The Lycan King's towering form loomed over the battlefield, his green eyes glowing with malicious glee as he advanced. The wolves who remained standing formed a shaky line of defense, but their numbers had been decimated, and their courage faltered under the sheer weight of his presence.

Cassian struggled to his feet, blood dripping from a deep gash on his arm. He clenched his blade tighter, positioning himself protectively in front of Aurora. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me."

The Lycan King laughed, a low, menacing sound that sent shivers through the gathered wolves. "Such bravery," he sneered. "And yet so pointless."

Aurora, weakened by the battle and her efforts to wield the Lunar Key, tried to summon her remaining strength. Her hand tightened around the fractured artifact, feeling its sharp edges bite into her palm. The Key pulsed faintly, a flicker of defiance against the overwhelming darkness surrounding them.

"You can't have the Pact," she said, her voice hoarse but unwavering.

The Lycan King tilted his head, amusement dancing in his cruel smile. "The Pact was never yours to keep, little Luna. It has always belonged to me."

With a swift motion, he raised his clawed hand, dark energy crackling in the air as he prepared to strike. Cassian leaped forward, slashing at him with all his might, but the Lycan King swatted him away like a mere insect. Cassian crashed into the rubble, groaning in pain as he struggled to rise again.

Before the King could deliver a fatal blow, a searing beam of silver light shot through the battlefield, striking him squarely in the chest and halting his advance.

Erya stepped forward, his silver eyes blazing with power as he raised his hands. "Not while I still stand," the moon wolf growled, his voice carrying the weight of ancient authority.

The Lycan King staggered, his expression twisting in fury. "You dare to challenge me?"

Erya didn't answer, releasing another surge of magic that sent the King skidding backward. The wolves rallied behind him, their morale bolstered by the display of power.

Aurora seized the moment, forcing herself to her feet. "We have to drive him back," she called, her voice steady despite her trembling limbs.

Cassian joined her, bloodied but determined. Together, they stood as the wolves formed a tight circle around the King, launching a coordinated attack.

The Lycan King roared in frustration, his shadow beasts surging forward to shield him. Chaos erupted as wolves and beasts clashed in a whirlwind of teeth, claws, and magic.

Aurora raised the fractured Lunar Key, its faint light flaring as she channeled what remained of her strength. The artifact pulsed with a desperate, unstable energy, creating a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield.

The Lycan King snarled as the light struck him, forcing him to retreat further into the shadows. "This isn't over," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "You've only delayed the inevitable."

As he vanished, his beasts dissolved into black mist, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.

Aurora sat near the remnants of the shattered ritual circle, her silver hair tangled and streaked with soot. The fractured Lunar Key lay before her, its once-dazzling radiance reduced to faint, erratic pulses. She pressed a hand to her abdomen, feeling the subtle, steady rhythm of her child-a fragile promise of hope amidst the despair.

Cassian approached, his steps slow from his injuries. He crouched beside her, his hand brushing her shoulder with gentle urgency. "Aurora, you need to rest," he said, his voice soft but firm.

She shook her head, her gaze fixed on the broken Key. "I can't. Not when the Pact is broken. Not when he's still out there."

Cassian sighed, his expression heavy with concern. "We'll find a way. But you can't push yourself like this. The baby-"

"I am thinking of the baby," Aurora snapped, though her tone quickly softened. "That's why we can't stop. The Lycan King won't give us time to recover."

Erya, his silver-furred form luminous in the morning light, stepped forward. His piercing gaze shifted to the Key. "There might be another path," he said, his voice low but resonant. Aurora turned to him, desperation flickering in her eyes. "What is it?"

"There's a spirit tied to the Pact," Erya explained. "An ancient guardian. If anyone can guide us on how to repair the damage, it's the spirit."

Selene, leaning against a nearby tree, interjected with a sharp tone. "You want to summon something that hasn't been seen for centuries? Do you have any idea what that could unleash?" Erya's gaze didn't waver. "Do you have a better idea?"noveldrama

Aurora forced herself to her feet, swaying slightly before Cassian steadied her. "If the spirit can help us, we have to try. We don't have a choice."

Selene folded her arms, skepticism clouding her expression. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. Spirits don't answer to anyone-not even you, Aurora. They have their own rules."