Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

Astrid's POV

The council chamber buzzed with an undercurrent of tension that made the air feel thick.

The weight of the looming meeting sat heavily on my chest, though I knew I couldn't let it show.

This was where Ardan would aim to make his statement, where he'd strike to spread chaos and fear.

I stood in the far corner, my eyes scanning the room as the Alphas and Lunas filed in one by one.

Their voices filled the space, low murmurs exchanging concerns over Ardan's growing influence and his unrelenting attacks.

Killian stood at my side, his presence as steady as a mountain. His golden eyes scanned the room, sharp and calculating, watching for any signs of danger.

Ryder had already slipped into the shadows, overseeing the security measures with a team of warriors stationed discreetly throughout the area.

"You've been quiet,” Killian said, his voice low, for me alone.

I turned to him, meeting his gaze.

"I'm thinking,” I admitted. “Ardan isn't just about brute force. If he has people here,

if he's planning something, we need to spot it before it happens."

Killian nodded, his jaw tightening. "He won't get the chance to catch us off guard. We've accounted for every angle."

But I wasn't convinced. Ardan was meticulous, and he thrived on misdirection.

Every move he made was layered, each step calculated to leave us questioning what we thought we knew.

The supply route, the council meeting-it was all part of a larger plan, and I was determined to piece it together before it was too late.

The room fell into a hushed silence as Alpha Damien of the Crimsonbane Pack stepped forward.

His commanding presence seemed to silence the tension in the room, though his dark eyes betrayed the worry etched across his face.

"We all know why we're here," Damien began, his deep voice echoing through the chamber.

"Ardan has declared war on everything we stand for. He's not just targeting our Packs-he's targeting the very foundation of what binds us together. Unity. Trust."

A murmur spread through the room, and I stepped forward, raising a hand to quiet them.

"He's using our unity against us," I said, my voice firm. "He's exploiting the trust we've built to infiltrate and destabilize. Cedric's betrayal is proof enough of that.” The room erupted again, some Alphas voicing their doubts about Cedric, others debating how deeply the rogue king's influence had spread.

Killian's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough," he growled, his golden eyes blazing. "We don't have the luxury of infighting. If we let him divide us, we've already lost."

The chamber fell silent, and I felt a swell of pride at the commanding presence of my mate.

Killian had a way of rallying others, of making them feel like they could withstand anything with him at the helm.

I stepped closer to him, placing a hand on the table where the map of our territories lay.

"We need to anticipate his next move," I said, my tone measured. "If this meetingnoveldrama

is a target—and I believe it is—we have to outmaneuver him."

Damien frowned, his brow furrowing. "Do you believe he has someone here? Among us?"

I hesitated, my gaze flicking over the gathered leaders. "I don't know. But I wouldn't put it past him to plant someone."

A shiver ran through the room, the thought of a traitor among us weighing heavily on everyone.

At that moment, Nova stepped into the chamber, her expression unreadable but her presence commanding.

Drystan followed close behind her, his sharp gaze sweeping the room as if searching for threats.

Their unexpected arrival drew surprised murmurs from the gathered Alphas.

Nova approached me, her voice low. "I thought you might need extra eyes. Drystan and I will be patrolling the perimeter while you're here."

I.ne

Her words brought a sense of relief l hadn't realized I needed. Nova's sharp instincts and Drystan's unyielding determination were a comfort in a time like this.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "Keep an eye out for anything unusual."

Nova nodded, her gaze softening. "We'll keep them safe, Astrid. All of them."

As Nova and Drystan exited, my mind returned to the council. Their words and expressions betrayed their fear, their unease, and I couldn't blame them.

Ardan's shadow loomed over us all, and his ability to manipulate people made everyone a potential suspect.

Suddenly, Ryder appeared at Killian's side, his face tight with urgency.

"There's movement along the

eastern forest," he said quietly, his

voice just loud enough for us to

hear. "Small group-likely scouts. But they're getting too close

Killian straightened, his hand moving instinctively to the hilt of his blade. “Take a

team and intercept them. We can't risk them getting any closer."

I watched Ryder leave, the unease in my chest growing. Everything about this felt too deliberate.

The scouts, the supply route, the council gathering—it was all too well-timed.

Ardan was testing us, baiting us, and I hated that we had to play his game.

"We'll finish this meeting quickly," Killian said, turning back to me. "The sooner we get everyone out of here, the less vulnerable we are."

I nodded, though a sense of dread

lingered. couldn't shake the feeling that we were missing something, that Ardan's true plan was still hidden in the shadows.

As the council resumed their discussions, I forced myself to focus, to analyze every word, every movement.

If there was a traitor among us, if Ardan's hand was already here, I would find it. Because this wasn't just about protecting the Packs or preserving the council.

It was about protecting my family-my children, my mate-and I would do whatever it took to ensure they were safe.

Even if it meant stepping into the shadows to face Ardan myself.