Reclaiming My Broken Luna (Astrid and Killian) novel Chapter 439

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.