Chapter
118
The camp stirred as Aurora's group returned, their battered forms drawing immediate attention from the wolves. Cassian carried Aurora to the healers' tent, ignoring the questioning glances of the pack. Anica followed closely, carrying the Lunar Key wrapped in cloth. "We don't have much time," they said, their voice tense. "The Lycan King won't wait long to strike again."
Inside the tent, Aurora stirred as the healers worked to stabilize her. Cassian knelt at her side, his hand firmly clasping hers.
"You've done enough," he murmured, his voice soft but insistent.
Aurora shook her head, her silver eyes meeting his. "It's not over. The Key... it's part of the Pact. I have to see this through."
Selene entered the tent, her sharp gaze flicking between Aurora and the Lunar Key. "Then destroy it," she said flatly.
Cassian stood, his jaw tightening. "That's not an option."
Selene crossed her arms, her tone unyielding. "If the Lycan King gets his hands on it, he'll twist it into something worse than you can imagine. Destroying it is the only way to ensure that doesn't happen." Before Cassian could argue, the tent flap shifted, and a commanding presence entered. Erya, the silver-furred leader of the moon wolves, stepped inside, his piercing eyes sweeping the room.
"You'd throw away the only chance we have to win this war?" Erya asked, his deep voice calm but firm. "The Key is dangerous, yes, but it's also our greatest weapon."
Selene turned to Erya, her lips curving into a faint sneer. "And you'd gamble with the Pact itself?"
Erya stepped closer, his gaze steady. "I would gamble if it meant saving it. The Key can stabilize Aurora's connection to the Pact and give her the strength to resist the Lycan King."
The tension between the two leaders was palpable, their opposing views splitting the room. Aurora's quiet voice broke the silence.
"It's my decision."
All eyes turned to her as she sat up, her strength slowly returning. "We use the Key. If it means strengthening the Pact and giving us a chance, then I have to try."
Cassian knelt beside her, his golden eyes filled with a mix of pride and concern. "Then I'll stand by you."noveldrama
As word spread through the camp, preparations began in earnest. Erya rallied the moon wolves, their presence bolstering the pack's morale. Anica worked tirelessly to prepare a ritual to harness the Key's energy, while Nathan reinforced the camp's defenses.
Night fell, and the sky darkened unnaturally, the air heavy with an impending storm. Aurora stood at the center of the camp, the Lunar Key glowing faintly in her hands. She felt the Pact's energy swirling within her, its weight both comforting and terrifying. "The Lycan King is coming," Cassian said, stepping beside her.