NovelEnglishChapter 424: Fear Astrid's POV The eerie silence of the Packhouse had never felt more oppressive.
The warmth of the torches lining the halls failed to chase away the chill that seemed to settle deep in my bones.
I paced outside Elara's room, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.
The image of the guard's frightened expression, the mention of a rogue scent, it all played on a loop in my mind. Killian stood nearby, speaking in hushed tones to Ryder.
His golden eyes were sharp, every ounce of his Alpha authority pouring into the conversation as he issued orders.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHis presence was reassuring, but the fear gripping my chest refused to ease.
Elara.
The thought of her so close to danger made my stomach churn. She was too young, too innocent to be dragged into this nightmare.
Ardan's shadow was creeping closer, and it terrified me.
"Ryder," Killian said, his tone steady but laced with anger. "I want a full sweep of the Packhouse and the surrounding forest. If there's even a trace of rogue presence, I want to know about it." Ryder nodded, his face grim. "Understood, Alpha. I'll personally oversee the search." As Ryder left, Killian turned to me, his expression softening.
"Astrid," he said quietly, stepping closer. "Elara's safe. The guards didn't let anyone get near her." "Not yet," I said, my voice trembling. "But he's testing us, Killian. He's getting closer, and we're running out of time." Killian placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch firm but gentle.
"We're not running out of time," he said. "We're ahead of him. And we'll stay ahead of him." I met his gaze, searching for reassurance in the depths of his golden eyes. "What if we're not?" I whispered. "What if this is just the beginning?" He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Asha emerged from Elara's room, her expression calm yet cautious.
"She's still sleeping," she said softly, her gaze shifting between us. "Whatever happened, she wasn't disturbed." I exhaled slowly, sof the tension in my chest easing. "Thank you, Asha," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Asha stepped closer, her hands clasped in front of her. "Astrid, I know this is hard," she said gently. "But Elara needs you to stay strong. She'll sense it if you're scared." "I know," I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. "But it's hard. Every tI think about what could have happened..." My voice trailed off, and I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears threatening to spill.
Killian reached for my hand, his thumb brushing against my knuckles. "We'll stop him," he said firmly. "Ardan won't take anything from us." Asha nodded in agreement. "And you're not alone in this, Astrid. We're all here to protect them-Elara, Ryker, all of them." Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves, but the fear still lingered, coiled tightly around my heart.
"I can't lose them," I said quietly, my voice cracking. "I won't survive it." "You won't lose them," Asha said firmly, her gaze steady. "Not while you have Killian, Ryder, the warriors, and me. Ardan may be ruthless, but he underestimates what a mother is capable of." en Her words resonated with me, stirring something deep within. I nodded slowly, drawing on the strength of her unwavering support.
"You're right," I said, my voice steadier now. "He doesn't know what he's up against." Killian squeezed my hand, his expression softening. "Exactly," he said. "And you've always been the strongest person I know, Astrid.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmArdan won't break you. He won't even cclose."
I turned to Asha, gratitude welling in my chest. "Thank you," said om sincerely "For being here, for caring ΕΠ about them the way you do." Asha's lips curved into a faint smile. "You don't have to thank me, Astrid. They're my family too." Later That Night
The Packhouse was quieter now, though the tension still lingered in the air. I sat in the war room, poring over maps and reports, trying to piece together Ardan's next move.
Killian entered, his presence filling the room. He set a mug of tea in front of me, his expression softening as he sat beside me.
"You've been here for hours," he said gently. "You need to rest." "I can't," I admitted, shaking my head. "Not when he's this close. Not when he's threatening our children." Killian sighed, his golden eyes searching mine. "Astrid," he said quietly, "I need you to trust me. I won't let him hurt them."
"I do trust you," I said quickly, meeting his gaze. "But trusting you doesn't! erase the fear Killian. It doesn't stopfrom imagining the worst." He reached for my hand, his touch warm and grounding. "Then letcarry sof that fear," he said. "You've been carrying so much on your own. You don't have to." I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch. "I just want them to be safe," I whispered.
"I just want this to be over." "It will be," Killian said firmly. "And when it is, we'll make sure Ardan can never hurt anyone again."
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