Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 411: Captured Astrid's POV The air crackled with tension as the rogue king's gaze shifted toward us, his dark eyes gleaming with an unspoken challenge.

Killian's golden eyes burned with fury, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike. But the rogue king, Ardan, stood unfazed, a shadow of calm amidst the chaos.

"You're relentless, Killian," Ardan said smoothly, his voice carrying across the clearing like a chilling wind. "But your efforts are misplaced. You cling to a broken system a hierarchy built on oppression and blood." Killian took a measured step forward, his claws flexing. "And you think murdering innocents and sowing chaos is the answer? You're delusional." Ardan tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Delusional? Or visionary? The Packs need reformation, Killian. The hierarchy you protect only serves the Alphas and Betas-those at the top. The rest? They suffer. They're discarded like trash." I clenched my fists, stepping forward to stand beside Killian. "And you think your way will fix it?" I shot back. "You've left countless families in ruins, turned wolves against their own. You're no savior-you're a tyrant." Ardan's gaze flicked to me, and for the first time, a flicker of something softer crossed his face.

"Astrid," he said, his tone quieter now, almost regretful. “You, of all people, should understand. You were cast out, treated like nothing. Yet here you are, protecting those who wronged you." His words struck a chord, a painful echo of memories I'd long buried.

The rogue king and I both share the spain. When I heard of his past, I instantly understood where he is coming from and why he had turned into this.

The only difference between us was how we ended up becoming, and it's only because I had Killian, while he didn't have anyone in his life.

Without Drystan's help, Nova's support and my father's love, I would have ended up worse than him.

My jaw tightened, but I didn't falter. "I'm protecting them because I know change doesn't cthrough destruction. It comes through unity, through building something better." Ardan's expression hardened. "Unity?" he spat. "Do you really believe they'll change, Astrid? You're wasting your strength protecting a system that will never see you as an equal. If you joined me, we could tear it all down and rebuild. Together, we'd be unstoppable." Killian growled low in his throat, stepping protectively closer to me.

"She's not joining you, Ardan," he said coldly. "And you're not rebuilding anything. You're just destroying." Ardan's smile returned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Ah, Killian. Always so quick to see the world in black and white. But this isn't about you. Astrid, think about it. Everything they've done to you-do they really deserve your loyalty?" I felt Killian's hand brush mine, grounding me. My voice was steady when I answered. "What they deserve doesn't matter. What I choose to fight for does. And I'll fight to protect them, even from you." For a moment, silence stretched between us, the weight of our words hanging heavy in the air. Then Ardan straightened, his expression sharpening into something colder.

"So be it," he said, his voice like steel. "You've made your choice." He turned sharply to Cedric, who was frozen in place, his face pale with fear. "You've outlived your usefulness," Ardan said, his tone devoid of emotion.

Cedric's eyes widened in desperation, already knowing what's about to happen next. "Ardan, wait! You can't leavehere! I've done everything you asked!" Ardan didn't even glance at him. "You are right. You have been helpful to us, providing us everything we need, but now that things had cto this, sacrifice is necessary." Cedric stumbled forward, his hands outstretched. "No! Take me! Don't leave me! But Ardan was already retreating, his rogues closing ranks around him."Thank you for everything you gave. It's all for a cause, for a better world All your efforts will be appreciated and remembe etter swn y Cedric stilled at his words, his breaths turning shallow as he watched the rogue king leaving.

"Killian, Astrid," Ardan called over his shoulder, his voice calm and resolute. "This isn't over. The next twe meet, you'll see the truth." And then he was gone, disappearing into the shadows with his rogues.

Cedric's pleas turned to angry growls as Killian strode toward him, his expression cold and unrelenting.

"You're done, Cedric," Killian said, his voice low and dangerous.

Cedric lunged at Killian, his claws bared in a final act of defiance, om fighting until the very end, refusing to back down. But Killian was faster, sidestepping and pinning Cedric to the ground with ease. "Enough," Killian growled. "You've already lost." I stepped forward, my claws at the ready as I helped secure Cedric. He thrashed and spat curses, refusing to surrender even as we shackled him.

His resistance only solidified the betrayal that had led to this moment.

As we hauled Cedric to his feet, his furious gaze met mine. "You'll regret this," he snarled. "You're protecting a system that will destroy you." I met his glare with steady resolve. "We'll see about that," I said firmly. "Take him and lock him up." I commanded as I turned to a warrior.

Cedric stared into my eyes defiantly. "I will never tell you anything. with never cooperate with you no matter what happen!" he shouted stubbornly as the warriors dragged him away.

With Cedric subdued and Ardan gone, we began the long trek back to our territory. The weight of what had transpired lingered heavy in the air, but one thing was clear: the battle was far from over.