Aurora followed Erya into the moon wolves' sanctuary, her breath catching at the sight before her. The valley shimmered under an ethereal glow, its lush greenery bathed in a silvery light that seemed to emanate from the ground itself. The air was warmer here, alive with a comforting energy that eased some of the tension gripping her chest. "This place," Cassian murmured as he stepped beside her, his golden eyes scanning the tranquil scene. "It's untouched."

"It's sacred," Erya corrected, his tone sharp. He gestured for the group to follow, leading them toward a central clearing where a towering silver tree dominated the landscape. Its leaves sparkled like stars, and the ground beneath it pulsed faintly.

Erya turned to face Aurora, his expression grave. "The Lycan King's corruption has not reached here, but it will if he succeeds. Your Pact is all that holds him at bay, and even that is crumbling."

Aurora instinctively placed a hand over her abdomen. "Why? What caused this?"

Erya gestured toward the tree. "The Pact is a delicate balance, a harmony between all who share its bond. The Lycan King once wielded its power as you do. But he sought more-greed drove him to perform a forbidden ritual that severed him from its harmony and twisted his bond into something monstrous. Now, he seeks to dominate it entirely."

Cassian's hand tightened on his blade. "And my mate is caught in the middle of his madness?"

Erya's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Aurora. "Not just her. The child she carries is tied to the Pact in ways we do not fully understand. Its birth may stabilize the Pact, restoring what the Lycan King has broken-or it may break it entirely, leaving the world vulnerable to his reign."

Aurora's heart clenched at the weight of his words. She leaned into Cassian's steady presence as he placed a protective arm around her shoulders.

"What can we do?" Aurora asked, her voice trembling but resolute.

Erya hesitated before stepping closer. "There is one way. The Lunar Key. An artifact forged in the Pact's creation. With it, you might control its power and counter the Lycan King's influence. But retrieving it will not be easy." Aurora's silver eyes narrowed. "Where is it?"

"In his stronghold," Erya said, his voice heavy with warning. "Guarded by his most loyal beasts and the darkest of his magic. To retrieve it is to risk everything."

Cassian growled low in his throat, his golden gaze burning. "You're asking her to walk into his hands."

"I'm not asking," Erya replied coolly. "I'm telling you the stakes. Without the Lunar Key, she cannot hope to stabilize the Pact. And the child she carries will either save or destroy us all."

Aurora straightened, her resolve hardening despite the fear twisting in her chest. "We'll retrieve it. Together."

Cassian turned to her, his jaw tight with worry. "Aurora"noveldrama

"No," she said firmly, meeting his gaze. "This is my fight. Our fight. And we'll see it through."

Erya nodded approvingly, though his expression remained grim. "Then prepare yourselves. The Lycan King knows you'll come for it, and he'll be ready."