Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 434: Into the Lion's Den Astrid's POV The rogues had been waiting for me.

They lingered in the shadows, motionless, like predators poised for the perfect moment to strike. Their eyes glowed eerily in the dim light of the moon, flickering with something sinister-anticipation.

They knew I was coming.

My stomach twisted, but I forced my expression into something unreadable, my shoulders squared as I stepped forward. I calone. No weapons. No resistance. Complete surrender.

It was the only way.

If I fought back, if I hesitated for even a second, Ardan might change his mind. He might keep Elara. He might hurt her.

And that was a risk I wasn't willing to take.

I took slow, deliberate steps into the clearing, my heartbeat steady despite the way my wolf clawed at the inside of my skin, urgingto turn back, to fight.

Not yet.

I exhaled, tilting my chin upward as I finally stopped before them.

The group of rogues at least a dozen remained silent for a moment, assessing me. Then one of them, a tall, lean man with sunken eyes and a wicked grin, let out a sharp laugh.

"Well, well," he drawled, stepping forward.

"Look what we have here, boys." His gaze dragged over me, his amusement clear. "The great Astrid, the Almega, reduced to nothing but a desperate mother." A ripple of cruel laughter followed.

I clenched my fists at my sides, but said nothing.

My silence only seemed to encourage them.

Another rogue, this one broader with a scar running down his cheek, smirked. "Didn't think it'd be this easy," he mused. "I figured we'd at least get a fight out of her." "You're standing before me," I said flatly, my voice cool and even. "Do I look like I'm here to fight?" Scarface let out a low whistle. "She's got a mouth on her. Guess even legends know how to kneel when the tcomes." I refused to react, but the rage insidesimmered dangerously close to the surface.

I wasn't afraid of them.

I had killed more rogues than I could count. If I had chere with a different goal, their blood would already be soaking into the dirt beneath us.

But Elara's face her wide, terrified eyes, her desperate screams-heldstill.

I had no leverage here. No power.

Only her life.

One of the younger rogues, his sneer barely masking his excitement, took a step closer, lookingover like a prize on display.

"Never thought I'd see the day," he muttered. "Astrid, the untouchable warrior, throwing herself at our feet. If only your people could see you now." He took another step, reaching out toward me- My body moved before I could stop it.

My hand shot out, gripping his wrist in a vice-like hold. My nails dug into his flesh, my voice low and ice-cold. "Touch me," I murmured, "and I will break every bone in your worthless body." His eyes widened for a split second before Scarface let out a bark of laughter. "Still got sfight left in her." He grinned. "We'll see how long that lasts." I released the rogue's wrist, my expression settling back into something neutral. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing my fury.

Not yet.

Sunken-Eyes stepped forward again, a cruel glint in his gaze.

"So, tell me, Almega," he sneered. "What's it like knowing you had to crawl to us? Knowing that all your strength, all your power, wasn't enough to keep your little girDsafe?" I froze.

The air aroundseemed to drop in temperature, my fingers curling into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms.

The rogues sensed the shift instantly.

"Hit a nerve, did I?" Sunken-Eyes continued, tilting his head mockingly. wonder... is she crying for you right now? Calling for a mother who couldn't protect her? Or has she learned the truth already that she's nothing or than leverage, a tool to bring you to your knees?" The blood in my veins turned to ice.

My body remained motionless, my breathing even. But when I spoke, my voice was like a blade.

"If any of you touch a single strand of her hair," I said, each word slow and deliberate, "I will burn this entire place to the ground." The laughter that followed wasn't as confident as before.

There was something in my voice that cut through their amusement, something that made them hesitate. They might thinkpowerless now, might believe I had surrendered, but they didn't understand a mother's wrath was something far worse than any warrior's fury.

A tense silence settled between us.

Then, Scarface's smirk returned, but it wasn't quite as easy as before. "Bold words for someone in chains," he muttered.

The rogues beside him chuckled, but it lacked the sbite.

A slow exhale left my lips as I lifted my gaze to meet his "Then make sure your king keeps his promise." Sunken-Eyes narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oh, we will. He's been waiting for this moment for a long time."

His gaze flicked to the others, and with a slight nod, two of them m stepped forward, silver shackles in hand. I didn't move.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't react even as they grabbed my wrists, binding them with iron cuffs laced with wolfsbane. The moment the metal met my skin, a sharp e blistering pain spread up my arms, burning through my veins like liquid fire. I gritted my teeth, refusing to let them see my pain.

Sunken-Eyes stepped closer, leaning in just enough to whisper, "You're in no position to make threats, Almega." I lifted my head, staring him down.

"You should have killedwhen you had the chance." His smirk faltered.

Good.

One of the rogues behindshovedforward, forcingto move, to walk deeper into the enemy's grasp.

I had made my choice.

And now, I was walking straight into the darkness.

But Ardan had made one fatal mistake.

He thought I was weak.

He thought I was defeated.

But he had no idea that even in chains, I was still dangerous.