Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 381: The Marked One Nova's POV The weight of betrayal still pressed heavily on my chest as I left the council chamber.

My hands trembled at my sides, the urge to destroy something coursing through me.

Liora's face haunted my mind her laughter, her kindness, the way she had brought light to every room she entered.

Now, that light was gone, extinguished by Rowena's greed and fear.

I couldn't even look at Killian. His silence, his complicity, felt like another dagger in the back.

Drystan hadn't spoken since we left. His rage was simmering, barely contained, but I knew it would erupt soon.

We had to keep moving. If we stopped now, the weight of our anger and grief would bury us.

"Where to now?" I asked quietly as Drystan and I stepped into the night.

He didn't answer at first, his jaw tight, his gaze fixed on the dark forest ahead.

Finally, he said, "We need answers. If Rowena's betrayal is the beginning of this, the Rogue King is the end. And I know someone who might know how to end him." "The marked man," I said, understanding instantly.

Drystan nodded. "Liora mentioned him in her journal. He's the only lead we have." The journey back to where Liora and I used to live was long and tense. We moved quickly, our senses sharp, knowing that rogue patrols could appear at any moment.

The forest was quiet, the kind of quiet that made your wolf restless.

Drystan led the way, his movements precise and deliberate. I stayed close, my fingers brushing against the hilt of my blade.

The memory of the ambush at Emberwood ruins was still fresh in my mind, and I wouldn't let my guard down again.

After hours of travel, we reached a small clearing. In the center stood a modest hut, its wooden walls weathered and covered in moss.

Smoke curled from the chimney, the only sign of life in the otherwise desolate area.

"This is it," Drystan said, his voice low.

"You're sure he's still here?" I asked, scanning the area for any signs of a trap.

Drystan nodded. "He's too stubborn to leave. If anyone knows about the Rogue King's plans, it's him." He stepped forward, knocking sharply on the door. The sound echoed in the quiet clearing, and for a moment, there was no response.

Then, the door creaked open, revealing a man with a scar running down the left side of his face.

His eyes were sharp, his gaze assessing as he looked us over.

"You've got snerve showing up here," the man said, his voice rough.

"We need your help, Gavril," Drystan said evenly.

Gavril leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "And why should I help you?" "Because the Rogue King is coming," I said, stepping forward. "And if he gets what he wants, none of us will survive." Gavril's eyes flicked to me, narrowing slightly. "You're Nova," he said. "Liora's sister." The mention of her nmade my wolf stir, a mixture of pain and resolve rising in my chest. "You knew her?" He nodded, his expression unreadable. "She ctoonce, asking questions about the Rogue King. Smart girl. Too smart for her own good." I clenched my fists. "Then you know what happened to her." "I know what Rowena did," he said bluntly. "And I know why." Drystan growled low in his throat, but I placed a hand on his arm, silently urging him to focus. "What do you know about the Amulet?" I asked.

Gavril sighed, stepping back and gesturing for us to enter. The inside of the hut was cramped and dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of herbs and old wood.

"The Forsaken Amulet," Gavril began, lowering himself into a worn chair, "was created centuries ago by a rogue Almega who wanted to break the bond between Alphas and their Packs He believed it would free wolves from what he called 'oppressive hierarchies.' Instead, it destroyed everything it touched." "How?" I asked, leaning forward.

"The Amulet amplifies power," Gavril said. "But it also corrupts. It twists intentions, feeds on fears and doubts, until it consumes its wielder completely." Drystan frowned. "Then why does the Rogue King want it?" "Because he thinks he can control it," Gavril replied, "He believes it'll give him the strength to overthrow every Pack in the region. And maybe it will-at least for a while. But in the end, the Amulet takes everything. It's cursed." His words sent a chill through me. The Amulet's presence in the council chamber had already felt wrong, as though it was watching us, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Is there a way to destroy it?" I asked.

Gavril hesitated, his gaze flicking

betweenand Drystan. "There is," he said finally. "But it won't be easy The Amulet is bound to its creator's bloodline. Only someone with a connection to that bloodline@an destroy it." My stomach sank. "And who is that?" Gavril's expression darkened. "The Rogue King himself." The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over us.

"So we have to kill him," Drystan said grimly.

"You'd have to kill him anyway," Gavril said with a shrug. "But yes, if you want to destroy the Amulet, you'll need his blood."

I exchanged a glance with Drystan. This was bigger than either of us had anticipated. Not only did we have to face the Rogue Ring, but we had to get close enough to him to use his blood against the very weapon he sought to wield. "Thank you," I said quietly, standing. Gavril gave a short nod. "Don't thankyet. If you fail, it's all over-for all of us."

As we left the hut and stepped back into the clearing, the night felt darker than before, Drystar's silence was heavy, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "What now?" I asked softly.

"We prepare," he said, his voice hard. "We gather every warrior, every ally, and we take the fight to him." "And Rowena?" His jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "She'll get what she deserves.

But first, we end this." I nodded, the memory of Liora's laughter echoing in my mind. For her, for the Packs, for everything we'd lost-we would finish this.