Ch. 436..439: Reclaiming My Broken Luna Chapter 436-439 [finale]

Chapter 436: Enemy's Terms

Astrid's POV

Elara's blue eyes locked onto mine, wide and glistening with tears, her small frame trembling in the grip of the rogue holding her.

"Mommy!"

Her voice cracked, breaking something inside me.

I lunged, the burning pain of the wolfsbane shackles forgotten, my body driven by nothing but instinct.

I barely made it a step before rough hands grabbed my arms, yanking me back.

A snarl ripped from my throat. "Let her go!"

Ardan's smirk deepened. He raised a hand, and the rogue restraining Elara tightened his grip.

She whimpered.

A sound so small-so fragile that it shattered every ounce of restraint I had left.

"I swear with my own life, Ardan," I growled, my voice raw with fury, "if you so much as touch her "

He laughed.

Actually laughed.

Like this was amusing. Like he wasn't holding my world in his filthy hands.

"My, my," he mused, pacing toward me with slow, deliberate steps. "You really do have a soft spot, don't you?" His gaze flickered to Elara. "I wonder... does she share your stubbornness?"

Elara stiffened, her lip quivering—but she didn't cry.

Not anymore.

My girl. My strong girl.

I tore against the grip of my captors, my body aching, my wolf raging beneath my skin, desperate to rip him apart.

"If you hurt her-"

Ardan hummed thoughtfully. "Hurt her?" He tilted his head. "Astrid, do you really think so little of me? She's been treated like a guest."

My eyes darted to Elara's small wrists-bruises.

Rage blurred my vision. "Then why does she look like she's been dragged through hell?"

Ardan exhaled, shaking his head as if disappointed. "Your mate has rubbed off on you too much. Always assuming the worst."

I couldn't listen to this.

Elara needed me.

And I needed her out of here.

"Enough," I snapped, forcing steel into my voice. "You wanted me. You have me. Now let her go."

Ardan's smirk never wavered. "Oh, Astrid... you misunderstand." He stepped closer, his voice lowering, thick with amusement. "You were never here to be exchanged."

My blood ran cold.

I stilled. "What?"

Ardan gestured lazily. "I told you to come to me, and you did. But nowhere in my message did I say I'd let her go."

The room tilted.

For a moment, I swayed, my breath stalling in my throat.

No. No, no, no-

I recalled what was written in the paper he sent us, and he was right. In the paper,

he said I'd be Elara's substitute. He never wrote that he would release her.

I was so worried about Elara that I lost my own reasoning.

I lunged again, the pain from the shackles no longer registering. "You-you lied!"

Ardan caught my chin in his grip so fast, so suddenly, that my body went rigid.

"Of course, I did," he murmured. His dark eyes gleamed, inches from mine. "And you were foolish enough to believe me."

I wanted to tear him apart.

To sink my teeth into his throat and never let go.

But Elara-

Elara was still in his hands.

"Let her go," I whispered, my voice hoarse.

Ardan chuckled. "No."

I stiffened.

His grip loosened, but he didn't step back. Instead, his gaze dragged over my face, studying me, like I was some fascinating puzzle he'd finally found all the pieces to.

"You're exactly as I imagined," he murmured.

A chill slithered down my spine.

He had thought about this. About me. About this moment.

I felt sick.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my voice to remain steady. "What do you want from me?"

His smile grew.

"The truth?" he mused. "Your power, of course."

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat.

"You don't need Elara for that," I said, my voice quieter now, controlled. "She's just

a child."

Ardan sighed, stepping back at last. "Yes, but she's a child that matters to you."

He flicked his fingers, and the rogue holding Elara tightened his grip.

She winced, a small, pained sound slipping through her lips.

I lost it.

"Don't-!"

My body fought violently, my wolf

prashing

get

inside me, desperate. her, to destroy every single of them, to-

Ardan grabbed my throat.

I froze.

The grip wasn't tight, wasn't crushing-but it was a warning.

My eyes burned into his, my breaths shallow.

"Understand something, Astrid," he. murmured, voice almost gentle

Almo

"You're mine now. And you will do as I say."

The words slithered around me, cold and suffocating.

I refused to react.

He watched me for a long moment before tilting his head. “Let's test your loyalty,

shall we?"

He released me, snapping his fingers once more.

Elara was yanked backward, dragged toward the door.

My pulse spiked. "What are you doing?"

Ardan smiled. "Securing my leverage."

