Chapter

131

Aurora's eyelids fluttered open, the dim light of the infirmary making her wince. Every inch of her body ached, and her breaths came shallow and weak. The faint hum of the Celestial Pact's energy, once a constant presence, was barely discernible a whisper of what it

had been.

"Aurora."

The familiar voice brought her focus to Cassian, seated beside her bed. His face was pale, a fresh scar running from his temple to his cheekbone. His arm was tightly bandaged, and though his posture was strong, she could see the pain etched in his features. "You're awake," he said softly, his golden eyes studying her with a mixture of relief and worry.

"Cassian," she murmured, her voice hoarse. She tried to sit up, but the effort sent pain shooting through her body.

"Easy," Cassian said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder to keep her still. "You're not ready for that yet."

Aurora looked around, the faint murmur of voices outside the infirmary and the scent of herbal poultices grounding her in the present. "What... happened?"

Cassian hesitated, his jaw tightening. "The grove is gone. The Lycan King's forces overwhelmed us after you collapsed. We had to retreat."

The weight of his words settled on her chest like a stone. "I failed," she whispered, her silver eyes filling with tears. "The grove... the Pact... I've made everything worse."

"No," Cassian said firmly, leaning closer. "You fought harder than anyone could have expected. None of this is your fault."

Aurora shook her head, guilt and frustration swirling within her. "The Pact's connection-it feels weaker. I've lost it, Cassian. Without it, I'm nothing."

Cassian cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a tear. "You're not nothing. You're everything to this pack. To me. We'll find another way. Together." Before Aurora could respond, Anica entered the room, their expression grim. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation."

Aurora's heart sank as she met Anica's gaze. "What now?"

"The scouts," Anica began, their voice clipped. "They've spotted movement near the mountains. A large force. We think the Lycan King is making his next move." Cassian's hand tensed against hers. "How long do we have?"noveldrama

"Days at most," Anica replied. "He's consolidating his forces. If he strikes, it'll be an all-out assault."

Aurora's mind raced, but her weakened body protested as she tried to swing her legs over the side of the bed. Cassian caught her, steadying her as she gasped for breath. "You need rest," he said, his voice soft but firm.

"I don't have time to rest," Aurora insisted, her determination cutting through her exhaustion. "If this is the endgame, we need to be ready."

Cassian met her gaze, his own filled with quiet resolve. "Then we'll face it. But you're not doing this alone."

The infirmary door creaked open, and a young scout stepped inside, their face pale. "The Lycan King... he's moving faster than we thought."

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