The grove's entrance erupted into chaos, a ferocious clash of claws, blades, and teeth as the wolves launched their assault. Aurora stood at the rear, her silver hair catching the ethereal glow of the grove's energy. The Pact stirred inside her, its pull stronger than ever. Every step toward the grove felt like a weight dragging her forward and down, an almost unbearable strain on her body and the child she carried. Cassian was a blur of movement ahead of her, his blade flashing as he cut through a shadow beast lunging for his throat. The growls of beasts mixed with the snarls and shouts of wolves as they fought to push back the Lycan King's entrenched forces. "Aurora, stay close!" Cassian barked, sparing her a glance over his shoulder.
"I'm fine," she lied, gripping her side as a sharp pain lanced through her. The Pact's energy felt unstable, like a wildfire roaring out of control.noveldrama
A shadow beast broke through the line, its crimson eyes locking onto Aurora. It lunged, claws outstretched. Before she could summon her power, Cassian appeared between them, slashing the beast mid-leap. It crumbled into dark mist, and Cassian turned, his golden eyes blazing with worry.
"You can't keep pushing yourself like this," he said, his voice firm but edged with desperation.
"I have to," Aurora said through gritted teeth. "The grove is calling me. I can feel it."
The energy radiating from the grove seemed to pulse in time with her heartbeat, urging her forward even as it drained her strength. She took another step, then another, her breaths shallow.
The wolves pressed on, their unity a stark contrast to the chaotic tide of shadow beasts. Nathan and Anica fought side by side, their strikes carving a path through the horde. Blood splattered the crystalline trees, staining their otherworldly beauty with the brutal reality of the fight.
Aurora's legs trembled as she approached the grove's sanctum, the air thick with power and malevolence. She stumbled, nearly falling, but Cassian caught her arm, his steady presence anchoring her.
"We're almost there," he said, his voice a mix of encouragement and command.
Aurora nodded weakly, her gaze fixed ahead. The grove's sanctum came into view, its radiant crystalline structures glowing like stars captured in ice. But the light was marred by a swirling darkness at its center.
As they breached the sanctum, Aurora's heart sank.
The Lycan King stood amidst the grove's radiance, his towering form wreathed in shadow. A jagged shard of dark crystal hovered in his hands, pulsing with malevolent energy. Around him, shadow beasts prowled, their growls echoing through the chamber. "You're persistent," the Lycan King said, his voice smooth and mocking. "But persistence won't save you."
Cassian stepped forward, his blade raised, but the Lycan King's power filled the air like a storm, suffocating and unyielding. Aurora staggered, clutching her stomach as the Pact's energy surged wildly within her. "Welcome to the end, little Luna," the Lycan King sneered.