"No "

"You will do what I say, Almega." His voice darkened. "Or she will suffer for it."

I stopped breathing.

My nails dug into my palms.

Trapped.

That's what I was.

But not broken.

I forced myself to straighten, to meet his gaze without trembling.

Ardan's eyes gleamed.

"You're going to help me, Astrid," he murmured. “And in return, I might der keeping your daughter

alive."

I wanted to tear him apart.

But I couldn't.

Not yet.

I had to be smart.

I had to stay alive.

Because now-now I knew exactly what he wanted.

And that meant I had something to work with.

I swallowed the rage, the fear, the helplessness, locking it deep inside.

I gave him nothing.

Not a word.

Not a breath.

His smirk deepened.

"Good," he murmured. "Then let's begin."

And just like that, the doors slammed shut.

And my prison sentence began

Chapter 437: Turning Tides

Killian's POV

The room was suffocating.

The walls pressed in around me, and my wolf howled inside my chest, clawing to be free, to run, to fight, to kill.

I couldn't breathe.

Astrid was gone.

Elara was still missing.

They were both in his hands.

The war room blurred as I stormed through the Packhouse, my mind a whirlwind

of fury and desperation. My steps were too fast, too sharp, but I couldn't slow down. Not now.

Not when I had already lost so much.

The moment I stepped into the war room, all eyes snapped to me.

Ryder was there, arms crossed, watching me carefully. Warriors stood around the

table, tense, waiting for orders. Waiting for me to do something.

But I wasn't thinking.

I couldn't think.

I could barely see past the red haze of rage.

“She left a trail,” Ryder said before I could even open my mouth.

I froze.

The room around me seemed to still, my mind catching onto his words like a drowning man clinging to a lifeline.

"What?" My voice came out sharp, dangerous.

Ryder motioned toward the map spread across the table. "Astrid wanted us to find

her." He jabbed a finger at the marked locations. "She's been leaving a path—

small traces, but enough. It's almost like she knew we'd come for her."

Of course, she did.

Astrid knew I'd never stop.

She knew I'd tear the world apart if I had to.

My grip on the back of the chair tightened. "Then we move now."

I turned to the warriors. "Gather everyone who's able. We—"

"Killian." Ryder's voice cut through the room like steel.

I whipped around, snarling.

"What?" I snapped.

Ryder didn't back down.

He never backed down.

His silver-blue eyes burned with warning. "You're thinking like a mate right now, not an Alpha."

A low growl rumbled in my chest. "She's my mate. And my daughter is still out there. How the hell am I supposed to think about anything else?"

Ryder didn't flinch. "You're about to walk into a trap.”

"I don't care."

"You will when you get yourself killed," he shot back, stepping closer. "And then what? What happens to Elara? What happens to Astrid? You think she sacrificed herself just so you could act reckless and die?"

I hated that he was right.

I hated it because every fiber of my being was screaming at me to move now, to fight, to kill.

To bring them back.

But if I failed-if I rushed in blindly-then I wouldn't just lose them.

I'd lose everything.

My jaw clenched, my entire body vibrating with restrained fury. I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to think, to listen.

"We need a plan," Ryder continued, his voice level but firm. "Astrid left a trail for a reason. We use it. We track them, we find their stronghold, and then we end this. But not like this. Not blindly. Not alone."

I dragged a hand down my face, my pulse pounding in my skull.

He was right.

Damn it, he was right.

I inhaled deeply, trying to push past the primal rage burning inside me. My wolf

snarled in protest, but I shoved the instinct down. I had to be smart.

I had to win.

"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "We plan first."

Ryder nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "We call in reinforcements. Damien owes us a favor. And we

reach out to Nova and Drystar. They have the best spies-we can use

their network."

I exhaled sharply, rolling the tension from my shoulders. "Send word immediately."

Ryder motioned to the warriors. "You heard him. Move."

The room erupted into motion, warriors scrambling to follow orders, messengers rushing out to gather allies.

I turned back to the map, my golden eyes narrowing as I traced the path Astrid had left.

She had given us everything we needed.

She wasn't just walking to her death.

She was giving us a way to save her.

Astrid, I thought, my fists clenching. Hold on.

I'm coming.

And this time, I won't let you go.

Astrid's POV

The room they threw me in was damp and cold. Chains clinked at my wrists,

restricting movement but not hope.

They thought I was helpless.

They thought surrender meant I had given up.

Fools.

I sat on the stone floor, head tilted, eyes locked on the rogue pacing before me.

He was waiting.

