Chapter

104noveldrama

The early morning air was heavy with tension as Aurora and Cassian sat side by side in the command tent. A map lay spread out before them, its surface marked with annotations and symbols. Aurora traced her finger along a line of glowing glyphs etched into the map. "If these glyphs are weakening the Pact, then we need to find their source," she said.

Cassian shook his head. "You're not going. You've already pushed yourself too far."

Aurora's silver eyes met his, her voice steady. "If I don't go, who will?"

Their argument was interrupted by the arrival of Anica, who burst into the tent with urgency. "We found something," she said breathlessly.

The group followed Anica to the edge of the camp, where a scout lay propped against a tree. Blood soaked his clothes, and his breathing was labored. Cassian knelt beside him, his golden eyes scanning the scout's injuries. "What happened?" Cassian asked.

"They're gathering," the scout rasped. "In the forbidden territory. Hundreds of them. He's building an army."

Aurora's chest tightened. "What else?"

The scout's eyes met hers, his expression filled with fear. "He left a message. He said you're running out of time."

Selene stepped forward, her gaze sharp. "He's not lying. The Lycan King is preparing for a ritual-a massive one. He's going to use the heart of the Celestial Pact to tip the balance of power permanently in his favor."

The camp erupted into chaos as the implications set in. Cassian turned to Aurora, his voice firm. "If he gets to the heart of the Pact, it's over. We need to move now."