Reclaiming My Broken Luna (Astrid and Killian) novel Chapter 394

Drystan’s POV

The forest was unnervingly silent, save for the faint rustle of leaves underfoot and the soft crackle of distant flames. It wasn’t the natural stillness of the night—it was the oppressive quiet of a predator’s den. My wolf bristled, pacing restlessly within me as I crouched at the edge of the clearing.

The rogue settlement stretched out before us, illuminated by flickering torchlight. Makeshift huts and fire pits dotted the clearing, their inhabitants moving with a dangerous purpose. At the center of it all was the ritual site—a massive stone altar, carved with strange, glowing runes that pulsed in time with the amulet resting on its surface.

Killian knelt beside me, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dark. “They’re expecting us,” he said quietly, his voice steady despite the tension.

Nova, crouched on my other side, let out a soft growl. “Good. Let them know we’re coming.”

Astrid shifted slightly, her gaze locked on the altar. “We can’t rush in blind,” she said, her tone calm but firm. “The amulet’s power is unstable. If they activate it before we can stop them…” She didn’t finish, but the weight of her words hung in the air.

Rowena and Andros stood a few paces behind us, their presence a constant reminder of the uneasy alliance we had formed. Rowena’s sharp eyes scanned the settlement with the precision of someone who had seen it all before, while Andros looked tense, his jaw clenched as he stared at the rogues.

“They’ve fortified the perimeter,” Rowena said, her voice low and clipped. “They’ll have traps waiting for you.”

“We’re not amateurs,” Nova snapped, her claws extending slightly.

“No, but you’re desperate,” Rowena shot back, her eyes narrowing. “And desperation makes you reckless.”

“Enough,” Killian growled, his Alpha tone silencing the brewing argument. He turned to me. “Drystan, take your team and secure the eastern flank. Nova, you’re with me. Astrid, hold the rear and make sure no one breaks through. Rowena, Andros—you’re with Astrid.”

The plan was simple on paper: strike fast, neutralize the rogues guarding the altar, and destroy the amulet before the ritual could be completed. But as we moved into position, the unease in my chest grew stronger.

The rogues had been gathering for weeks, amassing a force that dwarfed anything we’d seen before. Their movements were coordinated, disciplined—a far cry from the scattered attacks we were used to. And at the heart of it all was the Rogue King, commanding their loyalty with promises of power and freedom.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were walking into a trap.

Killian’s howl split the air, signaling the attack. Our warriors surged forward, emerging from the trees with claws and teeth bared. The rogues reacted immediately, their snarls echoing across the clearing as they rushed to meet us.