Waiting for me to beg. To cry. To break.

He would wait forever.

The door creaked open, and I didn't need to lift my gaze to know he had arrived.

Ardan.

His presence was thick, suffocating, intoxicating in its cruelty.

the

His boots echoed against the stone as he stepped inside. "You know," he mused his voice dripping amusement, "I expected a little more fight."

I said nothing.

His lips curved into a smirk. "Not even a glare for me?"

I exhaled slowly. "I have nothing to say to a dead man."

His was dark, amused. "Oh, sighed, crouching before

Astrid,"

me.

You do realize you're the one in

chains, don't you?"

I met his eyes then, letting my power pulse beneath my skin. "And yet, you still

fear me."

A flicker of something-hesitation-crossed his face before he smirked again.

"Cute."

I shifted slightly, planting my feet subtly. "Where is my daughter?"

His expression didn't change. "Safe. For now."

A cold fury burned through me. "If you touch her—"

"You'll what?" He laughed. "Refuse to cooperate? You're in no position to threaten

me, Almega."

I gritted my teeth, forcing my breathing to steady. "You think I won't kill you?"

Ardan leaned in closer, voice a whisper against my skin. "You won't get the chance."

I held his gaze, letting the silence stretch between us.

He didn't know.

He didn't know Killian was coming.

Didn't know I had left a trail.

Didn't know this was only the beginning.

I let a slow, defiant smirk curve my lips. "We'll see."

For the first time, Ardan's amusement faltered.

And I knew then-

The tides were turning.

Chapter 438: Path Behind

Killian's POV

The night air was thick with tension as we stood outside the war tent, the flickering lanterns casting long shadows over the gathered warriors. We had our plan.

It wasn't enough.

Not for me.

Not for the rage clawing at my chest, the desperation gripping my every thought.

Astrid was out there. Alone. Surrounded. And every second we waited was another second she was at that bastard's mercy.

I paced the length of the clearing, my hands clenched into fists, my wolf snarling just beneath the surface. Patience was never my strength. And right now, I had none.

"Killian."

Ryder's voice was firm, grounding.

I stopped, exhaling sharply, forcing my breathing to even out.

"We're ready," Ryder continued, stepping beside me. "The scouts confirmed Astrid's trail-it leads straight into the rogue king's stronghold. But we still don't know exactly where they're keeping her and Elara."

I turned to him, my golden eyes burning. "Then we force them to tell us."

Ryder nodded, but his gaze flickered with hesitation. "I know you want to tear through that place and burn it to the ground, but if we go in blind, we risk everything. Including them."

His words were rational. Calculated.

I hated it.

Because he was right.

I exhaled sharply, forcing my body to still. "What's the plan?"

Damien stepped forward then, the Crimsonbane Alpha's dark eyes sharp, his expression unreadable. "We hit them fast and hard. We use the element of surprise. But we keep the primary objective clear-get Astrid and Elara out. No unnecessary risks."

Nova crossed her arms beside him, her keen gaze watching me closely. "You need to stay focused, Killian," she warned. "I know what Astrid means to you, but if you lose control, you put her in more danger."

A muscle in my jaw ticked, but I forced myself to nod. "I'm in control."

A lie.

But one I had to tell.

Damien wasn't convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he turned to Ryder. "Your scouts-any word on the numbers inside?"

Ryder sighed. "More than we'd like. Ardan's been gathering rogues for years, and Astrid's capture probably lured even more to his side. This won't be easy."

"Then we make them regret ever siding with him," I growled.

Silence stretched between us for a moment. Then, finally, Damien nodded.

"Let's move."

Astrid's POV

The rogue king's stronghold was exactly what I expected-cold, damp, and reeking of death.

Chains bound my wrists, though they were more for show than necessity. Ardan was no fool. He knew I wouldn't waste my strength fighting this.

Not yet.

He sat across from me in what could almost be called a throne, his dark eyes filled with amusement as he studied me.

"You're taking this rather well," he mused, swirling a glass of wine in his hand. "Most would be begging by now."

I said nothing.

He sighed dramatically. "You're not much fun, are you?"

I kept my gaze steady. "Where is Elara?"

His lips twitched. "Safe."

"You and I have very different definitions of the word," I muttered.

Ardan chuckled, setting his glass aside. "You don't seem to understand your position, Astrid. You are my prisoner. I hold all the power here."

