He's targeting Ryker and Elara directly now," he said, his voice a low growl. "He's trying to break you, Astrid."

I straightened, forcing myself to stay composed.

"He won't break me," I said firmly, though my voice wavered slightly. "But we need to tighten security even further."

"We've already doubled the guards," Ryder said, his tone cautious. "If we pull any more warriors from the borders, we risk spreading ourselves too thin."

Killian's gaze met mine, his jaw tightening.

"We'll move more warriors into the

Packhouse," he decided. "Ryder, have your best men rotate shifts. I

don't want the same guards

stationed for too long-Ardan might try to infiltrate them."

Ryder nodded, already making notes.

"I'll stay with them," I said, my voice resolute. "Until this is over, I'm not leaving Ryker and Elara's side."

Killian frowned, his brows knitting together. "Astrid, you need to rest. You've been

"I can't rest!" I snapped, my frustration boiling over. "Not when I know he's coming

for them. I won't leave them, Killian. Don't ask me to."

Killian stepped closer, his hands gripping my shoulders gently but firmly.

"Astrid," he said softly, his voice steady. “You're their strength. If you burn yourself out, you won't be able

to protect them. Let me hapable

defenses. Trust me."

the

My chest tightened, the weight of his words pressing against the fear coiled in my

heart.

I searched his golden eyes, looking for the reassurance I so desperately needed.

Finally, I nodded, though it felt like a

betrayal of my instincts. "Fine," I said quietly. "But if anything changes, if there's even a hint of dangerd want to know immediately."

"You will," he promised.

Ryder cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to the table. "There's one more thing," he said, his tone hesitant.

Killian's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

Ryder reached into his pocket again, pulling out a small, jagged stone. Its surface shimmered faintly, the deep crimson hue almost pulsating under the torchlight.

I stared at it, unease prickling at the back of my neck. "What is that?"

"It was found on the rogue we captured," Ryder explained. "It's a fragment of the forsaken amulet."

My breath hitched. "A fragment? Why does he have it?"

With an object so important, why would Ardan entrust the fragments to his men instead of having them all in his possession instead?

"We don't know," Ryder admitted. "But if Ardan's men are carrying pieces of the amulet, it means he's working something. And maybe he's close to completing it."

Killian's claws flexed, his expression darkening. "If he fixes that amulet..."

"He won't," I said quickly, though my voice trembled. "We won't let him."

Ryder placed the fragment on the table, his expression grim.

"If he's targeting the children and gathering the amulet's pieces, we need to move

fast. Whatever he's planning, it's coming soon."

Killian nodded, his golden eyes hardening with resolve. "Then we prepare for war."

As the weight of his words settled over us, I felt a chill run down my spine. Ardan was moving, and the time to act was slipping through our fingers.