I leaned forward slightly, letting my voice drop into a deadly whisper "You don't seem to understand, Ardan. The moment you took my daughter, you signed your own death sentence." en FindNovel

His smirk faltered. Just for a second.

Then, he laughed. "Brave words from a woman in chains."

I tilted my head, feigning curiosity.

"Tell me, Ardan. Do you think you're the

my to try and break me? To use

my family against me? To make me kneel?"

His expression darkened.

I smiled. Good.

"I have been betrayed. Hunted. Broken. But am still here," I continued, my voice soft but filled with steel. "And you? You are just another name on a long list of men who have underestimated me."

A muscle twitched in his jaw. "We'll see how long that arrogance lasts."

I exhaled slowly, keeping my heartbeat even, my power simmering beneath my

skin.

He thought I was powerless here.

He thought I had no way out.

He was wrong.

Because Killian was coming.

And I had left him a path straight to me.

Killian's POV

The forest was silent as we moved. Too silent.

The rogue king's stronghold loomed in the distance, barely visible through the

thick canopy of trees.

My body vibrated with the need to run, to kill, to destroy.

But I stayed still. For now.

"Positions?" Ryder murmured beside me.

"Nova and Damien's forces are circling the perimeter," one of the scouts

whispered. "Waiting for your command."

I inhaled deeply, centering myself.

We only had one chance.

One moment.

And when we took it—

Ardan would never see it coming.

I glanced at Ryder. "Tell them to move."

And just like that-

The battle began

Chapter 439: The Reckoning

Killian's POV

The night smelled like blood and fire.

I couldn't stop moving.

Every rogue in my path fell before they even had a chance to react. I didn't feel

them fall. Didn't care.

Because she was here.

Astrid.

And I would burn this entire place to the ground to get her and Elara back.

"Killian! We need to push back toward the main entrance!" Ryder shouted over the chaos.

"Then do it," I snarled, my claws slashing through another rogue's throat. "I'm getting Astrid."

The camp was collapsing around us, rogues scattering in terror. But I didn't care about them.

I cared about one thing.

I slammed through the wooden doors, my wolf roaring inside of me, scenting her immediately.

Astrid's POV

The walls shook.

The sounds of battle grew louder, closer.

I knew what that meant.

Killian was here.

I forced myself to remain still, though my wrists ached from where they had been tied.

The rogues had been restless since nightfall. They hadn't expected an attack so soon. Hadn't expected Killian to find me.

They had underestimated him.

The cell door slammed open.

Golden eyes.

A blur of rage and power.

"Killian," I breathed.

The rogue beside me barely had time to react before Killian was on him.

The fight was over before it started.

I had seen Killian fight before, but this-this was different.

This was a mate unhinged.

The rogue's body crumpled, lifeless. Then Killian was in front of me.

His hands gripped my face, his golden eyes scanning every inch of me.

"Astrid," he rasped. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head. "No. But-"

A scream.

Elara.

Killian's POV

Astrid was gone before I could stop her.

I barely kept up as she tore through the corridors, following the sound of our

daughter's screams.

We turned a corner-and stopped.

At the far end of the room, Elara stood frozen in terror.

And beside her, holding a dagger to her tiny throat-

The Rogue King.

Astrid's POV

I couldn't breathe.

I couldn't think.

All I could see was my daughter, standing in the grasp of the most monstrous man

I had ever faced.

Ardan's lips curled, amused. "Ah, there you are," he mused. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't come."

Elara whimpered, her body trembling violently.

"Let her go," I said, my voice deadly calm.

He tilted his head. "Let her go?" he echoed, almost laughing. "Oh, Astrid. I didn't

take her to keep her. I took her to break you."

Something inside me snapped.

Killian was already moving, but Ardan

in his tracks. Contentet

against Elara's throat, stopping him ressed the dagger harder et

"Ah, ah," Ardan chided. "One wrong move, and-"

"Don't," I whispered, my body shaking. "Please."

His dark eyes gleamed with twisted delight. "Do you know why I took her?"

I clenched my fists. "Because you're a monster."

He laughed. "I took her because I

wanted to watch you suffer. I

el?

wanted you to feel helpless. I wanted you to feel what I felt when the world left me behind." His expression darkened. "And now, I want to take away the only thing that makes you whole."

Elara sobbed.

I couldn't lose her.

I wouldn't.

Something inside me shifted.

I let my power surge.

Ardan barely had time to react before the room exploded with energy.

Killian's POV

I barely saw Astrid move.

One second, she was standing there-the next, Ardan was flying across the

room.

The second Elara was free, I was there.

I grabbed her, cradling her against

my chest as she sobbed. She

safe. She was safe. Delongs

But Astrid-

Astrid was facing Ardan.

And she was going to end him.

Ardan stumbled to his feet, rage twisting his face. "You-"

Astrid didn't let him finish.

She struck-fast, deadly, unstoppable.

She was pure fury.

For Elara.

For Ryker.

For all the pain he had caused.

She didn't stop.

Not when he screamed.

Not when the power tore through him like lightning.

Not when he fell.

And then-it was over.

Ardan lay motionless.

Dead.

And Astrid fell to her knees.

Astrid's POV

I couldn't move.

I couldn't breathe.

I had won.

I had killed him.

I lifted my gaze-—and met Killian's.

Elara was in his arms, sobbing.

I let out a choked breath, staggering toward them.

Killian met me halfway, his arms wrapping around both of us, holding us tight.

Elara buried her face in my neck.

"We're okay," I whispered, my voice trembling. "We're okay."

Killian's grip tightened. "We're going home."

And for the first time in days-

I believed him

EPILOGUE: A New Dawn

Astrid's POV

The morning sun spilled over the horizon, bathing the Silvermoon Pack in golden

light.

It felt like a dream.

Like I had woken up from a nightmare and stepped into something softer, something real.

The wind was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, untouched by war, by fear. Peaceful.

Something I never thought I'd feel again.

But here I was.

And my children-my heart, my soul-were safe.

I looked down at Elara, her tiny fingers curled around mine as we sat on the balcony of the Packhouse. She was staring out at the trees, her expression calm but distant.

"Are you cold?" I asked softly, brushing her hair behind her ear.

She shook her head. "No."

She was quiet these days.

Healing.

Like all of us.

I glanced over my shoulder, where Ryker sat cross-legged on the floor, watching Killian with furrowed brows.

"You're doing it wrong," Ryker grumbled as Killian attempted to braid his sister's hair.

Killian gave him a mock glare. "Excuse me? I was an Alpha before you were even born. I think I can handle a simple braid."

Ryker snorted. "You're failing, though."

Killian muttered a curse under his breath as Elara giggled, the first real laugh I had heard from her since we got her back.

My chest tightened.

That sound-I had almost lost it forever.

I reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She leaned into my

touch, her small hand resting on my wrist.

She was still my little girl.

Still Elara.

And though the shadows of what had happened still lingered, I knew we would be okay.

Because we were together.

Killian's POV

Astrid thought I wasn't watching her.

She thought she was hiding her pain well.

But I knew her too well.

Knew the way she had been forcing herself to smile, even when the weight of everything was still crushing her.

We had won.

But we had lost pieces of ourselves in the process.

I set the brush down and ran my fingers through Elara's hair, pulling her into my

lap.

She didn't protest.

Neither did Astrid when I reached for her, threading my fingers through hers.

I squeezed gently, reminding her that I was here.

That I always would be.

She squeezed back, her eyes meeting mine. Silent understanding passed between us.

We would never let anything take this from us again.

"Alright," Ryder's voice cut through the moment, dragging me back to reality.

I turned, raising a brow as he strolled

onto the balcony, arms crossed

his chest. "You're late," I noted.ever

swnovel

Ryder grinned. "I figured you could use some extra time with your family before I

gave you more bad news."

Astrid sighed. "Should I be worried?"

"Not worried," Ryder said. "Just... prepared. The council is demanding a meeting."

I bit back a curse. Of course they were.

The world was different now. The Rogue King was dead.

But his destruction left behind a mess that needed cleaning up.

"Tell them I'll be there," I said.

Ryder nodded, before turning his

alto Elara and Ryker. He

crouched in front of them, his expression softer than usual "You two doing okay?"

Ryker nodded slowly. Elara hesitated, then reached for Ryder's hand.

He blinked, looking down at the small fingers wrapped around his much larger ones.

Then, he smiled.

And just like that, I knew we were going to be okay.

Astrid's POV

The wind whispered through the

trees as Neaned against Killian's et

shoulder, watching our children chase each other in the grass

"They're strong," I murmured.

QUMS

Killian pressed a kiss against my hair. "Like their mother."

I huffed a laugh. "Like their father."

He chuckled, wrapping an arm around me. "So we agree they're both perfect,

then."

I smiled.

For the first time in what felt like forever, it was genuine.

We had been through hell.

But we made it out.

And now-

Now, we had a future.